Photos from December, 2006

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain — Combat Life Saver Course participant Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Theressa Jenson, receives a helping hand from her instructor as she administers her first IV (intravenous) to Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice Joshua Duran here Dec. 19, 2006. Seventy-three Sailors and Marines took part in the three-day course administered by six volunteer Army Reserve Soldiers from the 7th Army Reserve Command, Medical Support Unit-Europe from Heidelberg, Germany. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kristine DeHoux) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART-WANGEN, Germany – Members of the U.S. European Command Operations Directorate, (from left) Mrs. Ros Gallagher, Navy Rear Adm. Richard Gallagher, director, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dan Cimmino and Navy Lt. Cory Durant visited children at the Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart Jugendamt (Stuttgart Youth Welfare Office) Dec. 19, 2006, to deliver gifts collected by members of the command. The gifts will be distributed by the members of the welfare office to different centers throughout Stuttgart. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PATCH BARRACKS, Germany – Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dan Cimmino welcomes a group of German military cadets during an official visit here Dec. 19, 2006. The group of future officers is visiting the headquarters of U.S. European Command to learn about the combatant command’s mission, operations and responsibilities as well as to foster cooperation and understanding. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Lt. Corey Barker) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BOEBLINGEN, Germany – A member of the 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) explains the capabilities of the M-4 rifle to Army Gen. William E. “'Kip” Ward, U.S. European Command deputy and Earl G. Graves, Chairman of Earl G. Graves, Ltd., during a visit to K D Range here Dec. 19, 2006. Graves, who was named one of the ten most outstanding minority businessmen in the country, was previously assigned as a captain with the 19th Special Forces Group. He also served as a civilian aide to the Secretary of the U.S. Army from 1978 to 1980. (Department of Defense photo by John Tomassi) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Daugherty, 510th Fighter Squadron, checks Serbian air force Capt. Nenad Milojevic’s, mask for leaks. A delegation of Serbian military officers were here as allies observing the 31st Fighter Wing's organization and readiness while strengthening international relations for the first time since the two faced off in Operation Allied Force over Yugoslavia in 1999. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Liliana Moreno) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
HOHENFELS, Germany – Polish Soldiers of the 18th Airborne Assault Battalion take a building during a cordon-and-search exercise at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center Dec. 14, 2006. Senior Polish military leaders visited about 500 of their Soldiers who are training at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in preparation for the country’s first-ever deployment to Afghanistan. The mostly urban-operations training, which will continue until the end of December, is preparing the Poles for a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Department of Defense photo by Gary Kieffer, U.S. Army, Europe Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
HEIDELBERG, Germany — Romanian army Staff Sgt. Laurentiu Serban sits on his bed at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center just weeks after an Afghan land mine tore off his right leg. Serban remained in LRMC’s care for five months after the incident receiving surgery, physical therapy and a custom-fitted prosthesis. (Department of Defense photo by Army Spc. Matthis Chiroux, U.S. Army, Europe Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Rusty Hays, left, with 31st Fighter Wing, shows Serbian Air Force Capt. Vladimir Ivkovic, from Batajnica Air Base, Serbia, parachute techniques here Dec. 11, 2006, before a familiarization flight. A delegation of Serbian military officers were here as allies observing the 31st Fighter Wing's organization and readiness while strengthening international relations for the first time since the two faced off in Operation Allied Force over Yugoslavia in 1999. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Liliana Moreno) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
HOHENFELS, Germany - Polish airborne Soldiers check-out the streets of a mock village Dec. 14, 2006, at the Military Operations in Urban Terrain site of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center. Senior Polish military leaders visited about 500 of their Soldiers who are training at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in preparation for the country’s first-ever deployment to Afghanistan. The mostly urban-operations training, which will continue until the end of December, is preparing the Poles for a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. Aimee Millham, U.S. Army, Europe Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PODOGRICA, Montenegro — Army Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum, chief of the National Guard Bureau, admires a Montenegrin Special Anti-Terrorist Unit sniper's handiwork during a demonstration for National Guard Bureau and Maine National Guard leaders at the Ministry of Interior Training Center near Podgorica, Dec. 7, 2006. The Maine National Guard and Montenegro announced their pairing in the National Guard’s State Partnership Program. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. Jim Greenhill) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITERRANEAN SEA — Quartermaster Seaman Jeff Schulze, Quartermaster 3rd Class Wilfred Gonzalez and Quartermaster 2nd Class Jason A. Lentz fold the National Ensign aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Saipan (LHA 2) Dec. 10, 2006. Saipan is currently transiting the Mediterranean en route to Norfolk, Va after successfully completing a surge deployment before a scheduled decommissioning in April 2007. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Patrick W. Mullen III) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
DANILOVGRAD TRAINING CENTER, Montenegro — Members of the Montenegrin Special Forces participate in a tactical capabilities demonstration here Dec. 7, 2006, for National Guard Bureau and Maine National Guard leaders. The Maine National Guard and Montenegro announced their pairing in the National Guard’s State Partnership Program. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. Jim Greenhill) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WASHINGTON — Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, left, looks on as Lord Paul Rudd Drayson, British Minister for Defense Procurement, signs a memorandum concerning the Joint Strike Fighter program during a visit to the Pentagon Dec. 12, 2006. The document establishes a framework for cooperation in the production, sustainment, and follow-on development of aircraft. The United Kingdom joins Canada, the Netherlands, and the United States as the fourth nation to sign the memorandum. (Department of Defense photo by Robert D. Ward) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
FORT WORTH, Texas – The F-35 Lightning II is rolled out at an inauguration ceremony here July 7. Officials from the United Stated and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 12 in Washington to begin future cooperation in the production, sustainment and follow-on development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program.The military jet is the next generation strike fighter bringing cutting-edge technologies to the battlespace of the future. The Lightning II features an advanced airframe, autonomic logistics, avionics, propulsion systems, stealth and firepower. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Chief Petty Officer Eric A. Clement) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GARMISCH, Germany -- John P. McLaurin III, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Human Resources, briefs quality of life conference delegates on Army human resources during the Washington Perspectives brief here Dec. 11, 2006. About 50 delegates from all over the U.S. European Command area of operations are here representing more than 100,000 service members, civilians and family members. The delegates are discussing a myriad of issues important to service members and their families to include child and youth services, healthcare, counseling and other community services. They are listening to briefs from senior Pentagon officials and are providing grassroots-level input. (Department of Defense photo by Sue Ferrare) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ACCRA, Ghana — More than 70 international military leaders from the United States, Europe and the Economic Community of West African States gathered at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre here for the Multi-National Command Post Exercise 06. The exercise, which takes place Dec. 4-15, 2006, is sponsored by the U.S. Government under the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance Program. ACOTA helps enhance the peacekeeping capabilities and readiness by helping train peacekeepers from the 18 participating African nations. Additionally, several military mentors from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe assisted by providing military-to-military interface; the most current operational viewpoints and adding validity to the training program. (Department of Defense photo by Marine Sgt. Adrianne Rigez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SHENGJIN, Albania — A Soldier from Special Operations Command Europe administers a Hepatitis A vaccine to an Albanian girl at a health clinic here. SOCEUR Soldiers administered 500 vaccinations from Nov. 22-24, 2006, as part of a week-long joint training exercise program with Albanian troops. The vaccine provides protection from Hepatitis A, a viral disease that is often transmitted by contaminated food or water. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ATLANTIC OCEAN — The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) steams into the sunset Nov. 30, 2006, during a weapons off-load. Iwo Jima deployed from her homeport of Norfolk, Va., and began a regularly scheduled six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility to conduct Maritime Security Operations. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Bryant A. Kurowski) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BÖBLINGEN, Germany — Army Lt. Col. Peter Benson, right, Special Operations Command Europe command surgeon, administers the oath of office to newly-commissioned Army 2nd Lt. Keith Goffin here Dec. 6, 2006, at KD Range on Panzer Kaserne as Goffin's wife, Tzvetelina, looks on. The direct commissioning event was the first for SOCEUR. Goffin, a 18-year veteran and former Army sergeant first class, served as SOCEUR's senior medic for more than six years. He will leave SOCEUR in January to attend the Army Infantry Officer Basic Course. (Department of Defense photo by Army Maj. Holly Silkman, U.S. European Command Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Marine Gen. James Jones performs his final act as commander for U.S. European Command, by adding a joint meritorious unit award to the EUCOM colors during a change of command ceremony here on Dec. 4, 2006. The command earned the award, which was conferred by Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England (center) for exceptionally superior service from July 1, 2003, to Nov. 30, 2006. During the ceremony, Jones was succeeded by Army Gen. John Craddock (left), who will also assume responsibilities as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, from Jones Dec. 7, 2006, in Mons, Belgium. (Department of Defense photo by Matthew J. Thomas, TSC Stuttgart - Multimedia) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NEBKETT, Mali — Air Force Maj. William Baez, stationed with the 435th Dental Sqaudron, 435th Medical Group, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, performs a dental screening on a girl here Nov. 22, 2006. Baez was part of a humanitarian assistance team that visited villages in the Timbuktu area during a three-week bilateral and joint combined exchange exercise between the U.S. and Malians. The event also conducted medical and veterinary screenings, civil affairs assessments and military-to-military training, conducted by 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) soldiers, home-based in Stuttgart, Germany. (Department of Defense photo by Jaime L. Wood, U.S. European Command Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NEBKETT, Mali — A Special Forces Soldier assists a villager with deworming a cow here Nov. 22, 2006, during a veterinary civil assistance program. The event was part of a three-week bilateral and joint combined exchange exercise between the U.S. and Malians, which also included military-to-military training, medical and dental screenings and civil affairs assessments. The soldier is assigned to U.S. European Command’s 1st Battalion 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Stuttgart, Germany. (Department of Defense photo by Jaime L. Wood, U.S. European Command Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Army Gen. John Craddock accepts command of U.S. European Command from Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England during a ceremony on Patch Barracks here, Dec. 4, 2006. Craddock, who replaces Marine Gen. James L. Jones (right), will also assume responsibilities as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, from Jones in a ceremony Dec. 7 in Mons, Belgium. (Department of Defense photo by Adam Gramarossa, TSC Stuttgart - Multimedia) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Army Gen. John Craddock addresses the U.S. European Command after accepting command from Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England during a ceremony on Patch Barracks here, Dec. 4, 2006. Craddock, who replaces Marine Gen. James L. Jones, will also assume responsibilities as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, from Jones in a ceremony Dec. 7 in Mons, Belgium. (Department of Defense photo by Adam Gramarossa, TSC Stuttgart - Multimedia) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Timbuktu, Mali — U.S. Special Forces Soldiers discuss radio communication techniques with members of the Malian army here November 22, 2006. The discussion was part of a bilateral and joint combined exchange exercise where the troops also conducted an over-land large unit movement, a simulated raid and live-fire training. The Americans are assigned to U.S. European Command’s 1st Battalion 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Stuttgart, Germany. (Department of Defense photo by Jaime L. Wood, U.S. European Command Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Army Veterinarian Maj. Clinton George (bottom center), 64th Medical Detachment Veterinary Services, Kaiserslautern, Germany, and a 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldier (left), from Stuttgart, Germany, deworm a cow here Nov. 22, 2006, during a veterinary civil assistance program. The event was part of a three-week bilateral and joint combined exchange exercise between the U.S. and Malians, which also included military-to-military training, medical and dental screenings and civil affairs assessments. The village chief (top center) watched over the event. (Department of Defense photo by Jaime L. Wood, U.S. European Command Public Affairs) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
RIGA, Latvia — A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, offloads more than 60,000 pounds in fuel to an F-15 from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, England. The F-15 joined other U.S. Air Forces in Europe aircraft from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, to provide security for the NATO Riga Summit that took place Nov. 28-29, 2006, in Latvia where the heads of state and government from the 26 NATO member countries met. Also providing support from USAFE were the 32nd Air Operations Center, the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, and the 616th Air and Space Communications Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Teresa Pumphrey) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, and the U.S. European Command, in cooperation with Serbia's Ministry of Defense, held a three-day seminar on Military Support to Civil Authorities signifying the first State Partnership Program event with the state of Ohio. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...