Photos from May, 2005

KIGALI, Rwanda — From left, Rwandan Minister of Defense Gen. Marcel Gatsinzi; U.S. Marine Gen. James Jones, commander of NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and U.S. European Command; SHAPE Political Adviser Ambassador George Staples; and Rwandan Defense Force Chief of General Staff Gen. James Kabarebe pay respects at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial here May 31. Together they laid wreaths here in memory of the more than 800,000 innocent Tutsi and Hutus slaughtered in the 1994 genocide. Jones traveled here to personally thank Rwandan leadership for the Rwandan Defense Force’s support to Darfur region of Sudan. (DoD photo by Navy Cmdr. Chris Stamper) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PARIS — The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Elite Guard, along with their French counterparts, await the arrival of the official party at the Arc de Triomphe here during the Memorial Day ceremony May 29. The Elite Guard visited four different locations in the Paris area: the Arc De Triomphe, Suresnes American Cemetery and the Lafayette Escadrille monument. (DoD photo by Air Foce Capt. Jonathan Friedman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEUSE-ARGONNE, France — French Soldiers render honors at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery here during a Memorial Day ceremony May 29. More than 14,000 American World War I veterans are buried in the cemetery. (Army photo by Spc. Joe Alger) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
VYSTREL TRAINING CENTER, Russia — A 1st Armored Division and Russian Soldier shake hands at the small arms range here May 26 for exercise Torgau 2005. The Soldiers exchanged unit patches a few moments earlier. (Army photo by Master Sgt. David Melancon) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION SCULTHORPE, England — British Cpl. Terry Steele meditates during exercise Poachers Arrow here May 25. Poacher Arrow is a three-day joint force exercise between the 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, England, and the British Army, 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment from Ballykelly, Northern Ireland. (Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cecil McCloud) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At sea — A French Navy Rafale M multi-role combat fighter performs a touch-and-go aboard here May 25 during Multi-National Maritime Exercise 05-1. The Rafale is operating from the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle. More than 17,000 Sailors from the United States, Canada, France, Great Britain and Spain are participating in the exercise, which is focused on multi-national maritime interoperability capabilities in support of the NATO Response Force. The force combines elite land, air, sea, special operations and mission specific units into a single force that can be deployed anywhere in the world in five days and sustain itself on a wide range of missions. (DoD photo by Navy Airman Peter Carnicelli) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION SCULTHORPE, England — Air Force Airman 1st Class Dan Nolan shouts, "get out" as he fires his last round during exercise Poachers Arrow here May 25. Poachers Arrow is a three-day joint force exercise between the 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, England, and the British Army, 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment from Ballykelly, Northern Ireland. (Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cecil McCloud) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE STATION SCULTHORPE, England — Air Force Senior Airmen John Wickiser, Timothy Bewley and Todd Mahan take cover behind a tank during exercise Poachers Arrow here May 25. Poachers Arrow is a three-day joint force exercise between the 100th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, England, and the British Army, 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment, Ballykelly, Northern Ireland. (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley Church) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Carney (DDG 64). Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PENTAGON — British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, right, meets with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, foreground, here May 19. A number of bilateral security issues were discussed. Straw and United Kingdom Ambassador to the United States Sir David Manning, center, represented Britain. (DoD photo by R.D. Ward) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MANIAGO, Italy — A Soldier drops from the afternoon sky here May 19. Members from the 173rd Airborne Brigade completed their proficiency jumps from a UH-60 Blackhawk from Aviano Air Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Holzworth) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — Army Sgt. Rebecca Ramage, 3747th Multifunctional Training Brigade-Europe, repairs Army Sgt. Shawn Finch's weapon on the M-16 range here May 18. (Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Witherspoon) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LAGER AULENBACH, Germany — French Lt. Col. Frederic Arnault explains a French communication system to Norwegian Cpls. Stenuen Odd Arild and Tonnesen Rolf Martin during exercise Combined Endeavor here May 18. Combined Endeavor 2005, a Partnership for Peace exercise sponsored by U.S. European Command and in cooperation with German and Romanian ministries of defense, is the largest and most complex communications and information system military exercise in the world. During 13 days, 43 nations will conduct more than 1,400 interoperability tests of command, control, communications and computer equipment systems in support of future combined humanitarian, peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Stacy Moless) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Lance Jorgensen watches a radar terminal while leaving here May 16 on the Coast Guard Cutter Bear. The Bear is bound for the Africa’s Gulf of Guinea on an international training mission. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Shinn) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
KITZINGEN, Germany — Heidi Sims, widow of Capt. Sean P. Sims of the 1st Infantry Division, accepts her husband's posthumous Silver Star medal from V Corps Commander Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, center, and 1st ID Commander Army Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, left, during the division's welcome-home ceremony at Harvey Barracks here May 16. (DoD photo by Army Spc. Joe Alger) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LAGER AULENBACH Germany — Croatian Army 1st Lt. Sinisa Engler translates a Croatian document for German Army Senior Officer Candidate Jan Eric Foisner and Sgt. Jochen Bendel during exercise Combined Endeavor 2005 here May 15. Combined Endeavor 2005 is a Partnership for Peace exercise sponsored by U.S. European Command, in cooperation with German and Romanian ministries of defense. It is the largest and most complex communications and information system military exercise in the world. During 13 days, 43 nations will conduct more than 1,400 interoperability tests of command, control, communications and computer equipment systems in support of future combined humanitarian, peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Rumsey) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LAGER AULENBACH, Germany — Slovak Republic Army Maj. Marian Babjak reviews reporting processes for information system testing with Uzbekistani Army Maj. Andrey Semingov and Capt. Vladimir Ryabkin during exercise Combined Endeavor 2005 here May 15. Combined Endeavor 2005, a Partnership for Peace exercise sponsored by U.S. European Command and in cooperation with German and Romanian ministries of defense, is the largest and most complex communications and information system military exercise in the world. During 13 days, 43 nations will conduct more than 1,400 interoperability tests of command, control, communications and computer equipment systems in support of future combined humanitarian, peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Rumsey) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LAGER AULENBACH, Germany — Norwegian 1st Lt. Emil Myre mans the telephone switchboard during a testing phase of Exercise Combined Endeavor here May 14. Combined Endeavor 2005, a Partnership for Peace exercise sponsored by U.S. European Command and in cooperation with German and Romanian ministries of defense, is the largest communications and information system military exercise in the world. During 13 days, 43 nations will conduct more than 1,400 interoperability tests of command, control, communications and computer equipment systems in support of future combined humanitarian, peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shannon Kluge) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BELLEAU WOOD, France — Local resident and historian Gilles Lagin, who has studied the battle of Belleau Wood for more than 30 years, shows Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Dave Bumgardner a German gas mask found next to the remains he discovered on a recent battlefield study. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. Phil Mehringer) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LAGER AULENBACH, Germany — Turkish Army Sgt. Maj. Yasar Tasci and Sgt. 1st Class Mehmet Ali Sever splice telephone cables during exercise Combined Endeavor 2005 here May 13. Combined Endeavor 2005 is the most complex communications and information system military exercise sponsored by U.S. European Command in cooperation with German and Romanian ministries of defense. Forty-three nations are conducting more than 1,400 interoperability tests of command, control, communications and computer equipment systems in support of future combined humanitarian, peacekeeping and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kristin Ruleau) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania — U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ian Hoagland, right, talks with Romanian Air Force Pvt. Ciprian Bistieru about setting up a laser module that will be used for high-speed voice and data transmission here May 13. During exercise Combined Endeavor 2005, Airmen with the 1st Combat Communications Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, prepared communication equipment to test the interoperability of command, control, communications and computer systems among 1,200 servicemembers and civilians from more than 43 countries. The Airmen successfully completed more than 1,400 tests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania — Air Force Senior Airman Lawrence Tobin reviews the technical order for building a 50-foot mast as Air Force Senior Airmen Charles Lyddon, left, and Neal Bridges prepare a modulator on the mast here for exercise Combined Endeavor 2005. The exercise will test the communications systems among 1,200 service members and civilians from more than 43 countries. The Airmen are assigned to the 1st Combat Communications Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John Lasky) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIRFIELD, Romania — Romanian Maj. Razvan Zlataru, left, 48th Signal Regiment, makes a loop-back test here May 12 on a video teleconference system in preparation for exercise Combined Endeavor 2005. Combined Endeavor, May 13-26, is a U.S. European command-sponsored exercise, designed to identify and document command, control, communications and computer interoperability between NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. Representatives from 43 countries and NATO are taking part in the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Andrew Rodier) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
STUTTGART, Germany — Minister President Günther Oettinger and Air Force Gen. Charles Wald, U.S. European Command deputy commander, discuss topics of mutual interest May 12 at Villa Reitzenstein here. Oettinger is the newly elected minister president for the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The two leaders talked about the future of U.S. troops in Baden-Württemberg and U.S.-German relations. (DoD Photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — U.S. President George Bush and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili react to the cheering of thousands of citizens here in Freedom Square May 10, 2005. "You are building a democratic society where the rights of minorities are respected, where a free press flourishes, a vigorous opposition is welcome, and unity is achieved through peace," Bush said in his remarks. "In this new Georgia, the rule of law will prevail and freedom will be the birthright of every citizen." (White House photo by Eric Draper) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Army Sgt. David Deans, a Reserve Soldier with the 7th Army Reserve Command's Medical Support Unit-Europe, secures a Bosnia and Herzegovina Soldier into a litter here May 11. Soldiers from the unit demonstrated how to load and unload a casualty into a military vehicle as part of training to prepare the BiH Soldiers for their first deployment to Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Witherspoon) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — President George Bush speaks to tens of thousands of Georgian citizens in Freedom Square here May 10. Bush thanked the citizens of the former Soviet republic for their country's support in Afghanistan and Iraq and for setting an example for other nations in pursuit of democracy.(DoS photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — U.S. President George Bush waves to the thousands of Georgians May 10 at Freedom Square here. Bush later met with Marines involved in U.S. European Command’s Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program, to train select Georgian units to continue scheduled deployments to support UN peacekeepers in Iraq. (DoD photo by Marine Capt. David Harvey) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — Georgian citizens show support for America and President George Bush during his visit to Freedom Square here May 10. (DoD photo by Marine Maj. Eric Lehman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MOSCOW — President George Bush and Laura Bush stand with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Lyudmila Putina, French President Jacque Chirac, far left, and Chinese President Hu Jintao, right, as many heads of state watch a parade in Moscow's Red Square commemorating the end of World War II May 9. (White House photo by Eric Draper) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg — Shelton Smith, an 81 year-old World War II veteran who served in Gen. George S. Patton Jr.’s 3rd Army, peers out of the window of a bus after his visit to Luxembourg’s Abbaye de Neumuenster Cultural Center. There, Smith shared stories about the Red Ball Express, the unit attached to Patton’s headquarters. (Air Force photo by Senior Airman Amaani Lyle) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
CONSTANTA, Romania — Air Force Senior Airman Neal Bridges prepares a line-of-sight shot with a tropo-scatter radio to extend communications services during Combined Endeavor 2005 here May 9. Combined Endeavor 2005 from May 13 to 26, is a U.S. European Command-sponsored exercise designed to identify and document command, control, communications and computer interoperability between NATO and Partnership for Peace nations. Representatives from 43 countries and NATO are taking part in the exercise. Bridges is a communications technician with the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Rodier) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
HADITHAH DAM, Iraq — Azerbaijani Army Pvt. Abdulkerimov Ilvan scans the water of Qadisiyah Lake here May 6. The lake presents a terrorist threat from approaching watercraft. The Azerbaijani Army Soldiers man a series of observation posts along both the river and the lake side of Hadithah Dam. Their sole responsibility is keeping the dam and the perimeter secure. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Marc Fencil) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MOSCOW — Army Sgt. Drew Halsey carries the American flag through Tereskaya street here May 8 en route to the Belarus Train Station. The band's enthusiastic reception left a positive impression on the Army. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Larry Tilby) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PILSEN, Czech Republic — World War II veteran and retired Army National Guard Brig. General Walker Johnson, left, and 3rd Army's Sgt. Kevin James exchange greetings in Pilsen, Czech Republic, May 5 during celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the city's liberation at the end of World War II. At the time of liberation the 16th was part of V Corps. (DoD photo by Army Sgt. Kristopher Joseph) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — Georgian soldiers observe the practical application of emergency medical treatment demonstrated by a U.S. Navy medical team member here May 5. The U.S. Navy Medical Platoon is part of the Georgian Sustainment and Stability Operations Program, which is training the Georgian soldiers until spring of 2006. (DoD photo by Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Dwaine Roberts) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PENTAGON — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, right, congratulates former Portuguese Minister of Defense Paulo Portas after awarding him with the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service here May 4, 2005. Rumsfeld recognized Portas for his leadership and service as Portugal's minister of defense. Under Portas' leadership, Portugal created modern, deployable forces that played important roles in the stabilization of Afghanistan and Iraq, and in support of peacekeeping deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor and throughout Africa. (DoD photo by Helene Stikkel) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BISMARK, North Dakota — Ghana Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Okyere talks with attendees during a workshop here May 4 about the North Dakota National Guard joining with his country as part of the U.S. European Command’s State Partnership Program. North Dakota Governor John Hoeven and Army Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, National Guard Bureau chief, look on. The three-day conference gave participants a working knowledge of Ghana and allowed people to explore ideas on future cooperation and exchanges between the North Dakota National Guard and Ghana. “Ghana has the finest armed forces in Africa and has supplied troops for peacekeeping operations for over 40 years,” Okyere said. “We have a lot to offer the North Dakota National Guard as well, and we look forward to a long and friendly relationship.” Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy — Air Force Senior Airman Jaorge Valero, 31st Maintenance Operations Squadron, cross-references the part serial number sheet against the engine part serial numbers so they can be easily tracked and maintained here May 3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Holzworth) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
TBILISI, Georgia — Navy Lt. Cmdr. Mark Schmidheiser, right, observes the practical application of emergency medical treatment conducted by Georgian Medical Platoon members here May 3. Schmidheiser is a member of Task Force Georgia Sustainment and Stability Operations Program, which is training the Georgian soldiers until spring of 2006. (DoD photo by Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Dwaine Roberts) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PENTAGON — French Minister of Foreign Affairs Michel Barnier, right, meets with Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz, foreground, here May 2. Under discussion are a number of security issues of interest to both nations. Taking notes on the discussions is French Ambassador to the U.S. Jean-David Levitte, center. (DoD photo by R. D. Ward) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...