Photos from April, 2009

SOUDA BAY, Greece — NATO Maritime Interdiction Operations Training Center instructor Warrant Officer Niko Bouras (right), guides Spanish Marine Cpl. Daniel Rodriguez Palacios through a simulated firearm exercise during exercise Phoenix Express 2009 here April 28. Phoenix Express is part of the overall U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet Theatre Security Cooperation strategy to enhance regional stability in the region through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies from the United States, Africa and Europe. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jenniffer Rivera) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SOUDA BAY, Greece — Marines from Morocco participate in small arms practical training exercises during exercise Phoenix Express 2009 here April 28. Phoenix Express is part of the overall U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet Theatre Security Cooperation strategy to enhance regional stability in the region through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies from the United States, Africa and Europe. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Whitfield M. Palmer) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
SOUDA BAY, Greece — An Italian Marine participates in a cargo container inspection exercise during exercise Phoenix Express 2009 here April 28. Phoenix Express is part of the overall U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet Theatre Security Cooperation strategy to enhance regional stability in the region through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies from the United States, Africa and Europe. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jenniffer Rivera) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWOEHR AIR BASE, Germany — Members from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team drop out of a C-130E Hercules, April 22, 2009. This is the last large combat training drop for a C-130E in Germany. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Senior Airman Nathan Lipscomb) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWOEHR AIR BASE, Germany — Members from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team board a C-130E Hercules aircraft for their quarterly training jump April 22, 2009. The 173rd ABCT has a proud history of service with combat jumps in Vietnam and Iraq during the first days of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Senior Airman Amber Bressler) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Ulcinj, Montenegro — Mr. Bernard Cobaj, Public Diplomacy, U.S. Embassy (far left), Mr. Gzim Hajdinaga, Mayor of Ulcinj (third from left), Army Capt. Darrell Davis, Bilateral Affairs Office, U.S. Embassy (left center), and Steve Kontos, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy visit an American doctor (far right) during a tour of the hospital in which donated medical equipment will be used. The donation of the excess property equipment was coordinated by the Defense Attache' Office Podgorica and the U.S. European Command Humanitarian Assistance office at the request of the medical clinic. The donation ceremony was held April 15. (Department of State photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS Mount Whitney, Mediterranean Sea — A MH-60 Knight Hawk helicopter lands aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) April 28 after conducting search and rescue operations for a missing civilian aircraft off the coast of the Greek island Argostoli. Mount Whitney offered assistance in response to communications from the Greek Maritime Regional Coordination Center. At the time of the report, Mount Whitney was about 100 miles from the suspected crash site and immediately altered course to the scene. Mount Whitney is the U.S. Sixth Fleet flagship and is currently on a regularly scheduled deployment. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eddie Harrison) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BAR, Montenegro — Lt. Col. Greg Broecker, Defense Attache', Mr. Roderick Moore, U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro, Ms. Branka Nikezic, President of the City of Bar Assembly, and Mr. Velizar Cadjenovic, Chief of the Fire Brigade, Bar, Montenegro (left to right), along with various firemen transfer 500 individual fire extinguishing systems for the city of Bar to combat wilderness fires in a ceremony here April 15. The acquisition of this equipment was coordinated by the Defense Attache' Office Podgorica, the Kosovo Contracting Office and the U.S. European Command Humanitarian Assistance office. (Department of State photo by Mr. Alex Titlolo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NOVO SELO RANGE, Bulgaria — First Lt. Mike "Vago" Hilkert, a pilot assigned to the 81st Fighter Squadron (right), trains a Bulgarian fighter pilot (left), on using reflective materials to signal a search and rescue helicopter April 15, 2009. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NOVO SELO RANGE, Bulgaria — A Bulgarian AS-532AL Cougar helicopter hovers overhead in search of simulated downed NATO pilots April 15, 2009. The helicopters were used to support "Reunion April 2009," a joint combat search and rescue training exercise between the U.S. and Bulgarian Air Forces. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NOVO SELO RANGE, Bulgaria — A Bulgarian AS-532AL Cougar helicopter hovers overhead in search of simulated downed NATO pilots April 15, 2009. The helicopters were used to support "Reunion April 2009," a joint combat search and rescue training exercise between the U.S. and Bulgarian Air Forces. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria — Senior Airman Spencer K. Lahaie, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, demonstrates features on board a P-19 fire truck to the Bulgarian firefighters. A six-man fire department team deployed here to support Reunion April 2009,, a joint training exercise. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria — Airman 1st Class Arthur J. Lewis, 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, demonstrates the equipment on board a P-19 fire truck to a Bulgarian air force fire chief. A six-man fire department team deployed here to support Reunion April 2009,, a joint training exercise. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria — U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Patrick Parrish, 81st Fighter Squadron pilot, suits up and prepares to fly on a training mission over Novo Selo Training Range, Bulgaria. Parrish deployed here to support a joint training exercise "Reunion April 2009." (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria — Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Watson, 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron armament systems technician, demonstrates A-10 armament equipment to Air Force Col. Pete Maynard. Colonel Maynard toured Bezmer Air Base April 17, 2009. He was recently assigned to the Bulgarian Defense Attache' Office. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria -- An 81st Fighter Squadron A-10 "Warthog" taxis down the runway to take off on a training mission with Bulgarian SU-25s parked in the background at Bezmer Air Base, Bulgaria. The Spangdahlem A-10s deployed here to support Reunion April 2009, a U.S. and Bulgarian Air Forces joint training exercise. Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NOVO SELO RANGE, Bulgaria — A Bulgarian AS-532AL Cougar helicopter and its search and rescue team arrive to the aid of simulated downed pilots First Lt. Mike "Vago" Hilkert, 81st Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot (left), and Capt. Petrov Boislav, a Bulgarian fighter pilot (right), April 15, 2009. The scenario was staged in support of "Reunion April 2009," a joint combat search and rescue training exercise between the U.S. and Bulgarian Air Forces. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
CORNWALL, United Kingdom — Service members from the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band perform in the Mediterranean biome at the Eden Project as guests arrive for the Joint Maritime Facility St. Mawgan disestablishment ceremony here April 18. JMF is a tri-service command between the United States and the United Kingdom with U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy personnel. The JMF mission is to provide anti-submarine warfare and ocean borne acoustic information to tactical platforms and shore based facilities, providing a link between U.S and U.K. maritime forces and their headquarters. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chris Henry) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
NOVO SELO, Bulgaria -- An 81st Fighter Squadron A-10 "Warthog" fires ammunition during a training mission over Novo Selo Training Range, Bulgaria. The Spangdahlem A-10s were used to support Reunion April 2009, a joint training exercise between the U.S. and Bulgarian Air Forces. Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria -- Capt. Vladislav Todorov, a Bulgarian SU-25 pilot, explains the SU-25 cockpit to U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Priscilla Giddings, 81st Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot April 15, 2009. Pilots from the 81st FS and Bulgarian air force jointed together during Reunion April 2009 to hone their close air support and combat search and rescue capabilities. Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BAMBERG, Germany — U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Maurice Kinnard, directorate of Public Works, adjusts the front sight post setting on an M16-A2 rifle for Sgt. Maj. Maik Ziemert, from the German army's 2nd Company, 466th Maintenance Battalion. (Department of Defense photo by Douglas DeMaio) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BEZMER AIR BASE, Bulgaria — Senior Airman Spencer K. Lahaie (left), and Airman 1st Class Arthur J. Lewis (right), 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters, demonstrate equipment and fire suits on board a P-19 fire truck to the Bulgarian firefighters. A six-man fire department team deployed here to support Reunion April 2009,, a joint training exercise. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Master Sgt. Bill Gomez) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — An F-15E Strike Eagle takes off for Campia Turzii, Romania here, April 17, 2009. 494th Fighter Squadron Airmen will have the opportunity to train with MiG-21L's to improve their tactical flying skills. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Perry Aston) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — Three F-15E Strike Eagles taxi to the runway here April 17, 2009. The 494th Fighter Squadron departed this morning to participate in the Strike Lance 2009 exercise at Campia Turzii, Romania. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Perry Aston) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England — Captain Cathyrine "Lilo" Riddersen, 494th Fighter Squadron weapon systems officer, performs preflight inspections prior to deploying to Campia Turzii, Romania as part of exercise Strike Lance 2009 here April 17, 2009. The exercise will allow the 494th Fighter Squadron an opportunity to train against MiG-21Ls. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Perry Aston) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany — General Carter Ham, commander of U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army, talks to students at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies April 15. The general talked about building partnerships and the situation in Afghanistan during a 45 minute speech followed by a question-and-answer period. The students are part of the Marshall Center's Program for Advanced Security Studies. (Department of Defense photo by Jason Tudor) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
PORTSMOUTH, England — The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is anchored in the English Channel as a ferry prepares to transport sailors to the Portsmouth Harbor, April 5. Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 sailors visited Portsmouth, England, on their way home from a seven-month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Hall) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY, at sea — Chief Boatswain's Mate Ryan J. Lamkin directs the Armed Forces of Malta Alouette helicopter to a landing on the USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) flight deck during flight operations while underway in the Mediterranean Sea April 7. The ship will visit Malta for a Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) mission to strengthen the maritime partnership between the U.S. and Malta. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Whitfield M. Palmer) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth (left), the adjutant general of New Jersey and His Excellency Mr. Gazmend Oketa (right), minister of defense for the republic of Albania, cut a special anniversary cake commemorating the 15-year partnership between New Jersey and the Republic of Albania in December. Mr. Oketa's visit coincides with the 15th anniversary of his nation's participation in the State Partnership Program with the New Jersey National Guard. This week, Albania achieved its long-standing goal of membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY, at sea — Members of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) arrive aboard USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) while underway in the Mediterranean Sea April 7. The AFM service members will spend three days aboard the ship and participate in various workshops and training exercises including flight deck operations, crash and salvage operations, and watchstanding. (Deparment of Defense photo by Navy Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Whitfield M. Palmer) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
A Polish Air Force F-16 receives fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom, during the NATO Baltic Air Sovereignty Training Event April 7. Seven nations' air forces, including U.S. Air Forces in Europe, participated in the event, which took place in the skies over Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. (Department of Defense photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Jerry Fleshman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MEDITERRANEAN SEA — An F/A-18E Super Hornet (right), refuels an F/A-18 Hornet during an air power demonstration over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt April 2, 2009. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Greg Deane (left), from the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Support Team Europe takes position after fast roping from a Spanish navy SH-3 Sea King helicopter in preparation for exercise Phoenix Express 2009 on April 2, 2009. Phoenix Express is a semi-annual exercise that includes European and African nations and helps to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Lt. Mike Morley) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
CAMP ROBERTSON TRAINING AREA, Germany — A soldier with the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) takes up his position during a cordon-and-search mission, part of Operation Saber Charge. (Department of Defense photo by Mark Heeter) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WOENSDRECHT AIR BASE, The Netherlands — Airmen in the 309th Airlift Squadron extinguish a flare up below an aircraft's wing during a training exercise at the Woensdrecht Firefighting Training Facility in the Netherlands. (Department of Defense photo by Christie Vanover) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
WOENSDRECHT AIR BASE, The Netherlands — As the handlineman, Senior Airman Bradley Fear leads the charge against a fuselage engulfed in flames. Fear and other members of the 309th Airlift Squadron trained on the simulator at the Woensdrecht Firefighting Training Facility in the Netherlands. (Department of Defense photo by Christie Vanover) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Lance Cpl. Krzystof Kopiec of the Polish Land Forces (right), gets some tips from fellow competitor Spc. Saidkhodja Kasimov of the Vicenza (Italy) Dental Activity while preparing to tackle the land navigation test as part of the 2009 U.S. Army Europe Expert Field Medical Badge competition at the training area here, March 26. (Department of Defense photo by Army Staff Sgt. Aimee Millham) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Cpl. Jonathan Sohilait, an infantry medic with the Royal Netherlands Army, drags Spc. Losivale Tally of the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine-Europe, who is role-playing as a "non-ambulatory victim," to safety during the 2009 U.S. Army Europe Expert Field Medical Badge competition. Smitz was one of 16 partner nation participants who trained and tested alongside USAREUR medical personnel during the competition at the training area here.(Department of Defense photo by Army Staff Sgt. Aimee Millham) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Sgt. 1st Class Sasha Stiegeler of the German Army Medical Forces Command (right), demonstrates giving aid to a simulated spinal injury victim in a burning Humvee with the help of two U.S. Army Europe soldiers, during Expert Field Medical Badge testing at the training area here, March 28. (Department of Defense photo by Army Staff Sgt. Aimee Millham) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BATUMI, Republic of Georgia — President Mikheil Saakashvili arrives aboard USS Klakring (FFG 42) during its port visit here, April 2. Klakring is in the Black Sea conducting Theater Security Cooperation engagements with regional nations. Klakring, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is currently in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility during a regularly scheduled deployment. She is assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fourteen. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Ensign Peter Goodman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
MONS, Belgium — Army Maj. Gen. Ken Keen (center), visits first graders at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) elementary school here, March 30. Keen was visiting SHAPE to tour facilities and receive briefings on several issues directly related to Quality of Life concerns for SHAPE personnel. During his visit he visited the school, medical clinic, newly renovated rationed items store and family housing. (Department of Defense photo) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...
BATUMI, Georgia — Georgian children perform a dance as part of the welcoming ceremony for the USS Klakring here, March 31. The welcoming committee included the regional governor and mayor of Batumi. (Department of Defense photo by Navy Ensign Peter Goodman) Hi-res / Details / Comments ...