Jan. 31, 2017

Pararescueman awarded Air Force Cross for valor at Roberts Ridge

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) — Fifteen years after a 17-hour battle on an Afghan mountaintop, a pararescueman’s extraordinary heroism was recognized with an Air Force Cross, upgraded from a Silver Star, following a service-wide review of medals awarded since 9/11.

Jan. 31, 2017

816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron answers the call in the Middle East

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. — United States and Coalition forces in Afghanistan are working to advise, train and assist Afghan security forces across the country. In places like Jalalabad Airfield in the country’s far-eastern Nangarhar Province, they recently called for a shipment of vehicles to support their ongoing work with their Afghan partners.

Jan. 30, 2017

U.S. Raid in Yemen Garners Intelligence

WASHINGTON — A Pentagon spokesman said valuable intelligence was obtained during the U.S. military raid on the militant Islamist group al-Qaida in Yemen that killed a U.S. service member and injured three others.

Jan. 30, 2017

Handover Ceremony of Huey Helicopter

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — At a ceremony January 27 in Almaty, the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan handed over a Huey II Helicopter worth $7 million to the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan. This is the fourth Huey helicopter provided to Kazakhstan through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program. U.S. Ambassador George Krol, U.S. Consul General Mark Moody, U.S. Defense Attaché Colonel Ron Hogan, and leadership of the Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan participated in the ceremony.

Jan. 30, 2017

Iraqi Security Force practices squad-level assault tactics

The Government of Iraq sends Iraqi Army and Border Guard Police units to Al Asad Air Base to learn and practice proven patrol and clearing techniques in urban warfare environments.

Jan. 30, 2017

369th SB trains on Army’s newest communications equipment

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT — While it may resemble a giant beach ball, the inflatable Ground Antenna Transmit Receive (GATR) Ball is actually the U.S. Army’s latest piece of satellite communications equipment. The technology is so new that the 369th Sustainment Brigade’s GATR Ball has a serial number in the single digits.

Jan. 30, 2017

Gunfighters Save the Day

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — On Sept. 21, 2016. Afghanistan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF) were operating in Khost Province, when they were pinned down by enemy heavy machine gun fire and facing a maneuvering enemy assault. One of their Soldiers suffered a gunshot wound to the head and required immediate medical evacuation. The ANDSF requested air support to medically evacuate their wounded.

Jan. 27, 2017

Pentagon Official Details Counter-ISIL Progress in Iraq, Syria

WASHINGTON — The coalition and its partners in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continue to make gains in Iraq and Syria, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

Jan. 26, 2017

Squadron serves as strong link in OIR supply chain

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFNS) — Aerial porters from the 870th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron worked steadily alongside loadmasters to load and offload aircraft around the flightline of Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, during a busy January afternoon; as they moved cargo and prepared it for its final destination. This constant loading and offloading of various items to and from aircraft requires careful coordination among the aerial porters of the 870th AEAS and they rely on each other’s expertise to efficiently perform their mission.

Jan. 25, 2017

Iraqi Forces Free Eastern Mosul From ISIL, OIR Commander Says

WASHINGTON — Iraqi security forces liberated eastern Mosul from more than two years of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s control, the commanding general of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command Operation Inherent Resolve said.