April 13, 2012

From Vietnam to OEF: Pilot flies last mission of career

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (April 13, 2012) — On April 12, 2012, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James Routt, a pilot deployed with the 71st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, flew his last combat air mission of his 33-year military career over the skies of Afghanistan.

April 12, 2012

Teacher, soldier, medic, doctor: ANA soldier with a heart to serve

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan (April 11, 2012) — The past 30 years have been tough for the Afghan people, but for one man who lived through them all, following his dream has positioned him to help Afghanistan toward a peaceful future.

April 12, 2012

ANSF teach their own to defeat explosives threat

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (April 12, 2012) — Surrounded by the debris of previously detonated objects, students from Camp Hero’s Afghan National Security Forces Explosive Hazards Reduction Course climb out of their truck with mine detectors. Walking on either side of their vehicle, the Afghan National Army soldier and Afghan Uniformed Policeman check the immediate area to ensure a safe dismount for the rest of their team members.

April 11, 2012

'Hello' means more when said right

TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan (April 10, 2012) — The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing Theater Security Cooperation division here hosts a basic Russian language class twice a week to enable service members to engage in a basic Russian conversation.

April 10, 2012

On the road with the 980th Engineer Battalion

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 10, 2012) — Getting from one place to the next in Afghanistan takes more than a map, sometimes it takes an engineer battalion.

April 10, 2012

U.S. CENTCOM Commander visits Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, (April 6, 2012) — General James Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, visited Kazakhstan from 4-5 April 2012 as part of the United States' continued engagement in the region. Gen. Mattis met with Prime Minister Massimov and other senior Kazakhstani officials to exchange views on regional issues, gain a better understanding of the security situation, and to thank the Kazakhstani government for its contribution to international efforts to enhance stability and security throughout the region. Gen. Mattis also reaffirmed Central Command’s intention to continue cooperation with the Kazakhstani government on issues of common concern.

April 9, 2012

Nangarhar ADT works to expand access to quality agriculture education

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 9, 2012) — With support from the Nangarhar Agribusiness Development Team, the Afghan Ministry of Education celebrated another important milestone in their quest to provide all children in the nation equal access to a quality education.

April 6, 2012

Carving a pathway to enduring partnership: Seabees and Afghan soldiers combine skills on joint road

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (April 6, 2012) — Seabees and Afghan National Army personnel embarked on their sixth consecutive day of work on a joint road improvement project.

April 5, 2012

For Marines on the battlefield, urgent care is just a call away

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (April 05, 2012) — A four-vehicle convoy travels along the barren desert when the first vehicle is suddenly struck by an improvised explosive device. A Marine in the first vehicle is hit in the face by shrapnel. A Navy corpsman riding in the third vehicle jumps out and pulls the injured Marine from the vehicle and rushes to assess his injuries. The convoy commander immediately radios for a medical evacuation.

April 4, 2012

ANA general visits Korean Hospital and Vocational Training Center

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (April 4, 2012) — Afghan National Army Brig. Gen. Khatool Mohammadzai, director for women’s affairs in the ANA, visited the Korean Hospital and Vocational Training Center on Bagram Air Field April 2.