Jan. 6, 2012

U.S. Navy rescues Iranian fishing vessel from pirates in Arabian Sea

ARABIAN SEA (January 6, 2012) — Yesterday, forces assigned to the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group rescued an Iranian fishing vessel from pirates in the northern Arabian Sea. At approximately 12:30 p.m, an SH-60S Seahawk from the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) detected a suspected pirate skiff alongside the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai. Simultaneously, a distress call was received from the master of the Al Molai claiming he was being held captive by pirates.

Jan. 5, 2012

Face of defense: marine, recruiter reunite in Afghanistan

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (January 4, 2012) — Three years ago, Staff Sgt. James Pribyl, then a Marine Corps recruiter, met Ernest Wetzel at a public library in Wetzel’s hometown of Woodstock, Conn.

Jan. 4, 2012

Kandahar Air Wing rings in new year with annual open house

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (January 1, 2012) — About 350 school children and elders from Kandahar province visited the Afghan air force Kandahar Air Wing Jan. 1 during its third annual open house, where they had the opportunity to become familiar with the aircraft they often see or hear overhead.

Jan. 4, 2012

Senior marine pilot discusses progress in Afghanistan

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan (January 3, 2012) — Maj. Gen. Glenn M. Walters, the senior Marine Corps aviator in Afghanistan, commands 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), the aviation combat element for the southwestern regional command of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. He sat down to discuss the progress that has been made over the last 10 months in Helmand and Nimruz provinces under his command.

Jan. 3, 2012

SECDEF calls deployed Air Force NCO to ring in the New Year

KABUL Afghanistan (January 2, 2012) — The NCO picked up the phone in his office at Kabul International Airport and on the other end was the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta who called Jan. 1, 2012, to wish him a happy New Year.