U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Randal L. Marks, 86th Medical Support Squadron chemistry and shipping noncommissioned officer in charge, looks at a blood sample through a microscope at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 8, 2020. Marks won Airlifter of the Week for his work drafting the validation plan and operating instruction for a diagnostics system used to test for COVID-19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class John R. Wright)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Randal L. Marks, 86th Medical Support Squadron chemistry and shipping noncommissioned officer in charge, prepares a blood sample to examine under a microscope at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 8, 2020. Marks was specifically looking for rouleaux in the blood sample, which is when red blood cells are stacked on top of each other. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class John R. Wright)
U.S. Army and Latvian Special Forces conduct HALO jump
2:50 PM6/25/2020
U.S. Army and Latvian Special Forces practiced high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) jumps in Latvia on 18 June 2020. During a HALO jump, operators free fall from high altitudes (upward from 10,000 feet) before opening their parachutes close to the ground. This technique, pioneered by Green Berets during the Vietnam War, allows for rapid, discreet insertion of special operations forces.
During this exercise, the Special Forces soldiers jumped from a Latvian Air Force Antonov AN-2 transport plane with their counterparts from the Latvian Special Operations Unit. U.S. Special Forces frequently practice airborne operations alongside their Latvian allies.
Polish and U.S. soldiers cross a river using a Swimming Self-Propelled Carrier PTS at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 13, 2020. Exercise Allied Spirit, a Defender-Europe 20 linked exercise, originally scheduled for May, takes place at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 5-19, 2020. Approximately 6,000 U.S. and Polish soldiers are taking part in the exercise. The modified exercise will test a division-sized unit's ability to conduct a deliberate water-crossing, integrate with alliance capabilities and establish a common intelligence operational picture. The exercise, modified in response to COVID-19, operates in accordance with the guidance directed by DoD and host nations. All U.S. Soldiers and civilians involved in the exercise completed a 14-day quarantine and were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival with additional health screenings if necessary. For more information about Allied Spirit and DEFENDER-Europe, visit www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope.(U.S. Army Photo by Richard Herman)
Polish and U.S. Soldiers cross a river using a Swimming Self-Propelled Carrier PTS at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 13, 2020. Exercise Allied Spirit, a DEFENDER-Europe 20 linked exercise, originally scheduled for May, takes place at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 15-19, 2020. Approximately 6,000 U.S. and Polish Soldiers are taking part in the exercise. The modified exercise will test a division-sized unit's ability to conduct a deliberate water crossing, integrate with alliance capabilities, and establish a common intelligence operation picture. The exercise, modified in response to COVID-19, operates in accordance with the guidance directed by DoD and host nations. All U.S. Soldiers and civilians involved in the exercise completed a 14-day quarantine and were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival with additional health screenings if necessary. For more information about Allied Spirit and DEFENDER-Europe, visit www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Javan Johnson)
Polish soldiers cross a river in a Rosomak Armoured Personnel Carrier at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 13, 2020. Exercise Allied Spirit, a Defender-Europe 20 linked exercise, originally scheduled for May, takes place at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 5-19, 2020. Approximately 6,000 U.S. and Polish soldiers are taking part in the exercise. The modified exercise will test a division-sized unit's ability to conduct a deliberate water-crossing, integrate with alliance capabilities and establish a common intelligence operational picture. The exercise, modified in response to COVID-19, operates in accordance with the guidance directed by DoD and host nations. All U.S. Soldiers and civilians involved in the exercise completed a 14-day quarantine and were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival with additional health screenings if necessary. For more information about Allied Spirit and DEFENDER-Europe, visit www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (U.S. Army Photo by Richard Herman)
USEUCOM’s Ironclad Commitment and Capabilities Demonstrated Across Europe
9:51 AM6/23/2020
U.S. European Command’s (USEUCOM) last week of exercises and operations clearly demonstrated to America’s Allies and foes alike that the command’s operational capabilities and commitment are ironclad.
A B-2 Spirit assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, departs after refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England, June 18, 2020. The aerial refueling was conducted as part of a strategic bomber mission north of the Arctic Circle. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Barron)
B-2s fly north of Arctic Circle, integrate with Norwegian F-35s
4:01 PM6/18/2020
B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, conducted integration and interoperability training with Norwegian F-35s during a long-range, long duration strategic bomber mission north of the Arctic Circle, June 18, 2020.
GAETA, Italy (June 17, 2020) - Rear Adm. Michael T. Curran, Fleet Supply, Logistics and Ordinance, N4, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet, leads a press conference with local media about the first of three donations of medical equipment and supplies to local Italian communities. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with Allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
200615-N-RG482-0204 BALTIC SEA (June 15, 2020) The Royal Danish Navy Absalon-class support ship HDMS Esbern Snare (L17), front, and the Swedish Royal Navy Visby-class corvette HMS Karlstad (K35) sail in formation in the Baltic Sea during exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2020, June 15, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kyle Steckler)
The Multinational, Maritime Exercise BALTOPS 20 Concludes
11:40 AM6/17/2020
Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) concludes Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 20, the premiere annual maritime-focused U.S. European Command exercise in the Baltic region, June 16.
U.S. 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Soldiers successfully complete a river crossing at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 11, 2020. Exercise Allied Spirit, a DEFENDER-Europe 20 linked exercise, originally scheduled for May, takes place at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Area, Poland, June 15-19, 2020. Approximately 6,000 U.S. and Polish Soldiers are taking part in the exercise. The modified exercise will test a division-sized unit's ability to conduct a deliberate water crossing, integrate with alliance capabilities, and establish a common intelligence operation picture. The exercise, modified in response to COVID-19, operates in accordance with the guidance directed by DoD and host nations. All U.S. Soldiers and civilians involved in the exercise completed a 14-day quarantine and were tested for COVID-19 upon arrival with additional health screenings if necessary. For more information about Allied Spirit and DEFENDER-Europe, visit www.eur.army.mil/DefenderEurope. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke)
U.S. Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey R. Pyatt, along with Greek Minister of Defense Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos and Gen. Konstantinos Floros, chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, visited Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece. The visit symbolizes the strength of the U.S./Greece defense and security relationship and the commitment to increase cooperation at NSA Souda Bay in support of Greece's critical role as a regional pillar of stability.
(Video by AFN Souda Bay)
B-52s conduct interoperability training with aircraft from the Baltic Air Policing mission during a long-range, long duration strategic Bomber Task Mission throughout Europe and the Baltic region, June 15, 2020. Participation in multinational exercises enhances our professional relationships and improves overall coordination with allies and partner militaries during times of crisis. (Courtesy photo by Estonian Air Force)