International Air Force Bands Festival

Onlookers applaud as the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band passes during a parade June 23, 2012, in Wroclaw, Poland. The parade concluded at the United European Football Association fanzone in Wroclaw, where the band performed for onlookers. The USAFE band visited Wroclaw to participate in the International Air Force Bands Festival hosted by Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski, Polish Air Force commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marissa Tucker/Released)

International Air Force Bands Festival

A member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band tunes up his trumpet before a parade through Market Square June 23, 2012, in Wroclaw, Poland. The parade concluded at the United European Football Association fan zone in Wroclaw, where the band performed for onlookers. The USAFE band visited Wroclaw to participate in the International Air Force Bands Festival hosted by Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski, Polish Air Force commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Marissa Tucker/Released)

Polish air force participates in first Red Flag

A member of the Polish air force C-130 Hercules crew watches the aircraft during Red Flag-Alaska on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson June 13, 2012. The goal of Red Flag-Alaska is to provide each aircrew with vital first missions to increase their chances of survival in combat environments.

Polish air force participates in first Red Flag

Members of the Polish Air Force C-130 Hercules crew inspect the aircraft during Red Flag-Alaska on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson June 13, 2012. The goal of Red Flag-Alaska is to provide each aircrew with vital first missions to increase their chances of survival in combat environments.

Polish Air Force participates in first Red Flag

A member of the Polish Air Force C-130 Hercules crew guides the aircraft to begin to taxi to the runway during Red Flag-Alaska on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson June 13, 2012. The goal of Red Flag-Alaska is to provide each aircrew with vital first missions to increase their chances of survival in combat environments.

Polish air force participates in first Red Flag

Members of the Polish air force C-130 Hercules maintenance crew ensure the propellers are working on the aircraft during Red Flag-Alaska on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 13, 2012. The goal of Red Flag-Alaska is to provide each aircrew with vital first missions to increase their chances of survival in combat environments.

Polish air force participates in first Red Flag

A Polish air force C-130 Hercules sits on the flight line during Red Flag-Alaska on Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 13, 2012. A member of the Polish air force C-130 Hercules crew guides the aircraft to begin to taxi to the runway during Red Flag-Alaska on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, June 13, 2012. The goal of Red Flag-Alaska is to provide each aircrew with vital first missions to increase their chances of survival in combat environments.

Saber Strike

Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip is briefed on the capabilities of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker by Lt. Col. Paul Beck, a pilot with the 171st Air Refueling Squadron. The aircraft was in Estonia for Saber Strike 2012, a multi-national exercise based in Estonia and Latvia. (Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Dan Heaton)

Saber Strike

Michigan Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker hooks up with an A-10 Thunderbolt II for an aerial refueling near the border between Latvia and Estonia, June 12, in support of Exercise Saber Strike 2012. Michigan Air National Guard Airmen deployed to Estonia in mid June for the Exercise, which is a multinational exercise based in Latvia and Estonia that promotes trust and interoperability among participating nations. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Barton)

Saber Strike

Master Sgt. George Hall, a KC-135 Stratotanker Airplane boom operator with the Michigan Air National Guard, gives a safety briefing to members of the Estonian Air Force prior to an orientation flight, June 12, 2012. Michigan Air National Guard Airmen deployed to Estonia in mid June in support of the Exercise Saber Strike 2012, a multinational exercise based in Latvia and Estonia, which promotes trust and interoperability among participating nations. (Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Barton)

Saber Strike

A formation of U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft fly over Amari Air Base, Estonia, prior to landing, June 8, 2012. The aircraft, flown by the 107th Fighter Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard, are believed to be the first A-10s to ever land in Estonia. The aircraft and their Airmen were in Estonia to participate in Saber Strike 2012, a multi-national exercise based in Estonia and Latvia. (National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Barton)

Saber Strike

Master Sgt. Mike Earley and Senior Amn. Joseph Mack, maintainers for the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., work together fastening a loading ejector rack to an A-10 Thunderbolt II Aircraft from the 107th Fighter Squadron, Selfridge, while deployed to Amari Air Base, Estonia. Michigan Air National Guard Airmen deployed in mid June, 2012 in support of the Saber Strike Exercise. (Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Barton)

SR12 ends with demonstrations to nation, military leaders

Col. Daniel Gerke, 48th Inpatient Operations Squadron commander, RAF Lakenheath, England, shows Patrick S. Moon, U.S. ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, around the expeditionary medical facility here June 6, 2012. More than 500 military members from nine nations are participating in SR12, the annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff sponsored exercise, May 28 - June 8. The goals of the exercise are to strengthen interoperability, facilitate training in crisis response and disaster management, and validate the readiness of deployable military medical and humanitarian assistance teams. The exercise, in the spirit of partnership for peace, directly supports U.S. European Command's theater cooperation efforts and strategy for active security with European countries.

Exercise melds Bosnian-Herzegovinian military, civilian medical communities

A team of medical professionals treat a simulated casualty for injuries during a mass casualty exercise to conclude the Critical Life Saving Skills for First Responders course here June 1, 2012. During the course, instructors from the Defense Institute for Medical Operations worked with other countries' medical practitioners attending Shared Resilience 2012 to exchange medical ideas and techniques. More than 500 military members from nine nations are participating in the annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff sponsored exercise May 28 - June 8. The goals of the exercise are to strengthen interoperability, facilitate training in crisis response and disaster management, and validate the readiness of deployable military medical and humanitarian assistance teams. The exercise, in the spirit of partnership for peace, directly supports U.S. European Command's theater cooperation efforts and strategy for active security with European countries.

SR12 Cultural Day promotes cross-nation appreciation

Photographs and letters rest at the foot of a Virgin Mary statue at the Saint Jakov holy site, Medjugorje, during the Shared Resilience 2012 Cultural Day tour June 3. Visitors of the site can leave items like these as prayer requests. This area became known in 1981 when six Catholic children reported seeing an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Now, the area sees approximately one million pilgrims per year. More than 500 military members from nine nations are participating in SR12, the annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff sponsored exercise, May 28 - June 8. The goals of the exercise are to strengthen interoperability, facilitate training in crisis response and disaster management, and validate the readiness of deployable military medical and humanitarian assistance teams. The exercise, in the spirit of partnership for peace, directly supports U.S. European Command's theater cooperation efforts and strategy for active security with European countries.

Maj. Gen. Mark R. Zamzow

Maj. Gen. Mark R. Zamzow, Third Air Force vice commander and European Command’s military representative to the United Kingdom, has played a role in many of the Air Force’s most notable missions, learning valuable lessons along the way with regard to leadership, training and coalition relationships. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Zamzow served for just more than 34 years as a heavy aircraft pilot, staff officer and commander. He is is set to retire in June with full faith in the future of his Air Force, declaring it one of the world’s greatest institutions.

Brig. Gen. Chris Weggeman promotion

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – General Mark A. Welsh III, left, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, and Col. Chris Weggeman, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, stand at attention while Tech. Sgt. Levi Williams, 52nd FW Honor Guard member, posts Weggeman’s general officer flag during a ceremonial pin-on at the Club Eifel ballroom here June 1. Airmen, family and friends attended the ceremony to celebrate Weggeman’s promotion to the rank of brigadier general, which is effective June 5. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks/Released)

Brig. Gen. Chris Weggeman promotion

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany – General Mark A. Welsh III, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, readministers the oath of office to Col. Chris Weggeman, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, during a ceremonial pin-on at the Club Eifel ballroom here June 1. Airmen, family and friends attended the ceremony to celebrate Weggeman’s promotion to the rank of brigadier general, which is effective June 5. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew B. Fredericks/Released)

Lafayette Escadrille Memorial

French and U.S. veterans, civilians and servicemembers participate at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial located on the outskirts of Paris, May 26, 2012. The memorial honors American pilots who volunteered to join the French Escadrille Lafayette and the Lafayette Flying Corps during World War I and also serves as a final resting place for the remains of 49 of those pilots. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Markus M. Maier) (Released)

Lafayette Escadrille Memorial

French and U.S. veterans, civilians and servicemembers participate at a Memorial Day ceremony at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial located on the outskirts of Paris, May 26, 2012. The memorial honors American pilots who volunteered to join the French Escadrille Lafayette and the Lafayette Flying Corps during World War I and also serves as a final resting place for the remains of 49 of those pilots. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Markus M. Maier) (Released)

Lafayette Escadrille Memorial

The remains of 49 American pilots rest in a crypt at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial located on the outskirts of Paris. The memorial honors American pilots who volunteered to join the French Escadrille Lafayette and the Lafayette Flying Corps during World War I. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Markus M. Maier) (Released)

NATO air policing exercise in Iceland

KEFLAVIK, Iceland — Icelandic Coast Guard vessel Thor prepares to transport ICG and U.S. Air Force personnel before a search and rescue exercise off the coast of Iceland May 30, 2012. During the exercise, two F-15C Eagle pilots from the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron simulated a bailout scenario over Icelandic waters. Pararescuemen jumped into the water and provided medical treatment to the “downed” pilot, who was then hoisted to safety by an Icelandic helicopter. The rescue exercise increased interoperability, as well as developed cohesion between the ICG and the 493rd EFS, which is deployed to Iceland to conduct NATO air policing until June 7, 2012. (Photo courtesy of Icelandic Coast Guard)

U.S., Polish Air Forces agree to exchange personnel

WARSAW -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Polish Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Lech Majewski sign the Military Personnel Exchange Program Memorandum of Understanding May 30, 2012 at a ceremony witnessed by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’affaires William Heidt and Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak. The MOU is the first of its kind in Central Europe and a significant step for both Air Forces. Through MPEP, the U.S. and Polish Air Forces exchange military officers in each other's Services. Along with family members, several Air Force Captains will work and live alongside their Allies. MPEP promotes mutual understanding and trust, enhances interoperability, strengthens air force-to-air force ties, and develops long-term professional and personal relationships. The Air Force officers and their families are expected to be in-place by the end of 2013 at Powidz and Krzesiny Air Bases in Poland, and at Luke and Pope Air Force Bases in Arizona and North Carolina. (Courtesy Photo)

Global medical practitioners work to seamlessly integrate

Second Lt. Warren Carter, a Chicago native from the San Antonio Military Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, demonstrates needle decompression for a collapsed lung during the Critical Lifesaving Skills for First Responders course here May 29, 2012. During the course, instructors from the Defense Institute for Medical Operations worked with other countries' medical practitioners attending Shared Resilience 2012 to exchange medical ideas and techniques. More than 500 military members from nine nations are participating in the annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored exercise May 28 - June 8. The goals of the exercise are to strengthen interoperability, facilitate training in crisis response and disaster management, and validate the readiness of deployable military medical and humanitarian assistance teams. The exercise, in the spirit of partnership for peace, directly supports U.S. European Command's theater cooperation efforts and strategy for active security with European countries.