Joint partners clear brush, build camaraderie before major medical exercise

U.S. service members clear brush and overgrown vegetation at the Hutovo Blato National Forest here May 27, 2012. More than 150 Bosnian-Herzegovinian military and firefighters and U.S. service members worked together at the national forest to clean up damage caused by a fire in 2011. The goal of the event was to build camaraderie between the partnered nations before beginning Shared Resilience 2012, an annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff sponsored exercise May 28 - June 8.

Joint partners clear brush, build camaraderie before major medical exercise

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Marks, Shared Resilience 2012 co-director, cuts vegetation at the Hutovo Blato National Forest here May 27, 2012. More than 150 Bosnian-Herzegovinian military and firefighters and U.S. service members worked together at the national forest to clean up damage caused by a fire in 2011. The goal of the event was to build camaraderie between the partnered nations before beginning Shared Resilience 2012, an annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored exercise May 28 - June 8.

Joint partners clear brush, build camaraderie before major medical exercise

Army Sgt. 1st Class Christie Fields, Shared Resilience 2012 participant from the 396th Combat Support Hospital, Spokane, Wash., clears brush at the Hutovo Blato National Forest here May 27, 2012. More than 150 Bosnian-Herzegovinian military and firefighters and U.S. service members worked together at the national forest to clean up damage caused by a fire in 2011. The goal of the event was to build camaraderie between the partnered nations before beginning Shared Resilience 2012, an annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored exercise May 28 - June 8.

Non-commissioned officers strengthen NATO backbone at joint-nation symposium

Bulgarian air force chiefs Master Sgt. Hristo Hristozoz and Ivo Bakardzhiev listen to a presentation during the first Bulgarian and U.S. non-commissioned officer symposium at the Bulgarian Land Forces headquarters here, April 10-11. More than 40 senior enlisted leaders met to discuss doctrine, strengths and leadership philosophies, which are designed to empower and inspire non-commissioned officers in both nations' corps. The first day of the joint-nation symposium included four discussions and a small-group breakout session.

Non-commissioned officers strengthen NATO backbone at joint-nation symposium

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Chief Master Sgt. David Williamson, (left) and Bulgarian air force Sgt. Maj. Rumen Petrov (center) listen to Bulgarian Chief of air forces Maj. Gen. Constantin Veselinov Popov during the first Bulgarian and U.S. non-commissioned officer symposium at the Bulgarian Land Forces headquarters here, April 10-11. More than 40 senior enlisted leaders met to discuss doctrine, strengths and leadership philosophies, which are designed to empower and inspire non-commissioned officers in both nations' corps. The first day of the joint-nation symposium included four discussions and a small-group breakout session.

Non-commissioned officers strengthen NATO backbone at joint-nation symposium

Bulgarian navy Vice Adm. Plamen Manushev, deputy chief of defense (center), prepares opening remarks before the first Bulgarian and U.S. non-commissioned officer symposium begins at the Bulgarian Land Forces headquarters here, April 10-11. More than 40 senior enlisted leaders met to discuss doctrine, strengths and leadership philosophies, which are designed to empower and inspire non commissioned officers in both nations' corps. The first day of the joint-nation symposium included four discussions and a small-group breakout session.

Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morocco -- A Moroccan family takes photos in the flight deck of a C-130J Super Hercules at Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012 April 7, 2012. U.S. Air Forces Africa participated in the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morocco -- A crowd of people tour the inside of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules at Aero Expo Marrakech 2012 April 7, 2012. U.S. Air Forces Africa participated in the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morocco -- A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 151st Air Refueling Wing, Saltlake City, Utah, sits on the flightline at Aeroexpo Marrakech, April 5, 2012. U.S. Air Forces Africa is participating in the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

Aero Expo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morocco -- Airman 1st Class Michael Childress, 818th Contingency Response Group, inspects components of a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle during night shift April 5, 2012 at the 2012 Marrakech Aeroexpo grounds. Childress and other members of the 818th CRG are providing around-the-clock security for the entirety of this event to ensure U.S. aircraft are secure. The U.S. Air Force is participating in the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. Security forces team members are providing security for U.S. aircraft for the entirety of the Aeroexpo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)

Aero Expo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morocco -- Tech. Sgt. Bruce Herrington, left, and Staff Sgt. Matthew Ross move barriers move security barriers around U.S. aircraft April 5, 2012 at the 2012 Marrakech Aeroexpo. Herrington and Ross are members of the 818th Contingency Response Group and are at the Aeroexpo to provide security for U.S. aircraft at the event. They also act as liaisons for visitors with questions about the aircraft. The U.S. Air Force is participating in the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. Security forces team members are providing security for U.S. aircraft for the entirety of the Aeroexpo. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)

Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morrocco—Capt. Sylvia Kim, left, U.S. Air Forces Africa interpreter, interprets the French language for Sgt. Abigail Waldrop, AFAFRICA American Forces Network, as a French speaking vendor tells Waldrop and Kim about the shoes he is selling at the Jemaa el Fna Market April 2,2012. Kim and Waldrop visited the market with a group of service members as part of a culture exploration day before supporting the 2012 Marrakech Aeroexpo. U.S. Air Forces Africa is participating in the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)

Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morocco – A Royal Moroccan Air Force CL-415 performs for a crowd during the opening ceremonies at the Marrakech Aeroexpo April 4, 2012. U.S. Air Forces Africa is participating the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012

MARRAKECH, Morocco -- A C-130J Super Hercules sits between two F-15E Strike Eagles on the flightline at the Marrakech Aeroexpo April 4, 2012. U.S. Air Forces Africa is participating the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrakech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

Partnership, Africa, Ghana, APF, AFAFRICA, USAFE

ACCRA, Ghana -- A member of the Ghanaian air force guards a U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules during the capstone event of African Partnership Flight 12-2 March 21 here. U.S. Air Forces Africa APF 12-2 is a military-to-military partnership building exercise event providing all air forces involved the opportunity to exchange techniques and learn from one another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

Partnership, Africa, Ghana, APF, AFAFRICA, USAFE

ACCRA, Ghana -- A member of the Benin air force secures a latch onto an U.S. Air Force C-130J Hercules in preparation for the African Partnership Flight capstone event March 12 here. U.S. Air Forces Africa APF 12-2 is a military-to-military partnership building exercise event providing all air forces involved the opportunity to exchange techniques and learn from one another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

APF, AFAFRICA, Ghana, Partnership, Africa

ACCRA, Ghana -- U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Maggie Woodward, center, 17th Air Forces commander, salutes along with leadership from partnering African nations during the closing ceremony of the first African Partnership Flight March 23 here. APF 12-2 is military-to-military partnership building exercise that gave Ghanaian, Togolese, Senegalese, Nigerian, Benin and U.S. Air Force the opportunity to exchange ideas, techniques and practices to strengthen each nations' air-security. During the two-week exercise the six partnering nations shared experience in various fields to include: medical, search and rescue, aircraft marshalling, aircraft loading, security, safety, public affairs, aircraft maintenance and chaplain services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

APF, Partnership, Ghana, AFAFRICA, USAFE

ACCRA, Ghana -- Captain Shana Serrano, U.S. Air Forces in Africa interpreter, poses with Lola, the stuffed animal, by the African Partnership Flight 12-2 banner March 16 at Camp Burma here. Serrano is here as an interpreter for APF 12-2, which is a military-to-military partnership building event involving the U.S., Ghanaian, Nigerian, Togolese, Senegalese and Benin Air Forces. Serrano brought Lola to take photos with around Ghana and with her fellow comrades from all Air Forces participating in APF 12-2 so that her daughter can see the kind of work she's doing in Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

APF, Ghana, Africa, USAFE, AFAFRICA

ACCRA, Ghana -- Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Griffith, 17th Air Force, talks about signs a vehicle component may have been tampered with during a vehicle search exercise with Ghanaian Air Force Cpl. Felix Boampong, general duty, and Ghanaian Air Force Leading Aircraftsman Emmanuel Nelson, general duty, here March 15. Participants in the airfield security portion of the African Partnership had three minutes to search a sport utility vehicle for a simulated explosive device placed by other members of the group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brok McCarthy/released)

APF, Ghana, Africa, USAFE, AFAFRICA

ACCRA, Ghana -- Leading Aircraftsmen Lydia Opoku, Ghana Air Force general duties, practices challenging techniques shared during a challenge and search exercise at the African Partnership Flight 12-2 March 14 here. The APF is a military-to-military partnership strengthening event providing Air Forces from the U.S., Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal and Togo the opportunity to exchange techniques and learn from one another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

USAFE, AFAFRICA, APF

ACCRA, Ghana -- Staff Sgt. Robert Browning, U.S. Air Forces in Europe band Touch 'n Go drummer, jams out on the drums during a partnership building performance apart of their tour in support of the African Partnership Flight at the Accra Girls Senior High School March 15 here. This performance is their first of seven community outreach performances in support of the APF. They are traveling throughout Ghana to support the host nation of the APF's countrymen. The APF is a U.S. Air Forces Africa military-to-military event involving the exchange of ideas between U.S., Ghanaian, Benin, Nigerian, Togolese and Sengalese Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

USAFE, AFAFRICA, APF

ACCRA, Ghana -- Tech. Sgt. Craig Bowman, U.S. Air Forces in Europe band Touch 'n Go vocalist, sings along with a student of the Accra Girls Senior High School during a community relations performance in support of the first African Partnership Flight March 15 here. This performance is their first of seven community outreach performances in support of the APF. They are traveling throughout Ghana to support the host nation of the APF's countrymen. The APF is an U.S. Air Forces Africa military-to-military event involving the exchange of ideas between U.S., Ghanaian, Benin Nigerian, Togolese and Sengalese Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

USAFE, AFAFRICA, APF

ACCRA, Ghana -- Tech. Sgt. Craig Bowman, U.S. Air Forces in Europe band Touch 'n Go vocalist, serenades students of the Accra Girls Senior High School during a community relations performance in support of the first African Partnership Flight March 15 here. This performance is their first of seven community outreach performances in support of the APF. They are traveling throughout Ghana to support the host nation of the APF's countrymen. The APF is an U.S. Air Forces Africa military-to-military event involving the exchange of ideas between U.S., Ghanaian, Benin Nigerian, Togolese and Sengalese Air Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)

African Partnership Flight 12-2

ACCRA, Ghana -- Members of U.S., Benin, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Togolese, and Senegalese air forces wait for the first African Partnership Flight's opening ceremonies to commence March 12 here. APF is a two week military-to-military multilateral and regional engagement event involving the partnership of U.S., Benin, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Togolese, and Senegalese air forces. The partnerships aim to increase air safety and security for the region through the exchange of ideas and techniques between all countries involved in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)