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.