South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 31, 2012

Headquarters Marine Corps

Marine Corps Military Free Fall Instructors assigned to Marine Detachment - Fort Bragg, release the ashes of Sgt. Brett Jaffe (1971-2012), a Marine rigger, above Phillips Drop Zone at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., on July 26, 2012. "It was an honor and privilege to take this Marine on his last jump and give him a proper hail and farewell," said Staff Sgt. Marty Rhett. Marines in photo (clockwise, starting with the flag): Gunnery Sgt. Brian Boger, Gunnery Sgt. Mike Latham, Gunnery Sgt. Jimmy Smith, Staff Sgt. Lennie Castro, Staff Sgt. Seth Wright, Staff Sgt. Marty Rhett.

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 30, 2012

In the Rain                                                                            

Reservists from the 414th Fighter Group, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., service their aircraft while playing opposing forces during an operational readiness exercise at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. The fighter group led a total force integration team to support the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Wendy Lopedote)

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 29, 2012

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PACIFIC OCEAN (July 25, 2012) A landing craft air cushion assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 transits through the Pacific Ocean during the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group's composite training unit exercise. The exercise is a pre-deployment certification that evaluates an amphibious ready group's ability to conduct military operations at sea and support expeditionary operations ashore. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth Merriam/Released) 

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 28, 2012

Photo Credit: Spc. David Hauk, 14th PAD

           

Spc. Duane Sharp, Team Japan, fights off Sgt. Adam Minette, Team Minnesota National Guard, during a preliminary bout for the U.S. Army Combatives Championship at Fort Hood, Texas, July 26, 2012. The event attracted 319 competitors from 28 Army posts across the world.

Warriors worldwide come to Fort Hood for combatives championship 

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 27, 2012

7/25/2012 By Cpl. Paul Zellner

Marine Forces Europe

Reconnaissance Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 practice room-clearing drills with soldiers from the Israeli Defense Force during Exercise Noble Shirley in Tel Aviv, Israel July 10. Noble Shirley is an annual exercise designed to exchange ideas, improve interoperability, understanding and cooperation between the Israeli Defense Force and United States military. Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force with crisis response capabilities deployed to the Black Sea, Caucus and Balkans region to enhance interoperability and promote regional stability. 

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 26, 2012

An Air Force F-15C Eagle from the 493rd Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, participates in the Red Flag 12-4 exercise July 20, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag provides valuable training in planning and executing a wide variety of combat missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal) 

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 25, 2012

Gunner's mates assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), fire the 25mm machine gun during an underway gunnery exercise. The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) has temporarily relieved Frank Cable from conducting maintenance of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. Frank Cable is returning to her homeport in Guam. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gabrielle Blake (Released) 120721-N-GE301-032

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 24, 2012

Photo Credit: Spc. Tyler Meister

           

Spc. Aaron Aguilar, a paratrooper of 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, scans his sector of the Azikzai police station, July 9, 2012, in Central Azikazi, Afghanistan. Second platoon Soldiers maintain observational awareness of the area to mitigate enemy threats.

Compound improves security for coalition forces, Afghan people 

Michiana Daily News Update

 

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 23, 2012

7/13/2012 By Cpl. Jonathan Wright

31st MEU

Marines with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, launch a volley of mortars for suppression during a live-fire exercise here, July 13. Following the conclusion of Exercise Hamel 2012, the Marines of Co. G. engaged in movement to contact drills, using what they learned from living in a woodland environment for the past three weeks. Exercise Hamel 2012 is a multi-national training evolution between the U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Army and New Zealand Army, aimed at certifying the Australian 1st Brigade for operational deployment. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 22, 2012

In the silver lining                                                                            

A KC-135 Stratotanker, with the 756th Air Refueling Squadron, flies through storm clouds on its way to meet up with and refuel a C-17 Globemaster III, with the 15th Airlift Squadron, during exercise "Global Eagles" off the east coast of Florida on July 12, 2012. The KC-135 was the U.S. Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock)

Michiana Daily News Update

    

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 21, 2012

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BLACK SEA (July 19, 2012) The Ukrainian naval vessels Hetman Sahaydachniy (U 130) and Konstantin Olshansky (U 402), the Turkish naval vessels TCG Tufan (P 333) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) operate in formation during Exercise Sea Breeze 2012. Sea Breeze is co-hosted by the Ukrainian and U.S. navies and is intended to improve maritime safety, security and stability engagements in the Black Sea by enhancing the capabilities of Partnership for Peace and Black Sea regional maritime security forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Jamieson/Released)          

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 20, 2012

Women Soldiers to test female-specific body armor

 

Michiana Daily News Update

 

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 19, 2012

7/12/2012 By Cpl. Michael Petersheim

24th MEU

Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, suppress simulated targets in a building during live-fire sustainment training at Udairi Range in Kuwait, July 12, 2012. Charlie Company spent the day focusing on squad-level tactics in military operations in urban terrain, or MOUT, environments. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. 

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 18, 2012

 

Rotor rooter                                                                            

Staff Sgt. Casey Spang inspects one of the tilt-rotors on a CV-22 Osprey prior to takeoff on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., July 5, 2012. The 20th Special Operations Squadron conducted a routine training flight over Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. Spang is a 20th SOS flight engineer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Alexxis Pons Abascal)

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 17, 2012

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. (July 15, 2012)

                                  The Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) transits the Saint Marys River. Georgia returned to Kings Bay after spending more than a year forward deployed. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber (Released) 120715-N-FG395-032

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 16, 2012

Photo Credit: 1Lt. David Brink, Task Force Mad Dog

           

Mine Detection Dog Gill and his handler search for explosives while a Soldier pulls security during a patrol in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, in May 2012.

Mine dogs clear Afghan roads

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 15, 2012

7/12/2012 By Sgt. Tatum Vayavananda

Marine Forces Africa

Lance Corporals Chris C. Holloway and Dominic D. Walicki, and Pfc. Kenneth T. Martin, assistant crowd control instructors with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, simulate a riot for the Burkina Faso partners they are training with during Exercise Western Accord 2012. The crowd control training taught the basics of baton work, use of shields, forming a shield line, keeping rhythm in the line, and the deployment of snatch teams that are used to acquire and detain high-value individuals, such as a riot leader. Exercise Western Accord 2012 is a multi-lateral training exercise with West African nations to increase understanding and interoperability, prevent conflict by enabling Africans to provide for their security and stability, strengthen relationships with partner nations, and promote and support U.S. national security priorities. Participating African nations include Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Gambia.

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 14, 2012

 Airman inside                                                                            

A crew chief with the 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, inspects an F-16 Fighting Falcon engine July 5, 2012. Members of the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., are deployed to Kandahar Airfield in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 13, 2012

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (July 10, 2012)1 of 4

An SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Nightdippers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5 flies the national ensign alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Dwight D. Eisenhower is on a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Julia A. Casper (Released) 120710-N-RY232-458

 

Michiana Daily News Update

 

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 12, 2012

Photo Credit: Comoros Army 1st Lt. Said Yasser

           

Staff Sgt. David Gilbert, squad leader, 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas National Guard, assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force -- Horn of Africa, discusses self-development methods with Comorian Army of National Development noncommissioned officers during a five-day noncommissioned officer development seminar at the National School of Army and Gendarmerie, held June 12-16, 2012. Noncommissioned officers from the U.S. and Comorian armies partnered together to share best practices of basic NCO skills.

U.S., Comorian Soldiers participate in NCO seminar

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 11, 2012

7/8/2012 By Lance Cpl. Michael Oxton

31st MEU

Marines with the Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, use a circular saw to ignite a Brocos torch while attempting to breach steel barricades, July 9. The raid was part of the Realistic Urban Training Exercise, evaluated by Special Operations Training Group. It is designed to integrate unique individual and small unit skills in conjunction with the 31st MEU's increased proficiency in the rapid response planning process in a challenging and unfamiliar environment. The 31st MEU is the United States' force in readiness for the Asia Pacific.

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 10, 2012

Birds and B’s                                                                            

A B-52 Stratofortress drops live guided bomb units as an F-15D Eagle follows during the Midway White III training exercise over the Nevada Test and Training Range on June 28, 2012. The data gathered from the training attacks executed in Midway White III is utilized to aid or enhance ongoing Defense Threat Reduction Agency programs. The B-52 is with the 340th Weapons School and the F-15D is with the 433rd Weapons School. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal)

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 9, 2012

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 is directed onto the catapult on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is conducting sustainment exercises off the coast of California designed to maintain mission readiness. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nolan Kahn (Released) 120706-N-NK714-210

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 8, 2012

Photo Credit: Courtesy photo

           

Maj. Tony Miller of the Tennessee National Guard explains shipping labels on outbound cargo during a training event. Africa Deployment Assistance Partnership Teams traveled to Uganda from Feb. 20 to Feb. 24, 2012, to train Ugandan soldiers in logistics requirements for deployments.

AFRICOM builds logistics capability in African partners

Michiana Daily News Update

South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana; July 7, 2012

7/7/2012 By Cpl. Joshua Young

1st MEB

Marines with 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force, begin their training exercise aboard Range 107 at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., July 7. The newly activated battalion is participating in large scale exercise, Javelin Thrust. More than 5,000 Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade, part of I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Reserve are participating in the exercise. The large-scale exercise is the first in a three-part continuum, culminating with a Navy and Marine Corps led amphibious exercise Dawn Blitz in 2013. Javelin Thrust is the largest annual Marine Corps Reserve and active duty training exercise, comprised of reserve Marines from 38 states, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 9th Communication Battalion, and 1st Law Enforcement Battalion. The 33 Canadian Brigade Group from Ottawa, Canada is participating as a coalition force, with a higher headquarters based at Camp Pendleton.

Michiana Daily News Update