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Fort Carson, Colorado. (July 9, 2024): Every military aircraft carries precious cargo, from billions in equipment to the irreplaceable lives of our servicemembers. Protecting America’s ability to safely transport troops and equipment is the Air Force’s top priority. In this photo Technical Sergeant Justin Norton, a C-130H Hercules belonging to the 302nd Airlift Wing expends chaff and flares during a training sortie as a part of Exercise Ivy Mass 2024. Most American combat aircraft have countermeasures to protect the crew from ground fire and heat-seeking or radar guided missiles. The main three categories of countermeasures are Infrared, Electronic, and Chaff.
Infrared Countermeasures are designed to protect aircraft from heat homing missiles by confusing the missiles' infrared guidance system so that they miss their target. These measures include firing flares which create multiple “fake” targets for the incoming missile. Heat-seeking missiles were responsible for about 80% of air losses in Operation Desert Storm during the first Gulf War.
Electronic countermeasures involve protecting communication networks from interception and jamming by enemy forces. Used offensively, these electronic devices are designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar, or other detection systems. They are also used to disrupt enemy communications to create a fog of confusion to break up coordinated attacks. The system may make many separate targets appear to the enemy, or make the real target appear to disappear or move about randomly. This is especially helpful when dodging missiles.
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South Burlington, Vermont. (July 10, 2024): Pilots may get all the glory, but they depend on one person to ensure they keep flying, their Crew Chief. In this photo by Technical Sergeant Richard Mekkri, Senior Airman Alexandra Banke, a Crew Chief with the 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard, guides an F-35A Lightning II into position for takeoff. As Crew Chief, Airman Banke is responsible for ensuring her aircraft is properly maintained and ready to fly.
Each aircraft is assigned a chief who oversees all aspects of maintenance, repairs, and inspections before a pilot can take flight. They watch over technicians performing daily maintenance, replacing parts, and keeping the proper records. They also conduct inspections of the aircraft to identify malfunctions or to spot trouble before it becomes mission threatening. They travel with their aircraft to inspect and service it before flight and then reinspect, refuel, and repair the craft on landing.
Beyond these basic duties, Crew Chiefs also play a role in the event of a crash, helping with the rescue and giving emergency medical care. They typically supervise a team of five highly trained specialists while assisting in the removal of engines, transmissions, and rotor blades. They function as mentors by ensuring all safety rules are followed and that Airmen comply with Air Force security standards.
To become a Crew Chief, a candidate must complete basic training at Lackland Air Force Base followed by 46 to 109 days of advanced training depending upon the aircraft they are assigned. This is followed up by several months of on-the-job training before they are assigned their very own bird.
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Okinawa, Japan. (July 5, 2024): A recent public opinion survey of Europeans who recently visited the U.S. remarked that “Americans seem to hang their flag everywhere.” That is true, we hang old glory from flag poles, mailboxes, cars, and even our clothing. In this photo by Sgt. 1st Class Henry Gundacker, one Soldier found yet another unique place to display his patriotism. Pictured are (from left to right) Maj. Robert S. Bourgeau, Sgt. 1st Class Corey O. Tomasich, Capt. Erik McDowell and Capt. Timothy Robinson showing the colors while conducting an underwater reenlistment ceremony. SFC Tomasich, an underwater demolition specialist, chose his workplace to take the oath and asked his comrades to go below to stage the event.
Some particularly gung-ho Soldiers compete to stage the most unique ceremonies to renew their commitment to serve, from hanging off a cliff while rappelling to taking the pledge mid-air during a free fall jump. Tomasich’s wife Anita and his children Maycee, Ellie and Tripp stayed topside for the ceremony but are nevertheless proud of their adventurous Dad.
Tomasich is with the 10th Support Group which is responsible for Army logistical support for units throughout the Pacific. He has served tours in Germany, South Korea, and Japan and is about to apply for Officer’s Candidate School.
Support Our Troops congratulates Tomasich and his family and wish them god speed in their future challenges.
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Jacksonville, Florida. (July 12, 2024): The U.S. Coast Guard rescued five people after their 24-foot vessel capsized eleven miles off Florida’s coast and the unlucky sailors are fortunate to be alive. In the above photo, Coast Guard personnel throw a lifeline to the stranded mariners who were desperately clinging to their overturned craft.
Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center received a 911 relay from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office that a boat was in distress far offshore and needed immediate rescue. Coast Guard Station Mayport dispatched a boat crew and Guard Air Station Savannah sent a helicopter crew to assist. The stranded crew were located eleven miles offshore wearing life vests which provided time for authorities to mount a rescue. They would likely not have survived without them.
The boat crew was transported to the Mayport Boat Ramp where family members were anxiously waiting. All five were medically evaluated and were in good shape after their ordeal. The overturned boat was left adrift in the ocean and the owner must arrange for its salvage.
Coast Guard officials reminded mariners to post a float plan and to always ensure there are life vests for everyone on the boat.
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“I don’t have a fear of heights. I do, however, have a fear of falling from heights.”
Comedian George Carlin
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. (July 1, 2024): Acrophobia, or simply a fear of heights, is a form of anxiety disorder that causes an irrational sense of doom when one encounters high places for some people. In this photo by Lance Corporal Ayden Cassano, Marine Corps Recruit Jhevon Smith descends a 47-foot rappel tower with a look of both terror and determination on his face.
While a certain amount of fear around heights can be expected, such as the uneasy feeling one gets standing on a bridge or looking down from a tall building. This is normal as most people experience a certain amount of anxiousness around heights. But people with acrophobia experience intense and unreasonable fear when they’re faced with heights, including everyday tasks such as climbing a flight of stairs, standing near a balcony, or parking a car in a multiple-floor parking garage. Sufferers experience rapid heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath and a queasy feeling when encountering high places to the extent they can be life limiting.
The military teaches recruits to overcome these fears, and in the bargain, they gain confidence in the equipment and training. That is why rappelling is taught in Basic Training to instill just such confidence.
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Orlando, Florida. (July 4, 2024): Worse than the physical damage of an illness or injury is the sense that future participation in sports is beyond your reach. This is particularly true for America’s injured warriors on their road to recovery. One such warrior is Technical Sergeant (retired) Jessica Derhammer, seen here hugging her kids after medaling in the 2024 Department of Defense Warrior Games (Credit photo by Anthony Beauchamp). Derhammer competed in eight individual sports—powerlifting, cycling, shooting, archery, track and field, swimming, and indoor rowing—for the title of Ultimate Champion. Derhammer has had a long road to recovery after being diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in January 2021.
The Department of Defense Warrior Games is an annual event, first held in 2010, that celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran service members. This year, the DoD Warrior Games will return to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida.
The Warrior Games feature “Adaptive Sports,” recreational competition with minor modifications to allow athletes to participate despite their illness or injury. Events and equipment are modified to allow warriors to compete in archery, cycling, volleyball, swimming, track, field, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, shooting, indoor rowing, and powerlifting.
Teams include those with upper-body, lower-body, and spinal cord injuries, as well as warriors suffering from traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, serious illness, and post-traumatic stress. The U.S. military views adaptive sports as one of many tools to help troops heal and return from injuries. Each service sponsors Care events to help educate injured warriors on adaptability, resiliency, and making the necessary transitions to participate fully in life. Often, these warriors return the favor as ambassadors, care givers, and advocates for adaptive sports.
This year marks the 14th anniversary where athletes from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Special Operations Command, and the Australian Defense Force come to compete in this adaptive sports competition.