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Pacific Ocean. (December 24, 2023): When we think of a military chaplain, we see a fearless man streaking from foxhole to foxhole caring for dying men while totally disregarding his own safety. Today, chaplains provide just as important a role as counselor/confessor to the troops. In this photo by Corporal Carl Matthew Ruppert, Navy Lieutenant Commander Austin Grimes, a chaplain with 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leads a chapel service aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island. American troops know that no matter what branch or where you serve, there will be a highly trained and experienced chaplain as a confidant should they need it.
Chaplains have accompanied military units since the Continental Army during the American Revolution and their mission continues to be to tend to the spiritual needs and moral well-being of unit members and their families.
Besides their traditional duties conducting worship services, today’s chaplains help commanders deal with work-related issues, particularly the stress of deployments on marriages and families. Although not licensed clinical counselors, military chaplains adhere to absolute confidentiality and are prepared to help people with many life challenges including marital problems, substance abuse, and financial difficulties typically faced by young servicemembers. Commanders’ view chaplain services as a crucial way to relieve stress and maintain harmony in the ranks.
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Pohnpei, Micronesia (Dec. 18, 2023) In this photo by MC1 Jacob I. Allison, Captain Marco Ayala, an ear, nose, and throat surgeon (right) and Lieutenant Jeffrey Nunez, a certified registered nurses’ anesthetist, perform surgery at Pohnpei State Hospital, Micronesia. These incredibly talented surgeons are but a small part of this year’s Pacific Partnership, an annual exercise in which medical teams collaborate with local officials and civic organizations to be ready for the next natural disaster.
In its’ 19th year, the Pacific Partnership was born out of the devastation brought by the December 2004 tsunami that swept through parts of South and Southeast Asia. Initially a military-led humanitarian response, the partnership today includes some 1,500 personnel from allies and partner nations including Australia, Chile, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, and New Zealand.
The Federated States of Micronesia is a country of 13,000 souls spread across the western Pacific Ocean comprising more than six hundred islands. Operating aboard the USNS Mercy, a combined eight hundred military and civilian personnel will embark to participate in humanitarian activities and planning. The medical teams working at the Pohnpei Hospital are providing tailored medical care focusing on surgical techniques, clinical care, and training for first responders. Each country will provide subject-matter experts in engineering, sanitation, and transportation and participate in a series of cultural events.
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Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. (December 23, 2023): In this photo by MC1 Cameron Stoner, Information Systems Technician (Submarine) 1st Class Macon Kirk, assigned to the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Washington, embraces his family during the boat’s homecoming just before Christmas. The Washington is returning from a lengthy deployment of over 37,000 miles that included diplomatic visits to Scotland and Norway.
Nicknamed the “Black Fish” after the Native American word for the Orca, the Washington spent the most time “on-station” than any east coast deployment on record, six months under the waves.
Life aboard a fast-attack submarine certainly isn’t for everyone. Deploying for months at a time with little or no contact with home, let alone fresh air, is hard on Sailors and families, especially during holidays,.
When they put to sea, Sailors enter a twilight zone of endless routines, eighteen hour “days,” and virtually no contact with home. On a boat like the Washington, space is at a premium for the 120-person crew. Sailors are stacked three high and often must share bunks with a fellow crew member who is on duty. One’s only privacy comes from a thin curtain and a small locker for personal belongings. The crew must constantly be ready for various “casualties,” such as fires or flooding, and they sleep and work in shifts. A “day” underway lasts 18 hours split into three six-hour shifts, one each for training, duty, and sleep.
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San Antonio, Texas. (December 24, 2023): One of the best ways to share the joys of Christmas is through beautiful music delivered in high style. In this photo by David Amaral, members of the Air Force Band of the West perform their “Holiday in Blue” concert for a delighted audience at the Majestic Theater.
The Air Force Band of the West is headquartered at Travis Air Force Base, California and is the only active-duty band serving California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada. The 60-member band also performs for audiences at 13 Air Force Bases, 8 Air Force Reserve Wings, and six recruiting squadrons.
The unit has several talented performance groups in addition to its Concert Band including marching band, jazz ensemble, and a woodwind quintet. The unit also provides solo vocalists to sing the national anthem and buglers to play Taps at military funerals. Throughout the year, the organization conducts over 250 performances for up to 1.5 million listeners.
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Suffolk, England. (December 22, 2023): In this photo by Airman 1st Class Katie Mullikin, Air Force Senior Airman Storm Dillard with the 100th Communications Squadron helps a Beck Row Primary Academy student communicate over land mobile radios during “Radio Santa”, an annual event to help kids talk to Santa. Each year, Airmen volunteer their time at local schools surrounding Royal Air Force Mildenhall during the holidays.
If any unit can successfully reach Santa, it is the 100th Communications Squadron.
These squadrons, the “eyes and ears” of the Air Force, maintain sophisticated communication and surveillance systems for air wings. These technicians are experts at all manner of voice, data, and satellite communications, They also manage some of America’s most sensitive surveillance data. The 100th is part of U.S. Air Forces Europe that comprises 10,000 personnel distributed across six major air bases throughout the country. America established permanent bases in England after the defeat of the Nazis. America’s presence represents our continuing commitment to NATO and the defense of freedom.
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Swietoszow, Poland. (December 21, 2023): In this photo by Sergeant Demetrysean Lewis, Specialist Jack Lingenfelter, a motor transport operator assigned to Kentucky’s National Guard 2113th Transportation Company, plays Santa while collecting high fives from local Polish children. Specialist Lingenfelter and his comrades chose to volunteer their off time to entertain children in local schools during the holidays. To them, it’s just part of being a good neighbor. Throughout the visit, the Soldiers gave out gift bags, and listened to the students sing Christmas songs. A bonus was that students got a chance to practice their English language skills with their American guests.
These 2113th Transportation Company soldiers are in Poland as part of the U.S. military buildup after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Today, units like the Kentucky National Guard rotate throughout the year and the American military has recently established its first permanent presence in the country. The U.S. 5th Corp will be based in the City of Poznan to coordinate the activities of Army forces from the Baltics to Bulgaria. The garrison now oversees a dozen different sites across Poland while deploying some 10,000 troops on a rotational basis.
Of course, equally important are the bonds developed between the average G.I. and the host population whose support is just as vital to the mission. For these Kentucky National Guard soldiers, the reward lies in the delighted eyes of children in the joy of Christmas.