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“A welder is someone who does precision guesswork based on unreliable data provided by those of questionable knowledge. You can also call us wizards.” — Unknown (Everyday Power Inspirational Quotes)
Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. (June 18, 2023): This unattributed quote pretty much sums up the challenges faced by Welders, one of the most vital trades in the military. In this photo by Jonathan Mallard, Carlos Ramirez, 502nd Civil Engineer Squadron shop welder attaches a boiler pipe flange at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His welding shop was recently recognized for completing more than 1,000 welding jobs so far this year.
While Welders may not enjoy the glamour of fighter pilots, their role in military history is a long and vital one. It is believed that the ancient Egyptians developed a form of welding as early as 4000 BC and it has been used in military applications ever since.
The reason they are called wizards with fire is their ability to mold shape and repair a wide range of metals, usually under the worst of conditions. They are experts at brazing, soldering, and forming metals to aid in different construction efforts that serve military missions worldwide. They create custom parts to repair the structural components of ships, tanks, submarines, landing craft, buildings, and equipment and they install sheet metal products, such as roofs, air ducts, gutters, and vents.
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Philippine Sea. (June 13, 2023) Help Wanted. Retail associates to manage a busy store and laundry mat.
Apply to the U.S. Navy. (Note: Must be willing to travel.)
In this photo by MC1Ryre Arciaga, Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Mingxu Du, from Los Angeles, handles a line aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam during a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet-replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock in the Philippine Sea. Retail Services Specialists are responsible for managing and operating all shipboard retail and service activities. These include the ship's store, vending machines, coffee kiosks, barber shops, and laundry operations.
Retail Services delivers a “little piece of home” for Sailors at sea, and this has a major impact on morale. A sailor may enjoy a café latte as well as a haircut and dozens of recreational activities coordinated by retail services.
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Twenty-Nine Palms, California. (June 16, 2023): In this photo by Corporal Ryan Schmid, Lance Corporals Edward Reeves, left, and Daniel Puente, both mortarmen with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, conduct mortar range firing during Integrated Training Exercise 4-23 held at Twenty-Nine Palms, California. This is the premier annual event for Marine reservists from across the country to absorb realistic training at the Marine Corps Air Combat Center.
Training Exercise 4-23 gives reservists the chance to practice mobilization readiness and to establish coordination with the units they would serve with in combat. The Marine Corps reserve was established by Congress in 1916 and is responsible for providing trained units and qualified individuals to be mobilized for active duty in time of war or national emergency. Marine reservists may also be called upon to relieve active-duty troops and they continually provide service to their local communities through programs like “Toys for Tots”. There are currently 35,000 Marines serving at 184 reserve training centers around the country who typically serve two days a month and two weeks a year.
In civilian life, Corporal Reyes is a firefighter and Puente is a salesman.
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Aviano, Italy. (June 22, 2023): In this photo by Senior Airman Noah Sudolca, an Air Force pararescueman from the 57th Rescue Squadron takes notes at a simulated helicopter crash during exercise Astral Knight 2023 in the Albanian countryside. The 57th Rescue Squadron is a combat-ready team of pararescue personnel capable of performing combat rescue and personnel retrieval missions in theaters of operations worldwide. Air Forces Africa Airmen and aircraft from across the U.S. and throughout the European theater assembled in Croatia and Albania to participate in this year’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense exercise.
The 57th Rescue Squadron trained with NATO allies on performing complex rescue operations in hostile environments. This year’s Astral Knight featured the American HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, the HC-130 Hercules cargo plane, A-10 Warthog attack fighters, and ships and aircraft from both Albanian and Croatian militaries.
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Bay of Biscay, Spain. (June 14, 2023) The world’s most advanced aircraft carrier set sail into history this month, its launch signifying a generational leap in our nation’s ability to project power around the world. In this photo by MC2 Nolan Pennington, Sailors from the "Black Lions" of Strike Fighter Squadron 213 conduct routine maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet in the hangar bay of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford. Fighter Squadron 213 Black Lions fly the two seat F/A 18 strike fighter which is designed for traditional air superiority, reconnaissance, and close air support. The Super Hornet can also provide forward air control (airborne), air defense suppression, and day/night precision strikes in defense of the fleet.
Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier and sports numerous technological upgrades making it the most sophisticated carrier in history. The Ford is named after our 38th President who served during World War II and whose naval service included combat duty aboard the light aircraft carrier Monterrey in the Pacific theater.
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Miami, Florida. (June 19, 2023): “Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, when the Coast Guard comes for you.” (Set to the theme of the hit television show COPs.) It is a question smugglers ask themselves every day. In this photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez, fellow Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon New, a crew member of Coast Guard Cutter Bear stands security watch during a drug offload at the Port of Miami. These offloaded drugs were interdicted in nine separate incidents in international waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
All totaled, these raids by the Coast Guard seized more than 14,000 pounds of cocaine valued at an estimated $186 million. Twelve suspected smugglers were also apprehended and face prosecution,
In each of these incidents, Smugglers used “go fast” boats, speedy craft they hope can outrun the law. Today, technological advances in engine performance and high-speed boat designs mean the Coast Guard will have to deal with faster and faster vessels than ever before.
While speed is essential, the Coast Guard also stresses using a “force package” that combines maritime patrol aircraft, high speed surface craft, unmanned aerial surveillance, and airborne use of force tactics. The goal is to identify, track, search, and seize vessels suspected of drug trafficking before they can deliver their poison to our shores.