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Pikeville, Tennessee.(June 4, 2023): They have sure hands, big hearts, and a dedication to serving others. In the above photo by Technical Sergeant Kristen Pittman, Airman 1st Class Peyten Aldrich with the 81st Medical Group checks the pressure of a patient's eye during a Healthy Tennesseans event at Bledsoe County High School. Airman Peyten is an ophthalmology technician taking part in the Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training.
This remarkable program teams military training with community development activities to benefit at need communities around the nation. The program provides an array of services, from civil engineering to cybersecurity, to needy communities around the nation. These Air Force medical professionals share their skills to improve the lives of communities in need in their area.
The medical mission delivers no-cost healthcare services including optometry, health exams, dental, and public health education. Care is delivered by credentialed healthcare providers, and no one is turned away. These missions are held at public locations, like local high schools, and last for several days. This unique program gives service members a chance to sharpen their professional skills while helping others simultaneously. This partnership provides lasting benefits for American communities.
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Sioux City, Iowa. (June 4, 2023): America’s Naval police officers are charged with protecting over 100 foreign ports around the world, some in areas experiencing civil strife. For this reason, the Navy invests heavily in training and equipment for crowd control and how to handle a riot. In this photo by Senior Airman Tylon Chapman, Air National Guard Airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing Security Forces Squadron form a shield wall during domestic operations training at the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City. In this exercise, airmen practiced protecting themselves with shields, batons, and smoke grenades.
Like their civilian counterparts, Navy police employ non-lethal weapons, when possible, to contain such challenging situations. Security police are exposed to simulated abuse to test their ability to remain calm amid hostile encounters. Airmen with the 185th began their law enforcement careers at the Navy technical training center at San Antonio, Texas. This nine-week course focusses on anti-terrorism, armed security, crime prevention, and ways to handle domestic disturbances. These Naval police officers also operate prisons, do people smuggling interdictions, and handle K-9s to detect drugs. Graduates of the program may work at shore stations in the U.S. or be assigned aboard ships or at ports anywhere in the world.
The 900 plus Air National Guard members of the 185th Wing provide mid-air refueling for the Air Force Air Mobility Command in the event of war.
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Portland, Oregon. (June 12, 2023): Relationships matter. That is the message from the U.S. Navy to the people of Oregon from Sailors and Marines during Fleet Week celebrations. In this photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sophia H. Bumps, Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Autumn Hoadley, assigned to USS Kansas City, allows a child to try on her hat at the annual Rose Festival Parade during Portland Fleet Week. These are a time-honored celebration of the sea services and provides an opportunity for the citizens of Oregon to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.
This year, participating U.S. Navy ships included the littoral combat ship USS Kansas City and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain. The crews opened their ships for public tours, explored the Portland sights, and took part in various community events and volunteer activities.
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Naval Air Station Rota, Spain, (June 8, 2023): In this photo by Courtney Pollock, Marla Echols, a third-grade teacher at Rota Elementary School, was recently named Teacher of the Year. Here she poses with school mascot “Toro” the bull.
Ms. Echols is one of over 8,000 educators who serve nearly 900,000 military connected children of all ages worldwide. Teachers like these must adapt to many of the same challenges as the students and their families they serve.
And their results are impressive.
Last year, Department of Defense students' average test scores ranged from 15 to 23 percentage points higher than corresponding national average scores and held steady or increased while national average scores decreased. This is a remarkable record given the transitory nature of military life and the demands it places on her young charges. Not to brag, but Rota Elementary School was also awarded the National Blue-Ribbon Award for 2022.
The DOW currently operates 160 schools located in 11 foreign countries, 7 states, and 2 territories across 10 time zones and all its schools are fully accredited.
Hat’s off to educator Echols for a job well done for our military kids.
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United Arab Emirates. (June 1, 2023): It is safe to say most Americans are unaware of the close military and cultural ties between the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In fact, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces has participated in multiple conflicts alongside American troops in the Middle East for years. In the photo above, U.S. Marines with Marine Forces Command and soldiers with the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces practice close quarter infantry tactics during joint exercise Intrepid Maven 23 in the UAE. The exercise included more than 100 U.S. Marines and Sailors alongside United Arab Emirates Armed Forces who conducted live-fire close-air support exercises and expeditionary airfield operations at several training locations throughout the country.
During 1990–1991 Gulf War, the UAE lost 10 soldiers liberating Kuwait and they are the only Arab country that committed troops to the U.S. effort in Afghanistan.
The United States recognized the UAE in 1974 and the two countries have enjoyed friendly relations and have developed strong government-to-government ties including close security cooperation.
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Colorado Springs, Colorado. (June 9, 2023): The U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2023 holds the highest percentage of women in Air Force Academy history, with females accounting for 29%. The record-breaking number comes amid the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which enabled women to serve in the military.
In this photo by Trevor Cokley, graduates toss their hats into the sky as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" roars overhead at the Academy's Falcon Stadium. Nine hundred twenty-one cadets crossed the stage to become the Air Force and Space Force’s newest second lieutenants.
The Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration squadron flyover is a 60-year-old tradition where pilots use flawless timing to coincide with the graduates' hat toss as they are dismissed. After the commencement ceremony, Cadets and their guests attended receptions, award ceremonies, concerts, parades, and the day ended with air demonstrations.
Another American tradition is to invite promising students from our international allies to join the Air Force Academy. This year, there were 12 four-year exchange cadets among the 921 graduates. These international students hailed from Cambodia, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Romania, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tunisia.
Support Our Troops wishes these new officer’s god speed in their service to our nation.