SHIMIZU, Japan (May 30 2008) - The amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) steams within sight of Mt. Fuji on its final stop to Shimizu, ending a six-week Spring Swing tour. Blue Ridge serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward deployed amphibious force. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Heidi McCormick
5/28/2008 - COBRA PASSING - A Marine AH-1A Super Cobra fast-attack helicopter passes by the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa during sunset over the Pacific Ocean, May 21, 2008. The USS Tarawa is on a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel A. Barker
PERSIAN GULF (May 29, 2008) - Sailors participate in an emergency barricade drill aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis
Prepping for Battle - May 30, 2008 - An Apache helicopter provides air support for paratroopers during a joint readiness training exercise on Fort Bragg, N.C., May 2008. The Soldiers are from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor
5/28/2008 - APACHE FLY OVER - President George W. Bush and Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, watch as AH-64 Apache gun-ships assigned to the 82nd's Combat Aviation Brigade fly over their heads, during the pass and review at Pike Field on Fort Bragg, N.C., May 22, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Micah E. Clare
5/27/2008 - CHERTOFF MEETS CITIZENS - U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff shakes the hand of a soldier May 26, 2008, congratulating him on his new U.S. citizenship at a ceremony on Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. Forty-four soldiers and Marines were granted citizenship at a naturalization ceremony because of their military service. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Scott Davis
This week - Robot wrecks rockets - Staff Sgt. Jason Snow sends a Pacbot to an incident site in Panjshir Province, Afghanistan while local authorities watch. Two 107 mm rockets on timer were found aimed at a coalition forward operating base and then destroyed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Demetrius Lester)
This week - Fill it up! - An F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft moves into position for fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway)
The first wave of Stryker soldiers returned to families Thursday at Fort Lewis, with many more reunions due over the next few weeks as the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division closes its grueling combat tour of nearly 15 months in Iraq. Elizabeth Gipe points toward her husband, Staff Sgt. Kenneth Gipe, as their children Sara, 2, and Vicktoria, 9, await a reunion.
Thanks, STARWISE, for the great pictures and tunes for our troops. ((HUGS))
Great post and GREAT music, Starwise! Thanks for honoring
our troops like you always do!