At a combat marksmanship range with U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 11, a Bulgarian machine gunner from the Bulgarian 38th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Light Infantry Brigade, engages targets at distance of up to 200 meters to showcase the Bulgarian Dragunov’s capabilities in suppressive fire. The Ground Combat Element of BSRF-11 conducted counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations with Bulgarians and Serbians to work with foreign soldiers and build the military capacities of partner nations. - At a combat marksmanship range with U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 11, a Bulgarian machine gunner from the Bulgarian 38th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Light Infantry Brigade, engages targets at distance of up to 200 meters to showcase the Bulgarian Dragunov’s capabilities in suppressive fire. The Ground Combat Element of BSRF-11 conducted counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations with Bulgarians and Serbians to work with foreign soldiers and build the military capacities of partner nations.
The Marines and Sailors of Marine Forces Europe and Marine Forces Africa stand in formation as they await the ceremony that will create a headquarters company for the two separate commands here June 17.::r::::n:: ::r::::n:: - The Marines and Sailors of Marine Forces Europe and Marine Forces Africa stand in formation as they await the ceremony that will create a headquarters company for the two separate commands here June 17.::r::::n:: ::r::::n::
Sergeant Major Steven Peck, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment sergeant major, leads a period of instruction during a non-commissioned officer development course held for partner nation non-commissioned officer’s in Shirokyi Lan, Ukraine. This course was given during Sea Breeze 2011, an exercise comprised of 13 countries, working together and participating. Partner nations will be able to meet future peacekeeping and humanitarian operations as well as counter-trafficking and other challenges. This training will help ensure participating forces achieve higher levels of interoperability, be able to operate as a multinational task force, and enhance maritime security capabilities. - Sergeant Major Steven Peck, 3rd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment sergeant major, leads a period of instruction during a non-commissioned officer development course held for partner nation non-commissioned officer’s in Shirokyi Lan, Ukraine. This course was given during Sea Breeze 2011, an exercise comprised of 13 countries, working together and participating. Partner nations will be able to meet future peacekeeping and humanitarian operations as well as counter-trafficking and other challenges. This training will help ensure participating forces achieve higher levels of interoperability, be able to operate as a multinational task force, and enhance maritime security capabilities.
Two F-16s from the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, perform a "Calypso pass," which involves Thunderbird 5, lead solo flown by Maj. Aaron Jelinek and Maj. J.R. Williams flying Thunderbird 6, as the opposing solo, for a large crowd at the “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show held here, June 8, that was attended by local vendors as well as U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 11, to display Romanian and U.S. military air power. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force-11 participated in a “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show along with U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and several Romanian aerial demonstration squadrons on June 8 to display Romanian and U.S. air capabilities to the locals in the area. - Two F-16s from the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, perform a "Calypso pass," which involves Thunderbird 5, lead solo flown by Maj. Aaron Jelinek and Maj. J.R. Williams flying Thunderbird 6, as the opposing solo, for a large crowd at the “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show held here, June 8, that was attended by local vendors as well as U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 11, to display Romanian and U.S. military air power. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force-11 participated in a “Thunder Over the Black Sea” air show along with U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, and several Romanian aerial demonstration squadrons on June 8 to display Romanian and U.S. air capabilities to the locals in the area.
Army Sgt. Marshall Day, infantryman/Raven-B operator, observes Romanian soldiers assemble the Raven, unmanned aerial vehicle after a flight. Day is supporting Black Sea Rotational Force 11 along with SSgt. Stephen Provence. These soldiers bring real-life deployment experience with the Raven system to help the Romanian army familiarize themselves with man-packable UAV technology. - Army Sgt. Marshall Day, infantryman/Raven-B operator, observes Romanian soldiers assemble the Raven, unmanned aerial vehicle after a flight. Day is supporting Black Sea Rotational Force 11 along with SSgt. Stephen Provence. These soldiers bring real-life deployment experience with the Raven system to help the Romanian army familiarize themselves with man-packable UAV technology.
The silhouette of a KC-130 Hercules, flown by Marine Aerial Refueler Transportation Squadron 686 with Black Sea Rotational Force 11, flies over the Romanian landscape in a low-level training flight. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 686, the Air Combat Element for BSRF-11, is a combination of reservists from VMGR-452, Newburgh, N.Y., and VMGR- 234, Fort Worth, Texas, and play a vital role in cargo and personnel transport to the 12 Eastern European nations participating in the deployment. ::r::::n:: - The silhouette of a KC-130 Hercules, flown by Marine Aerial Refueler Transportation Squadron 686 with Black Sea Rotational Force 11, flies over the Romanian landscape in a low-level training flight. Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 686, the Air Combat Element for BSRF-11, is a combination of reservists from VMGR-452, Newburgh, N.Y., and VMGR- 234, Fort Worth, Texas, and play a vital role in cargo and personnel transport to the 12 Eastern European nations participating in the deployment. ::r::::n::
Firing a “controlled pair,” two well-aimed shots at a target, a Macedonian rifleman shoots at the range while learning Table 3 of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program lead by Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 11. The Macedonian 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade traveled to Babadag Training Area, Romania, to work with U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 11 as part of their mobilization training for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.::r::::n:: - Firing a “controlled pair,” two well-aimed shots at a target, a Macedonian rifleman shoots at the range while learning Table 3 of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program lead by Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 11. The Macedonian 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade traveled to Babadag Training Area, Romania, to work with U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 11 as part of their mobilization training for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.::r::::n::
Romanian Marines celebrate the birthday of Lance Cpl. John R. West II, rifleman, Black Sea Rotational Force 11, by throwing him up in the air, a tradition within their ranks. As the U.S. Marines and Romanian Marines and soldiers trained together, lived, relaxed, and ate together at BTA, they oftentimes learned that they were not so different, despite their different backgrounds. - Romanian Marines celebrate the birthday of Lance Cpl. John R. West II, rifleman, Black Sea Rotational Force 11, by throwing him up in the air, a tradition within their ranks. As the U.S. Marines and Romanian Marines and soldiers trained together, lived, relaxed, and ate together at BTA, they oftentimes learned that they were not so different, despite their different backgrounds.
The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos lays a commemorative coin in front of the Iron Mike monument atop a hill in the heart of the Belleau Wood forest during a private Memorial Day ceremony in front of a formation of Marines and French soldiers. The coin is from the Marines of Task Force Belleau Wood, assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Regional Command (Southwest) in Afghanistan. The coin was given to the Commandant during his visit to Afghanistan, May 11-15, 2011. - The 35th Commandant of the Marine Corps General James F. Amos lays a commemorative coin in front of the Iron Mike monument atop a hill in the heart of the Belleau Wood forest during a private Memorial Day ceremony in front of a formation of Marines and French soldiers. The coin is from the Marines of Task Force Belleau Wood, assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Regional Command (Southwest) in Afghanistan. The coin was given to the Commandant during his visit to Afghanistan, May 11-15, 2011.
During a familiarization with U.S. issued weapons, a Romanian soldier shoots an M4 carbine service rifle on a combat marksmanship range as part of Black Sea Rotational Force 11. U.S. Marines and Romanian soldiers trained, learned and lived together at BTA while practicing counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations including combat marksmanship, convoy operations, Improvised-Explosive Device awareness and Marine Corps Martial Arts.::r::::n:: - During a familiarization with U.S. issued weapons, a Romanian soldier shoots an M4 carbine service rifle on a combat marksmanship range as part of Black Sea Rotational Force 11. U.S. Marines and Romanian soldiers trained, learned and lived together at BTA while practicing counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations including combat marksmanship, convoy operations, Improvised-Explosive Device awareness and Marine Corps Martial Arts.::r::::n::