Stories

Marine Capt. Brian Hart, officer-in-charge of the Georgia Liaison Team attached with the Republic of Georgia's 42nd Light Infantry Battalion, Bravo Co., gives a few pointers a to some of the Bravo Co. leaders during an out-of-sector battalion clearance operation outside a training village aboard Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 14. Captain Hart has been mentoring and advising the Georgian soldiers for more than five months. He is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. The Mission Rehearsal Exercise is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 33rd and 42nd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct security operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise ran from Jan. 22 - Feb 22. - Marine Capt. Brian Hart, officer-in-charge of the Georgia Liaison Team attached with the Republic of Georgia's 42nd Light Infantry Battalion, Bravo Co., gives a few pointers a to some of the Bravo Co. leaders during an out-of-sector battalion clearance operation outside a training village aboard Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 14. Captain Hart has been mentoring and advising the Georgian soldiers for more than five months. He is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. The Mission Rehearsal Exercise is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 33rd and 42nd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct security operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise ran from Jan. 22 - Feb 22.

Soldiers assigned to Georgian Armed Forces, 33rd Battalion enter a building during the close quarter combat portion of a cordon and search exercise, recently in Hohenfels, Germany. These soldiers are completing their mission readiness exercise as the final event of the latest rotation of the Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance Force hosted and executed by Marine Forces, Europe, Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group and U.S. Army soldiers stationed at the Joint-Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The GDP-I was started in 2009 to provide security cooperation training to the GAF in preparation for their deployments to Afghanistan where they are responsible for their own area of responsibility and work closely with U.S. Marines in the region. - Soldiers assigned to Georgian Armed Forces, 33rd Battalion enter a building during the close quarter combat portion of a cordon and search exercise, recently in Hohenfels, Germany. These soldiers are completing their mission readiness exercise as the final event of the latest rotation of the Georgia Deployment Program-International Security Assistance Force hosted and executed by Marine Forces, Europe, Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group and U.S. Army soldiers stationed at the Joint-Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. The GDP-I was started in 2009 to provide security cooperation training to the GAF in preparation for their deployments to Afghanistan where they are responsible for their own area of responsibility and work closely with U.S. Marines in the region.

Marines with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, hold back Marine role players that are attacking the mock embassy as an evaluator watches and grades them. Marines and sailors with Easy Company, and the 2013 iteration of the Black Sea Rotational Force conducted their first embassy reinforcement mission rehearsal exercise the week of January 7. - Marines with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, hold back Marine role players that are attacking the mock embassy as an evaluator watches and grades them. Marines and sailors with Easy Company, and the 2013 iteration of the Black Sea Rotational Force conducted their first embassy reinforcement mission rehearsal exercise the week of January 7.

Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe talks to Marines, soldiers and a sailor at a training area during a recent visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, the U.S. Embassy and meetings with Georgian political leaders and Georgian Armed Forces leaders. The Marine Corps works in partnership with the Georgian Armed Forces to ensure regional stability and to strengthen military interoperability. The Georgian Deployment Program, started in 2009, is a Marine Forces Europe initiative to help the Georgian Armed Forces, train, deploy and support the International Security Assitance Force (ISAF) and NATO missions in Overseas Contingency Operations. - Lieutenant General John M. Paxton, Jr., commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe talks to Marines, soldiers and a sailor at a training area during a recent visit to Tbilisi, Georgia, the U.S. Embassy and meetings with Georgian political leaders and Georgian Armed Forces leaders. The Marine Corps works in partnership with the Georgian Armed Forces to ensure regional stability and to strengthen military interoperability. The Georgian Deployment Program, started in 2009, is a Marine Forces Europe initiative to help the Georgian Armed Forces, train, deploy and support the International Security Assitance Force (ISAF) and NATO missions in Overseas Contingency Operations.

Colonel James S. O'Meara, deputy commander, Marine Corps Forces, Europe/Africa sits in a brief given by Georgian soldiers assigned to the 12th and 32rd Georgian battalions during the Marine Rehearsal Exercise Distinguished Visitor day. During the course of the day the men and members of their staff, sat through briefs and toured the training area. The MRE is a culmination exercise for two Georgian Army battalions: the 12th and 32rd battalions will complete the MRE and will deploy to Afghanistan in support of the International Securtiy Assistance Force. - Colonel James S. O'Meara, deputy commander, Marine Corps Forces, Europe/Africa sits in a brief given by Georgian soldiers assigned to the 12th and 32rd Georgian battalions during the Marine Rehearsal Exercise Distinguished Visitor day. During the course of the day the men and members of their staff, sat through briefs and toured the training area. The MRE is a culmination exercise for two Georgian Army battalions: the 12th and 32rd battalions will complete the MRE and will deploy to Afghanistan in support of the International Securtiy Assistance Force.

Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Girien Salazar escorts children to an Independence Day celebration hosted by Black Sea Rotational Force 12 on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania July 4. Special guests of the event included approximately 200 local orphans from six different homes in the Constanta, Romania area. Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability and promote regional stability. - Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Girien Salazar escorts children to an Independence Day celebration hosted by Black Sea Rotational Force 12 on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania July 4. Special guests of the event included approximately 200 local orphans from six different homes in the Constanta, Romania area. Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability and promote regional stability.

Sergeant William Kruger an embark specialist assigned to Blount Island Command watches the ramp lower on the USNS Sgt Mate Kocak during an off-load/cross-leveling operation to retrograde equipment into the caves, belonging to the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway. During this operation more than 150 vehicles and 200 shipping containers were transferred on or off the Kocak and staged for transportation to the caves or loaded back onto the ship. The MCPP-N facility is comprised of eight locations totaling more than 900,000 square feet of storage space. Inside the caves is 471,445 sq. ft. of climate controlled storage space, regulated to between 45 to 55 percent humidity and a regulated temperature of between 45 to 50 degrees. This precise regulation allow for tents, vehicle tires and parts and other climate sensitive equipment to be stored safely, and maintain a high level of accessibility to be readily deployable for any contingency that may arise. - Sergeant William Kruger an embark specialist assigned to Blount Island Command watches the ramp lower on the USNS Sgt Mate Kocak during an off-load/cross-leveling operation to retrograde equipment into the caves, belonging to the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway. During this operation more than 150 vehicles and 200 shipping containers were transferred on or off the Kocak and staged for transportation to the caves or loaded back onto the ship. The MCPP-N facility is comprised of eight locations totaling more than 900,000 square feet of storage space. Inside the caves is 471,445 sq. ft. of climate controlled storage space, regulated to between 45 to 55 percent humidity and a regulated temperature of between 45 to 50 degrees. This precise regulation allow for tents, vehicle tires and parts and other climate sensitive equipment to be stored safely, and maintain a high level of accessibility to be readily deployable for any contingency that may arise.

Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 act as range coaches for Macedonian soldiers firing machine guns on Babadag Training Area. Soldiers from Armenia and Macedonia trained on multiple live-fire ranges with U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 12 during the nine-day training.::r::::n:: - Marines with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 act as range coaches for Macedonian soldiers firing machine guns on Babadag Training Area. Soldiers from Armenia and Macedonia trained on multiple live-fire ranges with U.S. Marines from Black Sea Rotational Force 12 during the nine-day training.::r::::n::

Sgt. Maj. James J. McCook, the incoming sergeant major for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, speaks on his appreciation and welcomed arrival as senior enlisted leader from Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the outgoing sergeant, in a relief-and-appointment ceremony, May 29. The two commands welcomed their new senior enlisted leader, McCook, as they bid farewell to Green during a relief-and-appointment ceremony at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart.::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Sgt. Maj. James J. McCook, the incoming sergeant major for U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, speaks on his appreciation and welcomed arrival as senior enlisted leader from Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green, the outgoing sergeant, in a relief-and-appointment ceremony, May 29. The two commands welcomed their new senior enlisted leader, McCook, as they bid farewell to Green during a relief-and-appointment ceremony at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart.::r::::n::::r::::n::

As the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performs in Aisne-Marne Memorial Cemetery, American Marines, to include the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, and citizens as well as French soldiers and locals, including the mayor of the town of Belleau, Ms. Monique Benier, look on as they celebrate Memorial Day on the sacred ground of Belleau Wood. The ceremony marked the 94th anniversary of the battle and embodied the legacy Belleau Wood has given to the Marine Corps and the brotherhood that unites an American-French friendship that has lasted from before the fields of World War I to the current operations in Afghanistan and was attended by Marines from commands all over Europe and the United States, to include: members of the 5th Marine Regiment, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, and Marine Forces Europe. - As the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps performs in Aisne-Marne Memorial Cemetery, American Marines, to include the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, and citizens as well as French soldiers and locals, including the mayor of the town of Belleau, Ms. Monique Benier, look on as they celebrate Memorial Day on the sacred ground of Belleau Wood. The ceremony marked the 94th anniversary of the battle and embodied the legacy Belleau Wood has given to the Marine Corps and the brotherhood that unites an American-French friendship that has lasted from before the fields of World War I to the current operations in Afghanistan and was attended by Marines from commands all over Europe and the United States, to include: members of the 5th Marine Regiment, Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team, and Marine Forces Europe.

Lance Cpl. Matthew E. Robertson, a powerline technician, Air Combat Element, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, inspects the engine of a KC-130 Hercules aircraft after a flight on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania May 3. Approximately 50 Marines and two KC-130 Hercules aircraft make up the ACE which is tasked with getting the Marines of BSRF and their training partners to their designated training locations. ::r::::n:: (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner)::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Matthew E. Robertson, a powerline technician, Air Combat Element, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, inspects the engine of a KC-130 Hercules aircraft after a flight on Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania May 3. Approximately 50 Marines and two KC-130 Hercules aircraft make up the ACE which is tasked with getting the Marines of BSRF and their training partners to their designated training locations. ::r::::n:: (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner)::r::::n::

Lance Cpl. Adrian Delafuente, a rifleman with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 takes part in dismounted patrol training with Romanian soldiers in Iasi, Romania May 8. The ten-day event included training led by Marine non-commisioned officers. The Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose MAGTF with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability, promote regional stability and build camaraderie amongst the forces.::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner II)::r::::n:: - Lance Cpl. Adrian Delafuente, a rifleman with Black Sea Rotational Force 12 takes part in dismounted patrol training with Romanian soldiers in Iasi, Romania May 8. The ten-day event included training led by Marine non-commisioned officers. The Black Sea Rotational Force 12 is a Special-Purpose MAGTF with crisis response capabilities deployed to the region to enhance interoperability, promote regional stability and build camaraderie amongst the forces.::r::::n::(Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul D. Zellner II)::r::::n::

Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa honor the sacrifices of American and French troops by studying the history of the First World War battle for Belleau Wood, France. The class was to educate the Marines on the historical facts that surround Belleau Wood as they prepare to honor this legacy by participating in a Memorial Day ceremony on the historic battlefield later this month with the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., the USMC Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Company from Rota, Spain, and elements of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe scheduled to attend. - Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa honor the sacrifices of American and French troops by studying the history of the First World War battle for Belleau Wood, France. The class was to educate the Marines on the historical facts that surround Belleau Wood as they prepare to honor this legacy by participating in a Memorial Day ceremony on the historic battlefield later this month with the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment from Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., the USMC Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Company from Rota, Spain, and elements of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe scheduled to attend.

The Marines and sailors of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, pictured here, rescued a Romanian family of four including an infant from a car crash that left the road during inclement weather. The servicemembers were returning from a marathon in Transylvania when they came upon the accident that left the family trapped down a steep embankment. ::r::::n::Group picture:::r::::n::Back row; (Petty Officer Third Class Girien Salazar), (Captain James Flood), (Sgt. Maj. Gary Jacobs), (Master Sgt. Todd Gunter), (Lieutenant Paul Evans), (Lieutenant Derek Owens), (First Sgt. Brian Porter).::r::::n::Front row; (Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Morgan), (Commander Jonathan Kuehne), (Chief Petty Officer Kathy Canady), (Staff Sgt. Darla Richardson), (Staff Sgt. Enid Browne), (Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adrian Weaver), (Gunnery Sgt. Juan Delacruz).::r::::n:: - The Marines and sailors of Black Sea Rotational Force 12, pictured here, rescued a Romanian family of four including an infant from a car crash that left the road during inclement weather. The servicemembers were returning from a marathon in Transylvania when they came upon the accident that left the family trapped down a steep embankment. ::r::::n::Group picture:::r::::n::Back row; (Petty Officer Third Class Girien Salazar), (Captain James Flood), (Sgt. Maj. Gary Jacobs), (Master Sgt. Todd Gunter), (Lieutenant Paul Evans), (Lieutenant Derek Owens), (First Sgt. Brian Porter).::r::::n::Front row; (Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Morgan), (Commander Jonathan Kuehne), (Chief Petty Officer Kathy Canady), (Staff Sgt. Darla Richardson), (Staff Sgt. Enid Browne), (Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adrian Weaver), (Gunnery Sgt. Juan Delacruz).::r::::n::

Using a modified take-down technique derived from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Marine spouses Karen J. Riles and Jennifer J. Rosen, along with Master Sgt. James A. Hall, intelligence chief with Marine Forces Europe and certified rape-prevention instructor, and Kathy Nelson, Family Readiness Officer of Marine Forces Africa and MARFOREUR, practice their ability to deal with an oncoming attacker during a Rape Prevention and Self Defense class. The class, provided by the MARFOREUR Family Readiness Office, taught techniques from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program that have been modified specifically for females, such as moves effective for height-and-weight differences, but also emphasized the importance of situational awareness, risk prevention and developing an offensive and protective mentality. ::r::::n:: - Using a modified take-down technique derived from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Marine spouses Karen J. Riles and Jennifer J. Rosen, along with Master Sgt. James A. Hall, intelligence chief with Marine Forces Europe and certified rape-prevention instructor, and Kathy Nelson, Family Readiness Officer of Marine Forces Africa and MARFOREUR, practice their ability to deal with an oncoming attacker during a Rape Prevention and Self Defense class. The class, provided by the MARFOREUR Family Readiness Office, taught techniques from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program that have been modified specifically for females, such as moves effective for height-and-weight differences, but also emphasized the importance of situational awareness, risk prevention and developing an offensive and protective mentality. ::r::::n::

Bulgarian soldiers practice riot shield techniques taught to them by Marines from the Military Police Detachment, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, April 16. The training was part of a three-day non-lethal weapons display which included kinetic as well as static displays of weapons, equipment and tactics. ::r::::n:: - Bulgarian soldiers practice riot shield techniques taught to them by Marines from the Military Police Detachment, Black Sea Rotational Force 12, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, April 16. The training was part of a three-day non-lethal weapons display which included kinetic as well as static displays of weapons, equipment and tactics. ::r::::n::

Sgt. Juan Urbina, a rifleman with Ground Combat Element, Black Sea Rotational Force, hands out Easter candy to local children during a family health initiative in Corbu, Romania April 7. Marines and sailors of BSRF volunteered to help less fortunate families in rural Romania, outside of Mihail Kogalniceanu military base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Nate Hauser) - Sgt. Juan Urbina, a rifleman with Ground Combat Element, Black Sea Rotational Force, hands out Easter candy to local children during a family health initiative in Corbu, Romania April 7. Marines and sailors of BSRF volunteered to help less fortunate families in rural Romania, outside of Mihail Kogalniceanu military base. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Nate Hauser)

Lt. Col. Merab Kikabidze, director of the Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, Georgian Armed Forces, addresses the Black Sea Rotational Force and soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade, Georgian Land Forces, during the opening ceremony of Operation Agile Spirit. - Lt. Col. Merab Kikabidze, director of the Joint Staff, Ministry of Defense, Georgian Armed Forces, addresses the Black Sea Rotational Force and soldiers from the 4th Infantry Brigade, Georgian Land Forces, during the opening ceremony of Operation Agile Spirit.

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Scott Conway, a Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO planning officer for BALTOPS 12, explains the goals and expectations of the week-long planning conference to more than 120 military planners representing 13 nations at the Gen. Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, Feb. 27. BALTOPS 12 (Baltic Operations) is a U.S.-led maritime and land-based exercise conducted throughout the Baltic Sea region that focuses on increasing interoperability of the participating nations. BALTOPS 12 is in the spirit of Partnership for Peace and several NATO assets are expected to participate. - U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Scott Conway, a Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO planning officer for BALTOPS 12, explains the goals and expectations of the week-long planning conference to more than 120 military planners representing 13 nations at the Gen. Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre in Vilnius, Lithuania, Feb. 27. BALTOPS 12 (Baltic Operations) is a U.S.-led maritime and land-based exercise conducted throughout the Baltic Sea region that focuses on increasing interoperability of the participating nations. BALTOPS 12 is in the spirit of Partnership for Peace and several NATO assets are expected to participate.

Two Georgian soldiers from Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after the platoon engaged in a firefight with enemy insurgents while on a reconnaissance mission for a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The MRE is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise runs Feb. 1 - 24. - Two Georgian soldiers from Scout Platoon, Delta Co., 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after the platoon engaged in a firefight with enemy insurgents while on a reconnaissance mission for a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 17. The MRE is the culminating event for the Republic of Georgia's 23rd Light Infantry Battalion prior to deploying to Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations in support of the Georgia Deployment Program - International Security Assistance Force (GDP-ISAF). The total training exercise runs Feb. 1 - 24.

U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Kevin Kelly, an observer controller for the Georgian 23rd Light Infantry Battalion's mission rehearsal exercise, back briefs one of the leaders for Scout Platoon, Delta Co., after one of the firefights with enemy insurgents. Kelly is a ground intelligence officer at 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a native of Potomac, Maryland and a graduate of College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. - U.S. Marine 2nd Lt. Kevin Kelly, an observer controller for the Georgian 23rd Light Infantry Battalion's mission rehearsal exercise, back briefs one of the leaders for Scout Platoon, Delta Co., after one of the firefights with enemy insurgents. Kelly is a ground intelligence officer at 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune, N.C. He is a native of Potomac, Maryland and a graduate of College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.

Two Georgian soldiers from the 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after a car bomb detonates at the gates of the unit's Forward Operating Base (FOB) at a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 16. - Two Georgian soldiers from the 23rd Light Infantry Battalion keep a watchful eye on the surrounding area after a car bomb detonates at the gates of the unit's Forward Operating Base (FOB) at a mission rehearsal exercise at Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, Feb. 16.

Lance Cpl. Charles Morone and Sgt. Spenser McAvoy, Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, search the bushes for possible insurgents on a training mission here July 22 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training. - Lance Cpl. Charles Morone and Sgt. Spenser McAvoy, Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, search the bushes for possible insurgents on a training mission here July 22 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training.

Sgt. Spencer McAvoy, a squad leader with Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, clears a room with Georgian soldiers here July 19 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training.::r::::n:: - Sgt. Spencer McAvoy, a squad leader with Company A, Anti-Terrorism Battalion, clears a room with Georgian soldiers here July 19 during Exercise Agile Spirit 2011. Agile Spirit is designed to increase interoperability between the forces by exchanging and enhancing each other’s capacity in counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including: small unit tactics, convoy operations, and counter-Improvised Explosive Device training.::r::::n::

During a naturalization ceremony here, Pamela G. Hutchings, field program director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Vienna, Austria, leads Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anastatia M. Dobbs, as she pledges the Oath of Allegiance and officially becomes a U.S. citizen while deployed to Romania. A Navy corpsman for Black Sea Rotational Force 11 with almost 10 years of service, Dobbs’ naturalization ceremony marks the first time a U.S. servicemember has sworn-in to become an American citizen in Romania. The USCIS made a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Land Forces base to conduct the ceremony, and has naturalized a total of more than 53,400 members of the U.S. armed forces since September 2001, with over 7,400 being on foreign soil. ::r::::n:: - During a naturalization ceremony here, Pamela G. Hutchings, field program director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Vienna, Austria, leads Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Anastatia M. Dobbs, as she pledges the Oath of Allegiance and officially becomes a U.S. citizen while deployed to Romania. A Navy corpsman for Black Sea Rotational Force 11 with almost 10 years of service, Dobbs’ naturalization ceremony marks the first time a U.S. servicemember has sworn-in to become an American citizen in Romania. The USCIS made a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Land Forces base to conduct the ceremony, and has naturalized a total of more than 53,400 members of the U.S. armed forces since September 2001, with over 7,400 being on foreign soil. ::r::::n::