Today Is National Airborne Day - Part III - Epic Photo

Posted By Blackfive [Repost from 2003]

Over the years, I've gotten more than a few requests to repost this awesome AP photo:

US Army soldiers take rest during patrol in Baghdad suburb, Monday Nov. 17, 2003. U.S. forces have reacted to the increasing attacks in which dozens of Americans and their allies have died by mounting a massive show of force in central and northern Iraq.  (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

Ah, a paratrooper rendering the proper salute to the press.  It brings tears to my eyes...

Airborne! All the Way!

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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A Few Hours Ago At the DFW U.S.O....

Posted By Blackfive

This morning at DFW Airport, George and Laura Bush greeted 150 (very surprised) troops as they arrived home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Their expressions were so priceless!

[Photo shamelessly stolen from the Dallas Fort Worth USO Facebook page - hint, hit the link and be a fan. They are GREAT! Go visit the USO Girls here.]

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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Kaser Care

Posted By Blackfive

CAMP DELARAM II, Afghanistan – Navy Lt. Jessica Kaser, an Intensive Care Unit nurse from Boulder, Colo., provides continuous medical care to two local Afghans while awaiting a casualty evacuation here. Kaser and a team of surgeons, nurses and various technicians rallied to medical attention for a number of Afghan civilians who were struck by an improvised explosive device while on a bus in Delaram, Afghanistan.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Troyer

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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For Gallantry...

Posted By Blackfive U.S. Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, congratulates U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brent A. Schneider, of Amarillo, Texas and pins the Bronze Star for gallantry during a firefight in Afghanistan.
DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pins the Bronze Star on U.S. Army Sgt. Randy A. Sellers, of Pocatello, Idaho, for gallantry during a firefight in Afghanistan.
DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

What did Staff Sergeant Schneider and Sergeant Sellers really do? They led the Scouts of 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack at Forward Operating Base Joyce in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar Province.  They "assisted" a company that was pinned down (in other words, with complete disregard for their own well being, they went after the bastards that had the company pinned down), then rendered first aid and medevaced the wounded out.

Stallions.

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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New General on the Block

Posted By Blackfive

U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, chats with Army Lt. Col. David Oclander at checkpoint 91 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, July 9, 2010. Oclander is the commander of the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Bradley Lail

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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New Kid on the Block

Posted By Blackfive

An F-22 Raptor soars through the skies on its way to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, July 2, 2010. The first of 20 F-22 Raptors, the U.S. Air Force's most advanced fighter jet was scheduled to be dedicated at the base July 9, 2010. The ceremony will mark the beginning of the partnership between the Hawaii Air National Guard and the active duty Air Force flying the fighter at Hickam.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Gustavo Gonzalez

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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Leap

Posted By Blackfive

A U.S. Marine with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7 patrols back to Patrol Base Gorgak after a controlled detonation of an improvised explosive device in Garmsir, Afghanistan, on July 5, 2010. When found improvised explosive devices are destroyed by a small charge placed on top of them.   DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Cody A. Fodale, U.S. Marine Corps.

No word on whether the Marine made it across without getting wet...ne Corps.

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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Bill Ardolino in Afghanistan

Posted By Blackfive

Our friend, Bill Ardolino (who used to write the excellent blog, INDC), is in Afghanistan and embedded with the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines.  He's posted up a photo essay at the Long War Journal (click here for a slide show).  Here's a sample photo:

Photo by Bill Ardolino for The Long War Journal

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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Afghanistan Patrol

Posted By Blackfive

U.S. Army Spc. Newton Carlicci travels on his way back to Command Observation Post Charkh after a patrol to the village of Paspajak in the Charkh district in Afghanistan's Logar province, June 20, 2010. Carlicci is assigned to the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Russell Gilchrest.

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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"You will not fear"

Posted By Blackfive You will want to see this NYT WSJ photo that Rich Lowry posted at the Corner.

Paratrooper, Staff Sgt. Edward Rosa, offers comfort to a comrade — a cigarette and Psalm 91:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=Zjc2NjhjMzdhNmM3ODVlZmE2NzFiNjE5NWU1NWQ2ZDM=

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Mission: To protect and promote the reputation and dignity of America's Warriors.
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