BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

Artillery aiming for the future with training for Afghanistan and beyond

Regular and Reserve Army units preparing for Afghanistan and for future contingency operations working alongside French military teams.

With the restructuring of the Army and a new strategic alliance with the French, training with Regular and Reserves operating alongside French military units will be increasingly important to prepare our troops for future operations. Around 1500 personnel are taking part in the exercise over two weeks, and media will be able to see live firing and the team working between fire support teams and artillery firepower.

The Artillery already integrates Reservists into Regular units on operations, and this will become increasingly important as the contribution of the Reserves to our fighting force increases. French Fire Support Teams, who work alongside their infantry units calling in artillery support, will be learning to work with the Royal Artillery to call in heavy firepower from their British allies. Female personnel already work in all areas of the Royal Artillery, and media will be able to meet women playing their part in this vital frontline combat support capability.

Units taking part include:

7 (Para) RHA based Colchester. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

26 Regt RA based Germany. Equipped with AS90.

29 (Cdo) Regt RA based Plymouth. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

39 Regt RA based Newcastle. Equipped with MLRS.

47 Regt RA based Thorney Island (Hants). Equipped with Mini UAV.

101 Regt RA(V) based Newcastle. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

104 Regt RA based Newport (Wales). Equipped with Desert Hawk 3.

105 Regt RA based Edinburgh. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Airmen from the 818th Contingency Response Group, 621st Contingency Response Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. perform sling load training with a CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 at JBMDL Feb 9, 2014. Sling load training enables both air and ground units the opportunity to practice moving large or urgent cargo into areas where aircraft cannot reach, such as aid supplies inside disaster areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)

Photographer - Cpl Wes Calder RLC

Pictured - The armoured vehicles arrive in Hohenfels from Grafenwöhr by cargo trains.

Exercise BAVARIAN CHARGER is the first of three large contingency operation exercises being undertaken by 20th Armoured Brigade between May – October 2013. Contingency Operations training is known as Hybrid Foundation Training or HFT.

The aim of this exercise is to train the 5 Rifles, The Queens Dragoon Guards (QDG) Battle Groups and 1 Logistic Support Regiment in combined arms manoeuvre.

The exercise is split into 3 main phases. The first phase consists of a two week live firing exercise in Grafenwoer, Southern Germany, that enables the units and soldiers to refine their skills with their equipment and weapons. Training is constructed to develop skills from the individual level through to the Battlegroup level and culminates in a final attack that sees the use of helicopters, tanks, artillery and infantry combined.

The second phase will see all the exercising units transition from Grafenwoer to Hohnfels, some 100 km further south and simulates the kind of movements that are undertaken when moving an Armed force into hostile territory.

The third, and final phase is designed to test the planning and execution of combined arms manoeuvre operations in a hostile environment. The units will execute orders based on the delivery of Brigade Orders to defeat the enemy within the scenario.

2100 personnel with upto 768 vehicles ranging from Landrover, to Tanks to Apache helicopters are being exercised from 20th Armoured Brigade whose Headquarters are based in Sennelager, Germany. Approximately 500 personnel are required to support those training to ensure that supplies are maintained, vehicles are fixed and soldiers fed.

NOTE TO DESKS:

MoD release authorised handout images.

All images remain crown copyright.

Photo credit to read - Cpl Wes Calder RLC

Email: wescalder@mediaops.army.mod.uk

richardwatt@mediaops.army.mod.uk

shanewilkinson@mediaops.army.mod.uk

Richard Watt - 07836 515306

Shane Wilkinson - 07901 590723

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

A soldier carries a duffle bag to send home into the Army Post Office on Contingency Operating Base Adder, Nov. 11.

Members from the 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Detachment 1 Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) load a wounded Marine onto an ambulance at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The CASF team is responsible for taking care of patients and transporting them from the staging facility and hospital to a waiting aircraft that takes the patients to the next level of medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

Artillery aiming for the future with training for Afghanistan and beyond

Regular and Reserve Army units preparing for Afghanistan and for future contingency operations working alongside French military teams.

With the restructuring of the Army and a new strategic alliance with the French, training with Regular and Reserves operating alongside French military units will be increasingly important to prepare our troops for future operations. Around 1500 personnel are taking part in the exercise over two weeks, and media will be able to see live firing and the team working between fire support teams and artillery firepower.

The Artillery already integrates Reservists into Regular units on operations, and this will become increasingly important as the contribution of the Reserves to our fighting force increases. French Fire Support Teams, who work alongside their infantry units calling in artillery support, will be learning to work with the Royal Artillery to call in heavy firepower from their British allies. Female personnel already work in all areas of the Royal Artillery, and media will be able to meet women playing their part in this vital frontline combat support capability.

Units taking part include:

7 (Para) RHA based Colchester. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

26 Regt RA based Germany. Equipped with AS90.

29 (Cdo) Regt RA based Plymouth. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

39 Regt RA based Newcastle. Equipped with MLRS.

47 Regt RA based Thorney Island (Hants). Equipped with Mini UAV.

101 Regt RA(V) based Newcastle. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

104 Regt RA based Newport (Wales). Equipped with Desert Hawk 3.

105 Regt RA based Edinburgh. Equipped with 105mm Light Gun.

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Airmen from the 818th Contingency Response Group, 621st Contingency Response Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. clear the area during sling load training with a CH-53E Super Stallion transport helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 at JBMDL Feb 9, 2014. Sling load training enables both air and ground units the opportunity to practice moving large or urgent cargo into areas where fixed-wing aircraft cannot reach, such as aid supplies inside disaster areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, check the temperature of a smoked turkey on Contingency Operating Base Adder, Nov. 24.

“La emergencia de la imagen” (“The Emergenc[e/y] of Image”) was the final show for the Production Marathon Lab 2016 at the Spain Cultural Center in Buenos Aires.

I was this year’s invited artist and coordinator. Working together with a group of 16 participants, we explored the potential of generative systems as a new paradigm for the production of art, playing with ways to inject randomness, contingency and spontaneous order into the creative process.

The outcome of this collective exploration was shown at the end of year 2016 within the context of FASE 8, an art and technology festival which took place at the Recoleta Cultural Center, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

Personnel at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, held a dedication ceremony to rename the location’s morale, welfare and recreation facility the Spc. Henry J. Mayfield Jr. Recreation Center at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, May 21, 2020. The facility’s namesake, U.S. Army Spc. Henry J. “Mitch” Mayfield Jr., was killed in action Jan. 5, 2020, during an attack on Manda Bay Airfield by a terrorist organization. Mayfield, a Chicago native, was deployed to Kenya with the 1st Battalion, 58th Aviation Regiment, 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group, from Fort Rucker, Alabama. (U.S. Army Photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nelson)

Members of the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron secure a vehicle on a North Carolina Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 10, 2023. The vehicle is being transported to the Northern Mariana Islands for Cope North, a multinational exercise designed to enhance combat readiness in the South Pacific. Fourteen Kentucky Air Guardsmen from the 123rd Contingency Response Group are providing air base-opening and cargo-handling capabilities for Cope North. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Phil Speck)

Special Traffic Operations - Transportation Management Plan Contingency Engineers during an operation of the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 10k Run Event next to Chinatown Central Plaza Arch Pagoda Gate Entrance on the right followed by College Street intersection traffic signal flashing red lights located at 943 - 951 North Broadway between Bernard Street and College Street, the following intersections are Alpine Street, Ord Street and Cesar E. Chavez Avenue intersections have traffic signal red yellow green lights on in Chinatown Los Angeles, California 90012.

The new current G.D.P. route travelled Southbound Broadway and made a left turn at East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and ENDED at New High and Spring Streets for parade floats disbanding zone since February 2007 to February 2012 but now this Golden Dragon Parade route on Southbound Broadway turns right to Westbound Cesar E. Chavez Avenue and ENDS at North Hill Street overpass bridge for parade floats disbanding zone since February 2013 to present.

The former G.D.P. route was on Northbound Broadway (ended here until 2000) from Cesar E. Chavez Avenue to Bernard Street and Southbound Hill Street at Ord Street took place here until 2006.

The Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 10k Run race route event combining 5k, 10k and Kiddie K run routes ENDS right here and meets at the finish line festival in Chinatown Los Angeles, California near the arch pagoda Chinatown Central Plaza - Quon Brothers Grand Star Jazz Club is on the right hand side.

這裡是洛杉磯中國城唐人街華埠火爆竹跑參加比賽路線將會剩下一百六十米公尺前往終點結束完畢在北百老滙街洛杉磯中國城華埠中央廣場孟歐之風塔門右手邊及北百老滙街大學街

#chinatownla #lachinatown #chinatownlosangeles #losangeleschinatown #northbroadway #chinatowncentralplaza #blossomplaza #broadwaycollege #collegebroadway #collegestreet #firecrackerla #firecracker10k #firecracker10krun #firecracker10k2020 @LAChinatown @ChinatownLA @ChinatownLosAngeles @LosAngelesChinatown @DowntownLA @DowntownLosAngeles @LACFRC @Firecracker @Firecracker10k @Firecracker10kRun @BlossomPlaza @BlossomPlazaLA @LosAngelesCityHall #lacityhall #losangelescityhall #cathaymanor #hallofjustice @CathayManor @HallofJustice

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

Capt. Christopher Wilton, senior communications officer for 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Brigade Combat Team, out of Senatobia, Miss., holds a young rat snake he found in his office Feb. 18. Wilton released the snake near the fresh water holding ponds on base.

15th Sustainment Brigade

Photo by Capt. Murray Shugars

Date: 02.18.2010

Location: Contingency Operating Location Q-West, IQ

Related Photos: dvidshub.net/r/lhgure

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Yuri Motamedi, security forces, 123rd Contingency Response Group, Kentucky Air National Guard drills a snow anchor during Exercise Arctic Eagle-Patriot 22, in Nome, Alaska, Feb. 26, 2022. Joint Exercise Arctic Eagle-Patriot 2022 increases the National Guard’s capacity to operate in austere, extreme cold-weather environments across Alaska and the Arctic region. AEP22 enhances the ability of military and civilian inter-agency partners to respond to a variety of emergency and homeland security missions across Alaska and the Arctic. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. LeAnne (Ian) Withrow

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Iraq Special Forces commandos with the 6th Regional Commando Battalion prepare to assault an objective during Operation Lions Leap at Khor Al Zubair, April 28, after being dropped off by Iraqi Air Force helicopters. Operation Lions leap was the largest joint-military exercise in Iraqi history since 2003 involving the Iraqi Army, Navy, Air Force and Special Forces Operations. (Photo by Sgt. James Kennedy Benjamin)

Photo of Tanzanian street vendors by U.S. Army Africa Sgt. Maj. Osvaldo Del Hoyo.

Senior U.S. Army Africa NCOs recently conducted an on-the-ground training observation and exchange of ideas with their counterparts in the United Republic of Tanzania.

At the invitation of the Tanzania People Defense Force Land Forces, Army Africa Command Sgt. Maj. Gary J. Bronson and Equal Opportunity Officer, Sgt. Maj. Osvaldo Del Hoyo, with most of the TPDF’s noncommissioned and warrant officer corps to discuss the importance of leadership development at the NCO level as key to building force cohesion and soldier confidence in their leadership.

“They’re highly disciplined NCOs, and they really want to develop the corps,” Del Hoyo said.

The Army Africa NCOs toured the Tanzanian Peace Keeping Center to observe training activities and facilities, and share their insights on possible approaches to improve training.

They also traveled to the African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance site at Msata to observe a TPDF battalion a gearing up for deployment to peacekeeping operations in Rwanda.

Bronson and Del Hoyo were briefed on the battalion’s upcoming mission, its readiness and a variety of training issues and concerns. The Army Africa NCOs observed each training event at the ACOTA, and ended the day with a roundtable discussion with TPDF officers and senior NCOs.

“This was time well spent both in terms of observing the TPDF training activities in person, and in building our partnership for peace and stability with the land forces leadership,” said Bronson.

The Army Africa NCOs ended their trip with a visit with Col. Tim Mitchell, senior defense official and defense attaché, and Lt. Col. Kevin Balisky, Office of Security Cooperation, and other military leaders at the American Embassy in Dar es Salaam to discuss future engagements.

“I’ll be traveling there again in September to assess their enlisted development program,” said Del Hoyo.

To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil

Official Twitter Feed: www.twitter.com/usarmyafrica

Official YouTube video channel: www.youtube.com/usarmyafrica

This image is excerpted from a U.S. GAO report:

www.gao.gov/products/GAO-15-86

2013 GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: Three Departments Reported Varying Degrees of Impacts on Operations, Grants, and Contracts

a) Clinical Research Protocols are research studies conducted by NIH staff. The protocol may test something for a specified condition or purpose (e.g., a drug or medical device) or may review previous studies or record the history of a disease or condition..

b) While HHS did not make the quarterly formula grant payments for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the underlying TANF statutes remained in place and states were permitted to use their unspent federal TANF funds from prior years for expenditures allowable under the TANF statute. The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2014, allowed for states to be reimbursed for expenses they incurred to keep grant programs operational. Pub. L. No. 113-46, § 116, 127 Stat. 558, 561-62 (Oct. 17, 2013). According to HHS, nearly $110 million in grants to the states to assist in refugee resettlement was delayed due to the lapse, causing some states to reduce or suspend services.

c) According to DOE officials, DOE was able to continue operating most of its activities and programs throughout the shutdown, because of funding flexibilities, and did not stop most of its activities or programs as originally outlined in its contingency plan. In addition, DOE officials stated that there was a concern that in the absence of federal oversight, had the lapse continued more than a few weeks, there would have been added risks engendered in operations involving hazardous materials and the possibility of errors, which in turn lead to risks to the facilities and the surrounding areas. DOE officials explained that although operations continued, there were impacts to operations as noted in their contingency plan.

Senior Airman Justin Hunt, 435th Contingency Response Group, drives a Rwanda Defense Force Armored Personnel Carrier onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 for movement to the Central African Republic to participate in peace keeping operations. (U.S. Army Africa photos by Master Sgt. Thomas Mills)

To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil

Join the U.S. Army Africa conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica

All rights reserved.

www.142fw.ang.af.mil/

The 142nd Fighter Wing's rich history began just prior to World War II as the United States increased its military readiness while war raged across Europe and Asia.

Today, as a vital Air National Guard asset to Air Combat Command and Air Expeditionary Force structures, the 142nd Fighter Wing conducts Air Sovereignty Alert operations 24/7 in the Pacific Northwest. The wing also participates in contingency operations in support of state and federal authorities.

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The Oregon Air National Guard and the 142nd Fighter Wing's history began just prior to World War II when the United States, monitoring the war raging in Europe and China, began focusing less on neutrality and more on preparedness. Answering the call to arms was Major G. Robert Dodson, an Oregonian serving with the 321st Observation Squadron, U.S. Army Reserve at Pearson Field in Vancouver, Washington. He requested the National Guard Bureau's authorization to form an Oregon flying unit. His short, official request -- "We've got people, we've got a place, and we're ready!" -- launched the 123rd Observation Squadron on April 18, 1941. The newly formed unit began operations with two officers, 108 enlisted men and two aircraft, a North American BC-1A (like the AT-6) and a Douglas O-46A.

Five months later, on September 15, 1941, the squadron was federally activated and deployed to Gray Field at Fort Lewis, Washington from which it conducted coastal patrol and training operations in the Pacific Northwest with the North American O-47. This included one of the first missions flown from a U.S. base on December 7, 1941. In March 1943 the 123rd was redesignated as a Reconnaissance Squadron, and redesignated again in August 1943 as the 35th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron (PRS). From September 1944 to August 1945 the unit flew the F-5 reconnaissance variant of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning in combat operations in the China-Burma-India theatre as part of the Fourteenth Air Force, the famous "Flying Tigers." The squadron received credit for participation in seven campaigns in World War II. Not all 123rd personnel served with the 35th PRS, as some were diverted to other units as early as 1942 and served elsewhere in the Pacific and in Europe. As part of the large drawdown of forces after the war, the 35th PRS inactivated on November 7, 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

Less than a year later, the 35th PRS was revived, redesignated as the 123rd Fighter Squadron (Single Engine, SE) and allocated to the State of Oregon National Guard, effective 26 June, 1946. At a similar time, and as part of a larger ANG reorganization, the 371st Fighter Group was allocated to the State of Oregon, and redesignated as the 142nd Fighter Group on May 24, 1946. The 123rd FS (SE) fell under the 142nd Fighter Group at Portland Air Base. The 142nd inherited the lineage and honors of the 371st FG, which flew combat missions with the P-47 Thunderbolt in the European Theater of Operations in World War II and received a Distinguished Unit Citation for exceptional heroism in 1945. Thus the 142nd FG began fighter operations for the first time in the North American P-51D Mustang with 75 officers and 800 enlisted. men.

Beginning in 1950, the group mobilized in response to the Korean War. Individually activated pilots of the 123rd FS flew over 1,000 combat missions with active duty squadrons of the 18th Fighter Bomber Wing in the F-51D Mustang. The 142nd Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron deployed to Alaska to bolster ground radar coverage in remote areas against the growing Soviet bomber threat, while the 142nd Fighter Group performed the air defense mission as part of the Continental Air Command. In 1952 both the group and squadron were redesignated Fighter Interceptor units.

After supporting the Korean conflict the 142nd Fighter Interceptor Group remained very active in air defense matters through the Cold War years. In the summer of 1958, the 142nd began standing 24-hour air defense alert and continues to this day. As an example of the unit's readiness and capability, in 1976, the unit won top honors at a pair of Aerospace Defense Command (ADC) competitions, the Weapons Loading Competition and the famous William Tell Air Defense Competition. SMSgt Alan Kaser, TSgt Lane Hoffman, TSgt Mark Wiebold and TSgt Joe Woodburn won the Weapons Loading Competition with two near perfect loads, a high test score and maximum points on the tools and equipment checks. In William Tell 1976, the 142nd garnered first place in the F-101 category and Lt. Col. Don Tonole and Maj. Brad Newell captured the overall "Top Gun" title flying the McDonnell F-101B Voodoo. Success came again at William Tell 1984 when the unit placed first in the F-4 category flying the McDonnell-Douglas F-4C Phantom II and beat many of its F-15 Eagle and F-106 Delta Dart rivals in the overall competition. Majors Ron Moore and Bill Dejager were the overall F-4 "Top Guns" of the competition. In the 50th Year of William Tell Anniversary Competition held in 2004, the 142nd Fighter Wing was rated first in Maintenance, Element Attack and Gun categories. These William Tell successes demonstrate Oregon's long history of excellent performance and readiness to accomplish the real world mission.

Since the end of the Cold War, the 142nd has served as the principle air defense unit of the Pacific Northwest. In 1992, as part of a large USAF reorganization, both the group and squadron were redesignated yet again as the 142nd Fighter Group and the 123rd Fighter Squadron, respectively. In 1995 the group was elevated to wing status, beginning its current designation as the 142nd Fighter Wing. The wing participated in a wide variety of expeditionary and humanitarian assistance missions in the turbulent post-Cold War environment while providing air defense of the Pacific Northwest. These included major deployments to Turkey in 1998 for Operation NORTHERN WATCH and to Saudi Arabia in 2000 for Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, patrolling the no-fly zones then in place over Iraq. The wing deployed aircraft to Panama in 1998 in support of counterdrug missions, helping stem the flow of the drug trade by air. Wing personnel deployed on various other missions, sending medical troops to Belize, civil engineers to Macedonia, and to such places around the globe as Curacao, Denmark, Germany, Guam, Kuwait, Spain and the United Kingdom.

On September 11, 2001, the wing was one of the first units to respond to the dastardly terrorist attacks on the east coast with increased air defense to enhance security on the west coast, and subsequently participated in Operation NOBLE EAGLE, the national military response to homeland defense. In 2004, unit personnel provided humanitarian aid in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the 2007 floods in Vernonia, Oregon. The wing also supported ongoing contingency operations in Southwest Asia, including Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM, such as in the 2004 deployment of medical personnel to Qatar and the 2009 deployment of Security Forces Squadron personnel to Iraq.

From its creation, the 142nd Fighter Wing has flown the P-51/F-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, F-94 Starfire, F-89 Scorpion, F-102 Delta Dagger, F-101 Voodoo, F-4 Phantom II fighter planes and a host of support aircraft.

Today, the fighting "Redhawks" are proud to continue service as a vital part of the Total Force team, defending our nation with the F-15 Eagle, providing both continuous air defense and air superiority capabilities. With more than 1,000 officers and airmen, the 142nd Fighter Wing guards the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour Air Sovereignty Alert as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The wing also stands ready to participate in state and federal contingency missions as required.

Airmen from the 435th Contingency Response Group load a U.S. Air Force C-17 for movement of the Rwanda Defense Force, equipment and supplies to the Central African Republic to participate in peace keeping operations. (U.S. Army Africa photos by Master Sgt. Thomas Mills)

To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil

Join the U.S. Army Africa conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

BOULDER CITY, NEV. – The Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation and representatives from all seven Colorado River Basin states gathered today and signed completed drought contingency plans for the Upper and Lower Colorado River basins at Hoover Dam. These completed plans are designed to reduce risks from ongoing drought and protect the single most important water resource in the western United States.

A U.S. Air Force Loadmaster sits on the ramp of a C-130 Hercules during airborne operations at International Jump Week (IJW), Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 8, 2015. The 435th Contingency Response Group hosts IJW annually, to build global partnerships, foster camaraderie between U.S. and International paratroopers, and to exchange current tactics, techniques and procedures pertaining to Airborne Operations (Static Line and Military Free Fall). (U.S. Army Photo By Staff Sgt. Justin P. Morelli / Released)

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group board a West Virginia Air National Guard C-17 at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept 23, 2017, in support of Hurricane Maria recovery operations. Thirty-two members of the unit are deploying to San Juan, Puerto Rico to establish an air cargo hub to process relief supplies. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to A Company, 3rd Battalion, 66th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conduct movement to contact in an M1A2 Abrams as apart of a Live Fire Exercise during Decisive Action Rotation 18-10 at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., Sept. 12, 2018. Decisive Action Rotations at the NTC ensure Army Brigade Combat Teams remain versatile, responsive, and consistently available for current and future contingencies. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lisa A. Orender, Operations Group, National Training Center)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Margaret Linthicum, a 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Detachment 1 Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) nurse, prepares a dose of medicine for a wounded Marine prior to transporting him to an Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The CASF team is responsible for taking care of patients and transporting them from the staging facility and hospital to a waiting aircraft that takes the patients to the next level of medical care. Linthicum is deployed from the 633rd Medical Group, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

An Aircraft Mishap Preparedness and Contingency Plan is underway at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The center's Flight Operations rehearsed a helicopter crash-landing to test new and updated emergency procedures. The operation was designed to validate several updated techniques the center's first responders would follow, should they ever need to rescue a crew in case of a real accident. The mishap exercise took place at the center's Shuttle Landing Facility. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA image use policy.

Load weapons.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Specialist Luz Natalia Gonzalez, a military police Soldier from Providence, R.I., assigned to “Punishers” Provincial Police Transition Team, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, loads her M249 Squad Automatic Weapon on Contingency Operating Site Warrior before conducting security operations in Kirkuk province, Iraq, July 31, 2011.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert DeDeaux, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD – N)

U.S. Army Africa’s Early Entry Command Post Soldiers conduct final check in preparation for a joint inspection. A joint inspection of equipment and vehicles is required prior to a deployment. (U.S. Army Africa photo)

To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil

Join the U.S. Army Africa conversation on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ArmyAfrica

Photographer - Cpl Wes Calder RLC

Pictured - A British Challenger 2 main battle tank (MBT) live firing in Grafenwöhr (Germany)

Exercise BAVARIAN CHARGER is the first of three large contingency operation exercises being undertaken by 20th Armoured Brigade between May – October 2013. Contingency Operations training is known as Hybrid Foundation Training or HFT.

The aim of this exercise is to train the 5 Rifles, The Queens Dragoon Guards (QDG) Battle Groups and 1 Logistic Support Regiment in combined arms manoeuvre.

The exercise is split into 3 main phases. The first phase consists of a two week live firing exercise in Grafenwoer, Southern Germany, that enables the units and soldiers to refine their skills with their equipment and weapons. Training is constructed to develop skills from the individual level through to the Battlegroup level and culminates in a final attack that sees the use of helicopters, tanks, artillery and infantry combined.

The second phase will see all the exercising units transition from Grafenwoer to Hohnfels, some 100 km further south and simulates the kind of movements that are undertaken when moving an Armed force into hostile territory.

The third, and final phase is designed to test the planning and execution of combined arms manoeuvre operations in a hostile environment. The units will execute orders based on the delivery of Brigade Orders to defeat the enemy within the scenario.

2100 personnel with upto 768 vehicles ranging from Landrover, to Tanks to Apache helicopters are being exercised from 20th Armoured Brigade whose Headquarters are based in Sennelager, Germany. Approximately 500 personnel are required to support those training to ensure that supplies are maintained, vehicles are fixed and soldiers fed.

NOTE TO DESKS:

MoD release authorised handout images.

All images remain crown copyright.

Photo credit to read - Cpl Wes Calder RLC

Email: wescalder@mediaops.army.mod.uk

richardwatt@mediaops.army.mod.uk

shanewilkinson@mediaops.army.mod.uk

Richard Watt - 07836 515306

Shane Wilkinson - 07901 590723

A contractor working on post-Hurricane Sandy breach barrier island breach slorue operations gathers sand elevation data Monday November 26, 2012. The barrier island breach closure work at Cupsogue County Park, which was carried out as part of the Breach Contingency Plan in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, was completed Tuesday evening November 27, 2012. (photo by Hector Mosley, New York District public affairs)

Airmen from the 435th Contingency Response Group secure a palled for supplies for movement of the Rwanda Defense Force to the Central African Republic to participate in peace keeping operations. (U.S. Army Africa photos by Master Sgt. Thomas Mills)

To learn more about U.S. Army Africa visit our official website at www.usaraf.army.mil

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Paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, provide over-watch and fire support during training on Fort Bragg, Sept. 9, 2013. The White Falcons, currently part of the Global Response Force, conducted a two-week intensive training cycle designed to reinforce combat skills for the nation’s airborne assault-capable, contingency unit.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Hull)

Staff Sgt. Aroon Revilla, the supply noncommissioned officer in charge for 40th Trans. Company and Bangkok native, participates in pre-combat checks and pre-combat inspections before going on a convoy mission here Dec. 28 to turn in excess equipment at Contingency Operating Location Speicher.

Learn more: www.expertinfantry.com

Learn more: www.expertinfantry.com

SAW gunner.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Specialist Luz Natalia Gonzalez, a military police Soldier from Providence, R.I., assigned to “Punishers” Provincial Police Transition Team, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, conducts security watch on the second floor of the Domies Police Station during a meeting between PPTT leadership and the Domies Police chief in Kirkuk City, Iraq, July 31, 2011.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Robert DeDeaux, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD – N)

Paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, conduct live fire training on Fort Bragg, Sept. 9, 2013. The White Falcons, currently part of the Global Response Force, conducted a two-week intensive training cycle designed to reinforce combat skills for the nation’s airborne assault-capable, contingency unit.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Hull)

Paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, emplace a brazier charge, an improvised explosive tool designed to blow through concertina wire, during live fire training on Fort Bragg, Sept. 9, 2013. The White Falcons, currently part of the Global Response Force, conducted a two-week intensive training cycle designed to reinforce combat skills for the nation’s airborne assault-capable, contingency unit.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Hull)

Col. Paul E. Owen, commander of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stands on the edge of a dune in Cupsogue County Park on Friday November 16, 2012 on a barrier island in Long Island and looks over where Hurricane Sandy created a breach in the barrier island. In the distance is a dredge in nearby Moriches Inlet that is mobilizing to close the breach using sand from the inlet. The breach closure work is being done in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and local authorities in accordance with the Breach Contingency Plan. (photo by Chris Gardner, New York District public affairs)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Brenda Mayes, a Reno native with the 435th Security Forces Squadron, 435th Contingency Response Group out of Ramstein, Germany, tightens a strap on a Latvian National Armed Forces soldier’s equipment during joint airborne training operations held at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, June 15. Mayes, along with other airmen from the 435th SFS, are currently deployed to Latvia and participated in the training as part of Saber Strike 2015 and subsequently, Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing, multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between the U.S. and other NATO allies. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)