The band passed out band ponchos to each other.

The ExoMars/TGO mission control team seen in simulation training at ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany, on 15 September. The team were rehearsing reactions to contingency situations that could occur prior to Mars orbit entry, set for 19 October. Credit: ESA

U.S. Air Force logistics personnel, assigned to the 621st Contingency Response Wing from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, load support equipment and rolling stock cargo onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III large transport aircraft from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina, July 10, 2018. The South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing is deploying nearly 300 Airmen and approximately a dozen F-16 Block 52 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to the 407th Air Expeditionary Group in Southwest Asia in support of an Air Expeditionary Force rotation. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Edward Snyder)

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – U.S. Air Force maintainers from the 97th Maintenance Directorate tow a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter across the flightline during joint training Nov. 13, 2013. The U.S. Army and Air Force practiced loading Apache helicopters onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft to improve joint contingency operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dillon Davis/Released)

Leslie Cruise, a World War II veteran, and members from the 5th Quartermaster Theater Aerial Delivery Company, 435th Air Ground Operations Wing's Contingency Response Group and 21st Theater Sustainment Command lay down a wreath in honor of Pvt. Richard Vargas at Lorraine American National Cemetery and Memorial, St. Avold, France, June 2, 2014. Seventy years ago on June 7, 1944 Pvt. Richard Vargas saved Cruise’s life during the invasion of Normandy. Cruise went to France several times prior to this visit looking for his friend’s grave in order to say thank you. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Hailey Haux)

Gratitude for commitment.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Bailey, deputy commanding general, maneuver, 4th Infantry Division and U.S. Division-North, presents a Task Force Ironhorse Coin to Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Gabel in recognition for his commitment to the Army after a reenlistment ceremony in a UH-60 Blackhawk 1200 feet in the air above northern Iraq, Feb. 19, 2011. Gabel, a psychological operations planner, assigned to Company A, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., who hails from Littleton, Colo., said he conducted his career reenlistment in Iraq as the next logical step in his military service to his country and for his Family.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N PAO)

Packing up, moving out.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – A Soldier assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, carries his bags to a waiting truck at Joint Security Station Whiskey 4 in Ninewa province, Iraq, July 29, 2011. Approximately 200 civilians and U.S. Soldiers assigned to Troop B lived at the base from Oct. 2010 until Aug. 2011 while supporting advisory and training operations with Iraqi forces during Operation New Dawn.

(U.S. Army photo by Capt. Philip Crabtree, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD – N)

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Brian Wolford, right, commanding general of 3rd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), watches as U.S. Navy Sailors create simulated causalities at the Medical Skills Training Center, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, October 29, 2020. Sailors with 3rd Med. Bn. participated in an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force training evolution to practice their combat lifesaving skills in an expeditionary environment. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Harvey)

CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq — Staff Sgt. Wesley N. Page (left), a gun truck commander from Starkville, Miss., consults with Staff Sgt. David W. Cantrell, a convoy commander from Madison, Miss., during a quality assurance / quality control inspection in the company motor pool Jan. 5. Both men serve with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 198th Combined Arms, 155th Brigade Combat Team, out of Greenwood, Miss. A mechanized infantry unit, B Company runs convoy security missions to bases across northern Iraq.

EXAMS - the one word that makes every student cringe.

One of my Majors for my University Degree is Psychology. The subject that fascinated me the most this semester was Learning and Behaviour. It is amazing how the mind works and how behaviours are elicited in different species.

Home - Sydney, NSW.

Australia.

Sgt. Jason Owens, a military policeman with the 108th Military Police Company (Air Assault) prepares to load an injured Soldier onto an ambulance during a mass casualty exercise conducted July 2, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Tikrit, Iraq. The exercise was held to train and test emergency first responder agencies stationed at COB Speicher to ensure their readiness and proficiency in their skills. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Cassandra Monroe)

The 904th Contingency Contracting Battalion, 412th Contracting Support Brigade, provided contracting support to the 167th Theater Support Command during the U.S. Army North's Vibrant Response 2011 at Camp Atterbury, Ind., 12-29 Aug.

Vibrant Response is ARNORTH's crisis management exercise for DoD's Defense Support of Civil Authorities response.

(Left to Right) Staff Sgt. Aaron Mckellum and Maj. Seth Blakeman discuss their contracting support concept with Lt. Col. Jeffery Phillips, 904th CCBN commander, and Maj. Anthony Gibbs, battalion S-3 officer.

Reviewing current operations.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – First Lieutenant Waleed Ramabhar, left, an intelligence officer assigned to the 3rd Iraqi Army Division, and staff Col. Hasen Ali, senior Iraqi Army officer for the Ninewa Combined Coordination Center, review significant activity reports after a key leader brief at the NCCC, July 25, 2011. Soldiers assigned to 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, advise and train Iraqi and Kurdish Security Forces at the NCCC in support of Operation New Dawn.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terence Ewings, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD-N)

U.S. Navy Sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion (Med. Bn.), 3rd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), tend to their simulated casualties at the Medical Skills Training Center, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, October 29, 2020. Sailors with 3rd Med. Bn. participated in an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force training evolution to practice their combat lifesaving skills in an expeditionary environment. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Harvey)

U.S. Navy Sailors with 3rd Medical Battalion (Med. Bn.), 3rd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), slide an insulation bag under a simulated casualty at the Medical Skills Training Center, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, October 29, 2020. Sailors with 3rd Med. Bn. participated in an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force training evolution to practice their combat lifesaving skills in an expeditionary environment. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Harvey)

This is part of the huge contingency of fire fighting equipment that was lined up on the runway waiting to go in and tackle the blaze. The heat was so intense that at this time they couldn't actually fight the fire and were concentrating on preventing it from spreading to the surrounding buildings. They were also worried about two propane storage tanks which is why we were evacuated. My building is just beyond the tree at the right handside.

Charging .50 cal.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Specialist Justine McCoy, a chemical specialist assigned to Forward Support Company G, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, clears and performs a functions check on a .50- caliber machine gun during a “Spur Ride” at Contingency Operating Site Marez, Iraq, Aug. 3, 2011. On her first deployment, McCoy, a native of Lansing, Mich., took part in the cavalry tradition in an effort to earn the privilege to wear silver spurs at designated unit functions and events.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terence Ewings, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD-N)

Members from the 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Detachment 1 Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility help load wounded Marines, their baggage and medical equipment from an ambulance bus onto a C-130 Hercules at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. The CASF team is responsible for transporting patients from the staging facility and role hospital to aircraft who are then transported to the next level of medical care. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)(Released)

Dane Cook performing at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, during a USO comedy show on 31 May.

Standing ovation.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Audience members give a standing ovation for Lt. Col. Mary Krueger and other guest speakers at the conclusion of “Our History Is Our Strength,” a Women's History Month celebration at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, March 18, 2011. The guest speaker, Krueger, Surgeon, U.S. Division-North and 4th Infantry Division, spoke of the rich history of women in the military, telling audience members of the first female Medal of Honor Recipient Mary Walker and other notable military heroines.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Coltin Heller, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO)

CSM congratulates NCO.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Command Sgt. Major Daniel Dailey, senior enlister officer of 4th Infantry Division, and U.S. Division – North, congratulates Sgt. Robert Stocksick, a mechanic assigned to Forward Support Company G, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, during a noncommissioned officer induction ceremony on Contingency Operating Site Marez, Iraq, Aug. 5. Stocksick, a native of Plant City, Fla., and eight other Soldiers participated in the rite of passage to become a leader and NCO.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Turner, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD – North)

Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 688th Rapid Port Opening Element inspect cargo on June 18, 2014, before strapping it down for transport to a staging area called the Forward Node during Capstone '14, a homeland earthquake-response exercise at Fort Campbell, Ky. The 688th RPOE joined forces with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group to operate a Joint Task Force-Port Opening here from June 16 to 19, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Connecting antenna.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Sergeant Matthew Cogburn, senior information systems noncommissioned officer assigned to Company B, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, connects the antenna on a Harris 7800W radio at Contingency Operating Site Marez, Iraq, July 21, 2011. Cogburn, a native of Round Rock, Texas, is responsible for providing technical support for the brigade.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Turner, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD – N)

Aerial porters from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group use a Halvorsen Loader to off-load cargo from a New York Air National Guard C-130 at Amedee Army Airfield, Calif., during Operation Lumberjack on March 9, 2016. The 123rd CRG is working in conjunction with the U.S. Army’s 688th Rapid Port Opening Element and a team from the Defense Logistics Agency to operate Joint Task Force-Port Opening Sangala during the week-long exercise. The objective of the JTF-PO is to establish an aerial port of debarkation, provide initial distribution capability and set up warehousing for distribution beyond a forward node. (Kentucky Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Todd III, PEO Aviation, administered the oath of office to Col. Brian Watson, right, during a June 18 ceremony at Redstone Arsenal marking Watson’s promotion from lieutenant colonel. Watson will lead contingency operations and assist in maintaining operational readiness between PEO Aviation staff and combatant commands’ senior staffs. (Photo by Michelle Miller, PEO Aviation)

Mapping the targets.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Specialist Charles Porowski, a cannon crewmember assigned to Forward Support Company G, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, locates a target by plotting grid coordinates on a map during a “Spur Ride” at Contingency Operating Site Marez, Iraq, Aug. 3, 2011. In addition to a nighttime map reading skills test, Porowski, a native of Cincinnati, completed a combat lifesaver, automations, communications, and weapons skills test to earn the honor of being inducted into the Order of the Spur.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Terence Ewings, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD-N)

Taking Charge.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – “Golden Lions” of the expanded Combined Security Force conduct a checkpoint defense exercise under the supervision and assistance of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, at Checkpoint K6, Kirkuk, Iraq, July 27, 2011. “The (eCSF) were very enthusiastic and motivated and quick to learn,” said 2nd Lt. Bruce Ramos, an infantryman from Tampa, Fla. “They’re ready and prepared to take responsibility for their city’s security and welfare. From day one until now, they have shown nothing but improvement in their techniques and tactics.”

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Benito Flores Jr., 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., 1st AATF, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N)

MARRAKECH, Morrocco— Staff Sgt. Matthew Ross, 818th Contingency Response Group security forces fire team leader, stands guard between a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and a C-130J Super Hercules April 5, 2012 during the Aeroexpo Marrakech 2012. The U.S. Air Force is participating in the third biennial Aeroexpo Marrekech to strengthen the partnerships with the nations involved and show commitment to security and stability in the region. Security forces teams members are providing security for U.S. aircraft for the entirety of the Aeroexpo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Natasha Stannard)

Cougar Creek Fire, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, WA, 2018

Photo by Kari Greer

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Commander Rear Adm. Matthew T. Bell, Jr., and the Canadian Coast Guard Western Region Assistant Commissioner Roger Girouard sit together while signing the newly revised Dixon Entrance Annex to the national Canada-United States Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan, Feb. 19, 2020 in Juneau, Alaska.

The updated annex includes basic content and format changes in accordance with new national guidelines, clearer pollution notification and response protocols, and refreshed references to U.S. Customs Service procedures for transboundary movement of personnel and resources.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Matthew Schofield.

EMT students give a gift of thanks.

CONTIGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Capt. Harold Yu, a Torrance, Calif.-native and physician’s assistant, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, alongside Lt. Col. Joseph Holland, commander, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., received flowers from an Iraqi student of an Emergency Medical Technician training course during a graduation ceremony Dec. 29 at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq. The students gave flowers as a gift of appreciation to Yu and all of the instructors of the five-week EMT course for leading the course that provided the ISF the knowledge they need to help save lives, as well as instruct and teach future EMT’s of Kirkuk’s Iraqi Security Forces.

(U.S. Army Photo by Pvt. Alyxandra McChesney, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N)

Recognition.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – U.S. Forces-Iraq commanding general, Gen. Lloyd Austin, congratulates Soldiers and Airmen for their hard work in support of Operation New Dawn during a small ceremony at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, May 21, 2011. Austin presented each with an U.S. Forces-Iraq coin to thank each of them. “Although these are still challenging times, I want you all to continue to stay focused in leading the way and being examples for those around you to follow, and for what you all have done, I would like to say ‘thank you,’” Austin said.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF PAO, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N)

We believe that urban forms – in fact all habitats – are energized by its citizens and users. The contingencies of contemporary economic and political needs produce overarching frameworks and policies that produce top-down urban visions. These cannot fully match the complexity of what urban economies are all about. So far – policies have been simply pushing ahead and providing quick-fix solutions to the leakages – which in several contexts are pretty large. Instead, what our projects try to do is simply allow residents and users of neighbourhoods to have a say, propose plans, collaborate with professional and take charge of their spaces in cultural, economic and social terms. We believe that Dharavi is already developing, it doesn’t need to be redeveloped. What it needs is support systems. We have an office in Dharavi and networks deep in the communities there with whom we work on specific projects – cultural, economic, architectural and beyond.

URBZ is our portal – part online – part on the ground. It provides a set of tools for residents and users to start the process of taking charge of their neighbourhoods. The online side is an interactive website that allows users to work with a global community of supporters. It offers a way for them to showcase and upload their city/habitat/neighbourhood onto the virtual world in a manner that connects to a hyper-local scale where the smallest of information becomes a source of local control. We use all existing online technologies and make them accessible to the residents through on-the ground activities such as workshops and community related get-togethers around specific issues. We complement this process by supporting local initiatives by connecting users to each other in a manner that allow skills to be shared.

URBZ was co-founded by Geeta Mehta and us and we have a big team helping us and working with us – Cole from Chile, Nishit Mehta our ICT coordinator and Dipti and George our interns working with us now besides a whole host of partners and interns details of whom can be seen on our site.

Annabeth Rosen: Contingency

Fleisher/Ollman Gallery

Airmen with the 123rd Contingency Response Group prepare for their deployment to West Africa from the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 2, 2014. The Guardsmen will work to set up a logistics hub in support of Operation United Assistance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)

Strumming a few chords.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Rick Willis, guitarist for the Marshall Tucker Band, serenades Sgt. Marlin Melendez, Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Center front desk clerk, Headquarters Support Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, during the band’s visit to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, May 8, 2011. Willis said he only wished the band could do more to show their support and respect for the Soldiers deployed in Support of Operation New Dawn. As a part of the CSFC staff, Melendez ensures Soldiers staying at the facility are comfortable and cared for as they take a brief reprieve from deployed life.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N PAO)

An Iraqi mentor.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III speaks with Sgt. Maj. Bolan, senior enlisted leader, 1st Battalion, 10th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, about the combat readiness of Iraqi soldiers at the Ghuzlani Warrior Training Center, near Mosul, Iraq, June 23, 2011. Chandler visited GWTC during his tour of Contingency Operating Sites Marez and Diamondback on his first visit to Iraq as the Army’s senior enlisted leader.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N PAO)

U.S. Navy Seaman Todd Housand, a hospitalman dental technician with 3rd Medical Battalion (Med. Bn.), 3rd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), and native of Florence, South Carolina, updates the simulated casualties’ medical status at the Medical Skills Training Center, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, October 29, 2020. Sailors with 3rd Med. Bn. participated in an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force training evolution to practice their combat lifesaving skills in an expeditionary environment. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Force’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Harvey)

Personnel from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Contingency Response Group push cargo off of a Mississippi Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster during disaster-response exercise CAPSTONE ’14 at Fort Campbell, Ky., June 17, 2014. The 123rd CRG joined forces with the U.S. Army’s 688th Rapid Port Opening Element to operate a Joint Task Force-Port Opening here from June 16 to 19, 2014. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Pulling security.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – A Kurdish Regional Guard soldier with the Kirkuk expanded Combined Security Force provides security during a presence patrol in a village north of Kirkuk City, Iraq, July 19, 2011. The eCSF “Golden Lions” recently added a third and final company to its ranks, forming a full-strength battalion to provide safety and security throughout the Combined Security Area and Kirkuk City.

(U.S. Army photo by David Strayer, 109th MPAD, USD – N)

Sue Smith, from Wigan Council's Civil Contingencies Service, at the mock-up of a toxic chemical spillage in Market Place with firefighters Ian Fitzhenry, left, and Danny Molyneux, from Wigan Fire Station's Red Watch. The event, held as part of Wigan Resilience Week, raised awareness of emergency planning arrangements in the borough..Charles

A U.S. servicemembers takes photos as President Barack Obama speaks at Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst, N.J., Dec. 15, 2014. During his speech, the President thanked members of the Armed Forces and civilians of the DoD. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Gustavo Gonzalez/Released)

Airmen with the 123rd Contingency Response Group prepare for their deployment to West Africa from the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 2, 2014. The Guardsmen will work to set up a logistics hub in support of Operation United Assistance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)

Airmen with the 123rd Contingency Response Group prepare for their deployment to West Africa from the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 2, 2014. The Guardsmen will work to set up a logistics hub in support of Operation United Assistance. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)

Loving Hand.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq – Specialist Rodolfo Moreno, a finance specialist with the 4th Financial Management Company, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, repaints the name of his brother-in-law, Sgt. Israel Devora-Garcia, on the Warrior Memorial Wall at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq, Aug. 6, 2011. Moreno volunteered to refurbish the memorial site, which bears names of U.S. Soldiers lost during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. “I am grateful for the opportunity to give a little back,” Moreno said.

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

Over the Moon.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Professional BMX rider Anthony Napolitan, with the Bikes Over Baghdad tour, sails over an M1078 Light Medium Tactical Vehicle during the tour’s visit to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, June 11, 2011. During the show, the riders launched themselves over military vehicles and personnel, handed out prizes ranging from energy drinks to a Harley-Davidson Jacket, and thanked the audience of U.S. Division-North service members for serving the people of the United States. “I told everyone I know that I was coming to Iraq,” said event emcee Micah Kranz. “There is no place any one of us would rather be than risking our lives for the entertainment of those who risk their lives for our freedom.”

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N PAO)

Autograph.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Maj. Kenneth Stevenson, a native of San Tan Valley, Ariz., and commander of the Tikrit Military History Detachment, assigned to U.S. Division-North, talks about the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award with National Football League player Madieu Williams, a defensive back with the Minnesota Vikings, during the Super Sunday Tour at the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Center, Contingency Operating Base Speicher Iraq, Feb 4, 2011. Williams said he and other NFL players visited Iraq as part of the tour to thank service members for their service and sacrifices. Williams received the Walter Payton Man of the Year award via a video teleconference via video teleconference during the award luncheon hosted by NFL in Dallas, Texas. The Walter Payton Man of the Year award recognizes one NFL player every year for outstand philanthropic efforts.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N PAO)

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Sergeant Matthew Cogburn, senior information systems noncommissioned officer assigned to Company B, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, connects the antenna on a Harris 7800W radio at Contingency Operating Site Marez, Iraq, July 21, 2011. Cogburn, a native of Round Rock, Texas, is responsible for providing technical support for the brigade.

(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angel Turner, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div., USD – N)

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Senior Airman Brian Plank, bass guitar player for the Air Force Central Command rock band, “Starlifter,” plays a riff up and down the neck of his guitar during the band's performance at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Jan. 6, 2011. The band played at COB Speicher North Dining Facility as part of their six-month deployment performing more than 70 shows for troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

(U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. David Strayer, 109th MPAD, USD-N PAO)