By Yolanda R. Arrington DoD News, Defense Media Activity: Astronaut Explains How Army Career Rocketed Him into Space
Retired Col. Mark Vande Hei recently left the earth for a six-month mission on the International Space Station. Screenshot: U.S. Army
Could it be the coolest job in the military? Mark Vande Hei thinks so. This retired Army Colonel recently embarked on a six month mission on the International Space Station. In this video, Vande Hei explains how he and other Army astronauts contribute to the Human Space Flight Program.
He later joined the Army and landed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, for his first duty station. Over time, he grew fond of the local way of life and easily made friends. Today, he has two children who are half native Alaskan.
It didn’t matter, he said, that he was a white Irish-American who did not grow up there. “They accepted me 100 percent,” he added. “My heart is filled with the native culture here.”
By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Giselle Christmas, Navy Recruiting District San Antonio: Face of Defense: Navy Recruiter Credits Success to Hard Work
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jalisa Green, a gas turbine system technician, said she longed to travel and see the world beyond her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and that joining the Navy would give her that opportunity.
By Air Force Capt. Matt Murphy, 156th Airlift Wing: Face of Defense: New Pilot Takes First Flight in Home Unit
MUNIZ AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Puerto Rico, Dec. 5, 2017 — Air Force 2nd Lt. Isaias Rivera may be the newest pilot in the 156th Airlift Wing, but he isn’t new to the unit, or to the WC-130H Hercules weather reconnaissance aircraft stationed here.
By Air Force Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen 514th Air Mobility Wing: Face of Defense: Airman Seeks to Build Generation of Lifesavers
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J., Nov. 29, 2017 — Air Force Senior Airman Selina N. Okyere has one goal in her life: to teach the whole nation of Ghana to know basic lifesaving skills.
That’s no small undertaking. Ghana, which is about the size of Oregon, has a population of close to 29 million people. But for Okyere, this goal is personal. She was born in Ghana.
“People die in Ghana because the people around them don’t know basic first aid,” she said. “It’s crazy when you hear about someone dying and it was something simple that could have been prevented.”
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Stephanie J. Lambert, New York Air National Guard: New York National Guard Delivers Christmas Trees for Troops
BALLSTON SPA, N.Y., Nov. 29, 2017 — New York National Guard airmen and soldiers volunteered their time to fill up a delivery truck with donated Christmas trees bound for military families at the Ellms Family Farm here, Nov. 27.
This is the 13th year that the National Guard troops turned out alongside veterans and Patriot Guard Riders to assist in the nationwide Trees for Troops initiative.
According to its website, the Patriot Guard Riders is a nonprofit volunteer organization, which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring fallen military heroes, first responders and honorably discharged veterans.
By Shannon Collins DoD News, Defense Media Activity: Poly Trauma Department Doctors Celebrate 10 Years of Caring for Patients
Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care (C5)
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2017 — The Naval Medical Center San Diego’s Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care center, or C5, celebrated its 10th anniversary in October.
NMCSD is one of three hospitals in the Defense Department providing rehabilitation care to service members who are severely injured or ill, especially in overseas operations. The other two are Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, which also works with the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, and San Antonio Military Medical Center, which used to be called Brooke Army Medical Center.
Soldiers Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
Soldiers attend a Native American Heritage Month observance at the Elkhorn Conference Center, Fort Carson, Colo., Nov. 27, 2017. Army photos by Sgt. Micah Merrill
Brad Bearsheart performs the men’s warrior spirit dance during a demonstration Nov. 27, 2017 at the annual Native American Heritage Month observance at the Elkhorn Conference Center, Fort Carson, Colo. Bearsheart is an Army veteran and member of the Lakota tribe. Army photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill
Week in Photos: Nov. 25-Dec. 1, 2017
