Dignitary Visits and Ceremonies

Images of ceremonial events featuring military personnel, dignitaries, and official meetings, symbolizing alliances and respect in military tradition.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with Thai Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 12, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)
159 assets in this story
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PACIFIC OCEAN (May 13, 2022) Ensign Zachary Bradberry, from Pflugerville, Texas, left, and Lt. Cmdr. Fred Hendricks, from Indianapolis, observe a man overboard drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69). USS Milius is assigned to Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navys largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleets principal surface force. Milius is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photograph by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James S. Hong)
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Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he participated in ceremonies commemorating the 144th anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, conversed with National Park Service staff and visitors, and toured the Park, including the construction site for the new Visitors Center
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Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Jamestown Settlement, Virginia, where he joined National Park Service Director Fran Mainella and other officials for tours of the grounds and a re-created version of the 17th Century vessel, the Godspeed, as well as for other events marking the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown
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051006-D-2987S-086. Base: Pentagon State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the signing of the founding document of the North Atlantic Treaty. Brussels, 04.04.2024. Photographed on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office
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Col. Cullen Jones, commander, New Orleans District, passes the colors to Mark Wingate, deputy district engineer for project management during the change of command ceremony Sept. 16, 2022.
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Sept. 2, 2022) Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Sean Buck at the first parade reception at Buchanan House. As the undergraduate college of our countrys naval service, the Naval Academy prepares young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
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1940's reenactors say farewell before departing on Pearl Harbor Day Troop train reenactment from Los Angeles Union Station to San Diego
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On Thursday 8th October 2020, Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, visits two defence companies essential to the economic fabric of the Brittany region. The Minister of the Armed Forces then visits SABENA TECHNICS, a company specialising in aeronautical maintenance, aircraft conversion and cabin fittings. Half of this company's turnover is in the military sector. SABENA TECHNICS will benefit from the government's aeronautics support plan with, in particular, the anticipation of the order for a light surveillance and intelligence aircraft (ALSR). Saint-Lunaire on 2020-10-08.Le jeudi 8 octobre 2020, Florence Parly, ministre des Armees, visite deux entreprises de defense essentielles au tissu economique de la region Bretagne. La ministre des Armées visite ensuite la societe SABENA TECHNICS, spécialisee dans la maintenance aeronautique, la transformation davions et laménagement des cabines. La moitie du chiffre daffaire de cette entreprise concerne lactivite militaire. SABENA
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King of Spain, Felipe VI, departs Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico Air National Guard Jan. 24, 2022. The king of Spain is visiting Puerto Rico to commemorate the fifth centennial founding of the capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Rafael Rosa)
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110711-N-LE393-079QUINCY, Mass. (July 11, 2011) Cmdr. Scott Graham, right, commanding officer of Navy Operational Support Center Quincy, joins local dignitaries in laying a wreath on the tomb of President John Quincy Adams. The wreath was sent by President Barack Obama to commemorate the 244th birthday anniversary of President Adams.
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22074-N-MZ836-1099 BREST, France (July 4, 2022) U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and U.S. Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit participate in an Independence Day Ceremony with French Navy Sailors, veterans and civilians in Brest, France, July 4, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and Partner interests.
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030212-F-2409-C-007. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Commissioning the Full Mission Flight Trainer (FMFT) for the Lynx helicopter at the MarineLiegkamp de Kooy (MVKK).
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Prof. Dr. Karl Lauterbach, Minister of Health, Federal Republic of Germany, along with Dr. Ute Tiehert, Head of the Directorate Public Health and Ingo Behnel, Director General Central Services European and International Health Policy both at the German Federal Ministry of Health visited the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) on Thursday, 21 July 2022.They were greeted by LTG Ronald Place, USA, Director, DHA, BG Jack Davis USA, Director, WRNMMC, CMDCM Trey Hauphtmann, USN, Command Senior enlisted Leader, WRNMMC, and Capt Carlos Williams, USN, Director of NICoE.After taking a walking tour of the facility, they were briefed on the MHS Genesis Electronic Health Record System which is in the process of being implemented at WRNMMC by Ms Holly Goers, Program Executive Officer, Defense Healthcare Management systems, DHA, and MG George Appenzeller, USA, Director of Staff, DHA.(Photographs by Harvey A. Duze - Office of Command
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Italian Air Force Brigadier General (Ret) Formo Missarino (left) mingles with US Air Force 31st Fighter Wing Vice Commander Stephen Spencer and Aviano Airport Commander Colonel Messandro Tudini during the General's post Legion of Merit Ceremony reception, Monday. The Legion of Merit was signed by United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen. General Missarino was the Aviano Airport Commander from July 1994 til September 1996 , and an intricle force behind the establishment of Aviano Air Base, Italy. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)
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290th Military Police Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve, held a change of command ceremony and a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, on Friday, August 5, 2022. During the ceremony, Col. John Dunn relinquished command to the incoming commander, Col. Jonathan Bennett. Following the change of command, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Culberson assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle Jenkins.
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Soldiers hoist the flag of Kenya at the Federal President's citizens' festival in Bellevue Palace Gardens, Berlin, 13/09/2024
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INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (July 22, 2022) Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mark Spahn crosses his hands in prayer during his retirement ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, July 22, 2022. Spahn, who is a Kansas City-area native, retired after 32 years of active duty Navy service.
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020124-D-9880W-031. Base: Pentagon State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Secretary Pompeo attends a traditional German lunch with U.S. military veterans, in Modlareuth, Germany on November 7, 2019.
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221009-N-OC394-1129 SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 9, 2022) Vice Admiral Andrew Tiongson, Commander of U.S Coast Guard, Pacific Area participates in the 154th annual Italian Heritage Parade during San Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW). SFFW is an opportunity for the American public to meet their Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard teams and experience Americas sea services. During fleet week, service members participate in various community service event, showcase capabilities and equipment to the community, and enjoy the hospitality of the city and its surrounding areas.
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Arrival ceremonies for Ahmadou Ahidjo, President of Cameroon, 11:00AM. President John F. Kennedy escorts President of Cameroon, Ahmadou Ahidjo (center), to a car following President Ahidjo's arrival. An unidentified man stands at left. Military Air Transport Service (MATS) Terminal, Washington National Airport, Washington, D.C.
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Scott Desjardins, Superintendent of the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Hamm, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, greets U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on July 17, 2016, as he arrives to tour the site with Luxembourgian Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg David McKean, and other dignitaries following two days of bilateral meetings with government officials.
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry waves to the staff as he and U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Locklear, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, enter Pacific Command Headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 13, 2014. The Secretary received a regional military briefing at the conclusion of an around-the- world trip that included stops in Burma, Australia, and the Solomon Islands.
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Office of the Deputy Secretary (David Sampson) - Deputy Secretary with Marine Corp Visiting Majors
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Visit from H.M. Koningin Beatrix at the Mariniers corps in the Van Braam Houckgeestkazerne in Doorn. Welcome from the queen upon arrival by the commander of the corps, lieutenant colonel f.r.J. Knetsch.
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U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne, Gen. David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd), Governor of New South Wales, meet at NSW Government House ahead of AUSMIN 2017 in Sydney, Australia, on June 5, 2017.
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The Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, and his wife, Kelly, walked the red carpet and conducted media interviews at the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, May, 29, 2022.
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Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak speaks during the official renaming ceremony for Camp Kościuszko, Poznan, Poland, July 30, 2022. The renaming of Forward Operating Site-Poznan to Camp Kościuszko represents the shared history and commitment to collective defense between the United States and Poland. Camp Kościuszko is the first the first permanent U.S. installation on NATOs eastern flank
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Medium long shot, right front view, Major Robert Brubaker (U.S. Air Force retired) stands at attention in front of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, flagpole after receiving the Purple Heart on September 17, 1999, a day set aside to recognize all POW/MIA's. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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German citizens march from Ramstein Village to Ramstein Air Base on September 14, 2001, as a show of support and empathy for the victims and those who mourn them, of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centers Twin Towers and at the Pentagon. Hijackers deliberately flew civilian airliners into the buildings, killing themselves, the passengers and thousands on the ground, on September 11th. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE
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U.S. Lt. Col. Miguel Cisneros, center left, Area Support Group Poland executive officer, stands by polish allies during an Independence Day celebration in Poznan, Poland on Nov. 11, 2022. National Independence Day is a Polish holiday celebrated on Nov. 11 to commemorate the anniversary of Poland regaining its sovereignty in 1918. U.S. Soldiers, assigned to Area Support Group Poland, attended the celebration to continue to show commitment to U.S. Allies and partners.
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111111-N-FC670-458NEW YORK (Nov. 11, 2011) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, center, marches in the New York City Veterans Day Parade.
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Family members gather during a memorial service in honor of the Marines who lost their lives in an MV-22 Osprey crash during training. The Marines were represented by All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (A.L.I.C.E) packs which were decorated with flowers and M-16A2 service rifles. The memorial was held at the 53 area San Mateo grinder at Camp Pendleton, California. The families and friends were on hand, as well as the Commandant of the Marine Corps and other high ranking officials (not shown). Fourteen of the Marines who lost their lives were attached to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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First official day at the Department of the Interior: Secretary Dirk Kempthorne touring Main Interior and National Mall, meeting officials, staff, visitors
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030621-F-9905C-001. Base: Scott Air Force Base State: Illinois (IL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC
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Diplomatic security detail personnel accompanying Japan's Foreign Minister, Taro Aso, during visit to Washington, D.C.
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PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (Nov. 11, 2022) Senior leaders from Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, along with their families, pose for a photo with Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, prior to visiting the USS Arizona Memorial on Veteran's Day. The USS Arizona Memorial serves as the final resting ground for the 1,177 men who perished aboard the USS Arizona (BB 39) during the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
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Polish President Andrzej Duda delivers a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the 30th annual International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) at Kielce, Poland, Sept. 6, 2022. More than 185 defense industry exhibitors from more than 15 countries participated in MSPOan international exhibition designed to showcase the latest land, sea, air and national security defense systems and military projects to a highly specialized audience from the Polish and international community.
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Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in Hodgenville, Kentucky, where he joined First Lady Laura Bush, Historic Site Superintendent Keith Pruitt, and Libby O'Connell, Chief Historian of A and E Television's History Channel, for tours, remarks, interactions with National Park Service staff and visitors
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Sully H.W. Bush was promoted to the honorary rank of Chief Petty Officer on 29 June 2022 during a small ceremony at Walter Reed national Military Medical Center) WRNMMCs Bldg. 1 (Tower) flagpole. His original handler at the hospital, HM1 Samantha Murdock, escorted him while Evan Sisley, former personal aide to the late President George H.W. Bush, pinned the new rank on Sully. Alongside was fellow #WRBFacilityDog HM3 Luke who was also promoted to Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (HM2).(Photographs by Harvey A. Duze - Office of Command Communications)
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Secretary Gale Norton joining parents of former Fish and Wildlife staffer Richard Guadagno at marker at the temporary memorial near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, honoring passengers and crew of Flight 93, hijacked on September 11, 2001. Norton swore in the Flight 93 National Memorial Federal Advisory Commission, including Gerald Guadagno, Richard's father. Photo was used in Norton video
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111117-N-ZZ999-002BATH, Maine (Nov. 17, 2011) Bath Iron Works welder Carl Pepin, left, helps Ann Zumwalt with protective clothing before striking a welding arc on a special steel plate for the Zumwalt class destroyer DDG 1000. The plate will have the initials of the four children of Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt, Ann Zumwalt, Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers, the ship's co-sponsors, Retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. James G. Zumwalt, and Elmo R. Zumwalt, III.
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DTRA Director Hosts Norwegian Delegation.Ms. Rebecca K.C. Hersman, Director;Dr. Rhys M. Williams, Executive Director;Command Sergeant Major Brant C. Shyrigh, Senior Enlisted Leader; Dr. Michael Kuliasha, Acting Director, Research and Development, Defense Threat Reduction Agency.Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, 10-31-2022.Portions of this image were masked for security reasons.
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Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo participates in a walking tour of a monument, guard tower, bunker, and wall in Modlareuth, Germany, on November 7, 2019.
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The Honorable Linda Lingle, right, Governor of Hawaii, is escorted by US Marine Corps (USMC) Captain (CAPT) John Lynch, at the USMC Officer Ball, celebrating the 228th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps. Base: Camp H. M. Smith State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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(R-L) Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor, and Colonel Dr Sonja fisherman, Head of Protocol at the Grand Tattoo, in Berlin, 13 March 2024
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Events, with Secretary Gale Norton in attendance, marking the debut of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial traveling exhibit, Corps of Discovery II, at Monticello, Virginia
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton poses for a photo with (left to right) Staff Sergeant Bouysou, Sergeant Simmons, and Sergeant Jones in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 10, 2010.
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Colonel David F. MacGhee, Mrs. Dianna Lorence, and her son Peter read the inscription on the memorial during the dedication ceremony of the new Wings of Liberty Memorial Park on RAF Lakenheath, U.K. Mrs. Lorence is the widow of Captain Paul Lorence who was shot down over Libya in 1986 during Operation Eldorado Canyon. He flew an F-111F and was assigned to the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath. Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is welcomed to Prague, Czech Republic, Sept. 9, 2022. by Czech Minister of Defense Jana Cernochova. Austin is visiting the NATO ally after hosting the Ukraine Defense Contact Group with other NATO and international counterparts at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. This is the the fifth such meeting of defense leaders from around the world since Russias unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)
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Army Brig. Gen. Jason Benson, the Assistant Division Commander - Maneuver of the Minnesota National Guards 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, is promoted during an event at the Minnesota State Capitol on January 13, 2024. The promotion comes as Benson and more than 500 fellow Red Bulls prepare for an upcoming deployment to the Middle-East later this year.We do not promote people to brigadier general because that of which they have already done, said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Kemper, 34th Infantry Division Commander. "We promote them based on the potential they have to lead.
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On Thursday 8th October 2020, Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, visits two defence companies essential to the economic fabric of the Brittany region. The Minister of the Armed Forces then visits SABENA TECHNICS, a company specialising in aeronautical maintenance, aircraft conversion and cabin fittings. Half of this company's turnover is in the military sector. SABENA TECHNICS will benefit from the government's aeronautics support plan with, in particular, the anticipation of the order for a light surveillance and intelligence aircraft (ALSR). Saint-Lunaire on 2020-10-08.Le jeudi 8 octobre 2020, Florence Parly, ministre des Armees, visite deux entreprises de defense essentielles au tissu economique de la region Bretagne. La ministre des Armées visite ensuite la societe SABENA TECHNICS, spécialisee dans la maintenance aeronautique, la transformation davions et laménagement des cabines. La moitie du chiffre daffaire de cette entreprise concerne lactivite militaire. SABENA
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III tours Saints Cyril & Methodius Catherdral in Prague, Czech Republic with Czech Minister of Defense Jana Cernochova, Sept. 9, 2022. Austin is visiting the NATO ally after hosting the Ukraine Defense Contact Group with other NATO and international counterparts at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. This is the the fifth such meeting of defense leaders from around the world since Russias unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
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The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Ambassadors Rock Band performs live for Dzień Dobry TVN, a Polish television program, near the Wawel Royal Castle in Kraków, Poland, Oct. 16, 2022. The USAFE Band partnered with the U.S. Consulate-Krakow to travel across southern Poland from Oct 11-20, 2022, conducting performances that celebrated the shared spirit of freedom and enduring friendship between the U.S. and Poland. The band brings Americas musical heritage and Air Force excellence to audiences across Europe and Africa.
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The granddaughter of Madame Brisset and the Mayor of Hemevez, France invite Maj. Gen. Brady, the commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, to see their family home where three paratroopers hid from enemy patrols on June 6, 1944.
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U.S. Air Force Col. David Moon Halasi-Kun, the new wing commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, embraces Col. Tom Sling Bladen, previous 104FW wing commander, after assuming command during a change of command ceremony June 12, 2022, at Barnes Air National Base, Massachusetts. A change of command ceremony is a military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility of a unit from one commanding officer to another.