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Photo, caption below.

ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON — Two aviation structural mechanics conduct painting and preservation maintenance on an F-14D Tomcat during a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jessica Davis, USN

AFGHANISTAN

U.S. Pilots, High-Tech Aircraft
Triumph Over Weather, Terrain

By Linda D. Kozaryn / American Forces Press Service

   WASHINGTON — "The Taliban was our greatest threat, but the weather was our greatest challenge and hazard," a U.S. Army helicopter pilot told reporters at the Pentagon Wednesday.
   Horrible sandstorms and dense fog plagued elite Army special operations MH-47E Chinook helicopter crews in the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom, said Capt. Kevin Cochie. But U.S. pilots took advantage of the Chinook's high-tech radar and other features to break through the weather and put special operations forces on the ground, he said.
   Cochie is with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Fort Campbell, Ky. Last October, he was with the first wave of U.S. soldiers to go to Afghanistan. Planning and coordinating air missions involving Green Berets, Navy SEALS and other ground forces was his order of the day.
   Accompanied by two soldiers from the 5th Special Forces Group, Cochie met reporters Wednesday to describe some of the equipment they used in Afghanistan and to talk about some of their personal experiences. The briefing marked the 50th anniversary of Army Special Forces and the 20th anniversary of the aviation regiment.
   Prior to operations in Afghanistan, Cochie said, the 160th's Chinook pilots had never penetrated zero visibility weather at training flight altitudes. "When we started trying to get teams on the ground, we ran into close to zero visibility weather every single night and we ended up turning the aircraft back."
   In the training environment, the pilots observed ceiling and visibility safety minimums. "To go into combat is one thing," he said. "To penetrate weather that's almost down to zero visibility without ever having done it in training was a pretty steep learning curve for all of our crews." More

. Homeland Defense Legislation: 'We Must Act,' Bush Says

. Afghan Violence Disrupts International Aid, Wolfowitz Says

. Taliban Defendant Pleads Guilty, Will Cooperate with U.S. Officials

. Dep. Sec. Def. Wolfowitz in Ankara, Turkey

. Dep. Sec. Def. Wolfowitz in Jordan

. Asst. Sec. Def. Clarke, Brig. Gen. Rosa Briefing

First Battalion (9 photos)

The Afghanistan National Army's 1st Battalion trainees practice in Kabul

. U.S.-Australian Operations (7)	. On the USS Wasp (7)
. Rappel Training (8)	. Eye in the Sky (9)
. HM-14 Detachment One (8)	. Refueling Mission (9)
More photos

. Leaks Endanger Americans

. Citizens Honored for Heroism

. Rumsfeld on Moscow Treaty

. Air Force Radio News

. Air Force Television News


	. Afghanistan	. Pentagon Reconstruction
	. Bin Laden and Al Qaeda	. Special Ops
	. Coalition Support	. Terrorist Groups
	. Commando Solo	. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
	. "Denial and Deception"	. U.S. Assistance to Afghans
	. Marine Expeditionary Units	. U.S. Policy On Africa
	. Operational Security	. Weather

Click here for more information about various military systems and equipment used in the war against terrorism.

Jul 17, 2002

Send your thanks to the men and women of the U.S. military by signing this
online thank you note

Gitmo Patrol: Offshore
With the Coast Guard

Waterborne security

The U.S. Coast Guard's Port Security Unit 307 has been busy since last Sept. 11. First they were deployed to Boston. Now the Florida-based unit is patrolling the waters around Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where enemy combatants are being detained. Their motto: "Anywhere … Anytime … Fast." Story

More Americans Stories

Rumsfeld Asks Senate
To Support Nuke Treaty

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

  WASHINGTON — The Moscow Treaty that calls for the United States and Russia to cut offensive nuclear weapons signifies a new way of the former enemies to do business, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
   Rumsfeld said the treaty is an example of President George W. Bush's desire to put the hostility and distrust of the Cold War behind and "to set our two nations on a course toward greater cooperation."
   The Senate must ratify the treaty for it to take effect. The Moscow Treaty calls on the United States and Russia to reduce offensive nuclear arsenals to between 1,700 and 2,200 warheads over the next decade. More

'Outliers' Program Looks
For Ideas that Transform

An innovative program at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School Center for Executive Education is aimed at helping visionary thinkers in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps chain of command hone their visions for military transformation. Details

. Latest CENTCOM News

. Total Force Key in War on Terrorism

. New System Enhances Harrier Combat Power

. National Guard, Reserve Update

. Tuskegee Airman Buried at Arlington

. Air Force Aid Society Aids Airmen, Families

Gregg H. Smallwood

Photo of Don Simmons.     U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Gregg H. Smallwood worked in the Pentagon in the Office of the Chief Information Systems Technician.
   During his 19 years in the Navy, he served in Guam and Diego Garcia; in Texas and California, and on the USS Henry B. Wilson, USS Harry W. Hill and USS Reasoner. He also worked for the Chief of Naval Operations. His decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2), Good Conduct Medal (3), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Navy “E” Award.
   Survivors include his wife Lisa; daughters Wendy, Lynn and Valerie; parents Harold and Florence, and sister Dr. Laura J. Smallwood.
   We will not forget him.