The U.S. Navy continued to assist South Korea’s efforts in the search, rescue and recovery for victims of the Sewol capsizing. In a statement, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the ferry sinking and Obama said he’s directed the U.S. military to provide any and all assistance requested.
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Orin Sanford looks out the side door of a UH-1Y Huey after taking off from the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard, April, 18, 2014, to assist South Korea’s efforts surrounding the Sewol, the ferry that sank April 16 off the coast of South Korea. Sanford is a crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The U.S. Navy also continued its support in the search for missing Malaysia Airline Flight MH 370.
U.S. Navy personnel and assets continue to assist in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, using underwater surveillance equipment, as well as helicopters and a P-8 Poseidon. The USNS Cesar Chavez has also joined the search, providing food and other logistics support to Australian ships conducting the search about 1,200 miles northwest of Perth.
On a lighter note, the President held a ceremony at the White House to honor the U.S. Naval Academy’s football team for achieving the most victories against its service rivals.
President Barack Obama presents midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy’s football team with the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2014.
President Barack Obama, right, admires a ring U.S. Naval Academy football team members Cody Peterson, left, and Matt Aiken, center, presented to him at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 18, 2014.
On what is always a happy occasion:
Friends and families gather on the pier at Naval Base San Diego for the homecoming of the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63). While deployed, Cowpens played a critical role in Operation Damayan, a joint service humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery mission following Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Republic of the Philippines. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Will Gaskill.
There has been a lot of talk, and writing, about military haircuts. Here is one haircut story I am sure we can all agree on:
Airmen from the 62nd Fighter Squadron with shaved heads pose March 7 in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon on the flightline. The Airmen shaved their heads to show support for the son of a deceased 62nd FS pilot who is battling cancer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman David Owsianka)
Among all the good and happy news we must not forget that our troops are still slugging it out in Afghanistan…
U.S. Army Spc. Josh Lueken provides security at Observation Post English in Afghanistan’s Logar province, April 18, 2014. Lueken is assigned to the 10th Mountain Division’s Company B, 2nd Battalion, 87st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
…and dying there:
The Department of Defense announced this week the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Spc. Kerry M. G. Danyluk, 27, of Cuero, Texas, died April 15 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of injuries sustained April 12 when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire in Pul-e-Alam, Logar province, Afghanistan.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Kenneth Johnson read the names of the fallen from Jacksonville on the Veterans Memorial Wall in Jacksonville, Fla., April 17, 2014. Johnson is the city’s senior policy advisor on military affairs.
Lead photo:
Electronics Technician 3rd Class Spencer Greer kisses his wife after the return of the guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) to Mayport, Fla. from a six-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. Simpson conducted more than 700 flight hours and traveled more than 35,000 nautical miles in support of regional and maritime security. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication 2nd Class Salt Cebe
Photos and captions: DOD
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.