From some of the comments here I gather that several of our readers are enduring the trials and tribulations brought about by the severe winter weather affecting parts of the country. Our thoughts are with them.
The inclement weather is also affecting our military and their operations.
Last Thursday, Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick mobilized nearly 400 Soldiers and Airmen of the Massachusetts National Guard in response to a severe January snowstorm that dumped nearly two-feet of snow in areas of Central and Western Massachusetts.
Soldiers and Airmen were called up on state active duty to provide support to civil authorities in response to the current winter storm conditions in order to save lives, prevent further injury and protect critical infrastructure.
Lead image: Soldiers of the 1166th Transportation Company from Worcester, Mass., prepare their Light Medium Tactical Vehicles for tide and flood checks as part of the Guard’s response to the New Year’s Winter Storm Hercules, Jan. 3, 2014.
Here are some other images:
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Howard shovels snow through a transom gun port aboard the USS Constitution in Charlestown, Mass., Jan. 3, 2014. The greater Boston area received about 2 feet of snowfall during the first major snowstorm of 2014.
U.S. Coast Guard recruits clear a path to continue training in the 18-degree temperatures and gusty winds at Training Center Cape May, N.J., Jan. 3, 2013. More than half of the recruits assigned to Echo Company 189 have never shoveled snow before. The Coast Guard uses Cape May as its basic training facility because of its diverse weather conditions
The Coast Guard Cutter Hollyhock breaks through ice as it transits to St. Ignace, Mich., for damage assessment following a collision on Lake Michigan, Jan. 5, 2014.
And it is winter, cold and still snowing in Afghanistan….
Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Aerial Port Squadron load a C-17 Globemaster III on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2013. The aircrew and aerial port airmen offloaded and loaded vehicles and cargo during a snow storm.
And we have seen this one before:
All photos and captions: DOD
