Sgt Stryker

Star Trek in Kuwait

Sgt. Stryker here. It’s nice when the men and women in uniform get to taste a little something of back home when they’re out in the field. Troops in Kuwait recently got to see the upcoming Star Trek movie early. (From what I’ve been told by younger relatives, this is Star Trek for people who don’t like Star Trek, whatever the heck that means!) Anyway, I think it’s cool that soldiers are given little perks like this … it’s small compared to all they sacrifice. The premiere was followed by a Q&A session with the cast. Over 500 troops saw the film.

When you think about Star Trek (and the Federation), it’s interesting to think about the soldiers all over the planet battling each other. Will mankind ever unite together to conquer the stars ala Star Trek? Someday maybe. Until then, you can rest assured the military is doing what it can to keep the entire planet Earth safe from all those who would harm her or the people.

Ok, enough geeking out with Star Trek. How about some pictures?

Blue Diamonds

Lightning strikes behind two F/A-18C Hornet strike fighters from the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron 146 on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Elliott J. Fabrizio

USS Mahan Activity

Family members welcome home Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan during the ship’s homecoming at Naval Station Norfolk. Mahan returned after a six-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations to detect and deter piracy in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class David Danals

Iraqi Army Mortar Training in Mahmudiyah

Shane Liddick (left), a special operative for the San Diego Magazine, dances with Iraqi army soldiers assigned to 17th IA Division during their final day of mortar training in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, on April 6. Photo by Sgt. Kani Ronningen

Combined Mortar Training

U.S. Army Spc. William Neal, an indirect fire infantryman from Spring Hill, Tenn., attached to Gunfighter Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Squadron, 8th Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, Texas, takes cover after Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Abdul Razzaq fires a 120mm mortar shell during a combined mortar training exercise with Iraqi soldiers from 1st Battalion, 46th Brigade, 12 Infantry Division, on April 4, 2009, at the Saber Range, outside Mansurya village, Diyala province, Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Gustavo Olgiati

Iraqi Special Operations Forces Helicopter Training

A soldier with the 9th Battalion Iraqi special operations forces hustles to his position on the roof of a training building during a fast rope training exercise.U.S. Special Operation Forces in partnership with Iraqi special operation forces conduct various training exercises to achieve a common, maintaining the safety and security of Iraq. Photo by Eric Lippmann

On the sad news note, an International Security Assistance Force service member was killed in an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan April 13, 2009, according to US news releases.

“On behalf of ISAF, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this service member,” said Captain Mark Durkin, ISAF spokesman. “This soldier died while fighting to ensure that in the future, Afghans will be able to provide for their own security. His sacrifice was to help bring peace to the people Afghanistan and will not be forgotten”

It is ISAF policy not to release the nationality of any casualty prior to the relevant national authority doing so.

Next of kin have been notified.

This is Sgt. Stryker signing out.