OEF Deployment Photos

Soldiers of B/2-14 Aviation load CH-47 helicopters for deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, March 3, 2004. U.S. Army Photo 
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Soldiers of B/2-14 Aviation load CH-47 helicopters for deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, March 3, 2004. U.S. Army Photo
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Soldiers of B/2-14 Aviation load CH-47 helicopters for deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, March 3, 2004. U.S. Army Photo
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Soldiers of B/2-14 Aviation load CH-47 helicopters for deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, March 3, 2004. U.S. Army Photo
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Soldiers of B/2-14 Aviation load CH-47 helicopters for deployment to Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, March 3, 2004. U.S. Army Photo
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Twenty-fifth Infantry Division (Light) commanding general, Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, right, and command sergeant major, Command. Sgt. Maj. Franklin G. Ashe, left, case the Division’s colors during a Mar. 18 ceremony marking the deployment of 5,000 Soldiers to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The mission for the division headquarters is to serve as the Combined Joint Task Force headquarters for units in Afghanistan. The Brigade Combat Team’s mission is to conduct stability, sustainment and combat operations. Soldiers with various specialties will comprise the Brigade Combat Team. These specialties include: field artillery, military police, military intelligence, engineers, air defense artillery and support and logistics personnel. This is a 12-month deployment.

Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan get improved, warmer gear from the Rapid Fielding Initiative issue facility on Schofield Barrack’s East Range is issuing some of the newest and top-of-the-line equipment to deploying Soldiers. Soldiers are receiving many tools that will aid them in the extreme climates of Afghanistan. Deploying troops are receiving everything from socks and boots to Gortex jackets and pants in the desert camouflage pattern. Much of the issue is Extreme Cold Weather System gear. The Soldiers are also receiving silk weight thermal underwear and fleece to be worn under their DCUs. the high-speed equipment doesn’t stop with boots and parkas. Some Soldiers are receiving Modular Lightweight Load-carrying equipment assault packs, Wiley-X goggles, multipurpose tools and even stealth combat shelters. The equipment received at the RFI issue is based on each Soldiers’ deployed mission. The Army is using lessons it learned in the first war in Iraq and early stages in Afghanistan to better equip its troops for deployment, said Dahms. The Soldiers who have this new equipment will be more comfortable and better suited for their missions in Afghanistan. U.S. Army photos by Pfc. Chris Stump, 17th Public Affairs Detachment
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