Lt. Col. Douglas O'Connell addresses a crowd gathered for the re-activation of the 1st Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) at the Texas State Technical College airport in Waco, Texas, Sept. 11. More
Texas Army National Guard Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team Capt. Brent Kemp observes a bee hive on FOB Ghazni.
A view of the mountains in Jaghori District, Ghazni province in Afghanistan. Texas National Guard Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team-IV conducted a site assessment in the area to assess an agriculture demonst More
Texas National Guard Ghazni Agribusiness Development team designed custom plaques to award as a token of appreciation to those who have shown exceptional support to Texas ADT-IV during their deployment to Ghazn More
Sgt. Tommy Hughs, flight crew chief aboard the UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, prepares for a Special Forces fast ropes insertion demonstration at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, during the American Heroes Celebrati More
Sgt. Candice Perez, 712 MP Company Task Force Raptor (3-124), inches her way forward during mat drills at Camp Swift.
Master Sgt. Juan Benevidez, Task Force Raptor (3-124), searches Sfc. Federico Lopez for contraband. The Task Force conducts enemy prisoner of war training as part of their premobilization training at Camp Swift.
Master Sgt. Juan Benavidez, Task Force Raptor (3-124), escorts Sfc. Federico Lopez after searching him for contraband. The task force conducts enemy prisoner of war training as part of their premobilization tra More
Staff Sgt. Joshua Lancaster, instructor at the Combat Support Training and Evaluation Battalion at Camp Swift, points out terrain features to soldiers from Task Force Raptor (3-124). The Task Force hones its na More
Sgt. Wingo, 712 MP Company Task Force Raptor, draws out a sand table on the ground explaining to fellow soldiers the plan of attack. Task force soldiers conduct mounted and dismounted drills as part of their pr More
Jessica Lee from the Socio-Cultural Research and Advisory Team with Africa Command, gives Texas National Guardsmen a class on culture. The soldiers with Task Force Raptor will be deploying early next year to th More
The joint efforts of the 19th Special Forces, the 627th Engineer Dive Detachment, the 294th Quartermaster Company and the 108th Aviation Task Force, led to the successful completion of a water jump and hazard f More
Sgt. Greg Kerr looks for the target Spc. Archie Speights points out. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor, qualify with their 240 machine gun during Pre-Mobilization Training at More
Sgt. James Lorance from Charlie Company, Task Force Raptor, pulls his way across training mats using only his hands. Soldiers from the Task Force practice their Army Combatives Skills at Pre-Mobilization Traini More
Spc. Jim Harris, Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124), pulls security as his platoon stops to check for possible improvised explosive devices. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Task Force have been brushi More
Rappel Master, Staff Sgt. Barker, checks the knots on Staff Sgt. Joe Shultz' rappel harness. The soldiers from the Site Security Team, Task Force Raptor, are tightening up on their rappelling skills in preparat More
Rappel Master, Staff Sgt. Barker, checks the knots on Staff Sgt. Joe Shultz' Swiss Seat. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Site Security Team, Charlie Troop, 3-124 CAV, out of Terrell, Texas, are tightening More
Texas National Guardsmen from Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV) up early getting their gun trucks ready for the ranges. The soldiers are qualifying on the gun truck gunnery range in preparation for their deployment More
The Lufkin community shows it's support with a colorful and very patriotic dessert for the deploying soldiers of the 702nd Military Police Company and their families. Texas National Guardsmen from the 702nd are More
Spc. Aaron Cline, A Troop, Task Force Raptor, conducts overwatch duties from a watchtower at Base Defense Training. Texas National Guardsmen are at Pre-Mob training preparing for their deployment to the Horn of More
Spc. Jarrod Christmas from the 702nd Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), checks for IDs as his fellow soldiers stand guard. The Texas National Guardsmen are conducting flight line security o More
Spc. Corey Munsinger from the Site Security Team, Charlie Troop, Task Force Raptor, signals his fellow team members to move forward as they conduct sensitive item recovery. The soldiers are preparing for their More
Pfc. Angel Ramirez from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), conducts base security during a command post exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Jan. 25, 2012. The soldiers from the task force are being evalu More
Guardsmen from the Texas Army National Guard and California National Guard brief Maryland Army National Guard Col. Julie Minde, commander, 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade during a combined arms More
Mayor of Seagoville Sidney M. Sexton Jr. addresses Texas National Guardsmen from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), at their casing ceremony. The soldiers deploy to the Horn of Africa early this year.
Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Haro, the command sergeant major for the 1st Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) battalion commander, cuts the ceremony cake with a bayonet after the reactivation ceremo More
U.S. Army Maj. John L. Davis from Austin, Texas and U.S. Army Cpt. Brent A. Kemp from Wylie, Texas, both on the Texas Agribusiness Development Team-IV, examine a bee hive at the agriculture experimental farm lo More
A view of Ghazni province in Afghanistan. Texas National Guard Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team-IV works throughout the district to increase the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan through agricultura More
Texas Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team-IV Commander U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian P. Stevens from Leander, Texas presents Polish Provincial Reconstruction Team Executive Officer Polish Army Capt. Marcin Rutowski More
Capt. Chris Sedtal battles Capt. Douglas Yates, HHT Company Task Force Raptor (3-124), during Army Combatives Training at Camp Swift.
Master Sgt. Juan Benevidez, Task Force Raptor (3-124) , searches Sfc. Federico Lopez for contraband. The Task Force conducts enemy prisoner of war training as part of their premobilization training at Camp Swift.
Soldiers from Task Force Raptor (3-124) are given a class on how to handle enemy prisoners of war. The task force learns EPW training as part of their premobilization training at Camp Swift.
Spc. Joshua Lewis and Staff Sgt. Matthew Young with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Task Force Raptor (3-124) out of Wylie, Texas, plot out their grid points. The Soldiers from the Task Force sharpen their More
Soldiers from the 712 Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor, provide security for the platoon leader as he approaches the village elder's house in a training exercise. Task force soldiers conduct mounted a More
Spc. Archie Speights helps Sgt. Greg Kerr load his weapon. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor, qualify with their 240 machine gun during Pre-Mobilization Training at Camp Swift; Texas.
Spc. Joseph Perez from Charlie Company, Task Force Raptor, helps his fellow soldier make it to finish point. Soldiers from the Task Force practice their Army Combatives Skills at Pre-Mobilization Training held More
Sgt. Joseph Carter, Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124), pulls security as his platoon stops to check for possible IEDs. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Task Force have been brushing up on their soldie More
Rappel Master, Staff Sgt. Barker, makes sure Sgt. Jeff Ausborn gear is ready to go. The soldiers from the Site Security Team, Task Force Raptor, are tightening up on their rappelling skills in preparation for t More
Spc. James Cutbirth, along with his fellow Texas National Guardsmen, takes aim. The soldiers from the Site Security Team, Charlie Troop, 3-124 Cavalry out of Terrell, Texas, are practicing their marksmanship sk More
Texas National Guardsmen from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor, brave the cold weather to conduct overwatch duties from a watchtower at Base Defense Training. Texas National Guardsmen are at Pre-Mob training prep More
Spc. Jarrod Christmas and Emma Curry, from the 702nd Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), stand guard. The Texas National Guardsmen are conducting flight line security operations in preparati More
Spc. Jordan Dunham from the Site Security Team, Charlie Troop, Task Force Raptor, provides security during a training scenario. The soldiers are preparing for their deployment early this year.
Spc. San Juanita Garcia from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), conducts radio checks during a command post exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Jan. 25,2012. The soldiers from the task force are being ev More
Veteran Resources Canine Corp volunteer Nancy Bidwell and Samantha, her canine companion, join others gathered for the re-activation of the 1st Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) at the Texas S More
Texas Army National Guard Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team Capt. Brent Kemp.
Members of C Company, 1-19 Special Forces Group prepare for their fast ropes insertion demonstration at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, during the American Heroes Celebration April 17. During the demonstration, th More
Texas Ghazni Agribusiness Development Team-IV commander U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian P. Stevens from Leander, Texas presents Task Force White Eagle Commander Polish Army Brig. Gen. Andrezj Reudowicz with the Natio More
Spc. Michael Ketter from Task Force Raptor (3-124) searches Capt. Bradley Grimm for contraband. The task force conducts enemy prisoner of war training as part of their premobilization training at Camp Swift.
Sgt. Edith Banda with the 712th Military Police Company Task Force Raptor (3-124), out of Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, plots out her grid points. The soldiers from the Task Force sharpen their navigational More
Soldiers from 712 Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor, provide security for the platoon leader as he approaches the village elder's house in a training exercise. Task force soldiers conduct mounted and d More
Chaplain Anderson, asks a question during Socio-Cultural Research and Advisory Team training. The soldiers with Task Force Raptor will be deploying early next year to the Horn of Africa and are proactively lear More
Pfc. Jesus Estrada and Pfc. Emerson Vindel from Charlie Company, Task Force Raptor, grapple on the floor. Soldiers from the Task Force practice their Army Combatives Skills at Pre-Mobilization Training held at More
Sgt. Greg Kerr locks and loads his weapon as Spc. Archie Speights points out the target. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor, qualify with their 240 machine gun during Pre-Mobil More
Spc. Aaron Holden, Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124), pulls security as his platoon stops to check for possible IEDs. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Task Force have been brushing up on their soldier More
Rappel Master, Staff Sgt. Barker, demonstrates rappelling techniques to the soldiers of the Site Security Team, Task Force Raptor. The Texas National Guardsmen are tightening up on their rappelling skills in pr More
Margaret Smith, constituent liaison for Congressman Jeb Hensarling, presents the soldiers from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), with an award at their casing ceremony. The Texas National Guardsmen de More
(L to R) Spc. Patrick Plata and Spc. Adam Werner from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor, providing security at Base Defense Training. Texas National Guardsmen are at Pre-Mob training preparing for their deployment More
Texas National Guardsmen from the 702nd Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), stand guard. The soldiers are conducting flight line security operations in preparation for their deployment to th More
Spc. Joshua Vanmeter from the Site Security Team, Charlie Troop, Task Force Raptor, provides security during a training scenario. The soldiers are preparing for their deployment early this year.
Dr. Claire Metelits, socio-cultural research advisor for U.S. Africa Command, shows a soldier from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), what she believes to be one of the best skills the soldiers can uti More
Soldiers face a crowd gathered for the re-activation of the 1st Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) at the Texas State Technical College airport in Waco, Texas, Sept. 11. (Army photo/Sgt. Melissa Bright)
A UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter takes off with Special Forces troops for an air assault demonstration at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, during the American Heroes Celebration April 17. During the demonstration, th More
Capt. Bradley Grimm and 1st Lt. Victor Lauersdorf, Task Force Raptor (3-124), return from the individual movement task lane. The task force learns to jump over walls and crawl under barb wire as part of their p More
Maj Timothy Amerson with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Task Force Raptor (3-124) out of Wylie, Texas, uses his compass to shoot an azimuth to the next point. The soldiers from the Task Force sharpen their More
First Lt. Juan Jaimez, 712 Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor, talks to the village elder in a mock training scenario. Task force soldiers conduct mounted and dismounted drills as part of their premobil More
Spc. Andrew Cutbirth (bottom) blocks a punch from Sgt. Christopher Brown (top). The soldiers from Charlie Company, Task Force Raptor, practice their Army Combatives Skills at Pre-Mobilization Training held at C More
Spc. Kevin Riley, Alpha Troop, fires as Spc. Chad Veilleux, 712th Military Police Company, helps spot the pop up targets. The Texas National Guardsmen from both units make up Task Force Raptor, and qualify with More
Spc. Roderick Davis, Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124), pulls security as his platoon stops to check for possible IEDs. The Texas National Guardsmen from the Task Force have been brushing up on their soldi More
Spc. James Cutbirth from the Site Security Team, Task Force Raptor, listens as he is given instruction on rappelling. The soldiers from the Site Security Team are tightening up on their rappelling skills in pre More
Pfc. Valdmar Ozuna from Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), sites in, in preparation to qualify on the range. The soldiers from the Task Force are qualifying on the gun truck gunnery range in preparation for their d More
Cpt. Todd Newcomber and 1st Sgt. James Silcott from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), casing the unit's colors. The Texas National Guardsmen deploy to the Horn of Africa early this year.
(L to R) Spc. Vasquez, Sgt. William Scruggs and Spc. Tenisha Leon from 712th Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor, stand guard at an Entry Control Point at Base Defense Training. Texas National Guardsmen More
Spc. James Johnson from the 702nd Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), checks for IDs at an entry control point. The Texas National Guardsmen are conducting flight line security operations in More
Members of the Site Security Team, Charlie Troop, Task Force Raptor, move forward towards their objective as they conduct sensitive item recovery training. The soldiers are preparing for their deployment early this year.
Spc. Rose Lee, from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), conducts base security during a command post exercise at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Jan. 25, 2012. The soldiers from the task force are being evaluated More
Members of the Waco Chapter of the 1st Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment Airborne Association, attend the reactivation ceremony of the 1st Battalion of the 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) at the Texas More
Members of the Texas Army National Guard Sport Parachute Demonstration Team prepare for a jump from a UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas, during the American Heroes Celebration April 17. More
Staff Sgt. Michael Barker from Task Force Raptor (3-124) launches a dummy grenade. The task force polishes its basic soldier skills as part of its premobilization training at Camp Swift.
(From left) Capt. Erik Alejos, Capt. Robert Anspaugh and 1st Lt. Grisso with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Task Force Raptor (3-124) out of Wylie, Texas, plot out their next grid point as Staff Sgt. Rober More
Spc. Heriberto Lopez (bottom) pulls Sgt. Joshua Letke (top) towards him in order to block the attack. The soldiers from Charlie Company, Task Force Raptor, practice their Army Combatives Skills at Pre-Mobilizat More
Pfc. Genaro Sifuentes, 712th Military Police Company, shoots down the target as Spc. Errick Blair, 712th Military Police Company, and Spc. Andrew James, Alpha Troop, help spot the pop up targets. The Texas Nati More
Spc. Patrick Crissey gives Spc. Johnny Pea his sectors of fire as the squad pulls security at a mock IED training scenario. The Texas National Guardsmen from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124), have been br More
Pfc. Gil Vazquez from the Site Security Team prepares to launch off the rappel tower. The soldiers from Charlie Company, Task Force Raptor, are tightening up on their rappelling skills in preparation for their More
Texas National Guardsmen from Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV) up early getting their gun trucks ready for the ranges. The soldiers are at their last annual training before they leave for their deployment to the H More
Texas National Guardsmen and family from Alpha Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), saying their goodbyes. The Texas National Guardsmen deploy to the Horn of Africa early this year.
(L to R) Sgt. Enrique Icedo and Sgt. Marisa Bedell from 712th Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor, approach a vehicle trying to come on base at an Entry Control Point at Base Defense Training. Texas Nati More
Staff Sgt. Manuel Ruales from the Site Security Team, Charlie Troop, Task Force Raptor, calls in report that they have secured the crash area in a training scenario involving a downed U.S. aircraft. The soldier More
Cpl. Watson from B Troop, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), passes out training materials to students playing the role of foreign military personnel. The Texas National Guardsmen are preparing for their deployment More
(Left to right) Spc. Anthony Jenkins and Spc. Brandon McKelroy, from the 702nd Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV), stand guard. The Texas National Guardsmen are conducting flight line securi More