Articles
U.S. Air Force Maj. Robert Shaw, Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Joint Security Forces commander, provides essential groceries and hygiene products to a villager living on top of the mountain Aldea Bella Vista, during the 50th Chapel Hike, Aug 24, 2013. The Chapel Hike has been a tradition at Joint Task Force-Bravo since 2007, where volunteers carry food, supplies, toys and other provisions to remote villagers. (Photograph released by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jarrod Chavana)

Aug. 28, 2013

JTF-Bravo’s Chapel Hike hits 50th milestone

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — More than 80 Joint Task Force-Bravo personnel celebrated the Chapel's 50th humanitarian hike, by trekking more than seven miles up a steep mountain road near Comayagua to deliver goods to people living in a remote village, Aug 24. The Chapel Hike has been a tradition at Joint Task Force-Bravo since 2007, where volunteers carry food, supplies, toys

U.S. Army CW-4 Anna Jones, 1-228 Aviation battalion standardization pilot (right), and U.S. Army Sgt. Donique Kirk, 1-228 AB flight medic (left), drag a more than 150 pound mannequin on a skid to a 1-228 UH-60 medical evacuation helicopter Aug. 21, 2013. The purpose of the exercise is to train and validate JTF-B personnel and Honduran Response Force on aircraft accident response procedures by conducting a simulated aircraft accident. (Photo released by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jarrod Chavana)

Aug. 23, 2013

JTF-Bravo partners with Honduran military for off-base exercise

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Joint Task Force-Bravo and Honduran forces participated in an aircraft accident exercise, off base, in an effort to test the response time and readiness of its personnel Aug. 21.The exercise scenario was based off a 1-228 Utility Helicopter- 60 and its aircrew calling a mayday and then all contact being terminated. "In my 12 years of flying I've

U.S. Army First Sgt. Sean Whitehead, Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Medical Elements first sergeant, teaches a Honduran Scout how to properly administer first aid at a local school in Comayagua, Aug. 17, 2013. MEDEL is helping the Scouts learn first aid, so they can earn their first aid merit badge.

Aug. 21, 2013

MEDEL assist Honduran Scouts in earning first aid merit badge

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — A troop of 20 Honduran Scouts had the opportunity to interact with members of Joint Task Force-Bravo's Medical Element, in order to earn their merit badge in first aid at a local school in Comayagua, Aug. 17. The Boy Scouts of America was created on Feb. 8, 1910 and for the last 103 years their central focus was to build character, train those

During an event here, hosted by the Medical Element called Fiesta Day, a young girl poses with soccer balls donated by “Kick for Nick” Aug. 10, 2013. The JTF-Bravo’s MEDEL joined with “Kick for Nick,” a nonprofit organization, to hold a Fiesta Day, during the event, more than 75 girls from a local orphanage received more than 35 soccer balls donated by the organization, while also participating in other activities. (Photo released by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jarrod Chavana)

Aug. 14, 2013

JTF-B partners with "Kick for Nick" to hold a Fiesta Day for girls' orphanage

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Joint Task Force-Bravo's Medical Element joined with "Kick for Nick," a nonprofit organization, to hold a Fiesta Day, during the event, more than 75 girls from a local orphanage received more than 35 soccer balls donated by the organization, while also participating in other activities, Aug. 10. "Kick for Nick" is an organization founded in honor

As part of a six-person mobile surgical team from Joint Task Force-Bravo U.S. Army Capt. Diane Klescewski, MEDEL operation room registered nurse, creates a prep tray prior to a gallbladder surgery Aug. 7, 2013 at a hospital in Comayagua, Honduras. The surgical team assisted the hospital in removing three gallbladders and one bot fly larvae from a child’s body. MEDEL provides relevant, responsive care while enhancing the capabilities of partner nations.

Aug. 12, 2013

MEDEL performs surgeries in local hospital

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — A six-person mobile surgical team from Joint Task Force-Bravo's Medical Element performed four surgeries Aug. 7 at a hospital in Comayagua, Honduras.The surgical team assisted the hospital in removing three gallbladders and one bot fly larvae from a child's body. MEDEL provides relevant, responsive care while enhancing the capabilities of partner

U.S. Army Capt. Joshua Brooks, Medical Element Physical Therapist officer-in-charge, uses an isokinetic peanut ball to help a young patient at the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center in Comayagua, July 30, 2013. Physical therapists from MEDEL have helped more than 270 patients this year in part to help solidify the U.S. and Honduras ongoing partnerships and cooperation efforts.

Aug. 2, 2013

MEDEL provides physical therapy care to local rehabilitation center

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Members of Joint Task Force-Bravo's Medical Element provide physical therapy care to the Integral Rehabilitation Center of Comayagua (CRIC in Spanish), July 30. The CRIC is a non-profit outpatient rehabilitation center, which cares for people who are recovering from various physical or mental trauma. "I normally see between eight and 11 patients

During an award ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa, U.S. personnel from both Joint Task Force-Bravo and the U.S. Embassy from right to left, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Logan Davis, JTF-Bravo Personnel Recovery Coordination Cell Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist; Army Sgt. Travis Mayo, 1-228 Aviation Battalion flight medic; Warrant Officer Zachary Lungu, 1-228 Aviation Battalion pilot; Army Spc. Robert Clement, 1-228 Aviation Battalion crew chief, Chief Warrant Officer-3 Jay Hanshaw, 1-228 Aviation Battalion pilot, Col. Thomas D. Boccardi, JTF-Bravo commander; and Col. Lawrence Pravecek, the Senior Defense Officer/Defense attaché, stand at parade rest July 30, 2013. On July 2, Davis, Mayo, Clement, Hanshaw, and Lungu were involved in saving the lives of two Americans, one Canadian and six Hondurans stranded in the Caribbean Sea for nearly four days.

Aug. 1, 2013

5 members of Joint Task Force-Bravo receive award for heroism

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — During an award ceremony five U.S. military personnel from Joint Task Force-Bravo were honored at the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa July 30 for the heroism they displayed in saving the lives of nine civilians on July 3. On July 2, a U.S. Army Utility Helicopter-60 from the 1-228 Aviation Battalion, at Soto Cano Air Base, was dispatched to the

During a Honduran and American Anti-terrorism/Force protection exercise, here, U.S. Army Sgt. David Bouaphakeo, Joint Security Force’s Charlie flight chief, communicates with security forces members and augmentees as a local terrorist organization tried to gain access to the flight line July 17, 2013. JTF-Bravo conducts ATFP exercise to ensure personnel readiness, which ensures service members are ready for real world events at a moment’s notice. (Photo released by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jarrod Chavana)

July 18, 2013

JTF-Bravo partners with Honduras military for joint-base exercise

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — During a Honduran and American Anti-terrorism/Force protection exercise, here, Joint Task Force-Bravo simulated a two- fold scenario simultaneously, one a nonviolent demonstration and the other being an attack from a terrorist organization July 17. The exercise was conducted to ensure personnel readiness, exercise the incident command system,

Joint Task Force –Bravo Commander, Col. Thomas Boccardi accepts an appreciation award from the Honduran First Presidential Designate Maria Antonieta Guillen de Borgran (Honduran equivalent to the U.S. vice president) and the Honduran Armed Forces (HOAF), during an award ceremony in Tegucigalpa for providing Medical Readiness Training Exercises, which aided its one-million Honduran citizen, July 13. JTF-Bravo conducts MEDRETEs throughout Central America each year in support of U.S. Southern Command's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief programs. In coordination with the Offices of Security Cooperation and partner nation Department of Health Officials in all seven Central American countries, JTF- Bravo has treated more than 341,500 medical patients, 67,400 dental patients and 14, 300 surgical patients over the past 20 years.

July 15, 2013

JTF-B receives award for helping Honduras reach milestone

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Joint Task Force -Bravo Commander, Col. Thomas Boccardi accepted an appreciation award from the Honduran Armed Forces (HOAF), during an award ceremony in Tegucigalpa for providing Medical Readiness Training Exercises, which aided its one-million Honduran citizen, July 13.The award was presented by Honduran First Presidential Designate Maria

Master Sgt. Steven Fadden, J4 maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge, hands out ice-pops to children during the June 29, 2013, Chapel Hike. More than 100 volunteers from JTF-Bravo gathered together for the bi-monthly Chapel Hike to deliver 120 bags of groceries and supplies to 86 families.

July 11, 2013

Members of JTF-Bravo deliver food to more than 120 villagers

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — At 7:30 a.m. on June 29, more than 100 volunteers from Joint Task Force-Bravo gathered together in front of the base chapel for the bi-monthly Chapel Hike to pick-up groceries and supplies, which would be delivered to an impoverished village.The 109 Chapel Hikers would then get inside two buses and travel about 15 miles to La Villa De Amatillo