Articles
Members of Joint Task Force-Bravo’s 1-228 Aviation Battalion flight crew U.S. Army Warrant Officer-1 Zachary Lugu(top left),pilot, U.S. Army Sgt. U.S. Army Sgt. Travis Mayo, flight medic(left front), U.S. Army SPC Robert Clement (right front), crew chief, and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer-3 Jay Hanshaw pose for a photo infront of a Utility Helicopter-60 (UH-60) here July 9, 2013. The flight crew supported U.S. Southern Command’s coordinated search and rescue efforts, which located a stranded vessel and saved the lives of two Americans, one Canadian and six Hondurans, July 3.

July 10, 2013

1-228 comb’s the Caribbean Sea to save the lives of nine drifters

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — 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 Caribbean Sea to help locate two Americans, one Canadian and six Hondurans, which had last been seen June 30."We flew in a snake pattern for nearly seven hours and covered more than 450 miles searching for them the first day,

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Martha Hugo, a 1-228 Aviation Regiment Alpha Company pilot, flies one of the two Utility Helicopter-60 Blackhawks from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, to the Island of Utila in order to comply with her training scenario June 11, 2012. During the mission the pilots had to rely on their instruments and training as they fly through mountains and over the Caribbean Sea.

July 3, 2013

JTF-Bravo helps save 9 passengers off coast of Honduras

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — A UH-60 helicopter crew from Joint Task Force-Bravo's 1-228 Aviation Battalion rescued two Americans, one Canadian and six Hondurans today from a vessel reported missing off the coast of Honduras, near the island of Roatán.JTF-Bravo supported U.S. Southern Command's coordinated search and rescue efforts that began on July 2. United States Coast

The Honorable Lisa Kubiske, the American ambassador to Honduras, visited the remote village of Barra Patuca, Gracias a Dios, June 25,2013, while service members of Joint Task Force-Bravo and the Honduran Ministry of Health conducted a medical readiness training exercise in the region. She donated more than 75 books of all reading levels to the school called Lempira. “I can’t explain to you how important it is to have an education and to further it once your studies are completed here,” said Kubiske to a class full of students. “One’s education doesn’t stop at 12th grade, but can be furthered in a university or vocational training, which will in turn help your people.”

July 1, 2013

American ambassador to Honduras brings educational material to remote village

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — The American ambassador to Honduras visited the remote village of Barra Patuca, Gracias a Dios, June 25, while service members of Joint Task Force-Bravo and the Honduran Ministry of Health conducted a medical readiness training exercise in the region. Lisa Kubiske, the American ambassador to Honduras, not only visited with the medical team, she

U.S. Army Maj. Stephen Poe, Medical readiness training exercise officer-in-charge, carries medical supplies from a Utility Helicopter-60 during a MEDRETE held in the remote region of Bara Patuca, Gracias a Dios, June 25-26, 2013. JTF-Bravo conducts MEDRETEs throughout Central America each year in support of U.S. Southern Command's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief programs in order to strengthen civil-military cooperation between the United States and nations in the region. In coordination with the Offices of Security Cooperation and partner nation Department of Health Officials in all seven Central American countries, JTF- Bravo treated more than 11,000 patients, last year.

June 28, 2013

JTF-Bravo conducts MEDRETE at Barra Patuca

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Joint Task Force-Bravo, in conjunction with the Honduran Ministry of Health, conducted a medical readiness training exercise, June 25-26, inside of a school named Lempira in the remote village of Barra Patuca, Gracias a Dios, where patients received dental, preventative medicine and well-being check-ups. "The MEDRETE was conducted to validate the

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Martha Hugo, a 1-228 Aviation Regiment Alpha Company pilot, checks the avionic department of the Utility Helicopter-60 Blackhawk, at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, for loose wires and to ensure the security of the electronics June 17, 2013 before flying the aircraft. The 1-228 ARAC provided their junior pilots with a mission scenario and had them create a mission plan from start to finish and then perform the task.

June 20, 2013

1-228th Alpha Company provides simulated covert training for junior pilots

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — On June 12, members of 1-228th Aviation Regiment Alpha Company trained junior pilots here on a scenario were a covert team is flown to the Island of Utila to counter a transnational organized crime syndicate. While the covert team was actively engaged on their mission, Alpha Company would fly to the Island of Roatan, refuel and wait for the special

Army Col. Thomas D. Boccardi assumes command of Joint Task Force- Bravo, at Soto Cano Air Base, Republic of Honduras by accepting the guidon from Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, the U.S. Southern Command commander June 20, 2013. Col. Boccardi assumed command from Army Col. Guy A. LeMire. Joint Task Force-Bravo operates on the Honduran military installation, Soto Cano Air Base, in central Honduras and is comprised of more than 600 U.S. military personnel and more than 650 U.S and Honduran civilians. JTF-Bravo works to build partnerships with Honduras and other Central American countries to foster security, stability and prosperity for the Americas. JTF-Bravo conducts a variety of missions in Central America from supporting U.S. Government operations to counter transnational crime to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief and building partner capacities. The successful completion of these missions allows JTF-Bravo to promote security throughout the region, which is the foundation for stable and productive societies.

June 20, 2013

Joint Task Force-Bravo welcomes new commander

SOTO CANO, AIR BASE, Honduras — The Joint Task Force-Bravo welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony here today on the base's parade ground. Army Col. Thomas D. Boccardi assumed command from Army Col. Guy A. LeMire with Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, U.S. Southern Command commander, officiating. "I'm honored to serve here side by side with each of you and to be

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- Air Force Lt. Col. Ray P. Matherne (center), the 612th Air Base Squadron commander, salutes Air Force Col. Jonathan VanNoord (left), the 612th Theater Operations Group commander, during the 612th change of command ceremony here June 7. Matherne assumed command from Air Force Lt. Col. Robert J. Pedersen (right). The 612 ABS provides air base support to JTF-B and 12th Air Force, which includes air traffic control, logistics, base civil engineering, the fire department, airfield operations and personnel functions.

June 14, 2013

The 612th Air Base Squadron change of command

United States Army Master Sgt. Dunte Bennett Joint Task Force-Bravo Engineer Non-commissioned Officer in Charge measures the completed sewer system at the Honduran army base Mocoron, May 21. The team, led by Honduran military engineers, is conducting a topographical survey of the current infrastructure, to begin planning the next stage of facility upgrades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Donner)

May 28, 2013

Honduran army, JTF-B partner to improve facilities

MOCORON, Honduras — The Honduran army and Joint Task Force-Bravo teamed up to conduct a facilities survey at the Honduran army base here, May 20-22.The team, led by Honduran military engineers, is conducting a topographical survey of the current infrastructure, to begin planning the next stage of facility upgrades."The work and partnership here, sends a huge message

United States Army Chief Warrant Officer Edmond Bessette, CENTAM Survey and Assessment Team member and Iris Medina, C-SAT member identify the location of damage for a simulated hurricane with a Honduran Comision Permanente de Contingencias member, during a simulated Hurricane disaster response exercise at Puerto Castilla, Honduras, May 15. The C-SAT team responds to a natural disaster and humanitarian assistance notification in the Central America Region to conduct an assessment of the area before military forces are deployed.(Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Eric Donner)

May 19, 2013

C-SAT, COPECO train for disaster response

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Seventeen service members from Joint Task Force-Bravo were recalled and transported to Puerto Castilla to join the Honduran Comision Permanente de Contingencias (COPECO), during a Central America Survey and Assessment Team (C-SAT) exercise, May 15-16."When tasked, the C-SAT team must respond quickly and efficiently to natural disasters or

A firefighter competes in a timed obstacle course, designed to simulate the physical exertion a firefighter would experience in a hour long firefighting operation during a four day Central American Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences exercise, May 6-9. The four-day training exercise CENTAM SMOKE involved firefighters from Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador, allowed the firefighters a chance to train together and help build the partnerships with Joint Task Force-Bravo and the Central American countries. (DoD photo by Martin Chahin)

May 17, 2013

Building partnerships at CENTAM SMOKE

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras — Firefighters from the 612th Air Base Squadron's fire department trained with 35 firefighters from five Central American country partners here, May 6-9.The four day Central American Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences exercise, involved firefighters from Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador, allowed the