Photos

Sigonella, Italy

250410-N-FH714-4189 SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 10, 2025) Hospital Corpsman Cecily McClain, assigned to United States Naval Hospital (USNH) Sigonella, prepares for a blood sample collection from a participant during the Walking Blood Bank program’s donor pre-screening event at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, April 10, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Carlos Villegasmejia). Share

Sigonella, Italy

250410-N-TY711-7325 SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 10, 2025) Hospital Corpsman Third Class Mark Rodriguez, assigned to United States Naval Hospital (USNH) Sigonella, prepares for a blood sample collection from a participant during the Walking Blood Bank program’s donor pre-screening event at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, April 10, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Carlos Villegasmejia). Share

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Petty Officer 3rd Class Damelah Fluker, a native of Chicago, Illinois, was meritoriously advanced in rank while serving aboard U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (USNMRTC) Guantanamo Bay at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Fluker, a logistics specialist has served the Navy for two years. (U.S. Navy photo by Emily McCamy) Share

Camp Pendleton, CA

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Mia Smith, a hospital corpsman with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, poses for a portrait after an award ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 31, 2025. Smith was named Junior Sailor of the Year for her superior performance of duties, positive attitude and dedication to mission accomplishment. The ceremony acknowledges the hard work, accomplishments and sacrifices made over the last year by the service members and their families in support of I MEF mission success. Smith is a native of Texas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Andrade) Share

Camp Pendleton, CA

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Velikic, a hospital corpsman with 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses for a portrait after an award ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 31, 2025. Velikic was named Senior Sailor of the Year for his superior performance of duties, positive attitude and dedication to mission accomplishment. The ceremony acknowledges the hard work, accomplishments and sacrifices made over the last year by the service members and their families in support of I MEF mission success. Velikic is a native of New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Andrade) Share

San Diego, CA

Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, commander of Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP), listens to German Army Maj. Gen. Hans-Ulrich Holtherm, commandant of the Bundeswehr Medical Academy, sharing his insight about adapting training to reflect realistic scenarios learned from current conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine. “We have intensified training with Ukrainian medics, and we learn as much from them as they do from us,” Holtherm said. “They provide firsthand insight into the realities of war against Russia.” The visit reaffirmed both nations’ shared commitment to building a more resilient, interoperable and agile medical force. (U.S. Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.) Share

San Diego, CA

Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, commander of Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP), and German Army Maj. Gen. Hans-Ulrich Holtherm, commandant of the Bundeswehr Medical Academy, meet at NMFP headquarters in San Diego on April 7. The German delegation also visited NMFP commands in San Diego with discussions centered on training, research, and readiness during their two-day trip. The visit reaffirmed both nations’ shared commitment to building a more resilient, interoperable and agile medical force. (U.S. Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.) Share

San Diego, CA

Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, commander of Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP), and German Army Maj. Gen. Hans-Ulrich Holtherm, commandant of the Bundeswehr Medical Academy, discusses key areas in research, training and operational readiness during the German delegation visit at NMFP on April 7. “Strengthening partnerships in shared mission areas is essential to increasing our collective readiness and capabilities,” Valdes said. “By working together to advance operational medicine, research and training, we ensure our forces are prepared to respond effectively in any environment.” (U.S. Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.) Share

San Diego, CA

Naval Medical Forces Pacific (NMFP) leaders host a delegation from the German military health care system led by German Army Maj. Gen. Hans-Ulrich Holtherm, commandant of the Bundeswehr Medical Academy on April 7. The German contingent also visited three NMFP commands: NEMWDC related to training, the Naval Health Research Center (NHRC) for research, and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego during their two-day trip to San Diego. Rear Adm. Guido Valdes, commander of NMFP, gave an overview of the command structure and mission, highlighting NMFP’s broad operational scope across the Indo-Pacific region. The visit reaffirmed both nations’ shared commitment to building a more resilient, interoperable and agile medical force. (U.S. Navy photo by Arsenio R. Cortez Jr.) Share

San Antonio, TX

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON – (April 9, 2025) – Dr. William D’Angelo, a principal investigator and director, Directed Energy Health Effects, assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, speaks with Derek English and Lt. Cmdr. Matt Shipman, military deputy director, Department of the Navy (DON) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) during a site visit to NAMRU San Antonio at the Battlefield Health and Trauma Research Institute. The DON HRPP is responsible for ensuring human subjects research conducted or supported by U.S. Navy complies with federal, DoD and Navy regulations. Its mission is to ensure the ethical treatment of human subjects in DON-conducted or supported research by promoting adherence to the ethical principles, laws, regulations, and policies that protect human subjects. NAMRU San Antonio is one of eight research commands within Navy Medicine Research and Development. Its mission is to conduct gap driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research to improve survival, operational readiness, and safety of DoD personnel engaged in routine and expeditionary operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell D. Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released) Share

San Antonio, TX

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON – (April 8, 2025) – Dr. Heuy-Ching Hetty Wang, Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio’s human research protection official and director, Combat Casualty Care & Operational Medicine directorate, speaks with Derek English and Lt. Cmdr. Matt Shipman, military deputy director, Department of the Navy (DON) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) during a site visit to NAMRU San Antonio at the Battlefield Health and Trauma Research Institute. The DON HRPP is responsible for ensuring human subjects research conducted or supported by U.S. Navy complies with federal, DoD and Navy regulations. Its mission is to ensure the ethical treatment of human subjects in DON-conducted or supported research by promoting adherence to the ethical principles, laws, regulations, and policies that protect human subjects. NAMRU San Antonio is one of eight research commands within Navy Medicine Research and Development. Its mission is to conduct gap driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research to improve survival, operational readiness, and safety of DoD personnel engaged in routine and expeditionary operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell D. Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released) Share

San Antonio, TX

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON – (April 8, 2025) – Dr. Yoon Hwang, a principal investigator assigned to Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio’s Craniofacial Health and Restorative Medicine directorate, speaks with Derek English and Lt. Cmdr. Matt Shipman, military deputy director, Department of the Navy (DON) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) during a site visit to NAMRU San Antonio at the Battlefield Health and Trauma Research Institute. The DON HRPP is responsible for ensuring human subjects research conducted or supported by U.S. Navy complies with federal, DoD and Navy regulations. Its mission is to ensure the ethical treatment of human subjects in DON-conducted or supported research by promoting adherence to the ethical principles, laws, regulations, and policies that protect human subjects. NAMRU San Antonio is one of eight research commands within Navy Medicine Research and Development. Its mission is to conduct gap driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research to improve survival, operational readiness, and safety of DoD personnel engaged in routine and expeditionary operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Burrell D. Parmer, NAMRU San Antonio Public Affairs/Released) Share