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	JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission
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        <h1 class="title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</h1>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2015/Dec/29/2001488409/1920/1080/0/151216-F-DT859-015.jpg"
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                 alt="U.S. Army Sgt. David Pressnell, 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer directs Honduran soldiers loading gear and personnel into the back of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras during a troop movement the U.S. provides support to. The two day troop movement is a part of a larger operation called CARAVANA, which the U.S. has supported since October 2014, to assist the Honduran government in disrupting the flow of illicit trafficking through the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Sgt. David Pressnell, 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer directs Honduran soldiers loading gear and personnel into the back of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras during a troop movement the U.S. provides support to. The two day troop movement is a part of a larger operation called CARAVANA, which the U.S. has supported since October 2014, to assist the Honduran government in disrupting the flow of illicit trafficking through the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2015/Dec/29/2001488408/1920/1080/0/151217-F-DT859-017.jpg"
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                 alt="Honduran soldiers sit in the back of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 16, 2015, prior to transiting to a remote area in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The troops are a part of more than 4,900 Honduran troops the U.S. has helped to access hard to reach locations in the department since October 2014, where disrupting drug trafficking has been a primary focus for the Honduran government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">Honduran soldiers sit in the back of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 16, 2015, prior to transiting to a remote area in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The troops are a part of more than 4,900 Honduran troops the U.S. has helped to access hard to reach locations in the department since October 2014, where disrupting drug trafficking has been a primary focus for the Honduran government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2015/Dec/29/2001488410/1920/1080/0/151216-F-DT859-027.jpg"
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                 alt="A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook takes off with a load of Honduran soldiers and their cargo Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The aircraft provided airlift for Honduran troops to help support a request for assistance from the Honduran president in October 2014, to help disrupt the flow of drugs in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook takes off with a load of Honduran soldiers and their cargo Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The aircraft provided airlift for Honduran troops to help support a request for assistance from the Honduran president in October 2014, to help disrupt the flow of drugs in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Cpl. Brain McKee, 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer helps Honduran troops load into a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk with their gear Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The mission is a part of the larger Operation CARAVANA, which allows Honduran troops to more easily access areas in the department and better limit the flow of illicit materials and drugs in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Cpl. Brain McKee, 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer helps Honduran troops load into a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk with their gear Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The mission is a part of the larger Operation CARAVANA, which allows Honduran troops to more easily access areas in the department and better limit the flow of illicit materials and drugs in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Wesley Thaxton, Joint Task Force-Bravo radio operator, helps U.S. Army Capt. John Dills, JTF-Bravo tactical officer in charge, set up his communications for a Honduran troop movement they helped support Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The U.S. personnel served as a key liaison between the U.S. airlift Honduran ground forces, as they transported Honduran soldiers to remote areas of the department, to help disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and materials through the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Wesley Thaxton, Joint Task Force-Bravo radio operator, helps U.S. Army Capt. John Dills, JTF-Bravo tactical officer in charge, set up his communications for a Honduran troop movement they helped support Dec. 16, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The U.S. personnel served as a key liaison between the U.S. airlift Honduran ground forces, as they transported Honduran soldiers to remote areas of the department, to help disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and materials through the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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            <img src="https://media.defense.gov/2015/Dec/29/2001488417/1920/1080/0/151216-F-DT859-042.jpg"
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                 alt="A Honduran soldier straps into a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk Dec. 16, 2015, during U.S. supported troop movement in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The troop was a part of more than 4,900 Honduran personnel the U.S. helped access hard to reach locations in the department since October 2014, where disrupting drug trafficking has been a primary focus for the Honduran government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A Honduran soldier straps into a U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk Dec. 16, 2015, during U.S. supported troop movement in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The troop was a part of more than 4,900 Honduran personnel the U.S. helped access hard to reach locations in the department since October 2014, where disrupting drug trafficking has been a primary focus for the Honduran government. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kyle Johnson, 1-228th Aviation Regiment pilot prepares to take off in a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 17, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. (SOLDIERS NAME) is one of several aviators who helped airlift Honduran troops and supplies during the two-day mission, allowing the Hondurans to better move in a remote area they are making significant progress in disrupting the flow of illicit drugs and materials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kyle Johnson, 1-228th Aviation Regiment pilot prepares to take off in a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 17, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. (SOLDIERS NAME) is one of several aviators who helped airlift Honduran troops and supplies during the two-day mission, allowing the Hondurans to better move in a remote area they are making significant progress in disrupting the flow of illicit drugs and materials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="A U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk completes its final leg of the first day of a two-day troop movement Dec. 16, 2015 in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The troop movement is the result of a cooperative effort between the U.S. and Honduras to disrupting the trafficking of illicit materials through the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">A U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk completes its final leg of the first day of a two-day troop movement Dec. 16, 2015 in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The troop movement is the result of a cooperative effort between the U.S. and Honduras to disrupting the trafficking of illicit materials through the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="From right, U.S. Army Sgts. David Pressnell and David Uplinger 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineers and Spc. Tyree Doyle, Joint Task Force-Bravo Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant specialist refuel a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 17, 2015 at Mocoron Airfield in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The airfield provides the flying forces a hub to refuel at and embark from when conducting CARAVANA troop movements in the area. The troop movements are part of a combined U.S. and Honduran effort to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and materials through the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">From right, U.S. Army Sgts. David Pressnell and David Uplinger 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineers and Spc. Tyree Doyle, Joint Task Force-Bravo Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant specialist refuel a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 17, 2015 at Mocoron Airfield in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The airfield provides the flying forces a hub to refuel at and embark from when conducting CARAVANA troop movements in the area. The troop movements are part of a combined U.S. and Honduran effort to disrupt the flow of illicit drugs and materials through the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Cpl. Randy Moncivaiz, Joint Task Force-Bravo Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant team leader provides a safety over watch while a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook is refueled Dec. 17, 2015, at Mocoron Airfield in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The airfield provides the flying forces a hub to refuel at and embark from when conducting CARAVANA troop movements in the area. The troop movements are part of a combined U.S. and Honduran effort to limit the flow of illicit drugs and materials through the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Cpl. Randy Moncivaiz, Joint Task Force-Bravo Petroleum, Oil and Lubricant team leader provides a safety over watch while a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook is refueled Dec. 17, 2015, at Mocoron Airfield in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The airfield provides the flying forces a hub to refuel at and embark from when conducting CARAVANA troop movements in the area. The troop movements are part of a combined U.S. and Honduran effort to limit the flow of illicit drugs and materials through the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Sgt. David Pressnell, 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer provides visual aid to his fellow U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook aircrew as the helicopter departs a Honduran base Dec. 17, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The CH-47 served as a transport for Honduran troops traveling to and from various outposts in the remote region to help disrupt the flow of illicit materials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Sgt. David Pressnell, 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer provides visual aid to his fellow U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook aircrew as the helicopter departs a Honduran base Dec. 17, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The CH-47 served as a transport for Honduran troops traveling to and from various outposts in the remote region to help disrupt the flow of illicit materials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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                 alt="David Uplinger 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer and a Honduran troop watch the trees slip by the door of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 17, 2015, as they fly over the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The airlift for the troops is a result of a request for assistance to help disrupt the flow of drugs in the region by the Honduran president in October 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)"
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            <div class="image-title">JTF-Bravo wraps up 2015 with CARVANA mission</div>
            <div class="image-caption">David Uplinger 1-228th Aviation Regiment flight engineer and a Honduran troop watch the trees slip by the door of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook Dec. 17, 2015, as they fly over the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras. The airlift for the troops is a result of a request for assistance to help disrupt the flow of drugs in the region by the Honduran president in October 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Christopher Mesnard/Released)</div>
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    <div><b>By Capt. Christopher Mesnard</b> <span class="date">/ Published Dec. 29, 2015</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras, </span>
    Members from Joint Task Force-Bravo completed a two-day troop movement of Honduran soldiers Dec. 17, 2015, in the Gracias a Dios Department (state) of Honduras, as a part of a greater endeavor to assist the Central American nation's efforts to combat the trafficking of illicit materials through the region.<br />
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The troop-movement mission is part of a greater Honduran operation, named CARAVANA, and this iteration was the final one this calendar year, continuing to develop and build on the effects of the operation from the initial vision and request for support from the Honduran president in October 2014.<br />
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Originally, the request for aid to move troops came from the Honduran President's office to Gen. John F. Kelly, U.S. Southern Command commander.<br />
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"Our President has recognized the importance of supporting our Central American partners, making the region one of his top foreign policy priorities," Kelly stated in his March 12, 2015 Posture Statement to Congress. "We are now seeing real progress being made by the three 'Northern Triangle' countries. While there are many good examples, the situation is especially encouraging in Honduras, where the government is working hard to combat the drug trade, re-establish governance in remote areas, and take meaningful action to protect human rights."<br />
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Since its initiation, Operation CARAVANA has facilitated the movement of nearly 5,000 troops and over 210,000 pounds of cargo between remote locations in the eastern part of Honduras, giving the country the ability to quickly focus and adjust their forces against the ever changing tactics traffickers use in the region.<br />
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As Operation CARAVANA continues to evolve in its execution, JTF-Bravo continues to work in support of the Honduran Forces to ensure we facilitate efforts to gain significant effects against the trafficking organizations working within Honduras. <br />
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"The execution of this operation on a consistent basis has not only achieved the right effects within Gracias a Dios, but also effects throughout the region - impacting the overall trafficking network," said Col. Robert Harman, JTF-Bravo commander. "In addition, it has increased our interaction with the Honduran Staff in developing detailed and integrated plans, and also integrated command and control throughout the Honduran 30 day rotations of Operation CARAVANA. This operation is not only impacting the environment but providing the time and space for further development of our partnered forces."<br />
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