330th MPC build rapport

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Frank Combs, from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., 330th Military Police Company, Police Combined Action Team, buys a drink from a convenience store in the Read more

Panjshir PRT Dedicates a New School in Pawat

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN – Local community leaders and hundreds of spectators turned out for a new school dedication in the town of Pawat, June 2. They celebrated the completion of Read more

3-321 FAR registers their target

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Soldiers of the B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division shoot multiple rounds to register their target in Read more

ADT provides farming classes for local farmers

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Young farmers from Sabari district juggle tools on their shoulders after receiving compost training at the district center June 2. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Read more

http://cjtf101.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/592805100526_A_0846W_244.jpg http://cjtf101.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/781913100602_A_9705Y_145.jpg http://cjtf101.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/8885375F6G1717.jpg http://cjtf101.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/994234100602_F_5957S_195.JPG

America’s newest citizens sworn in at BAF

Written by U.S. Army Sgt. Charles P. Espie, Task Force Wolverine Public Affairs Thursday, 03 June 2010 07:26

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –More than 70 U.S. servicemembers were sworn in and presented with certificates of naturalization in a ceremony here June 3.

While the naturalization candidates come from a variety of places and backgrounds, each one of them has something in common – they all chose to wear the uniform of a country that was not their own.

“I think it’s a tremendous example that you’ve got a group of young men and women here who for years have taken an oath of allegiance to our constitution and put themselves in harm’s way,” said Karl Eikenberry, the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. “And, I can’t think of anyone who more deserves to become a citizen of the United States of America than somebody who has served in the United States Armed Forces.”

Eikenberry presented the new citizens with their naturalization certificates and spoke at the ceremony.

In 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law Executive Order 13269, which allowed for expedited naturalization for anyone serving on active duty during the War on Terrorism. Subsequent policy changes allowed naturalization ceremonies to be held for servicemembers abroad.

“In 2004, former President Bush directed my agency by executive order to travel to any location to provide naturalization for U.S. service members who wish to obtain United States citizenship,” said Robert Looney, District Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Bangkok District. “Before that order, applicants could only naturalize while in the United States. That order had been strengthened by law, and the mandate continued by President Obama.”

The naturalization ceremonies held at Bagram have become a bi-annual tradition, taking place on Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day.

More than 100 fellow servicemembers attended the ceremony to watch their comrades become citizens