Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

The U.S. Army soccer team takes a free kick during a match against the Italian Air Force within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The match was part of an international tournament that featured teams from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, two host nation teams, Italy, and Canada, and served to bolster international relationships between countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zachary Kee)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A U.S. Army Soldier and a member from the Italian Air Force run down a ball during a match within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.The tournament featured a team from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, two host nation teams, Italy, and Canada and aimed to boost camaraderie and enhance relationships between coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zachary Kee)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A U.S. Army Soldier takes a free kick during a match between the Army and Italian Air Force within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The match was part of an international tournament that featured teams from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, two host nation teams, Italy, and Canada, and promoted camaraderie and enhanced international relationships between countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zachary Kee)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Army Soldiers compete against Italian military members during an international tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament featured a team from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, two host nation teams, Italy, and Canada and aimed to boost camaraderie and enhance relationships between coalition partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Zachary Kee)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A U.S. Air Force Airman kicks the ball while competing against members of the host nation soccer team during an international tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The competition provided an opportunity to build camaraderie and enhance cooperation between allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A U.S. Air Force Airman kicks the ball while competing against members of the host nation soccer team during an international tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The event provided an opportunity for service members from various nations to engage in friendly competition while building partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A host nation soccer player kicks the ball while competing against U.S. Air Force Airmen during an international soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament brought together teams from multiple nations and military branches, fostering camaraderie and strengthening international partnerships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Army soccer players cheer and celebrate after securing first place in an international tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament brought together teams from multiple nations, fostering camaraderie and strengthening partnerships through competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Kline, left, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, speaks during the closing ceremony of an international tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament brought together teams from multiple nations, fostering camaraderie and strengthening international partnerships through sport. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Pease, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, speaks during the opening ceremony of an international soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament showcased the competitive spirit of the participating teams, which included the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, two host nation teams, Italy, and Canada. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Kline, left, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, speaks during the opening ceremony of an international soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament included teams from multiple nations and branches, fostered teamwork and strengthened partnerships among allied forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A Canadian Armed Forces soccer player throws the ball back into play during a match against the U.S. Army in an international tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament brought together military teams from multiple nations, fostering camaraderie and international partnerships through sport. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A U.S. Army Soldier and a Canadian Armed Forces player battle for the ball during the championship match of an international soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The U.S. Army team secured first place in the tournament, which featured teams from multiple coalition nations and military branches. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Sarah Ortega Corona)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A U.S. Army soccer team celebrates their victory after winning a coalition soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament was more than just a game, serving as an opportunity for deployed service members to build and strengthen long lasting partnerships that enhance global security and cooperation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julian Atkins)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Kline, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, shakes hands with a Canadian soccer player after a coalition soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. Sports tournaments bring service members together in a way that transcends language barriers and strengthens critical relationships through a shared love of the game. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julian Atkins)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Kline, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, awards a coalition partner soccer player a medal after a coalition soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament allowed service members the chance to connect with their partners away from the mission, bolstering critical relationships through a shared love of the game. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julian Atkins)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Kline, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, speaks to U.S. and partner nation teams during a coalition soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. Sharing the field with partner nations allowed service members to understand different cultures, improving communication and collaboration in real-world operations and fostering camaraderie through a shared love for a sport. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julian Atkins)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

A service member from the host nation kicks a soccer ball during a coalition soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. The tournament fostered camaraderie among deployed allied forces, reinforcing critical partnerships through sportsmanship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julian Atkins)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing play soccer against the host nation during a coalition soccer tournament within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Feb. 17, 2025. Service members from multiple coalition nations competed in the tournament, strengthening bonds through teamwork and shared sportsmanship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Julian Atkins)

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Soccer, football: international tournament builds camaraderie, partnerships

Published Feb. 24, 2025
By Senior Airman Julian Atkins
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY --

Recently, U.S. and coalition partner forces came together to participate in a multinational soccer tournament. The tournament promoted camaraderie and enhanced international relationships between countries, uniting the teams over a shared love of the sport.