(Stars and Stripes)
This year, glimpses into the military and the lives of those serving are what drew viewers to the most-watched videos. Stripes’ YouTube channel had over 150 videos that took us all over the world.
From high school sports on U.S. military bases overseas to reflections on the Berlin Wall, D-Day commemorations and awards ceremonies a long time coming, Stars and Stripes had it covered.
The coveted “most-watched” designation is granted to only 10 videos this year, but there were plenty of gems that didn’t make the cut. Stars and Stripes reporters and videographers took us to Irbil, Iraq, to see Rosie the Riveter and introduced us to the Navy’s other seals. We had a candid conversation about race with a few of the first black men to enlist in the Marine Corps and were there when a U.S. airman retraced her grandfather’s steps in Normandy.
2014 was an eventful year in images and videos. Relive it with us through the most watched videos of the year, below:
No. 10Kyle White reflects on battle that earned him Medal of Honor, by Rick Vasquez, published on May 12, 2014, with 16.2K+ views:
Before he's to receive the Medal of Honor on May 13, 2014, former Army Sgt. Kyle J. White sat down with Stars and Stripes to talk about the battle that earned him the award and life after the military.
No. 9Air Force KC-135 refuels F-22 Raptors in mid-air, by Erik Slavin, published on Oct 3, 2014, with 16.5K+ views:
The F-22 Raptor may be the most technologically sophisticated fighter plane ever to serve in combat. But when it gets thirsty, it relies on a plane that has been doing its job since the Eisenhower administration.
No. 8The Beasts of Kabul: Inside the Afghan Army's Soviet Tanks, by Josh Smith, published on Jul 15, 2014, with 18.7K+ views:
Once a common fixture of the Soviet invasion, and later, the civil war between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance, tanks have largely vanished from today's unconventional war in Afghanistan. But decades later, from a base on the outskirts of the capital city of Kabul, a few hundred Afghan soldiers still ride rusting museum pieces into battle against the Taliban. We go inside the last few tanks that are kept running solely by using parts from other old tanks.
No. 7Life On A US Navy Coastal Patrol Ship, by Hendrick Simoes, published on Apr 28, 2014, with 19.2K+ views:
A day in life of Petty Officer 1st Class Keevan Haynes aboard the U.S. Navy Coastal Patrol Ship the USS Typhoon. Haynes is not only the only culinary specialist onboard, but on such a small ship every sailor must strive to learn and do things outside their rating.
No. 6Timelapse: Bridge for NSA Bahrain Moved and Installed, by Hendrick Simoes, published on Jan 31, 2014, with 30.8K+ views:
The following 2 minutes took place over the course of 24-hours as engineers worked around the clock to move an approximately 400-foot long tied-arch suspension flyover bridge assembled in an open lot, and install it across a roadway connecting Naval Support Activity Bahrain to 77 acres of land along the waterside being developed to expand the navy base.
No. 5Inside look at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, by Meredith Tibbetts, published on May 30, 2014, with 36.5K views:
An inside look at what goes on behind the scenes at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
No. 4Harbor patrol unit in Bahrain sees close encounter, by Hendrick Simoes, published on Oct 17, 2014 with 53.8K+ views:
Ride along with NSA Bahrain's harbor patrol unit as they escort the guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea out of port. On this particular day the harbor patrol unit takes action as a fast moving boat comes toward the ship.
No. 3F-18 carrier landing on USS George Washington, by Erik Slavin, published on Sep 18, 2014, with 56K+ views:
An F-18 fighter jet lands on the deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which is participating in the massive Valiant Shield 2014 exercise near Guam.
No. 2Okinawa gay, lesbian troops perform in drag on base for charity, by Travis Tritten, published March 1, 2014, with 131.7K+ views:
Gay, lesbian troops perform in drag at Kadena Air Base fundraiser.
No. 1Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector prototype, by Wyatt Olson, published Jul 12, 2014, with 165.4K+ views:
The Marine Corps Warfighting Lab oversees the development of the Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector, an amphibious craft designed to get over rugged terrain and paddle atop water.
