← Military & Defence

Ceremonial Military Events

Military change of command ceremonies with officers saluting and presenting colors, emphasizing tradition, leadership, and military decorum.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen Maurice Barnett (left), Gen. Darryl A. Williams (middle) and Maj. Gen Greg Brady (right) salute to the German and American National Anthem during a change of command ceremony July 12 in Sembach, Germany. Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett assumed the command of 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command from Maj. Gen Greg Brady.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen Maurice Barnett (left), Gen. Darryl A. Williams (middle) and Maj. Gen Greg Brady (right) salute to the German and American National Anthem during a change of command ceremony July 12 in Sembach, Germany. Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett assumed the command of 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command from Maj. Gen Greg Brady.
261 assets in this story
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Green Berets and Soldiers assigned to 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) stand ready to place roses on fallen soldiers stones during the 3 SFG (A) Rose Laying Ceremony at Fort Bragg, NC, May 25, 2022. Gold star family members, friends, and fellow Soldiers gathered in remembrance of Soldiers who have died while deployed and honored their memory by placing a single rose on top of their memorial stone.
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010817-A-6998T-007. Base: Dublin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: FORSCOM
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U.S. Coast Guard recruits begin instruction at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center as part of the Army's Echo Company at Joint Base San Antonio on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 31, 2022.The Coast Guard started the new program, established by a memorandum of agreement between DLIELC and the Army, to assist recruits who could struggle in recruit training due to language barriers as well as to incorporate an Enlish Languarge Training Program as a diversity initiative.The length of the program is at minimum 10 weeks dependent on the recruits academic progress but can be up to 24 weeks. Upon completion of the DLIELC program, recruits will return to Training Center Cape May and progress through the follow-on weeks of the normal recruit training process.U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Katie Shveda
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Members from the 386 Air Expeditionary Wing march throughout the evening at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwaiti, 11 Sept. 2022 in remembrance of those lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Members from multiple branches of service and coalition teammates from throughout the world took part in the 24-hour march.
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221021-N-VI040-1046 NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan (Oct. 21, 2022) Chief Petty Officers and a U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant parade the colors during a Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony held onboard Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan Oct. 21, 2022. NAF Atsugi supports the combat readiness of Commander, Fleet Air Western Pacific, Commander, Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW) 5, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 and 23 other tenant commands, and provides logistic support, coordination, and services to units assigned to the Western Pacific.
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A formation of Soldier from the Officer Candidate School march together towards the finish line of the six-mile ruck march on the track at Talladega Superspeedway, Jan. 23, 2024. This is just one of the many mental and physical challenges that test our future leaders.
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020321-F-9796L-006. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC
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The Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Color Guard present the colors during a graduation ceremony for India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, July 15, 2022. Graduation took place at the completion of the 13-week transformation which included training for drill, marksmanship, basic combat skills, and Marines Corps customs and traditions.
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SANTA RITA, Guam (Sept 15, 2022) Sailors and civilian staff assigned to CTF 75 pose with Rear Adm. Bradley Andros and Force Master Chief Rick Straney at CTF 75 headquarters.
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The 82nd Airborne Divisions All American Chorus performs at the Eternal Heroes Monument in Normandy, France, June 2, 2022. World War II Veterans and representatives of the 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Divisions (Air Assault) came to honor fallen Paratroopers who liberated Ravenoville in June of 1944.
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U.S. Air Force first responders, assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire department, stand in formation during a Remembrance Ceremony on Sept. 11, 2022, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in honor of the victims and first responders who passed away on September 11, 2001. Since the events of 9/11, the U.S. has deployed hundreds of thousands to the outer limits of its American borders and to every corner of the globe to eradicate terrorism.
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US Army Brigadier General Richard A. Hack, Outgoing Commander of the 13th Corps Support Command, US Army Lieutenant General Leon J. LaPorte, Commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, US Army Colonel Grady S. Mills, Incoming 13th Corps Support Command Commanding Officer and US Army Colonel Joseph E. Carstens, Deputy Commander, 13th Corps Support Command and Commander of Troops stand and salute the troops from the back of a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) as they inspect the troops during the 13th Corps Support Command Change of Command Ceremony at Sadowski Field, Fort Hood, Texas. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Kathryn Wagner, left, outgoing commanding officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, receives the colors from Sgt. Maj. Richard Johnson, sergeant major of CLB-11, on Camp Pendleton, California, May 18, 2022. Lt. Col. Kathryn E. Wagner relinquished her post to Lt. Col. Robert J. Hillery as the commanding officer for CLB-11.
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During a reactivation ceremony, US Marine Corps (USMC) members from the 2nd Marine Division, 8th Marine Regiment, place ribbons on the USMC flag. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz march during the Guam 78th Liberation Day Parade in Hagåtña, Guam, July 21, 2022. The parade is a celebration of U.S. forces liberating Guam from Japanese Imperial Forces in 1944 during World War II. Throughout the month of July there are events and ceremonies held as part of Guams liberation month.
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Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment FIRST STRIKE, 2nd Brigade Combat Team STRIKE, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), joined with NATO allies and partners for the Romanian Navy Day ceremony on Aug. 15, 2022, in Constanta, Romania. 101st units will support V Corps mission to reinforce NATOs eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises with partners across the European continent to reassure our Nations allies. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley, 2nd Brigade Combat Team "STRIKE" Public Affairs.)
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, stand at Pershing Parade Field during the reflagging ceremony of the 11th Airborne Division, June 6, 2022, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The activation returns the historic 11th Airborne Division to an active Army role, with a focus on operations in extreme cold weather and mountainous high-altitude environments. The ceremonies at Fort Wainwright and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson reflagged the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, into the 1st and 2nd brigade combat teams, 11th Airborne Division, respectively.
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Troopers assigned to 1-12 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division participated in a WWII Commemoration Wreath Laying Ceremony at Drawsko Pomorskie Municiple Cemetery in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland Sept. 1, 2022. Participating in events like these promote partnership between U.S. and Polish forces and the civilian population.
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Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Ratliff, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, gets promoted during a ceremony at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. He was promoted by Lt. Col. Sylvester dAgrella, 386th ECES commander, on Sept. 17, 2022. Ratliffs family was able to watch his promotion ceremony via cellphone streaming. Nearly 100 firefighters, friends, fellow chiefs and leaders took part in the ceremony. Ratiff, who is deployed from the 132nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, joined the top 1-percent of enlisted members upon promoting to his new rank.
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U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Adam R. Sacchetti, commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, retires the colors during the units redesignation ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 23, 2022. 1/3 redesignated to the 3rd Littoral Combat Team where it will be organized, trained, and equipped to support sea control and sea denial operations within actively contested maritime spaces as part of a modernized force, integrated with the Navy and other joint force elements. The redesignation demonstrates significant progress towards the FD2030 initiative.
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U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Richard Bolton with 1st Marine Division, speaks during a change of charge ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 22, 2022. During the ceremony, Command Master Chief PatrickPaul Mangaran relinquished his post to Bolton.
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The 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade conducted a change of command ceremony on Barton Field on Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga on June 26, 2022. Col. Travis A. Hartman relinquished command of the 359th TTSB to Col. Tracy G. Monteith, ceremony was presided over by Major. Gen. John H. Phillips, commanding general, 335th Signal Command Theater.
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000508-N-6219G-011. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2000 Base: Camp Sameasan Country: Thailand (THA)
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U.S. Marines with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion stand in formation at a change of command ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 14. 2022. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Brian LaPointe, the outgoing commanding officer, relinquished his role as the commanding officer to Lt. Col. Nathan Knowles. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Averi Rowton)
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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Lester L. Williams, center left, offgoing sergeant major, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, prepares to be awarded alongside family members during the MCBH Relief and Appointment and Retirement ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 19, 2022. Williams was relieved by Sgt. Maj. Joseph J. Caputo as the MCBH Sergeant Major. Williams served over 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
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World War II Veterans and representatives of those who could not be in attendance receive a challenge coin at the Eternal Heroes Monument in Normandy, France, June 2, 2022. World War II Veterans and representatives of the 82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Divisions (Air Assault) came to honor fallen Paratroopers who liberated Ravenoville in June of 1944.
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Staff Sgt. Anthony Martinelli, left, 66th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, with MWD Qquail, and Tech. Sgt. Travis Fiero, 66 SFS MWD kennel master, carry American flags on the base track as part of a Memorial Day Flag Run at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., May 26. Starting at 5 a.m. and continuing until 9 p.m., service members circled the track carrying a U.S. flag to honor and remember those who gave their lives in service to the nation.
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U.S. Air Force Col. Eric Schmidt, left, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Adrienne Warren, 432nd Wg/432nd AEW command chief, led the POW/MIA vigil run/walk at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Sept. 15, 2022. Airmen honored service members who are or have been prisoners of war or declared missing in action.
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Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, commanding general, 1st Cavalry Division, prepares to perform the Cav Charge at the celebration of the 101st birthday of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, Sept. 16.
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Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) personnel conduct final rehearsal in preparation for Thursday's Change of Command between Col. John Dee Suggs Jr. and Col. Michael P. Rogowski. The Maneuver Center of Excellence Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe, will be the Presiding Officer. Rogowski will become the eight commandant of WHINSEC. The ceremony is open to the public. It will take place at the WHINSEC Campus, in front of building 396, starting at 9 am. Additionally, it will be broadcasted via Facebook Live, www.facebook.com/whinsec/live
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U.S. Marines with the 2d Marine Division Band perform at the Knox Landing Community Center on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 8, 2022. The purpose of this concert was to bring the community together for holiday celebrations.
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XVIII Airborne Corps Soldiers receive awards and metals for their rapid deployments to Europe, Dec. 12, 2022, Fort Bragg, N.C. XVIII Airborne Corps Soldiers deployment to Europe started February 2022 and ended Oct. 28, 2022. Elements of the XVIII Airborne Corps completed a nine-month deployment to Germany in support of the NATO Alliance. Personnel from the Corps headquarters element provided a Joint Task Force-capable headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany. The deployment was directed by the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III as a response to a heightened security environment in Eastern Europe and to reinforce NATOs eastern flank.
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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aaron Lambert, an administrative clerk, with Recruiting Station Harrisburg is promoted to the rank of sergeant in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, Aug. 8, 2022. Lambert was promoted to the rank of sergeant for his hard work and dedication to RS Harrisburg and the Marine Corps mission.
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U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division participate in the Division Review Rehearsal, Sept. 28, 2022, on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. All American Week consists of many sporting events, the Old Timers Breakfast, a memorial ceremony, 10-miler, family fun run, 34-foot tower, Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and concludes with the Divisions pass and review to celebrate Americas Guard of Honors culture and legacy.
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Sgt. 1st. Class Kyle Berens, a musician assigned to the 484th Army Band, performs Retreat and To the Colors during a twilight tattoo at Cottrell Field on Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 22, 2022. The twilight tattoo celebrates the constitution and organization of 3rd ID through performance and music, sharing the storied division's history for all past and present members of the Marne community. The event also highlighted the divisions Marne Hall of Fame with the goal of connecting current Dogface Soldiers with past Dogface Soldiers who demonstrated service within the division, their lifelong commitment to the divisions values, and either their valorous combat actions or their contributions to their chosen fields outside the division.
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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing hosted a Change of Command ceremony on January 4, 2024, transferring power from C1C Isaac Bates to C1C Abigail Worley. A Change of Command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit from one commanding or flag officer to another.
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Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division march to Sainte-Mère-Église following the Airborne Memorial Ceremony in Normandy, France, June 6, 2022. Paratroopers come to Normandy to celebrate the triumph and victory of the 82nd Airborne Division in liberating Normandy from Nazi rule.
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Members of the Louisiana National Guard participated in a six-mile ruck march from the LSU Memorial Tower to the steps of the La State Capitol to deliver over 11,000 American flags to the Blue Star Mothers to honor our Louisiana fallen service member during times of war, Baton Rouge, La., May 27, 2016. The flags are placed on the lawn of the state capitol to commemorate the sacrifice of many for our nation for Memorial Day.
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ANNAPOLIS, MD (Sept. 4, 2022) Operations Specialist 2nd Class Bobby Carter folds the ensign after participating in colors aboard the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) in Annapolis, Maryland, Sept. 4, 2022. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is scheduled to participate in Fleet Week Maryland 2022.
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040712-M-6237R-013. Base: Mcb, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 40606
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U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Justin K. Bradley with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (3/6), 2d Marine Division (2d MARDIV), guides the colors during a change of command ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 29, 2022. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Ryan R. Gordinier, the outgoing commanding officer of 3/6, 2d MARDIV, relinquished his role as commanding officer to Lt. Col. Chuck Anklam III.
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Soldiers of 1st Army, Division West gather for the Forces Command Safety Awards 2021 Fort Hood, Texas, 11 May, 2022. The FORSCOM Safety Awards are presented by Gen. Michael X. Garrett to individuals and organizations with the most significant contributions to risk mitigation, accident prevention and safety program success.
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After completing the demonstration, the cadet cadre from the Cadet Basic Training I detail successfully assembled their equipment on a pallet and performed a series of strenuous exercises. Then, the cadet cadre took their seats with A through F Company mates and received words of wisdom from 2-19th Battalions Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph McAuliffe and senior drill sergeant staff at Shea Stadium.
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220523-D-CJ362-1171 NORFOLK, Va. (May 23, 2022) Rear Adm. Paul C. Spedero, U.S. Navy, commander, Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JECC), is relieved of command by Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, U.S. Air Force, commander, U.S. Transportation Command, during a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk. Spedero turned over command to Brig. Gen. Stephen F. Jost. JECCs mission is to provide planners, public affairs specialists, and communications capabilities to Combatant Commanders to enable the rapid establishment of a Joint Force Headquarters or in support of other missions, exercises, or planning efforts.
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The US Army Support Activity, Fort Dix, NJ had a Change of Responsibility” on 29 April 2022. The outgoing base Command Sergeant Major was CSM Tamara A. Edwards passing the colors to CSM James W. Van Zlike. Both Commanders spoke during this Ceremony along with the US Army Support Activity Commander COL Jon A. Brierton. The families of outgoing and incoming were in attendance. This event was held on Sharp Field, Fort Dix, NJ. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix [TSC Training Support Center)
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U.S. Air Force service members from the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard, participate in the final event of the 11th annual the 24-hour TACP challenge run at the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Illinois, May 1, 2022. Service members participate in remembrance for Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier who was killed in action near Geresk, Afghanistan in 2003.
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Soldiers assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, walk along California Ave. with candy in their helmets to hand out to spectators during the 76th annual Wahiawa Lions Club Veterans Day Parade, in Wahiawa, Nov. 11, 2022.
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Staff Sgt. Ryan Stull, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company "Hoplites," 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, holds the Hoplite guidon during the Change of Command ceremony at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, April 04, 2022.
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Lt. Col. Joel A. Dickey, left, and his Family stand next to Lt. Col. Harley P. Jennings, right, and his Family, during the pass and review for the "Maintain Battalion," 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and salutes the 703rd BSB's company formations during the unit's change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 14, 2022. The change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the unit's Soldiers and Families.
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More than 60 Soldiers, with the 204th Area Support Medical Company, returned from a 9-month deployment to Basrah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on July 1, 2010 at the armory in Cottage Grove, Minn.
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U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Cory Daly, the first sergeant of Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, reads an award citation during a French Fourragere ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 2, 2024. France awarded the fourragere to the Marines and Sailors of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments in 1918 for their heroism and bravery in the battles of Belleau Wood, Soissons and Champagne during World War I. To this day, the French Fourragere is exclusively awarded to Marines who serve in the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments, serving as a testament to the enduring traditions and history shared by those units. Marine Corps
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Cadets with Clemson University's Army and Air Force ROTC units commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day by running a POW/MIA flag around Bowman Field, never letting it stop and never putting it down, for 24 hours, Sept. 15, 2022. The cadets ran in teams for one-hour shifts, and dedicated each shift to a prisoner of war or a service member still missing in action. (Photo by Ken Scar)
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DA-SC-88-03531. Base: Fort Belvoir State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, attends the reenactment marking the 385th anniversary of the First Muster, Salem, Massachusetts, April 9, 2022. The history of the National Guard began on December 13, 1636, when the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered the organization of the Colonys militia companies into three regiments. The first muster of the East Regiment took place in Salem.
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U.S. Marines with Recruiting Station Orange County participate in a reenlistment ceremony for Sgt. Jamir Walton at the Orange County Great Park of Irvine, Irvine, California on Oct. 1, 2022. A reenlistment is a major event in the career of an enlisted Marine that renders an appropriate ceremony to be held to honor their decision to continue to serve their country.
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U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Bravo Company, stand in formation during a change of command ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 26, 2022. Capt. Nicholas Pugh relinquished command to Maj. Scott Siska.
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LT. GEN. Paul K. Van Riper passes the Marine Corps Combat Development Command (MCCDC) Colors to LT. GEN. John E. Rhodes during the MCCDC change of command ceremony. LT. GEN. Van Riper also retired during this ceremony. Base: Marine Corps Base, Quantico State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A U.S. Marine Corps guidon is displayed during a Headquarters and Support Battalion change of command ceremony at Paige Field House on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 5, 2022. The Marines of H&S Bn. provide administrative and training support for personnel assigned to Camp Pendleton.
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The guests watch the revolving bridge in operation, after the ribbon cutting ceremony of the revolving bridge over the Navicelli Canal at Camp Darby, Pisa Ammunition Storage Area Italy, Sep. 22, 2022. Camp Darby celebrates the completion of a $42 million infrastructure modernization project, that includes railway bridge over the Navicelli Canal, upgrades to canal docks and a safe zone of loading and unloading ammunition. The project funded by the U.S. government, is a key strategic project and contributes to improving security at the site.
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Smiling African American soldier sitting on front stoop reading letter