Cold War Military Operations

Historical footage illustrating military operations, missile launches, and strategic maneuvers during the Cold War era.

Joint Personnel Recover Exercise

A UH-60 Blackhawk approaches a soldier from 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team Rakkasans, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), to pick up soldiers for a aerial sniping live fire on Fort Campbell, KY, June 23, 2022. The aerial sniper training helps soldiers maintain their skills regardless of environment or conditions. (U.S Army Still from video by Pvt. Matthew Wantroba).

030401-M-5455N-004. Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Army Soldier walks through a palm grove in Baqubah, Iraq, March 30, 2007, during a joint patrol with Iraqi army soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division.

U.S. Army AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, Utah Army National Guard, participate in a training exercise with partner nations to demonstrate the capabilities of multinational armies working together simultaneously in a combined arms live-fire mission during African Lion 22, June 28, 2022. African Lion 22 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, combined annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner-nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperadurbility among participants and set the theater for strategic access.

A column of Opposing Forces (OpFor) armored vehicles advances along a road toward an engagement with the Blue Forces during an exercise. Base: Fort Irwin State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America(USA)

070103-A-2394G-043. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Showki State: Kabisa Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge - New Orleans Overflight - 26-HK-388-137. Hurricane Katrina

U.S. Marines prepare to launch a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) course 2-22 at Dugway Proving Ground, Dugway, Utah, April 6, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, which emphasizes the development of small task-organized unit experimentation across all warfighting functions, as well as enhance the battalion's ability to conduct command and control, fire-support planning, intelligence functions, and logistical support to distributed company level operations. This exercise continues support of 2d Marine Division experimental battalion's assessment and mission essential task list-based pre-deployment training progression.

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa completes a mountain obstacle course at Centre Dentrainment Au Combat (CECAD), Djibouti, Sept. 21, 2022, while participating in the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC). The FDCC is a multi-day course held by the French at CECAD that challenges both U.S. and French service members by challenging the participants physically and mentally through land and water obstacles and endurance exercises while surviving in austere field conditions.

Large explosion near the car with soldiers in the desert

Aircrafts - Miscellaneous - 26-HK-56-55. Five helicopters in flight, with tail of USN helicopter visible in parking lot. Hurricane Katrina

John Baverstock Knight, 1785-1859, British, Studland Dock Yard, 1822. Watercolor, gouache, pen and black ink, and graphite on medium, slightly textured, cream laid paper.

Photo collection Spaarnestad topics. Africa 1940/1941. Italian cavalry on the rise in the desert. December 5, 1940

An aerial view of an abandoned Iraqi communications station near Kuwait in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Failaka Island Country: Kuwait(KWT)

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft drops U.S. Army Soldiers over the Sicily Drop Zone at Ft. Bragg, N.C., Feb. 9, 2011, for Large Package Week during Joint Operational Access Exercise 11-01. Large Package Week/JOAX is an exercise that uses several U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 cargo aircraft to strategically airdrop troops and cargo onto a specified location in preparation for real world contingency response.

Russian MI-8 helicopters fly around the predicted landing zone of the Expedition 61 crews Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Christina Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station.

051227-A-7359K-128. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Mchenry State: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

A 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft flies over a range during CALFEX '90, a joint service, combined arms live-fire exercise. Subject Operation/Series: CALFEX '90 Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska(AK) Country: United States Of America(USA)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assinged to the 140th Wing conduct a FOD walk during Operation Thundercat at Pueblo Memorial Airport, Colo., Sept. 22, 2022. Operation Thundercat is a four day exercise that provides a simulated environment that allows Airmen to practice real-world war fighting capabilities.

4191-V111115875

Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers fly an RQ-11B Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) over drop zone Badger at Fort McCoy, Wis., Sept. 9, 2022. The training is part of a two-week skills course taught by instructors from the Wisconsin Military Academy. U.S. Army photo by Kevin W. Clark

Expedition 69 Soyuz Landing. Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft shortly after it landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan with Expedition 69 NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, Roscosmos cosmonauts Dmitri Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. The trio are returning to Earth after logging 371 days in space as members of Expeditions 68-69 aboard the International Space Station. For Rubio, his mission is the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut in history.

Expedition 69 Soyuz Landing. Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft shortly after it landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan with Expedition 69 NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, Roscosmos cosmonauts Dmitri Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. The trio are returning to Earth after logging 371 days in space as members of Expeditions 68-69 aboard the International Space Station. For Rubio, his mission is the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut in history.

031022-F-3356N-002. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

051216-A-5567G-008. Base: Camp Cooke State: Taji Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An F-18D Hornet hits a simulated target on range B-17 during part of DESERT RESCUE IX exercise. Desert Rescue is the premiere Search And Rescue (SAR) training exercise involving Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine personnel. It is conducted at the ranges of Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE IX Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A simulated Napalm bomb explosion occurs during a Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) demonstration. Subject Operation/Series: REVISED CAPABILITIES EXERCISE Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030204-M-4419R-056. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 5th Marines

Thessaloniki, Greece refugee camp in Struma , 1913 - Balkans, Greece, Bulgaria - Stéphane Passet - (August 30 -October 21) (French - Thessalonique , Grèce Campement de réfugiés de Strumica). Civil war, tent, luggage, Balkan wars, child, cart, camp, migrant , refugee, Political life, human beings, Greece, Salonica, refugee camp

An aerial view of several hangars at Kuwait International Airport that were attacked by coalition air forces seeking to destroy Iraq aircraft during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Kuwait(KWT)

A821241 SAFEGUARD AREA 11 EXERCISE MARK SOOHOO (PROJECT ENGINEER) JUL 30 82 EG&G/NTS PHOTO LAB Publication Date: 7/30/1982 AREA 11; AREA 11 EXERCISE; ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS; ARMORED VEHICLES; ARMORED VEHICLES (MILITARY); COMPOUNDS; DESERTS; EDGERTON, GERMESHAUSEN & GRIER; EG&G; FENCES; FENCES (BARRIERS); FENCES, CHAIN LINKED; MOUNTAINS; NEVADA; NEVADA TEST SITE; NTS; NUCLEAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY; NUCLEAR TESTING; NUCLEAR TESTS; ROCKS, COMMON; SAFEGUARDS; TEST SITES; TRAINING PROGRAMS; UGT; UNDERGROUND TESTING; SAFEGUARD-AREA 11 EXERCISE historical images. 1972 - 2012. Department of Energy. National Nuclear Security Administration. Photographs Related to Nuclear Weapons Testing at the Nevada Test Site.

11th Airborne Division Soldiers, along with Mountaineering Instructors from Northern Warfare Training Center, ascend switch backs during the last 1300ft on a 5000ft hike up to 'Grassy Knoll' during Basic and Advanced Military Mountaineering Course at Black Rapids Training Site, 9 July. The purpose of the 14-day course is to train Soldiers on how to maneuver through mountainous terrain, and then go back to their units and provide the units with Soldiers capable to get across the mountainous terrain of Alaska. (Photo provided by Staff Sgt. Christopher Dennis/ 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

Members of the 459th Civil Engineering Flight walk through a gas cloud wearing field protective masks as simulated chemical warfare takes place during Exercise Prime Beef '82. Subject Operation/Series: PRIME BEEF '82 Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Militairy tanks destructed in the desert at sunset

Army Camouflaged XV-15 flying NOE (nap-of-the-earth) tests (ref# 024398_

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines fire an M777 Howitzer during Artillery Relocation Training Program 22.3 at Ojojihara Maneuver Area, Miyagi, Japan, Dec. 5, 2022. The skills developed at ARTP increase the proficiency and readiness of the only permanently forward-deployed artillery unit in the Marine Corps, enabling them to provide precision indirect fires.

A Mark 84 bomb, dropped by U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crew members assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath, England, impacts during a bombing exercise at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, June 28, 2023. U.S. Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group served as Joint Tactical Air Controllers during the joint training mission.

040605-F-3805C-005. Base: Saint Mere Eglise State: Normandy Country: France (FRA)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Chaos Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare their equipment before a live-fire exercise at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, July 6, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe.

Preparations for a test, New Mexico, USA.

DF-ST-88-02850. Base: Indian Springs Auxiliary Field State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An aerial view of a portion of the base, with three C-5 Galaxy aircraft at right. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the provincial reconstruction team from Forward Operating Base Kalagush patrol through the mountains in the Nuristan province of Afghanistan June 14, 2007.

A view of an Afghan burial site near Kandahar, Afghanistan, during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar International Airport Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

A Puma aerial system flies overhead during Eagle Ursa exercise at the training range in Slunj, Croatia, Feb. 24, 2024. The Puma aerial system is a Robotic Complex Breach Concept. The Robotic Complex Breach Concept includes the employment of Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) in intelligence, suppression, obscuration, and reduction. Army

Two confiscated Serbian Army BOV-VP Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) sit in a field, the one in the background is exploding. US Army Engineers, Battalion, Co., 40th Engineer Battallion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Eagle, destroyed these APC during Operation Joint Endeavor. Operation Joint Endeavor is a peacekeeping effort by a multinational Implementation Force (IFOR), comprised of NATO and non-NATO military forces, deployed to Bosnia in support of the Dayton Peace Accords. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Country: Unknown

During several phases of weapons qualifications the sniper team contended with unusual spring winds that affected firing computations for accuracy.While commonly known as snipers, the official term used by U.S.Army is designated marksman. The U.S. Army Sniper Course is a seven-week training course at Fort Benning. With most formal training courses, skill training is an ongoing process throughout the year. The snipers of the 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion trained for a full week separate from the main body of units in the field during annual training 2022. Their training encompassed individual qualifications, timed shooting exercises and movement to a covered location without being detected, identifying adversaries, engagement and withdrawal without being sighted.

U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party specialists assigned to the 2d Air Support Operations Squadron out of Vilseck, Germany, storm a target acquisition in support of strike packages during exercise Cobra Warrior 22 in England, Sept. 21, 2022. Cobra Warrior 22 develops tactical interoperability skills of participating Airmen, Allies and Partners through integrated cross-domain effects against a peer adversary.

Expedition 69 Soyuz Landing. Russian Search and Rescue teams arrive at the Soyuz MS-23 spacecraft shortly after it landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan with Expedition 69 NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, Roscosmos cosmonauts Dmitri Petelin and Sergey Prokopyev, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. The trio are returning to Earth after logging 371 days in space as members of Expeditions 68-69 aboard the International Space Station. For Rubio, his mission is the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut in history.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment conduct a gunnery range in a Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicle at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May 11, 2022.

Senior military leaders from NATO and Partner nations tour the British Armys simulation center at the Sennelager Training Area, Germany, as part of the 7th Army Training Commands (7ATC) annual Conference of European Training Centers (CETC), June 14, 2022. The 7ATC-hosted CETC provides an opportunity for NATO allies and partner nations from across Europe to build relationships, discuss approaches to multinational training procedures, and ultimately improve training across the joint force in Europe.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, rush the objective during a ground assault as part of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise as part of Service Level Training Exercise 2-24 around Gays Pass training area, at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 14, 2024. MDMX prepares Marines for future conflicts by conducting offensive and defensive live-fire and maneuver training scenarios within an austere training environment. Marine Corps

DM-ST-86-07384. Base: Quantico State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Flooded areas of Davao can be observed from an airborne KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Feb. 14. 2024. The aircraft was carrying Department of Social Welfare and Development family food packs to Davao International Airport, Davao City, Philippines. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force are supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development in providing foreign humanitarian assistance to the ongoing disaster relief mission in Mindanao. The forward presence and ready posture of III MEF assets in the region facilitated rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. Marine Corps

050117-F-3587F-013. Base: Kirkush Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Force, detonate a Mine Clearing Line Charge on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, June 9, 2022. The 13th MEU is currently conducting Realistic Urban Training exercise to enhance the integration and collective capability of the MEU's command, air, ground, and logistics elements and prepare the 13th MEU to meet the nation's crisis response needs during their upcoming overseas deployment.

Russian support personnel work around the Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft after it landed with Expedition 47 crew members Tim Kopra of NASA, Tim Peake of the European Space Agency, and Yuri Malenchenko of Roscosmos near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Kopra, Peake, and Malenchenko are returning after six months in space where they served as members of the Expedition 46 and 47 crews onboard the International Space Station.

010508-F-1644L-014. Subject Operation/Series: TANDEM THRUST 01 Base: Shoalwater Bay State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)

Military graveyard at Isandlwana, Natal Province on the Battlefields Route, site of British defeat 22 January 1879.

DN-ST-88-03995. Base: Fort Hunter Liggett State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Georgia and U.S. Special Operations Forces work together to conduct an ambush during Noble Partner 22 at Tbilisi, Georgia, Sept. 2, 2022. The Noble Partner 22 exercise consists of 2,400 military personnel from more than 21 countries and is designed to enhance Georgian, regional ally, partner, and U.S. forces' readiness.

View of a blast near an Implementation Forces (IFOR) checkpoint in Bosnia and Herzegovina, during Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

The grounds of the 28th Infantry Division shrine in Boalsburg stretch out in front of division soldiers holding guidons during the Iron Division's annual memorial service May 22, 2022. U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Doug Roles

Material from Vice Admiral Allen - Aftermath - 26-HK-372-43. Hurricane Katrina

040115-F-9871C-010. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Material from Vice Admiral Allen - Aftermath - 26-HK-372-42. Hurricane Katrina

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