Desert Operations and Combat Readiness

Diverse scenes of soldiers engaged in combat and training exercises in desert environments, emphasizing readiness and tactical movement.

Equipped and armed special forces soldier with rifle in the desert during a military operation.
Equipped and armed special forces soldier with rifle in the desert during a military operation.
158 assets in this story
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Recruits with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, complete the Day Movement Course during Basic Warrior Training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Mar. 29, 2023. Basic Warrior Training is a one week-long training event that teaches recruits the basics of combat survival and rifle maneuvers.
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DA-ST-87-12955. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '87 Base: Camp Humphreys State: Gyeonggi-Do Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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040401-M-9362G-007. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Memorial at Isandlwana, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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980622-F-1108F-024. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Tyler Hoskins, a HC-130J loadmaster assigned to 211th Rescue Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, participates in a rescue pack drop training at JBERs Malemute Drop Zone, Oct 19. 2022. The 211th Rescue Squadron conducts search and rescue missions, providing rescue support in Alaska, and also has a 72-hour world-wide response mission.
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Private First Class Jeremy Hounshell with 2d Squad, 3d Platoon, Charlie Company, 1/4, 1ST Marine Division, sights his 5.56mm Colt M16-A2 Assault Rifle while covering his platoon's advance on White Beach, during Exercise KERNEL BLITZ 97. KERNEL BLITZ is a bi-annual Commander-in-CHIEF Pacific (CINCPAC) fleet training exercise (FLEETEX) focused on operational/tactical training of Commander, Third Fleet (C3F)/ I Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) and Commander, Amphibious Group 3 (CPG-3)/ 1ST Marine Division (MARDIV). KERNEL BLITZ is designed to enhance the training of Sailors and Marines in the complexities of brigade-size amphibious assault operations. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 227th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team provide fire support for a simulated live-fire mission during Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program at Camp Roberts, California, July 18, 2022. XCTC is a series of training exercises between an active-duty U.S. Army brigade and an Army National Guard brigade, intended to increase the skills and readiness of National Guard units.
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U.S. Army Lt. Col. Anthony Digiacomo emerges from a smoke cloud while providing simulated cover fire for Spc. Sean White during training on the military operations in urban terrain obstacle course on Camp Grayling, Mich., June 10, 2008. The Soldiers are participating in the National Guards new pre-deployment training assistance element program, which enlists active duty Soldiers in training National Guard Soldiers for upcoming deployments. Digiacomo is the commander of 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment and White is a paralegal specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment.
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U.S. Marines with Golf Company, 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division coordinate with U.S. Sailors with U.S. Second Fleet unloading off Landing Craft Utility 1650 for Amphibious Exercise 2023 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia, Jan. 30, 2023. AMPHEX is a joint exercise that demonstrates littoral interoperability and increased proficiency in operational maneuvers, including: familiarization with U.S. Navy landing craft, air cushion, LCU, amphibious beach landings, air-assault drills and combined live-fire training.
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A German soldier assigned to the 212th Panzergrenadier Battalion, 21st Panzer Brigade, 1st Panzer Division, clears a room during a live-fire exercise as part of Defender Europe at Oberlausitz Training Area, Germany, May 19, 2022. Defender Europe 22 is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises in Eastern Europe. The exercise demonstrates U.S. Army Europe and Africas ability to conduct large-scale ground combat operations across multiple theaters supporting NATO.
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A U.S. Marines with Lima Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22, moves casualties during less-than-lethal training as part of exercise Southern Jackaroo 22 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia May 24, 2022. The less-than-lethal training involved a combat scenario using simunition rounds and transitioned to a mass casualty scenario where the injured role-players were assessed, treated and then transported to a higher echelon of care.
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Soldiers of the Utah National Guard assist local communities in collecting and transporting debris to municipal landfills, September 12-13, 2020 in Davis County, Utah. Areas around northern Utah experienced a significant wind event, with winds more than 100 mph in some areas, resulting in severe damage to property.
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US Air Force Technical Sergeant Kevin L. Koontz, US Air Force STAFF Sergeant Michael D. Valfre, US Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Paul J. Hasbrouck and US Air Force AIRMAN First Class Lawrence C. Busch, all assigned to the 607th Combat Communications Squadron, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, armed with M16A2 rifles sweep their area for opposing forces on top of "wolfpack" park during the Beverly Bearcat Operational Readiness Inspection at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Hunter Johnson, a recruit with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, participates in the bayonet assault course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Sept. 27, 2022 . The course consisted of different obstacles that simulated the type of terrain Marines may come across in combat. Johnson was recruited out of Medford, Oregon with Recruiting Station Portland, Oregon.
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AQABA, Jordan - Jordanian Maritime Counter Terrorism Team service member assaults the beat during over-the-beach operations in Aqaba, Jordan during Exercise Eager Lion Sept. 8, 2022. Exercise Eager Lion is considered the capstone event of the broader U.S. military relationship with the Jordanian Armed Forces, one of U.S. Central Commands strongest and most reliable partners in the region, leading the way for security and stability using conventional and unconventional scenarios to activate a combined joint task force. The exercise underscores the United States commitment to partners in the Middle East and joint defense against hybrid threats by state and non-state actors. Approximately 1,700 U.S. service members, 2,200 Jordanian Armed Forces, and 591 coalition personnel from 28 other partner nations are participating or observing the multilateral military training exercise, which was scheduled for 2021, but postponed due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
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A 5.62mm Minimi light machine gun with ammunitions by its side.
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A pilot carrying his flight gear and smoking a cigarette walks by cameraman. Several North American F-86 Sabre jets are in the background.. A pilot carrying his flight gear and smoking a cigarette walks by cameraman. Several North American F-86 Sabre jets are in the background..
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Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 145th Field Artillery, headquartered at the Utah National Guards Spanish Fork Armory has continuously supported the Spanish Fork Flag Retirement Ceremony for the past 24 years. Members of the Utah National Guard, Boy and Girl Scouts, civil air patrol, naval sea cadets and other youth groups volunteer to be a part of this dignified U.S. flag retirement of the symbol of our country. Command Sgt. Maj. Spencer Nielsen, senior enlisted leader for the Utah National Guard, was the keynote speaker and has participated in all 24 years of the ceremony.
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DF-ST-85-05010. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '84 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (Sept. 13, 2022) U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific team members prepare to execute a static line airborne drop above a designated drop zone at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii, Sept. 13, 2022. U.S. Special Operations Forces maintain proficiency in completing static line and high altitude free fall airborne jumps. SOCPAC serves as the functional component for all special operations missions deployed throughout the Inso-Pacific region.
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Marines of Co. C, 1ST Bn., 2nd Marine Div., are enveloped by sand as transport helicopters move out after dropping them at their mission location during Exercise Imminent Thunder, part of Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: IMMINENT THUNDERDESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)
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050410-A-4962B-139. Base: Shakarta Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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An Air Force joint terminal attack controller gets pulled by his parachute after landing during a training mission April 26, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. A static-line parachute allows jumps from very low altitudes since the chute opens immediately after the jumper leaves the aircraft.
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Cpl. Jared Patterson, Cpl. Noah Simmons, and Sgt. Luke Smith, mortarmen from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, race through the mud while doing a crab walk at the Sand Hill Conditioning Course before sunrise over Fort Benning, Georgia, on April 11, 2023. In between each obstacle on the course, teams had to complete various physical conditioning exercises during the 2023 Best Mortar Competition.
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DF-ST-86-10903. Base: Colorado Springs State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Jeemin Park, an officer candidate with Officer Selection Team San Jose, throws a practice grenade during a monthly pool function in San Mateo, California November 5, 2022. The Marine Officer Program functions prepare future candidates for Marine Corps Officer Candidates School, by providing knowledge, an intense training environment, and challenge them with the Marine Corps physical fitness tests.
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Coast Guard Personnel - Miscellaneous - 26-HK-90-170. Coast Guardsman dropping off water in grassy area near helo, civilians nearby2. Hurricane Katrina
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Soldiers of the Salute Battery, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, stand in front of the American Flag, May 26, 2022, at Founder's Field, Fort Carson, Colorado. The Ivy Week Retreat Ceremony was the last of several events celebrated to close out the week.
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U. S. Army Paratroopers assigned to Castle Company, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, engage a target using a M136E1 AT4-CS confined space light anti-armor weaponduring a live-fire exercise at Pocek Range in Postonja, Slovenia, Dec. 6, 2022. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.
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MAJ Ed Kroboth of the 704th Tactical Airlift Squadron uses a smoke bomb to signal a search and rescue helicopter to his position as he acts as a downed pilot during Exercise UREX '82. Subject Operation/Series: UREX '82 Base: Sembach Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)
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060811-N-3153C-013. Base: Tarakan Country: Indonesia (IND)
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DF-ST-84-08187. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT RODEO Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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The soldiers from the 104th Engineer Battalion are at the Fort Dix Range Complex on Range 34 during their M4A1 Table VI CBRN, Day Fire Stage 2. The 104th Engineer Battalions is based in Port Murray, New Jersey. (Images are provided by the Fort Dix (TSC) Training Support Center / Daniel Amburg)
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Egypt : Two Bedouines next to the Observation Point of the Multi National Forces and Peace Troops in the Sinai desert
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Japan Air Self-Defense Force Tech. Sgt. Yusaku Kawamoto, Air Defense Command transport airman, checks the support straps of cargo pallet during Cope North 24 at Northwest Field, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 16, 2024. Agile combat employment capabilities are continually refined by exercising various operations from dispersed, austere locations. Air Force
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Humanitarian relief supplies skid-across the El Bon drop zone in Somalia as pilots from Hohn, Germany, fly daily drop-missions into the besieged country, Operation Provide Relief. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE RELIEF Base: Mombasa Country: Kenya (KEN)
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Post apocalypse survivor in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of a destroyed city.
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Members from The Prince of Wales' Company, 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, going over the assault course at Sennybridge training area. This was part of a 5 day trip to Brecon to fine tune their fitness before they deploy to Afghanistan.
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A Soldier assigned to U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment- Yakima Training Center is hoisted into a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter with a member of the Central Washington Mountain Rescue at Yakima Training Center, Wash. on Aug. 28, 2022.
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111212-N-BA263-544 CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (Dec. 12, 2011) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Mike Dillon, assigned to Commander, Task Group 56.1, places a composition C-4 demolition charge on a 155mm projectile during demolition operations supervisor training. Task Group 56.1 provides mine counter-measure, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage-diving, counter-terrorism and force protection for the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
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030319-M-3138H-014. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Ripper Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 7th Marines
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010508-F-3820W-002. Complete Scene Caption: AIRMAN 1ST Class (A1C) Anthony Hollins, USAF, 92nd Security Forces Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, plays the an aggressor against the 21st Space Wing "Knights," of Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, during the tactics competition of Exercise GUARDIAN CHALLENGE 2001, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. A1C Hollins wears MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) gear as part of the competition and soft combat gear to differentiate him and his team from the "good guys." GUARDIAN CHALLENGE, the world's premier space and missile competition, is a four-day event hosted annually at Vandenberg AFB, CA "to recognize the best and demonstrate the commands warfighting skills. GUARDIAN CHALLENGE creates competition-tough crews; improves readiness and combat capabilities through preparation, innovation and sharing; enhances esprit de corps and strengthens teamwork across all mission areas in the command." Subject Operation
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Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct damage assessments June 24, 2016, in Allegheny County, Virginia.
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DA-ST-88-03383. Country: Unknown
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U.S. Marines with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are lifted into the air by UH-1Y Venom helicopter as part of special patrol insertion and extraction rigging during a helicopter rope suspension techniques sustainment exercise on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 19, 2024. The exercise sustained the MRFs HRST proficiency in insert and extract capabilities for the 31st MEU, and included fast rope, rappelling, helocasting and special patrol insertion and extraction rigging. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.
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This photo illustration serves to demonstrate the 24-hour prisoner of war/missing in action log carry, ruck and run at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 15 and 16, 2022. Service members stationed in the Kaiserslautern Military Community area worked as a team to carry logs or ruck, each pound and lap around the track represents recovery of a missing service member.
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Barbed Wire and Abandoned Artillery Pieces