Helicopter Operations in Military Exercises

Photos showing different helicopters in action during military exercises, featuring landings, sling operations, and tactical maneuvers.

Chinook helicopter lifts a tank at display given by the 5th Airborne Brigade at Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, UK

DF-ST-89-00676. Subject Operation/Series: FLINTLOCK Base: Zaragoza Air Base Country: Spain (ESP)

U.S Army AH-64 Apache helicopters from 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, touch down during ambush experiment Oct. 14, 2022, during Project Convergence 22 at Camp Talega, California. During PC22 many systems will be experimented with to determine how future command and control capabilities can be integrated with all-service and multinational partners. (U.S Army Photo by Spc. Jasmalyn Sihakhom)

U.S. Army UH-60 Hawk Helicopters assigned to 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division leave a forward arming and refueling point during Balikatan 22 at Subic Bay, Philippines, April 3, 2022. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder,’ is a longstanding bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment prepare an M119A3 Howitzer to be sling loaded during Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 11, 2022. Northern Strike prepares entire maneuver elements, from the tactical squad level to the strategic command level by challenging them to adapt and operate in a complex environment.

Personnel from the 21st Combat Support Hospital, 1ST Medical Brigade jump clear of a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) attached to the center-bay hoist of a hovering CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the 49th Division National Guard, during sling-load practice. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: FORSCOM

070124-N-8493H-003. Base: Fort Pickett State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines conduct an airlift of a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle at a helicopter external lift drill on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 18, 2022. 3/12 regularly conducts airlift training to improve rapid insertion and extraction of equipment, producing lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of operations across a wide range of missions.

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom prepares to land at a forward arming and refueling point as part of Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 14, 2024. RUT provides the 24th MEU the opportunity to operate in unfamiliar environments, integrate the units of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, and train towards being designated as special operations capable.

U.S. Marines Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter approaches a dirt airfield to insert troops and equipment during an airborne amphibious assault raid near Mang Bang Ri Beach, South Korea, as part of Exercise Team Spirit '93. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '93 Country: Korea

Chinook helicopter lifts a tank at display given by the 5th Airborne Brigade at Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, UK

U.S. Army cannoncrew members assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, 25th Infantry Division, and Soldiers from the 15th Unit Field Artillery Battalion, Tentara Nasional Indonesia, prepare to attach a M119A3 Howitzer to a UH-60M Black Hawk assigned to 2nd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, during sling load training at Super Garuda Shield 2022 on Aug. 4, 2022 at Baturaja Training Area, Indonesia. Super Garuda Shield 2022, a part of Operation Pathways and a longstanding annual, bilateral military exercise conducted between the U.S. Military and Indonesian National Armed Forces, reinforces U.S. commitments to our allies and regional partners, joint readiness, and the interoperability to fight and win together.

Staff Sgt. Tyler Calhoun, a flight paramedic, Archangel DUSTOFF, C CO, 2-4 GSAB, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade conducts hoist operations from a HH-60 Blackhawk during the Jack L. Clark Jr., Army Best Medic Competition 25 Jan. at Fort Hood, Tx.

U.S. Army CH47s from Savannah GA. touch down at Camp Davis NC in preparation for the air lift of British Royal Marines and U.S. Marines to Camp McKall NC for the final phase of CJTFEX 96. Subject Operation/Series: Combined Joint Training Field Exercise (CJTFEX) 96 Base: Camp Davis State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 106th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group transfer a "survivor", aboard an HH-3 Pelican helicopter during Sentry Castle '81, a search and rescue exercise. Subject Operation/Series: SENTRY CASTLE '81 Base: Seneca State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Spc. Riley Briggs, a helicopter repairer assigned to 214th Aviation Regiment, conducts perimeter security in front of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during Saber Junction 22 at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, September 11, 2022. Saber Junction 22 is a multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Army's 173d Airborne Brigade to execute unified and operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with more than 4,500 participants from the U.S. and Allied and partner nations at the U.S. Army's Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas from August 29 to September 20, 2022.

040425-A-1526R-001. Base: Barahona Country: Dominican Republic (DOM)

In the afternoon of the 7th of May 1996, a British Army Lynx Helicopter hovers over the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps Helicopter Landing Zone after having delivered a generator by slingload. The generator will be used by troops located on the Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps compound in the Sarajevo suburb of Ilidza, Bosnia during Operation Joint Endeavor. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Ilidza, Sarajevo Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

Army Materiel Commands Best Squad arrives at a training area aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk during training on Fort Rucker August 22, 2022 in preparation for the upcoming Army best squad competition in September. Photo by Jay Mann.

A U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk with Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 takes off at a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) during Stand-in Force Exercise on Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 11, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region

MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, Hawaii (July 20, 2022) A CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, Marine Air-Ground Task Force 7, takes off during onload and offload drills in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 20. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC 2022 from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 2022 provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Soldiers from the United Arab Emirates 11th Mountain Battalion load a tactical ATV into a CH-47 Chinook for air movement to a live fire exercise during Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 23-04, Feb. 19, 2023. United Arab Emirate soldiers from the 11th Mountain Battalion are participating in the training rotation alongside U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade. UAE Soldiers will train alongside a U.S. Army brigade throughout this JRTC rotation to increase tactical interoperability and readiness.

ESU Incident Command Post New Orleans - Commandant Thomas H. Collins and President George W. Bush Visit - 26-HK-304-19. Hurricane Katrina

An Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter drops off a pair of M998 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) in a landing zone during the joint services Exercise SOLID SHIELD '89. Subject Operation/Series: SOLID SHIELD '89 Base: Camp Davis State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter prepares to depart Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. The decision was made to relocate the aircraft to areas that would prevent them from being damaged. In less than 24-hours, all of the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were prepared, pre-flight checked, then flown or loaded to be transported off of the installation. This movement was the equivalent of a rapid deployment of the wing's Personnel Recovery Task Force-Heavy, which utilizes multi-capable Airmen from across the wing to mobilize rapidly for rescue operations around the world.

Soldiers from Alpha company, 2nd squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and 4-2 Attack Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, conduct a gunnary range, Jan 30, 2024, Fort Campbell, Ky.The 101st is committed to building individual, collective, and staff training readiness; test soldier and leader resilience; train tactical fieldcraft; while improving divison and army wide lethality.

A U.S. Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 463, performs a slingload of an Army H-60 helicopter at U.S. Army Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Jan. 27, 2022. HMH-463 provided aircraft support to the Army's 25th Infantry Division's Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART), this training provided both the Marines of HMH-463 and 25th ID DART the oppertunity to learn from one another and develop their skills in real world applications. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dalton J. Payne)

U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter crew chiefs with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469 prepare to take off during a Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Master Course at Landing Zone Sterling, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 14, 2022. Fast rope and helicopter rope suspension training teach Marines proper knots, rappelling techniques and build confidence for maneuvering from air to ground.

Artillery Soldiers with Alpha "Gator" Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, "Task Force 82," conduct sling-load training at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Jan. 9, 2024. UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the 3rd Attack Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, supported the 101st Airborne Division Artillery Soldiers by moving M119 howitzers by air to increase proficiency in their warfighting tasks.

Air assault instructors and students conduct sling-load operations with UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters assigned to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Avn. Brigade, during the U.S. Army Air Assault Course at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Jan. 27, 2022. The 7th Army Training Commands Combined Arms Training Center sponsored the ten-day air assault course provided by instructors from the Army National Guards Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning, Georgia. The course trains Soldiers on air assault operations, sling-load operations, and rappelling to maximize the use of helicopter assets in training and combat. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christian Carrillo)

An aircrew with the Wisconsin National Guards 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment operates a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Nov. 16, 2022, at the Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. Members of the unit regularly complete training operations at Fort McCoy and the unit also supports numerous training events at the installation each year. According to the Army fact sheet for the Black Hawk, its mission is to provide air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support to combat, stability, and support operations. The UH-60 also is the Armys utility tactical transport helicopter. The versatile helicopter has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability over the years as well.

070218-A-1211S-004. Base: Fort Pickett State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A left side view of a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter from the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HML/A-269). Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010109-F-0308N-001. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFSOC

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter prepares to depart Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. The decision was made to relocate the aircraft to areas that would prevent them from being damaged. In less than 24-hours, all of the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were prepared, pre-flight checked, then flown or loaded to be transported off of the installation. This movement was the equivalent of a rapid deployment of the wing's Personnel Recovery Task Force-Heavy, which utilizes multi-capable Airmen from across the wing to mobilize rapidly for rescue operations around the world.

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 refuel a UH-1Y Venom at a forward arming and refueling point during Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 6, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

A CH-47 Chinook sling loads a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) during training at the Ramagen drop Zone. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-88-03795. Subject Operation/Series: SOLID SHIELD Base: Goloson Air Base Country: Honduras (HND)

An aircrew with the Wisconsin National Guards 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment operates a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Nov. 16, 2022, at the Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. Members of the unit regularly complete training operations at Fort McCoy and the unit also supports numerous training events at the installation each year. According to the Army fact sheet for the Black Hawk, its mission is to provide air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support to combat, stability, and support operations. The UH-60 also is the Armys utility tactical transport helicopter. The versatile helicopter has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability over the years as well.

An MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, picks up tires from Combat Logistics Battalion 4 Marines standing by at Kin Blue, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 25, 2022. The purpose of the training was to increase Helicopter Support Team proficiency and to practice Expeditionary Advanced Base concepts in preparation for future operations. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward-deployed combat unit that serves as III MEFs comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

A US Army (USA) CH-46 Chinook helicopter lifts a USA vehicle to an undisclosed location at a forward-deployed base, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

A Marine CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter prepares to airlift a forklift during the 10th marine Regiment field training exercise with the 155mm M-198 howitzer. Base: Fort Bragg State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team conduct sling load operations at Fort Pickett, Sept. 19, during annual training. Many of the soldiers involved in the operations were recent graduates of the air assault and pathfinder courses taught at Fort Pickett in August by the Warrior Training Center.

DA-SC-89-07297. Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines with 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, board a CH-47F Chinook during Exercise Rolling Thunder at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 17, 2022. This exercise is a 10th Marines-led live fire artillery event that tested the units abilities to operate in a simulated littoral environment against a peer threat in a dynamic and multi-domain scenario.

UH-60 Blackhawk and Apache. International Military Training Saber Strike 2017", Adazi, Latvia, from 3 to 15 June 2017. US Army Europe-led annual International military�exercise Saber Strike Field Training Exercise�in Latvia.

A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division prepares to set security during exercise Rolling Thunder on Fort Drum, New York, March 27, 2023. This exercise is a live-fire artillery event that tested the 10th Marine Regiments ability to operate in a simulated littoral environment against a peer threat in a dynamic and multi-domain scenario.

An aircrew with the Wisconsin National Guards 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment operates a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Nov. 16, 2022, at the Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. Members of the unit regularly complete training operations at Fort McCoy and the unit also supports numerous training events at the installation each year. According to the Army fact sheet for the Black Hawk, its mission is to provide air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support to combat, stability, and support operations. The UH-60 also is the Armys utility tactical transport helicopter. The versatile helicopter has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability over the years as well.

EPITALIOU AIRPORT, Greece - A Greek pararescue member descends from an Agusta-Westland AW-139 Cyprus helicopter at Epitaliou Airport, Greece, April 5, 2022, during INIOCHOS 22. U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party operators, assigned to the 7th Air Support Operations Squadron, work alongside Greeks, Italians and Cyprions during a training exercise to practice rescuing a downed pilot in a non-permissive environment.

An aerial view from a UH-60 (Blackhawk) helicopter during a morale flight on July 16, 2022 on Fort Drum. More than 2,500 Soldiers are participating in the training event, which enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win.

An HH-3 helicopter takes off, kicking up ground debris, for a training mission. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

CH-47 chinook from the 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion, Florida Army National Guard takes off from a field during Northern Strike 22 in Grayling, Mich., on Aug. 13, 2022. Northern Strike 22 brings approximately 7,400 participants from 19 states and four coalition countries to Northern Michigan to validate the readiness and interoperability of multicomponent, multinational and interagency partners from Aug. 6 to 20, 2022, at the National All Domain Warfighting Center.

A New York Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook takes off with a simulated air medevac mission during eXportable Combat Training Capability 22-01 July 21, 2022, on Fort Drum, NY.

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to 173rd Airborne Brigade wait to board a Bravo Company, 2-227th General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Grafenwoehr, Germany, April 27, 2022. 1st Air Cavalry Brigade Chinooks executed a paradrop training exercise of over 200 Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

050220-A-9157N-055. Base: La Mesa Country: Panama (PAN)

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion conducts an external lift of an M777 Howitzer during a training event at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 3, 2022. The training increased battlefield proficiency and combat readiness across Marine Air-Ground Task Force units while expanding the ability for commanders to relocate artillery assets in austere terrain.

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), lift U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Ryan Grant, a departmental leading chief petty officer with Helicopter Sea Squadron 3, during exercise Steel Knight 23, at Imperial Beach, California, Nov. 29, 2022. The exercise provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver.

Soldiers from Hunter Army Airfield, G.A., conduct a training flight over Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., May 20, 2022.The training provided soldiers with additional flight hours as well as an opportunity to view the depot from a birds eye view.

A UH-60 Black Hawk from the South Carolina Army National Guard waits to take off and perform rescue hoist operations with the South Carolina Helicopter Aquatic Rescue Team during the exercise PATRIOT South 18 at Camp Shelby, Miss. on Feb. 15, 2018. PATRIOT South is a joint-agency, domestic operations exercise, focused on natural disaster preparedness and includes National Guard and civilian first responder units from across the country. (Ohio Air National Guard

A UH-1N Iroquois helicopter assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron flys near the Mt. Fuji landing zone in Japan during Col. Andrew J. Campbells fini flight, June 10, 2022. Campbell is scheduled to leave Yokota to become Air Mobility Commands deputy director of Operations at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) staff conduct sling load operations and a 6 mile ruck march at a forward operating site in Romania on Oct. 26, 2022. The purpose of the exercise was to increase the knowledge and appreciation for air assault operations and build camaraderie amongst the staff. The United States commitment to defending NATO territory is ironclad and the United States will continue to bolster our posture to better defend our NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photos by MAJ Brett Sullenger, 2nd Brigade Combat Team "STRIKE" Public Affairs Officer)

Men of the 10th Marine Regiment are airlifted by CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter to the Fort Bragg Army base for field training with the M-198 155mm howitzer. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military helicopters flying over a landscape, CH-53D Sea Stallions, US Navy

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys take-off during Exercise Summer Pioneer on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 21, 2022. Summer Pioneer is designed to evaluate the company's ability to conduct a regimental-sized assault breach with combined arms attacks.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing conducts an air-insertion during Resolute Dragon 22 on Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

070221-A-2421S-037. Base: Fort Pickett State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Army CH-47 lifts a British 105mm howitzer, for flight to Camp McKall, NC, for the final phase of CJTFEX 96. Subject Operation/Series: Combined Joint Training Field Exercise (CJTFEX) 96 Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines embark on a CH-53E Super Stallion during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 7, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region.

U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), exit the back of an MV-22 Osprey aircraft during a Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Masters' course at Stone Bay, on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 29, 2022.HRST prepares Marines for helicopter-borne insertion and extraction operations as well as certifies Marines as HRST Masters allowing them to oversee HRST operations with their respective units. The HRST Masters Course is one of several Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG) taught courses that the Marines and Sailors of the MEU receive as they prepare to deploy next year.

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter approaches a landing zone while supporting sling-load training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Feb. 28, 2024. U.S. Army Soldiers from the Alaska Army National Guard Aviation Battalion conducted the sling-loaded training to enhance their ability to operate in Alaskas harsh environment. (Alaska National Guard

June 27, 2011 - A MH-60 Knighthawk carries supplies during an underway replenishment.

A left side view of a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter from the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365 (HMM-365), during a troop lift between the Main Side Landing Zone and the Operations Landing Zone. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Bölkow BO-105C helicopter. Exercise together with the Royal Netherlands Army.

031007-M-2900S-024. Base: Savannah State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Army Soldiers from the 4th Battalion Special Forces Group, Fort Carson, Colo., practice "fast rope" procedures from a CH-47 Chinook at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, Fla., in preparation for exercise Emerald Warrior 2011 on March 2. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command-sponsored, multiservice exercise designed to leverage lessons learned from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and ready forces to combatant commanders.

A North Dakota National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter carries 660 gallons of water in a Bambi Bucket to drop on an ice jam on the Missouri River in Bismarck, North Dakota, Feb. 29, 2024, to break up the ice and prevent flooding. Over 70,000 gallons of water were dropped in 4 hours. National Guard

An F/A-18A Hornet aircraft is readied for launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA (CV-60) as an SH-2F light airborne multi-purpose system (LAMPS) helicopter prepares to land on the vessel during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters hover as Soldiers rappel during Air Assault School at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa, on August 11, 2022 . Air Assault School is a 10-day course designed to prepare Soldiers for insertion, evacuation, and pathfinder missions that call for the use of multipurpose transportation and assault helicopters.

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 366, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts evasive maneuver techniques around Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Aug. 31, 2022. HMH-366 aviation maintenance Marines conduct routine preventative maintenance on CH-53E Super Stallion to ensure a constant state of readiness. MCAS New River provides aviation support, force protection, infrastructure, and community services to promote the readiness, sustainment and quality of life for II Marine Expeditionary Force and other military forces, tenant commands, personnel and their families.

A Colombian Army UH-60 Black Hawk prepares to medically evacuate simulated casualties during training lanes at Exercise Southern Vanguard 23, Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia, Nov. 10, 2022. Exercise Southern Vanguard is U.S. Army Souths premier training exercise taking place at the operational and tactical levels intended to increase interoperability between the United States and Western Hemisphere forces. This years iteration, Exercise Southern Vanguard 23, involves Soldiers from U.S. Army South and the U.S. Army National Guard training alongside Colombian Army soldiers in varying terrain while conducting weapon familiarization lanes culminating in a bilateral military training operation. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.J. Lannom Jr.

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guards 123rd Special Tactics Squadron load a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter with lifesaving equipment at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., July 30, 2022. In response to flooding in Eastern Kentucky, the unit coordinated 29 rotary-wing relief missions, rescued 19 people and two dogs, and recovered four bodies. Their command-and-control efforts also facilitated the assistance or recovery of 40 people.

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1 Huey helicopter with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit provides indirect fire support for a live-fire event during Iron Fist 2012 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 27, 2012. Iron Fist is a three-week bilateral training event held annually between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force designed to increase interoperability between the two services while aiding the Japanese in their continued development of amphibious capabilities.

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from 1-52d General Support Aviation Battalion lifts off from Ladd Army Airfield, Fort Wainwright, Alaska during exercise Joint Pacific Multinational Center - Alaska, 23-02, March 28 2023, in support of 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. JPMRC-AK 23-02 is a regional combat training center rotation focusing on large-scale combat operations including situational training and live-fire exercises designed to build cold weather and mountain-proficient forces prepared for employment within the U.S. Army Pacific area of responsibility.

U.S Soldiers from 10th Mountain Infantry Division and 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division maintain security of a landing zone while a CH-47 Chinook approaches for pick up near Binshai, Afghanistan on July 22, 2009. The Soldiers were in the area to attend a border flag meeting with the Afghanistan Border Police.

Hawaii Army National Guard Soldiers with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, 103rd Troop Command conduct sling load operations alongside 1st Battalion, 487th Field Artillery Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, April 02, 2022. Soldiers routinely trained on sling load tactics, techniques and procedures to simulate tactical insertion, extraction and 360-degree security operations of M119 105mm howitzers utilizing air assets.

Blackhawks take off with Soldiers assigned to Charlie Troop, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, as they set off for their missions during Project Convergence 2022 on Oct. 12, 2022, Western United States. PC22, a multi-month event enables the Department of Defense and its multinational partners to assess future warfighting concepts and capabilities.

A local man waits for the signal from United Statres Air Force STAFF Sergeant Greg Sanford, an Aerial GUNNER assigned to the 56th Rescue Squadron, Keflavik, Iceland, to help unload tents from an HH-60G "Pave Hawk" helicopter for the people in the town of Machanga, south of Beira, Mozambique. To date, Joint Task Force aircraft participating in Operation Atlas Response have delivered more than 71 tons of humanitarian relief supplies on 102 flights to more than 20 locations, 16 March 2000. Subject Operation/Series: ATLAS RESPONSE Base: Machanga State: Sofala Country: Mozambique (MOZ)

EPITALIOU AIRPORT, Greece - An Agusta-Westland AW-139 Cyprus helicopter hovers over a field at Epitaliou Airport, Greece on April 5, 2022. U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party operators worked alongside the Greek 31st Search and Rescue Operations Squadron during INIOCHOS 22.

NAVAL BASE AMAPALA, Honduras - Partner Forces walk onto a Chinook that will drop them into the Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras for the Fuerzas Comando competition June 20, 2022, in Naval Base Amapala, Honduras. Fuerzas Comando (FC) is a Foreign Military Interaction exercise designed to enhance multinational and regional cooperation, mutual trust and confidence and improve the training, readiness, interoperability, and capability of regional Special Operations Forces (SOF).

U.S. Army pilots from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct tactical combat maneuvers with UH-60 Black Hawks at Kasarna Manjaca, Dobrnja, Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 17, 2022. Guard members assigned to the State Medical Detachment and 1-169th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, trained alongside active duty Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers in tactics, aviation, medical, and non-commissioned officer development. The Maryland National Guard will celebrate 20 years of partnership with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program next year. (Maryland Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Jasmine Mathews).

020515-F-6655M-010. Subject Operation/Series: Cobra Gold 2002 Base: Samesan Royal Thai Marine Base Country: Thailand (THA)

060419-N-7293M-086. Subject Operation/Series: TRICARB 2006 Base: Naval Base, Santa Rita State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters assigned to Alpha Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade prepare to land at the Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Germany, June 14, 2022. The 1-214th GSAB spent over three months in Poland working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, takes lead of the competition during the Utah Beach event at Fort Carson, Colorado, May 23, 2022. Over 6,000 Soldiers across the Mountain Post completed 11 natural and manmade obstacles commemorating the events that took place during the Utah Beach invasion.

020105-F-5035E-038. Base: Portland Air National Guard Base State: Oregon (OR) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ANG/ACC

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