Joint Military Exercises and Coordination

Photos capturing soldiers collaborating on strategic exercises, focusing on coordination, communications, and medical training in various military contexts.

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, conduct a combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) on Fort Drum, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2022. The exercise consisted of a footmarch, breaching obstacles, and a clearing operation with supporting fire from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th MTN DIV, and 1st Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th MTN DIV.

U.S. Army Col. Richard J. Ikena Jr., commader of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery, oversees Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment (3-321 FAR), 18th Field Artillery Brigade as they transmit coordinates before firing a Reduced-Range Practice Rocket (RRPR) from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during a Latvian-led field artillery live fire exercise, NAMEJS, at Liepāja, Latvia, Sept. 27, 2022. The 3-321 FAR 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, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 50th Expeditionary Signal Battalion Enhanced , 35th Corps Signal Brigade, Partner with Soldiers Assigned to 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division to conduct sling load training at Fort Bragg, NC, May 24, 2022. Soldiers took part in this exercise in order to conduct realistic training which incorporates joint forcible entry (JFE) communications and challenges to demonstrate their readiness to deploy and fight globally.( U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Maxine Baen)

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, conduct a combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) on Fort Drum, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2022. The exercise consisted of a footmarch, breaching obstacles, and a clearing operation with supporting fire from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th MTN DIV, and 1st Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th MTN DIV.

U.S. Army soldiers of the 146th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 1171st Medical Company Area Support lift a roleplaying patient onto a litter to take them into a Humvee 2-CT Ambulance during their mass casualty simulation at exercise Northern Strike 22-2 in Grayling, Mich., Aug. 13, 2022. Northern Strike is designed to challenge approximately 7,400 service members with multiple forms of training that tests their ability to rapidly deploy and provide timely support in a decisive action environment.

U.S. Soldiers assigned assigned to Chaos Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1ABCT), operationally controlled by the 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), discuss field tactics during live fire exercises rehearsal at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Nov. 18, 2022. The 3-1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1 ID, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

Staff Sgt. Ryne Reyes, squad leader of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command squad, prepares to breach the door of a target building as Spc. Jadin Anderson, Spc. Nicholas Diercks and Pfc. Gabriel Carrington provides supporting cover during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad competition, Grafenwohr, Germany, Aug. 10, 2022. Teams from across USAREUR-AF test their tactical proficiency, communication and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent USAREUR-AF at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

Paratroopers assigned to Charlie Troop, 1-73 Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division take part in the Machine Gun Event for the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, GA, July 27, 2022. The Best Squad Competition tests squads physical, technical and tactical abilities under stress and fatigue to determine which squad from the XVIII Airborne Corps will advance to the Forces Command Best Squad Competition in the coming months.

061024-A-0497K-013. Base: Grafenwoehr Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: EUROPE

Security Forces Airmen, assigned to the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, receive instructions before a less-lethal grenade qualification course at the Owens Community College Center for Emergency Preparedness, Aug. 6, 2022. The 180FW conducts realistic training in a variety of environments to ensure Airmen are trained for Domestic Operations around the state and in defense of the installation.

Paratroopers across the 82nd Airborne Division finish the 12 mile road march, complete a weapons test, and recieve their E3B on Fort Bragg, NC, April 7, 2023. 371 Paratroopers and Soldiers across multiple units and locations successfully completed E3B.

Paratroopers assigned to Charlie Troop, 1-73 Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division conduct Land Navigation for the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, GA, July 26, 2022. The Land Navigation Event was one of several events during the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition that tested each squads proficiency in small-unit tactics and technical expertise.

Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, Blackhorse Company, 2-3 Infantry Regiment, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team wear upgraded Integrated Visual Augmentation System goggles while preparing to storm the objective building during a movement-to-contact urban raid exercise on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., August 24, 2022. The exercise was part of a two-day demonstration event hosted by the Program Executive Office of Ground Combat Systems with the aim of integrating soldier feedback into the development of new military combat technology.

Soldiers from 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division aim and shoot a handheld and bipod-stabilized 60mm mortar during the 2023 Best Mortar Competition at Fort Benning, Georgia, on April 11, 2023. Teams were assessed on their ability to quickly employ effective indirect fires on day two of the competition.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Crosby, a cannon crew member, with the Brunswick-based Georgia Army National Guard's Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery Regiment conducts sling-load operations with Soldiers at Fort Stewart, Ga. on June 14, 2022. XCTC is the U.S. Army National Guards program of record that enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win battles throughout the world. The XCTC exercise will include approximately 4,400 brigade personnel from throughout Georgia.U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tori Miller.

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Wilder, assigned to 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, holds a simulated wound as he walks to a tent during a medical trauma lanes training at Skwierzyna, Poland, August 10, 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, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe.

Sappers assigned to 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conduct tables 1 and 2 of engineer qualification tables. To certify soldiers and leaders as well as to familiarize sappers with different kinds of explosives, these engineer tables are conducted on a demolition range.

Army National Guard Soldiers competing in the National Guard Region V Best Warrior Competition wait for their flight at the Regional Training Center, Oklahoma City, May 16, 2022. The annual competition brings together top-tier soldiers to challenge them on a variety of Army warrior tasks and consists of eight events that promote Soldier readiness and recognizes individuals who embody the Army Values. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 982nd Combat Camera Company (Airborne) clear their M4 Carbine rifles after completing a marksmanship qualification on Fort Jackson, SC, April 9, 2022. Soldiers qualify their marksmanship every year in order to maintain combat readiness.

U.S. Army Paratroopers participate in Initial Manifest Call (IMC) to prepare for an airborne jump from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at Fort Bragg, N.C. on Apr. 27, 2022. The purpose of IMC is to gather a manifest of people who will be participating in an airborne jump.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Nikole Johnson, right, 60th Inpatient Operations Squadron medical technician, and Senior Airman Nicholas Paquette, 163rd Medical Group medical technician, fill out a Mechanism, Injuries, Symptoms and Treatments (MIST) report during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Combat Medic Tier 3 Pilot Course at Travis Air Force Base, California, Feb. 14, 2024. Medics trained in a battlefield scenario to perform medical treatment to simulated patients and escort them to a landing zone. Air Force

U.S Army Maj. Gen. JP McGee, commanding general, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), recognizes U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Finnish army soldiers with the Jaeger Brigade following a combined arms live fire exercise between U.S. and Finnish forces, Rovaniemi, Finland, Aug. 11, 2022.

With his mentor looking on, Spc. Joe Garback, left, a cannon crew member with the New Jersey Army National Guards Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, plots points on a map while gearing up to go through the land navigation course during the 2016 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass., Wednesday, June 22, 2016. The competition is a mentally and physically challenging three-day event that tests Soldiers on a variety of tactical and technical skills to determine the Army Guards Soldier and noncommissioned of the year. The winners move on to compete in the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition, battling it out with Soldiers from throughout the Army to be named the Armys Soldier and NCO of the year.

Army National Guard Soldiers competing in the National Guard Region V Best Warrior Competition wait for their flight at the Regional Training Center, Oklahoma City, May 16, 2022. The annual competition brings together top-tier soldiers to challenge them on a variety of Army warrior tasks and consists of eight events that promote Soldier readiness and recognizes individuals who embody the Army Values. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

U.S. Army Sgt. Whitney Belwood (left), a field artillery section chief student at the 139th Regional Training Institute, hands Moldovan National Army Lt. Victor Suceanu, a field artillery officer, an M105 round for a M119A3 Howitzer during a visit to the 139th RTI at Fort Bragg on Aug. 12, 2019. The North Carolina National Guard has partnered with Moldova for over 20 years as part of the State Partnership Program, which is created to foster military and civil sector bonds between former Soviet Union countries while conducting military-to-military and civilian-to-military activities to maintain international defensive security and to increase peace and stability across Europe.

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2D Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), direct the landing of a CH-53 helicopter with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, while conducting a forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operation during a field exercise at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 1, 2022. A FARP is a temporary site where aircraft can be refueled, allowing for sustained operations closer to the area of operation. The field exercise consisted of FARP operations, ranges, Base Recovery After Attack exercise and many other elements that prepare and allow 2nd MAW to forward deploy and engage anytime and anywhere, at a moments notice.

Soldiers from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Czech Republic conduct medical evacuation training during Exercise Combined Resolve 17 (CbR 17) at Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, May 26, 2022. CbR 17 is a United States Army Europe-Africa directed, 7th Army Training Command executed exercise that takes place at JMRC from May 20 to June 19, 2022. The event is designed to evaluate and assess a unit's ability to conduct operations in a complex, multi-domain simulated battle space. The focus of the rotation is to exercise combined arms operations in a multinational environment.

U.S Army soldiers from 18th Field Artillery competing for the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad by plotting their land navigation points on Fort Bragg, N.C Dec 6. A squad from 18th FA start plotting their land navigation points to make it to their medical lane during the XVIII Airborne Corps' Best Squad Separate Brigades.

Providers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division conduct a UH-60 jump on Fort Bragg, NC, March 30, 2022. The jump serves to bring awareness to the Army's SHARP program.

A Soldier from the Officer Candidate School receives insruction from cadre before 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.

U.S. service members establish a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, at North Auxiliary Airfield, South Carolina, Oct. 19, 2022. HIMARS are air-transportable precision rocket systems capable of firing a variety of conventional, precision-guided ballistic munitions.

U.S. Army Soldiers attend the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Marksman Training Course taught by the Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) instructors at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, December 6, 2022. CATC offers individual training and professional education for U.S. Army Soldiers, Department of the Army and host nation civilians, and multinational partners through the most efficient and effective means available to ensure readiness and interoperability.

GULFPORT, Miss. (May 6, 2022) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, conduct counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) casualty response training aboard Woolmarket Small Arms Range. NMCB 1 is conducting an intense homeport training plan to expand their ability to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater operations.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Keith Armstrong, Reserve Officer Training Corps, South Dakota State University, evaluates a squad of soldiers creating range cards during the 152nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalions first annual Best Squad Competition at Dakota Nature Park in Brookings, S.D., Sept. 11, 2022. The SDSU ROTC program sent a squad of cadets to compete as well as cadre to support the competition.

U.S. Army Pacific Best Warrior competitors conducted Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction Systems training June 7 during the 2022 USARPAC Best Warrior Competition at the 25th Infantry Division's Lightning Academy, Schofield Barracks East Range, Hawaii. The USARPAC BWC 2022 is an annual week-long competition consisting of competitors from multiple USARPAC units across the Indo-Pacific. The noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers are evaluated in several categories such as general military knowledge, basic Soldier skills, and physical fitness.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Tobey, a public affairs mass communications specialist for the 361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element, photographs Soldiers of the 317th Engineer Company, 863rd Engineer Battalion, 372nd Engineer Brigade, prepare a Bangalore torpedo charge July 26, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldiers conducted a breach-in-stride demolition range to build charge familiarization and practice safety procedures while working with C-4 explosive agent.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Thomas Ward, left, and Lance Cpl. Patrick Thompson, combat engineers, with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Aircraft Group 31, dig a trench for an expedient ditching charge made from dynamite during a demolition range at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 24, 2022. MWSS-273 conducted a demolition range at Fort Stewart to provide Marines with the necessary training to safely employ different types of charges for different scenarios they may encounter.

U.S. Army Soldiers compete in the Best Medic Competition for Medical Readiness Command, East on Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Nov. 7, 2022. The competition included a 4-mile road march, nighttime land navigation, daytime land navigation, a stress shoot and a health service support brief on the second day.

Cadets from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hills Army ROTC Ranger Challenge Team complete the Cognitive Skills Challenge event on Oct. 15, at Fort AP Hill, Va. During the Ranger Challenge, 38 teams competed in a round robin style event attempting to earn a spot in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition hosted by West Point Military Academy. | Photo by Amy Turner, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Soldiers listen to their team captain during a field training exercise mission brief.

The United States Army's most qualified uniformed interrogation teams met at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to compete in the inaugural Army Interrogation Olympics to determine the Army's Best Interrogation Team of the Year. Military Intelligence Soldiers from Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard components met and thrived in an austere field environment while refining and improving individual and collective HUMINT, analytical, leader, and Soldier skills. The competition was hosted by the 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade from August 8 to 10, 2022.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Daman, an observer coach/trainer for 1st Training Support Battalion, 383rd Infantry Regiment, 181st Multifunctional Training Brigade, leads an after-action review of a convoy and building clearing training mission conducted by Soldiers of the 384th Military Police Battalion, 300th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, as part of Spartan Warrior III June 21, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Spartan Warrior III gave the 300th MP Brigade the opportunity to practice multiple levels of military police procedures across two weeks.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ivan Haltrop, a machine gunner with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, fires an M240B medium machine gun from a Utility Task Vehicle during a Tactical Small Unit Leader Course, on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, July 28, 2022. This training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed small-unit leadership. 3/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Haltrop is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

U.S. Navy Sailors with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five, conduct a brief prior to bomb disposal robot training during Valiant Shield 2022, at Naval Base Guam, June 13, 2022. The Sailors removed physical, manmade, and explosive threats impeding the force's ability to maneuver on land and sea, enabling freedom of movement for the fleet and joint force. In doing so, they refined expeditionary warfare skills and enhanced their integration ability with the fleet and joint force.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Basic cadets from the Class of 2026 complete the assault course at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Jacks Valley in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 13, 2022. Basic Cadet Training is a six-week indoctrination program to guide the transformation of new cadets from being civilians to military academy cadets prepared to enter a four-year officer commissioning program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

Tunisia Maj. Wagdi Nehdi, Logistical Commander of the Tunisian Army, observes maintenance procedures performed by U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Craig Krantz, a Motor Officer for the 960th Brigade Support Battalion, Wyoming Army National Guard, in Sheridan, Wyoming, May 17, 2022, on a State Partnership Program visit. The purpose of the SPP is to enhance military ties and strengthen partnerships with countries worldwide. The Wyoming National Guard partnered with the African nation of Tunisia in 2004 and continues to further their relationship with educational exchanges like these.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 404th Civil Affairs Battallion await rotation during cold load training during Operation Viking at Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass., July 20, 2022. Operation Viking is an intense joint task force exercise designed to prepare Soldiers with realistic training simulating deployment of civil affairs units in direct support of a contingency operation in Africa.

FORT MCCOY, Wis. - Approximately 15 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from Army Reserve Medical Command (AR-MEDCOM) out of Pinellas Park, Florida, collaborate together as cadre members to plan, setup and prepare for the upcoming 2023 AR-MEDCOM Best Warrior Competition here on March 27, 2023. Led by Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Boudnik, the AR-MEDCOM Command Sergeant Major, the group has performed an extensive array of pre-execution tasks and procedures prior to the event start."If we plan ahead, plan accordingly and make sure that we have assistance on every station, we can always execute and proceed with our mission," said U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Michael Bennett, a practical nursing specialist and readiness NCO for AR-MEDCOM.For this year's iteration of the event, nine entrants will compete against one another for the titles of Best NCO and Best Junior Soldier of 2023 AR-MEDCOM BWC."I believe that our common goal for this event is to give the competitors the best experience and the most rea

Joint training exercise with Det 2. 6 Co. 3/238th AVN MEDEVAC, Cox Health and Missouri State Highway Patrol at Hercules Glade Wilderness, Bradleyville, Mo., Oct. 06, 2022. Multiple Missouri departments teamed up to practice life-saving MEDEVAC scenarios. (Photo by U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Rose Di Trolio.)

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Powell, assigned to the Ohio Army National Guard 1-134th Field Artillery, directs his team on the proper positioning of their 105 millimeter light artillery cannon as part of exercise Northern Strike 22-2 at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 10, 2022. Northern Strike is designed to challenge 7,400 service members with multiple forms of training that advance interoperability across multicomponent, multinational and interagency partners. (Michigan Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Robert Douglas).

Cadets qualify with M4 carbines as part of their Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky., June 12, 2022. Cadets needed to get a 23 out of 40 to get a passing grade in the test. | Erinn Finley, CST Public Affairs Office

220507-A-ST150-GR22-Photo 8// U.S. Army Reservist Spc. Christian Cote, a public affairs specialist with the 372nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, captures video footage of Soldiers from 172nd CBRNE Company, 2nd platoon decontamination team while setting up their equipment to react to a simulated nuclear disaster, at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Ind., May 5, 2022. The simulated nuclear disaster is a part of Guardian Response, a multi-component Homeland Emergency Response Exercise conducted by the Army Reserves 78th Training Division.

Members of Squad 2, representing Cyber Center of Excellence, participate in day 1 of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Best Squad Competition Sept. 12, 2022 at Fort Benning, Georgia. TRADOCs Best Squad competition highlights 10 squads from across the enterprise. This competition shows each team's ability to complete common Soldier tasks and skills as a cohesive, ready and resilient team, while facing stiff competition from other TRADOC centers of excellence. The competition is from Sept. 12-16, 2022 at Fort Benning, Georgia.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stand in a line to check and clear their rifles after an M4A1 carbine qualification at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, July 19, 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.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt David Mauney, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, clears the perimeter of a field during Exercise Citadel Guardian at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 7, 2024. During the exercise, engineers were tasked with establishing a forward operating base, or FOB, while simultaneously conducting threat deterrence tactics and executing their primary duties. Air Force

On July 21, 2022, the 433rd Training Squadron learns military history and structure at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The 433rd TRS was in week four of Basic Military Training.

U.S. Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) conduct a live-fire close quarters battle exercise at the Tier 1 Group (T1G) compound near Memphis, Tennessee, April 4, 2023. The training at T1G enhanced MSPFs knowledge of weapons and tactics, breaching, operational medicine, and lethality in preparation for the 26th MEUs upcoming deployment.

The New Jersey Army National Guard 114th Infantry Regiment and 150th Aviation Regiment conduct air assault insertion and company attack at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 10, 2023. This exercise trained on warrior tasks and demonstrated combat capabilities in preparation for Joint Regional Training Center Rotation May 2023.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Isaac Garcia, (left), a rifleman, and Lance Cpl. Samuel Adams, (right), a machine gunner, with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, conduct a live-fire machine gun range on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, August 31, 2022. This training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed small-unit leadership. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Garcia is a native of Eagle River, Alaska. Adams is a native of Mason, Ohio.

Indiana National Guard Pfc. Felix Sereicikas, a combat engineer with 776th Engineer Battalion, fires a 12-gauge breacher round into a door while practicing breaching procedures at Camp Atterbury, Ind., Aug. 19, 2022. Army engineers are experts in mobility, counter-mobility, engineering and survival.

Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Nicholas Ross instructs an Air Force JROTC member on the proper operation of the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a Guard for a Day (GFAD) event at Camp Rilea near Warrenton, Ore., March 4, 2023. The GFAD was hosted by Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 821 Troop Command Battalion and gives potential recruits the chance to immerse themselves in the National Guard experience.

Army Reserve 2022 Best Squad Competitors Pfc. Jordan Watson, representing the 332nd Medical Brigade, and Spc. Isaiah Gutierrez, representing the 492nd Engineer Command, approach the finish line of the 12 Mile Foot March, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, May 17, 2022. Approximately 40 Soldiers from across the nation traveled to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, to compete in the 2022 U.S. Best Squad Competition from May 14-21, 2022. The 2022 BSC is an annual competition that brings together the best Soldiers and squads from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of "Best Warrior" and "Best Squad" among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual and collective ability to adapt and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-focused events that test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue. (Army Reserve photo by Spc. Brandon Levy)

Army National Guard Soldiers prepare for a weapons qualifications challenge at the National Guard Region V Best Warrior Competition, Camp Gruber Training Center, Okla., May 18, 2022. The annual competition brings together top-tier soldiers to challenge them on a variety of Army warrior tasks. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

Spc. Nathaniel Miska, a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist with the 850th Engineer Company loads his magazine for the Croatian service rifle as part of the weapons qualification task during the Croatian Best Soldier Competition on May 24, 2022, near Slunj, Croatia. Croatia and Minnesota have worked together for over 25 years as part of the National Guards State Partnership Program which enable them to particpate in events like this. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sydney Mariette)

Finnish soldiers assigned to Satakunta Jaeger Battalion and U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, look for simulated explosive ordnance scattered across the ground during Finnish unexploded ordnance and mine awareness training at Säkylä, Finland, July 14, 2022. The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the Pori Brigade of the Finnish army began summer training in Finland to strengthen relations and help build interoperability between the two nations.

U.S. Army Col. Michael Kloepper, commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher D. Clapin move toward an objective after exiting a U.S. Air Force 86th Air Wing C-130 Hercules aircraft during airborne operation at Juliet Drop Zone, Pordenone, Italy, Oct. 5, 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.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 20th Security Forces Squadron (20th SFS) receive an evaluation debrief of their operations after completing an active shooter exercise at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sep. 26, 2022. Upon completion of the active shooter exercise 20th SFS Airmen received feedback and additional training to further their knowledge of emergency situations.

Soldiers with the 287th Engineer Company, 168th Engineer Brigade, 184th Sustainment Command, recently conducted field demolition training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 11, 2022. The training allows the engineers to fulfill expected tasks of their profession.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bailey Dick, an information technology specialist assigned to the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, waits to engage targets at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 25, 2022. Soldiers from the 37th IBCT conducted the new M4A1 qualification course of fire, which sees Soldiers challenged by the integration of support barriers, unprompted magazine reloading, and a variety of position changes to better ensure they are prepared and ready to face combat.

Soldiers with Blanchfield Army Community Hospitals Medical Readiness Battalion hone their skills with precision, engaging in realistic scenarios reflective of the challenges anticipated in this year's Best Leader competition.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 628th Contracting Squadron work together to decrypt a code during the combat skills competition on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 14, 2024. The competition serves as part of a greater initiative known as Forging Warrior Hearts, which aims to ensure Airmen are physically and mentally ready to support the mission. Air Force

Army Reserve Sgt. Christine Won, 99th Readiness Division, (right) helps Army Reserve Capt. Danielle Rant, U.S. Army Reserve Command, adjust her rifle sling at Camp Ethan Allen Vermont on July 19, 2022. The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition (CIOR MILCOMP) is a three-day team competition consisting of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations in Europe. It has been around since 1957. The competition is open to all reserve components for both NCO and officer. It is now run on a volunteer basis and funded by former competitors through an alumni association.

U.S. Army Reserve Spc William Barrett, right, assigned to the 452nd Combat Support Hospital, 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) based in Milwaukee, asks for advice from Spc. Ashley Carson as he prepares to drag a collapsible litter holding a "casualty" under a wire obstacle during a litter obstacle course on Fort McCoy, Wis., Sept. 16, 2022. Spc. Nicholas Radtke, left, and Sgt. Matthew Breitrick look on.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade complete the best squad ruck march during Bayonet Week at Grafenwoehr, Germany, June 28, 2023. Bayonet Week is a series of competitive events within the 173rd Airborne Brigade that inspire all Sky Soldiers to honor their heritage during the last week of June. These events take place in both Germany and Italy and consist of tournament-style competitions that test strength, endurance, speed, knowledge and indomitable spirit as individuals and teams.

U.S. Army Sgt. Tyler Singletary, representing U.S. Army Europe and Africa, conducts a weapon disassembly and functions check after completing a 12 mile ruck march during the Army's first-ever Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 3, 2022. Each squad competing in the Army Best Squad Competition consists of five Soldiers; a squad leader, which is a sergeant first class or staff sergeant; a team leader, which is a sergeant or corporal; and three squad members in the ranks of specialist or below.

A U.S. Army National Guard soldier participating in the 2022 Army National Guard Region One Best Warrior Competition fires an M4A1 carbine from a sitting position during a stress shoot at Joint Base Cape Cod, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, May 11, 2022. Each competitor would engage targets from a prone, sitting and standing position after performing a series of exercises meant to induce fatigue and stress to mimic conditions found while conducting combat operations.

From left, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael D. Bystry, Commander, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, U.S. Army Col. Matthew S. Woodruff, Chief of Staff, Joint Forces Headquarters, Ohio National Guard, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John C. Harris, Jr., Adjutant General, Ohio National Guard and Hungarian Ground Forces Brig. Gen. János Somogyi discuss annual training exercise Northern Strike, Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 12, 2022. Harris toured Camp Grayling with Somogyi to observe the massive exercise, which fielded over 2,000 Ohio and Michigan National Guard Soldiers, building interoperability and cohesion between the two allied forces.

Soldiers of the 2nd of the 151st Infantry Battalion, from the Indiana Army National Guard, practice crowd and riot control tactics with the German Bundeswehr(Army) at Hohenfels Training Center, Germany, on October 7, 2022. Task Force Nighthawk is training to be the 31st rotation of U.S. forces to support Operation Joint Guardian in Regional Command East, KFOR in Kosovo.

Soldiers of the 2nd of the 151st Infantry Battalion, from the Indiana Army National Guard, practice crowd and riot control tactics with the German Bundeswehr(Army) at Hohenfels Training Center, Germany, on October 7, 2022. Task Force Nighthawk is training to be the 31st rotation of U.S. forces to support Operation Joint Guardian in Regional Command East, KFOR in Kosovo.

Maj. Gen. David Lesperance, the commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division, speaks with the Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division during a visit to the unit on Apr. 8, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Anthony Iovinelli, an Aircrew Flight Equipment specialist with the 182nd Operations Support Squadron, and Tech. Sgt David Foster, an Intelligence analyst, with the 169th Airlift Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, look to the next location after Iovinelli uses the compass during a land navigation exercise at Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, June 3, 2022. The 182nd OSS and 169th Airlift Squadron participated in a multi-capable Airman training exercise at Volk Field CRTC June 2 to June 4, 2022.

U.S. Army ROTC Cadets assigned to the U.S. Army Cadet Command 2nd Brigade accept awards for placing first overall during the Ranger Challenge at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. on Oct. 23, 2022.The competition is conducted over two days on a non-tactical course. The mission is to challenge Cadets' mental and physical toughness and to develop leadership while fostering teamwork and esprit-de-corps. Teams participate in nine graded events, each team is awarded points based on how well they perform in each event. The best team in each event is awarded a trophy for being the first, second, and third place teams. The number one team is The Ranger Challenge Winner for that year.

U.S. Air National Guard Security Forces Airmen transport a simulated injured victim during PATRIOT 24, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Feb. 19, 2024. PATRIOT is a Domestic Operations disaster-response training exercise conducted by National Guard units working with federal, state and local emergency management agencies and first responders. Air National Guard

A group of U.S. Army Paratroopers, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and Warrior Training Center, walks in formation to board the aircraft with their T-11 parachute during Exrcise Falcon Leap on Eindhoven Air Base, Eindhoven, Netherlands., Sep. 13, 2022. More than 1000 Paratroopers from all over the world, 13 different nationalities, multiple airdrops per day, and training with each other equipment for two weeks. this is NATO's largest technical airborne exercise

Army National Guard Soldiers competing in the National Guard Region V Best Warrior Competition board their flight at the Regional Training Center, Oklahoma City, May 16, 2022. The annual competition brings together top-tier soldiers to challenge them on a variety of Army warrior tasks and consists of eight events that promote Soldier readiness and recognizes individuals who embody the Army Values. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

Soldiers of the 2nd of the 151st Infantry Battalion, from the Indiana Army National Guard, practice crowd and riot control tactics with the German Bundeswehr(Army) at Hohenfels Training Center, Germany, on October 7, 2022. Task Force Nighthawk is training to be the 31st rotation of U.S. forces to support Operation Joint Guardian in Regional Command East, KFOR in Kosovo.

Soldiers of the 2nd of the 151st Infantry Battalion, from the Indiana Army National Guard, practice crowd and riot control tactics with the German Bundeswehr(Army) at Hohenfels Training Center, Germany, on October 7, 2022. Task Force Nighthawk is training to be the 31st rotation of U.S. forces to support Operation Joint Guardian in Regional Command East, KFOR in Kosovo.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 20th Security Forces Squadron (20th SFS) approach a building in formation while conducting an active shooter exercise at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sep. 26, 2022. 20th SFS Airmen demonstrated their knowledge and proficiency during a real world active shooter exercise.

Best Ranger -- Downed Pilot Scenario

Det 2, C Co. 1-171st General Support Aviation Battalion Conducting Cold and Hot Load Training off Florida ave. on the JB MDL Fort Dix Base. (Images provided by the U.S. ASA Fort Dix (TSC) Training Support Center / Dan Amburg)

A U.S. Marine with 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) (right), a French Army soldier (center), and service members with the United Arab Emirates Presidential Guard participate in a combined arms live-fire range as part of the culminating event of Exercise Burmese Chase on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 26, 2022. Exercise Burmese Chase is a longstanding fire support exercise hosted by 2nd ANGLICO focused on improving combat readiness and strengthening relationships with allies and partners.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Samuel Herbert, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, Personnel Retrieval and Processing Company (-) teaches a search and recovery exercise to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Michigan National Guard, at Northern Strike 22-2 in Grayling, Mich., Aug. 8, 2022. Northern Strike focuses on the Armed Forces ability to train the warfighter in any environment across the continuum so our nation can compete, deter, and win today and tomorrow.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Basic cadets from the Class of 2026 complete the obstacle course at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Jacks Valley in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 15, 2022. Basic Cadet Training is a six-week indoctrination program to guide the transformation of new cadets from being civilians to military academy cadets prepared to enter a four-year officer commissioning program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

Army Sgt. Sarah Collamore removes her gear after a ruck march for the Kentucky National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky. on Nov. 11, 2022. Collamore and other competitors are required to ruck 12 miles in order to get a chance to represent their state at the regional competition.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 10th Special Forces Group train on the M136 AT4 light anti-tank weapon during a live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adrienne Lecrone, left, a medical technician with the 193rd Special Operations Medical Group, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and Staff Sgt. Cody Lach, a joint terminal attack controller with the 148th Air Support Operations Squadron, 193rd Special Operations Wing, evacuate a casualty during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care course, Jan. 12, 2018, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. The Airmen completed a Field Training Exercise on the final day of training where they focused on the three phases of TCCC, care under fire, tactical field care, and tactical evacuation care.

Soldiers share an early congratulations near the end of the Norwegian Foot March at Fort Ord National Monument, Calif., Oct. 28. The 229th Military Intelligence Battalion organized the event to maintain readiness, increase resiliency and build esprit de corps.

U.S. Police Officers assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams from police departments across South Carolina participate in advanced firearms drills during the 2022 SWAT Summit at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Columbia, South Carolina, Sept. 28, 2022. The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy hosted a weeklong Federal Bureaus of Investigation Special Weapons and Tactics summit to train law enforcement officers in firearms, close quarters combat, tactical medical care, patrolling tactics and familiarize officers with improvised explosive devices.

Soldiers with Blanchfield Army Community Hospitals Medical Readiness Battalion hone their skills with precision, engaging in realistic scenarios reflective of the challenges anticipated in this year's Best Leader competition.

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