Military Award Ceremonies

U.S. Army soldiers receiving awards and commendations during formal ceremonies, depicting camaraderie and celebration of service.

U.S. Soldiers stand at the position of parade rest during a German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship awards ceremony at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 15, 2022. The German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship is awarded to soldiers proficient in marksmanship and is an official military award authorized for wear only by enlisted service members.

Lt. Col. Gregory Polk, the Task Force Pioneer commander, shakes hands with a U.S. Soldier during an award ceremony at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 22, 2022. As part of Army tradition, Task Force Pioneer facilitates mass ceremonies to present awards and recognize exemplary accomplishments.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno shakes the hand of a Soldier after presenting him with an Army Commendation medal for Valor during a ceremony at Forward Operation Base Zangabad, Afghanistan Sept. 18, 2012. The medals were presented to Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Odierno is in Afghanistan visiting troops and meeting with leadership.

U.S. Soldiers stand at the position of parade rest during a German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship awards ceremony at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 15, 2022. The German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship is awarded to soldiers proficient in marksmanship and is an official military award authorized for wear only by enlisted service members.

U.S. Army soldiers, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, inspects their vehicle during Motorpool Monday. Motorpool Monday is conducted weekly to ensure all vehicles are working efficiently.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Victor Matos Jr., left, with Leader Training Brigade, U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, talks to a group of U.S. Soldiers at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, June 23, 2022. Matos and U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Michael Villerot, both Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) validators, trained U.S. Soldiers mobilized in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve on grading standards for the ESB and also validated lanes for the ESB test hosted by leaders with 90th Aviation Support Battalion, 11th Combat Aviation Brigade, deployed as Task Force Eagle.

Col. Steve Mattingly, 138th Field Artillery Brigade commander, pins the Combat Action Badge onto Staff Sgt. Garrick Timson of the 1-158 Infantry Regiment Charlie Company during the Combat Action Badge ceremony, Jordan, Feb. 13, 2024. The Combat Action Badge (CAB) is a United States military award given to Soldiers for being present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy. Army

030205-M-0523L-045. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Commando Country: Kuwait (KWT)

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Myers, an automotive maintenance warrant officer for 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, smiles as he speaks with Soldiers who are installing a new transmission at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, July 5, 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.

Lt. Col. Alfred Grethe, the Senior National Representative for Germany, congratulates a U.S. Soldier during a German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship awards ceremony at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 14, 2022. The German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship is awarded to soldiers proficient in marksmanship and is an official military award authorized for wear by enlisted service members.

Col. Michael Beck passes the 95th Troop Command guidon to Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Brown during a Change of Responsibility ceremony held at the Regional Training Institute Plaza, Fort Harrison, Mont. on July 19. Brown assumed responsibility of the unit from Command Sgt. Maj. Frederick Haerter.

U.S. Army Col. Steve Martinelli, the incoming commander of the 115th Regional Support Group, speaks during the Change of Command ceremony, May 1, 2022, in Roseville, California.

Combat Engineers of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Brigade Engineer Battalion prepare to clear debris around Mariner Hospital in Tavernier, Florida. During the wake of Hurricane Irma, Guardsmen, law enforcement, and civilian counterparts, have begun working together in order to restore access and utilities to impacted areas throughout Florida.

Candidates carry a piece of M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank track during the spur ride. The 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team hosted a spur ride, May 5-6, 2022, at Camp Hovey, Republic of Korea; rich in cavalry tradition, a spur ride tests a candidate's physical and mental toughness, those who successfully make it through the trials are awarded silver spurs.

From left, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Anthony Dennis, 272nd brigade commander, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Mark Gorzynski, commander of the 1-119th Field Artillery Regiment, Michigan National Guard and Latvian National Armed Forces Maj. Guntis Tauriņš, 1st Battalion Commander, speak in the tactical operations center during exercise Summer Shield at Forward Operating Site Adazi, Latvia, May 25, 2022. Summer Shield, led by Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade is one of multinational training exercises in Eastern Europe that make up Defender Europe 22 exercise, led by U.S Army Europe and Africa. Defender demonstrates U.S. Army Europe and Africas ability to conduct large-scale ground combat operations across multiple theaters supporting NATO.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Andrew Ganey, right, and Command Sgt. Maj. Darrell Walls, the command team for the 56th Artillery Command, laugh together during Distinguished Visitors Day of Exercise Dynamic Front 24 at Polatlı Training Area, Türkiye, Feb. 19, 2024. Exercise Dynamic Front 24 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-directed, 56th Artillery Command-led fires-centric exercise in Germany and Türkiye. Artillery Soldiers train in a joint-combined environment, focusing on fire interoperability, command and control between multinational units, and using Artillery Systems Cooperation Activities protocol systems. Army Reserve

U.S. Army Col. Randy Lau, brigade commander, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, awards the California Medal of Merit to California State Guard Lt. Col. Charles Kim, staff judge advocate for Allied Maritime Command, for his service to the 79th IBCT during XCTC-2021 at Kearny Mesa Armory, Calif., on June 5, 2022. The California Medal of Merit is awarded to a person that distinguishes himself/herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the State of California or the United States. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Simone Lara)

The Week of the Warrior continues as competitors from the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division finish the third day of events, May 3, 2022, on Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. The third day saw the Soldiers complete an air assault from Camp Casey to Camp Humphreys and complete a course that tested various warrior tasks and battle drills. (U.S. Army by Sgt. Yongha Hwang)

More than 600 Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers, joined by Soldiers from the Montana, Oregon, Ohio and South Carolina Army National Guards, have been training in Fort Bliss, Texas, since mobilizing from Gowen Field in early August. The task force, Task Force Rattler, will deploy to Southwest Asia later this month in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they will rotate out with 250 Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard as well as Soldiers from the Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida Army National Guards. Each rotation is approximately 12 months. Soldiers from the 118th Infantry Regiment from South Carolina National Guard and the 285th Medical Company from the Ohio National Guard are also part of Task Force Rattler, which provide the task force the ability to execute combined arms maneuvers. The intense training at Fort Bliss consisted of long hours with day and night combined arms maneuver missions with the Idaho Army National Guard shooting 120mm mortar rounds from M113 A

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion, 351st Civil Affairs Command, USACAPOC, huddle together to give a unit cheer after successfully conducting a comprehensive simulated training exercise designed to test their ability to assess a village and engage key leaders August 27, 2022, in Junction City, a part of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. The National Training Center at Fort Irwin regularly hosts U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard troops who utilize the simulated villages, training areas and ranges to create realistic and relevant training events.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, commanding general of U.S. Army Central (right), accompanied by Command Sgt. Maj. Robert W. Hartzog, command sergeant major of 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, "Task Force Mustang" (center), receives greetings from Capt. Jacob R. McIntosh, executive officer for Bravo Company, 449th General Support Aviation Battalion, assigned as "Task Force Dark Horse" to the 36th CAB, at Udairi Landing Zone on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Sept. 17, 2022. 36th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Mustang, is deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist, and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh, the common Arabic term for IS or ISIS, within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, commanding general of U.S. Army Central (center), receives greetings from Col. Scott P. Nicholas, commander of 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, "Task Force Mustang," 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard (right), and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rick Dillenbeck, command chief warrant officer of Task Force Mustang, during his visit to Udairi Landing Zone at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Sept. 17, 2022. 36th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Mustang, is deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist, and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh, the common Arabic term for IS or ISIS, within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

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.

Leadership from the Wisconsin National Guard, including Maj. Gen. Paul E. Knapp, Wisconsin's Adjutant General, visited soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery and 132nd Brigade Support Battalion, both a part of the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, during Northern Strike 23-1 on Jan. 25 in Camp Grayling, Mich. Northern Strike is a winter exercise hosted by the Michigan National Guard, and took place at Northern Michigans National All-Domain Warfighting Center from Jan. 20-29.

040103-F-1545M-068. Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

The 2-151 Infantry Battalion Task Force Nighthawk command team conducts a site survey Oct. 14, 2022, of the training areas on the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany. These Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) sites will be utilized for the upcoming exercise as the unit prepares for their mission in support of KFOR 31. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Anna Pongo, 111th Public Affairs Detachment, Nebraska National Guard)

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Shawn Tabankin the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Zeller, the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment senior enlisted advisor, cases the battalions colors during a ceremony at Fort Bliss Tx., Sep. 6. The units colors were cased to signify that the unit has finished its training and is ready to deploy overseas. The colors will be unfurled in Africa when the unit assumes responsibility for a security mission as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Jacobson, the 724th Air Expeditionary Air Base Squadron commander addresses fire protection specialists from the unit prior to pushing a new P-24 Pumper fire engine into its stall at Nigerien Air Base 201, Niger, June 3, 2022. The reception of the new engine enhances the Fire and Emergency Services Flights mission capability, effectively doubling the structural and technical rescue capabilities the flight provides to the installation.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Rich Neely, the Adjutant General of Illinois and Commander of the Illinois National Guard coined five Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen after Univision interviews at the Illinois Army National Guard's North Riverside armory. Governor JB Pritzker issued an emergency disaster proclamation on Sept. 14 and activated approximately 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to ensure all state resources are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago. More than 60 percent of the Soldiers and Airmen activated are Spanish speakers. The proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies, in close coordination with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and other local governments, to ensure the individuals and families receive the assistance they need. This includes transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments, and other necessary care and services.

Staff Sgt. Michael Lincks, Missouri National Guard, walks to his lane before firing on the known distance range during the National Guard Region V Best Warrior competition at Camp Gruber Training Center, Okla., May 18, 2022. Army National Guard Soldiers from across six states test their physical and mental proficiency to earn the title Best Warrior at Camp Gruber Training Center, May 15-20, 2022. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Stone)

Lt. Col. Anthony Williams, the outgoing 3rd Battalion, 345th Regiment Training Support Battalion commander, shares a moment of gratitude with Col. William Shoemate II, the 188th IN BDE commander, during a Change of Command ceremony at the Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart June 28, 2023.

U.S. Army Pfc. Austin Gore, left, a mechanic assigned to Apache Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, stands with U.S. Army Sgt. Adonis Glover, shop foreman for Apache Troop, 4-10 Cav as they discuss the next steps with the mechanics during annual services at Trzebień, Poland, July 18, 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.

Kentucky Army National Guard's 1st Sgt. Naarah Stallard, NCOIC and translator with Kentucky's State Partnership Program, explains the use of one of the urban training sites to servicemembers from Ecuador at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky. on June 29, 2022. Ecuadorian enlisted servicemembers visited the 238th RTI to exchange instructor techniques and procedures in part of the State Partnership Program.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, conduct a safety brief preceding a Browning M2 .50 Caliber Heavy Machine Gun Qualification Range at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Feb. 29, 2024. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, assigned to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe, works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater to defend the NATO alliance. Army

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, and his senior enlisted advisor, SEA Tony Whitehead, visit Soldiers led by the California National Guard's 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team on rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, July 26, 2022. Fort Polk is a premier training center that provides rigorous and realistic pre-deployment training for thousands of Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers every year.

Staff Sgt. Jordan Dowell, a squad leader in the 186th Military Police Company, stands for a portrait at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, on July 9, 2022. Dowell and other MPs conducted training exercises along with visiting Kosovo Security Force MPs as part of the State Partnership Program.

Providers assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division discuss and prepare for convoy on Fort Bragg, NC, March 28, 2022. The Field Training Exercise ensures Paratroopers stand ready to fight, win, and meet the 18 hour deployment standard.

1st Signal Brigade hosts Light Up the Night on Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Downtown Plaza on Camp Humphreys. The event is open to all members of the USAG Humphreys community to learn about suicide, including risk factors, warning signs, statistics, treatment, and how to report about it responsibly.

U.S. Army Soldiers with Company C, 1st Battalion, 222d Aviation Regiment, perform the daily flag detail June 8, 2022 at Fort Eustis, Virginia. Flag handlers ensure correct folding of the flag and ensure the flag does not touch the ground.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Holland, the senior enlisted advisor of XVIII Airborne Corps, talks to 101st Airborne Division's Best Squad during the welcome brief for the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 25, 2022. The most influential level of leadership is at the Squad - where the majority of our Soldiers reside. Squad extends beyond a traditional infantry squad, to any small-unit group of Soldiers, connected by a leader.

US Marines from the 5th Marine Regiment, 1ST Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, Headquarters, gather at Camp Coyote, northern Kuwait and listen General (GEN) Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: USMC

Right, U.S Army Sgt. Cesar G. Garcia assigned to 839th Transportation Battalion was promoted to Staff Sgt. Left, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael S. Harrell commander of 839th Transportation Battalion gives a speech during the promotion ceremony at Camp Darby, Italy, Feb 09, 2024. Army

Col. Daniel Hoadley, 5th Bomb Wing commander, gives remarks during a retreat ceremony for National POW/MIA Recognition Day at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 30, 2022. The ceremony was a part of multiple events held to honor the sacrifices of the men, women, and their families who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Major General William Blaylock and Lt. Col. John Potter pray during the National Day of Prayer ceremony on Camp Arifjan May 5, 2022.

NORAD and USNORTHCOM J6 Senior Enlisted Leader, SGM Linwood Barrett views the plans of 52nd Brigade Engineer Battalions signal assessment certifications. Table 4 certifications will ensure signal Soldiers are properly trained on their equipment.

Maj. Gen. Andrew Rohling, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Taskforce, Africa, helps promote and congratulate members of the Tunisian Armed Forces after a joint combined arms live-fire exercise during African Lion 22 at the Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, June 26, 2022. African Lion 2022 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal of strengthening interoperability among participants and setting the theater for strategic access.

970409-F-1787R-167. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Doha Country: Qatar (QAT)

Soldiers in 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment setup a fire direction center after offloading weapon systems from C-17s. The Soldiers performed an air land raid with the help of Airmen in 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

U.S Army Ltc. Daniel Sunburg discuss with Iraq air defense leadership during a key leader engagement to advise in an Iraq led air defense operational rehearsal exercise, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Oct. 30, 2022. The mission of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve is to advise, assist and enable partner forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh, the common Arabic term for ISIS or I.S., within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

(Left) Tech. Sgt. Brian C. Melendrez, jumpmaster with the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron, checks that all of the equipment and parachute are secure on an Airman from the 148th Air Support Operations Squadron, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, during airborne training May 18, 2022, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. Each service member wwas checked several times before they jumped from the ramp the PA Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook

A U.S. Air Force Airman with the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Honor Guard marches away from a hearse after loading the remains of a service member recovered during Operation Colony Glacier at JBER, Alaska, June 26, 2022. The transfer cases will go to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, for identification of remains and personal effects before being returned to families. Operation Colony Glacier is an effort to recover the remains of service members and wreckage from a 1952 flight which had 52 military members on board. As of June 2022, 47 of the 52 service members remains have been recovered and identified.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1-163rd Combined Arms Regiment and the Jordanian Armed Forces successfully conducted a medical subject matter expert exchange during Exercise Eager Lion in Jordan, Sept. 7, 2022. Eager Lion 22 is a multilateral exercise hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, designed to exchange military expertise, and improve interoperability among partner nations.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston speaks with Squad Seven, representing the U.S Army Reserve, during the Army Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 1, 2022. The "Squad" extends beyond a traditional infantry squad to any small-unit group of Soldiers, connected by a squad leader, who has the most direct impact on their lives. Soldiers never fight alone, the unbreakable bonds forged through shared hardship and unending support for one another are the hallmark of our most successful small units.

Throughout the days and nights of Oct. 24th through Oct. 26th, 2022, four planes full of National Guard Soldiers arrived at Fort Bliss, Texas, after a yearlong deployment overseas. Leadership from Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida, shook the hands of more than 1,000 Soldiers to welcome them home upon their arrival. The majority of the Soldiers are from the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team headquartered in Boise, Idaho, with components in Montana, Nevada and Oregon. Soldiers from the Florida National Guard joined the deployment as an augmentation. The Soldiers returned home from Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield and were part of Task Force Griz, which deployed last November.

Bulgarian Land Forces Lt. Col. Velin Kehayov, commander of 42nd Mechanized Battalion, confers with U.S. Army First Sgt. Jesse Schuster, assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during an offensive field training event at Exercise Platinum Lion 2022, August 3. Exercise Platinum Lion is a battalion-level event designed to provide quality, organized and realistic training for designated military units from the United States, United Kingdom and Bulgaria. The exercise reinforces relationships in a combined training environment, builds understanding of partner nation tactics, techniques and procedures and increases interoperability with allied and partner forces.

Col. Patrick Schuck, commander, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, recognizes select 12 CAB Soldiers for rising to excellence during a battlefield circulation at Noble Partner 22, Vaziani training area in the country of Georgia, Sept. 9, 2022. Noble Partner 22 builds multinational interoperability between allied and partner nations, increasing readiness and improving multinational command and control capabilities. 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.

U.S. Air Force Col. Elizabeth Aptekar, 60th Mission Support Group commander, stands in front of the 60th MSG formation during the 60th Air Mobility Wing change of command ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 27, 2022. Gen. Kenneth Bibb, 18th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony as Col. Derek Salmi assumed command of the wing from Col. Corey Simmons.

Soldiers with 1245th Transportation Company Oklahoma Army National Guard, simulate treating a victim with an abdominal injury during Timber Haul mission in support of Golden Coyote Training Exercise in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, June 13, 2022. Golden Coyote is a three-phase scenario driven exercise conducted in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, which enables Commanders to focus on mission essentials warrior tasks and drills.

U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa receive their French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) completion certificate at Centre Dentrainment Au Combat (CECAD), Djibouti, Sept. 22, 2022, during the conclusion of the FDCC. The FDCC is a multi-day course held by the French at CECAD that challenges both U.S. and French service members by challenging the participants physically and mentally through land and water obstacles and endurance exercises while surviving in austere field conditions.

Command Sergeant Major Veronica Knapp, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) senior enlisted adviser, boards a plane alongside elements of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and 101st Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Abn. Div., June 27 at Campbell Army Airfield, Fort Campbell, Ky., to deploy to Europe. Knapp and her fellow Soldiers will be tasked with assuring NATO allies and deterring Russian aggression in the region.

Maj. Gen. Brian S. Eifler, center, 11th Airborne Division Commanding General, awards senior noncommissioned officers from the division for operating the different expert training lanes on Pershing Field Sept. 30, 2022. The senior NCO's ran and helped create the lanes, according to U.S. Army standards, that qualified the Division's Soldiers to earn their badges. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis/ 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

Combat engineers with the 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion participated in their annual training of demolition and explosive breaching through doors and wall structures on May 6, 2022. Combat engineers provide support of mobility, counter mobility and survivability for Soldiers within the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team during combat missions. Our job is to make sure that we proficiently enable our combat personnel to move from point A to point B, said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Smith, platoon sergeant with the 116th BEB. Counter mobility is to keep the enemy from moving forward, so that we can move forward with our mission. We go in and get the good guys if they are trapped or we go in where there are bad guys behind a door, and it is imperative we do this safely with maximum survivability.

U.S. Army Sgt. Rudyjon Babauta, a patriot launching operator-maintainer assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, set up the electrical power plant system of a MIM-104 Patriot during Ryukyu Vice 23.1 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 12, 2022. Ryukyu Vice is a joint, fixed-wing aviation command and control exercise that provides critical training to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing tactical air control personnel through offensive, defensive and counter-air live-flight scenarios. 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment supported Ryukyu Vice by providing Surface to Air Missile and Sensor Coverage, enabling freedom of maneuver for the exercise scenario and track correlation on the joint network.

Spc. Jonathan Casson, an infantryman with Headquarters and Headquarters Hammer Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, Iowa National Guard, observes from the open doors of a UH-60 Black Hawk while testing as a Rappel Master at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, on Sept. 14, 2022. Nearly 30 Soldiers and Airmen participated in a Rappel Master course at Camp Dodge. The course was taught by a mobile training team from the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center in Fort Benning, Georgia.

The Utah Air National Guard Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron was tasked to execute an Emergency detonation of several depleted uranium rounds that had been compromised n June 23, 2022 at Tooele Army Depot, UT.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek C. France, Third Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Heriberto Diaz, Third Air Force command chief, speak with Maj. Jeffrey Allen, 39th Maintenance Squadron commander, during their visit to Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Jan 27, 2023. Maj. Gen. France traveled to Incirlik AB to meet with Airmen, experience the wings Larger than Life weekend and observe how they support Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, and U.S. European Command objectives. Third Air Force issues directives to subordinate commands and takes action on behalf of the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander as directed. The command takes deliberate actions to develop Airmen and their families, confronts global challenges in support of the National Defense Strategy to defend our country and our allies and utilizes dedicated efforts to deliver peace to our nation and its allies by fostering stability and deterring aggression throughout Europe and Africa.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mikkah Hernandez, left, the 149th Fighter Wing noncommissioned officer in charge of the fatality search and recovery team, greets Chief Master Sergeant Maurice L. Williams, command chief of the Air National Guard, at Joint Base Lackland-San Antonio, August 13, 2022. Williams was touring different facilities around the wing.

061006-A-5332O-051. Base: Logistical Storage Area Anaconda State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Lt. Col. Shaun Cruze, commander 152nd Logistics Readiness Squadron promotes Airman 1st Class Richard Martinez to Senior Airman during the April 2022 unit training assembly roll call at Nevada Air National Guard Base, Reno.

030304-M-5150A-010. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Ripper Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 7th Marines

041214-M-4697Y-009. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Egers State: Kunar Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Maintainers from the 151st Air Refueling Wing learn essential functions of an F-18 Super Hornet from the Sailors assigned the Naval Air Station during an unprecedented joint exercise on Aug. 30, 2022 at Fallon, Navada. This joint force exercise will develop new operational concepts, capabilities and plans to bolster deterrence and maintain the U.S. militarys competitive advantage for the future.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Wayne Don, Director of the Joint Staff, Alaska National Guard meets with Mongolian and U.S. Army forces leadership while observing the Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Cordon and Search Lanes during a visit to the Five Hills Training Area, June 7, 2022. The exercise focuses on peace keeping operations (PKO) within a realistic scenario and coordination with humanitarian organizations and host nation partners.

A U.S. Soldier assigned to Task Force Pioneer places a patrol cap reflecting the appropriate rank on a newly promoted soldier at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 6, 2022. As part of Army tradition, Task Force Pioneer facilitates a monthly mass ceremony to promote soldiers, present awards and recognize exemplary accomplishments.

U.S. Army Col. Derek A. Smith, commander of 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, shakes hands with U.S. Army Sgt. Marvin Mira, a petroleum supply specialist with 2-158th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry, gifting him with a challenge coin in the process at the battalions forward arming and refueling point (FARP), Lop Buri, Thailand, Feb. 28, 2024, during Cobra Gold 2024. Exercise Cobra Gold 24 reinforces the foundation and framework necessary to respond rapidly and effectively to regional crises. Army

030329-F-6449C-028. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base Country: Romania (ROM)

Staff Sgt. Frank Gutierrez talks with Staff Sgt. Travis W. Hill from Friend, Neb., and is assigned to the 922nd Trailer Transfer Point, before beginning the Urban Warfighting Orientation Course phase of the 2009 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition. Gutierrez was the 2008 USARC Best Warrior Competition and was at this years event as a guest blogger for the competition. The competition brought 28 Soldiers and non-commissioned officers from Guam to New Hampshire to Fort McCoy to determine the best of the Army Reserve. The Army Reserve winners will then compete in the Department of the Army competition held later this year at Fort Lee, Va.

040825-A-6748E-023. Base: Forward Operating Base Normandy State: Diyala Country: Iraq (IRQ)

KFOR multinational partners participate in Medical Evacuation training conducted by Task Force Pegasus Soldiers, at Camp Novo Selo July 13, 2022. Training like this builds interoperability between the Army and its multinational partners.

(220609-N-OI810-0176) GULFPORT, Mississippi (June 9, 2022) Senior Chief Equipment Operator Michael Stewart, Safety Chief of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 14, speaks to Seabees at morning formation during fiscal year 2022, quarter three, Regional Training Platform (RTP-3) at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, June 9, 2022. RTP-3 provided NMCB-14 Seabees hands-on training opportunities in tactical combat casualty care; maintenance and material management; civil engineering support equipment operations; convoy operations; and Seabee combat warfare and expeditionary skills. NMCB-14 provides advance base construction, battle damage repair, contingency engineering, humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery support to our fleet and unified commanders.

050909-A-7128J-003. State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: NGB

U.S. Army Col. John B. Mountford, left, deputy commanding officer for maneuver of the 1st Infantry Division takes down notes during a tour of the base at Skwierzyna, Poland, August 9, 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.

Airmen from the 5th Security Forces Squadron stand guard in front of a B-52H Stratofortress for inspection during the exercise Prairie Vigilance at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Sept. 17, 2022. Prairie Vigilance tests the 5th Bomb Wings ability to conduct strategic-bomber readiness operations.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marcus Montgomery, a culinary management noncommissioned officer, assigned to the Gambler Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks to his Soldiers after a cooking competition at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Aug. 4, 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.

021212-M-0175R-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM 2002 Base: USS Tortuga (LSD 46) Scene Major Command Shown: CTF 52.2

U.S. Army Col. Scott P. Nicholas, commander of Task Force Mustang - 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (right), accompanied by Lt. Col. Anthony L. Marston, commander of Task Force No Mercy (1-101st Attack Helicopter Battalion), meets one of Task Force No Mercys aviators by surprise at Erbil International Airport in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, on Sept. 14, 2022. The command team of Task Force Mustang conducted an office visit with Task Force No Mercy to align leadership intent and values required as an aviation task force supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

Gen. Michael X. Garrett recognizes Sgt. 1st Class Sanders and her leader Maj. Butts during FORSCOM Safety Award ceremony Fort Hood, Texas, 11 May, 2022.The FORSCOM Safety Awards are presented by Gen. Michael X. Garrett to individuals and organizations with the most significant contributions to risk mitigation, accident prevention and safety program success.

(CAMP SHELBY, Miss.) --- Alabama National Guard Assistant Adjunct General Maj. Gen. Jerry sends rounds down range from a M2 .50 caliber heavy machine gun, July 22, 2022. Martin visited Soldiers with the 1166th Military Police Company and other units during their annual training.

Members of the Idaho Army National Guards Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment conducted air medical evacuation and casualty treatment, along with members of Detachment 1, Company Golf, 1st of the 168th General Support Aviation Battalion at the Orchard Combat Training Center, May 17.

Maj. Gen. Ben Corell, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, introduces Lt. Gen. Bashkim Jashari, commander of the Kosovo Security Force, to Col. Chris Mabis, commander of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Indiana Army National Guard, during a tour of training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on May 19, 2022. Approximately 15 KSF troops embedded with an Iowa infantry regiment during a two-week annual training exercise. Senior leaders in the IANG and KSF visited each company near the end of the exercise to observe the full integration of KSF troops and recognize Soldiers who demonstrated excellence throughout their training. Mabis took the opportunity to begin building a relationship with Kosovo leaders in anticipation of his brigades upcoming NATO deployment to Kosovo.

040114-A-1915L-025. Base: Camp Santiago State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, perform hot-pit refueling on a KC-46A Pegasus at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 13, 2022. Airmen from the 22nd Refueling Wing further developed agile combat employment skills by working alongside Airmen from the 18th Wing.

Major Cesar Unzueta, right, assistant operations officer for 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks with Lt. Cmdr. Ty Biggs, operations officer with Amphibious Squadron 4 (PHIBRON 4), while attending a live-fire exercise during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., June 8, 2010. During the 18-day training evolution, the MEU conducted several urban training exercises in a realistic environment as part of its pre-deployment training. The urban environment is among the most challenging tactical environments MEU Marines may face. 26th MEU is scheduled to deploy later this fall.

U.S. Army Col. David R. Hatcher II, right, commander of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), Hawaii Army National Guard, receives the unit colors from Lt. Col. Eric R. Miyasato Jr., left, outgoing commander of the 29th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB), 29th IBCT, during the 29th BSB change of command ceremony in Kapolei, Hawaii, Jan. 6, 2024. The change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition within the Army which commemorates the relinquishment of command by passing the unit colors from the outgoing commanding officer to the incoming commanding officer.

U.S. Army Sgt. Vanesa Cardenas, assigned to The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Theater Signal Brigade, smiles during hers promotion ceremony at Camp Humphreys, South Korea on August 8, 2022.

From left, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Keith, a Bradley Commander and Spc. Jacob Shipley, a Bradley gunner, both from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, carry out Preventive Maintenance Checks and Service (PMCS) during vehicle draw activities on the second day of the Sullivan Cup, at Fort Benning, Ga., April 26, 2022. During day 2, Sullivan Cup crews have an equipment layout, draw vehicles and conduct PMCS, to ensure that their vehicles are performance ready for the competition.

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 449th Air Expeditionary Group (AEG) and 776th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), and Soldiers with the 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, conduct a base tour for Col. Jason Chambers, incoming commander of the 449th AEG, during a base tour at Chabelley Airfield, Djibouti, May 28, 2022. The 776th EABS provides intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for AFRICOM and CENTCOM.

U.S. Army Capt. Jacob Reiber, Commander, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, talks with U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Thomas Moore II, Ohio Assistant Adjutant General for Army during a training exercise at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 12, 2022. The training exercise, Northern Strike, saw C Co join over 2,000 other Ohio and Michigan National Guard Soldiers as they trained across Camp Grayling, maintaining their readiness to be a lethal and effective fighting force.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Santiago, a task force of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, place shoulder sleeve insignia on their counterparts during a shoulder sleeve insignia ceremony, June 22, 2022, at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq. The shoulder sleeve insignia, also known as the combat patch signifies a Soldier having served duty in a hostile environment or combat zone.

Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, senior enlisted advisor to the chief, National Guard Bureau, presents a coin of excellence to Army Spc. Monica Iriarte of the Guam National Guards 1224th Engineer Support Company at an undisclosed site on Guam, May 23, 2022. Iriarte is part of a security forces mission that is manned and equipped by the Guam Guard to protect air defense assets critical to Guams defense.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston speaks to Soldiers participating in the Army Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 01, 2022. The week-long competition will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team, featuring a multitude of fitness, knowledge and combat-related events.

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