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Military Awards and Promotions

Ceremonies depicting military personnel receiving awards and promotions, highlighting service recognition, formal attire, and camaraderie among troops.

Sgt. Richard Carlson of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, a Health Care Specialist with the Minnesota National Guards Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Battalion, 94th Cavalry Regiment, shakes hands with Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew R. Metter. Carlson was one of twelve National Guard Soldiers who competed in the Region IV Best Warrior Competition May 11-15, 2022, at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, participated in an awards ceremony. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio National Guards. The winners will move on to compete in the National Guards competition on July 20-30, 2022, at Camp Smyrna, Tennessee. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Brown, 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron medical material noncommissioned officer in charge, receives a coin from Brig. Gen. Otis C. Jones, 86th Airlift Wing commander, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 21, 2022. Brown was awarded Airlifter of the Month, July 21, 2022, for his continued efforts to better the base and contribute to his team.

Col. Tammy McElhaney, left, 4th Mission Support Group commander, receives the guidon from Lt. Col. Raymond Kerr, outgoing 4th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, as he relinquishes command of the 4th CES during a change of command ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, July 22, 2022. Kerr led 365 military and civilian personnel, managed the 4th CES budget, and supported two flying wings, the 4th Fighter Wing and the 916th Air Refueling Wing.

1st Sgt. Benjamin D. Clark assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division salutes during a company Change of Command Ceremony on January 19th, 2024 at Fort Carson, Colorado

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Corey Gause, renders his first salute to the 167th Mission Support Group during a change of command ceremony at 167th Airlift Wing, Martinsburg, West Virginia, Sept. 10, 2022. Col. William Annie relinquished command to serve as the 167th AW vice wing commander.

U.S. Army Spc. RJ Koreis, assigned to 3rd Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) receives a token of appreciation from U.S. Army Col. Darcy Saint-Amant during the awards ceremony for the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P Hill, Virginia, May 23, 2022. The annual multi-day competition tests the physical, tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.

On 13 May 2022 at the Fort Dix School House Auditorium the HHC USASA Fort Dix had a Change of Command. The outgoing CDR MAJ William Jolly relinquished Command to MAJ Justin Warrick. Family and Soldiers were present during the ceremony held in the Fort Dix Schoolhouse Auditorium. Comments were made by Base Commander COL John Brierton and MAJ Foster as the narrator of the ceremony. MAJ Jolly has been the HHC Commander for the base shortly after his completion of the General Staff Course at Fort Belvoir. We welcome MAJ Warrick to his new position as the incoming CDR here at the USASA Fort Dix Base. Prior to his arrival at Fort Dix MAJ Warrick had Commanded the 80th Engineer Company, held a position as a Cybersecurity Course Manager, and instructed for the Army National Guard at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix TSC Training Support Center)

Headquarters Detachment, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center held an award ceremony for Annual Training 2022 at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, August 5, 2022.

Command Sgt. Maj. Aaron Forry, the outgoing battalion command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, passes the unit colors to his commander, Lt. Col. Casey Mills, during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony at Fort Benning, Georgia on September 30, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Col. David Vanderburg (left), 97th Mission Support Group commander, passes a guidon to Maj. Luke Restad, 97th Security Forces Squadron commander, during a change of command ceremony at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, June 13, 2022. Squadron commanders typically serve for two years before handing off the command to another officer.

Brig. Gen. Brian T. Cashman, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa deputy commanding general, meets with Capt. Trey N. Kensing, commander of Legion Company, 173 Airborne Brigade, to discuss procedures of the North and West Africa Response Force at Aviano Air Base, Italy, October 26, 2022. The 173rd is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to support our allies and partners in Northern Africa.

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.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jered Helwig, commander of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, receives a report from 1st Lt. Jonathan DeLosier, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, during exercise Cobra Gold 2023 at Lop Buri, Thailand, March 1, 2023. Exercises like Cobra Gold prepare the U.S. and Thailand to work together more effectively in times of need by allowing U.S. Army Civilians and Soldiers to practice logistical movements. Cobra Gold, now in its 42nd year, is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored training event that builds on the longstanding friendship between the two allied nations and brings together a robust multinational force to promote regional peace and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael E. Dixon, Jr. is presented as the new state command chief master sergeant of the Indiana Air National Guard during an assumption of responsibility ceremony at the 122nd Fighter Wing (FW) Air National Guard Base in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Sept. 10, 2022. Chief Master Sgt. Kyle D. Hoopingarner assumed the position of 122nd FW command chief in place of Chief Master Sgt. Michael E. Dixon, Jr. who was named state command chief master sergeant of the Indiana Air National Guard during the ceremony.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth Bibb, 18th Air Force commander, left, receives a brief from Staff Sgt. Jose Delgado, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance technician, right, during a visit to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, April 18, 2022. The 18th AF command team toured the installation to connect with members of the local community and gain insight into the innovative ways LRAFB Airmen are supporting Air Mobility Commands mission.

220726-N-PC620-0087PHILADELPHIA July 26, 2022 -- Joint Task Force Civil Support commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeff Van, left, discusses defense support of civil authorities response operations with Col. Larry Dewey, the defense coordination officer assigned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region III Defense Coordination Office, at a hotel in Philadelphia, during the Task Force 46 Multi-Domain Operations Dense Urban Terrain Exercise 2022, July 26, 2022. The DUT builds unity of effort among all partners in consequence management response and facilitates information sharing, interoperability, and coordination in response to a catastrophic incident requiring a national response effort to include civilian partners, active-duty military, National Guard and joint military forces. JTF-CS conducts CBRN response and all-hazards DSCA operations in support of the lead federal agency in order to save lives, mitigate human suffering, and prevent further injury.

Headquarters Detachment, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center held an award ceremony for Annual Training 2022 at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, August 5, 2022.

U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Hernandez, assigned to 3rd Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 8th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) receives a token of appreciation from U.S. Army Col. Darcy Saint-Amant during the awards ceremony for the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P Hill, Virginia, May 23, 2022. The annual multi-day competition tests the physical, tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.

Brig. Gen. William Ryan, the deputy commanding general of I Corps, speaks before presenting the Army Achievement Medal to four 16th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. on Jul. 14, 2022. The Soldiers were being recognized for training Corps staff on aviation warfighting functions during the Courage Warpath exercise.

Col. Christopher Kelly, outgoing 39th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron commander, relinquishes the guidon to Col. Bradley Weast, 39th Medical Group commander, during the change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, June 1, 2022. Weast then charged Lt. Col. Melissa Tennant with leading the squadron. The change of command ceremony is a long-standing military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility from one officer to another.

Col. Michael P. Wagner, chief of staff, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, receives the ceremonial first rounds fired from the Salute Battery leaders, during the 4th Inf. Div. Deputy Commanding Officer for Support and Chief of Staff Welcome Ceremony, Aug. 30, 2022, at Founders Plaza, Fort Carson, Colorado. Incoming leaders receive the first ceremonial rounds from the Salute Battery to welcome them to the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson.

970129-M-9641P-005. Subject Operation/Series: PACIFIC HAVEN Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany- Army Lt. Col. Andrew Walsh (center left) the commander of the 7th Intermediate Level Education Detachment, 7th Mission Support Command, receives the unit´s guidon from Brig. Gen. Wanda N. Williams, commander of the 7th MSC during a change of command ceremony held at the Tower View Conference Center at USAG Bavaria, Grafenwoehr Oct. 16, 2022. The 7th Intermediate Level Education Detachment educates United States and international field grade officers assigned or deployed to Army Europe, Army Africa, and Army Central areas of responsibilities in order to build and lead organizations under Mission Command in Unified Land Operations.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder (left), Office of the Secretary of the Air Force director of public affairs, and Col. Robert Firman (left center), U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa director of PA, meet with Col. Kevin McCaskey (right center), 39th Air Base Wing vice commander, and Col. Calvin Powell, 39th ABW commander, during a visit at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Aug. 4, 2022. Ryder and Firman visited Incirlik AB to meet with 39th Air Base Wing leaders, PA and American Forces Network personnel and to learn about the wings current operations and what they can do at Department of the Air Force and USAFE-AFAFRICA PA levels to support the 39th ABWs success.

Col. Michael Burghardt was joined by his co-workers, family and friends, as he retired from the Oregon Army National Guard with over 32 years of military service during a ceremony held in his honor at Camp Rilea, Warrenton, Oregon on July 8, 2022. Burghardt received his commission from Western Oregon State College ROTC in June of 1990, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Law. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Major Gen. Michael Keating, Deputy Commanding General III Armored Corps, pass the Mobilization Support Brigade (MSB) colors to Col. David Newman, during a transfer of authority ceremony, November 18th, 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas. Colonel Newman will command the MSB as they takes on the task of supporting mobilizing and demobilizing National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers.

U.S. Army Col. Dana Tourangeau, Deputy Chief of Staff of Personnel, at Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, the adjutant general of Vermont, stand at attention during the reading of retirement orders at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., May 6, 2022. Col. Tourangeau retires from the Guard after three decades of service.

U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua B. Pyers, left, commander of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group, receives the 387th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron guidon from Lt. Col. Bruce Lewis, outgoing commander of the 387th ESFS, during an inactivation ceremony at Cargo City, Kuwait, June 3, 2022. Lewis led 105 active, reserve, guard and Department of Defense contractor personnel providing security and force protection to over 400 U.S. and coalition forces.

Chief Master Sgt. Charles Clingman, Jr., retires from military service at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Sept. 10, 2022. Clingman first enlisted in 1983 and served in Philippines, Guam and Korea in addition to multiple locations in the United States during his career. During his time with the 117th Civil Engineering Squadron Clingman served as first sergeant in 2014 and was promoted to chief master sergeant in 2019.

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.

A U.S Army paratrooper from the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division prepares for airborne operations during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 15, 2022. RF-A provides training for deployed maintenance and support personnel in sustainment of large-force deployed air operations. (U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens)

Maj. Amanda Nerg, incoming 39th Contracting Squadron commander, renders her first salute to the squadron during a change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, June 10, 2022. During the ceremony, Maj. Holland Canter relinquished command to Col. Angela Herron, 39th Mission Support Group commander, who then charged Nerg with leading the squadron. The change of command ceremony is a long-standing military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility from one officer to another. Nerg previously served as the contracting section chief of the special operation forces and personnel recovery rotary wing at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.

The Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Maj. Gen. Iulian Berdilă shakes hands with U.S. Army Master Sgt. Joshua J. Gendron during an awards ceremony at V Corps main headquarters in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Oct. 13, 2022. During his visit , Berdilă briefed leaders, met with Soldiers and presented awards to Victory Corps personnel for their contributions to the strategic American-Romanian partnership.

The Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Maj. Gen. Iulian Berdilă shakes hands with U.S. Army Master Sgt. Joshua J. Gendron during an awards ceremony at V Corps main headquarters in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Oct. 13, 2022. During his visit , Berdilă briefed leaders, met with Soldiers and presented awards to Victory Corps personnel for their contributions to the strategic American-Romanian partnership.

Lt. Col. Jonathan Barber, outgoing 4th Operational Support Squadron commander, receives the Meritorious Service Medal during the 4th OSS change of command ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, April 15, 2022. The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to members of the armed services who distinguish themselves by outstanding service to the United States.

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.

Staff Sgt. Tatiana Rivera, noncommissioned-officer-in-charge with the 177th Force Support Squadron receives a 177th Maintenance Squadron patch after participating in the Maintainer for a Day program on June 24, 2022 at the 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The program provided non-aircraft maintenance Airmen with hands-on experience in the aircraft maintenance career field, giving them a chance to work on F-16 fighter jets.

The 2nd Infantry Division Artillery conducted a change of command ceremony July 6, 2022 on Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. Col. David Pasquale, the outgoing commander, relinquished his responsibilities to Col. Alexander Lee during the ceremony.

Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, 55th Chief of Engineers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general, and Col. Jamie Booth, Jacksonville District commander, assess the damage caused by Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, Oct. 3, 2022. Hundreds of USACE personnel are on the ground supporting emergency response operations such as temporary emergency power, infrastructure assessments and Operation Blue Roof.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Hergenreter, right, 422nd Air Base Squadron commander, greets U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Derek France, left, Third Air Force commander, at RAF Croughton, England, Dec. 7, 2022. The 3rd AF command team visited multiple installations throughout the 501st Combat Support Wing to recognize and speak with Airmen and civilians from across the wing.

Lt. Col. Gregory Polk, commander, Task Force Pioneer, renders a salute to a U.S. Soldier during a combined promotion and award ceremony 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. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason Potter, Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron 266 commanding officer (Left), and USMC Sgt. Maj. Trevor Highsmith, VMM-266 sergeant major (Right) unfurl the unit colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Oct. 1, 2022. The unfurling of the unit colors represents the assumption of authority for the unit over a certain mission. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Johns)

From left, Command Chaplain (Col.) Kevin Forrester, First U.S. Army, Command Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Kevin Niehoff, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and Chaplain (Maj.) Robert Gibbs, Plans and Operations chaplain, First U.S. Army, encourage all to attend the monthly church services now available at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. The next hour-long service is 11 a.m. July 10 in Heritage Hall. (Photo by Jon Micheal Connor, ASC Public Affairs)

Col. Bill Soliz, commander, Tripler Army Medical Center, pins the Army Meritorious Service Medal on Maj. Salvator Mignano, pathologist, TAMC, during a ceremony at TAMC, May 13, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kevin Coleman, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, shakes hands with Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Nov. 21, 2022. In one of the biggest DFC ceremonies in history, 51 members were awarded the highest aerial achievement in the DoD for their acts of heroism during Operations Allies Refuge.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston, adjutant general for South Carolina, visits with troops and leaders at the sandbag mission on Highway 501 in Conway, South Carolina, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. Soldiers and civilian assets moved hundreds of one-ton sandbags and placed them along the sides of the road with the goal of ensuring a dry road in and out of Myrtle Beach as flood waters rise in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

Lt. Gen. Gangsoo Heo, the commanding general of the Republic of Korea Army 7th Corps, and the command group of the ROKA Capital Mechanized Infantry Division visit the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division May 10, 2022. The visit consisted of discussions to further bolster and strengthen relationships between the organizations.

Chief Master Sgt. Alan Weary, right, installation command chief, presents a coin to Staff Sgt. Eric Mikhlin, 66th Security Forces Squadron BDOC controller, during a visit to the squadron at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Oct. 11. Mikhlin was recognized for his work during an event with the Mass. National Guard and Mass. State Police last month.

The 3rd Quarter Workforce Town Hall Ceremony was held at the Riverbend Golf Course for civilian employees to connect with the Camp Humphreys command team, June 24, 2022. During the town hall meeting, U.S. Soldiers and civilian federal employees were recognized for years of service and superior job performance.

Oklahoma National Guard Lt. Col. Tonia Toben relinquishes her command of the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to Lt. Col. Darrin Fox in a change of command ceremony held at Camp Gruber Training Center, near Braggs, Okla., May 14, 2022. Toben deployed to Iraq in 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the logistics and forward operating base mayor for two bases in Baghdad, Iraq. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Stone.)

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Diana Rogers, 35th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal superintendent, salutes Col. Michael Richard, 35th Fighter Wing commander, during a chief master sergeant release ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Dec. 1, 2022. Air Force officials selected 514 senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant for the 22E9 promotion cycle.

Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Ratliff, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, gets promoted during a ceremony at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. He was promoted by Lt. Col. Sylvester dAgrella, 386th ECES commander, on Sept. 17, 2022. Ratliffs family was able to watch his promotion ceremony via cellphone streaming. Nearly 100 firefighters, friends, fellow chiefs and leaders took part in the ceremony. Ratiff, who is deployed from the 132nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, joined the top 1-percent of enlisted members upon promoting to his new rank.

U.S. Air Force Col. Craig Prather, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, is congratulated by 47th Flying Training Wing members after returning from his finial flight in a T-6A Texan II aircraft at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, July 20, 2022. Prather was thanked and congratulated for is accomplishments and guidance during his commander and final flight.

Lt. Col. Matthew Bryan, incoming 728th Air Mobility Squadron commander, receives the guidon from Col. Dawson Brumbelow, 521st Air Mobility Operations Group commander, during the change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, June 3, 2022. The change of command ceremony is a long-standing military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility from one officer to another. Bryan previously served as the director of operations at the 721st Mobility Support Squadron, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Col. Lucas Teel, second from right, 4th Fighter Wing commander, talks to Airmen at a quarterly load crew competition at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, July 15, 2022. The competition was held to build morale and test the load crews loading capabilities.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ralph Hedenberg, left, the assistant adjutant general, Connecticut Army National Guard, presents a coin to U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew Yotka, right, an infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, Connecticut Army National Guard, during a command visit at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vermont, July 16, 2022. Yotka was given the coin for his performance as a platoon sergeant during the 102nds annual training, where he performed in a role two pay grades above his own, led two training exercise lanes and developed and refined platoon and company level standard operating procedures.

Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Gorup, the Noncommissioned Officer-Charge of the Illinois National Guard's Joint Operations Center, retired with almost 26 years of service on Sunday, May 15, during a ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Gorup spent 21 years of his career in the Infantry and deployed four times, the last being with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009. Pictured is Colonel Seth Hible, the Chief of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, presents the Meritorious Service Medal to Sgt. 1st Class Gorup during the ceremony.

USAG Wiesbaden Commander Col. David Mayfield, passes the guidon to Capt. Patrick Ledbetter - symbolizing taking command of HHC, USAG Wiesbaden. Capt. Ledbetter, in succession, passes the guidon to 1st Sgt. Johns recognizing his fidelity and leadership, as the commanders senior enlisted advisor, and his trust in Johns' ability to care for and train the Soldiers of HHC.

U.S. Air Force 59th Training Group change of command, June 24, 2022, Joint Base San Antonio-Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.

Maj. Joshua Sollee, right, incoming 378th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron commander, receives the guidon from Brig. Gen. Robert Davis, left, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, during the 378th EMXS change of command ceremony at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, April 6, 2022. The passing of a unit's guidon symbolizes a transfer of command.

Col. Barry Little, right, accepts the 341st Missile Wing guidon from Maj. Gen. Michael Lutton, left, 20th Air Force commander, during a change of command ceremony July 18, 2022, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. The 341st Missile Wings mission is to defend America with combat-ready Airmen and intercontinental ballistic missile forces.

U.S. Army Colonel James M. Brown, Command Surgeon for the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, is presented and pinned with The Meritorious Service Medal by Major General James M. Smith, Commanding General for the 21st TSC, on Panzer Kaserne, Germany, June 23, 2022. The Meritorious Service Medal is presented to Service Members who have distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service. Col. Brown led the theater with medical support for three years to include COVID-19, Operation Allies Welcome and the Ukraine crisis.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen J. LaRocque, U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz senior enlisted advisor prepares to pass the unit colors during a change of command ceremony, July 22, 2022, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Col. Reid E. Furman assumed command of the unit from Lt. Col. Jeremy A. McHugh.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, command sergeant major of the 1st Infantry Division, presents the brigadier general flag during the promotion of U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Geoffrey A. Norman, deputy commanding general of support of the 1st Infantry Division at Poznan, Poland, June 1, 2022. The 1st Infantry Division is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies.

Col. Brian D. Moore, 51st Maintenance Group commander, left, hands the newly activated 25th Fighter Generation Squadron guidon to the incoming 25th FGS commander, Maj. Timothy J. Benifield, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 1, 2022. Benifield will be the first to lead the 25th FGS as part of the Pacific Air Forces conversion to the newly official combat-orriented maintenance organization structure.

Capt. Michael Roach Jr., right, assumes command of the 167th Theater Sustainment Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company, April 2 at Fort McClellan. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Dunkle, 167th TSC)

FORT HOOD, Texas - The 36th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, case their units colors in a ceremony Aug. 5, 2022, at North Fort Hood, Texas. The aviation brigade has been preparing to deploy overseas in support of Operation Inherent Resolve for the past few months at North Fort Hood. “We are a time-on-target [combat aviation brigade and we will continue to be so,” said Scott. “The combatant command is expecting us to provide quality aviation support and that is exactly what we are going to do.”

Capt. Derrick R. Hall, commander of Intelligence & Sustainment Company, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, congratulates incoming company First Sergeant 1st Sgt. Curtis N. Thornton on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy September 9, 2022. Thorton replaced outgoing First Sergeant 1st Sgt. Denise J. Lewis in a Change of Responsibility ceremony. First sergeants are the senior enlisted members of a company and responsible for training, administration, professional development, personnel accountability, safety, morale and mentoring of all assigned Soldiers.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Robert Hanks assumes command of the 509th Bomb Wing and receives the ceremonial guidon from U.S. Air Force Col. Daniel Diehl, 509th Bomb Wing commander, at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, June 10, 2022. The transfer of command is physically represented by handing the unit flag, from the outgoing commander to the new incoming commander.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Bradley C. Fromm, the commanding officer of Recruiting Station Richmond, speaks to guests about Staff Sgt. Marco A. Cruz, the logistics clerk of Recruiting Station Richmond, during Cruz's promotion ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial, Richmond, Virginia on June 17, 2022. Promotion ceremonies are a significant achievement in a service members career and testaments to their commitment, mastery of duties and skills, and leadership capabilities.

Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa commanding general, welcomes nine U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets as they begin the Cadet Troop Leader Training program at Caserma Del Din on July 22, 2022The CTLT program is designed to offer real-world lieutenant-level leadership experience in an Active Duty unit, where cadets assume leadership positions outside the college classroom to prepare for operations in the Army following their commission. (Army photo by Staff Sergeant Solomon Abanda)

Senior Master Sgt. William L. Nearhood, 192nd Wing superintendent of the advanced programs office, retires from the Virginia Air National Guard during a ceremony presided by Col. Christopher G. Batterton, 192nd Wing commander, on May 15, 2022, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. In 1985, Nearhood began his military career when he enlisted into the Navy then transferred to the VaANG in 1997 where he finished his nearly 37 year military career.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Holloman, command sergeant major of 3-142 Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB) from the New York Army National Guard (right), attached to the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade of the Texas Army National Guard, introduces Sgt. Daniel T. Clavin, signal operations support sergeant, 25U, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3-142 AHB, during a command staff meeting held at the 36th CAB headquarters in Camp Bhuering, Kuwait, Sept. 15, 2022. Clavin, a native of Farmingville, NY, was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by the brigade command team for his timely actions over procuring and installing over 40 workstations within two days, in order to meet operational standards for the Task Force Rough Rider's Tactical Operations Center.

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.

U.S. Air Force Col. Josh B. Pyers, left, commander of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group, presents the Legion of Merit medal to Lt. Col. John D. Garvin, outgoing commander of the 387th Air Expeditionary Squadron, during a change of command ceremony at the base theater at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, June 2, 2022. Prior to arriving at Ali Al Salem, Garvin served as an assistant professor of leadership psychology at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Daniel Sebeck, Space Delta 8 vice commander, delivers remarks to the assembled members of the Wideband Satellite Operations Center during a transfer of authority recognition ceremony in Landstuhl, Germany, September 12, 2022. The ceremony formally recognized the tactical transfer of authority from the 53rd Signal Battalion to the 53rd Space Operations Squadron, Detachment C. Lt. Col. Sebeck thanked the gathered U.S. Army mission partners for their years of dedicated satellite communications partnership, and for the smooth transfer of mission and people from the Army to the Space Force.

(From left) Lt. Col. Brandon Hori, the outgoing commander of the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, and Lt. Col. Nick Saccone, the incoming commander, exit the stage after a formal change of command, May 20, at the Phantom Center, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The 380th ECES is home to a wide array of Air Force career fields that are paramount to any installations construction and maintenance. (U.S. Air Force Photo / Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Grossi)

U.S. Army Maj. Christian Gehrels, acting defense attaché for the U.S. Embassy Djibouti, greets U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command, as he arrives at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Aug. 28, 2022. The greeting came on the front-end of a four-day trip by senior leaders to Djibouti, Somalia, and Manda Bay, Kenya, from August 28-31, 2022, to meet with host nation leaders, senior interagency officials, and deployed troops to better understand the political and military situation in East Africa, discuss shared concerns and priorities, and see ongoing operations firsthand. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Destani K. Matheny)

Sgt. Maj. Jackie S. Mims (second from right) receives the unit color from Col. Matthew J. Grieser (second from left), the commander of the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, during the 1st AML change of responsibility ceremony. Mims assumed responsibility as the 1st AML senior enlisted leader from Sgt. Maj. Erin L. Trudden during the ceremony on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Sept. 9. U.S. Army photo by Marshall R. Mason.

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - Soldiers and Civilians of the 780th Military Intelligence (MI) Brigade (Cyber) were on hand to witness the reflagging of E Company (Empire), 782d MI Battalion (Cyber), to F Company (Fury), 781st MI Battalion (Cyber), October 4, at the DeKalb Army Reserve Center.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion participate in parachute landing fall training at Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass. July 19, 2022. Paratroopers practice parachute landing fall techniques as it allows them to land safely and without injury. The technique is used to displace the energy of the body contacting the earth at high speeds. Operation Viking exercise purpose is to increase civil affairs mission essential proficiency, Soldier and unit readiness while advancing the airborne progression through sustained tactical operations.

U.S. Army Sgt. Nathaniel Hendrix, left, hugs Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jackson, center, during his promotion ceremony on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 14, 2022. It is an Army tradition for all attendees of a promotion ceremony to congratulate and give a few words of advice to the person being promoted.

As of June 3, 2022, Master Sgt. Craig Stritesky of the 378th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is awarded the position of senior non-commissioned officer in charge at a MSgt. Release Party, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event was in celebration of the momentous accomplishment of the nine newly instated master sergeants making it into the Top 3 and taking on a whole new level of leadership responsibilities.

Senior Master Sgt. James M. Ethington, right, 131st Bomb Wing Human Resource Advisor, exchanges a salute with Maj. Charlie Dey, the 131st Bomb Wing Chaplain, during his retirement ceremony, May 15, 2022, at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri. Ethington served for 20 years.

Lt. Gen. John S. Kolasheski, V Corps commanding general, presents a certificate of appreciation for a Turkish ally during his visit to Joint Force Training Center, Bydgoszcz, Poland on Dec. 08, 2022. Loyal Leda is a NATO LANDCOM sponsored, land domain Command Post Exercise that is designed to train and evaluate NATO Rapid Deployable Corps as well as exercise interoperability with our NATO Allies.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Patrick Nelligan, chief warrant officer 5, U.S. Army Reserve Command, left, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Allen Robinson, command chief warrant officer, Michigan Army Nationla Guard, and Col. Gunnar Kiersey, deputy surgeon, Army National Guard, meet with 1st Lt. Thomas Moriarty, 477th Medical Company, Duluth Minn., to discuss ground ambulance operations on Aug. 13, 2022 during Northern Strike at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Grayling, Mich. Northern Strike is designated to challenge over 7,400 service members with multiple forms of training that advances interoperability across multicomponent, multinational and interagency partners.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Benjamin Roark, right, commander of 1-6 FAR, passes the guidon to Capt. Pierce English, left, commander of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, at Tower Barracks, Germany, Feb. 21, 2024. Capt. Kurt Rossi relinquished command of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, to Capt. Pierce English. Army

POZNAN, Poland - U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Monté Rone, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Multinational Corps Northeast, left, shakes the hand of Sgt. Maj. Timothy Parnell, sergeant major of operations, V Corps (Forward), Dec. 1, 2022, Camp Kosciuszko, Poland. Leaders and officers from MNCNE visited V Corps Forward Headquarters to observe the compatibility between U.S., MNCNE, and NATO communication systems.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Hegberg, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, left, and Sgt. Michael Martinez, Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade medics, embrace after their award ceremony for winning the best medic assessment and selection, Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Feb. 16, 2024. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) hosted a best medic competition assessment and selection from 13-14 Feb., at Caserma Del Din and Caserma Ederle in order to select the best medics to represent the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the FY24 Army Best Medic Competition. The 24-hour selection program measures a range of critical skills, including trauma care, emergency medicine, and physical fitness. Through rigorous and competitive scenarios, the selection program serves to elevate and showcase the proficiency of medics, fostering a culture of excellence within military medical teams. Army

U.S. Soldiers with 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team arrive home after a year-long deployment to Egypt as part of the Multinational Force & Observers and Task Force Sinai.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Conley Montgomery, 86th Civil Engineer Squadron water treatment plant operator, accepts a coin from Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, during an immersion tour at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 27, 2022. Montgomery was selected to be coined for his outstanding performance in his section. The tour provided Third Air Force leadership an opportunity to engage with Team Ramstein Airmen and recognize them for their hard work.

Brig. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, the deputy commanding general of maneuver for 3rd Infantry Division, receives a shell casing during a farewell ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 26, 2022. The ceremony was held to thank Jeffers for his exceptional service in the role of DCG-M as he prepares to move to his next assignment.

Members of the 86th Airlift Wing welcome U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, United States Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa commander, during his tour of the wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, August 30, 2022. During his wing immersion, Hecker met unit leaders and learned about Team Ramsteins capabilities and challenges.

Florida National Guard (FLNG) Soldiers with the 2-124th Infantry Regiment prepare to assist impacted areas of St. Augustine, Fla., in the wake of Tropical Storm Nicole on Thursday, November 10, 2022. As Tropical Storm Nicole made landfall, areas across Floridas East Coast experienced widespread flooding, calling upon our FLNG Soldiers to act.

U.S. Air Force Gen. James Hecker, U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa commander, recognized U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Elliot Harris, 100th Maintenance Squadron, non-destructive inspections craftsman, for his superior performance at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, on July 18, 2022. During his visit, Hecker recognized seven Airmen from the 100th Air Refueling Wing for the innovative methods they use to complete the mission.

Gen. Randy George, 38th Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, visited Fort Jackson Sept. 19 to get a firsthand look at the Future Soldier Preparatory Course. The course helps civilians interested in joining the Army to achieve the aptitude battery test score and physical readiness needed to meet eligibility requirements to enlist. While touring the heart of the program, located within 1st Battalion, 61st Infantry Regiment, George asked trainees attending the program how they feel the program is helping them achieve their ultimate goal of enlistment as well as any suggestions they may have had to improve the program.George also toured the 120th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception) where trainees get their initial military issue uniforms, equipment and inprocess the Army before continuing on to their Basic Combat Training units. The 120th is currently undergoing multiple construction projects to improve the living and working environment, George viewed the ongoing projects and was briefed

Chief Master Sgt. Jerry Ratliff, 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief, gets promoted during a ceremony at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. He was promoted by Lt. Col. Sylvester dAgrella, 386th ECES commander, on Sept. 17, 2022. Ratliffs family was able to watch his promotion ceremony via cellphone streaming. Nearly 100 firefighters, friends, fellow chiefs and leaders took part in the ceremony. Ratiff, who is deployed from the 132nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Iowa Air National Guard, joined the top 1-percent of enlisted members upon promoting to his new rank.

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Lt. Col. Derek Reeves, incoming 1st Battalion 77th Field Artillery Regiment commander, receives the guidon as to signify the change of command at Tower Barracks, Grafenwoehr, Germany, Aug. 2, 2022. Lt. Col Anthony Brunner relinquishes responsibility of 1st Battalion 77th Field Artillery Regiment to Lt. Col. Derek Reeves.

The U.S. Military Academy welcomed 77 international officers from 74 countries as it hosted the annual U.S. Army War College International Fellows visit on Sept. 28 at Eisenhower Hall and the Haig Room at the Jefferson Library.

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