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Military Briefings & Ceremonies

Group of soldiers in uniform attending briefings and ceremonies at various military bases, displaying camaraderie and teamwork under formal settings.

The 720th Security Forces Squadron becomes the 943rd Security Forces Squadron during a change of name ceremony on June 10, 2022, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The 720th Security Forces Squadron was deactivated and then activated as the 943rd Security Forces Squadron.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's color guard for the Change of Responsibility Ceremony on September 30, 2022 was: Sgt. Alex Telck from the Custom Firearms Shop; Staff Sgt. Jacob Hetherington from the Action Shooting Team, 2020 Olympian Sgt. Phillip Jungman from the Shotgun Team; and Sgt. 1st Class Tamika Wilcox from the Operations Section.

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's color guard for the Change of Responsibility Ceremony on September 30, 2022 was: Sgt. Alex Telck from the Custom Firearms Shop; Staff Sgt. Jacob Hetherington from the Action Shooting Team, 2020 Olympian Sgt. Phillip Jungman from the Shotgun Team; and Sgt. 1st Class Tamika Wilcox from the Operations Section.

Command Sgt. Maj. James Taylor, 63rd Troop Command, Michigan Army National Guard, swears in inductees during a non-commissioned officer induction ceremony, Joint Force Headquarters, Lansing, Michigan, Sept. 11, 2022. The ceremony was held to honor those soldiers who were recently promoted to the ranks of sergeant. The ceremony is meant to mark the newly promoted sergeants departure from the junior ranks, symbolizing that they are no longer just followers, but leaders.

U.S. Marines and families with the 2d Intelligence Battalion stand as the Marine Corps Hymn plays during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 28, 2022. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Jeffery L. Starr, the outgoing commanding officer of 2d Intel Bn.,II MEF Information Group relinquished command of 2d Intel Bn. to Lt. Col. Ruth E. Kehoe, the oncoming commanding officer.

Members of the 117th Mission Support Group pose for a photo at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Aug. 13, 2022. The all call opened with awards and later addressed other items regarding the 117th Mission Support Group.

Staff members of the 157th Air Operations Group (AOG) stand for a group photo at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Base, St. Louis, Missouri, Oct. 16, 2022. The 157th AOG's mission is to prepare and provide a trained team of Airmen skilled in operational level command and control as a Pacific Air Forces gained unit, and as a ready force to support the state of Missouri.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with Company A, 1-118th Infantry Battalion, South Carolina National Guard, stand in formation during a deployment ceremony at the Moncks Corner Armory in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Aug. 7, 2022. More than 130 Soldiers from the unit will be mobilized for approximately a year to support Operation Spartan Shield, Task Force Spartan and U.S. Army Central Command.

221006-N-UB993-1054CAMP PENDLETON, Cali. (Oct. 6, 2022) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea listens to a Sailor ask a querstion during an all-hands call at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 6, 2022. Honea conducted his second fleet visit to answer questions and discuss his priorities of warfighting competency, professional and character development, and quality of life.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Co., 2-10 Assault Helicopter Battalion return home to their families on Fort Drum, Ny Sep. 7, 2022. VooDoo Soldiers spent almost a year in Iraq defending the nation.

Members of Alpha Company 1st Battalion 182nd Infantry Regiment depart for a deployment to Southwest Asia on Memorial Day. 30 May 2022, Army Aviation Support Facility, Quonset Air National Guard Base, Rhode Island. The guardsmen will head first to Fort Bliss, Texas, for mobilization and then head to Southwest Asia.

U.S. Army Col. Matthew James assumes command of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Washington National Guard, from Col. James Perrin during a change of command ceremony on Camp Murray, Wash., December 4, 2022. In 2021, Perrin deployed as commander of Task Force Raven, the last U.S. task force to command a full nine-month rotation in the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.

Col. E. Benjamin Smith, III, 367th Recruiting Group commander, Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., rallies recruiters and leadership during morning formation at the annual Deployment for Training event Nov. 6. More than 400 Airmen from across the Air Force Reserve Recruiting Service attended the annual DFT program Nov. 5-9, 2022 in Orlando, Fla.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. James R. Camp, Ohio assistant adjutant general for Air, speaks to Airmen from the 123rd Air Control Squadron and the 269th Combat Communications Squadron about the importance of training and readiness June 08, 2022 during Agile Rage 22 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan. Agile Rage 22 is a National Guard Bureau-led exercise that provides realistic training opportunities, mimicking current and future combat environments as dictated by the National Defense Strategy.

POZNAN, Poland - Soldiers from V Corps and Multinational Corps Northeast stand for a group photo, 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.

Petroleum Supply Specialists assigned to 4-2 Attack Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, pose for a group photo during the combined units aerial gunnery qualifications, July 22, 2022, Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea. Pilots of the AH-64E are required to qualify on all of the Apaches weapon systems.

355th Maintenance Group Staff Sgt. selects pose for a group photo with their leadership during the Staff Sgt. release party at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Aug. 31, 2022. Selectees celebrated their accomplishments and selection as the Air Forces newest non-commissioned officers with family, friends and coworkers at the party.

Col. Leah Boling, Director, Air National Guard Chaplain Corps addresses service members during an awards ceremony honoring Master Sgt. Christopher Kronenwetter, Michigan Air National Guard Chaplain Corps Superintendent June 4, 2022, Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich. Master Sgt. Kronenwetter was awarded the 2021 Air Force Chaplain Corps Minuteman Award by Col. Boling. The award is given annually to one Religious Affairs Airman for excellence in his/her field, and for going above and beyond typical responsibilities. Kronenwetters leadership nominated him for the 2021 Minuteman Award for his outstanding work in the Wing and the State of Michigan. He contributes his success to a supportive family, leadership, and peers that cultivate an environment for professional growth.

U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Gill, Water Treatment Supervisor, Alpha Company, 237th Brigade Support Battalion, leads Soldiers as they exit a call-to-duty ceremony, Sep. 24, 2022, at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, Ohio. The ceremony say family, friends, and state officials gather to support and send-off the 237th BSB as they deploy in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

281022-N-VG565-1082VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (October 28, 2022) Capt. Bret Washburn, Naval Air Force Atlantic (AIRLANT), force maintenance officer, departs his retirement ceremony at the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit CNATTU, October 28, 2022.

Airmen assigned to the 319th Reconnaissance Wing attend the year end training initiative brief Oct. 7, 2022, at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. The YETI is an annual pre-winter training event hosted by the 319th Reconnaissance Wing safety office to raise awareness for challenges specific to the northern tier locations.

The 1/135th Assault Helicopter Battalion conducted a change of command ceremony at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on June 12, 2022. Lt. Col. Fin Carey officially handed command to Lt. Col. Seth Everett.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Co., 2-10 Assault Helicopter Battalion return home to their families on Fort Drum, Ny Sep. 7, 2022. VooDoo Soldiers spent almost a year in Iraq defending the nation.

New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major David Piwowarski, and Air National Guard Chief Master Sgt. Greg Mihalko preside over a celebration of the Guard's 386th birthday and recount New York National Guard history at New York National Guard headquarters, Latham, New York, Dec. 13, 2022. New York Army National Guard Master Sgt. Jerry Swain, age 60, and Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Emma Davignon, age 18, cut the ceremonial National Guard birthday cake, continuing the tradition of the oldest and youngest service members coming together to cut the cake to symbolize the past and future of the National Guard.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (1/2CR) listen to a briefing by German Army 1st Lt. Sebastian Sigl, center, during a Schuetzenschnur (German weapons proficiency test) event with the German partner unit of 1/2CR, the Panzergrenadierbataillon 112, at Regen, Germany, Sept. 29, 2022. 1/2CR provided an opportunity for exemplary Soldiers to earn a foreign award and to build camaraderie with German Army counterparts in order to strengthen NATO and multinational partnerships.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Arun Shankar (left), Lt. Col. Scott Gurley (middle) and 1st Sgt. Marc Pegram, with Communication Training Battalion (CTB), Marine Corps CommunicationElectronics School, stand at attention during the CTB change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, June 17, 2022. During the ceremony, Shankar, the outgoing commanding officer, relinquished command of CTB to Gurley.

Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence commander, stands with Army Aviation Precommand Course Class 23-002 Soldiers at Fort Rucker, Ala., Jan. 30, 2023.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, pass the guidon to relinquish and assume command during a Change of Command Ceremony at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Dec. 2, 2022. Capt. John Afdem relinquished command of the troop to Capt Isak Visser.

Members of the 325th Security Forces Squadron stand in formation during a retreat ceremony for National Police Week at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, May 13, 2022. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and, beginning in 1982, National Police Week evolved into large-scale, memorial gatherings and events.

Members of the Northern Army, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, and the U.S. Army, 11th Airborne Division, conduct an opening ceremony to observe the official start of Exercise Yama Sakura 83 at Camp Higashi-Chitose, Japan, December 4, 2022. As a part of U.S. Army Pacific Operation Pathways, Yama Sakura 83 is the largest and most complex forward U.S. Army and JGSDF bilateral command post exercise to date. The goal of the exercise is to strengthen multi-domain and cross-domain interoperability and readiness between the U.S.-Japan alliance to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Technical Sgt. Kyle DeFrancis, U.S. Embassy Defense Attaché Office, walks toward the stage receiving congratulatory fist bumps from fellow Red Tails at the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing master sergeant release party June 1, 2022, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. This year, the active duty Air Force selected 4,040 of 27,296 eligible technical sergeants for the promotion to master sergeant, at a selection rate of 14.8%.

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)

The Havoc family and the S6 team had the opportunity to witness Spc. Braddock's promotion ceremony to Corporal on December 1, 2022. Braddock has been a member of the Havoc family, and during that time, he has demonstrated true leadership qualities as well as a great desire to guide and instruct our soldiers.(Photo by Sgt. Alex Estrada/1st Signal Brigade Public Affairs Office)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Blair Sokol, left, director of Marine Corps War College, Lt. Col. Heath Ruppert, middle, deputy director of the School of Advanced Warfighting, and Col. Bradford Tippett, right, director of Command and Staff College, participate in the Marine Corps University Commencement ceremony at Little Hall, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, June 8, 2022. Graduates attended different colleges, to include Marine Corps War College, School of Advanced War Fighting, and Command and Staff College. Graduates are prepared to perform with increased effectiveness in service, joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational environments at the tactical, operations, and strategic levels of war, across the range of military operations.

CPT Shanee Allen, MSG Matthew Lewis and Commnder Chad Koenig stand for the singing of the national anthem at the HHC Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. poses for a group photo with Airmen assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing during a visit to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 12, 2022. Brown visited Eielson as part of his tour of the Indo-Pacific region to meet with partners and allies and engage with Airmen.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Squad 1, Blue Platoon, out of Joint Base Lewis McCord, Washington, go over their plans for the U.S. Army Forces Command Best Squad Competition, at Fort Hood, Texas, August 13, 2022. The Best Squad Competition promotes esprit-de-corps and recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army Values and embody the Warrior Ethos.

Sgt. Maj. of the U.S. Army Michael A. Grinston, speaks to competitors during the 2022 Best Squad Competition at the Pentagon Library and Conference Center in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 7, 2022. The competition tests the squads proficiency in their warrior tasks and battle drills and identifies the most cohesive, highly trained, disciplined and fit team - ready to fight and win - while demonstrating commitment to the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Ellicott, Northern Warfare Training Center, Arctic Support Command, 11th Airborne Division poses for a photograph after being awarded Instructor of the Cycle for Basic Military Mountaineering Course 22-002 at Black Rapids Training Site 21 July. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Dennis/11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

The crowd salutes the colors during the 11th Air Force change of command ceremony at Hanger 20 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, August 11, 2022. U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David A. Krumm turned over command to Lt. Gen. Davis S. Nahom as Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command, and Gen. Ken S. Wilsbach, Commander, Pacific Air Forces, officiated before gathered family members, distinguished guests and military personnel.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing stand at attention as members of the 35th FW Honor Guard post the U.S. and Japanese flags during the first quarter award ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2022. The purpose of the 35th FW Awards Program is to recognize the outstanding professionalism, technical competence, and extraordinary performance of members in the categories of enlisted, officer, civilian, and teams.

U.S. Army Soldiers representing U.S. Army Europe and Africa listen attentively to speakers at the Sergeant Major of the Armys Professional Development Forum on the second day of the Association of the United States Army 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Oct. 11, 2022, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The Soldiers were selected by Gen. Darryl A. Williams, commanding general, USAEUR-AF, to attend the event because of their outstanding duty performance throughout the year.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, front center, poses for a photo with Air Force Reserve Command chiefs at AFRC Headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, April 29, 2022. Bass visited Robins to meet with both senior and junior total force members to talk about the future of the Air Force and receive feedback about challenges Airmen may be facing and how she can advocate for them.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Alpha Co., 2-10 Assault Helicopter Battalion return home to their families on Fort Drum, Ny Sep. 7, 2022. VooDoo Soldiers spent almost a year in Iraq defending the nation.

The 422nd Air Base Group base honor guard prepare to present the colors during a change of command ceremony at Royal Air Force Croughton, England, June 6, 2022. The ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of a units authority and responsibility from one commander to another.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert B. Sofge Jr., commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, Sgt. Maj. David M. Elliot, sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, watch standers assigned to U.S. Embassy Accra, Ghana and U.S. Navy Sailors pose for a photo on Feb. 5, 2024. During the visit Sofge toured the facilities, engaging with the U.S. Marines and key leaders at the U.S. Embassy, where he addressed the importance of the U.S. Marines mission in Ghana and its surrounding regions. Marine Corps

Chief Master Sgt. Sean Fretwell, 192nd Mission Support Group senior enlisted leader, addresses newly promoted Chief Master Sgt. Carmen Daniels, 192nd Force Support Flight senior enlisted leader, during her promotion ceremony June 4, 2022, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Chief master sergeants throughout the Virginia Air National Guard presented Daniels with her own chief's head trophy as the 176th chief in the VaANG.

U.S. Air Force Col. Joseph Stangl, commander of the 48th Maintenance Group, left, Maj. Steve Ortner, commander of the 494th Fighter Generation Squadron, middle, and Maj. Nathan Stroupe, commander of the 492nd Fighter Generation Squadron, right, bow their heads in prayer during the 492nd and the 494th FGS activation and assumption of command ceremony at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Oct. 21, 2022. The new fighter generation squadrons will replace the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

U.S. Soldiers with the 42d Transportation Company Command Team positioned in front of unit formation during the activation ceremony, Oct. 14, 2022 at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany

Welcome Mercury 7! On January 9, 2023, the Mercury Brigade welcomed the new BDE CSM, Command Sgt. Major Nicholas M. Curry. It is an honor to have him and his family join this Brigade and be a leader to the Soldiers here. His influence and guidance have already been felt throughout the ranks, and we wish CSM Curry continued success in his time here.

Winners of the quarterly awards ceremony stand with Col. Matthew Coleman, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Chuck Loftus, 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Group senior enlisted leader at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, April 8, 2022. The quarterly awards program recognizes enlisted, officer and civilian members for outstanding performance, achievements.

Soldiers from the 35th Infantry Division and Task Force Spartan graduate from a class to become Unit Public Affairs Representatives on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Aug. 11, 2022.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 451st Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) stand in formation for a relinquishment of command ceremony Jan. 8, 2023, at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. During the ceremony U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Christopher Barra, outgoing Commanding General of the 451st Sustainment Command (Expoditionary), relinquished command to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Ling, Commanding General of the 79th Theater Sustainment Command.

Col. Young and Command Sgt. Maj. Rancourt uncase the unit colors of the 120th Regional Support Group (RSG) of the Maine Army National Guard. The Transfer of Authority Ceremony took place on 1 July 2022 at the Powidz Airfield. The 120th RSG accepted the transfer of authority from the 191st RSG of the Puerto Rico National Guard. The 120th RSG will be conducting Base Operation Support at multiple sites across Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia in support of Atlantic Resolve.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, speaks to the senior enlisted Marines and Sailors of 1st Marine Logistics Group during a town hall at Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 16, 2024. During his visit Sgt. Maj. Ruiz met with the senior enlisted leaders of 1st MLG to discuss the value of senior leadership when it comes to solving the various issues the Marine Corps faces and the importance of engaged leadership from the senior staff noncommissioned officer ranks down to the junior noncommissioned officers. Marine Corps

Newly promoted Chief Master Sgt. Carmen Daniels, 192nd Force Support Flight senior enlisted leader, gives thanks and acknowledgements during her promotion ceremony June 4, 2022, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Daniels became the 176th chief in the Virginia Air National Guard and was celebrated by family, friends and fellow members of the VaANG.

The Religious Support Office of Area Support Group - Kuwait hosts a two-day Resiliency Fair this week. Covering everything from positive sleep habits to healthy relationships to long-distance communication with loved ones back home, the chaplains and mental health specialists speak with Service Members on how to persevere and stay focused through their tour in Kuwait, December 14, 2022.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistic Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, corporals course, pose for a group photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 5, 2024. Corporals course provides students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to become successful small-unit leaders using realistic problem-based situations that a Marine corporal will encounter. Marine Corps

221007-N-UB993-1070SAN DIEGO (Oct. 7, 2022) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea speaks with Sailors during an all-hands call at the Naval Base Point Loma, Oct. 7, 2022. Honea conducted his second fleet visit to answer questions and discuss his priorities of warfighting competency, professional and character development, and quality of life.

SPACE FLAG 22-3 participants pose for a group photo at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Aug. 8, 2022. SPACE FLAG 22-3, which ran from Aug. 8-19, was the largest iteration executed to date with approximately 120 participants from nearly a dozen U.S. Space Force Deltas, as well as members from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army.

Col. Ash Groves, outgoing commander of the 123rd Maintenance Group, renders a final salute during the groups change-of-command ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 11, 2022. Lt. Col. Jerry Zollman assumed the command from Groves, who has been named director of staff at Headquarters, Kentucky Air National Guard.

061221-N-9988F-001. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)

Chief Master Sgt. Dave Wolfe, former Pacific Air Forces command chief, and Gen. Ken Wilsbach, former PACAF commander, enter the Courtyard of Heroes as the PACAF staff applauds Wilsbach during an Order of the Sword presentation at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Feb. 8, 2024. Military branches around the world present prestigious swords of honor to recognize the accomplishments and service to their country and fellow man. In the Air Force, the Order of the Sword remains the highest and only honor presented by the noncommissioned officer corps to a senior ranking officer and is maintained by the command chief master sergeant of the designated command. Air Force

Command Sgt. Maj. Scott A. Brzak, U.S. Army Pacific senior enlisted advisor, and USARPAC Best Warrior Competition participants pose for a group photo June 9 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, during the awards ceremony for the 2022 USARPACs Best Warrior Competition. 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.

Fort Rucker honored the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Instructors of the 4th Quarter during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum Sep. 14, 2022. The 4th Quarter winners are:~The Civilian Academic Instructor of the Quarter is Keeley J. Garcia, U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.~The Officer Academic Instructor of the Quarter is Capt. Luke A. Grossmann, 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade.~The Officer Flight Instructor of the Quarter is Chief Warrant Officer 3 Cleveland W. Upton, 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment, 110th Aviation Brigade.~The Civilian Instructor Pilot of the Quarter is Jeremy N. Edler,1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment, 110th Aviation Brigade.Winners not pictured who joined the event virtually are:~The Warrant Officer Academic Instructor of the Quarter, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marlene A. DaCosta, 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Brigade, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. ~The Noncommissioned Officer Academi

U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, prepare for a deployment at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 4, 2022. VMFA-312 departed in support of the Unit Deployment Program which provides forward presence and assists commanders around the globe.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and U.S. Army Soldiers with 206th Transportation Company, receive a convoy brief at a logistics support area established in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 10, 2022. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enables U.S. Marine Corps Central Command and U.S. Central Command to receive and employ forces and resources rapidly in the region through a growing network of western geographic access and staging points.

Gen. Glen VanHerck, Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, and Sgt. Maj. James Porterfield, Command Senior Enlisted Leader, met with Brig. Gen. Tracy Smith, Commander, Alaska Air National Guard, Col. Michael Griesbaum, Commander, 168th Wing, and other members of the 168th WG on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, May 4, 2022. (Department of Defense photo by Chuck Marsh)

U.S. Air Force Airmen participate in an LGBTQ+ Pride panel on June 15, 2022 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Panel members and attendees discussed issues faced by LGBTQ+ military members and allies.

U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy Sailors with the Naval Dental Center Color Guard, 2nd Dental Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, stand at parade rest during a change of command ceremony at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 15, 2022. During the ceremony, Capt. Sherry A. Caraveo assumed command of 2nd Dental Battalion from Capt. Nadji M. Hariri.

From left to right Captains Mark Von Cappeln, Garrick Ellwood, James Kubich, Daniel Burke, Paul Aehnlich. Not pictured Capt. Benjamin Arger.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Allen Robinson, command chief warrant officer, Michigan National Guard, left, stands next to Master Sgt. Lacy Kutz, senior enlisted advisor to the command chief warrant officer, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Patrick Nelligan, command chief warrant officer, U.S. Army Reserve Command, Col. Gunnar Kiersey, deputy surgeon, Army National Guard, and Chief Warrant Officer Daniel Bish, executive officer to the command chief warrant officer, U.S. Army Reserve Command. Together, they visited Soldiers assigned to 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, Florida Army National Guard, at Grayling Army Airfield, Aug. 14, 2022 during Northern Strike in Grayling, Mich. Northern Strike 22 brings approximately 7,400 participants from 19 states and 4 coalition countries to Northern Michigan to validate the readiness and interoperability of multicomponent, multinational and interagency partners from Aug. 6 to 20, 2022, at the Na

U.S. Marines with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 3d Marine Division conduct a change of command ceremony on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, on May 27, 2022. The ceremony represented the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from Lt. Col. Albert J. Goldberg to Lt. Col. Brian T. Spillane.

Airmen with the Illinois Air National Guard attend a change of command ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, June 7, 2022. Brig. Daniel McDonough assumed command of the Illinois Air National Guard from outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Peter Nezamis.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Myke Lewis, chief warrant officer of the Army aviation branch, stands with other CW5s who are attending the Aviation Senior Leader Forum at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, Ala, Jan. 23, 2023.

Col. Thomas Segars relinquishes command of the 91st Security Forces Group to Col. Anthony McCarty on June 28, 2022, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The change of command ceremony brought military members, family and friends together to celebrate the exit of a leader and welcomed the arrival of a new one.

Airmen assigned to the 192nd Medical Group stand for a group photo outside the Langley Hospital Sept. 11, 2022, at Joint Base Langley, Virginia.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David Francis, director of operations for U.S. Africa Command; U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Richard Thresher, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Africa Command; U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command; U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jami Shawley, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa; and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason P. Colón, command senior enlisted leader of CJTF-HOA, pose for a photo on Aug. 28, 2022. The engagement was part 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. Army Sgt. Kiersten Breunig)

Airmen from the 501st Combat Support Wing hold an American flag prior to rehearsal for a national anthem demonstration at Wembley Stadium, in London, England, Oct. 30, 2022. Approximately 70 uniformed personnel represented the U.S. Air Force and nation by unveiling an American flag during the pre-game ceremonies of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos NFL game.

U.S. Army Reserve Col. Melissa Adamski, right, commander of the Military Intelligence Readiness Command, congratulates members of the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion maintenance section after an awards ceremony. The 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 336th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, Military Intelligence Readiness Command, U.S. Army Reserve, received the Department of the Army level Army Award for Maintenance Excellence, MTOE medium category, in an event honoring the unit held on Fort George G. Meade, Md., Jan. 20, 2024.

Non-commissioned officers with the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing graduate from First Sergeant Symposium at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Sept 27, 2022. They learned leadership, mental resiliency and other competencies from previous 1st Sgts. and Helping Agency Team members.

050225-F-0944H-004. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

1/11th Brigade Fires Support team and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Exchange gifts at the close of Yama Skura 83, Camp Higashi-Chitose, Japan, December 12, 2022. Continued, face-to-face interactions with our allies and partners are the foundation of our bilateral and multilateral relationships. (U.S. National Guard phot by Randall E. Corpuz)

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Maurice Williams, command chief, Air National Guard (ANG), speaks to enlisted members of the Connecticut Air National Guard, 103rd Airlift Wing during a town hall, October 22, 2022, Bradley Air National Guard Base, East Granby, Conn. Williams spoke about various topics concerning the health, morale, welfare, job satisfaction, discipline, utilization, family support, quality of life, and professional development of enlisted airmen.

U.S. Air Force 8th Civil Engineer Squadron and 100th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters train together at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, July 20, 2022. The 100th CESs mission is to provide fire protection, emergency response, facilities engineering and operations support, infrastructure, real property and housing management, comprehensive land-use planning, and environmental management for RAF Mildenhall.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 35th Force Support Squadron (FSS) render Lt. Col. Evan N. Valdez, 35th FSS commander, his first salute during an assumption of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2022. Valdez previously served as the deputy assistant chief of staff for operations, Joint Interagency Task Force West, at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii from June 2020 until July 2022.

Massachusetts Air National Guard Command Chief Sean Sullivan visited the104th Fighter Wing on May 14, 2022 to congratulate Airmen from the 104thFighter Wing who competed in The Adjutant General's State MarksmanshipCompetition, April 29 - May 1 2022, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Two ofthe 104FW Marksmanship Team members were selected for the Governors 20,Staff Sgt. William Andrades of Security Forces Squadron and Staff Sgt. LoganHaldopoulos of Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The rest of the teamincluded; Senior Airman Darik Frye, SFS, Matthew Marshall, MXS, Staff Sgt.Emma Tanner, MXS, Staff Sgt. Griffin Moore, OPS, Staff Sgt. Steven Mejia,MXS, Staff Sgt. Kyle Maskell, OPS, Tech. Sgt. Preston Hallett, AMXS, Tech.Sgt. Steven Kelliher, SFS, Tech. Sgt. Aric Lunde, ACA, Tech. Sgt. SueFopiano, MXS, Team Captain, Tech. Sgt. Brett Pitoniak, MXS, Master Sgt. CJKrutka, SFS, Master Sgt. David Dumlao, and MXG, Lt. Col. Steven Reynolds, MXG.

Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 226 reinforced (VMM-226) leadership, left, cases their colors while VMM-364 (REIN) uncases their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony April 1, 2023, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. The VMM provides critical support for multiple operations within Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africas area of interest.

Col. Angela Ochoa, 19th Airlift Wing commander, briefs Airmen participating in ROCKI 22-03 at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, May 14, 2022. In this exercise, players were tasked to deploy a Command and Control Force Element to a main operating base in the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility to command and control Mobility Air Forces assets through a scenario that progressed from establishing initial operating capability, to operating in a communication degraded environment, to countering adversary actions.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Komlan Apetoh, fourth from left, assigned to U.S. Army Network Enterprise Center Belgium, 39th Strategic Signal Battalion, shares his experience during Tactical Combat Casualty Care for Army Warrior Training, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, May 25, 2022. This training tested the proficiency of Soldiers based on the unit Mission Essential Tasks List.

Col. Michele Lo Bianco, 15th Wing commander, speaks to Airmen during a cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the 75th Air Force birthday Sept. 15, 2022, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. During the event, Lo Bianco spoke with Joint Base Airmen and the significant role they play not only at JBPHH but for the Air Force and Department of Defense.

020405-F-6742S-227. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

Members of the 221st Combat Communications Squadron listen to Master Sgt. Vincent Gonzalez, Wing Inspection Team member, during a chemical agents and warfare briefing during Exercise BUMBU 22 at Camp Shelby, Miss., June 4, 2022. BUMBU 22 brings five combat communications squadrons with the 254th Combat Communications Group from their home stations located across the nation together for a consolidated training exercise.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Donna W. Martin, inspector general of the U.S. Army, Inspector General staff, and U.S. Soldiers assigned to V Corps pose for a picture during a visit to Poznan, Poland, May 22, 2022. The Office of the Inspector General serves to provide impartial, objective, and unbiased advice and oversight to the Army through a relevant, timely, and thorough inspection, assistance, investigations, and training.

332d Air Expeditionary Wing leadership and Airpower Leadership Academy instructors pose alongside ALA graduates at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 18, 2022. ALA is a nine-week leadership program for select 332d Air Expeditionary Wing noncommissioned officers designed to cultivate future leaders.

Col. Tracy Michael (left center), Fort George G. Meade Medical Department Activity commander, passes the unit guidon to Lt. Col. Christopher Richelderfer (right center), incoming commander of Barquist Army Health Clinic, at a change of command ceremony June 14, 2022, Fort Detrick, Maryland. Lt. Col. Christopher Richelderfer assumed command of the clinic from Lt. Col. Johnathan Evans.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Timothy K. Gallagher, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 49 Detachment B, addresses the crowd during a deactivation ceremony for the squadron, at Newburgh, New York, Dec. 2, 2022. The Marine Corps plans to activate VMGR-153 in fiscal year 2023. The squadron will be based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Juan Duran, 81st Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, briefs Civil Air Patrol cadets on the training capabilities of the indoor firing range at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, July 19, 2022. More than 50 cadets attended the Louisiana Wing Encampment at Keesler from July 14-24.

On June 6, 2022, Col. Joshua Demotts, 99th Air Base Wing incoming commander, assumed command of the 99th ABW at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The 99th ABW wing provides installation support for more than 10,000 personnel assigned to Nellis AFB, Creech AFB, and the Nevada Test & Training Range. Two groups are assigned to the wing: the 99th Mission Support Group and the 99th Medical Group.

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Al Morris speaks briefly to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, about the upcoming training at the Colorado Springs armory Feb. 9, 2009. Morris, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, deployed previously with 169th Fires Brigade, Colorado Army National Guard.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kaitlin Harms, a legal chief with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, calls the graduating class of Corporals Course to attention during the graduation ceremony aboard Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 17, 2022. Corporals Course provides students with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to become successful small-unit leaders as they enter the career into the non-commissioned officer ranks. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

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