Military Helicopter Operations

Dynamic images of military helicopters conducting training and operational missions, showcasing flight activities and exercises.

U. S. Coast Guard crew and Eurocopter MH-65 performing rescue training exercises

Afghan National Security Forces and Soldiers with Company B, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, load into a CH-47 Chinook helicopter upon completion of an air assault operation in Monari village and nearby Omar Khel, Kushamond District, Paktika Province, Afghanistan, June 25.

An Mh-60S Knighthawk helicopter attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 flies a daytime familiarization flight during a training detachment at Naval Air Station Fallon, April 21, 2022. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the George H.W. Bush CSG. The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, VFA-103, VFA-86, VFA-136, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, HSC-5, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

Pararescuemen, combat rescue officers, and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape specialists with the 212th Rescue Squadron, prepare to board a CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, in response to a simulated alert rescue call near Deadhorse, Alaska, in support of exercise Arctic Eagle 2020, Feb. 28. The Alaska National Guard is hosting exercise Arctic Eagle 2020, a joint-training exercise, Feb. 20 to March 6 throughout Alaska, including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, Fort Wainwright, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and as far north as Harrison Bay. As a homeland security and emergency response exercise, Arctic Eagle 20 is designed to increase the National Guards ability and effectiveness to operate in the extreme cold-weather conditions found in arctic environments.

ESU Incident Command Post New Orleans - Commandant Thomas H. Collins and President George W. Bush Visit - 26-HK-304-21. Hurricane Katrina

A US Marine Corps CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter takes off after putting snow camouflaged troops into a snow covered field during the exercise. The exercise is designed to employ the rapid deployment and use of multinational maritime, air and land forces in a military response. Over 22,000 personnel from NATO nations, France and Spain are taking part in the exercise. Subject Operation/Series: STRONG RESOLVE 95 Base: Surnadal Fjord Country: Norway (NOR)

A CH-53E Super Stallion flies over properties outside of El Centro, Calif., on the way to a weapons training range Dec. 20. Once authorized to begin firing, pilots and crew members will work together while firing their weapon systems at targets on the ground to train for combat situations where firing at the enemy is used to suppress fire for troop transport missions.

An Alaska Army National Guard HH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, makes a tactical approach into Camp Mad Bull on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 10, 2023. The aircrew conducted medevac and hoist training with the 24th Special Operations Wing during its arctic operations training exercise. The Alaska Army National Guards General Support Aviation Battalion routinely trains with all branches of the military as well as civilian agencies to increase its operational interoperability and to be ready for a wide range of federal and state missions.

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing conduct an air insertion during Resolute Dragon 22, Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 1, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is a bilateral exercise to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

040729-F-2559D-004. Base: Long Beach Island State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A student of Deep Water Environmental Survival Training (DWEST) is hoisted to safety aboard a hovering SH-3D Sea King helicopter from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 84 (HS-84). (All Hands Magazine-Jul 1984). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

Marines from Marine Tiltroater Squadron 266 arrive aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan as an augment from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit January 15. Marines from the 26th MEU will provide security for the Route 611 project, which connects Northern Sangin Valley and Kajaki to the Route 1 beltway, over the next 3 months.

A swimmer climbs a rope ladder suspended from a 55th Special Operations Squadron MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter during the joint service Exercise Ocean Venture '93. Subject Operation/Series: OCEAN VENTURE '93 State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

120119-N-DX615-283ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 19, 2012) Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) conduct insertion exercises from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter. The 11th MEU is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

As the CH-47 from Detachment 1, Company G, 140th Aviation, Nevada Army National Guard flies off after dropping off the Mark V Zodiac boat, a Navy pickup truck with a boat trailer pulls up to transport the boat which was used to search lakes and ponds for the 500 pound Mark 82 bombs carried by the A-10 that crashed on Gold Dust Peak. Base: Eagle State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Bundeswehr helicopter with fire extinguishing tank 5000 litres, during water extraction, Aepfingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe

A member of the ground support crew signals to the pilot of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter attempting to pick up a piece of equipment during exercise Team Spirit '89. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '89 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DA-ST-87-08537. Subject Operation/Series: BRIM FROST Base: Kodiak Island State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Mh-60R Seahawk attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 flies a daytime familiarization flight during a training detachment at Naval Air Station Fallon, April 20, 2022. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the George H.W. Bush CSG. The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, VFA-103, VFA-86, VFA-136, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, HSC-5, and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

Helicopter assists in alpine rescue.

020628-F-8156G-010. State: North Sea Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

An aircrew flies a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter over North Post during training operations June 9, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis. According to the Army fact sheet for the Black Hawk, its mission is to provide air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support to combat, stability, and support operations. The UH-60 also is the Armys utility tactical transport helicopter. The versatile helicopter has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability over the years as well.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Pima County, Arizona's border area with Mexico, where he joined U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel for meetings, tours, flights, inspections

A Finnish NH90 helicopter flies towards a drop zone during helocast rehearsals with U.S. reconnaissance Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in Skogby, Finland, Aug. 9, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Transportation Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepare a non-functional rescue helicopter for an external lift during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 near Yuma, Arizona on Oct. 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, providing standardized advanced tactical training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

CWO Michael P. Gerdin walks past several UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters after returning from a mission. Troops from the U.S. and other coalition nations are in Silopi as part of Operation Provide Comfort, a multinational effort to aid Kurdish refugees in southern Turkey and northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Silopi Country: Turkey(TUR)

Two Security Forces members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Ghazni secure the landing zone while Polish medics arrive to provide medical care to a third SECFOR PRT-Ghazni member during training. Polish medics and Special Forces along with U.S. Army personnel conducted 9-line medevac rescue procedures and secure the area on the side of a mountain inside Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.

030806-F-6701P-047. Subject Operation/Series: JTF LIBERIA Country: Unknown

An Alabama National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with Bambi bucket assembly provides aerial water delivery,at the request of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, in support of forest fire suppression efforts in DeKalb County, Alabama, Nov.19, 2016.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division and Philippine Marines conduct a bilateral amphibious landing during Balikatan 22 at Claveria, Philippines, March 31, 2022. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, is a longstanding bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

A CH-53 helicopters flies over a Republic of Korea Amphibious Assualt vehicle during a mock amphibious assault conducted by the Marine and Naval forces of the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the US, at Hat Yao, Feb. 4. The event was part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2010. Cobra Gold 2010 marks the 29th anniversary of the annual, joint and coalition multinational exercise, hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand. The exercise consists of a Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative Exercise, Command Post Exercise, HCA projects and field training exercises. The goal of the exercise is to enhance military interoperability and improves communities through humanitarian assistance and civil action projects. An amphibious assault demonstrates the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. An amphibious landing of infantry troops on a beach a complex military maneuvers. The undertaking requires coordination of numerous military specialties, including air power, naval

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk assigned to the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Troop Command takes off during the 2022 Expeditionary Medical Course at Camp Mad Bull, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, April 21, 2022. The 673d Medical Group partnered with the Army National Guard to support the EMED course through medevac operations.

Russian support personnel start to depart the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft landing site shortly after it landed in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan with Expedition 64 crew members Mark Vande Hei of NASA, and cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov, and Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos, Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Vande Hei and Dubrov are returning to Earth after logging 355 days in space as members of Expeditions 64-66 aboard the International Space Station. For Vande Hei, his mission is the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut in history. Shkaplerov is returning after 176 days in space, serving as a Flight Engineer for Expedition 65 and commander of Expedition 66.

DN-SC-88-03889. Base: Persian Gulf

221207-N-EB711-1015 ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 7, 2022) Guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) conducts helicopter in-flight refueling operations with an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Detachment 1, in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 7. The Sullivans is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

Indonesian Soldiers conduct live hoist training during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 22 at Baturaja, Indonesia on Aug. 1, 2022. Super Garuda Shield, a part of Operation Pathways and a longstanding annual, bilateral military exercise conducted between the U.S. military and Indonesia National Armed Forces, reinforces the U.S. commitments to our allies, and regional partners, joint readiness, and the interoperability to fight and win together.

U.S. Army paratroopers with the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, exit a CH-47F Chinook while conducting an air assault mission during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Alaska 23-02 at Yukon Training Area, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, March 30, 2023. JPMRC-AK 23-02 helps Soldiers and leaders develop and refine the tactics, techniques, and procedures necessary to successfully operate in remote and extreme Arctic winter conditions and overcome environmental and military challenges. Army aviators with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment provided air support for the operation.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (May 15, 2014) A MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 takes off to assist in aerial firefighting in Camp Pendleton, Calif. HSC-3 is assisting California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection by providing aircrews flying specially-equipped MH-60S helicopters to conduct aerial water drops against wildfires in San Diego County.

Report on a rescue device specializing in difficult mountain access. Aerial view of the rescuers from the helicopter.

Bölkow BO-105C Helicopters from 299 Squadron on exercise in the area of 3GGW in Blomberg, West Germany.

Marines with Guard Company, Marine Barracks Washington, prepare to advance during security forces training, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Aug 3, 2022. The Marines participated in an air insert with MV-22 Ospreys, and implemented their infantry training tactics by conducting land navigation and performing casualty evacuation scenarios.

Intervention with avalanche dog from a helicopter

030720-F-7685H-071. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363, Marine Corp Base Hawaii, air inserts 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division opposing forces on Pohakuloa Training Grounds, Nov. 4, 2022. Bilateral and multilateral exercises strengthen relationships and enhance interoperability with allies and partners through shared experiences and tough, realistic training. We routinely invite and encourage allies and partners to participate in JPMRC rotations.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey flies overhead a Blue Angles F/A-18 Super Hornet as part of the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 13, 2022. The air show provided an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of a Joint Force in the Indo-Pacific Region. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show, which contained aerial performances, static displays, demonstrations and vendors, was designed to celebrate MCBHs longstanding relationship with the local community.

Competition between airplane quadrons. Lynx helicopter performs a lifting command by weight along a ramp at Marineliegkamp de Kooy. The assignment was part of a skill competition with all kinds of obstacles between helicopters of the aircraft sequadrons 7 and 860.

Fairchild Air Force Base partners with the 24th Special Operations Wing for a master certification at Long Lake, Washington, October 6, 2022. Special Tactics members from the 24th SOW certified on medevac, water operations and other tactical skills.

Vertical Magazine photographer Lloyd Horgan photographed HH-60W operations during a two-week documentation of the 58th Special Operations Wing. The HH-60W belongs to the 512th Rescue Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. April 20, 2022.

Rome, Italy - 12 March 2013: Aerial view of an Italian Navy NH-101 helicopter during a flyover over the summit craters of the Etna volcano in Catania, Sicily, Italy.

Helicopter assists in alpine rescue.

LifeLine medevac personnel help the 90th Missile Wing by medevacking simulated injured personnel during the 2022 major accident response exercise, June 29, 2022, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Partnerships with emergency medical response helps the 90 MW with both exercises and real-world events.

DA-ST-86-06267. Country: Unknown

Helicopter - Report from Europe. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

DF-ST-86-12786. Subject Operation/Series: COPE MAX 85 Country: Unknown

Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, unload bottled water from a CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter to distribute to the local Haitian population. Bataan, along with amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry, USS Gunston Hall and USS Carter Hall are participating in Operation Unified Response and are providing military support capabilities to civil authorities to help stabilize and improve the situation in Haiti in the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan. 12.

Airmen from the 109th Airlift Wings Polar Camp Skiway Team prepare cargo to be loaded onto a de Havilland Canada CC-138 Twin Otter aircraft from the 440 Transport Squadron, Royal Canadian Armed Forces in Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada, Feb. 27, 2023. The 109th Airlift Wing provided tactical airlift capabilities during exercise Guerrier Nordique 2023.

111206-N-OY799-229ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 6, 2011) Sailors move stores as an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Eightballers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 delivers cargo during a replenishment at sea aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Melanie MACH Kluesner, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies an aerial demonstration certification flight at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 22, 2024. Upon the 388th Fighter Wing commander certification, the F-35 Demo Team pilot is required to complete the Air Combat Command Heritage Flight Training Course. Air Force

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the B. Co. "Sugarbears" of 1-52d General Support Aviation Battalion lands on Ladd Army Airfield, Fort Wainwright, Alaska during exercise Joint Pacific Multinational Center - Alaska, 23-02, March 28 2023, to support aerial movement of troops. JPMRC-AK 23-02 is a regional combat training center rotation focusing on large-scale combat operations including situational training and live-fire exercises designed to build cold weather and mountain-proficient forces prepared for employment within the U.S. Army Pacific area of responsibility.

010519-N-4912M-011. Base: Honolulu Harbor State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

UH-60 Black Hawk aircrews with the Pennsylvania National Guard train with water buckets in coordination with the Fort Indiantown Gap Fire Department and Forestry office. The crews took water from Memorial Lake and dropped it in the training corridor on base. This training helped prepare crews for firefighting and other emergencies.

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, partake in multiple events during Eagle Week on Fort Bragg, NC, June 14, 2022. Eagle Week is a week-long event commemorating past and current 37th Engineer Battalion Paratroopers with activities to honor the history, tradition, and heritage of the37th Engineer Battalion.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment Leader Rakkasans, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), supporting 3rd Infantry Division, prepare for takeoff inside UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, during the Sentry Sentinel exercise at Camp Taara, Estonia, Feb. 20, 2024. Sentry Sentinel prepares for potential reaction to an invasion by occupying battle positions as a battalion by air assaulting out, conducting defense and preparing for enemy forces. The 3rd Infantry Divisions mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe. Army

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 189th Aviation Regiment from the South Dakota Army National Guard conducted annual training June 7-21 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Throughout the two-week training, aviators, crew chiefs, and flight medics learned how to operate and successfully complete their tasks in a new environment. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Katie Mazos-Vega)

060224-N-4772B-196. Base: Leyte Country: Philippines (PHL)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 3rd Wing flies over Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, during Polar Force 22-4, April 4, 2022. This is the first Polar Force to be led by the 3rd Wing, with the primary focus on developing Agile Combat Employment and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces ability to fight in a contested, anti-access area denial environment. Operationalizing readiness-enhancing concepts like ACE is critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.

A CH-47F Chinook helicopter is parked on Kahiltna Glacier while the Soldiers of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, also known as the Sugar Bears, offload gear for the National Park Service at the mountaineering base camp. (US Army photo, Eve Baker, Fort Wainwright Public Affairs Office)

010401-F-2021R-011. Base: Raf Kinloss State: Forress Moray Country: Scotland (SCT)

A 71st Air Rescue Squadron (71st ARS) HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter flies over a river en route to the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. where it is being relocated in preparation for the squadron's deactivation on June 1, 1991. The 210th Air Rescue Squadron, Air National Guard, will take over the 71st ARS Alaskan rescue missions. State: Montana(MT) Country: United States Of America(USA)

Aerial view of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during high altitude mountainous training, Colorado

Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk crews from 1-207th Aviation operate in support of Department of Forestry crews to fight a wildfire at Montana Creek near Talkeetna, Alaska July 4, 2019.

Katrina - General - 26-HK-403-93. Hurricane Katrina

Marines from Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, United States, and Uruguay, perform static line parachute training from a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, as part of exercise UNITAS LXIII at Santa Cruz Air Force Base, Rio De Janeiro, during exercise UNITAS LXIII, Sept. 6, 2022. UNITAS develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of our reemerging and enduring maritime partners to achieve common objectives. Additionally, the military-to-military exchanges foster friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding among participating navies and marine corps.

An Mh-60S Knighthawk helicopter attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 flies a daytime familiarization flight at Naval Air Station Fallon, April 28, 2022. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is the offensive air and strike component of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the George H.W. Bush CSG. The squadrons of CVW-7 are Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143; VFA-103; VFA-86; VFA-136; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121; HSC-5; and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.

UH-60 Black Hawk aircrews with the Pennsylvania National Guard train with water buckets in coordination with the Fort Indiantown Gap Fire Department and Forestry office. The crews took water from Memorial Lake and dropped it in the training corridor on base. This training helped prepare crews for firefighting and other emergencies.

020530-F-4219L-004. Base: Dover Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

California National Guard Soldiers and CAL FIRE crewmembers continue to fight the Carr Fire, at 41% containment, with water-drop efforts from a UH-60 Black Hawk over Shasta County, California on August 4.

Military helicopter flying with fire retardant while smoke emitting from forest

Two U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron (VMM) 265 taxi to the runway during Marine Aviation Support Activities 22-2, July 18, 2022, Subic Bay, Philippines. MASA 22-2 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at increasing interoperability and improving aviation-related capabilities in support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense.

A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 437th Airlift Wing, stationed at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, flies above Saipan, Dec. 3, 2022. Airmen assigned to the 437th AW conducted off-station training in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibilities to hone global reach and readiness capabilities.

A CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade flies low over the tree line at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center during Saber Junction 22 in Hohenfels, Germany, Sep. 8, 2022. Saber Junction 22 is a multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Armys 173rd Airborne Brigade to execute unified land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with more than 4,500 participants from the U.S. and allied and partner nations at the U.S. Armys Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas.

KANDAHAR (2023), directed by RIC ROMAN WAUGH.

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, conduct flight operations near the Christ the Redeemer statue at Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, during exercise UNITAS LXIII, Sept. 12, 2022. UNITAS, which is Latin for unity, was conceived in 1959 and has taken place annually since first conducted in 1960. This year marks the 63rd iteration of the worlds longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. Additionally, this year Brazil celebrated its bicentennial, a historical milestone commemorating 200 years of the countrys independence.

U.S. East-Coast based U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) and U.S. Army Green Berets from 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) board a U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter to conduct fast-roping to strengthen interoperability and develop skills with Norwegian Special Operations Commandos in the extreme Arctic environment in Kodiak, Alaska, Feb. 26, 2024, during Arctic Edge 24. AE24 is an annual defense exercise for U.S. Northern Command emphasizing Joint Force operations in an extreme cold weather and high latitude environment and is designed to demonstrate the Commands ability to conduct Globally Integrated Layered Defenses in the Arctic. Coast Guard

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (Rein.) 265, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), flies over the ocean during a helocast at Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Apr. 27, 2022. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, taxis to the runway during exercise UNITAS LXIII at São Pedro da Aldeia, Brazil, Sept. 11, 2022. UNITAS is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Commands area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps illustration by 1st Lt. Mark L. Andries) (This image was created in color and changed to black-and-white.)

Aircrafts - Sand Baggers - 26-HK-57-93. Military helicopter with two sand bags flying over waterfront near row of sand bags and digger truck-- 050929. Hurricane Katrina

A 305th Rescue Squadron HH HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter hovers over a choppy Columbia River Gorge near Corbett, Oregon, during a combat search and rescue training exercise with the 304th RQS, Jan. 12, 2023. The two 943d Rescue Group, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, units carried out various rescue scenarios, ensuring Airmen are able to perform search and rescue operations in a variety of conditions and environments.

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve in support of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force UNITAS LXIII, conduct flight operations near the Christ the Redeemer statue at Corcovado Mountain, Rio de Janeiro, during exercise UNITAS LXIII, Sept. 12, 2022. UNITAS develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of our reemerging and enduring maritime partners to achieve common objectives. Additionally, the military-to-military exchanges foster mutual cooperation and understanding among participating navies and marine corps.

U.S. Army Chemical Corps Soldiers supported the 497th Multi-Role Bridge Company during a wet gap crossing exercise on Fort Stewart, Georgia. Soldiers from the 92nd Chemical Company participated in a training exercise that is designed to enable combat units to overcome obstacles and outmaneuver enemy forces. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Donovan G. Coleman.

Col. Shane Finison, commander of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, flies an AH-64E Apache helicopter over the Columbia River that separates Washington and Oregon. on Jul. 11, 2022. This was the final flight for Col. Finison as the brigade commander.

DF-ST-85-12062. Base: Naval Air Station, Cubi Point State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 conducts low altitude tactics (LAT) training in vicinity of Northern Japan, Oct. 13, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms and maneuver across multiple domains.

After being dropped off at the "Hook" landing zone by a CH-47 helicopter from Detachment 1, Company G, 140th Aviation, Nevada Army National Guard, the A-10 recovery team members face an 800 foot climb and a 2,000 foot traverse to the debris fields. Base: Gold Dust Peak State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), receive a resupply during a recovery operation in Santa Fe National Park, Panama Sept. 7, 2022. DPAA will be conducting recovery operations in Panama in hopes of finding missing naval aircrew members lost during a training flight in 1985. DPAA's mission is to achieve the fullest possible accounting for missing and unaccounted-for U.S. personnel to their families and our nation.

A pair of U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters assigned to the 129th Rescue Squadron, 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, fly over CEFCU Stadium, Sept. 1, 2022, at San Jose State University in San Jose, California, before the Spartans home football game against Portland State. The flyover was conducted in coordination with routine training operations and held in conjunction with the schools military appreciation night coordinated by U.S. Air Force ROTC Detachment 045.

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