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Military Helicopters in Action

Dynamic images of military helicopters conducting various operations, showcasing capabilities and training scenarios.

December 1, 2012 - Members of the Czech Air Force train in an Afghan Air Force Mil Mi-17 helicopter during a mission from Kabul, Afghanistan.

DM-ST-86-08385. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An MV-22B Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), arrives at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, June 16, 2022. The aircraft landed on an airfield repaired by Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd MAW, to demonstrate the Marine Corps self-sufficiency in austere environments.

A right front view of a CH-53 Super Jolly helicopter prior to its take off on a training mission. Base: Sembach Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

020427-F-7203T-017. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE 2002 Base: Fort Greeley State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A German UH-1 rescue helicopter, from the German Air Force Rescue Center #1, prepares to take off from the mass casualty exercise at Dona Ana Range, Fort Bliss, Texas. The German soldiers, are demonstrating their rescue techniques to the U.S. Army's 396th Combat Support Hospital personnel from Orogrande, New Mexico, while participating in the world's largest joint service, multi-nation tactical air operations exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS 97 Base: El Paso State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Sikorsky HSS-1N (SH-34J, UH-34J) submarine control helicopter 142 (1960-1972) during an exercise staff transfer.

040726-F-0571C-055. Complete Scene Caption: A Colorado Army National Guard (COARNG) 2nd Battalion (BN), 135th Aviation Regiment (2/135th) UH-60 Blackhawk (Black Hawk) utility helicopter flies overhead carrying a sling loaded Container Express (CONEX) pallet of medical supplies to be transported to New Amsterdam, Berbice District, Guyana (GUY), from Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD) District, GUY, as part of a Operation NEW HORIZONS 2004. This operation is a four-month joint service training exercise being held in Guyana by elements of the US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), and it involves combined teams of US and GDF military personnel working on several construction projects and two Medical Readiness Training Exercises (MEDRETE). Base: Camp Stephenson, Timehri Country: French Guiana (GUF)

An Air Force pararescueman conducts a combat insertion and extraction exercise in Djibouti, Africa.

AH-64D Apache Longbow

Ohio National Guard Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment prepare to sling load a M119A3 Howitzer, belonging to 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, to a UH-60 Black Hawk, belonging to 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, during Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 8, 2022. Infantry brigade combat teams must train in a joint, multicomponent, multinational environment to ensure they can fight and win in an expeditionary environment against a near-peer adversary.

220829-N-XN177-1115 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 29, 2022) - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 flies over amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) with a load of supplies during a vertical replenishment with fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198), Aug. 29, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

020930-F-1443F-006. Subject Operation/Series: VICTORY STRIKE III Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 123rd and 156th Contingency Response Groups attach cargo to the bottom of a UH-60 Blackhawk from the 2nd Battalion, 147th Assault Helicopter (2-147 AHB), Minnesota Army National Guard in Little Falls, Camp Ripley, Minn., Aug. 9, 2022. The Airmen are participating in a fieldcraft contingency response exercise in which they are simulating they have moved to a location where air operations are nonexistent or insufficient.

A U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter carries an Internal Slingable Unit during an integrated sling load training at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 13, 2022. The Blackhawk assigned to the 2-2 Assault Helicopter Battalion, Seoul AB, ROK, can transport up to 9,000 pounds of sling-loaded cargo and deliver it anywhere, including remote and austere locations.

US Air Force Sikorsky MH-60 Blackhawk special operations helicopter kicks up dust while landing in the desert on a combat search and rescue mission

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, hovers over water during a visit, board, search, and seizure exercise aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 7, 2022. Marines and Sailors aboard LPD 18 provided oversight and command and control during the VBSS drill. The 31st MEU is operating aboard the 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.

Front view of a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter as a C-141 Starlifter flies over during an aeromedical evacuation training exercise. Base: Travis Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The soldiers of Bandit Troop, 3rd Squadron 71st Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Team get ready to board a CH-47 Chinook troop transport helicopter after completing their mission at Forward Operating Base Muqar. The Spartans of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team are deployed to Afghanistan as a Security Force Advise Assist Brigade in support of Operating Enduring Freedom.

U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, insert at Landing Zone Falcon with Marines from 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 1, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual 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.

ARABIAN GULF (Sept. 23, 2016) The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) stands by as two Sailors from the search and rescue team are hoisted up to a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48 during a Search and Rescue training evolution. Monterey, deployed as part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters take off from Republic of Korea, Military Base G510 March 26, 2007, during exercise Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration / Foal Eagle 2007. The annual joint command post and field training exercise demonstrates U.S. resolve to support South Korea against external aggression while improving combat readiness and joint/combined interoperability.

A Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 6 (HC-6) CH-46D Sea Knight helicopter hovers over the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) as a hookup man reaches with a pole pendant for the helicopter's cargo hook to attach a load of empty ammunition crates. The fast combat support ship USS DETROIT (AOE-4) is in the background. The ships are in the Red Sea to support Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Red Sea

DA-ST-87-12918. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '87 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

DN-ST-89-11007. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A view of a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter as it lifts a cement weight during exercises near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Air Force HC-130J Combat King II assigned to the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron refuels a U.S. Army MH-47G Chinook over an undisclosed location, Oct. 10, 2022. The joint training event, in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, demonstrated day and night Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling capabilities.

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter hovers above the ground prior to picking up equipment and supplies during the joint US/Honduras field training Exercise AHUAS TARA II (BIG PINE). Subject Operation/Series: AHUAS TARA II (BIG PINE) Country: Honduras (HND)

A Boeing CH-47 Chinook flies over the Grayrocks reservoir during the Team Leader Training Event on July 19, 2022, in Wyoming. Soldiers inside the helicopter would then jump out when it reached the drop off area.

U.S. Soldiers with 1st Attack Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 11th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), set up equipment and provide site security at a training site near Erbil Air Base, Iraq, May 28, 2022. U.S. Soldiers with 11th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Eagle, conducted training on procedures and equipment to recover downed aircraft while mobilized in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter assigned to 1-207th Aviation Regiment makes a tactical insertion at Malemute drop zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 2. The air crew conducted air assault training with the University of Alaska ROTC detachment during its end-of-semester 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. (Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso)

041023-F-2034C-003. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Mckenzie Country: Iraq (IRQ)

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.

040609-F-3488S-012. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

A Marine UH-1N Huey inserts RECON Marines, who swim to shore prior to the main assault during this quarters Capability Exercise (CAPEX) at Camp Lejeune.The purpose of the CAPEX is to showcase Marine Corps capabilities in a varirty of different tactical exercises for Capstone Officers, congressional representatives and interested civilan agency representatives. Subject Operation/Series: CAPEX JAN 2001 Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 2d MAW

A silhouette of an US Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter in the sunset as it takes off from the flight deck during deck landing qualifications. The Army helicopter, from E Company, 502nd Aviation Regiment, Aviano, Italy, practices landings and take-offs from the deck of the amphibious assault ship as it operates off the coast of Italy. Base: USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466), Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts flight operations during the air assault portion of Marine Air Ground Task Force Distribution Maneuver Exercise (MDMX), on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 13, 2023. MDMX is a maneuver exercise that incorporates air, ground, and logistics operations to create favorable conditions for the Joint Force.

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

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron HC-4 "Black Stallions" helicopter, a MH-53E Sea Dragon, from NAS Sigonella, Italy, flies over the Mediterranean Sea as it departs from a successful vertical replenishment with USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). TRUMAN is on a scheduled six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf. Base: Uss Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey aircraft assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) conducts a tactical touch-and-go as part of ground threat reaction drills in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 near Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 6, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines conduct an airlift of an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer at a helicopter external lift drill on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 19, 2022. 3/12 incorporates airlift training to improve rapid insertion and extraction of equipment, producing lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of operations across a wide range of missions.

US Marine Corps AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter being refueled at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq

USA, Florida, CV-22 Osprey and MH-53 Pave Low fly over coastline

A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, flies during a training exercise Oct. 27, 2022. The primary mission of the 8th SOS is to provide rapid global response supporting long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of Special Operations Forces in hostile or denied territories.

Two U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopters assigned to Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773 prepare to land aboard the San Antonio class dock landing ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) in the North Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 16, 2022. HMLA 773 launched three UH-1Y Venom and two AH-1Z Viper helicopters from McGuire Air Force Base and embarked them aboard the USS Mesa Verde for transit to Brazil in support of exercise UNITAS LXIII hosted by the Brazilian Navy and Marine Corps. 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 will celebrate its bicentennial, a historical milestone commemorating 200 years of the countrys independence.

A Marine CH-46 helicopter flies over the port of Cap Haitien with a load of supplies to drop for the relief efforts to local communities during Uphold Democracy. Subject Operation/Series: UPHOLD DEMOCRACY Base: Cap Haitien Country: Haiti (HTI)

DF-ST-88-08612. Base: Hurlburt Field State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines scramble out of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 164 (HMM-164) CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopters during the amphibious assault phase of the joint U.S./South Korean Exercise Team Spirit '88. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '88 Country: South Korea

Operation Jeb Stuart III, south of Quang Tri. Soldier guiding a Huey helicopter into landing. 1968.

220916-N-VS068-1011PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2022) - An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, drops off ordinance during an ammunition onload aboard amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Sept. 16. Aviation Ordnancemen operate and handle aviation ordnance equipment and are responsible for the stowage and loading of munitions and small arms. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of USS Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is underway conducting integrated training operations with the13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the U.S. 3rd Fleet to prepare for an upcoming deployment.

DN-SC-04-17179. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Four 1st Air Cavalry Brigade UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters depart the landing zone after executing a multi-national air assault with British and North Macedonian ground forces. U.S. Air Force C-130 aircraft fly above the drop zone after delivering Italian paratroopers in the very first airborne training operation held in North Macedonia. Exercise Swift Response 2022 is an annual multinational training exercise, which takes place in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics, and Balkans from May 2-20, 2022. It aims to present combat credible Army forces in Europe and Africa and enhance readiness by building airborne interoperability with Allies and Partners and the integration of joint service partnerships.

UH-60 Black hawks and an Apache AH-64 from the Utah Army National Guard brought in distinguished visitors to visit more than 200 service members across four major commands who participated in a one day exercise held at Dugway Proving Ground on Sept. 8, 2022. The joint force exercise prioritized the concepts of Agile Combat Employment and Multi-Capable Airmen.

UH-60 Black hawks and an Apache AH-64 from the Utah Army National Guard brought in distinguished visitors to visit more than 200 service members across four major commands who participated in a one day exercise held at Dugway Proving Ground on Sept. 8, 2022. The joint force exercise prioritized the concepts of Agile Combat Employment and Multi-Capable Airmen.

A U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, lands during an air assault as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 5, 2022. Steel Knight is an annual combined arms live-fire exercise which ensures 1st MARDIV is optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces, and is purpose-built to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore.

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, California (Oct. 13, 2022) Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 conduct combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) training off the coast of San Clemente Island. During Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific’s (HSCWSP) exercise PHOENIX RESCUE 23-1 squadrons from Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific (HSCWP), Marine Air Group (MAG) 39 and 26th Weapons Squadron conducted maritime training aimed at improving CSAR capabilities.

USA, California, Chinook Search and Rescue Helicopter, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park

040427-M-9362G-004. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030217-M-7031A-016. Base: Marine Corps Base, Ternate State: Cavite Province Country: Philippines (PHL)

Alaska Army National Guardsmen with the 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion travel from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to Nome, Alaska, via UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter April 11, 2022. The UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters will remain in Nome for Golf Company, Detachment 1, 2-211th GSAB to conduct annual training and aide in River Watch if needed this spring. Should there be significant flooding or other emergency in the vicinity, the helicopters will provide support as requested by the State. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda ONeal)

Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil A-Star Helicopter flying over the hills of Malibu, CA during a Fast Rope type military operation.

060507-A-6365W-190. Base: Forward Operating Base Remagen State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

DN-SC-89-05995. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-04-17181. Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Colorado Army National Guard High Altitude Training Squadron UH-1N helicopter is on final approach to the "ouch" pad, the drop off point where members of the A-10 recovery begin their search and recovery efforts. Base: Gold Dust Peak State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

PACIFIC OCEAN (May 10, 2022) CV-22 Osprey, attached to U.S. Air Force 8th Special Operations Squadron conducts flight operations with amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), May 10, 2022. Essex is underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

Members of the 20th Special Operations Squadron battle bitter cold to service their MH-53J Pave Low III helicopters during JAGUAR BITE '89, a joint Army-Air Force exercise conducted by the US Special Operations Command. Subject Operation/Series: JAGUAR BITE '89 Base: Phelps Collins Ang Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing conduct landing drills with MV-22 Ospreys at Landing Zone Falcon, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 7, 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.

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.

An aircrew guides a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft in for a landing July 13, 2022, at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. In a rare training event at Fort McCoy, aircrew with the Marine Corps Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 of Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., flew a pair of MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft July 12-14 at the installation for aerial gunnery training at the impact area on North Post.

220804-N-GF955-1176ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 4, 2022) Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) 2nd Class Kyle Jose, from Grafton, Mass., waits for the winch to be lowered from a MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79, Detachment 2, during helicopter in-flight refueling (HIFR) on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Aug. 4, 2022. Paul Ignatius, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, 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.

A Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (HM-15) MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter conducts mine countermeasures operations near Naval Air Station, Alameda, California. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)

A U.S. Navy HH-60 prepares to land in a field and pick up U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers and U.S. Army Pathfinders conducting a Drop Zone survey for future air drop sites on January 24, 2010 in Port au Prince, Haiti during Operation Unified Response.

060510-N-7981E-052. Base: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B assigned to Marine Marine Tilitrotor Squadron-165 (VMM-165), Marine Air Group (MAG 16), 3d Marine Aircraft Wing (3d MAW) takes off during Wildland Firefighting Exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, San Diego Calif, on May 5, 2016. Wildland Firefighting Exercise 2016 is part of an annual training exercise to simulate the firefighting efforts by aviation and ground assets from the Navy, Marine Corps, San Diego County and CAL Fire. This event is aimed at bringing awareness to this joint capability while also exercising the pilots and operators who conduct firefighting missions.

DN-ST-89-08653. Base: San Diego Bay State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, offloads a container at Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2022. HMH-466 and 3rd Landing Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducted ship-to-shore movements to offload gear in support of redeployment from Balikatan 22, an annual joint force exercise in the Republic of the Philippines.

Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment, North Carolina National Guard, conduct sling-load operations in conjunction with aviators of 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, Utah National Guard, during Western Strike 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho. Western Strike 22 is an eXportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise led by the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, Utah National Guard, that provides National Guard Soldiers immersed training similar to a combat training center and aims to increase participating unit's readiness and lethality.

U.S. Marine Corps V-22 Ospreys fly as a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor taxis down the flight line Aug. 12, 2022, during the Kaneohe Bay Air Show at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The airshow included a wide range of joint aerial performances and included interactive static displays, demonstrations and vendors. The event was held to celebrate the militarys longstanding relationship with the local community.

Two HH-60G Pave Hawks assigned to the 55th Rescue Squadron, fly over an exercise incident site at Playas Training Center, New Mexico, Aug. 11, 2022. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is the only installation that hosts RF-R. RF-R is hosted twice a year and includes various American units as well as various partner forces.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - A helicopter is landing near rescue team members taking part in a Mode VII” emergency landing simulation at Kennedy Space Center. The purpose of Mode VII is to exercise emergency preparedness personnel, equipment and facilities in rescuing astronauts from a downed orbiter and providing immediate medical attention. This simulation presents an orbiter that has crashed short of the Shuttle Landing Facility in a wooded area 2-1/2 miles south of Runway 33. Emergency crews are responding to the volunteer astronauts” simulating various injuries inside an orbiter crew compartment mock-up. Rescuers must remove the crew, provide triage and transport to hospitals those who need further treatment. Local hospitals are participating in the exercise.

A silhouetted view of an SH-3 Sea King helicopter hovering above the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew assigned to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division prepares for aerial gunnery tables at Douthit Gunnery Complex, Fort Riley, Kansas on August 1st, 2022. Aerial gunnery tables develop and test the proficiency of individual, crew, and unit gunnery techniques at the basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to conduct an external lift during a training event at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 3, 2022. The training increased battlefield proficiency and combat readiness across Marine Air-Ground Task Force units while expanding the ability for commanders to relocate artillery assets in austere terrain.

UH-1N Iroquois helicopter drops off search and rescue members at Kasuminome Airfield March 13. UH-1N helicopters at Yokota Air Base normally provide base leadership fast and efficient means of transit to meetings and events in downtown Tokyo, but are currently being used to shuttle disaster relief personnel to locations along Japans East Coast.

A Colombian Marine climbs a ladder attached to a U.S. Army Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during helocast extraction drills during exercise Tradewinds 2022 (TW22), at Bacalar lagoon, Mexico, May 10, 2022. TW22 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored Caribbean-focused multi-dimensional exercise conducted in the ground, air, sea, and cyber domains, designed to provide participating nations opportunities to conduct joint, combined, and interagency training focused on increasing regional cooperation and interoperability in complex multinational security operations.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines board a CH-53E Super Stallion during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 6, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region.

A close-up left side view of an Air Force MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter on display during an air show. This helicopter is armed with one 7.62mm GAU-2/A mini-gun and one .50-caliber M-2 machine gun on each side. Base: Eglin Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-87-05408. Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, prepare to connect a pallet to a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, during helicopter support team training at Landing Zone Dodo, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 25, 2024. The training rehearsed sustaining the ground combat element within an Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and enhanced the Marines' ability to conduct expeditious transport and versatility in support of expeditionary advanced base operations.

A Nebraska Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook helicopter, piloted by Minnesota Army National Guard pilots from the 2-211th, General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), airlift a Bobcat loader near Genoa, Nebraska, March 26. The airdrop was a part of flood recovery efforts at the Loup River diversion dam. (Nebraska National Guard

220807-F-LN908-0235INDIAN OCEAN (Aug. 7, 2022) An MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163, prepares to land aboard the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4), Aug. 7, 2022. Hershel "Woody" Williams is rotationally deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet, to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Helicopters depart the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft landing site with NASA astronaut Christina Koch, ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsovis in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. Koch returned to Earth after logging 328 days in space --- the longest spaceflight in history by a woman --- as a member of Expeditions 59-60-61 on the International Space Station. Skvortsov and Parmitano returned after 201 days in space where they served as Expedition 60-61 crew members onboard the station.

U.S. Marine Corps aircraft maintainers work on an MV-22 Osprey at dawn, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province of southern Afghanistan.

Marines in an M-151 1/4 ton light vehicle meet a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter during rapid response loading Exercise Agile Sword '86. Subject Operation/Series: AGILE SWORD '86 Base: Naval Air Station, Pensacola State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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