← Military & Defence

Military Personnel In Action

Images of military personnel in various settings, highlighting soldiers with firearms in dynamic poses and tactical gear against natural landscapes.

Portrait of United States airborne infantry marksman with rifle.

050319-M-1327J-004. Base: Camp Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 8th ESB

041117-M-2353F-008. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040330-F-7823A-014. Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Green Berets US Army Special Forces Group soldiers in action. Green Berets soldiers in action

U.S. Army Sgt. Jennifer Peters, from the 186th Military Police Company, Iowa Army National Guard, provides security during military operations on urban terrain as part of mobilization training conducted by the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Dix, N.J., Jan. 10, 2008.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jose Orlandez, a rifleman with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, moves towards an objective during a live-fire range in Setermoen, Norway, April 26, 2022. The 22nd MEU, embarked aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, is participating in a bilateral training event with the Kingdom of Norways Armed Forces to strengthen U.S. and Norway interoperability ensuring collective capabilities and steadfast partnerships among NATO allies and partners.

040309-F-0207D-001. Base: Indian Springs Auxiliary Field State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030406-F-2034C-022. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

Airmen assigned to the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron participate in an evacuation operation at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Dec 5, 2022. This exercise simulated a deployment setting and enhanced the capabilities of the Airmen to rescue wounded warriors from the battlefield with an aircrafts engines running.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. John Buck, a platoon commander with Battalion Landing Team, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, supervises a boat formation during a rehearsal for a bilateral amphibious landing in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 6, 2022. The bilateral amphibious landing will be a combined interoperability event during KAMANDAG 6 involving members of the Philippine Marine Corps, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. KAMANDAG is an annual, bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen interoperability, capabilities, trust and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

BK_TB_Board_38 -- The U.S. Army Special Operations Command's Spc. Barrett K. Kauling awaits instructions during reflexive fire training Sept. 30. Kauling is one of 24 Soldiers competing in the 2008 Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year Best Warrior” Competition held Sept. 28-Oct.6 at Fort Lee, Va.

U.S. Army Spc. Dennis Gafoor, from Black Hawk Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, provides security during a cordon and search in the Shaab/Ur area of Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 17, 2007.

220603-N-SI601-1377 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 3, 2022) Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, attached to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, deployed aboard the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), conduct a maritime interdiction exercise with Republic of Korea special forces aboard ROKS Marado (LPH 6112) during Carrier Strike Group Exercise 2022. Carrier Strike Group Exercise is a bilateral exercise between the U.S. Navy and Republic of Korea Navy. This exercise allows our navies to refine operations and engagement to strengthen future cooperation while supporting the alliance that remains vital to the security interests of both nations and to stability in Northeast Asia.

030222-A-1613R-003. Base: Fort Leonard Wood State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine with 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, carries an M224 60mm mortar system during Technology Operational Experimentation Exercise (TOEE) 22 on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 28, 2022. TOEE 22 is specifically focused on emerging Naval concepts, such as expeditionary advanced base operations to provide selective science and technology initiatives with service-level experimentation through expeditionary logistics/naval sustainment, littoral maneuver-mobility using unmanned systems and sensors, and logistics operations as part of a maritime command and control network.

020219-F-6911G-001. Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

Low angle portrait of muscular soldier in field uniform with machine gun.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Griffin Fjeld sites in with an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle during Korea Viper 24.1 at Camp Mujuk, Republic of Korea, Feb. 7, 2024. Urban operations training strengthens Marines' proficiency in navigating and engaging in urban terrain, ensuring readiness through realistic training of close-quarters combat scenarios. In its first iteration, Korea Viper demonstrates the ROK-US Marine Corps ability to respond decisively in the region as a singular, unified force while strengthening relationships and trust between the two allies. Fjeld, a native of Minnesota, is a rifleman with 2d Battalion, 7th Marines. 2/7 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Marine Corps

030903-M-7837W-039. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Babylon Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Dutch Marines with Marine Squadron Carib, Netherlands Marine Corps prepare to move positions during Exercise Caribbean Urban Warrior on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 28, 2023. Exercise Caribbean Urban Warrior is a bilateral training evolution designed to increase global interoperability between 2d Marine Division and Marine Squadron Carib.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Salvador Bonilla, 509th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant exits a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during an exercise at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., Feb. 27, 2024. Security forces personel participated in an intergration exercise to help prepare them for any opposing forces attempting retrivial of munitions. Air Force

U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Kline, assigned to Bravo Company, 418th Civil Affairs Battalion, patrols in Baghdad, Iraq, March 27, 2008.

Special forces operators in a military kayak.

A U.S. Army paratrooper with 1st squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), scans for enemy positions during exercise Golden Anvil at the Multinational Training Site in Manjaca, Bosnia Herzegovina, July 2022. Paratroopers and Soldiers from multiple nations spent 15 days improving their interoperability by conducting mounted reconnaissance and security patrols. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.

110202-N-4743B-115SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 2, 2011) Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), Maritime Raid Force, check their weapons during a call-away drill in the hangar bay of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group on patrol in the western Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Army Spc. Justus Ibanez, a tank operator assigned to 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, stands on his tank during gunnery table V at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Jan. 18, 2024. Spc. Ibanez joined the Army after graduating from a military high school.

A Hungarian military policeman stands guard during a crisis response meeting on Jan. 26, 2022. Exercise Allied Spirit 22 is at the 7th Army Training Commands Joint Multinational Readiness Center utilizing the Hohenfels Training Area.Approximately 5,200 soldiers from 15 nations including Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Moldova, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States are participating in the exercising from Jan. 21 to Feb. 5. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Karen Sampson)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher Galleaghermorales, a coxswain with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pulls a Combat Rubber Raiding Craft ashore during a combined amphibious operation with the Philippine Marine Corps alongside the Republic of Korea Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force as part of KAMANDAG 6 at Zambales, Philippines, Oct. 7, 2022. KAMANDAG is an annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Jo Marie Rivera, left, a human resource specialist, and Sgt. 1st Class Rebecca Hamby, a military police officer, both with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, maintain security for a Female Engagement Team chief during a consultation at a clinic in the Tarnak wa Jaldak district, Zabul province, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2013.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Swistak, assigned to 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, works on his trigger squeeze during preliminary marksmanship instruction for the M4A1 carbine at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, July 13, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners.

Spc. Tyler Eluegge with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, waits for his team as they drag an Ahkio sled through Division Hill during the D-Series XXIV winter challenge on Fort Drum, NY, Jan. 19, 2024. D-Series builds combat-capable teams at the lowest level, by promoting a spirit of healthy competition, unit cohesion, and mastery of Alpine tactics, techniques, and procedures.

AL HAMRA, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (June 19, 2022) - A U.S. Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Central Command loads a magazine with ammunition during exercise Iron Defender 22 at Al Hamra training camp, UAE, June 19. Iron Defender is an annual bilateral training event between U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and forces from the United Arab Emirates. The exercise focuses on maritime security operations, mine countermeasures and harbor defense.

U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers participating in the Medical Simulation Training Center's Combat Lifesaver Course train with a New Jersey National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk MEDEVAC helicopter on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 25, 2022.

Joint Readiness Training Center at Ft. Polk

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Seth Barta, a pararecuesman with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), prepares to enter a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Oct. 20, 2010. The 82nd ERQS is deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa mission.

Green Berets U.S. Army Special Forces Group soldiers in action.

030415-M-0289P-004. Base: Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Cpl. Tyrone Robinson and Sgt. Blake Askin, both 92Ws, or water treatment specialists, praised by the 810th QM CO command team as outstanding among their peers.

american marine corps special operations modern warfare soldier with fire arm weapon and protective army tactical gear ready for battle

Paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division set up firing positions and pull security during the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotation on Fort Polk, Louisiana, Nov. 4, 2022. JRTC Rotation 23-01 serves to enhance brigade and supporting unit's deployment readiness.

Two soldiers of the Bundeswehr, taken during the Bundeswehr exercise 'Fast Eagle' in Barth, 05.05.2022. The exercise 'Fast Eagle' simulates an evacuation of German citizens from a fictitious crisis country within a short period of time., Barth, Germany, Europe

A U.S. Marine with I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group waits to fire at the 25 yard line during an annual rifle qualification on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 8, 2022. The ARQ is a three-day, combat-centric course of fire that tests Marines marksmanship skills in a dynamic-shooting environment.

A loadmaster assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing prepares a U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II for a static line jump near Udbina, Croatia, July 20, 2022. The static line jump was part of a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET), which included members of the U.S. Air Forces 352d SOW, the U.S. Armys 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Zapovjedništvo specijalnih snaga (Croatian Special Operations Forces Command). JCETs allow U.S. service members to train at the operational and tactical echelon as a combined, joint force with SOF setting the conditions for larger operations.

United States paratrooper airborne infantry, studio shot.

U.S. Marine During Mountain Warfare Training Exercise

US Army soldier carrying wounded soldier

Green Berets U.S. Army Special Forces Group soldier.

Two soldiers in uniform

Senior Airman Bryan Post, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 775th Civil Engineering Squadrons EOD flight, performs reconnaissance procedures on an unknown ordnance item during the Air Force EOD Team of the Year Grand Finale competition held at Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Indiana, July 25-27, 2022. Hosted by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, the competition seeks to drive innovation, restore readiness, and develop and retain leaders within the EOD career field.

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Payton Holtz, from St. Augustine , Fla., leader of 1st Platoon, from Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, flies in a Chinook helicopter during an air assault mission. The mission was meant to disrupt an insurgent hiding cell in Janubi Nakum village, Yahya Khel district of Paktika province, June 27-28.

Marines from Bravo Battery, 1ST Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Regiment attach the lanyard to a M198 155mm Medium Towed Howitzer to prepare for fire during a combined arms live fire exercise on. The M198 is constructed of aluminum and steel, and is air transportable by CH-53E helicopter and C-130 or larger fixed-wing aircraft. Maximum effective range with conventional ammunition is 22,400 meters (13.92 miles) and with a rocket-assisted projectile, 30,000 meters (18.64 miles). Base: Mcb, Hawaii State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment of the Battle Group Poland carry a weighted litter on the second day of the units 3-day sniper school try-outs in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Jan. 3, 2018. These Soldier are a part of the unique, multinational battle group, comprised of U.S., U.K., Croatian and Romanian soldiers who serve with the Polish 15th Mechanized Brigade as a deterrence force in northeast Poland in support of NATOs Enhanced Forward Presence.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Adrian Langley, a mortarman assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, stages before conducting a live-fire raid on Range 226 during a battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 21, 2022. Range 226 improved the Marines ability to operate their rifles at close quarters and in low-visibility environments during the larger FEX, intended to increase the battalions combat readiness.

Air Assault candidates rappel off the rappel towers on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, February 20, 2024. After successfully rappeling from the towers, candidates will rappel out of rotary wing aircraft. Army

Staff Sergeant Caleb M. Stinson, 232nd Medical Battalion Combat Medic Specialist Program (CMSTP) Instructor,replenishes his ammunition magazines during the best medic competition M4 rifle stress qualifications, Sep. 29, 2022 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Tx. The event included the Army Combat Fitness Test, obstacle course, M-4 qualification, warrior tasks and battle drills, land navigation, a Tactical Combat Casualty Care assessment and 12-Mile Ruck March.

U.S. Army Soldier with 1st Battalion 5th Infantry regiment A company rucks up the western corridor for a Passage of Lines mission to attack B and C Company during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Training Center at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, Feb. 17, 2024. JPMRC serves as the regions premier Combat Training Center that strengthens defense relationships, fosters multinational interoperability, increases U.S. readiness, and reinforces the unified regional land power network that supports a free and open Indo-Pacific. Air Force

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caleb Duncan, a Randolph, Vermont, native and a reconnaissance Marine with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, poses for a photo during Exercise Caribbean Coastal Warrior in Savaneta, Aruba, June 15, 2022. This bilateral training exercise allows 2d Recon to expand its knowledge and proficiency when operating in littoral and coastal regions. Caribbean Coastal Warrior continues to increase global interoperability between the U.S. Marines and Marine Squadron Carib, Netherlands Marine Corps, as well as Caribbean Urban Warrior, an annual training evolution conducted on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

U.S. Army Maj. Ryan Goulet, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), dons a T-11 parachute on Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 20, 2022. SETAF-AF soldiers keep a constant state of readiness which can also include airborne operations.

Green Berets US Army Special Forces Group sniper in action. Green Berets sniper

011108-A-5103G-007. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT GUARDIAN II Base: Camp Comanche Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 6th Squad, White Platoon, based out of Fort Irwin, California, simulate rescuing a hostage during the gunfighter gym event in the U.S. Army Forces Command Best Squad Competition at Fort Hood, Texas, August 18, 2022. The Best Squad Competition reinforces fundamental Soldier skills and squad level tactics.

U.S. Marine smoking a cigarette, half-turned to the camera.

United States airborne infantry marksman in action in the desert.

U.S. Marines with the Aviation Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose for a photo aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), April 11, 2022. Kearsarge, flagship of the Kearsarge ARG-MEU team, is on a scheduled deployment under the command and control of Task Force 61/2 while operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S., Allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa.

Army National Guard officer candidates with the 205th Regimental Training Institute Officer Candidate School Phase III coordinate their offensive strategy during movement to contact training lanes on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 18, 2022. Candidates learn to plan and execute time-sensitive operations in a demanding environment, and afterwards receive feedback from experienced instructors.

An Airman participates in a training scenario during Scorpion Lens 23 at McCrady Training Center, Eastover, South Carolina, March 22, 2023. Exercise Scorpion Lens is an annual training event held at McCrady Training Center, hosted by the 1st Combat Camera Squadron (1CTCS). The exercise provides expeditionary skills and training to Combat Camera professionals from the United States Army, Air Force, and Marines worldwide.

220715-N-MZ836-1053 ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 15, 2022) U.S. Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) fire M4 service rifles during a live-fire exercise aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), July 15, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 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.

Female U.S. Marine in uniform, equipped with rifle.

Soldier loading automatic weapon during training

030409-M-2195C-026. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman Keeps Look Out

U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Dinote, First Air Force-Air Forces Northern director of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, writes notes during a meeting at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, April 1, 2022. The meeting focused on streamlining training within the 17th Training Group to create stronger interoperability between intelligence, cyber, and space professionals.

Capt. Armands Rutkis, a Joint Tactical Air Controller from the Latvian armed forces, marks a drop zone with smoke to allow a C-130 Hercules to drop simulated cargo during Operation Northern Strike 2014 near Rogers City, Mich. on Aug. 5, 2014. The C-130 is based with the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria, Ill. Operation Northern Strike 2014 is a joint multi-national combined arms training exercise conducted in Michigan.

A U.S. Army soldier assigned to the 77th Sustainment Brigade prepares for the second half of Operation Blind Mans March on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Oct. 22, 2022. Thirty-nine soldiers participated in the 25-mile ruck march to give soldiers the opportunity to challenge themselves, build camaraderie within the unit, and boost overall morale. The march was named after John of Luxembourg who died in the Battle of Crécy in 1346, after having been blind for a decade.

Sgt. Hayden Prater, Reserve Marine and a scout sniper assigned to Scout Sniper Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, prepares to engage targets during an unknown distance range at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, May 18, 2022. Marines from the Scout Sniper Platoon convened with other units from 3/23 at Fort Campbell for a mission rehearsal exercise to prepare for the upcoming Integrated Training Exercise 4-22 in the summer of 2022. The Marines conducted specific long-range precision fire training with multiple weapons systems to hone marksmanship skills.

Members of the U.S. Secret Service Hazardous Agent Mitigation Medical Emergency Response Team accompany the President of the United States, Joe Biden, not shown, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, New York, Sept. 22, 2022.

United States Marine combat engineer holds up his metal detector used to search for hidden explosives and weapons

980624-F-1108F-006. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Caiden Gaumond, a recruit with Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, aims in on his target during grass week at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 24, 2022. Gaumond was recruited out of San Antonio, Texas with Recruiting Station San Antonio.

Army National Guard officer candidates, enrolled in the Washington Army National Guards 205th Regimental Training Institute Officer Candidate School Phase III, execute a platoon raid and air extraction at the Leschi Town Collective Training Facility on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 24, 2022. A raid is a limited-objective, deliberate operation entailing swift penetration of hostile terrain. Squad and platoon missions help candidates to develop their leadership skills, and quickly make critical decisions based on an understanding of Army tactical doctrine.

Close-up of an airman with his face painted

060404-A-5168K-004. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron (STS) exit a U.S. Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft at Matsushima Air Base, Japan, March 16, 2011. Members of the 320th STS from Kadena Air Base, Japan, deployed to Sendai Airport to help clear the runway and make it ready for fixed-wing aircraft traffic.

Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion spent a portion of their annual training working inside the Orchard Combat Training Center Shoot House.The Shoot House is not another range but a tactical training environment where soldiers sharpen their skills in entering and clearing a room and various passageways in tight, close quarters areas. The exercise requires squad leaders to clearly communicate directions to identify potential threats and respond strategically and effectively to those threats.Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers are currently preparing to deploy in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Task Force Phoenix Soldiers had long journeys to the locations they will be operating out of during their deployment to the Middle East. Here they get a little help from the U.S. Air Force. First Lt. Christopher Tinklenberg, from B Company, 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), tries to get some rest in an Air Force C-130 cargo plane en route to his duty station in the Middle East.

A Finnish soldier poses for a photo after completing an island seizure exercise on Russaro Island, Finland, Aug. 10, 2022. During the exercise, U.S. Marines simulated an opposing force and the Finnish forces were on the offensive. 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.

051218-A-5011J-007. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to be hooked up to a CH-53E Super Stallion during Helicopter Support Team training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 22, 2022. U.S. Marines with CLB 13 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362 (Reinforced) conduct HST training to enhance their skills as landing support Marines and pilots. This is the first time a JLTV was used during HST training.

A U.S. Marine Corps recruit with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, uses a compass during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 17, 2022. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep.

SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- U.S. Space Force SPC 3 Michelle Skeets, A Space Operator for the 4th Space Operations Squadron, Mobile Operations Flight (DOM) pulls security during a routine training exercise at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, April 8, 2022. The 4th SOPS' mission is to operate the U.S. Space Force's protected and wideband Military Satellite Communications systems. They provide warfighters global, secure, survivable, strategic and tactical communications during peacetime and throughout the full spectrum of conflict. The squadron is responsible for command and control of the Milstar/Advanced Extremely High Frequency Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III, and Wideband Global Satellite Comunications satellite constellations through dedicated Extremely High Frequency antennas and the Air Force Satellite Control Network. The squadron also operates three mobile constellation control stations at various locations in conjunction with host partners.

Close-up portrait of a U.S. Marine with dirty face, smoking a cigarette.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (July 12, 2022) An Australian Army Soldier assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, cleans his rifle during a live fire exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 12. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, paddle out in a combat rubber raiding craft during a boat launch aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 19, 2022. Boat company launches from the well deck to provide the landing force a ship-to-shore capability. 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.

England, London, City of London. Member of the Royal Air Force wearing camouflage in the procession at the annual Lord Mayor's Show in the City of London.

A Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade pulls security for his ammo section in the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, July 17, 2022. Dynamic Front 2022, led by 56th Artillery Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa directed, is the premiere U.S.-led NATO Allies and Partners-integrated fires exercise in the European theater focusing on fire interoperability and increasing readiness, lethality and interoperability across the human, procedural and technical domains.

Cadet Luke Garver, from the United States Military Academy at West Point, hugs his teammate Cadet Sebastian English as he lays down to rest after crossing the finish line of the 3rd Brigade Army ROTC Northern Warfare Challenge, La Crosse, Wis., Feb. 24, 2024. This was the first year that West Point had participated in the competition. Army

051003-A-8255A-075. Base: Najaf Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An operator scans the rafters for hazards and hostiles during a training exercise in Battle Creek, Michigan, August 10, 2022. The operation integrated guardsmen from the Birmingham, Alabama-headquartered 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to infiltrate a complex building, neutralize enemies, rescue hostages and recover hazardous materials. The event was part of Northern Strike 22, a joint, multinational all-domain warfighting exercise hosted out of Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center.

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