Military Training and Exercises

Silhouetted soldiers and aerial views of training exercises under bright skies, capturing the intensity and camaraderie of military drills and operations.

Silhouette of soldier with rifle against a sunset.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, conduct a workout during the Adversary Force Exercise (AFX) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, April 14, 2022. The purpose of AFX is to create a credible, realistic threat for the exercise forces participating in the Integrated Training Exercise to engage against during the upcoming MAGTF Warfighting Exercise in a force-on-force, unscripted wargame.

Silhouette of soldier with rifle against a sunset.

A US Navy air cushioned landing craft (LCAC) from the USS Portland arrives at Black Beach to pick up an Evacuation Control Team participating in a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) rehearsal. A P3 Orion is flying overhead. Subject Operation/Series: UNOSOM II Base: Mogadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)

A bundle drops from a Pennsylvania National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during the field training exercise portion of Pathfinder school at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., on August 10, 2022. Soldiers from Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard, worked together to pass the challenging course

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the "Hound Battalion," 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, park a modernized M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, Feb. 26, 2023. The Spartan Brigade, the Armys most modernized brigade, completed its rotation NTC 23-05, making it not only the best equipped but most lethal unit in Americas arsenal as the Army moves toward building the Army of 2030.

During a training operation a security policeman mans a M60 machine gun mounted on a fast moving High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV).Exact Date Shot Unknown. Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, Europe and Spanish Marines assigned to Marine Infantry Brigade, Third Armada, First Landing Battalion, conduct a hike as part of exercise Lisa Azul in Sierra del Retin, Spain, Sept. 14, 2022. Lisa Azul is an annual bilateral training exercise that takes place aboard Naval Station Rota and Sierra del Retin and focuses on critical skills such as live-fire, helicopter rope suspension techniques, non-lethal combatives, and physical fitness to foster camaraderie and sustain interoperability amongst U.S. and partner forces and improve lethality in security and infantry operations.

US Air Force SENIOR AIRMAN Joseph Rogers of the 48th Fighter Wing, 48th Civil Engineering Squadron (CES), Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, stands guard ready to take action during the 48th CES Prime BEEF (Base Emergency Engineer Force) bivouac exercise. The exercise was held to test the troops ability to set up camp and secure it. Subject Operation/Series: PRIME BEEF Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Members of the 82nd Airborne Division parachute from C-141 Starlifter aircraft over Landing Zone Nelson during exercise Gallant Eagle. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE Base: Fort Irwin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Exercise Amitie, which is French for friendship exercise, is a multinational training exercise designed to increase interoperability, enhance mutual capabilities and support a sustained presence in the region. During Amitie, elements from the 15th MEU participated in a three-day mounted patrol, land and water obstacle courses, aviation-related evolutions and joint planning. The training was led by the French 5th Marine Regiment and included elements from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, French Foreign Legion, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force and Djiboutian military. The 15th MEU is deployed as part of the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

The sun comes up over the desert on the morning that the coalition began its ground offensive to free Kuwait during Operation DESERT STORM. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Silhouette of modern infantry soldier in tactical ammunition, armed with service rifle, standing in sandy, desert area on sunset or sunrise background. Army ranger patrolling territory at dawn. Silhouette of modern army soldier in dawn patrol

U.S. Marines with Air Delivery Platoon, 3d Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, recover drop loads from the drop zone in support of establishing a forward refueling point, Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 26, 2022. 3rd LSB conducted a battalion field exercise to train core mission essential tasks and rehearse emerging warfighting concepts in preparation for future exercises and operations. 3d MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward-deployed combat unit that serves as III MEFs comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison Santamaria)

U.S. Marine aircrew members with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Air Wing, refuel a C-130 aircraft at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 25, 2022. 3rd LSB conducted a battalion field exercise to train core mission essential tasks and rehearse emerging warfighting concepts in preparation for future exercises and operations. 3d MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward-deployed combat unit that serves as III MEFs comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Madison Santamaria)

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A combat-ready fire team from Co. C, 1ST Bn., 8th Marines, are in the prone position with their M-16A1 rifles, as they prepare to assault an enemy bunker. This is part of Operation CAX 1-2-82, held at the Marine Corps Air-to-Ground Combat Center. Subject Operation/Series: CAX 1-2-82 Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

View of the interior reveals a rough shelter with sandbags and a worn mattress, a stark contrast to the outside world, Kyiv, Kyiv City, Ukraine.

US Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles at Sunset

U.S. Army snipers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, return to their area of operations after engaging targets during a live-fire exercise at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Aug. 4, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe.

A view of a the air traffic control facilities used by controllers managing the military helicopter traffic at the humanitarian services support base set up for Operation Provide Comfort, a multinational effort to aid the refugees in northern Iraq and southern Turkey. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Silopi Country: Turkey (TUR)

Special forces in action in the desert, covered by smoke screen.

A French Foreign Legionnaire runs to a fortified bunker during Adversary Force Exercise 3-22 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, April 26, 2022. The Legionnaires defended a forward operating base U.S. Marines were using to test emerging intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technologies.

The aft lookout on the guided missile cruiser USS JOSEPHUS DANIELS (CG-27) is silhouetted by the sunset during Unitas XXXI, an annual, joint exercise between the U.S. Navy and the naval forces of nine South American countries. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXXI Country: Unknown

Defender forces from the 3880th Security Police Squadron move out on an afternoon patrol stop an armored personnel carrier during Exercise Team Spirit '82. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '82 Base: Kunsan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

021219-F-1443F-013. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Military desert checkpoint with armed sentinel in the sunset

Members of the 89th Airlift Squadron train on CBRN defense techniques Oct. 4, 2014, while preparing for a training flight at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. CBRN stands for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense and includes protective measures taken in situations involving those hazards. The protection procedures could also be used by flight crews active in the fight against Ebola.

Soldiers walk out of the terminal to the waiting C-17 Globemaster III Aug. 13, 2010, at Sather Air Base, Iraq. The Soldiers are redeploying as part of The U.S. Forces Responsible Drawdown of Forces to 50,000 troops by the end of August when Operation Iraqi Freedom ends, and Operation New Dawn begins. More than 90,000 troops have been redeployed during RDOF.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alexander Doherty, machine gunner, assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, Europe, sits during a hike as part of exercise Lisa Azul in Sierra del Retin, Spain, Sept. 14, 2022. Lisa Azul is an annual bilateral training exercise that takes place aboard Naval Station Rota and Sierra del Retin and focuses on critical skills such as live-fire, helicopter rope suspension techniques, non-lethal combatives, and physical fitness tofoster camaraderie and sustain interoperability amongst U.S. and partner forces and improve lethality in security and infantry operations.

DF-ST-87-07508. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030129-M-5972A-005. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Al Jaber Air Base Country: Kuwait (KWT)

Members of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit run past Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 261 (HMM-261) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters secured on the bow of the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH-9) during morning physical training (PT). Country: Adriatic Sea

DF-ST-88-05002. Subject Operation/Series: CALFEX Base: Fort Hunter Liggett, Jolon State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division participate in the 10k Presidents Day Ruck, February 19, 2024. The ruck was hosted by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and celebrated all 46 of the United States' current and former Presidents. Army

Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division react to contact at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) during JRTC rotation 23-01 on Fort Polk, Louisiana, Nov. 8, 2022. JRTC Rotation 23-01 serves to enhance brigade and supporting unit's deployment readiness.

Crew members emerge from the nuclear-powered submarine USS SEAHORSE (SSN-669) shortly after the vessel surfaced at the North Pole during exercise Ice Ex '90. Subject Operation/Series: ICE EX '90 Country: North Sea

Sailors wave goodbye from the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan in Sand Diego, California.

980526-F-4116M-001. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Udairi Range Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, scans for threats while prone for concealment during a live-fire training exercise near Fort Bliss, Texas, Nov. 1, 2022. Soldiers of the 1-125 IN conducted intense and extensive squad maneuvers during the exercise, using live ammunition to simulate a real-world combat environment, honing their interoperability and lethality.

Stargate Movie Set

Member of Navy SEAL Team with weapons in action.

U.S. Marine Corps mountain warfare instructors with Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC), Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, prepare and observe Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, as they rappel down a sheer cliff face during Mountain Exercise (MTX) 1-23 at MCMWTC, Bridgeport, California, Sept. 18, 2022. MTX is a month-long exercise designed to prepare units to survive and operate effectively in austere, mountainous terrain.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, prepare to unload gear off of a C-17 Globemaster III, in support of Valiant Shield 22 on Palau, June 10, 2022. Exercises such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Forces the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

030326-F-9171L-010. Base: Camp Red Cloud State: Gyeonggi-Do Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Soldiers from North Macedonia conduct "crowd riot control" training during Kosovo Forces 33 Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRE) in the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Feb. 5, 2024. The KFOR 33 MRE is a multinational training event conducted to prepare NATO allies for their deployment to the Kosovo Regional Command East. Army

AQABA, Jordan - U.S. Marines assigned to the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Central Command (FASTCENT), Royal Jordanian Marines assigned to the 77th Marine Battalion, and Royal Saudi Marines engage simulated maritime forces during the Eager Lion 22 final exercise at the Royal Jordanian Naval Base, Jordan on September 11, 2022. Eager Lion 22 is a multilateral exercise hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, designed to exchange military expertise, and improve interoperability among partner nations, and considered the capstone of a broader U.S. military relationship with the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF). Jordan is one of U.S. Central Commands (USCENTCOM) strongest and most reliable partners in the Levant sub-region.

Gathering brush for limestone kilns near Jerusalem. 1898, Israel

DN-ST-88-03677. Base: Morris Island State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Tactical group of fighters quietly sneaking in darkness across a field during a night mission.

U.S. Marines with Motor Transport Platoon, Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, secure an area around a notional improvised explosive device 8 in a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle as part of Motorized Immersion Training during Realistic Urban Training exercise at Marine Corp Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms on June 7, 2022. The 13th MEU is currently conducting RUT exercise to enhance the integration and collective capability of the MEUs command, air, ground, and logistics elements and prepare the 13th MEU to meet the nations crisis response needs during their upcoming overseas deployment.

An abandoned Iraqi BMP-1 mechanized infantry combat vehicle sits in its revetment outside Kuwait City during the ground phase of Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Kuwait (KWT)

Silhouette of a U.S Marine on a bunker at sunset in Northern Afghanistan.

A member of the 3rd Marine Division uses a chain saw to cut up a tree trunk at a mountain-top fire support base construction site. Two other marines and their equipment are lowered into the site by helicopter. Country: Viet Nam (VNM)

Construction concept. Strong man in uniform and helmet pushing wall. Place for text

Allied troops leave landingcraft and head for beach through surf during a practice landing exercise near Naples, in the Mondragone area, Italy, prior to the invasion of Southern France 143rd Infantry, 36th Division circa 8/7/1944.

The air-cushion landing craft LCAC-22 approaches the water for a return trip to the dock landing ship USS RUSHMORE (LSD-49) during the multinational relief effort Operation Restore Hope. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Mogadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)

Sun streams through the dust over the wreckage of the World Trade Center. New York City, Sept. 15, 2001. (BSLOC_2015_2_83)

U.S Marine Corps recruits with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, low crawl during the combat conditioning course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 7, 2022. The combat conditioning course was designed to increase recruits' stamina and ability to perform Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques.

APRA HARBOR, Guam (Jan. 11, 2023) - Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 conduct an at sea damage repair exercise involving a simulated explosive hazard aboard the USNS Sgt. William R. Button (T-AK 3012) as part of an EODMU platoon certification. EODMU 5 is assigned to Commander, Task Force 75, which executes command and control of assigned Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces in the 7th Fleet area of operations. They plan and execute Naval Construction, Expeditionary Logistics, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Maritime Expeditionary Security, and Exploitation Forces assigned to Commander, 7th Fleet for crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and major combat operations.

U.S. Air Force members and civilians participate during a Major Accident Response Exercise, Mar. 30, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. MAREs demonstrate JBSAs Disaster Response Forces ability to assess and respond to an aircraft mishap. The 502nd Air Base Wing worked alongside the Schertz Fire Department, 12th Flying Training Wing and the 59th Medical Wing validate the necessary support during a simulated accident.

030108-F-7203T-007. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

Silhouette of Kirkush Military Training Base, Iraq

An Italian lookout at Val Lagarina, World War I, Italy, 20th century.

Russian Search and Rescue all-terrain vehicles are seen waiting to ferry the Expedition 37 crew to their respective helicopters in a remote area outside the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. The crew of Expedition 37 Commander Fyodor Yurchikhin of Roscosmos, Flight Engineers Karen Nyberg of NASA and Luca Parmitano of Italy returned to earth after five and a half months on the International Space Station.

U.S. Air Force loadmasters with the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron watch as parachutes open on supply crates dropped from a C-130J during Operation Christmas Drop 2022, Dec. 5, 2022. Operation Christmas Drop is the longest running Department of Defense humanitarian mission that delivers critical aid to island communities throughout the western Pacific while also providing an opportunity for aircrew to hone important skills needed for future operations.

BEDUINOS EN EL DESIERTO. Location: EXTERIOR. QUSEIR AMRA.

Two Marine helicopters fly over Beachmaster Unit 2 headquarters located at Green Beach during a multinational peacekeeping operation. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

DF-ST-86-07837. Base: Gabel Mamza Country: Egypt (EGY)

Recruits with Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, begin the Crucible with a hike at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Jan. 12, 2023.The 5-mile hike marks the beginning of their 54-hour Crucible.

Hunter Shooting his Gun

DWAYNE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON in G. I. JOE: RETALIATION (2012), directed by JON M. CHU.

Olive Harvest in the West Bank, 2002

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Arctic Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, use the integrated winch system to load rocket pods into the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) in preparation for a live fire demonstration during Molly Pitcher Day at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Aug. 31, 2022.

War metaphor, toy little soldiers fighting on wooden mountain

Armour Against Tiger Sundarbans - India

The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, perform for the Fairchild Skyfest Air Show at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, May 15, 2022. The Thunderbirds represent the pride, precision, and professionalism of nearly 700,000 total force American Airmen around the globe.

Two soldiers with their M-16A2 rifles sit at the entrance to a stairway to provide security for follow soldiers at the top of the stairs during Operation Uphold Democracy. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE DEMOCRACY Base: Cap Haitien Country: Haiti (HTI)

More than 600 Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers, joined by Soldiers from the Montana, Oregon, Ohio and South Carolina Army National Guards, have been training in Fort Bliss, Texas, since mobilizing from Gowen Field in early August. The task force, Task Force Rattler, will deploy to Southwest Asia later this month in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they will rotate out with 250 Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard as well as Soldiers from the Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida Army National Guards. Each rotation is approximately 12 months. Soldiers from the 118th Infantry Regiment from South Carolina National Guard and the 285th Medical Company from the Ohio National Guard are also part of Task Force Rattler, which provide the task force the ability to execute combined arms maneuvers. The intense training at Fort Bliss consisted of long hours with day and night combined arms maneuver missions with the Idaho Army National Guard shooting 120mm mortar rounds from M113 A

The USS ARIZONA Memorial is silhouetted by the afternoon sun.. Base: Naval Station, Pearl Harbor State: Hawaii(HI) Country: United States Of America(USA)

A plane handler signals an approaching aircraft to halt as he guides it into position on the No. 2 catapult on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) during FLEET EX '90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX '90 Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A diver from the salvage ship USS GRASP (ARS-51) inspects one of the propellers of the grounded destroyer USS SPRUANCE (DD-963). The SPRUANCE ran aground off Andros Island, Bahamas, January 25, 1989. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A U.S. Marine with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, aims an M16A4 service rifle during the Annual Rifle Qualification on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 2, 2022. The Marine Corps implemented the new ARQ 10 months ago to replace the Annual Rifle Training. During the new ARQ, Marines use the standing, kneeling, and prone positions with artificial support to simulate realistic shooting positions in combat, improving proficiency as riflemen.

EGYPT, Giza. Three policemen in their black uniform waving at some other men (RF)

ESU Incident Command Post New Orleans - Katrina Sector - 26-HK-306-103. Vice President Dick Cheney Visit. Hurricane Katrina

Collaboration Between Royal Air Force Spitfires and the Eighth Army during the Tunisian Campaign, Spring 1943 A Supermarine Spitfire acting as an escort to a British road convoy.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and aides to Pima County, Arizona for tours of the Mexican border area, discussions with local Interior staff and Customs and Border Patrol personnel

A Soviet-made ZPU-4 14.5mm anti-aircraft gun stands abandoned at Al-Salman Air Base in the aftermath of Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Al Salman Air Base Country: Iraq(IRQ)

A U.S. Marine with 3d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (LAR) camouflages his cover during Exercise Shinka 22.1 at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 27, 2022. Shinka exemplifies a shared commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 3d LAR is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Adam Niehoff, an infantry platoon commander with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, awaits nightfall with his maneuver element before a night raid at Saylor Creek Range in Grasmere, Idaho during exercise Garnet Rattler April 19, 2022. Garnet Rattler is a joint training event between Marines, Soldiers and Airmen to train and qualify Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) to be more efficient and lethal in a realistic training environment.

A U.S. Marine with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 172 guides a crane operator taking down a sniper tower during a squadron field exercise (FEX) at Camp Schwab training grounds, Okinawa, Japan, October 6, 2022. MWSS-172 conducted the squadron FEX to emphasize tactics, techniques and procedures in an Expeditionary Advanced Base Operation (EABO) environment in preparation for the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE).

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, participate in an obstacle course training event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, Feb. 15, 2024. The O-Course includes obstacles recruits must overcome to enhance strength, agility, enhance, and confidence. Marine Corps

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