Modern Military Exercises

Images show U.S. Army and Marine Corps troops in tactical exercises, focusing on teamwork, strategy, and real-time operational scenarios in various environments.

Low angle view of special forces soldiers in field uniforms with weapons.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Steele (left) and Lance Cpl. Luke Richards (right), both riflemen with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, conduct fire team attacks during a Tactical Small Unit Leader Course on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, July 26, 2022. This training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed small-unit leadership. 3/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Steele is a native of Martin, Tennessee and Richards is a native of Delaware, Ohio.

U.S. Marine Infantrymen with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provide ground security during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration of the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, artillery and infantry forces, and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

U.S. Marine Infantrymen with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provide ground security during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration of the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 24, 2022. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, artillery and infantry forces, and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

U.S. Army Spc Tylor Reeves, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade communicates with his team while assaulting an objective during a combined arms live fire exercise on a maneuver range at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022. 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.

U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Roche and Cpl. Blaine Self with the 4th Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment prepare for an operation during Exercise Arrow 22 at Niinisalo Training Area, Finland, May 6, 2022. Exercise Arrow is an annual, pre-planned, multinational exercise taking place in Finland, where visiting forces to include the U.S., U.K., Latvia, and Estonia, train together with the Finnish Defense Forces in high intensity force-on-force engagements and a live fire exercise with the purpose of increasing military readiness and developing interoperability among participating partner nations.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, standby for orders during a squad attack exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 12, 2022. Squad attack exercises reinforce infantry tactics and combined arms lethality. 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.

Low angle view of special forces soldiers in field uniforms with weapons.

U.S. Marines with Romeo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fire an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 17, 2024. RUT provides the 24th MEU the opportunity to operate in unfamiliar environments, integrate the units of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and train towards being designated as special operations capable.

Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard conduct a Live Fire Exercise on July 12, 2022 at the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise at Fort Drum, New York. More than 2,500 Soldiers are participating in the training event, which enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 6th Squad, White Platoon, based out of Fort Irwin, California, recon the next area of the Urban Training exercise of U.S. Army FORSCOM Best Squad Competition, at Military Operations Urban Terrain site, here, at Fort Hood, Texas, August 18, 2022. The Best Squad Competition reinforces fundamental Soldier skills and squad level tactics.

Soldiers

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. A Mullins, a squad leader with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), communicates to his Marines on Saaremaa Island, Estonia, May 21, 2022. The 22nd MEU is participating in the Estonian-led exercise Siil 22 (Hedgehog 22 in English). Siil 22 brings together members of the Estonian Defense Force and U.S. Sailors and Marines under Task Force 61/2 to enhance Allied interoperability and preserve security and stability in the Baltic region.

Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/WosunanxPhotostoryx 21538139 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

United States Army ranger in the mountains.

070309-M-3095K-016. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: BLT 3/8

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stacy Maxey, Command Air Mobility Liason Officer, Task Force CROM, explains what students should be looking for when setting up a dirt landing zone during the hands on part of a Landing Zone Safety Officer (LZSO) course for U.S. Air Force, Army, and Romanian Army personnel at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Lagman, Afghanistan. Students were in the class to be certified to safely run the dirt landing and drop zone in the Zabul Province near FOB Lagman.

BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania-- An Airman with the U.K. 140th Expeditionary Air Wing provides area security during personnel recovery training with 3-227 AHB, July 12, 2022.Regular interoperability training with NATO partners and allies builds trust and readiness, increasing the capacity for deterrence and defense.

Members of the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry Regiment New York Army National Guard, acting as OPFOR defend their ground against Battlegroup Coral during the final assault at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area during Exercise Talisman Saber on 20 July, 2017. (Australian Defence Force

U.S. Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment stop to read a map during Operation Cobra's Anger in Now Zad, Afghanistan, Dec. 4, 2009. Marines map out and clear areas occupied by the Taliban, and create a foothold for new forward operating bases.

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment communicates with a leader during a combined arms live fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 23, 2022.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. (U.S. Army photograph by Sgt. Luke Michalski)

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Paul Wason, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, sights in during Spanish FLOTEX-22 near Rota, Spain, June 21, 2022. This exercise features tactical level actions ashore, combined with joint training and planning, aimed at increasing overall bilateral interoperability between nations.

U.S. Soldiers, assigned to 82nd Airborne 3rd Brigade Combat Team, train with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System as a part of Project Convergence 2022 (PC22) at Camp Talega, California, Oct. 11, 2022. During PC22 many systems will be tested to determine how future command and control capabilities can be integrated with all-service multi-national partners

Members of U.S. Army Rangers machine gun crew during a fight in the desert.

Two United States airborne infantry men in camo uniforms.

Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/WosunanxPhotostoryx 21538188 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

Green Berets US Army Special Forces Group soldier. US Army Special Forces Group soldier

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Francis Sales, a corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, prepares to receive incoming simulated casualties during a mass casualty drill during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 6, 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.

FORT HOOD, Texas - U.S. Army Best Squad competitors prepare to enter the range during the range portion of the FORSCOM Best Squad Competition 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022. These Soldiers represent the best in U.S. Army Forces Command.

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Holden Gilbert with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security during a forward arming and refueling point exercise on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan Aug. 3, 2022. 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.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, load ammunition into an M240B machinegun during a squad attack exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 12, 2022. Squad attack exercises reinforce infantry tactics and combined arms lethality. 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.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Danielle Robles, Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team member from Miami, Fla., provides security during an engineering mission in Rabat, Afghanistan, Nov. 7. The Paktya PRT enhances the legitimacy of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghan by enabling it to provide public services and development projects to the local populace, thus weakening insurgent influence.

U.S. Navy hospital corpsmen with I Marine Expeditionary Force drag their casualty to the Casualty Collection Point (CCP) during an Expeditionary Medical Integration Course (EMIC) on Camp Pendleton, California May 6, 2022. Expeditionary Operations Training Group (EOTG) conducted EMIC to lay a foundation of skills and knowledge required for MEU medical personnel to provide the highest levels of health service support capability in any operational environment.

A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines provides security during an air assault alongside Philippine Marines as part of Balikatan 22 in 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 and largest-ever iteration of the exercise. BK22 coincides with the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation and a shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

modern warfare soldier in action giving comands to team by hand signs while sneaking and aiming on laseer sight optics in combat position and searching for target in battle

U.S. Marines with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, operate a direction-finding system during 1st Radio Battalion Field Exercise at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, on August 23, 2022. The three week long FEX reinforced the Marines deployment capabilities and unit readiness within I MIG by conducting distributed operations and specific military occupational specialty training.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Sciara, a squad leader assigned to Chaos Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, operates a radio during a squad live-fire exercise at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, July 13, 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, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe.

A Soldier with C Company, 3-187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division walks across a field during a joint patrol with Afghan National Security Forces in Andar District, Afghanistan, Jan. 07, 2011. The 3-187th also known as the Iron Rakkasans are partnering with Afghan National Security Forces to bring stability to the Andar District in Eastern Afghanistan.

Airman Trent Griffin, 841st Missile Security Forces Squadron defender, guards a missile launch facility during a training exercise April 19, 2022, near Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. Griffin responded to simulated enemy combatants during the exercise at the launch facility. The exercise was designed to test teamwork, lethality and tactics of defenders during combat scenarios.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brett Czahor, a combat engineer, with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, throws an M67 grenade during a practice grenade throwing event at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, on June 6, 2022. During the grenade training, Marines learned proper handling of M67s in the standing, kneeling, and prone to enhance their lethality and readiness in combat environments.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (July 13, 2022) Australian Army soldiers from 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, fire a MAG58 machine gun during a live fire exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. 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. (Photo by Royal Australian Air Force Corporal John Solomon)

U.S. Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, fire M18 pistols during a pistol range on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 23, 2022. The range was held as a tryout for III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific Marines to represent their individual units at the upcoming Far East Division Matches shooting competition. 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.

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment runs to cover with a M249 machine gun at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany as part of Exercise Saber Junction 22, Sept. 15, 2022.Saber Junction 22 is a multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Army's 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. Army's Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas from August 29 to September 20, 2022. 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

Cpt. Bryan Basham (left) and Sgt. William Brandon, 101st Airborne Division, prepare to participate in the aircraft extraction and stress shoot lane Jan. 25 during the CSM Jack L. Clark Jr., Army Best Medic Competition at Fort Hood, Texas.

Special Operations Forces assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing board a U.S. Army UH-60 during special operations for air-land Integration training location near Riga, Latvia, June 28, 2023. By ensuring interoperability aligns with agility, U.S. forces are able to adapt to a dynamic security environment.Special Operations Forces assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing board a U.S. Army UH-60 during special operations for air-land Integration training location near Riga, Latvia, June 28, 2023. By ensuring interoperability aligns with agility, U.S. forces are able to adapt to a dynamic security environment.

Lance Cpl. Tayler Huey and Lance Cpl. Brandon Parmeter, both with 7th Marine Regiment, provide security while conducting a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission in response to a scenario-based incident during an Integrated Training Exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 1, 2015.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Anthony Schultz, a squad leader with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, posts security during a patrol as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 6, 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. Schultz is a native of Glastonbury, Connecticut.

U.S. Soldiers, assigned to Bull Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR), enter and clear a building after being breached with a shotgun during a demolition/breaching range at the 7th Army Training Command's (7ATC) Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, June 15, 2022. 2CR provides the 7th ATC with a lethal and agile force capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater in order to assure allies, deter adversaries, and when ordered, defend the NATO alliance.

Idaho Army National Guard soldiers from Charlie Company, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion train with the AT4 anti-tank weapon in the field during annual training. This years exercises are taking place before the 2-116th CAB deploys in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

U.S. Army Pacific Soldiers assigned to 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division cover and conceal during a foot march to their next objective point as part of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) training rotation 23-01 at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2022. JPMRC 23-01 allows Tropic Lightning Soldiers to train in the conditions that they will most likely face in a crisis or conflict.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Group (Experimental), 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conduct a table three through six and combat marksmanship program range at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 15, 2022. The purpose of the range was to improve the battalion's organic combat marksmanship capabilities and to train the core position safety officers for subsequent company ranges. 3rd MLG based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward-deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Forces comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

Tactical air control party Airmen with the 113th Air Support Operations Squadron scan the sky for an aircraft during a close air support training mission at Jefferson Range in Jefferson Proving Ground, Ind., May 17, 2022. TACPs from the 113th ASOS provide joint terminal attack controller capabilities to air assets to execute military ground commanders intent.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Carsen Munchel, a student in the Advanced Infantry Marine Course with Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry-West, Hawaii Detachment, posts security during a patrol to an enemy position, Kahuku Training Area, June 27, 2023. AIMC is advanced infantry training designed to enhance and test Marines skills with a focus on reinforcing proper patrols and operational procedures.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct a modified live-fire table III range as part of combat marksmanship training on the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), Jan. 7. The 11th MEU is embarked with the San Diego as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Staff Sgt. Julian Gaitor, Spc. Tyler McGinnis and Pfc. Patrick Sullivan, an M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew assigned to 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, prepare for the stress shoot portion of the Sullivan Cup at Fort Benning, Georgia, May 5, 2022. Cohesive teams enable tactical to strategic readiness and dynamic force employment. We must be ready to defeat any adversary, anywhere, whenever called upon, under any conditions.

A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires a .50 caliber machine gun during a defense of the amphibious task force exercise aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18), in the Sea of Japan, Sept. 2, 2022. DATF senarios focus Navy and Marine Corps forces on defending ARG shipping and the drills allowed the ARG-MEU team to improve their proficiency when integrating fires. 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.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Adam Cook, platoon leader, instructs U.S. Army Spc. Jace Hoskins, ammunition handler, both Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, Michigan National Guard, to bound forward while Tunisian soldiers provide support by fire during a combined arms live-fire exercise at the Ben Ghilouf Training Area in Tunisia, June 25, 2022. African Lion 2022 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access.

Competitors in the National Guard Region V Best Warrior competition prepare to engage targets at the known distance range at Camp Gruber Training Center, Okla., May 18, 2022. Army National Guard Soldiers from across six states test their physical and mental proficiency to earn the title Best Warrior at Camp Gruber Training Center, May 15-20, 2022. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Stone)

A U.S. Army Soldier prepares to qualify with the M4 carbine during a Infantry Advanced Leaders Course on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 5, 2022. The Advanced Leaders Course, hosted by the 254th Regional Training Institute, New Jersey Army National Guard, is a branch-specific course that provides Soldiers selected for promotion to Staff Sgt. an opportunity to enhance leadership, technical skill, tactical expertise and experience needed to lead squad-size units. Class 22-02 has Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

070309-M-3095K-017. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: BLT 3/8

An Iowa Army National Guard Soldier moves to a new mission location during a field training exercise as part of a U.S. Pathfinder course at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, on Sept. 8, 2022. Nearly 30 Soldiers graduated the course, which was taught by a mobile training team at the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center in Fort Benning, Georgia. Army Pathfinders are trained to provide navigational aid and advisory services to military aircraft in areas designated by supported unit commanders. During the Pathfinder course, students are instructed in aircraft orientation, aero-medical evacuation, close combat assault, ground to air communication procedures, control center operations, all three phases of a sling load operation, helicopter landing zone and pick up zone operations, and drop zone operations dealing with U.S. military fixed and rotary wing aircraft for personnel and equipment.

Army National Guard officer candidates disembark a CH-47 Chinook during Phase III of Officer Candidate School on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 18, 2022. During Phase III, candidates from 22 states will receive their final leadership evaluations from the qualified instructors of 2nd Battalion, 205th Regimental Training Institute, Washington Army National Guard, before receiving their commissions.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, conduct a patrol during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 4, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, execute a brigade-level live fire exercise at Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) rotation 23-02 on Fort Polk, Louisiana, Nov. 14, 2022. The live fire exercises were conducted alongside Dutch and Japanese allies at JRTC with missions including breaching and clearing buildings and calling for fire.

United States Army rangers with assault rifles.

U.S. Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a live-fire exercise in Setermoen, Norway, April 25, 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.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Brenn Mckee, a field artillery officer with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, participates in a combat marksmanship range during Fuji Viper 23.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Nov. 22, 2022. Exercise Fuji Viper exemplifies a commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 1/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. McKee is a native of Goshen, Indiana.

A group of U.S. Marines fires their M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle and M4 assault rifles on an Indonesian range during Exercise Super Garuda Shield on Dodiklatpur Rindam V, East Java, Indonesia., September 1, 2023. Super Garuda Shield 2023 is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. SGS2023 is the second consecutive time this exercise has grown into a combined and joint event, highlighting the 6 participating and 12 observing nations' commitment to partnership and a free and open indo-pacific.

A U.S. Soldier assigned to Chaos Company, 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks with other squads over the radio 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.

Combat engineers with the 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion participated in their annual training of demolition and explosive breaching through doors and wall structures on May 6, 2022. Combat engineers provide support of mobility, counter mobility and survivability for Soldiers within the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team during combat missions. Our job is to make sure that we proficiently enable our combat personnel to move from point A to point B, said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Smith, platoon sergeant with the 116th BEB. Counter mobility is to keep the enemy from moving forward, so that we can move forward with our mission. We go in and get the good guys if they are trapped or we go in where there are bad guys behind a door, and it is imperative we do this safely with maximum survivability.

U.S. Army paratroopers with 1st and 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, conduct dry fire drills with FIM-92 Stingers as part of exercise Shield 22, April 8, 2022 in Pula, Croatia. Exercise Shield is an annual Croatian air defense exercise that aims at strengthening the execution of the Air Defense tasks against low and medium altitude moving targets. During the exercise, the 173rd Airborne Brigade and Croatian Air Defense Regiment jointly trained on Air Defense Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to include air-space control, deconfliction and surveillance as well as targeting and live fire engagement against flying objects on low and medium level altitudes.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 alli

Lance Cpl. Luke McDonell, a rifleman with Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, scans the tree line during a security halt while patrolling the area of Now Zad, Afghanistan, known as The Greens,” Dec. 9. The Marines cleared the area as part of Operation Cobra’s Anger, an operation aimed at removing the Taliban’s stronghold of the area. McDonnell is a 28-year-old from Chippewa Falls, Wis.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division prepare to board a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466 (HMH-466) onboard the forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) during Balikatan 22, off the coast of the 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 U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

A U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team East member participates in a live fire evolution at the units training center in North Carolina, Jan. 12, 2023. MSRT-East is an advanced-ready force trained in counterterrorism, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats, high-risk law enforcement boarding procedures and maritime security.

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

U.S. Marines assigned to Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, observe impacts from mortar fire at a combined arms live-fire event with the 32nd Hellenic Marine Brigade during exercise Alexander the Great 2022, Glafyra, Greece, May 12, 2022. Alexander the Great 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Greece, and Allied nations, enhancing strategic defense and partnership while promoting security and stability in the region.

A U.S. Marine with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, walks next to a member of theJapan Ground Self-Defense Force at a landing zone in Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 1, 2022. ResoluteDragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities ofthe U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combinedarms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

AQABA, Jordan - Jordanian service members assigned to the Maritime Counter Terrorism Team, maintain security at a pier during close quarter battle drills during the Eager Lion training exercise in Aqaba, Jordan, September 6, 2022. Exercise Eager Lion is considered the capstone event of the broader U.S. military relationship with the Jordanian Armed Forces, one of U.S. Central Commands strongest and most reliable partners in the region, leading the way for security and stability using conventional and nonconventional scenarios to activate a combined joint task force. The exercise underscores the United States commitment to partners in the Middle East and joint defense against hybrid threats by state and non-state actors. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Reyes, Jose jr.)

Idaho National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team's 2nd of the 116th Combined Arms Battalion teamed up with the Idaho Army National Guards 1st of the 183 Assault Helicopter Battalion in the dark hours of the early morning on March 31, 2022, to conduct tactical air insertion missions. By using the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to provide movement of ground-based Soldiers, it allowed the Soldiers to seize and secure terrain on a simulated village located within the Orchard Combat Training Center. Soldiers used night vision goggles to maneuver through the darkness. This training is a portion of combat training the 2nd of the 116th CAB conducted in preparation to deploy to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield later this year.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jacob Macomber (left), a logistics officer, and Cpl. Garrett Ools, a radio operator, with 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, conduct urban patrolling during Warfighter Week on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina Aug. 15, 2022. Warfighter Week provides the opportunity to train to specific objectives that enhance lethality and sustain readiness.

Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, prepare to board CH-47 Chinook helicopters for air movement to a live fire exercise during Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 23-04, Feb. 19, 2023. United Arab Emirate soldiers from the 11th Mountain Battalion are participating in the training rotation alongside U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade. UAE Soldiers will train alongside a U.S. Army brigade throughout this JRTC rotation to increase tactical interoperability and readiness.

Soldiers in camouflage uniforms hold weapons ready to fire, By hiding on the side military communication vehicle Soldiers in camouflage uniforms hold weapons ready to fire, By hiding on the side military communication vehicle ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/WosunanxPhotostoryx 21541940 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) East Africa Response Force (EARF), conduct helicopter landing zone training with U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2022. The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Cody Demorest, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) with All-Domain Effects Team Bravo, 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (2d ANGLICO), II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conducts a debrief of fan air-to-surface attack with a Lithuanian JTAC as part of Defender Europe 22, Kazlų Rūda, Lithuania, May 25, 2022. 2d ANGLICO provides a liaison capability to our joint service and NATO allies by educating the ground forces on Marine Air Ground Task Force fires and air support.

U.S. Marines assigned to Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire mortar rounds at a combined arms live-fire event with the 32nd Hellenic Marine Brigade during exercise Alexander the Great 2022, Glafyra, Greece, May 12, 2022. Alexander the Great 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Greece, and Allied nations, enhancing strategic defense and partnership while promoting security and stability in the region.

U.S. Soldiers, assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, push forward through a forest during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 24-02 at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, Feb. 17, 2024. A company of soldiers moved uphill through the woods toward an exercise objective with possible simulated enemy forces in the area. JPMRC 24-02, executed in Alaska with its world-class training facilities and its harsh Arctic environment, builds Soldiers and leaders into a cohesive team of skilled, tough, alert, and adaptive warriors capable of fighting and winning anywhere in the world. Army

220427-N-TP544-1603 ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 27, 2022) - Cpl. Osborn Conner, a machine gunner assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, reloads an M4 Rifle during a live-fire exercise on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) April 27, 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 U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of U.S., Allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa.

Combat Airmen Skills Training students, take cover behind a building during an Urban Operations Exercise on Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, Nov. 14, 2013. CAST is a course that was designed by Air Education and Training Command to standardize pre-deployment combat training for Air Force personnel.

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), evacuate a simulated casualty during a base recovery after attack training (BRAAT) exercise at Guardian Center, Georgia, Nov. 6, 2022. The BRAAT drill provided MWSS-273 with a realistic training environment that enhanced their ability to provide triage care and improve 2nd MAWs readiness to respond..

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Aircraft Group 31, demonstrate how to conduct a time fuse test during a demolition range at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 24, 2022. MWSS-273 conducted a demolition range at Fort Stewart to provide Marines with the necessary training to safely employ different types of charges for different scenarios they may encounter.

U.S. Army Soldiers participating in Forscom Best Squad Competition move from one training spot to the next at Military Operations in Urban Terrain site, here, Fort Hood, Texas, August 17, 2022. The Best Squad Competition reinforces fundamental Soldier skills and squad level tactics.

Today the 10th Mountain Division honored the Soldiers from Task Force 2-14 by participating in the Mogadishu Mile. The original mile was a route taken by Soldiers from a Blackhawk helicopter crash site to a rally point held by the 10th MTN DIV on National Street during the Battle of Mogadishu on October 4, 1993.

220909-N-XN177-2253 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Sept. 9, 2022) - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Ryan Nye, from Hershey, Pennsylvania, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) fast ropes out of an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced) during a training evolution aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) Sept. 9, 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.

A United Arab Emirates 11th Mountain Battalion soldier issues instructions to his troops during Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 23-04, Fort Polk, LA, Feb., 21, 2023. UAE soldiers from the 11th Mountain Battalion are participating in the training rotation alongside U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 3rd SFAB. UAE soldiers will train next to a U.S. Army brigade throughout this JRTC rotation to increase tactical interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to load a M224 60mm mortar system for a bilateral mortar live-fire exercise with soldiers from the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force during Iron Fist 23 at Hijudai, Japan, Feb. 20, 2023. The live-fire exercise was conducted to establish an understanding of each others operating procedures. Iron Fist is an annual bilateral exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, the JGSDF, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Marines with Guard Company, Marine Barracks Washington, engage targets for security forces training at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., July 07, 2022. The Marines traversed across ranges to deepen their knowledge with the M1014 shot-gun, the M16A4 service rifle, and the M9 and M18 pistol.

U.S. Army infantrymen assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division conduct an after action review following the first iteration of a dismounted training as part of Defender 22 at Bucierz Range, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, May 6, 2022. Defender Europe 22 is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises in Eastern Europe. The exercise demonstrates U.S. Army Europe and Africas ability to conduct large-scale ground combat operations across multiple theaters in support of NATO.

U.S. Marine with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conducts a firing drill while Sgt. Francisco Thompson, a squad leader with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit refines his technique aboard Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7), in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 24, 2022. The fast rope, shooting drill combo prepares Marines for inserting to a contested area. 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.

U.S. Marines patrol to a notional ambush site at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2024. The training was used to familiarize Marines with basic demolition and ambush tactics, enhancing their ability to safely employ explosives and fight effectively in a jungle environment. The Marines are with 2nd 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

U.S. Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Units (Special Operations Capable) Logistics Command Element fire at targets while moving during a live-fire training event aboard harpers ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), Feb. 5, 2024. The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26 MEU(SOC) 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. Marine Corps

A U.S. Marine with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, sights in on his target at Range 410A during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 4-22 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., on July 20th, 2022. Range 410A challenges platoons to perform a complex fire and maneuver attack requiring communication and coordination between multiple support by fire positions and a maneuver element.

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