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Modern Military Operations in Iraq

Images of U.S. Marines and military vehicles in operational settings in Iraq, featuring tactical movements and preparations in a desert environment.

Sgt. Beau Branch (left) and Spc. Matthew Deal (right) prepare the mobile tower system for nighttime airfield operations at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, July 22, 2015. Branch and Deal are part of a group of air traffic controllers at Al Asad from the 2nd Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment, that provide continuous air traffic services to the military hub in western Iraq.
Sgt. Beau Branch (left) and Spc. Matthew Deal (right) prepare the mobile tower system for nighttime airfield operations at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, July 22, 2015. Branch and Deal are part of a group of air traffic controllers at Al Asad from the 2nd Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment, that provide continuous air traffic services to the military hub in western Iraq.
152 assets in this story
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DA-ST-87-12964. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '87 Base: Camp Humphreys State: Gyeonggi-Do Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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060403-A-5745M-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MTN DIV
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030326-M-5505M-086. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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A US Marine from Task Force Mogadishu stands guard over Somali nationals captured at the early morning raid of GEN. Aideed's weapons cantonment area. The Marines surrounded and seized the area after a 6:00 a.m. surrender deadline was ignored. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Modadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)
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DF-ST-86-07755. Base: Gabel Mamza Country: Egypt (EGY)
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041209-M-0036Y-017. Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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With their US Marine Corps (USMC) M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) and Assault Amphibian Vehicle Personnel (AAVP7A1) poised, personnel with Combat Team 1 (RCT1), occupy route 7 through the city of Al Fay, Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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030323-M-9124R-036. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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A row of military vehicles driven by Soldiers assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division drive down California Ave. in Wahiawa, during the 76th annual Wahiawa Lions Club Veterans Day parade, Nov. 11, 2022.
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DA-SC-85-06452. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '84 Base: Chun Chon Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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Airman 1st Class Charles Pate, a weapons loader with the 169th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., operates a jammer to secure a training missile off an F-16 Fighting Falcon onto its rack at the conclusion of a Phase II Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE) held June 4, 2011. The 169th Fighter Wing held a base-wide ORE used to evaluate the units ability to launch missions in a chemical warfare environment.(SCANG
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040606-M-4419R-011. Base: India Base (NASIR WAAL SALAAM) State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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970401-F-7666R-145. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: Doha Country: Qatar (QAT) Scene Major Command Shown: 4 AEW/VI CENTER/DOHA/QATAR
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031004-F-7685H-148. Base: Kirkush Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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US Marine Corps (USMC) Expeditionary Airfield Station (EAS) Three Rivers, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Three Rivers Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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U.S. Army Pvt. 2nd Class Jeff Frizzell, cannoneer, and U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Sullivan, gunner, conduct a proficiency drill demonstration with fellow members of the A-3/321 Field Artillery Regiment Wednesday at Forward Operating Base Salerno. The soldiers performed the drill with a M777A2 howitzer while being observed by U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, senior enlisted leader, International Security Assistance Force/U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.
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U.S. Army 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade Soldiers conduct a knowledge exchange with the Djiboutian Bataillon d'Intervention Rapide (BIR) as part of exercise Justified Accord 2024 (JA24) in Ali Oune, Djibouti, Feb. 27, 2024. During the training, Soldiers demonstrated how to set up an entry control point and search visitors for weapons and contraband. JA24 is U.S. Africa Command's largest exercise in East Africa, running from February 26 - March 7. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and hosted in Kenya, this year's exercise will incorporate personnel and units from 23 nations. This multinational exercise builds readiness for the U.S. joint force, prepares regional partners for UN and AU mandated missions, and increases multinational interoperability in support of humanitarian assistance, disaster response and crisis response. Air National Guard
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FORT IRWIN, Calif. - A U.S. Army Soldier from 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment fires his weapon to suppress the enemy during a demonstration of military capabilities for members of the public Sept. 2, 2022, in Razish, National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. In a dynamic display, the Soldiers demonstrated combat operations including react to contact, military operations in urban terrain (MOUT,) and medical treatment and evacuation skills for visiting members of the public during a tour of the National Training Center.
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A convoy of U.S. Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Theater Sustainment Command, arrives at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 16, 2022, during Exercise NATIVE FURY 22. In its 8th iteration, NF 22 is a biennial MARCENT-led exercise focused on the demonstration of the rapid offload and integration of a Maritime Pre-Positioned Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of regional security, crisis response, and contingency operations.
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U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph Chmielewski, from Bravo Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Gladius, pulls security during a key leader engagement at the Jalokheyl village on main supply route Vermont in the Kapisa province of Afghanistan Feb. 5, 2008.
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060116-A-6365W-082. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Loyalty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST
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030327-M-4779G-032. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 4-Jan
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A830213 SAFEGUARD ARMORED VEHICLES TYRELL (Project Engineer) MAR 7 83 EG&G/NTS PHOTO LAB Publication Date: 3/7/1983 ARMORED; ARMORED VEHICLES; ARMORED VEHICLES (MILITARY); EDGERTON, GERMESHAUSEN & GRIER; EG&G; MILITARY VEHICLES; NEVADA; NEVADA TEST SITE; NTS; SAFEGUARDS; SAFEGUARDS EXERCISE; TEST SITES; VEHICLES; VEHICLES, MILITARY LAND; VEHICLES, SPECIAL USE historical images. 1972 - 2012. Department of Energy. National Nuclear Security Administration. Photographs Related to Nuclear Weapons Testing at the Nevada Test Site.
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Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 2-501st General Support Aviation Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, conduct cold load training on Oct. 10, 2022, at Petrochori Training Area, Greece. The United States commitment to defending NATO territory is ironclad and the United States will continue to bolster our posture to better defend our NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.)
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050625-A-3211W-027. Base: Forward Operating Base Danger Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: IRAQI ARMY
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LTC Colgrove, USA, holds a briefing during exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Cairo Country: Egypt (EGY)
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EBRE, DEL BRESSOL A LA BATALLA (2016), directed by ROMAN PARRADO.
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Egyptian soldiers prepare an SA-2 surface-to-air missile for deployment during the multinational joint service Exercise Bright Star '85. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '85 Country: Egypt (EGY)
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U.S. Marine, Carrying a LAW, or Light Anti-Tank Weapon, Rocket, During a Combat Operation Outside the City of Marjah, in Afghanistan's Helmand Province
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The 46th Forward Support Battalion Honor Guard presents the battalion flag for casing at a farewell ceremony in the University Compound at Mogadishu International Airport. Subject Operation/Series: UNOSOM II Base: Mogadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)
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U.S. Army soldiers with Company A, 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division travel down route dodge during a route clearing procedure, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Feb. 10. The route clearing procedure was to deploy a mine clearing line charge to destroy possible improvised explosive device.
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DF-ST-86-07981. Base: Cario West Country: Egypt (EGY)
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Participating countries supporting Noble Parter 22 stand in formation during closing ceremonies of Noble Partner 22 at the 11th polygon of Vaziani, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2022. The Noble Partner Exercise consists of 2,400 military personnel from more than 21 countries and is designed to enhance Georgian, regional ally, partner, and U.S. forces readiness.
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DM-ST-85-10404. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '83 / EASTERN WIND 83 Base: Berbera Country: Somalia (SOM)
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A U.S. Marine Corps convoy drives through a gate during a combat service support area exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2023. A CSSA provides Marines on the ground with food, water, and fuel to support the mission and sustain an area of operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of USS America 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.
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Four Joint Terminal Attack Controllers assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, display the Tactical Air Control Party flag after completing a mission on the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, Aug. 3, 2022. As members of Air Force Special Warfare, TACP specialists imbed with Army and Marine units on the frontline with the incredible responsibility of calling in an air strike on the right target at just the right time.
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Sandbagged barricades conceal 155mm smoke projectiles in a U.S. Marine encampment. The Marines have been deployed in Lebanon as part of a multi-national peacekeeping force following confrontation between Israeli forces and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)
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U.S. Marine Corps equipment is offloaded from the container ship SS LYRA during Exercise Eastern Wind '83, the amphibious landing phase of Exercise Bright Star '83. Two Somalian navy (ex-Soviet) Osa II Class fast attack craft (missile) are visible in the upper left. Subject Operation/Series: EASTERN WIND '83BRIGHT STAR '83 Base: Berbera Country: Somalia (SOM)
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CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait-U.S. Soldier Spc. Saul Salinas assigned to the 36th Sustainment Brigade fires a M17 at the range during the U.S. Army Central Best Squad Competition. BSC 2022 measures the abilities of squads to perform physical and mental challenges as a cohesive team.
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DA-ST-87-12855. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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040921-M-2306K-014. Complete Scene Caption: A large number of rocket-propelled grenades (RPG), found by Iraqi Security Forces during a raid of a Muqtada al Sadr safe house in An Najaf, An Najaf Province, Iraq, are displayed by U.S. Marine Corps Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable, Sept. 21, 2004. These caches were found in different buildings among the city and are in direct violation of the peace agreement between the Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Husaini al-Sistani, highest religious authority and leader of the Hawza (Najaf), and al Sadr, an agreement blessed by the Iraqi Interim Government. The 4th MARDIV is engaged in Security and Stabilization Operations (SASO) in the Al Anbar Province in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by CPL. Dick S. Kotecki) (Released) Base: An Najaf State: An Najaf Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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British Army vehicles convoy through Kupres during deployment. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Kupres Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)
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Kandahar city, Southern Afghanistan. 31st August 2021. Taliban fighters and their supporters celebrated across Afghanistan with the final departure of all U.S. troops. Brining to an end of 20 years of foreign military presence.
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Staff Sgt. Andrew Raymond, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, right, uses the radio to call in the finding from a suspected vehicle born Improvised Explosive Device during a training event at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 22, 2022. EOD technicians are trained to detect, disarm and dispose of explosive threats in the most extreme environment and are assigned to dangerous missions in diverse environments worldwide.
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PORT HUENEME, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2022) Construction Electrician 1st Class Joseph Lieby, left, reloads and assists Utilitiesman 2nd Class Adrian Montes as he fires at enemies part of a simulated attack during Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 18s Field Training Exercise (FTX). FTX is designed to analyze a battalions construction capability, expeditionary logistics, and combat operations to support major combat operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.
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This area at the port of Cap Haitien is utilized as the special Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Command and Control area of operation. Subject Operation/Series: UPHOLD DEMOCRACY Base: Cap Haitien Country: Haiti (HTI)
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041211-M-2583M-030. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tiandre Cleveland, a supply administration and operations specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, ground guides a vehicle during exercise Native Fury 22 at Yanbu Commercial Port, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 3, 2022. Native Fury 22 is a biennial exercise focused on the demonstration of the rapid offload and integration of a Maritime Prepositioned Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of regional security, crisis response, and contingency operations.
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060109-A-6365W-125. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Loyalty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST
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Troops from Morocco, Kuwait, Niger and Senegal, along with a medical unit from China, gather for review by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia. The units are taking part in an assembly of international coalition forces united against Saddam Hussein during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)
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A US military High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) enters the Kibumba refugee camp. Subject Operation/Series: Support Hope Base: Goma Country: Zaire (ZAR)