Modern Military Training Exercises

Images of U.S. Marines and soldiers in various training scenarios, focusing on coordination and weapon handling in dynamic environments, showcasing teamwork and tactical operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Bryson Foto, a Ponchatoula, Louisiana, native and a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, calls out commands at a live-fire range during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 25, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

U.S. Marines with 2d Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, call in coordinates for the notional fire of a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System as part of a HIMARS rapid infiltration drill during exercise Rolling Thunder on North Auxiliary Airfield, South Carolina Oct. 20, 2022. Rolling Thunder is a two-week training exercise that is conducted with the integration of French Artillerymen from 3d RAMa to increase 2d MarDivs combat readiness against a peer competitor through employing fires via simulated EABs.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, coordinate close air support from F-15E Strike Eagles over radio at Saylor Creek Range in Grasmere, Idaho during exercise Garnet Rattler May 18, 2022. Garnet Rattler is a joint exercise 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.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Matthew Meagher, a platoon sergeant with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd (MEU), conducts a patrol during a live-fire and maneuver exercise in Jægerspris, Denmark, July 14, 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.

Soldiers of the 2nd of the 151st Infantry Battalion, from the Indiana Army National Guard, practice crowd and riot control tactics with the German Bundeswehr(Army) at Hohenfels Training Center, Germany, on October 7, 2022. Task Force Nighthawk is training to be the 31st rotation of U.S. forces to support Operation Joint Guardian in Regional Command East, KFOR in Kosovo.

Range Safety Officer Staff Sgt. Antonio Lott, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the Deployment Support Command, instructs Spc. Amanda Treible, a mass communications specialist, at an M2 machine gun range during Warrior Exercise 78-22-02 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 22, 2022. 1st Lt. Ryan Jones, a public affairs officer and formerly an infantry officer, supervises the training to ensure his Soldiers gain experience on the weapon to better prepare them to execute missions in support of Unified Land Operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Bryson Foto, a Ponchatoula, Louisiana, native and a mortarman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, calls out commands at a live-fire range during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 25, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

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.

Soldiers from the 181st Brigade Support Battalion conduct a M249 Light Machine Gun range at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. on June 21, 2022. The soldiers are taking part in their two-week annual training working on basic soldiering skills and MOS refresher training. (U.S. National Guard photos by Peter Chang)

Sgt. Chase Rheinlander, Combat Medic Specialist, 1st Cavalry Division pulls security during the Army's Best Medic Compentition.Twenty-two two-Soldier teams from all around the world traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to compete in the finals to be named the Armys Best Medic. The competition is a 72-hour arduous test of the teams physical and mental skills. Competitors must be agile, adaptive leaders who demonstrate mature judgment while testing collective team skills in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship, leadership, warrior skills, land navigation and overall knowledge of medical, technical and tactical proficiencies through a series of hands-on tasks in a simulated operational environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Herman)

Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct a blank firing iteration during a combined arms maneuver live fire exercise (CAMLFEX) on Dec. 9, 2022, at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. Our 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.)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Julio Tinocodominguez, a digital wideband transmission equipment operator and Sgt. Zachary Verrier, a transmissions systems operator assigned to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conduct joint-coalition long range communication during exercise Katana Strike on Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 26, 2022. Katana Strike is led by III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group and is designed to demonstrate proficiency in coalition joint-force planning, coordination, and execution of dynamic targeting in a maritime environment that utilizes ground forces to initiate the targeting cycle. Katana Strike showcases 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, which serves as the central hub for conducting long-range communications between joint ground, naval and aviation units over multiple waveforms. III MIG functions as the vanguard of III MEF, operating in the Indo-Pacific regions information environment, and suppor

Soldiers assigned to Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment, North Dakota Army National Guard, participate in a training exercise during Golden Coyote Training Exercise at Camp Rapid, South Dakota, June 16, 2022. Golden Coyote is a three-phase, scenario-driven training exercise conducted in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, which enables commanders to focus on mission essential task requirements, warrior tasks, and battle drills.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Anthony T. Ruiz, a squad leader with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), right, participates in Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel training with Swedish Air Force Rangers near Kristianstad, Sweden, Aug. 26, 2022. 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.

The New Jersey Army National Guard 114th Infantry Regiment and 150th Aviation Regiment conduct air assault insertion and company attack at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 10, 2023. This exercise trained on warrior tasks and demonstrated combat capabilities in preparation for Joint Regional Training Center Rotation May 2023.

Romanian Soldiers prepare to launch a simulated assault against the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (OpFor) as part of exercise Saber Junction 22 in Hohenfels, Germany, Sep. 13, 2022. Saber Junction 22 is a multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Armys 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. Armys Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas.

U.S. Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, fire M1014 shotguns before a ballistics breaching range during Summer Pioneer 22 on Camp Lejeune, July 23, 2022. Summer Pioneer is a naval engineering exercise demonstrating integrated U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy formations to establish and sustain expeditionary advanced bases and maritime domain awareness.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), conduct an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at CSL Manda Bay, Kenya, June 17, 2022. During the EDRE, the East Africa Response Force (EARF) forward deployed from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to Manda Bay to exercise its capability to provide security augmentation while Soldiers with the EARF and CJTF-HOA security forces conducted presence patrols with Kenya Defense Forces and responded to multiple injects that included base defense drills.

Second Lt. Hannah Yoder, an artillery soldier with Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, "Task Force 82", conduct sling -load operations during an elevator drill exercise on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, Jan. 4, 2024.

Team of United States airborne infantry men, shooting from shoulder.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Stephen Boada, commanding officer of 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, meets with local media and officials during Artillery Relocation Training Program 22.3 at Ojojihara Maneuver Area, Japan, Dec. 2, 2022. The skills developed at ARTP increase the proficiency and readiness of the only permanently forward-deployed artillery unit in the Marine Corps, enabling them to provide precision indirect fires.

Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard standby and gather gear before boarding UH-60 Blackhawks 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 Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, assemble at an airborne command post (ACP) to establish command and control of forces during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2 on Allen Army Airfield, Fort Greely, Alaska, June 15, 2022. The exercise provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint, coalition and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an M240B machine gun during a live fire deck shoot aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 28, 2022. Marines and Sailors conducted weapons training to further educate their Marines on different weapons platforms. 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.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, "Wolfhounds," 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, move forward out of a gulch toward an enemy objective during Bronco Rumble May 9, 2013. Bronco Rumble is company level combined arms live fire exercise put on to develop leaders and service members with critical thinking and tactical skills, while remaining prepared to support the Army's mission in the Pacific. Bronco Rumble will increase future interoperability with our Pacific partners while sustaining combat readiness. Sgt. Brian Erickson

Captain Darren Domingo, an airman with the 4th Combat Camera Squadron conducts close-quarter battle (CQB) training July 12, 2022, at the Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Base Charleston, SC. During this event airmen conducted refresher training on effective room-clearing techniques, designed to ensure team members are capable of integrating with combat teams while providing combat camera capabilities.4th Combat Camera Squadron's mission is to provide senior Department of Defense and joint leaders with a directed imagery capability in support of strategic, operational and planning requirements during wartime operations, worldwide crises, contingencies, joint exercises and humanitarian operations.Photos by Technical Sgt. Christopher S Muncy

Georgian Defense Forces scan their sectors of fire for a defensive position training scenario held during Noble Partner located in the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Noble Partner is designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. The exercise allows participants to conduct situational training exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers.

220718-N-XG173-1223 MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (July 18, 2022) Republic of Korea Marines conduct squad live-fire training during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 18. 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 worlds 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 worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

U.S. Army Spc. YoungMin Noh, assigned to 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, watches a demonstration 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.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 66th Military Intelligence Brigade ruck march to their next task during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 11, 2022. Teams from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. load bags during exercise Iron Hand 22-09 at North Auxiliary Airfield, S.C., Aug. 22, 2022. Exercise Iron Hand 22-09 was composed of a team of less than 48 personnel conducting agile combat employment capabilities on an austere, uncontrolled airfield.

U.S. soldier with assault rifle.

Wyoming Army National Guard (ARNG) Spc. Trevor Logan Wilcox, an infantryman assigned to 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team patrols the hillside for the enemy during Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program at Camp Roberts, California, July 17, 2022. XCTC conducted lanes, situational training exercises and professionally led performance-oriented after action reports to review all training.

U.S Army Soldiers from Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve forces conduct live-fire battle drills during the 254th Regional Training Institute's Infantry Advanced Leaders Course 22-02 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 7, 2022. The Advanced Leaders Course 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.

Low angle view of U.S. Army Rangers pointing weapons to the camera.

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. Soldiers assigned to 10th Special Forces Group train on the M320 grenade launcher during a live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022.

U.S. Army Soldiers with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, move out during a field training at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Feb. 10, 2023. More than 350 Soldiers with the Battalion participated in an air assault and a field training exercise in preparation for the units rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, later this year.

220428-N-MQ841-1065 PORT HUENEME, Calif. (April 28, 2022) Utilitiesman 1st Class Dylan Richardson (left) and Equipment Operator Construction Recruit Chase Allen, both assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, man an M2A1 machine gun during the live fire portion of the crew served weapons course at U.S. Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett, Jolon, California. NMCB-5 is homeported out of Port Hueneme, California. They train on high-quality construction, expeditionary logistics, and combat operations to execute construction and engineering projects for major combat operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

U.S. Army Capt. Maychee Lister, Commander of A Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, speaks with a French soldier with the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment during a training exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, July 7, 2022.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Darik Emanuelson, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, runs to a UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469 during a Fast Rope Masters Course (FRMC) at Landing Zone Sterling, Okinawa, Japan, July 27, 2022. Fast roping allows Marines to enter landing zones that are too dangerous for helicopters to safely land. Fast Rope and Helicopter Rope Suspension Training teaches Marines proper knots and rappelling techniques, and builds confidence for maneuvering from air to ground.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Shane Arena, a fire support coordinator (left), assigned to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines call for fire during tactical air control party and close air support training at Pilsung Range, Gangwan Province, South Korea, September 15, 2022. Korea Marine Exercise Program (KMEP) 22-3 is one iteration in a series of continuous combined-training exercises designed to enhance the ROK and U.S. Alliance, promote stability on the Korean Peninsula and strengthen ROK-U.S. military capabilities and interoperability.

220606-N-PG340-1064 SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, Calif. (June 6, 2022) U.S. Navy Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 react to simulated hostile fire during Operation Turning Point, also known as their Field Training Exercise, at San Clemente Island. Operation Turning Point is an around-the-clock exercise that focuses on constructing advanced bases while maintaining proficiency in tactics and survivability. NMCB-5 is homeported out of Port Hueneme, California. They train on high-quality construction, expeditionary logistics, and combat operations to execute construction and engineering projects for major combat operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

Super Garuda Shield 2023, at 5th Marine Training Center (Puslatpur), Situbono Regency, East Java, Indonesia, Aug. 31, 2023. Super Garuda Shield is an annual exericse that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. Super Garuda Sheild 2023 is the second consectutive time this exercise has grown into a combinedand joint event, highlighting the 6 parcipating and 12 observing nations' committment to partnership and a free and open indo pacific.

Staff Sgt. Dylan Delamarter and Sgt. Ethan hart, Combat Medic Specialist, New York National Guard, prepare a casualty for transport during the Army's Best Medic Competition. Twenty-two two-Soldier teams from all around the world traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to compete in the finals to be named the Armys Best Medic. The competition is a 72-hour arduous test of the teams physical and mental skills. Competitors must be agile, adaptive leaders who demonstrate mature judgment while testing collective team skills in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship, leadership, warrior skills, land navigation and overall knowledge of medical, technical and tactical proficiencies through a series of hands-on tasks in a simulated operational environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Herman)

Spc. Maria Ortiz, right, and Pfc. Jose Diazburgos, left, both combat engineers for the 317th Engineer Company, 863rd Engineer Battalion, 372nd Engineer Brigade, navigate a concertina wire obstacle during Army Warrior Tasks training as part of Warrior Exercise 78-22-02 July 22, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 78th Training Division will conduct WAREX 78-22-02 from July 16-30 at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, in order to build Warfighter collective readiness and prepare units to execute mission in support of Unified Land Operations.

A soldier assigned to Delta Company, 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducts a presence patrol around the U.S. Consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2014.

Two U.S. special operations Soldiers engage opposing forces at an objective during Jackal Stone 2016 in Tblisi, Georgia, Aug. 15, 2016. Jackal Stone 2016 is a bilateral Georgian, U.S. counter terrorism and crisis management exercise.

Competitors in the National Guard Region V Best Warrior competition attend a safety brief before participating in the daytime portion of a land navigation evaluation at the National Guard Region V Best Warrior on May 17, 2022. The annual competition brings together top-tier soldiers to challenge them on a variety of Army warrior tasks. The contest consists of eight events that promote soldier readiness in their war fighting skills and recognizes individuals who embody the Army Values. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Stone)

A U.S. Soldier assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, scans for targets using a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile 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.

Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) utilize the radio to call during a simulated air assault mission during Exportable Combat Training Capability program at Camp Roberts, California, July 18, 2022. Since 1995, the 29th IBCT has been one of the nation's 15 elite enhanced readiness brigades.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Chaos Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1ABCT), operationally controlled by the 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), prepare for live fire exercises at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Nov. 18, 2022. The 3-1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1 ID, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Marines with The Basic School demonstrate how to operate an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer to train newly commissioned officers at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Feb. 28, 2024. Students at TBS are trained to be a rifle platoon commander equipped with high standards of professional knowledge, technical expertise and leadership. Marine Corps

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment talk through movement plans for shared understanding prior to conducting a squad live fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 15, 2022. 2nd Cavalry Regiment provides V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe, with combat-credible forces capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater to defend the NATO alliance.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jonathan Sutchen, a network administrator with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, monitors the radio during Exercise Shinka 22.1, Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 13, 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.

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, advance towards their objective during team live-fire and tactical movement training as part of Eagle Ursa at the training range in Slunj, Croatia, Feb. 25, 2024. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployableforces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployedacross Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships andstrengthen the alliance. Army

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit occupy a beach following an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 6, 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. Navy Hospital Corpsmen with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 12 carry a litter with a simulated casualty during a flight line aid station exercise at Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 26, 2022. Hospital Corpsmen with MAG-12 conducted a series of drills during the exercise to refine urgent care procedures while working at an airfield.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nicholas McCready, a fire team leader assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, Europe posts security during a hike as part of exercise Lisa Azul in Sierra del Retin, Spain, Sept. 15, 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.

U.S. Army soldier Spc. Aiden Gallo-Murphy with the 412th Alpha Company qualifies with his m4 at the qualification course, during Operation Viking at Joint Base Cape Cod, Mass., July 23, 2022. Operation Viking is an intense joint task force exercise designed to prepare Soliders with realistic training simulating deployment of civil affairs units in direct support of a contingency operation in Africa.

Airman 1st Class Patrick Dugan aims an M-4 assault rifle during improvised explosive device lane training at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Nov. 1, 2012. The 823rd Base Defense Squadron regularly trains to maintain combat standards and is a unit ready to deploy at all times. Dugan is a fire team member assigned to the 823rd BDS.

U.S. Army Paratroopers participate in an airborne jump from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters into Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C. on Apr. 28, 2022. Many paratroopers participating in the jump are a part of the Judge Advocate Generals Corps (JAG) and come together every year to celebrate Law Day, a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law.

U.S. Marines with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, prepare and map out close air support operations on Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 2, 2022. 1st ANGLICO practices CAS exercises to ensure the Ground Combat Element and the Air Combat Element are in sync and ready to accomplish mission tasking around the world.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bravo Battery, Death Dealers, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (2-174 ADA) operationally controlled by 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), conducts tactical combat casualty care training during Operation Close Encounters field training exercise at Camp Ādaži, Latvia, Nov. 9, 2022. The 2-174 ADA is among other units proudly working alongside 1 ID, NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- U.S. Air Force Academy cadets use teamwork to construct a rope bridge in preperation for the 54th annual Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, Oct. 21, 2022. The competition is slated to be held at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 2023. The Sandhurst Club prepares for and competes in the worlds premiere international academy military skills competition that inspires excellence through rigorous physical and mental challenges that reflect the tempo, uncertainty and tasks of combat operations.

A U.S. Army Reserve Soldier, with the 490th Quartermaster Company, based out of Rochester, New York, prepares a radio for communications during Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 9, 2022. CSTX allows Soldiers to integrate next generation technologies and warfighting concepts into overall unit readiness.

Army Lt. Gen. Antonio A. Aguto, Jr., commanding general of the First United States Army, arrives at the 77th Sustainment Brigades (STB) forward operating base in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 10, 2022. The 77th STB is taking part in the 2022 Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX)an exercise where reserve units are immersed in realistic scenariosand will be tested on various warrior tasks and skills.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Academy cadets participate in the Commandant's Challenge at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 5, 2022. The challenge is an annual event at the Academy focused on military training, warrior ethos, and teamwork.

Staff Sgt. Damien Riley (right), 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team leader, evaluates Staff Sgt. Adam King, 4th CES NCO in charge of EOD supply, during EOD training at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Dec. 1, 2022. EOD Airmen train to detect, disarm and dispose of explosive threats in the most extreme environments.

U.S. Air Force tactical air control party specialists from the 169th Air Support Operations Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, perform medical aid to a medical mannequin during Exercise Forward Reach 23-1 in Danvers, Illinois, Dec. 3, 2022. The TACPs used the exercise to demonstrate their new Mobile Response Team domestic operations capability, which will quickly extend the reach of first responders during natural disasters.

U.S. Army Officer Candidate School cadets, from right, Julia Yang, with the New Jersey National Guard, and Albanian Armed Forces OCS cadet Besmilvini Kolchi participate in combined leadership and hilltop tactics familiarization at the Bunavi Individual Training Center, April 6, 2022, in Vlorë, Albania. New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers selected to Officer Candidate School, along with their leadership cadre, traveled to Albania to participate with AAF OCS cadets, strengthening the 20 year New Jersey-Albania Partnership, which is one of 22 European partnerships that make up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 65 worldwide partnerships that make up the National Guard State Partnership Program.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jessica McWain, the command chief of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, fires an M4 carbine at Prince Sultan Air Bases firing range, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, July 8, 2022. The 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron invited the 378th AEW leadership out to see some of the squadrons equipment and feel its capabilities firsthand.

Reserve Citizen Airmen of 944th Fighter Wing Security Forces train and shoot simulated rounds out of an M203 grenade launcher attachment during heavy weapons qualifications at the Arizona National Guard Weapons Training Range in Florence, Ariz., Aug. 5, 2022. The simulated round from the grenade launcher bursts into orange smoke on impact giving the instructor and shooter an idea of where they hit. The Airmen qualified on the the M203 grenade launcher, and M240 and M249 machine guns.

A U.S. Army Soldier with the 11th Airborne Division participates in a joint forces demonstration during Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 30th, 2022. This biennial event hosted by JBER is one of the largest in the state and one of the premier aerial demonstrations in the world. The event features multiple performers to include the JBER Joint Forces Demonstration Team, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, Pacific Air Forces C-17 Demonstration Team and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

U.S. soldier in action.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tyler Tierney, right, a combat engineer with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), breaches a door with a Swedish soldier assigned to Fifth Company, South Scania Regiment P7 during a training exercise near Kristianstad, Sweden, Aug. 27, 2022. 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.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and members of the French Forces in Djibouti load a CAESAR self-propelled howitzer during a training and familiarization event near Arta, Djibouti, Aug. 3, 2022. Training and familiarization events allow allied forces to learn and grow from one another. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Johns)

U.S. Soldiers with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team prepare for combat in a situational training exercise at Camp McGregor, New Mexico, Jan. 24, 2024. They are training at Camp McGregor as they prepare for a deployment to the Horn of Africa.

A service member of the Royal Bermuda Regiment provides security while conducting Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) at the MOUT town on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 17, 2022. MCB Camp Lejeune hosted the Royal Bermuda Regiment during Exercise Island Warrior. The exercise strengthened the partnership between the two forces and the training and resources provided by the base enhanced the warfighting skills and readiness of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

Tennessee Army National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Christopher Thomas, from the 117th Regional Training Institute, takes charge as a team leader during the Military Operations on Urban Terrain (MOUT) exercise at the Tennessee State Best Warrior Competition, in Tullahoma, Feb. 24, 2024. During the MOUT, competitors were split into two teams to see who could find their injured companion and successfully evacuate them. Army National Guard

Sgt. Ben Wagner, a Soldier from Charlie Company, and Spc. Griffin Shields, a Soldier from Alpha Company, both from the 3rd Battalion, 304th Regiment (USMA), 104th Training Division (Leader Training), disassemble an M249 weapon during the confidence course of the Best Warrior Competition (BWC) at Devens Reserve Forces Training Area, Massachusetts, Oct. 23, 2022. The BWC consists of multiple events demonstrating skills in various Soldier tasks including an obstacle course, a foot march, tactical combat casualty care, 9-Line MEDEVAC, and M249 weapon assembly and disassembly. Competitors also completed advanced land navigation and an Army Combat Fitness Test. The BWC gives these Soldiers an opportunity to enhance and test their skills and prepare for training Cadets at the United States Military Academy during their annual training.

Staff Sgt. Daudi Ola, a squad leader assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division exchanges military experience with a New Zealand soldier during Exercise Cartwheel at Nausori Highlands Training Area, Fiji, September 17, 2022. Exercise Cartwheel is a multilateral military-to-military training exercise with the U.S., Republic of Fiji Military, Australian, New Zealand, and British forces that builds expeditionary readiness and interoperability by increasing the capacity to face a crisis and contingencies by developing and stressing units at the highest training levels.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jared Drapeau, an assistant gunner, and Lance Cpl. Todd Peterson Jr., a gunner with 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, prepare to conduct an on and off drill from a MV-22 Osprey in Darwin, NT, Australia, April 28, 2022. MRF-D 22s ground and aviation combat elements conducted on and off drills to increase their ability to respond to crises in the region.

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers with Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) exchange knowledge on close-quarters combat at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment base, Djibouti, June 23, 2022. Members of the CJTF-HOA regularly train and work alongside allies, partners, and government organizations to achieve a unified effort to improve safety, security and prosperity in East Africa.

TCU and BU ROTC Cadets react to contact durring a Situational Training Exercise on April 1, 2023 as part of the annual Spring ROTC Joint FTX held at Fort Hood, Texas. Units across Fort Hood, Texas partnered with Texas Christian University and Baylor Universitys ROTC programs for a multi-day Task-Force level FTX to provide a well-resourced culminating training event, offer exposure to various unit capabilities and occupational specialties, and enhance the Cadets development as future leaders.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Norris Matthews, a motor transportation operator with 3rd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conducts a tow bar vehicle recovery drill with a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement during a bilateral vehicle recovery training during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 5, 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.

Guardsmen with the 1st Battalion 152 Cavalry Regiment participate in the Spur Ride, a U.S. Army cavalry tradition that tests a new scout's physical and mental fortitude through a series of tests lasting multiple days, at Camp Atterbury, Ind., July 25, 2022. Spur candidates are called as shave-tails which dates back to 1776 when a new soldier would mount a horse with a shaved tail to indicate to other riders that the new soldier was inexperienced.

U.S. Army Spc. Cristian Fuentes-Velazquez, left, assigned to 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, receives ammunition at the machine gun range during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 11, 2022. Teams from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

A group of U.S. Army Paratroopers, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and Warrior Training Center, walks in formation to board the aircraft with their T-11 parachute during Exrcise Falcon Leap on Eindhoven Air Base, Eindhoven, Netherlands., Sep. 13, 2022. More than 1000 Paratroopers from all over the world, 13 different nationalities, multiple airdrops per day, and training with each other equipment for two weeks. this is NATO's largest technical airborne exercise

U.S. Marine Corps infantrymen with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, receive a mission brief before boarding a UH-1Y Venom during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 at the Laguna Combat Aircraft Loading Area, Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, Oct. 8, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Soldiers from the United Arab Emirates 11th Mountain Battalion and U.S. Army 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter 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.

The California National Guard works with Bulgarian Soldiers to train Ukrainian troops on the medical evacuation lanes at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center at Rapid Trident Sept. 4, 2018. Maj. Scott and 2nd Lt. Collins are Combat Lifesaver certified and use their medical knowledge to better prepare the Ukranian troops.

Sappers assigned to 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conduct tables 1 and 2 of engineer qualification tables. To certify soldiers and leaders as well as to familiarize sappers with different kinds of explosives, these engineer tables are conducted on a demolition range.

Arizona Army National Guard Pfc. Austin Sample, a indirect fire infantryman assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team cleans the mortar after firing to support a live-fire mission during Exportable Combat Training Capability program at Camp Roberts, California, July 19, 2022. The mortar live-fire range provided support for the units conducting a live-fire mission on lane 16.

U.S. Marine Corps machine gunners with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division prepare for an urban assault at Saylor Creek Range in Grasmere, Idaho during Exercise Garnet Rattler April 21, 2022. Garnet Rattler is a joint training event between Marines, Soldiers and Airmen to train and qualify JTACs to be more efficient and lethal in a realistic training environment.

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.

Providers assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division conduct set up and security operations on Fort Bragg, NC, March 28, 2022. The Field Training Exercise ensures Paratroopers stand ready to fight, win, and meet the 18 hour deployment standard.

A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operator and a Latvian joint terminal attack controller prepare to call in close air support from a Spanish AV-8 Harrier, during Adriatic Strike 2022, in Slovenia, May 31, 2022. Adriatic Strike is a Slovenian-led joint terminal attack controller exercise attended by over 650 participants from 26 Allied and partner nations to enhance interoperability and combined capabilities.

Close-up of a soldier aiming his rifle

U.S. Army Rangers from the 10th Mountain Division, Sgt. Jeremy Ronzo (Left) and 1st Lt. Joby Cosgrove (Right), complete the "Selby Urban Assault Course" during the Best Ranger Competition 2022, April 8, 2022, on Fort Benning, G.A.The competition has evolved over the past thirty-eight years from once that was originally created to salute the best two-man "buddy" team in the Ranger Department at Fort Benning, G.A. to determine the best two-man team from the entire United States Armed Forces.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), conduct an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (EDRE) at CSL Manda Bay, Kenya, June 17, 2022. During the EDRE, the East Africa Response Force (EARF) forward deployed from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to Manda Bay to exercise its capability to provide security augmentation while Soldiers with the EARF and CJTF-HOA security forces conducted presence patrols with Kenya Defense Forces and responded to multiple injects that included base defense drills.

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