Night Operations and Aerial Procedures

Dramatic nighttime scenes featuring military personnel and aircraft in action. Images showcase helicopters, jets, and vehicles with vibrant lighting against dark skies.

U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers direct aircraft movement Jan. 16, 2010 at Port-Au-Prince airport Haiti.
U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers direct aircraft movement Jan. 16, 2010 at Port-Au-Prince airport Haiti.
159 assets in this story
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Providers assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division discuss and prepare for convoy 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.
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U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, conduct a foreign object debris walk at Royal Australian Air Force Base Curtin, Australia, Aug. 21, 2022. U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12 are conducting expeditionary advanced base operations with 5th generation fighters for the first time out of RAAF Base Curtin.
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July 4th celebration in and around Main Interior, with Secretary Dirk Kempthorne among the senior officials on hand
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U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conduct a night-driving course on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. During the course, Marines conducted black-out driving which allows for the tactical movements of vehicles to remain concealed in darkness. 3rd 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.
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U.S. Air Force Ringo, a military working dog with the 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, lays in front in front of Airmen and Soldiers strapping a training patient into a litter at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, July 14, 2022. TF Longhorn in partnership with the attending point of care units conducted a large-scale joint force MedEvac litter load training and K9 environment conditioning. Army MedEvac capabilities allow USCENTCOM forces to expedite casualties to next-level care and augment base medical capabilities.
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U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper executes a close air support mission coordinated by Tactical Air Control Party, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23, at Yodaville, near Yuma, Arizona, Sept. 28, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, 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.
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030713-F-6701P-053. Base: Lungi Country: Sierra Leone (SLE) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE
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U.S. Soldiers assigned to Carnage Battery, Field Artillery Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment conduct live fire mission operations using an M777 towed 155 mm howitzer during Exercise Dynamic Front 23 at Oksbol, Denmark, March 27, 2023. Exercise Dynamic Front 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa directed, 56th Artillery Command led, multinational exercise designed to improve allied and partner nation's ability to execute multi-echelon fires, and test interoperability of both tactical and theater-level fires systems in a live environment.
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Operators participating in a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) special operations forces training, prepare to flank opposing forces at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, Sept. 26, 2022. In basic small unit tactics, one element lays down suppressing fire while another element flanks around to eliminate the target.
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060604-F-4406B-002. Base: Fob Warhorse State: Diyala Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is launched by the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing Activities. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, SOUTHWEST ASIA - An MV-22 Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 transports U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division for insertion in support of Operation Talon Spear June 2, 2018. The Marines are part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response - Central Command, and provided security at Firebase Um Jorais for the operation.
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Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Emiliano Mariscal, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, assigned to the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Fords (CVN 78) air department, directs an MH-60R Sea Hawk, attached to the Spartans of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, in the hangar bay, Oct. 6, 2022. The Gerald R. For Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navys commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region.
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Approximately 100 Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard's 116th Brigade Combat Team were called to state active duty Dec. 25 in Norfolk, Va., in response to a severe snow storm which dropped a record amount of snow on the Hampton Roads area.
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PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 27, 2020) Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and a Sailor fire an M240B medium machine gun during a night shoot aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, along with the 31st MEU, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility 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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U.S. Air Force 1st Lieutenant John McDaniel and Lt. Col. Jim Ackerman review Port-Au-Prince airport flight line information while flying a earthquake relief mission Jan. 16, 2010 over Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.
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Firefighters from the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron perform live fire training at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, Sept. 19, 2022. The exercise provided firsthand experience with tools and techniques required for fighting aircraft fires.
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The American flag is lowered at Fleet Hospital 5 during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)
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Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific Strike teams conduct search and rescue operations in Fort Myers Beach, Florida on Sept. 29, 2022. Coast Guard strike force teams mobilized to areas affected by Hurricane Ian to perform urban search and rescue.
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Coast Guard personnel assigned to the Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific Strike teams conduct search and rescue operations in Fort Myers Beach, Florida on Sept. 29, 2022. Coast Guard strike force teams mobilized to areas affected by Hurricane Ian to perform urban search and rescue.
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U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Northland (WMEC 904) patrols with the Haitian Coast Guard in vicinity of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 12, 2022. The U.S. Coast Guard is one part of a whole-of-government approach to assist the Haitian government with security and stability throughout Haiti through the deterrence and prevention of dangerous, irregular maritime migration.
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Candidates compete in an early morning obstacle course during the Special Warfare Training Wing Assessment & Selection Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on March 15, 2023. The Special Warfare Training Wing prepares candidates physically, mentally, emotionally and cognitively for demanding careers as special warfare operators.
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Infantry Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment man their foxholes before force-on-force operations during Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 15, 2022. Northern Strike participants operate in a multidomain, joint environment to improve their Joint All-Domain Command and Control capabilities by integrating legacy and modern equipment with future innovation.
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221021-N-XK462-1031 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 21, 2022) U.S. Navy Electricians Mate Seaman Camden Sinner, from Presque Isle, Wis., looks through an alidade aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108). Wayne E. Meyer is currently operating with Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment.
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Seen through a Night Vision Scope, Sergeant Jeremiah Hockett, USMC, Loadmaster, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron-252 (VMGR-252), uses a flashlight to record his loading information during a flight into Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar International Airport Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR-252
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030329-M-6270B-053. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: An Nasariyah State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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Silhouette of a United States Marine Corps aircraft maintenance specialist on an engine nacelle of an MV-22 Osprey, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
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The American flag on the garrison flagpole is shown Nov. 8, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984. Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on the Defense Visual Information Distribution System at https://www.dvidshub.net/fmpao, on Facebook by searching ftmccoy,” and on Twitter by searching usagmccoy.”
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Material from Vice Admiral Allen - Post-Katrina - 26-HK-374-176. Hurricane Katrina
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U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, plan a route during a night-driving course on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. During the course, Marines conducted black-out driving which allows for the tactical movements of vehicles to remain concealed in darkness. 3rd 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.
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U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, refuel a MV-22B Osprey during a forward arming and refueling point exercise on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 1, 2022. A FARP is used to extend the capabilities of rotary or fixed wing aircrafts to allow rearming and refueling without having to fall back to a forward operating base. 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.
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Soldiers from the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) disembark from buses at the airfield as they begin their journey to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Base: Hunter Army Air Field State: Georgia(GA) Country: United States Of America(USA)
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The sun sets Sept. 10, 2022, at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. Fort McCoys motto is to be the Total Force Training Center. Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984. Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on the Defense Visual Information Distribution System at https://www.dvidshub.net/fmpao, on Facebook by searching ftmccoy, and on Twitter by searching usagmccoy.
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Sonar technicians man their underway watch stations at the sonar console aboard the Los Angeles class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS LA JOLLA (SSN-701). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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DF-ST-89-06285. Base: Beale Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A US Marine Corps (USMC) M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) crew member from Charlie Company, 1ST Tank Battalion, waits at a refueling position after dark in the vicinity of Al Nassaria, along route Tampa in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. (Substandard image). Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft assigned to the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conducts aerial operations in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility June 22, 2022. The 335th EFS delivers airpower and showcases U.S. commitment to deterrence and regional stability.
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ITOMAN, Japan (June 22, 2022) The flame of the Cornerstone of Peace monument is lit as candles illuminate the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, Okinawa, Japan, June 22, 2022. The candle lighting was held on the eve of Okinawa Memorial Day, a prefectural holiday honoring those who died during the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. U.S. Navy Sailors from Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa (CFAO) and tenant commands were among the candle lighters. Peace Memorial Park is built on Mabuni Hill, the location of the end of the battle and the current site of memorial walls naming the more than 200,000 dead from all involved nations. This is the first candle lighting held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CFAO maintains and operates facilities to support the U.S. Navy's naval and aviation assets in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Miscellaneous - Katrina and Rita - 26-HK-431-182. Hurricane Katrina
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Lance Cpl. Kevin D. Cardona, a rifleman assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, stands on top of a hill at Forward Operating Base 3 during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 2-17, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 19, 2017. ITX is a combined-arms exercise which gives all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force an opportunity to utilize capabilities during large scale missions to become a more ready fighting force. 1/3 is currently participating as the ground combat element for this exercise.
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The sun sets Sept. 10, 2022, at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport at Fort McCoy, Wis. Fort McCoys motto is to be the Total Force Training Center. Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin. The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services nearly every year since 1984. Learn more about Fort McCoy online at https://home.army.mil/mccoy, on the Defense Visual Information Distribution System at https://www.dvidshub.net/fmpao, on Facebook by searching ftmccoy, and on Twitter by searching usagmccoy.
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U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo departs Kabul, Afghanistan on March 23, 2020.
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030225-F-1472B-002. Base: Salt Lake City State: Utah (UT) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Aircrew in an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship identify a target with green light to assist U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators with the 24th Special Operations Wing and members of the Czech Special Forces during an Emerald Warrior 22.1 mission on Eglin Range, Florida, May 3, 2022. Emerald Warrior provides annual, realistic pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas. The exercise prepares special operations forces, conventional force enablers, partner nations, and interagency elements, to integrate with and execute full-spectrum special operations in an arctic climate, sharpening U.S. forces abilities to operate around the globe.
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East German guards watch as a crane prepares to remove a section of the Berlin Wall beside the Brandenburg Gate. Base: Berlin Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)
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120308-N-HN953-069PACIFIC OCEAN (March 8, 2012) Fireman Recruit Sara Battisti takes a sample from a flight deck firefighting system sprinkler aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz departed Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton March 5 to begin sea trials. The underway marks the first time the ship has been to sea since its Docked Planned Incremental Availability.
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A Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) prepares to perform aerial refueling with a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 535th Airlift Squadron during Exercise Global Dexterity in the skies over Queensland, Nov. 14, 2022. Exercise Global Dexterity 2022 is being conducted at RAAF Base Amberley, and is designed to help develop the bilateral tactical airlift and airdrop capabilities of the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Both the United States and Australia rely on the C-17A to provide strategic and tactical airlift across the Indo-Pacific region, with its ability to provide short-notice and time-critical airlift support making it essential during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
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C-130J Super Hercules from the 317th Airlift Group weather a storm Sept. 18, 2012, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. Dyess AFB recently received its 23rd of 28 C-130Js. The C-130J is the newest generation of the C-130 Hercules which primarily performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission.
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PACIFIC OCEAN (Jan. 1, 2020) Quartermaster 3rd Class Ryan Gouger, from Newberg, Ore., writes the first deck log entry of the year while standing quartermaster of the watch on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. With Abraham Lincoln as the flagship, deployed strike group assets include staffs and aircraft of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7.
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A covered Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider is displayed during a practice unveiling ceremony at Northrop Grummans manufacturing facility on Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, Dec. 1, 2022. The B-21 will be a long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions.
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U.S. Marines with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command particpate in exercise Eager Centaur in an undisclosed location, Southwest Asia, Jan. 31, 2016. Eager Centaur is conducted to complete initial joint terminal attack controller training and exercise the MAGTF Fire Support Coordination Center, to include combined arms live fire tactics, techniques and procedures.
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SANTA RITA, Guam (Jan. 12, 2023) - Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 rappel and fast rope from the EODMU-5 command tower during a training exercise as part of an EODMU platoon certification onboard Naval Base Guam. EODMU-5 is assigned to Commander, Task Force 75, which executes command and control of assigned Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces in the 7th Fleet area of operations. They plan and execute Naval Construction, Expeditionary Logistics, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Maritime Expeditionary Security, and Exploitation Forces assigned to Commander, 7th Fleet for crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and major combat operations.
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NORTH SEA (March 6, 2016)The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) passes under the Northern Lights while participating in Exercise Cold Response 2016 (CDR 16). CDR 16 involves maritime, land and air operation training and focuses on naval and amphibious operations transitioning to ground maneuver. The location in central Norway provides an extreme cold-weather environment for the 12 participating countries to collectively develop tactics, techniques and procedures and increase interoperability.
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U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight, respond to a simulated fire scenario Dec. 9, 2022, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Firefighters and first responders assigned to the 378th ECES routinely conduct training exercises to ensure emergency response times and overall mission readiness.
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060704-N-8157C-133. Base: Pearl Harbor State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division plan a fire mission during a fire support coordination exercise as part of Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Nov. 30, 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.