Rappelling and Obstacle Courses

Images featuring military personnel engaged in rappelling exercises and obstacle courses, emphasizing training and skill development.

Dead body of special forces operator killed during a special operation.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 36th Wing put up tents during an operational readiness exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 12, 2022. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command strategy centers on fielding and sustaining a force capable of combat-credible deterrence posture to win before fighting and if necessary, ready to fight and win.

SSGT R. Hopfauf, a combat controller of the 1722nd Combat Control Squadron, McChord Air Force Base, Washington, removes his parachute after landing during the drop zone establishment phase of Airlift Rodeo '90. Airlift Rodeo is an annual airdrop competition that tests the flight and ground skills of Military Airlift Command aircrews as well as foreign teams.. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO '90 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina(NC) Country: United States Of America(USA)

Indian Head, Maryland, April 19, 2007 - A Marine with the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, prepares to execute a midpoint drop at the Naval Support Facility Indian Head. The midpoint drop is utilized when there is an area that cannot be safely accessed by walking, as in the case of a ravine.

030506-M-9248U-010. Subject Operation/Series: DIAMOND THRUST 2003 Base: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: H&HS

XII Raid Cataluña 2018, Barbastro, Huesca, Spain.

A participant in a joint training exercise between US Navy Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) team members and their Brazilian counterparts practices rappelling. Base: Nas, Roosevelt Roads State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jones, 1st Combat Communication Squadron tactical systems supervisor, sets up an antenna during exercise Heavy Rain III at Breitenbach, Germany, Sept. 15, 2022. During the exercise, once an interference was detected, teams explored alternative forms of communication to maintain contact with the Wing Operation Center or moved to an alternative location to establish contact.

DM-ST-86-05489. Base: Parris Island State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The 200th RED HORSE members help cadets of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AF JROTC) from Knox County, set up a deployment tent while visiting the 200th RED HORSE, Detachment 1, Mansfield, Ohio, April 21, 2014. The cadets got a chance to tour the facility, learn about the mission and get hands on with equipment.

020606-A-2795I-001. Base: Camp Zama State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: Pacific

A U.S. Marine Corps recruit with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, low crawls through tunnels during the bayonet assault course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 13, 2022. The course consisted of different obstacles that simulated the type of terrain Marines may come across in combat.

U.S. Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor (MAI) Course student prepares for weapons of choice free sparing at Courthouse Bay on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, April 21, 2022. The MAI course is a three-week course designed to prepare Marines to teach and instruct the fundamentals of hand-to-hand combat.

040519-F-4338B-069. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

110325-N-SI773-540PORT HUENEME, Calif. (March 25, 2011) Equipment Operator 3rd Class Dallas Miller, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, traverses on a rope during the 2nd annual Vietnam-6 Memorial Super Squad competition. The event is a tribute to the six deployments NMCB-5 made to Vietnam during Vietnam War and tested squads on all aspects of administration, military tactics and physical readiness.

The United States team rusn through the obstacle course for the Fuerzas Comando 2022 competition in La Venta, Honduras on June 19, 2022. Fuerzas Commando is a multinational SOF skills competition that showcases the diversity of the SOF community in the western hemisphere, strengthens our regional partnerships, and demonstrates readiness and interoperability across regional boundaries.

040505-F-5073D-006. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFSPC

U.S. Marines with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF), conduct rope rescue on the rappel tower at Downey Responder Training Facility at Stump Neck Annex, Maryland, August 26, 2022. Following the meeting with the Australian Defence Force was a live demonstration of CBIRF Bravo Company performing rescue drills.

Lance Cpl. Trevor Smitherman, TOW gunner with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, crawls under a cement block at an obstacle course during a week-long squad competition aboard Robertson Barracks, June 2, 2014. Each squad will complete a variety of infantry obstacles and events that are either timed or scored against other competing squads. The rotational deployment of U.S. Marines affords an excellent combined training opportunity with the Australian Defence Force, and improves interoperability between both forces.

070224-M-1726S-104. Base: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: MCAS YUMA

BOSTON (August 12, 2022) U.S. Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Jennifer Martinez , a native of Huston, Texas, climbs the shrouds during an underway aboard USS Constitution. USS Constitution, is the worlds oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855. During normal operations, the active-duty Sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people a year as they support the ships mission of promoting the Navys history and maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and destroyed or captured 33 opponents. The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ships wooden hull.

US Marine Corps female recruits from 4th Battalion climbing the ropes at an obstacle course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. US Marine Corps female recruits from 4th Battalion climbing the ropes at an obstacle course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, compete against one another during a pugil sticks event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, June 21, 2022. Recruits executed numerous Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques throughout the Pugil Sticks event.

Sgt. Jeremiah Smith completes the tarzan monkey bar event during the 2022 Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Best Warrior Competition at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. May 11.

DN-ST-85-08787. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, conduct bicep curls during log drills at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 1, 2022. Recruits carried a 250 pound log, executing various exercises to strengthen their bodies, minds, and teamwork.

Illinois National Guard Youth Programs and camp counselors from across the country met with teens of National Guard service members, from various states, to participate in the Region V Teen Summit in Waterloo, IL on June 29, 2022. This provided military dependents an opportunity to come together, gain leadership skills and mentor one another in a supportive environment.

POHANG, Republic of South Korea (March. 26, 2023) - A Republic of Korea Marine and a U.S. Marine assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, scale a rock wall during Ssang Yong 23. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance, Ssang Young 2023 strengthens the Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward the ROKs combined defense of the Korean Peninsula and increasing the readiness of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.

Joint training exercise with Det 2. 6 Co. 3/238th AVN MEDEVAC, Cox Health and Missouri State Highway Patrol at Hercules Glade Wilderness, Bradleyville, Mo., Oct. 06, 2022. Multiple Missouri departments teamed up to practice life-saving MEDEVAC scenarios. (Photo by U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Rose Di Trolio.)

A Georgia Air National Guard firefighter from the 165th Civil Engineering Squadron stabilizes a repelling crain prior to a search and rescue simulation exercise during a 96-hour contingency training at the 165th Airlift Wing, Sept. 14, 2022 in Savannah, Georgia. The purpose of this training exercise was designed to incorporate agile combat employment capabilities as well as challenge the firefighters to think and respond as a multi-capable Airmen force.

030117-M-8337G-017. Base: Camp Gonsalves State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: 3rd Bn 8th Marines

U.S. Marine Officer Candidates, with 6th Marine Corps District, discuss their approach while conducting a problem-solving event during a Mini - Officer Candidate School event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, April 1, 2023. Marine Officer Candidates from across the Southeastern United States attended this event to take part in training to help prepare them for Officer Candidate School.

The throw home - Sgt. Clifford A. Taijeron, fire team leader of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, launches a Raven, an unmanned aerial vehicle, during a late October training at Spin Boldak, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

Paraguayan team members participate in the obstacle course as part of the Fuerzas Comando 2022 Day 7 on June 19, 2022, in La Venta, Honduras. Fuerzas Comando is a Special Operation skills competition and a senior leader seminar supported by SOCSOUTH. The competition enhances SOF regional cooperation and exchanges best practices to combat transnational crime and counter illicit activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano)

1st Lt. Romela De Guzman, an Alexandria, Virginia, native and human resources officer assigned to Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia Army National Guard, crawls under the low wire obstacle on zero day of an Air Assault course at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, on Aug. 30, 2022. Over 200 Soldiers and Airmen participated in a 12-day U.S. Army Air Assault course held at Camp Dodge, which trains service members in sling load operations and rappelling.

110128-N-2943C-101SAN DIEGO (Jan. 28, 2011) Mark Buska, a helicopter rope suspension technique cast master instructor, demonstrates proper rappelling techniques during Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Tactical Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot. This final phase of EOD training is a three-week course that tests EOD members on all the skills they have learned throughout their training.

A Soldier assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School low crawls under barbed wire during Psychological Operations Assessment and Selection at Camp Mackall, North Carolina March 1, 2021. Candidates who attended the ten-day assessment and selection were evaluated through individual physical fitness and confidence events, intelligence and psychologial assessments and their ability to solve dilema-based problems indiviually and as a team.

Recruits with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, conduct the Confidence Course on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 21, 2024. After demonstrations, recruits complete various physically and mentally challenging obstacles. Marine Corps

DF-ST-85-11758. Base: Dobbins Air Force Base State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Andrew Rhodes, battalion commander, and U.S. Army Capt. David Reagan, Alpha company commander both from the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct a debrief with German soldiers assigned to the 212th Panzergrenadier Battalion, 21st Panzer Brigade, 1st Panzer Division, after a situational training exercise at Oberlausitz Training Area, Germany, May 16, 2022. Defender Europe 22 is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises taking place 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.

Spc. Gavin Herring (left) and Cpl. Joshua Dixon, Information Technology specialists with the 350th Civil Affairs Command, connect a radio cable to an OE-254 antenna prior to raising it to its vertical position during Army Reserve Annual Training at Pensacola, Florida, July 25, 2022.

A British paratrooper stretches for the x to stop the running clock that starts after their landing. Competitors in the Leapfest competition must reach the x in the fastest time possible after exiting an aircraft and making a parachute landing fall. Each competitor's time is recorded individually and is added to the team's overall time. The team with the fastest overall time wins the competition.

U.S. Marines stationed on Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, participate in a jousting event during the annual Super Squadron competition at the installation, Jan. 26, 2024. The Super Squadron was a friendly competition between various units on the air station, designed to help strengthen teamwork as well as boost station morale.

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conduct a simulated raid during military operations in urban terrain as part of Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 18, 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.

LCpl. Andre M. Martinchuck, a rifleman with Bravo Company, Marine Barracks Washington, climbs over an obstacle during a squad competition at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 08, 2022. During the competition, Marines honed their basic infantry knowledge by navigating through an endurance course, overcoming various obstacles, and ground fighting multiple opponents.

Delegates work through tough obstacles together on the Leadership Reaction Course at Camp Williams, Utah, during their second day of Freedom Academy, July 11, 2022. Since 1961, the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy, which provides a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach young leaders the importance of freedom and that leadership is essential to its survival.

U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Gabriel Gutierrez, a recruit with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, climbs the rope net during the confidence course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, June 6, 2022. Recruits participated in the course to gain confidence in their abilities to get through obstacles.

Joint Forces participate in setup for the Armed Forces weekend event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before the Indy 500 qualification Indianapolis, Indiana May 20, 2022.

220911-N-ZG822-1017 ADRIATIC SEA (Sep. 11, 2022) Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) 1st Class Christopher Shonts performs required maintenance aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Sep. 11, 2022 The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group 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.

US Air Force AIRMAN First Class Craig A. Crose negotiates the first of many obstacles during the opening event of DEFENDER CHALLENGE 2000 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Defender Challenge is the annual Air Force competition sponsored by Air Force Security Forces. This competition showcases the talents and capabilities of 13 international Security Forces teams in seven physical fitness events, base defense and policing skills over six days. Subject Operation/Series: DEFENDER CHALLENGE 2000 Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to multiple units in the Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conduct flight operations to maintain currency on the Raven Small Unmanned Aerial System March 4, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The Raven is a lightweight remotely-piloted aircraft designed for low-altitude reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition.

Defenders assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron compete during the second annual Defenders Challenge for National Police Week May 17, 2022, at MacDill Beach, Florida. The challenge consisted of a blind folded M-4 Carbine rifle assembly, a ruck march and beach crawl. Every year, MacDill Airmen come together to celebrate National Police Week by honoring military and civilian law enforcement who paid the ultimate sacrifice while in the line of duty.

A1C C. Pearson of the 23rd Wing's RODEO 92 team navigates a water filled ditch during the endurance course competition. The 23rd is from Pope Air Force Base. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO 92 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Princess Beatrix brings an introductory visit to various parts of the Royal Navy. The transactions on the storm track of the Marine Training Camp Hilversum (MOKH) are also interested.

U.S. Soldiers with Company A, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division work together as a team to master an obstacle at the Leaders Reaction Course at the 7th Army Training Commands Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May 24, 2022. 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division is part of the 1st Infantry Division and V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat ready forces, executes joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for its rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

Sgt. 1st Class Blake Simms of the 4th Ranger Training Battalion nearly walks water at the start of the 2008 Best Ranger Competition April 18 at Fort Benning, Ga.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing, civilian employees and civilian contractors set up the roof of a Lightning Modular Extendable Rigid Wall Shelter at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Sep. 12, 2022. Subject matter experts from Hill Air Force Base taught members from the 48th Fighter Wing the set-up and teardown of the LMERWS.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade conduct a color uncasing ceremony marking their arrival into the European theater at Grafenwöhr, Germany, Oct. 6, 2022. The 101st Airborne Division and 1st Infantry Division unite in Europe 77 years later to work alongside other NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps.

Several10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) soldiers team up to climb an obstacle on the confidence course. Base: Fort Drum State: New York (NY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Steven Markowski, a public affairs specialist with the 109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 213th Regional Support Group, completes an obstacle course during the units annual training period, July 16, 2022 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.

SENAKI, Georgia (Sep. 09, 2022) Steelworker 3rd class Rusty Garza, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, completes pull-ups for a Murph workout, Georgia, Sep. 09, 2022. NMCB 11 is forward-deployed to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater security cooperation in the U.S. Sixth and Seventh Fleet areas of operation.

SENAKI, Georgia (Sep. 09, 2022) Steelworker 3rd class Rusty Garza, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, completes pull-ups for a Murph workout, Georgia, Sep. 09, 2022. NMCB 11 is forward-deployed to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater security cooperation in the U.S. Sixth and Seventh Fleet areas of operation.

DF-ST-85-12916. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT RODEO '84 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A member of NASA Kennedy Space Center's Emergency Response Team scales over a wall during one of the tactical challenges at the 35th Annual SWAT Round-up International at the Lawson Lamar Firearms and Tactical Training Center in Orlando, Florida. The competition was held Nov. 10 to 15, 2019, and featured five different tactical challenges. Kennedy's ERT members exchanged best practices and competed with more than 50 teams from the U.S. and around the world.

Sergio Matias Chontal-Harter participates in a simulated Army Combat Fitness Test with Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Messenger on Feb. 12, 2024, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Matias, 6, interviewed Messenger as part of a school social studies project. Matias is the son of a Fort McCoy employee, and he also experienced what it's like to participate in the Army Combat Fitness Test and how to participate in retreat at the end of the duty day. Army

000511-F-4884R-005. Base: Baumholder Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

221208-N-WF272-1095 BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Dec. 8, 2022) A Brick Memorial High School student participates in a pushups challenge while wearing a bomb suit during a U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team educational visit to the school on Dec. 8, 2022. The team, composed of members of EOD Mobile Unit 12, EOD Enlisted Community Management BUPERS-32, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Philadelphia, and Navy Recruiting Command, held interactive training using the bomb-disposal robots, and discussed a variety of EOD and diver opportunities in the service.

France. Alsace. Natzweiler Struthof Camp

Spc. Ernesto Gamez riding Baxter, probationary member of the Field Artillery Half Section, practices riding without touching the reins as part of the training to become a member of the Half Section.

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