← Military & Defence

Silhouetted Soldiers in Action

Silhouettes of military personnel during training exercises and operations, set against dramatic backdrops, conveying readiness and resolve.

Silhouette of a U.S. Marine in uniform.
Silhouette of a U.S. Marine in uniform.
247 assets in this story
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050625-A-9039F-031. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Orgun-E State: Paktika Country: Afghanistan (AFG)
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A US Marine Corps (USMC) M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT) 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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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Magliocca, a loadmaster assigned to the 15th Airlift Squadron, prepares for a night airdrop from a C-17 Globemaster III on Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, June 28, 2022. The aircrew members performed nighttime airdrop maneuvers in South Carolina to sharpen their mission readiness.
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U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to enter a combat rubber raiding craft during a welldeck operations ship verification aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 1, 2022. 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.
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230325-N-TD381-1664 PACIFIC OCEAN (Mar. 25, 2023) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Sophia Diegoboniao, a native of San Diego, Calif., participates in a low-light M4 course of fire on aircraft elevator 4 aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Vinson is currently underway conducting routine maritime operations.
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PHILIPPINE SEA (May. 5, 2022) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Antionette Nelson, from Houston, directs an EA-18G Growler, assigned to the "Wizards" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability through alliances and partnerships while serving as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
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060419-A-7969G-042. Base: Siniyah State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AB DIVISION
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Sgt. Dustin Scott, unmanned aerial systems maintainer, resets a Shadow UAS ramp after a launch Aug. 15, 2008 at Forward Operating Base Kalsu. After the aircraft leaves Kalsu's airspace, operators at various sites in the Multi-National Division-Center area of operations can take control and direct it where it's needed on the battlefield.
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Klu-soldier at a Hawk rocket system of the 3rd group of arms guided weapons in Blomberg.
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020129-F-1705S-001. Subject Operation/Series: BEVERLY BULLDOG Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF
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FRA - SOCIETY - MOBILISATION DES LYCÉENS DE DINAN SOUTENUES PAR LES GILETS JAUNESMobilisation des étudiants du lycée La Fontaine à Dinan des Eaux à Dinan soutenues par les gilets jaunes.FRA - SOCIETY - MOBILIZATION OF DINAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SUPPORTED BY YELLOW VESTSMobilization of students from La Fontaine high school in Dinan des Eaux in Dinan supported by yellow vests.
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U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Francisco Govea II, left, and Senior Airmen Jake Buck, visual information specialists assigned to 4th Combat Camera Squadron, 315th Airlift Wing, conduct Night Land Navigation during Day 2 of the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, May 20, 2022. The annual multi-day competition tests the tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Yung Kim, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician, prepares an explosive device during a training event at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 11, 2022. EOD technicians utilize explosive materials to assist in their mission to detect, disarm and dispose of explosive threats.
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U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), participate in an expeditionary advance base operation exercise at W-174, Okinawa, Japan on Feb. 6, 2023. The EAB exercise reinforced Marines and Sailors abilities to gather maritime and airspace intelligence by employing radars and relaying the information back to commanders aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6). The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), board a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th MEU, prior to a simulated raid during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 22, 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.
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011206-F-8018T-010. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM. Country: Unknown
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Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit embark aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan during preparations by the Bataan Amphibious Relief Mission for a disaster response effort to the nation of Haiti. Bataan departed Naval Station Norfolk to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake on Jan. 12.
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Balad Air Base, Iraq - Two Staff Sergeants perform the Overs maneuver while practicing drill for the Base Honor Guard.
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An Ivy Soldier assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, watches the Milky Way during a warfighter exercise, Sept. 24, 2022, at Fort Carson, Colorado. Ivy Soldiers are fit, disciplined and smart fighters; they have confidence in themselves, their teammates, their leaders, their equipment and their unit.
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U.S. Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, drive a M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle at the annual Tanks in Town memorial event in Estinnes, Belgium, on Aug. 28, 2022. The Soldiers of the 1-68 Armor gathered with veterans and historical enthusiasts to support the local community and commemorate the 78th anniversary of the liberation of Belgium and the historic Battle of the Mons Pocket.
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Soldiers, in woodland BDU carrying M-16A1 rifles, and wearing gas masks, carry a litter through a gas attack during the Expert Field Medical Badge training course. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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220122-N-HS181-1383 PHILIPPINE SEA (Jan. 22, 2022) Naval Air Crewman (Equipment) 1st Class Jayden Worwood, a native of Payson, Utah, looks out of a CMV-22B Osprey, assigned to the Titans of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, as it flies over the Philippine Sea Jan. 22, 2022. Operating as part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, units assigned to Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups, Essex and America Amphibious Ready Groups, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force are conducting training to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Haydn N. Smith)
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U.S. Marines with II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Support Battalion distribute range cards to be used during the execution of M240B medium machine gun training at L-5 Range, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 22, 2022. II MEF prioritizes realistic training and education that prepare its Marines to rapidly respond to crises and contingences around the globe.
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U.S. Soldiers assigned to 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division conduct live fire training in a M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) during Decisive Action Rotation 22-09 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 16, 2022.
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More than 600 Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers, joined by Soldiers from the Montana, Oregon, Ohio and South Carolina Army National Guards, have been training in Fort Bliss, Texas, since mobilizing from Gowen Field in early August. The task force, Task Force Rattler, will deploy to Southwest Asia later this month in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they will rotate out with 250 Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard as well as Soldiers from the Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida Army National Guards. Each rotation is approximately 12 months. Soldiers from the 118th Infantry Regiment from South Carolina National Guard and the 285th Medical Company from the Ohio National Guard are also part of Task Force Rattler, which provide the task force the ability to execute combined arms maneuvers. The intense training at Fort Bliss consisted of long hours with day and night combined arms maneuver missions with the Idaho Army National Guard shooting 120mm mortar rounds from M113 A
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Silhouette of U.S Marines on a bunker at sunset in Northern Afghanistan.
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040825-F-5789F-016. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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Aerial shot through a Starlight System out a KC-135 boom operator's window at the right wing of an F-15E Eagle as it refuels (actual refueling not shown). Only visible in the frame are a AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles attached under the right wing near the fuel pod. This refueling mission over foreign skies is in direct support of NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Country: Unknown
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A Soldier from the 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group, searches a house during Emerald Warrior, March 4, 2011, at Appalachicola, Fla. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command-sponsored, multiservice exercise designed to leverage lessons learned from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and ready forces to combatant commanders.
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Sgt. Tyler Clausing, a truck driver with Company E, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, hooks up a trailer to a Palletized Load System truck after dark, June 11, 2010, at Camp Khalid, Iraq. Company E is a logistics support company for 1-504th PIR.
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A boom operator's helmet and mask sit ready while he and his tanker refuel thirsty fighters and strike aircraft (boom operator, tanker, fighters and strike aircraft not shown) during the first night of NATO Operation Allied Force. Subject Operation/Series: ALLIED FORCE Country: Unknown
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A U.S. Marine assigned to Scout Sniper Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, fires an M40A6 sniper rifle during a night-time unknown distance range at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, May 18, 2022. Marines from the Scout Sniper Platoon convened with other units from 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment at Fort Campbell for a mission rehearsal exercise to prepare for the upcoming Integrated Training Exercise 4-22 in the summer of 2022. The Marines conducted specific long-range precision fire training with multiple weapons systems to hone marksmanship skills.
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U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) specialist plot points prior to starting the land navigation portion of the 2022 Lightning Challenge at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, Nov. 3, 2022. Lightning Challenge tests United States Air Force TACP Airmen through competition in agile combat employment, physical ability and marksmanship in order to identify the most outstanding multi-capable Airman in the world, prepared to fight and win on the all-domain battlefields of the future.
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French soldiers with the 93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment, assigned to the Multinational Field Artillery Brigade, fire an AHS Krab self-propelled tracked gun-howitzer as part of exercise Dynamic Front held at Oskbol, Denmark, March 28, 2023. Dynamic Front is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa directed, 56th Artillery Command led, multinational exercise designed to improve allied and partner nations ability to execute multi-echelon fires and test interoperability of both tactical and theater-level fire systems in a live environment.
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Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines work together to put out a fire at the Air Station burn pit during a training fire exercise, Tuesday, Sept. 21. The proximity bunker gear ARFF Marines wear is utilized during every exercise and emergency to protect them from flames of up to 1200 degrees.
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SGT. Alwin Scott Jr., 436th Security Police Squadron, uses night vision goggles to survey the surrounding territory during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)
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at the dedication ceremony and opening of the pre-fabricated Baily Bridge named in honor of Sean Some members of Alpha Company, 41st Engineering Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York walk toward the camera off the pre-fabricated Bailey bridge named in honor of Sean Devereaux, a UNICEF worker who died while working to feed thousands of starving people in the southern region of Somalia. Some Soldiers carry M216 rifles. The bridge was built in direct support of Operation Restore Hope. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Sean Devereaux Bridge Country: Somalia (SOM)
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Body Bearers with Marine Barracks Washington prepare to load the cannon during a Friday Evening Parade at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Aug 19, 2022. The guest of honor was The Honorable Carlos F. Matus, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of Diplomatic Security Service. The hosting official was Lt. Gen. Gregg Olson, Director of The Marine Corps Staff.
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Army soldiers with rifles orange sunset silhouette in action during raid crossing river in the water. Army soldier silhouette
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GEN Alfred M. Gray Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps, checks trenches to be used by members of Co. G, 2nd Bn., 5th Marines, as they attack a hill as part of an exercise at the Central Training Area. Gray is observing the exercise during his visit to Marine Corps Air Station, Futenma, Okinawa. Country: Japan (JPN)
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Silhouette of Army soldier waving a flag against a sunset sky in background.
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U.S. Airmen and Marines from Misawa Air Base, Andersen Air Force Base, Kadena Air Base and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni gather to disarm a suicide vest on a mannequin during a field training exercise at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 20, 2022. This exercise enabled Misawa to invite multiple Air Force and Marine explosive ordnance disposal units across Pacific Air Forces to take part in the cumulative training operation.
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240103-N-CK669-1060 RED SEA (Jan. 3, 2024) Sailors of the Small Craft Action Team (SCAT) assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) discuss team assignments while the ship operates in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) in the Red Sea, Jan. 3. Led by Combined Task Force 153 of the Combined Maritime Forces, OPG represents a focused, international effort to address maritime security challenges in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, with the goal of ensuring freedom of navigation for all countries and bolstering regional security. More than 20 countries have confirmed their participation in the operation.
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060116-A-6365W-092. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Loyalty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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220915-N-MJ302-1090 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 15, 2022) Sailors participate in a general quarters drill on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway conducting routine operations.
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U.S. Army Soldiers competing in the Army Best Squad Competition participate in a night land navigation course on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept 29, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition tests soldiers on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-readiness events that test their physical endurance, technical skills, and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue.
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Ireland, Army Military Range Sign