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Silhouettes of Military Personnel

Various silhouettes of military personnel against sunset backgrounds, depicting a strong and heroic mood with dark silhouettes contrasting against vibrant skies.

Russian special forces operator in bulletproof helmet in the smoke and fire.

Partially silhouetted U.S. Marine on a bunker in Northern Afghanistan.

A U.S. Marine with Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, poses for a photo during the battalions first field training exercise (FEX) of 2024, Pyramid Rock Training Area, MCBH, Jan. 10, 2024. The FEX was conducted in order to increase combat readiness, unit morale and camaraderie.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Viper Company, 1-26 Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), with the East Africa Response Force (EARF), prepare for night vision training at Grand Bara, Djibouti, Dec. 14, 2018. The purpose of the EARF is to rapidly provide tailorable packages of forces to protect American interests on the African continent should any threats arise.

Silhouette of US marine with rifle against the sunset

Silhouette of U.S. Marines During Combat Operations in Afghanistan's Helmand Province

060325-M-9019H-111. Base: Hit State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Silhouette of a U.S Marine on a bunker at sunset in Northern Afghanistan.

Silhouette of police officer with weapons at sunset

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (Oct. 28, 2020) Hospitalman Keifer Ralph, a corpsman with Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, attached to 4th Marine Regiment, sets into a defensive position in support of the Battalion Distributed Operations Course during Service Level Training Exercise 1-21 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Oct. 28, 2020. 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, conducted BDOC in preparation for Maneuver Warfare Exercise, demonstrating their technical and tactical proficiency during the regiments operations. Ralph is a native of Salinas, California.

Russian special forces operator in bulletproof helmet in the smoke and fire.

U.S. Marines lead a foot patrol Dec. 9 during Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan. Forest Light is a routine, semi-annual exercise designed to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

041113-A-1067B-069. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 2-7 CAV

Silhouette of police officer with weapons at sunset

A U.S. Marine awaits orders the evening before emplacing a Dry Support Bridge (DSB) over a canal near Hyderabad, Gereshk district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2010. The combined force for the project totaled more than 350 people and took two days from demolition to construction. The DSB, a modular bridging system, is the first of its kind in Afghanistan.

Silhouette of Army soldiers crossing a river at sunset.

A U.S. Marine with Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), provides suppressive fire during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 21, 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.

Army soldiers with rifles orange sunset silhouette. Army soldier silhouettes

Silhouette of Army soldiers with rifles against an orange sunset.

Capt. James Slocum calls in an improvised explosive device during a mounted convoy patrol at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue. Oct. 18, 2012. As a turret gunner, Slocum's job is to detect IEDs. Slocum is a member of a Security Force Assistance Adviser Team (SFAAT) which will deploy to Afghanistan in support of II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

Combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 brush up on their individual combat shooting skills with table 3 qualifications during squad tactics drills at the Western Barry M. Goldwater Range near Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., June 3.

A U.S. Marine with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, scans the battlespace during exercise Alexander the Great 2022, Glafyra, Greece, May 5, 2022. Alexander the Great 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Greece, and Allied nations, enhancing strategic defense and partnership while promoting security and stability in the region.

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators with the 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, discuss a patient care plan for simulated patients during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Guardian Center, Georgia, May 9, 2022. The ST team responded to a mass casualty event at the site of a reported explosion and used their rescue and medical expertise to extricate and treat wounded civilians.

Silhouette of U.S. soldier with rifle against a sunset.

Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division participate in the 10k Presidents Day Ruck, February 19, 2024. The ruck was hosted by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and celebrated all 46 of the United States' current and former Presidents. Army

Jagdkommando soldier of the Austrian special forces, equipped with rifle.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Soldiers assigned to 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps, prepare for a short patrol to Range Juarez near Forward Operating Base Geronimo May 25. The soldiers worked on their marksmanship at the range with the help of Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and Embedded Partnering Team 1-1-215.

U.S. Army Spc. Tyler Ramos, a gunner with the 2-113th Infantry Battalion, Delta Company, New Jersey Army National Guard, shoots an M2 .50-caliber machine gun mounted on an armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 22, 2022. The battalion is conducting gunnery communication exercises and crew shooting qualifications in preparation for a larger scale exercise at Fort Drum, N.Y. later this year.

TREK NAWA, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Marines from India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, make their way through Trek Nawa, Afghanistan, back to Patrol Base Poole after completing Operation Mako, Sept. 21, 2010. Mako was a one-day clearing mission to disrupt enemy activity.

Russian special forces operator in bulletproof helmet in the smoke and fire.

Lance Cpl. Alexander Sieck with 1st Marine Logistics Group, remains vigilant on a patrol during the certification portion of the Basic Combat Skills Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 20, 2015. BCSC serves as a refamiliarization course for non-infantry Marines, teaching the fundamental skills needed to operate in a deployed environment.

Silhouette of two soldiers attacking enemy while surrounded by fire and smoke.

040426-F-7823A-015. Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Silhouette of a soldier aiming assault rifle with collimator sight at night.

Silhouette of modern infantry soldier standing with assault rifle on colored background.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick Morgans, 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, covers a simulated casualty to protect him from flying dirt as an HH-60 Pave Hawk takes off during a mass casualty scenario near Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec. 24, 2010. The scenario was planned as part of Tech. Sgt. Anthony Wood's qualification to become an element lead.

Contour shot of U.S. special forces soldier in camouflage uniform holding weapon.

Studio portrait of a pecial forces soldier with assault rifle.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, watch the sunset as the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima sails through the Suez Canal, June 21, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group transited through the canal, a 120-mile long waterway connecting the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, and entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

Silhouette of special forces soldier during a river raid in the jungle.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines conduct live-fire drills during Exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 16, 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. 3/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Silhouette of the infantry soldier, marine corps fighter, a navy special operations team member in full tactical ammunition running with a weapon in hands during airborne operation with helicopters support. High-quality photo. Silhouette of infantry soldier, marine corps fighter, navy special operations team member in full tactical ammunition running with weapon in hands during airborne operation with helicopters support

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, run a range in preparation for a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, August 22, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

A U.S. Marine Corps recruit with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion fires at his target during a table one live fire exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 19, 2022. The table I course of fire is the beginning of the Marine Corps Combat Rifle Program that uses a building block approach toward developing recruits into proficient combat marksmen.

U.S. Army Spc. Mario Clavel, a UH-60 Blackhawk crew chief assigned to 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, scans the area during a joint island seizure training on Russaro Island, Finland, Aug. 10, 2022. The training was part of a bilateral exercise between the Finnish military and U.S. forces with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and the U.S. Army. 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.

France, Brittany, Morbihan, Saint-Pierre-Quiberon on 2022-03-30. Students from the Ecole Militaire Interarmes (EMIA), the military academy responsible for training army officers recruited internally, i.e. from the ranks of non-commissioned officers and other ranks, take part in a training course at Fort de Penthievre, a fortified structure on the Quiberon peninsula that has become a training base. Photograph by Martin Bertrand.France, Bretagne, Morbihan, Saint-Pierre-Quiberon le 2022-03-30. Les eleves de l' ecole militaire interarmes ( EMIA ), l' ecole militaire chargee de la formation des officiers de l' armee de Terre issus du recrutement interne, c'est-a-dire issus des rangs des sous-officiers et des militaires du rang, participe a un stage d'aguerrissment au Fort de Penthievre, un ouvrage fortifie sur la presqu'ile de Quiberon devenu une base d'entrainement. Photographie de Martin Bertrand.

Modern infantryman lying on ground and aiming assault rifle with optical sight. Army special operations fighter visually inspecting area, monitoring movement of enemy in sandy area. Over shoulder view. Marine raider aiming service rifle in sandy area

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Dominic Porpiglia, a team leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepares to depart Firebase Gloria during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel course hosted by Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 7, 2024. The TRAP course is designed to develop the capabilities of Marines to recover aircraft, personnel and equipment in austere environments. EOTG is a section of the I MEF command element that trains and evaluates deploying Marine Expeditionary Units, and other designated forces, in select individual and collective tasks to prepare them to support geographic combatant commands. Porpiglia is a native Florida. Marine Corps

A U.S. Navy Corpsman with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division observes a night live fire range performed by Brazilian Marines during Exercise Formosa in Goias, Brazil, Aug. 06, 2022. During this training, Marines exchange infantry knowledge and tactics with Brazilian Marines to further enhance mission readiness. Exercise Formosa focuses on strengthening relations and interoperability between U.S. and Brazilian Forces, conveying the enduring promise to be a trustworthy neighbor.

Servicemembers from the 4th Battalion, 10th Group, Fort Carson, Colo., call in close air support strikes on Eglin AFB, Fla., during Emerald Warrior on March 1, 2011. Emerald Warrior 2011 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.

030217-M-3692W-054. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST CEB

Group of security forces in combat uniforms with rifles, lined in the face of danger.

U.S. Marines with 1st Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1 and Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, rig an M777 howitzer to a CH-53 Super Stallion during Integrated Training Exercise 3-22 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 8, 2022. ITX is a live-fire event that increases unit readiness.  It teaches the tactical application of combined-arms maneuver as well as offensive and defensive operations during combat.

Army soldier in military camouflage uniform, helmet, with face hiding behind mask and glasses, running out from fire. Infantry rush with fire support, commando attack and breakthrough on battlefield. Army soldier breaking through battlefield covered flame

Silhouetted view of a combat control team members, with the sent in the background during Exercise Jack Frost '76. Subject Operation/Series: JACK FROST '76 Base: Fort Wainwright State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Hurricane from the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment, take a break atop a hill during a platoon immersion in Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 13, 2022. The immersion was a training event meant to build interoperability between the U.S Army and Royal Saudi Land Force at the platoon level while enhancing both U.S. and partner nation skillsets.

Soldiers of the Personal Security Detachment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, mount an M2 .50-caliber machine gun before conducting night fire drills during training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Miss., Oct. 31, 2011. The 37th IBCT is deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (37th IBCT

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Phil Schiffman, a 22-year-old mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and native of Phoenix, waves to two Afghan men on a motorcycle after searching them at a vehicle checkpoint here, Dec. 1. During their seven-month deployment in Helmand province's Garmsir district, the VCPs are a regular part of the mortarmen's duty rotation, which also includes security patrols and standing post. Though they spend hours stopping vehicles and searching passersby, their presence isn't merely a formality. The Marines are constantly on alert for anything out of the ordinary, especially information that can be used to locate and disrupt insurgent activity.

030718-F-6844O-003. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division conduct Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) operations on February 21, 2024. FARP provides fuel and ordnance necessary for fixed-wing operations. Army

Studio shot of SWAT police special forces aiming weapons. Orange fire background

Silhouette of soldier with sniper rifle standing under scorching sun in the mountains.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Angel Garcia, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, sets up communication devices for 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. Garcia is a native of Atlanta.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 21, 2022) - Swedish Marines with 4th Marine Regiment, Swedish Amphibious Corps prepare for a visit, board, search, and seizure exercise during TYR 22 at the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC) in Souda Bay, Greece, July 21, 2022. TYR 22 is a maritime interdiction operations exercise held at NMIOTC, bringing together Swedish Marines, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen to improve US and NATO Partner operational capacity, capability, and interoperability.

Black silhouettes of a pair of soldiers in the burning fire during a battle operation.

Silhouette of special forces operators with weapons.

Spc. John "Rocky" Montoya, M2 gunner attached to Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, scans his sector of fire while on a combat patrol to sweep for roadside bomb triggermen in Alingar District, Laghman Province, Aug. 8. The PRT is serving as the Quick Reaction Force, ready to respond at a moment's notice to unexpected incidents in the province. The QRF was called up to escort the explosives ordinance disposal team to a found IED site while clearing previous blast sites along the way.

United States paratrooper airborne infantry in the smoke.

Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Ft Campbell Ky., finish a day of operations at sunset, armed with M4 Carbines wgrenade launchers during Operation Starlit, a nine-day mission. The mission was conducted to rid the area of Anti Iraqi Forces.

Soldiers from Hunter Army Airfield, G.A., conduct a training flight over Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., May 20, 2022.The training provided soldiers with additional flight hours as well as an opportunity to view the depot from a birds eye view.

Silhouette of a US Marine manning an M2 .50 caliber machine gun and a US Marine Corps UH-1N Iroquois Utility Helicopter

Silhouette of person in military uniform with weapon and flashlight

A 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division soldier at sunset April 2, 2023, during exercise Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Alaska 23-02 in the Yukon Training Area, Alaska. (Army photo/John Pennell)

Members of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry from Shilo, Manitoba, and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, practice the Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System with a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, July 2, 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Canadian Forces

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) practice room clearing procedures during training on military operations in urban terrain at Fort Dix, N.J., May 11, 2007. The 58th IBCT is training at Fort Dix in preparation for a deployment to Iraq.

Silhouette of Army soldiers crossing a river at sunset.

Private military contractor with rifle against the sun.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kiovontai Jones, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, patrols during Exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 21, 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. 3/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Jones is a native of Louisville, Kentucky.

Marines of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Battalion Landing Team, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit assault an objective during a rehearsal of the final exercise at Exercise Africa Lion 2012, April 16. AL-12 is a U.S. African Command-sponsored, Marine Forces Africa-led exercise involving various types of training including command post, live-fire and maneuvering, peace keeping operations, an intelligence capacity building seminar, aerial refueling/low-level flight training, as well as medical and dental assistance projects. The annual exercise is designed to improve interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics, techniques and procedures.

Members of the public tour a C-5M Super Galaxy during the California Capital Airshow at Mather Airport in Sacramento, California, Oct. 1, 2022. Airmen representing various units from Travis Air Force Base participated in the event to educate, inspire and share the mission of Air Mobility Command and displayed a static KC-10 Extender, C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III.

Group of security forces in combat uniforms with rifles, lined in the face of danger.

Marine Corps mortarmen, assigned to Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, practic sighting in their mortar systems before a live-fire shoot at Udairi Range in Kuwait Aug. 5, 2012. The Marines are ashore in Kuwait as part of a sustainment training package. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

French soldiers assigned to the 93rd Mountain Artillery Regiment, Multinational Field Artillery Brigade conduct CAESAR self-propelled howitzer live fire during Exercise Dynamic Front 23 at Oksbol, Denmark, March 28, 2023. Exercise Dynamic Front 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa directed, 56th Artillery Command led, multinational exercise desinged 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.

Black silhouette of soldier in the smoke during a battle operation.

A U.S. Air Force Bell UH-1N Twin Huey special missions aviator with 40th Helicopter Squadron from Malmstrom Air Force Base Great Falls, Montana, overlooks the training area at Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Idaho, May 4, 2022. Garnet Rattler is a joint training exercise between elements of the 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force to conduct simulated sea control operations and joint time on target strikes.

Military, war, soldiers, Ukraine, army, force, armed forces, wars, soldier, soldier, Eastern Europe ** Military, War, Soldiers, Ukraine, Militaries, Troops, Wars, Soldier, Ukraines 1NP-Frg

Armed soldier with sensor technology for training purposes, photographed as part of a Bundeswehr exercise with armed forces from Norway and the Czech Republic during the 'Wettiner Schwert' exercise as part of Quadriga 2024 in the training town of Schnoeggersburg, 8 April 2024

Group of Jagdkommando soldiers of the Austrian special forces in the smoke.

Silhouette of a soldier giving hand salute, with sunset background.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Robert H. Hopman, with Tactical Training Exercise Group, trains and coaches 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Divisions fire support team (FST) during their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 25, 2022. The 3/7 Fire Support Team participated in a fires support coordination exercise as part of their MCCRE in preparation for Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22.2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)

U.S. Army soldiers, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, test fire their Bradley Fighting Vehicle for the first time since arriving in Poland. Bore-sighting and zeroing these weapon systems adds to the lethality and combat readiness of the brigade.

Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division participate in the 10k Presidents Day Ruck, February 19, 2024. The ruck was hosted by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and celebrated all 46 of the United States' current and former Presidents. Army

The sun sets behind a C-17 Globemaster III as Soldiers wait in line to board the aircraft taking them back to the United States Nov. 17 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. C-17s can carry payloads up to 169,000 pounds and can land on small airfields. The C-17 is deployed from the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.

Members from 56th Troop Command, Charlie Company with the Rhode Island National Guard conducts airborne training and follow-on tactics training at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Starke, Fla. Jan. 20, 2022. The training was completed in order to increase proficiency in tactical techniques.(U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Airman Brittni Capozzi)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Michael Grumbling, an operations chief with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, briefs Marines before conducting fire and maneuver drills during Bushido Strike 23 on U.S. Army Garrison- Yongsan Casey, South Korea, Feb. 6, 2023. III MSB is conducting Bushido Strike 23, which comprises training events including a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation to validate its mission essential tasks to provide combat service support, security and administrative services to III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Coast Guard MSST New Orleans team member navigates at sunsetnear New Orleans, Louisiana, November 9, 2022. Maritime Safety and Security Team New Orleans conducts training on a regular basis to stay mission ready year round for any deployment.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher D. Robson, water purification specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 24 practice drills during a Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command night raid exercise at Tactical Air Combat Training System Airfield, near Yuma, Ariz., April 21, 2016. This exercise was conducted during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-16. WTI is a seven week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre. MAWTS-1 provides 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.

A special tactics special operation weatherman from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron carries his parachute and gear after performing a high-altitude, low-opening jump during exercise Talisman Sabre in Northern Territory, Australia, July 10, 2015. Credible, ready maritime forces help to preserve peace and prevent conflict. Talisman Sabre participants had the opportunity to further enhance their ability to respond to crises as part of a joint or combined effort.

Silhouette of a soldier giving hand salute, with sunset background.

020201-M-9902V-001. Base: Camp Hijudai State: Oita Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: 3 MEF

A 2nd Marine Division infantryman rides in a MV-22 Osprey on the way to a nighttime helicopter assault force raid training mission to clear a mock town in a central training area at Okinawa, Japan, May 12, 2022. The training rehearsed Special Forces Foreign Internal Defense through combined assault forces with assets including a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Signals Intelligence and Multi-Purpose Canines. Integration of Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force components increased interoperability and preparation for operations in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

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