Soldiers in Combat and Training

Images of soldiers conducting training drills and operations in desert environments, highlighting military readiness and teamwork.

Soldiers in Bravo Company, 1-124 Infantry Regiment, walk back after conducting M-240B shooting drills during the U.S. Army Central Best Squad Competition at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, May 3, 2022. BSC measures the physical and mental ability of squad level elements over the course of the four-day event.

030222-M-5753Q-009. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Ripper Country: Kuwait (KWT)

Soldiers in Bravo Company, 1-124 Infantry Regiment, walk back after conducting M-240B shooting drills during the U.S. Army Central Best Squad Competition at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, May 3, 2022. BSC measures the physical and mental ability of squad level elements over the course of the four-day event.

U.S. Army Pfc. Robert Nugent uses his scope after hearing gun fire within 100 meters during a search for insurgents in Buhriz, Iraq, April 10, 2007. U.S. Army Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division and Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division are going house-to-house in search for weapons caches and enemy fighters after more than 1,000 residents of this Baqubah suburb were displaced by Al-Qaeda insurgents.

040714-F-4800N-032. Base: Camp Buehring Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF

020903-M-8439A-006. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: MCRD/WRR SD

Sgt. James Bailey scans his sector during a combat mission in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Bailey is a Cavalry Scout with the 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division based out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

060326-A-7969G-013. Base: Siniyah State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AB DIVISION

060302-A-7969G-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Summerall State: Salah Ah Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: A1-187

A U.S. Soldier with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment provides security outside Mullayan, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 26, 2011.

101113-A-6521C-059 U.S. Army soldiers with Charlie Troop, 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division wait for the order to move against enemy positions in Charkh, Logar province, Afghanistan, on Nov. 13, 2010.

Staff Sgt. Robert J. Powell, a police advisory team staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, asses a target with an Afghan Local Police academy recruit on during a marksmanship class at the small arms firing range here, Nov. 25. The Afghanistan Ministry of Interior funded academy trains local men from various ÄúwatonsÄù, or village, to become police officers. The recruits learn marksmanship skills, policing tactics and infantry engagement techniques from the Marines of 1/9 to protect their community. Powell is a native of Watertown, New York.

060327-A-1211S-018. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Gabe Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: A

041211-A-6748E-054. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Buhriz State: Diyala Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: FORCECOM

Sgt. Chris Coats and Pfc. William Westmeyer, 561st Military Police Company, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, pull security outside an open-air market in subdistrict 9 of Kandahar City, July 30. Coats team conducted random searches of businesses in the area to identify possible improvised explosive device cells.

031213M-6237R-013. Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

050704-A-9039F-043. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: CJTF-76

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Ricardo Baez and Sgt. Robert Settle, both assigned to Embedded Training Team 1-12th, conduct a joint patrol, with Afghan National army soldiers and U.S. Soldiers, from 10th Mountain Division, across Nerkh District, in Wardak province of Afghanistan, Oct. 21, 2009.

040229-M-5753Q-012. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Udairi Country: Kuwait (KWT)

051207-A-2718K-104. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Mosul Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Staff Sgt. Joesph Waterman, the Command Post North Personal Security Detachment Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge trains weapons familiarization alonside Sgt. Cole Waterman. The PSD is staying sharp with only a few months left of their tour in support of Operation Iraqi freedom, by practicing their skills and battle drills whenever possible.

040328-M-5753Q-003. Base: Haqlaniyah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

110510-A-CA126-144 U.S. Army 1st Lt. Theo Kleinsorge (left), with 1st Platoon, Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, and Spc. Kaleb Ivanoff take cover behind a hill while receiving enemy fire near the village of Mereget, in Kherwar district, Logar province, Afghanistan, on May 10, 2011.

040628-M-8096M-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Oruzgan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, approach a compound in Nawa District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Nov. 6, 2009. Marines conducted an operation to search compounds for weapons and improvised explosive device making materials in a local village here, Nov. 6.

040609-M-5555L-030. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030217-M-5150A-016. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 7th Marines

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class John Shimkus (front), Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team security force platoon sergeant from Hope Valley, R.I., and U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Gaudreau, Kandahar PRT SECFOR infantryman from West Greenwich, R.I., prepare to mount up during a site assessment of the Dowry Rud Check Dam Jan. 21. The SECFOR provided security during the mission. The Kandahar PRT SECFOR is from the Rhode Island National Guard 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion of the 182nd Infantry Regiment. U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Sean Martin, Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team) (Released)

Cpl. Randal Howard, with the Force Protection Company, 81st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 81st Brigade Combat Team, Washington Army National Guard, takes a break during training Feb. 6 at Contingency Operating Base Q-West, Iraq. About 2,400 Washington National Guardsmen and 900 California National Guardsmen deployed with the 81st BCT based out of Seattle in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in October. They are scheduled to return home this summer.

050625-A-9039F-026. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Orgun-E State: Paktika Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

050305-F-8584G-050. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Iskandariyah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040609-M-5555L-029. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Staff Sgt. Galen P. Hafner (far right) and Afghan National Army soldier, Staff Sgt. Gulwazir Harin (far left), platoon sergeants with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, discuss the details of the patrol before setting out, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 15, 2010. Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers train, eat, work and fight alongside one another in an attempt to make operations in the region more Afghan driven.

060412-F-1830P-166. Base: Al Mahmudiyah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

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

030324-A-XXXXX-310. Base: Camp Udairi Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: Northeast

Soldiers in basic training move tactically as a squad during close quarters combat training.

As Samawah, Camp Smitty, March 13, 2004. © Henry Westendorp Royal Navy. Photo for Flyers of the Info Ops.

GREYWOLF Troopers took part in M240 Machine Gun weapons training on 25 August, 2022. As part of the training troopers learned about the components of the weapons and competed in disassembling and reassembling the weapon against each other. Training like this promotes familiarization helping troopers build readiness.

U.S. Army Sgt. Alex Marsh, Mad Dog Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment from Vilseck, Germany, provides security for a Human Terrain Team in front of a Stryker armored vehicle in a village near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, April 3. HTTs are composed of military and civilian personnel that interact with the local populace to gain knowledge, so they may aid in creating a stable environment and learn on how to conduct future military and humanitarian operations.

040327-M-1623M-008. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

060320-A-7969G-020. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Bayji State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST

GUNNERY Sergeant (GYSGT) Keith Mrozinski instructs a Marine from Charlie Company, 1ST Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB) on the proper use of the ANPSS 12 Mine Detector at Camp Coyote Kuwait, during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT)

040821-F-4884R-010. Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Soldiers from Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division cover each other as they scan for enemy personnel during a patrol through a village southeast of Salman Pak, Iraq, Feb. 15, 2008. Al-Qaeda members had recently occupied the village so the Soldiers are working with sheiks in the area to improve security.

U.S. Army Soldiers from Bravo Troop, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division breach the gate of a house during a mission in Ar Raqqah, Iraq, July, 6, 2007.

240205-M-IU565-1031 CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (Feb. 5, 2024) Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Central Command conduct a squad attack while participating in a final exercise rehearsal during exercise Eager Defender 24 onboard Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 5. Eager Defender 24 is the capstone in a series of bilateral exercises between Kuwait and U.S. naval forces, focused on enhancing mutual capabilities and interoperability in maritime security operations. Marine Corps photo)

041115-M-2353F-010. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Angelo Siano Pso (right) of Philadelphia, PA, assigned to 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, pulls security while his Brigade Commander, Col. Marc Ferraro (center) of Cherry Hill, N.J., talks with Col. Todd McCaffery, commanding officer of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, during an area familiarization mission to the Abu Ghraib area of Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 31, 2009.

FARAH PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Cpl. Bradley Penn, a section leader with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, gives a thumbs up to an Afghan national security force member during a patrol of a villages north of the Buji Bhast pass Jan. 27. Penn is a 22-year-old from San Antonio.

041028-F-0848C-002. Base: Kirkuk Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)

US Marine Patrols the Desert Outside Haditha, in Iraq's Anbar Province

Sgt. Nathaniel Harris, squad leader, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment and Yadkinville, N.C., native, briefs his squad on a patrol to investigate the area after four insurgents were seen placing an IED Sept. 9, 2009. Mortarmen with Weapons Co., fired a series of 81mm mortars at the insurgents.

Spc. Daniel Moya of the 448th Engineer Battalion, conducts pre-combat inspections during the U.S. Army Central Best Squad Competition at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, May 2, 2022. BSC measures the physical and mental ability of squad level elements.

030222-M-5150A-005. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Ripper Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 7th Marines

041115-M-3658J-067. Base: Camp Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40603

041109-M-2789C-090. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

060422-A-5745M-026. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 10TH MTN

Soldiers in basic training march in formation down a dirt road.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Foster Thorpe, left, and an Iraqi National Police officer stand on top of an abandoned house during a cordon and search operation in Al Batta, Iraq, June 20, 2008.

The soldiers representing 2nd Brigade Combat Team Strike”, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the XVIII Airborne Corps get instructions from range safeties prior to their M4 zero and qualification during day one of the FORSCOM Best Squad competition at Ft. Hood, Tx. Aug. 15, 2022. Each of these events tested the physical and mental toughness of each squad to see which squad will represent FORSCOM at the Best Squad of the Army competition that will take place at Ft. Bragg, NC. The next few days have a lot more challenges in store. (U.S. Army Photos by Spc. Kendall Lewis, 40th Public Affairs Detachment)

Sgt. Tony Macias, of Wauchula, Fla., demonstrates to an Iraqi police officer the proper way to maintain control of a suspected criminal during a training session held in the Istaqlal Qada, Dec. 29, 2008. Macias is an infantry team leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment Wolfhounds,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

020823-A-6042E-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM State: Paktia Province Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

051013-A-6430B-005. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: SOUTHEAST

040317-F-3983J-018. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Moody Air Force Base State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers from the British Army watch a live-fire exercise during Exercise Eager Lion in Jordan, Sept. 13, 2022. Eager Lion 22 is a multilateral exercise hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, designed to exchange military expertise, and improve interoperability among partner nations.

030807-F-5435R-011. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE XI Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040418-M-8683D-002. Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Georgia Army National Guardsmen with the Monroe-based 178th Military Police Company greet Georgian Defense Force soldiers after a day of joint training during Agile Spirit 19 at the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia on July 30, 2019. Participation in joint, multinational exercises like AgS19 enhance professional relationships and improves overall coordination with allies and partners during a crisis. U.S. Army National Guard

Marines with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment step off on a patrol to investigate the area after four insurgents were seen placing an IED Sept. 9, 2009. Mortarmen with Weapons Co., fired a series of 81mm mortars at the insurgents.

Sgt. First Class Jaime Gonzalez of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division ,a native of San Antonio, Texas, (right) directs his U.S. Soldiers and Iraqi National Police during Operation Boar Bobcats, a cordon and search mission in Muhallah 762 in Oubaidy, eastern Baghdad, Sep. 28, 2008.

040715-M-5505M-004. Base: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

041117-M-3658J-013. Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CSSB-1

A U.S. Army Soldier from Charlie Company, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division provides security during a patrol in Muqadiyah, Iraq, Sept. 20, 2007.

051114-A-4545F-007. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Speicher Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Seaman Spencer Gill with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, treats a simulated casualty, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandt Siwek, a rifleman during range 410 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, June 7, 2022. The 13th MEU is currently conducting Realistic Urban Training exercise to enhance the integration and collective capability of the MEU's command, air, ground, and logistics elements and prepare the 13th MEU to meet the nation's crisis response needs during their upcoming overseas deployment.

German Master Sgt. Marco Schumacher, assigned to NATO Mission Iraq--German Contingent, talks about the Schützenschnur to Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, at Sully Memorial Range, Baghdad, Iraq, Sept. 16, 2022. NATO Mission Iraq is a non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission that assists Iraq in building more sustainable, transparent, inclusive and effective security institutions and armed forces, so that Iraqis themselves are able to stabilize their country, fight terrorism and prevent the return of ISIS.

021213-F-9528H-010. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

040114-M-9362G-016. Base: Magtftc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041230-M-3988H-008. Base: Ar Rutbah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Spc. Christopher Keefe pulls security on a hilltop while mechanics look over a mine resistant ambush protected vehicle, or MRAP, after the brakes ignited during a return mission from Shinkay, Afghanistan, Jan. 6. Specialist Keefe is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, Qalat, Afghanistan.

Kentucky U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), conduct squad live-fire exercise in Djibouti at Arta range complex, Djibouti, June 8, 2022. CJTF-HOA, operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, is a dynamic operational headquarters, supporting missions to counter violent extremist organizations, responding to crises and enhancing stability in East Africa.

040811-F-0193C-024. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

060509-N-2568S-080. Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army squads under FORSCOM (Forces Command) compete for the title of Best Squad during a head-to-head competition at the FORSCOM Best Squad Competition 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 17, 2022. Soldiers representing the ARCENT squad, compete in the competition. These soldiers represent the best in U.S. Army Forces Command.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Audrey Griffith, a native of Castlerock, Colo., points out an area of interest during a force protection drill to Spc. Heidi Gerke along the perimeter of Forward Operating Base Hadrian in Deh Rawud, Afghanistan, March 18, 2013. Both women are members of the 92nd Engineer Battalion from Fort Stewart, Ga.

240205-M-IU565-1093 CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait (Feb. 5, 2024) Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Central Command take cover while participating in a final exercise rehearsal during exercise Eager Defender 24 onboard Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 5. Eager Defender 24 is the capstone in a series of bilateral exercises between Kuwait and U.S. naval forces, focused on enhancing mutual capabilities and interoperability in maritime security operations. Marine Corps photo)

041230-F-2034C-002. Base: Forward Operating Base Caldwell State: Kirkush Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030825-M-7837W-026. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Kut State: Wasit Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040607-M-0706S-026. Base: Al Shahabi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 1/5, B Co.

030206-M-5753Q-136. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 7th Marines

070103-A-0350A-064. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Taji Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, briefs recruits before an event on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 4, 2022. This event was a segment of the crucible - the culminating event of recruit training. After completing the crucibles physically and mentally demanding challenges over the course of 54-hours with limited food and sleep, the recruits will finally have the privilege to call themselves United States Marines.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, breach line on Range 400 during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) on Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, May 16, 2022. ITX creates a challenging, realistic training environment that produces combat-ready forces capable of operating as an integrated MAGTF.

A Marine with Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2/4 provides security his platoon awaits the arrival of CH-46 helicopters for their extraction from a raid site. The long raid helicopter raid was conducted during the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's first training period at sea to help prepare them for their upcomming deployment.

U.S. Soldiers, of 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division walk through a local market, at Ebnkathwer, Iraq, Mar. 3, 2010. The mission was part of a pre-election battlefield circulation to give a survey on how the sector is functioning prior to the elections.

U.S. Army Soldiers from Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, provide security during a mission in the Zirat Mountain Area, Waza Kwah District, Paktika province, Afghanistan, July 7. The purpose of the mission is to disrupt anti-Afghan forces and find enemy caches.

040415-F-2822P-006. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Samarra Country: Iraq (IRQ)

040224-M-5753Q-031. Base: Camp Udairi Country: Kuwait (KWT)

030207-M-5753Q-006. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 7th Marines

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