Soldiers in Combat Silhouettes

Striking silhouettes of soldiers in combat gear, set against sunset backgrounds, portraying themes of vigilance and camaraderie.

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

Silhouette of U.S. Marine With M4 During Combat Operation in Afghanistan's Helmand Province

Silhouette of two soldiers, army rangers or marine riders in tactical ammunition, armed assault rifles, walking in desert on background of rising, goes down sun. Commandos on night patrolling or raid. Soldiers walking in desert during night patrol

U.S. Army Soldiers provide an outer cordon of the village as Iraqi police from the Emergency Services Unit lead a search of the Qarah Cham village in Iraq, March 27, 2007. The Soldiers are assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Headquarters Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Silhouette of three soldiers at dusk

040916-M-0706S-008. Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 2ND BCT

U.S. Army Spc. Dean Goble checks through his rifle scope for any suspicious activity at an observation point in Diyarah, Iraq, March 19, 2007, during a reconnaissance mission. The mission is to intercept the placing of improvised explosive devices on Main Supply Route Tampa. Goble is a forward observer with Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team prepare rounds while anticipating the start of the live-fire iteration of the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise during Exercise Decisive Strike 2019 at the Training Support Centre, Krivolak, North Macedonia, June 11, 2019. Combined training enables allies and partners to respond more effectively to regional crises and meet their own national defense goals.

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

041113-A-1067B-072. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 2-7 CAV

060505-N-4166B-007. Base: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

Silhouette of a soldier holding a gun

Silhouette of two soldiers, army rangers or marine riders in tactical ammunition, armed assault rifles, walking in desert on background of rising, goes down sun. Commandos on night patrolling or raid. Soldiers walking in desert during night patrol

060704-F-1644L-004. Base: Mosul Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Silhouette of United States Army rangers on the sunset.

U.S. Army soldiers with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), pulls security during a battle drill on Forward Operating Base Lightning, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2013.

A Czech Special Forces member provides ground support while U.S. Army Special Forces perform a static-line jump during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Hurlburt Field, Florida, May 5, 2022. Emerald Warrior is the largest joint special operations exercise involving U.S. Special Operations Command forces training for response to various threats above and below the threshold of armed conflict.

Silhouette of Army soldiers with rifles against an orange sunset.

U.S. Army Troopers of the 3d Cavalry Regiment meet at a remote location of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, to discus the next phase of the training rotation, creating a defensive posture to test the regiments ability to withstand a large-scale attack May 25, 2022. The regiment is dispersed over a few hundred kilometers, so the squadron and some troop-level leaders met in person.

060324-N-5694H-045. Base: Chesapeake Bay State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Silhouette of United States Army rangers on the sunset.

A MARSOC Marine pulls security near a poppy field in Peyo as Afghan National Army Soldiers and Marine Special Operation Command Marines patrol through the village in Farah Prov., Bala Baluk District, Afghanistan, March 29. The coalition forces started the three-day CRP lead by the ANA with a dismounted patrol through Suji, Peyo and Pasaw, an air drop of humanitarian aide supplies for Aka Sadiq and a route recon through the mountainous terrain of eastern Bala Baluk.

Silhouettes of S.W.A.T. officers holding their guns

Silhouette of rifleman standing on ocean coastline, patrolling at sunset.

United States Army rangers on the sunset. United States Army rangers

Silhouette of a US Marine manning an M2 .50 caliber machine gun

U.S. Army Operational Detachment Alpha Soldiers, also known as "Green Berets," from 4th Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group out of Fort Carson, Colo., secure their jump gear and prepare to board a KC-130 aircraft at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., during Emerald Warrior on March 3, 2011. 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.

U.S. Marine machine gunners assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa move toward an objective area during a bilateral Military Operation on Urbanized Terrain exercise with the Spanish 2nd Special Operations Group Granada” in Alicante, Spain, March 29, 2017. The exercise provided an opportunity for Marines and Spanish SOF members to improve interoperability, maintain joint readiness and strengthen relationships.

A MARSOC Marine pulls security near a poppy field in Peyo as Afghan National Army Soldiers and Marine Special Operation Command Marines patrol through the village in Farah Prov.

Soldiers in assault shooting with weapon, rifle at sunset. War, army, military.. Soldiers in assault. War, army, military.

Recruits with Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, learn and apply rappelling techniques on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., October 31, 2022. The rappel tower is the tallest height recruits on Parris Island will overcome in their journey to become Marines.

U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force board a C-130 Hercules from Iwo To, Japan to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa May 31, 2022. The Marines traveled to Iwo To for a professional military education where they learned about the Battle of Iwo Jima.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 213th Psychological Operations Company observe reaction after playing an announcement over a loud speaker out of Joint Security Station Oubaidy located just outside Sadr City, Iraq, after a series of rocket and mortar attacks, March 29, 2008.

Silhouette of a sniper aiming rifle while sitting on the ocean shore during sunset.

030114-F-9528H-010. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

A British soldier on patrol as the Sun rises.

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

Silhouette of a special forces soldier with rifle, crossing a river in the jungle.

A U.S. Air Force Airman of the 75th Security Forces Squadron performs rifle fighting techniques during the 75th SFS Combat Readiness Training course at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Oct. 18. Airmen participate in exercises including defensive fighting positions, Self Aid and Buddy Care, and land navigation.

A U.S. Air Force Pararescueman prepares his parachute for a military freefall over eastern Africa, Dec 1, 2022. Pararescuemen, or PJs, train regularly on life-saving skills to ensure theyre able to effectively support any humanitarian or crisis response situation.

A U.S. Soldier with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment marches back to the Joint District Community Center after fortifying a combat outpost , Rajankala, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2009. The U.S. Army operates from combat outposts to add flexibility to operations in their sectors

A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 35th Security Forces Squadron responds to simulated aerial missile attacks during Exercise Beverly Sunrise 22-06 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Aug. 31, 2022. The exercise is part of an effort to incorporate Agile Combat Employment, a proactive and reactive operational scheme of maneuver executed within threat timelines to increase survivability and continue to generate combat power despite enemy attempts at saturation attacks on forward airfields.

Air National Guard airmen attend the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) 5-level pipeline training course, ran by the 138th Combat Training Flight, in Fort Chaffee, AR, Aug. 29, 2016. This course services all of the Air National Guard TACP units and is ran exclusively by the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

Silhouette of Army soldier with rifle against an orange sunset.

Silhouette of special forces operators with weapons.

Silhouette of a soldier holding a light machine gun on coastline with sunset sky.

Silhouette of soldiers celebrating with fist bump gestures while standing knee deep in water at night.

040504-F-9528H-021. Base: Avon Park Range State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Air Mobility Command

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. John Masterson, engineer equipment maintenance foreman, Combat Logistic Company (CLC) 23, 2nd Maintenance Battalion, overlooks a range before conducting a M240B machine gun range at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 4 2022. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 and CLC-23 exercised their proficiency with the M240B machine gun and practiced remedial actions, ensuring Marines are able to comfortably operate numerous weapons platforms. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kyle Baskin)

Silhouette of modern infantry soldier, elite army fighter in tactical ammunition and helmet, standing with assault service rifle in hands on background of fiery explode. Burning fire of war conflict. Soldier silhouette on background of fire and smoke

Silhouette of a U.S. Marine Corps Marsoc raider with weapon, red background.

Silhouette of soldiers celebrating with fist bump gestures while standing knee deep in water at night.

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

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

An explosive ordnance disposal technician with Air Force Special Operations Command pauses during a patrol June 19, 2022. The EOD primer is open to EOD techs from other special operations units to share knowledge and experience and enhance interoperability when in a deployed environment. The primer tests all aspects of a technicians knowledge and expertise needed to perform as the only tech on a special operations team while operating in austere, politically sensitive, or hostile environments.

United Kingdom Royal Marines from 45 Commando and U.S. Army Green Berets from 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) prepare to move out during a training mission at Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022. This Special Forces-led exercise is designed to improve their ability to work with the United Kingdoms commando forces in a time of crisis.

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

Defenders assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron emergency services team, debrief following a low-light exercise at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Jan. 9, 2023. EST Airmen are highly trained and equipped to mitigate special threats which can involve barricaded suspects, hostages and active shooters. Low-light exercises prepare defenders to respond to situations in challenging environments.

U.S. Navy SEALs survey a rooftop during consulate evacuation training during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 at Deuce Village, near Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Silhouette of soldiers signaling to a helicopter with smoke flare while waiting for evacuation on shoreline.

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, participate in a land navigation event on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 5, 2022. This event is part of the crucible - a 54-hour event that challenges all the skills a recruit has learned throughout recruit training. Recruits will go through physically and mentally demanding challenges with limited food and sleep during the crucible. The crucible is one of the final stepping stones in completing recruit training. Once a recruit completes the crucible, they will have earned the title United States Marine.

U.S. Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, Europe and Spanish Marines assigned to Marine Infantry Brigade, Third Armada, First Landing Battalion, participate in live-fire training as part of exercise Lisa Azul in Sierra del Retin, Spain, Sept. 14, 2022. Lisa Azul is an annual bilateral training exercise that takes place aboard Naval Station Rota and Sierra del Retin and focuses on critical skills such as live-fire, helicopter rope suspension techniques, non-lethal combatives, and physical fitness to foster camaraderie and sustain interoperability amongst U.S. and partner forces and improve lethality in security and infantry operations.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, tactically maneuver using concealment during Decisive Action Rotation 16-02 at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif., Nov. 12, 2015. The Soldiers were part of an operation to assault and seize an enemy stronghold.

Members with the 90th Security Forces Group get their equipment ready to take on the Crow Creek Challenge, July 8th, 2022, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The crow creek challenge pushed Airmen to test their physcial and mental readiness.

040916-M-0706S-010. Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 2ND BCT

041230-M-9015W-001. Base: Harwan State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- Airman 1st Class Byron Wright, 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, performs a post-flight inspection on a B-1B Lancer, Nov. 9. Inspections are performed before and after every flight to ensure mission readiness.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Thomas Nelson, a vehicle commander, with Bravo Company, 3d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, observes the downrange area from a defensive position during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-22 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 27, 2022. ITX is a month-long training evolution comprised of multiple ranges to refine combined arms maneuver in offensive and defensive combat operations.

A silhouetted view of a flight deck crewman standing by in a tow tractor as a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter hovers near his ship at sunrise. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Army M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle assigned to 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division fires the coax M240 machine gun during a gunnery table VI iteration, Niinisalo, Finland, July 19, 2022. The 3/4th ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe.

A left side view of an A-10A Thunderbolt II aircraft on the runway at sunset during the Crested Cap I phase of Reforger '82. Subject Operation/Series: CRESTED CAP IREFORGER '82 Base: Leck Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A ceremonial guardsman from the 509th Bomb Wing Honor Guard salutes during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner at a wing retreat ceremony in honor of Memorial Day at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., May 24, 2012. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed in 1868 and became widespread by 1902. It was named a federal holiday in 1971.

Army Best Medic Competition Foot March Completion 03

U.S. Air Force loadmasters with the 81st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, fold the American flag following a re-enlistment on a U.S. Air Force HC-130 near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 19, 2013.

U.S. and Côte d'Ivoirian special operations forces conduct Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in Jacqueville, Cote dIvoire August 24, 2022. JCETs enhance U.S. relationships with partner nations by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving joint and allied readiness and interoperability.

Paratroopers across the 82nd Airborne Division execute the 12 mile road march as part of one of the last events in the road to earning their E3B on Fort Bragg, NC, April 8, 2023. 371 Paratroopers and Soldiers across multiple units and locations successfully completed E3B.

000816-M-6312K-003. Base: USS Lasalle (AGF 3) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

U.S. Army Paratroopers with the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade fire down range during a night exercise at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May. 2, 2018. Exercise Fury is a combined arms live fire exercise that tests day and night live fire capabilities across multiple military specialties.

U.S. Army Spc. Mike Palmer checks his ammunition for his weapon prior to a mission to Riyahd village from Forward Operating Base McHenry, Iraq, Jan., 31, 2007. Palmer is assigned to 303rd Military Police, 2nd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (March 11, 2013) Sailors perform maintenance on an F/A-18C Hornet from the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Prop Military Fixed Wing Aviat Airplanes Hawker Sea Fury fighter silhouette

MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Nov. 30, 2015) Sailors conduct small arms training aboard USS Ross (DDG 71) Nov. 30, 2015. Ross, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe.

A soldier of the Bundeswehr, taken during the Bundeswehr exercise 'Fast Eagle' in Barth, 05.05.2022. The exercise 'Fast Eagle' simulates an evacuation of German citizens from a fictitious crisis country within a short period of time., Barth, Germany, Europe

Marines from the 32nd Marine Amphibious Unit walk toward their quarters after leaving the tank landing ship USS MANITOWOC (LST-1180). The Marines are part of a multinational peacekeeping force assigned to Lebanon after a confrontation between Israeli forces and the Palestine Liberation Organization. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

110210-N-7488A-168ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 10, 2011) Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) stand by before a replenishment at sea. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ethan McElroy, an entry controller assigned to the 628th Security Forces Squadron, carriers a M240B machine gun at Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, April 11, 2022. Members of the 628th SFS Harbor Patrol Unit consists of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy personnel who work together to secure 4.5 miles of federal restricted water way, and protect naval nuclear training units moored on the Cooper River.

SUEZ CANAL (April 5, 2013) Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) stand armed watch on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) while transiting the Suez Canal. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th MEU, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

The UH-1N Huey retires with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 after more than 30 years of Marine Corps service. The Huey has been involved in all major Marine Corps operations since 1971 and has provided significant contributions to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years. In the last six months alone, HMLA-169 has accumulated more than 1,000 flights and 2,000 flights hours with the Huey.

Recruits from Charlie Company take a moment to rest after completing their last event at The Crucible, Dec. 14, 2012, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. During the two-day event the Marines will traverse 50 or more miles while using teamwork to complete tasks set in front of them. The Crucible is one of the last obstacles recruits face before receiving the eagle, globe, and anchor along with being called a Marine for the first time.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines conduct fire team attack drills on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 2022. This training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed small-unit leadership. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 113th Infantry Regiment conduct a platoon attack drill at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. on Oct. 15, 2022. During the drill the platoon lead squad locates and suppresses the enemy, establishes supporting fire, and assaults the enemy position using fire and maneuver. The platoon destroys or causes the enemy to withdraw and conducts consolidation and reorganization thereafter. Once the platoon conducts action on enemy contact, the squad or section in contact reacts to contact by immediately returning well-aimed fire on known enemy positions. Dismounted Soldiers assume the nearest covered positions available and the element in contact attempts to achieve suppressive fires. Once achieved, the element leader notifies the platoon leader of the action.

Airmen assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron respond to a simulated vehicle-borne improvised explosive device exercise July 29, 2022, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. During this training exercise, a suspect attempted to bring a simulated IED and a concealed firearm onto the base, but was apprehended in a vehicle search area after failing to provide proper identification.

Soldier salute. Silhouette on sunset sky. War, army, military, guard concept.. Soldier salute. Silhouette on sunset sky. Army, military.

Members of the 838th Military Police Company out of Youngstown, Ohio, conduct a cordon and search exercise in the lush green Preševo Valley June 13 as part of Platinum Wolf 2019 in South Base, Serbia. Platinum Wolf is a multinational peacekeeping exercise designed to enhance interoperability and cooperation between partner and allied nations while building relationships. As part of Department of Defenses State Partnership Program, the Ohio National Guard has had a state partnership with Serbia since 2006.

Ramstein Air Base, Germany, September 18, 2008 - United States Air Force Airman performs a pre-flight inspection on a C-130 Hercules.

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) from 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) coordinate a target with the AH-64 Apache aircrafts, assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, during a live fire range for Exercise Ample Strike 22 in Czech Republic, Sept. 6, 2022. The exercise is a regular Czech Republic JTAC-led exercise focused on advanced air and land training, strengthening U.S. and NATO Allies capabilities, and defending against adversaries in the European Theater.

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stand by after offloading an Abrams M1A2 SEPV3 Main Battle Tank. The arrival of these tanks in Poland will help the 3ABCT produce combat-credible forces alongside NATO allies.

060312-N-9742R-002. Base: USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

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