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Soldiers in Tactical Operations

Images of soldiers equipped for combat in dynamic environments, demonstrating tactical readiness and engagement during military operations.

United States Army ranger in the mountains.

Green Berets U.S. Army Special Forces Group soldier in action.

A U.S. Army Ranger with 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment moves to the next objective during the Menton 2022 Best Sniper Competition at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Dec. 8, 2022. The competition is comprised of nine teams, including a team from the British Armys 4th Battalion, Ranger Regiment. During the competition, team events incorporate precision marksmanship, moving targets, live-fire stalks, and stress shoots conducted during daylight and hours of limited visibility. Throughout the event, participants use the M24 Sniper Weapon System, 5.56 M4 carbine, and 9mm pistol.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Margaret Valcourt, a field artillery officer and a Joint Terminal Attack Controller with 2d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), poses for a photo during exercise Mjolnir Strike on Atlantic Airfield, North Carolina, June 26, 2023. Exercise Mjolnir Strike 3-23 is a fire support-focused training opportunity for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and Joint Fires Observers across II MEF to increase proficiency while incorporating multiple fire support capabilities, such as ground-based indirect fires and close air support.

A U.S. Army Soldier with 2nd Brigade Infantry Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, checks to make sure his team is behind him during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Training Center rotation 23-01 at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2022. JPMRC 23-01 is a regional combat training center (CTC) rotation that builds combat readiness in Americas Pacific Division and is a key way the Army forces engage in a joint environment with our regional allies and partners.

Sgt. Micah Miller (Left) and Staff Sgt. Billy McCoy (right), explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to 722nd Ordnance Company Airborne (EOD), 192nd Ordnance Battalion (EOD) based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, conduct render safe procedures (RSP) during the EOD Team of the Year (ToY) competition 15-19 May on Fort Carson, Colorado.The Team of the Year competition is where explosive ordnance disposal technicians face off in challenging scenarios and are assessed on fitness, technical and tactical skills and response capabilities.

Soldiers listen to an operation order before going out on mission during a field training exercise.

A member of the Kosovo Security Force gives feedback after completing a medical field training exercise at the Camp Dodge training area in Johnston, Iowa, on May 17, 2022. Four KSF members are attending a combat medic course at the 185th Regional Training Institute alongside Iowa Soldiers, as well as other National Guard and U.S. Reserve Soldiers. The Iowa National Guard is partnered with Kosovo as part of the Department of Defenses State Partnership Program, which affords unique opportunities for cross training.

A U.S. Army Soldier with the 1-114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stands in formation before firing the M136 AT4 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, June 3, 2022. The AT4 is an 84mm unguided anti-armour weapon. It is effective in assaulting tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopter, aircraft and armoured vehicles.

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

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Davis Rojas, a combat engineer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, establishes a perimeter during a counter-mobility exercise, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 27, 2023. Marines secured a simulated landing zone to allow MV-22B Ospreys to deliver supplies and humanitarian aid during natural disasters throughout the Pacific.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Sheffield, 921st Contingency Response Squadron crew chief, listens to radio chatter while a KC-10 Extender flies overhead during Exercise Dragon Spark at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 14, 2022. Exercise Dragon Spark provided units from the 60th Air Mobility Wing and the 621st Contingency Response Wing an opportunity to sync operations in preparation for a national disaster.

060119-F-7823A-010. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tal Afar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Soldier with Regimental Engineer Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment conducts a radio check during the Pioneer Challenge at Tower Barracks Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 13, 2022. Pioneer Challenge is a physically demanding training event that incorporates military tasks and skills specific to the RES to promote cohesion and esprit de corps among the Pioneer formation and their German partners.

Soldiers from the 146th ESP receive a briefing ahead of Hurricane Dorian's landfall.

Soldiers from the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), establish a forward arming and refueling point F.A.R.P) at the Millington-Memphis Airport to conduct refueling and resupply on January 13, 2024, during a Large-Scale Long-Range Air Assault into the Joint Readiness Training Center on Fort Johnson, LA. This exercise is intended to test and strengthen the unit's readiness. Close to 80 U.S. Army helicopters from Fort Campbell, KY, will stop at several locations throughout the flight path to refuel and resupply before they assault onto the training objectives at Fort Johnson, LA. There are four forward arming and refueling points (FARP): Millington, TN, Oxford, MS, Monroe, LA, and Alexandria, LA.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Tyvon Stenson, 822nd Base Defense Squadron security forces member, poses for a portrait at Avon Park Auxiliary Airfield, July 22, 2022. Stenson was working as an entry control point guard, only allowing authorized personnel on the airfield as part of Agile Flag 22-2.

Myrtle Beach Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member, Mark Bechtel, discusses firearms drill techniques with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent, Craig Funderburk during the 2022 SWAT Summit at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Columbia, South Carolina, Sept. 27, 2022. The Columbia Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) SWAT Team hosts this year's summit, sharing their techniques in Close Quarter Combat (CQB) skills, mission planning, tactics, and range drills with partner departments.

030221-M-4419R-015. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 5th Marines

040510-M-0431C-003. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030817-F-0282O-002. Base: Truax Field State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Jun. 27, 2022)- An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6 removes fins after boarding the Mark F470 Combat Rubber Rating Craft (CRRC). CRABEx is a training exercise that certifies Navy EOD units of action under Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2, ensuring a ready and more lethal EOD force.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Rouse, a motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group inspects ammunition for a Combat Marksmanship Program during Integrated Training Exercise 3-22 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, March 30, 2022. ITX is a live-fire event that increases unit readiness. It teaches the tactical application of combined-arms maneuver, offensive and defensive operations during combat.

Army serviceman in winter camo somewhere in the Arctic.

Canadian soldier in desert uniform holding his rifle.

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) respond to a simulated 30 kiloton nuclear detonation during exercise Scarlet Response in Guardian Centers of Georgia, Ga, on May 19, 2022. Scarlet Response was created to physically and mentally test CBIRF personnel and the units joint partners, the 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company in a simulated joint disaster response. Scarlet Response is designed to test every aspect of the units Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or High-Yield Explosive response capabilities and enable its servicemembers to respond effectively and expeditiously to save the most lives.

A U.S. Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares for a water purification exercise during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 17, 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.

More than 1000 Wyoming Army National Guard soldiers will converge on Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center this month for their two-week annual training commitment and Spec. Sol Griffith, of Rock Springs, and assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment is one of them. The unit is preparing for platoon and squad movements in the north training area and painting on a war face is part of the deal. The Public Affairs Office will feature daily social media posts of our soldiers honing their skills throughout June.

U.S. Army Sgt. Henry Villarama, a visual information specialist assigned to 55th Signal Company, participates in "The Hunter," a culminating event that includes a two mile run, a three mile ruck, and a one mile water jug carry while competing in the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, May 22, 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.

U.S. Army Cpl. Spencer Fayles with the 144th Area Support Medical Company, remains in good spirits on a nearly six-mile ruck march as part of the mystery event during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the island of Guam, May 26, 2022. This annual competition featured the best noncommissioned officer and Soldier from eight different states and territories including Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Testing competitors skills and knowledge and pushing them to their limits, the competition graded each participant in key areas such as basic Soldier skills, marksmanship under stress, land-navigation, and physical fitness.

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. 18, 2022. Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Rodriguez, representing the XVIII Airborne Corps, uses his map to assist him in navigation. On Day 4 of the competition Soldiers underwent an individual Land Navigation assessment. The Army is the best trained, best equipped, and most skilled fighting force in the world.

U.S.Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Platoon, Regimental Troops Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard participate in a grueling three day live fire course of Advanced Marksmanship Training at Camp Buerhing, Kuwait, Feb.14, in preparation for a security mission prior to deploying to Iraq. During the course, the Soldiers were taught advanced room clearing, mounted and dismounted firing techniques and properly securing VIP's from one location to the next. This is the units second tour to Iraq in five years.

A Marine with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, covers his shot holes during a Battle Sight Zero exercise on the flight deck aboard USS Kearsarge, while traveling to Pakistan, September 06, 2010. 26th MEU deployed aboard the ships of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group in late August responding to an order by the Secretary of Defense to support Pakistan flood relief efforts.

STEWART ANGB Newburgh, N.Y. --Senior Airman Douglas Decicco secures cinches cot straps as members of the 105th Airlift Wing and 213 Engineering Installation Squadron prepare for deployment as part of the State response to Hurricane Sandy Wednesday morning Oct. 31. The Airmen are among more than 1,100 Army and Air National Guard Soldiers deployed at the order of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. The Airmen are part of Joint Operations Area 3, Joint Task Force 3 Hurricane relief operations.

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - U.S. Army Spc. Kojo A. Kumi-Darfour, an information technology specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 29th Infantry Division, Virginia National Guard, and native of Reston, Va., conducts the 6-mile road march portion of the Kosovo Force, Regional Command East Best Warrior Competition at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Sept. 30, 2022. Four noncommissioned officers and three junior enlisted Soldiers competed for the title of Best Warrior during the three-day event.

070515-A-7666R-259. Base: Camp Taji Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Jumpmaster, performs Jumpmaster Personal Inspection (JMPI) on a U.S. Air Force Paratrooper during Leapfest 2022 at the Quonset Army Aviation Support Facility in Washington County, Rhode Island, August 6, 2022. Leapfest is the largest, longest-standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard, to promote high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the International Airborne community.

060428-N-6901L-022. Base: Fob Taji State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 35th Infantry Division conduct M17 and M4 individual weapons qualification ranges at Udairi Ranges, Kuwait, Sept. 22, 2022.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 35th Infantry Division conduct M17 and M4 individual weapons qualification ranges at Udairi Ranges, Kuwait, Sept. 22, 2022.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ty Keller, a reconnaissance Marine with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, prepares to dive during Exercise Caribbean Coastal Warrior in Savaneta, Aruba, June 22, 2022. This bilateral training exercise allows 2d Recon to expand its knowledge and proficiency when operating in littoral and coastal regions. Caribbean Coastal Warrior continues to increase global interoperability between the U.S. Marines and Marine Squadron Carib, Netherlands Marine Corps, as well as Caribbean Urban Warrior, an annual training evolution conducted on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

A U.S. Soldier, assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, pushes forward through a forest during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 24-02 at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska, Feb. 17, 2024. A company of soldiers moved uphill through the woods toward an exercise objective with possible simulated enemy forces in the area. JPMRC 24-02, executed in Alaska with its world-class training facilities and its harsh Arctic environment, builds Soldiers and leaders into a cohesive team of skilled, tough, alert, and adaptive warriors capable of fighting and winning anywhere in the world. Army

United States Army ranger in the mountains.

Lance Cpl. Jacob Carter, a fire team leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, shouts commands to his Marines as they advance on targets during a live-fire ambush and reaction drill at the Camp Billy Machen desert warfare training facility in the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range in California Oct. 18, 2009. The Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based company spent three days at the camp, making use of its rocky, mountainous terrain to prepare for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan early next year, holding classes and executing live-fire immediate action drills and combat patrols. The live-fire drills were all carried out without dry runs, creating an environment of uncertainty for the Marines to train in. When you do a dry run, you can better scheme your maneuvers,” said Carter, 22, of Lakeland, Fla. But this gets team leaders to think on the fly and prepares us for combat. The harder we train here, the easier things will be in country.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Gillett with Bull Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment awaits the beginning of the troops situational training exercise at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Oct. 18, 2022. 2CR provides V Corps with a lethal and agile force capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater in order to assure allies, deter adversaries, and when ordered, defend the NATO alliance.

Private First Class Eric Horpe, 1ST Battalion, 319th Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg NC, reads as he waits for transportation home after his participation in the Autumn Forge Exercise CARBINE FORTRESS, a NATO exercise held annually in West Germany. Subject Operation/Series: AUTUMN FORGECARBINE FORTRESS Base: Echterdingen Aaf, Stuttgart Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)

Spc. Nicholas Figarelle, a local from Missoula and a member of the 1051st Engineer Firefighter Detachment, prepares his Pro Mask to be tested for deficiencies during Non-Biological and Chemical training at the Fort Harrison Fire Station, Jan. 10, 2009. The test ensures that the soldier's pro mask is working and doesn't have any leaks for gas.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cody Cunningham, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) operator with Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve performs a reload on the M142 HIMARS in support of exercise Arctic Edge 2024 (AE24) on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Feb. 23, 2024. Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, became the first unit to use HIMARS in combat in 2007. AE24 is a U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise demonstrating the U.S. militarys capabilities in extreme cold weather, joint force readiness, and U.S. military commitment to mutual strategic security interests in the arctic region. Marine Corps

U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Cormack, a team leader assigned to Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry, plays the bagpipes during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Tx., Sep. 6. During the ceremony the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry colors were cased in preparation for deployment overseas. The colors will be unfurled once the unit arrives in Africa and assumes responsibility for a security mission as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa

Staff Sgt. Jean Ady, from Brooklyn, New York, shoots a back azimuth during U.S. Army NATO Brigade land navigation training at Breitenwald Training Area in Landstuhl, Germany.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Samuel York, a Greenbrier, Tennessee native, combat engineer with Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, observes Marines with 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, conduct an assault at Range 220 during an Adversary Force Exercise as part of Service Level Training Exercise 2-24 at MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 5, 2024. The purpose of AFX is to create a credible, realistic threat for the exercise forces participating in SLTE 2-24 to engage against during the upcoming Marine Air-Ground Task Force Warfighting Exercise in a force-on-force, unscripted wargame. Marine Corps

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Eric Shields, an infantryman with under B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, participates in the Viking games, an event that test stamina, physical strength and endurance at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Jan. 12, 2024. The games were hosted by the Norwegian Telemark Battalion "Task Force Viking".

Spc. Michael Peach, part of a tank crew with the Tennessee Army National Guards H Troop, 2nd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, scans his sector from the turret of an M1A1 Abrams tank as he and his crew make their way to their next event in the Gen. Gordon Sullivan Cup best tank crew competition at Fort Benning, Ga., Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The Sullivan Cup tests tank crews from throughout the Army on everything from gunnery to mounted land navigation, maintenance and combat casualty care in a variety of physically and mentally challenges setting to determine the Armys best tank crew.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Westin Punches, a combat marksmanship trainer with Weapons Training Battalion, looks through binoculars to observe shots fired during the final stage of the Intramural Marksmanship Competition on Stone Bay, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 7, 2022. The Marine Corps Intramural Marksmanship Competition inspires unit cohesion and mission readiness by allowing Marines to compete and improve lethality with both rifle and pistol weapons.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Steven Djoumi, a radio operator with Detachment 18, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes radio contact aboard the Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 2, 2022. Communication between ground units and the LHA-7 is paramount to successfully achieving mission success. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS 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.

war, army, cold steel arms and people concept - close up of young soldier, ranger or hunter hands taking out knife in forest

war, hiking, army, camouflage equipment and people concept - close up of young soldier or ranger with backpack in forest

U.S. Army soldier, assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat team, 1st Cavalry Division, participates in Railhead Operations in Poland. 3ABCT's vehicles arrived in Poland to aid in maximizing military capabilities.

Lance Cpl. Poom Pasapong and Cpl. Frank Barcena with the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines (2/24) complete M4 rifle qualification requirements July 26, 2022, on Range 18 on North Post at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 2/24 is an infantry battalion based out of Chicago consisting of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion falls under the 24th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division. The 2/24 was holding annual training at Fort McCoy.

U.S. soldier in the desert during the military operation.

A U.S. Army Joint Fire Support Specialist with the Fire Support Detachment, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, checks targets on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 20, 2022.

041208-M-5607G-033. Base: Mcas Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Soldier assigned to 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division communicates with a MEDEVAC helicopter during the brigade Mungadai at the Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii on Jan. 26, 2022. The brigade Mungadai is a multi-day training event for senior leaders in the brigade designed to test them physically and mentally while building esprit de corps and camaraderie. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Brutus)

221210-N-WF272-1173 PHILADELPHIA (Dec. 10, 2022) Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician James Russell, assigned to EOD Mobile Unit 12, Det. Naval Weapons Station Earle, dons a bomb suit to promote the U.S. Navy prior to the Army-Navy football game held at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Dec. 10, 2022. The game marked the 123rd meeting between the U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen and the U.S. Army Black Knights.

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Isaac Riojas, assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), wears a mask and hand coverings to simulate injuries aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) during a mass casualty evacuation drill in Suruga-wan Shizuoka, Japan, Sep. 17. The exercise was conducted in conjunction with Transport Exercise (TRANSPORTEX), a humanitarian aid & disaster relief exercise further enhancing interoperability between Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11, the 31st MEU and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, enabling a combined rapid response force in the event of crisis or natural disaster. The 31st MEU is operating aboard 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.

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. 18, 2022. Staff Sgt. Eloy Huertas, representing I Corps, ties his boots and organizes his gear. On Day 4 of the competition Soldiers underwent an individual Land Navigation assessment. The Army is the best trained, best equipped, and most skilled fighting force in the world.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shavonne Hinds pins a Boston Marathon race bib to her leg.

Master Sgt. Matthew Plew, 1st Combat Camera Squadron operations flight chief, prepares for Exercise Green Goblin at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Dec. 5, 2022. This four-day exercise provides relevant and essential night-vision training to prepare combat camera Airmen with enhanced photographic and video capabilities required to capture imagery in low-light and no-light environments. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Tech. Sgt. Michael Cossaboom)

040608-M-1158H-032. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

WASHINGTON (Feb. 23, 2016) An undated file photo of Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. Byers will be awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama during a White House ceremony Feb. 29. Byers is receiving the medal for his actions during a 2012 rescue operation in Afghanistan. Uniform insignia has been digitally removed from this photo for security reasons.

Airman 1st Class Marco-Adrian Navarrete, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, prepares to carry a ladder to a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during training at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 12, 2022. The training evaluated 18th CES firefighters rescue and recovery abilities during a KC-135 engine or cockpit fire. Regular training keeps firefighters familiar with the interior layout of the aircraft and proper safety procedures.

U.S. Army Cpl. Spencer Fayles with the 144th Area Support Medical Company, gets ready to swim back to the main island as part of the mystery event during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the island of Guam, May 26, 2022. This annual competition featured the best noncommissioned officer and Soldier from eight different states and territories including Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Testing competitors skills and knowledge and pushing them to their limits, the competition graded each participant in key areas such as basic Soldier skills, marksmanship under stress, land-navigation, and physical fitness.

U.S. Army Spc. Maximo Delacruz, of the 76th Brigade Combat Team, sits out during a going away ceremony Jan. 2, 2008, at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind. The Indiana National Guard is preparing to deploy its largest amount of Soldiers since World War II with more than 3,400 Soldiers scheduled to depart for Iraq to serve during their 12-month rotation.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman David Phaff, a 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs specialist, takes a photo during RED FLAG-Alaska 23-1 on Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 7, 2022. RF-A exercises provide unique opportunities to integrate various forces in a realistic threat environment and dates back to 1975 when it was held at Clark Air Base, Philippines and was called Exercise Cope Thunder.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eli J. Swartz, a fire direction controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Hazard Company, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment Panther Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, gives a thumbs-up before beginning the Croatian Winter Challenge at Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland, Jan. 5, 2024. The Croatian Winter Challenge is a 15-kilometer competition consisting of seven events: land navigation, small arms firing, wall climbing, obstacle course while wearing a gas mask, rope crossing, low-crawl and obstacle climbing, and a hand grenade toss. U.S., Polish, Romanian, and Croatian troops representing NATO's enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland participated. The 3rd Infantry Divisions mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Garrett Byers, 6th Maintenance Squadron hydraulics specialist, prepares to marshal an aircraft during the 6th Air Refueling Wing Agile Combat Employment capstone exercise at Joint Base Charleston, South Caroline, Aug. 23, 2022. The ACE concept underpins the Air Forces ability to mitigate the risks of adversarial technological advances through maneuverability and speed to prevail in conflict. The capstone exercise included 72-hours of continuous air refueling operations and a historic 56-hour KC-135 flight in a simulated contested environment focused on a notional theater of operations.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Michael Rogge, a pavements and heavy equipment journeyman, assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, spreads concrete at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 13, 2022. The concrete pad will be the site of a new fitness facility.

U.S. Army Spc. Logan Gephart, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear specialist with 39th Strategic Signal Battalion demonstrates the warning sound of a CBRN event, on Chièvres Air Base, March 16, 2023. In order to stay proficient on their CBRN equipment and procedures the unit conducted training to ensure readiness and fulfill their annual requirements.

Army soldier with protective face mask sitting on wheelchair

A graphic and layout displays information on an Airman assigned to the 18th Security Forces Squadron on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. The "Meet Your Wingman Wednesday" campaign was started by 18th Wing leadership in order to highlight Airmen assigned to Kadena Air Base. The graphic was created with Adobe Spark and Adobe Lightroom. Photography for the graphic provided by Adobe Stock and Airman 1st Class Sebastian Romawac. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Airman 1st Class Sebastian Romawac)

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