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Soldiers In Tactical Operations

Images of soldiers engaged in various tactical scenarios, showcasing military uniforms, weapons, and a focus on security and operations in challenging environments.

Portrait of a special forces soldier with rifle in the desert.

SGT Collin Roberts and SPC Matthew Ruiz enter the Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) training area on Fort Rucker August 22, 2022 in preparation for the upcoming Army best squad competition in September. Photo by Jay Mann.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Dye, perspective Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) with Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, watches an MV-22B Osprey aircraft land during a noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO) exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-23 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Oct. 27, 2022. The NEO simulated real-life scenarios for Marines to practice the evacuation of noncombatants from potentially dangerous areas.

Soldier in field uniform with rifle in the desert.

A U.S. Marine with 3d Battalion 5th Infantry provides ground security during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration of the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 23, 2022. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, armor, artillery and infantry forces and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

U.S. Army Sgt. Austen Clair, from Juneau, Alaska, assigned to 2nd Platoon, Action Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, scans his sector from a roof top in the Chingay village, Sayed Abad district, Wardak province, Afghanistan, Nov. 21, 2011. The objective of Operation Action Two was to reinforce relationships with the local population, and to deny insurgents freedom of movement in the area.

Soldiers from the British Army conduct a live-fire exercise with their L11A1 heavy and light machine guns, 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.

Soldiers in the U.S. National Guard, Reserves and the Kosovo Security Force begin a field training exercise in the Camp Dodge training area while attending a combat medic course at the 185th Regional Institute in Johnston, Iowa, on May 17, 2022. Four Kosovo Security Force members are attending the course at the 185th RTI. 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.

FORT HOOD, Texas - U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Earon James, the Squad Leader for 8th Squad, representing Army Central, directs his Soldiers to the next location at the Medical Simulation Training Center, Fort Hood, Texas, August 18, 2022. The Best Squad Competition promotes esprit de corps and recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army Values and embody the Warrior Ethos.

060706-A-0559K-047. Subject Operation/Series: STARLIT Base: Cob Speicher State: Salah Al Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: SOUTHEAST

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, post security during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 16, 2022. A TRAP mission occurs when aircraft and personnel sustain damage, requiring a flexible aircrew and a coordinated team of Marines to locate, medically treat, and transport those injured to the next level of care. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Stephen Shedd, a rifleman with Light Armored Reconnaissance Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participates in a live-fire range aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in the Atlantic Ocean, July 17, 2022. 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.

Portrait of United States airborne infantry corporal with rifle.

Sgt. 1st Class. Jeffery Gar with Signal, Intelligence and Sustainment Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion sets up Camo netting to cover equipment used in 1st Armored Divisions Main Command Post for the 1AD Command Post Exercise III, on Fort Bliss Feb. 5, 2023. Command Post Exercise III demonstrates 1ADs ability to project power and respond to real-world threats.

Sgt. William Brandon, 101st Airborne Division, prepares to participate in the aircraft extraction and stress shoot lane Jan. 25 during the Jack L. Clark Jr., Army Best Medic Competition at Fort Hood, Texas.

U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Row, representing the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, competing in the Air Insertion event during the U.S. Army Forces Command Best Squad Competition on Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 16, 2022. The Best Squad Competition promotes esprit-de-corps and recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army values and embody the Warrior Ethos.

030319-M-4779G-022. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: RCT-1

060416-F-1830P-023. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine Capt. Trevor Ellis, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) student with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, coordinates close air support for an urban assault at Saylor Creek Range in Grasmere, Idaho during Exercise Garnet Rattler April 28, 2022. Garnet Rattler is a joint training event between Marines, Soldiers and Airmen to train and qualify JTACs to be more efficient and lethal in a realistic training environment.

021125-M-3022S-002. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: USS Austin (LPD 4) Scene Major Command Shown: CTF 52.2

A U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division prepare for movement during Decisive Action Rotation 22-09 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 10th, 2022.

1st Lt. John Christiansen and Staff Sgt. Jerney Topham, artillery soldiers with Bravo Battery, 145th Field Artillery Battalion, 65th Field Artillery Brigade, Utah National Guard, pose in front of their M109 Paladin during Western Strike 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 10, 2022. Western Strike 22 is an eXportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise led by the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, Utah National Guard, that provides National Guard Soldiers immersed training similar to a combat training center and aims to increase participating unit's readiness and lethality.

Marines with Company E, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sits still in the middle of a tree line during a vertical assault as part of MEU Exercise (MEUEX), in Combat Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec 10, 2014. BLT 2/4 is conducting training in preparation of their upcoming spring patrol.

070106-M-7690B-017. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdaddi Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40587

Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team held the Gander Memorial on Dec. 12, 2022, at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. Today, we remember the lives of the 248 STRIKE Soldiers who perished on December 12, 1985, in a plane crash in Gander, Newfoundland, Canada.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Infantry Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, conducts convoy operations on Pohakuloa Training Grounds, Oct. 31, 2022. Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 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.

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) noncommissioned officers perform a road march during the Group Support Battalion, 10th SFG (A) NCO evaluation disassemble and assemble lane on Fort Carson, Colorado, Jul. 12, 2022. Noncommissioned officers from GSB, 10th SFG (A) participated in a 3-day NCO assessment in basic Soldier skills, Jul. 12-14. (

Spc. Robert Irwin, an infantryman of 2nd Platoon Dog Company, Task Force Gold Geronimo conducts a security patrol in the Paktya province, Jan. 30. TF Gold Geronimo is part of the Spartan Brigade.

Norwegian Armed Forces Special Command FSK female soldier closeup portrait. Protective eye-wear and assault gun. Norwegian Armed Forces female soldier

Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division and Soldiers of the Japan Self-Defense Force conduct transportation operations during the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) on Fort Polk, Louisiana, Nov. 2, 2022. JRTC Rotation 23-01 serves to enhance brigade and supporting unit's deployment readiness.

Private First Class Edward Meyers, machine gunner, Alpha Company, 1st 325 Airborne Infantry Regiment, fires on the targets during the squad tactics course at Kursah Range, Iraq on October 19, 2003.

Idaho National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team's 2nd of the 116th Combined Arms Battalion teamed up with the Idaho Army National Guards 1st of the 183 Assault Helicopter Battalion to conduct medevac training at the Orchard Combat Training Center on March 30, 2022. The training simulated emergency evacuations of sick or wounded Soldiers from a battlefield. Ground medics preformed medical care on the ground before rushing them to the flight medics aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter who continued medical care while they were flown to the nearby medical facility. This training is a portion of combat training the 2nd of the 116th CAB conducted in preparation to deploy to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield later this year.

A U.S. Soldier with the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division explains how to manipulate the sight of an M24 sniper weapon system to a Polish military class cadet at the 5th Annual Ogolnopolskie Mistrzostwa Klas Mundurowych Award ceremony, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, June 2, 2022. The 3/4th ABCT is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces.

New U.S. Marines with Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, clime to the top of the rappel tower at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 30, 2022. Rappel training was conducted to build confidence in Marines and prepare them for possible circumstances they may encounter.

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.

U.S. Air Force Airmen training as squad leaders, discuss tactics for an ambush training mission during the Ranger Assessment and Selection course Oct. 21, 2011, at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Airmen must attend the RAS course before going to the U.S. Army Ranger School, designed to train armed forces personnel to conduct combat operations within enemy lines.

A Marine with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, establishes security aboard Bellows Air Force Station, Hawaii, May 17, 2015. The Marines with the 15th MEU continue to maintain combat readiness during their seven-month deployment through the Pacific and Central Command areas.

240203-M-IU565-2074 MUHAMMAD AL AHMED NAVAL BASE, Kuwait (Feb. 3, 2024) A Coast Guardsman assigned to the Middle East Engagement Team participates in a visit, board, search and seizure demonstration during exercise Eager Defender 24 onboard Muhammad Al Ahmed Naval Base, Kuwait, Feb. 3. 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)

French Forces in Djibouti (FFDJ) and Italian Armed Forces, alongside Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, conduct a sniper live-fire range at Arta Range Complex, Djibouti, May 22, 2022. French, Italian, and U.S. service members cross-trained on weapon systems and exchanged information during this joint training event. Members of 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.

A United States Marine reads a book from the cab of an MRAP, or Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected Vehicle, Helmand Province of Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alfredo Delgado, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, prepares to place a nunchuck charge as part of an explosive excavation range during exercise Eagle Wrath 22 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, May 14, 2022. Eagle Wrath is an annual Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 exercise at CATC Camp Fuji, Japan, designed to increase squadron proficiency in conducting real-world contingency missions while in a forward operating environment.

Idaho National Guard 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team's 2nd of the 116th Combined Arms Battalion teamed up with the Idaho Army National Guards 1st of the 183 Assault Helicopter Battalion to conduct medevac training at the Orchard Combat Training Center on March 30, 2022. The training simulated emergency evacuations of sick or wounded Soldiers from a battlefield. Ground medics preformed medical care on the ground before rushing them to the flight medics aboard the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter who continued medical care while they were flown to the nearby medical facility. This training is a portion of combat training the 2nd of the 116th CAB conducted in preparation to deploy to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield later this year.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cody Butterson with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, yells ammunition totals during a live-fire training event at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Aug. 3, 2022. The Marines conducted a squad attack at Range 410, which provides close proximity of targets, obstacles to breach, and a variety of weapon assets including mortars, rockets, and machine guns.

Zaragoza, 02/11/2012. Military maneuvers in San Gregorio. Sergeant Gallardo, a "surgeon" against grenades. Photo: Ignacio Gil. ARCHDC.

U.S. Air Force Airman Basic Benjamin Clark, security forces trainee, waits in the distance from his classmates after securing weapons as part of arming procedures during the field operations part of the U.S. Air Force security forces apprentice course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, Sept. 22, 2022. The field operations course is part of a six-week course designed to teach the basic skills necessary to new security forces Airmen.

Basic Trainees low craw through a tactical course at the Basic Expeditionary Airman Training course, BEAST, Sept. 2, 2009 at Lackland Air Force Base. The BEAST introduces Airmen to the joint expeditionary concept and immerses them in to deployment scenarios.

A U.S. Soldier assigned to C Battery, Field Artillery Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, receives radio transmission during the Table XV Battery Certification live fire exercise at the 7th Army Training Command's Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Nov. 7, 2022. 2nd Cavalry Regiment, assigned to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe, works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater to defend the NATO alliance.

U.S. Army Sgt. William Brandon and Capt. Bryan Basham assigned to 101st Airborne Division transports a mannequin in a litter as apart of the mystery event which is an obstacle course at Fort Hood, Texas, January 26, 2022, Twenty-two two-Soldier teams from all around the world traveled to Texas to compete in the finals to be named the Armys Best Medic. The competition is a 72-hour arduous test of the teams physical and mental skills. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Bradley McKinley)

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, of the New York Army National Guard, watch during a company live-fire exercise at Fort Drum, Jul. 4. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment are conducting pre-mobilization training in preparation of an upcoming deployment to Africa.

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Levi Para, a special operations independent duty corpsmanassigned to Reconnaissance Detachment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts room clearing drillswith Tunisian Marine Commandos during an integrated training event, Souda Bay, Greece, June 15,2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU are on a scheduled deployment underthe command and control of Task Force 61/2 while operating in U.S. Sixth Fleet in support of U.S., alliedand partner interests in Europe and Africa.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Hunter Hicken, a squad leader assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, gives orders to squad members during a live-fire raid on Range 226 during a battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 22, 2022. Range 226 improved the Marines ability to operate their rifles at close quarters and in low-visibility environments during the larger FEX, intended to increase the battalions combat readiness.

Lance CPL. Schilling of Headquarters Bn., 2nd Marine Div., motor transport opens his mail at the 2nd Marine Division command post duringy Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Kuwait(KWT)

EFMB Candidate applies camouflage during the Warrior Skills testing.

Army soldier armed with assault rifle, kneeling on sand dune displaying stop hand signal.

Soldiers from the British Army conduct a live-fire exercise with their L11A1 heavy and light machine guns, 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.

Close-up of an army soldier smiling

040320-M-8683D-001. Base: Bagram Air Base State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Soldier smoking a cigarette on ground while a convoy of helicopters fly overhead.

1977 - A gunner on an M-60 main battle tank looks out a turret during the joint services Operation Gallant Crew '77.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Josue Flores, a fire support Marine with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marines Expeditionary Force Information Group, observes the target area looking for the simulated enemy to prosecute during a live fire close air support exercise at Barry M. Goldwater Range, Gila Bend, Arizona, July 18, 2022. 1st ANGLICO trains with 255 (Somerset Yeomanry) Battery, British Army, to enhance proficiency in CAS and expand digital communications capabilities.

U.S. Army Soldier Sfc. Jerome Kearby assigned to Charlie Battery, 5-4 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, discussing movement operations of the AN/TWQ-1 Avenger teams during training exercise Allied Spirit in Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, January 25, 2022.. Sfc. Jerome Kearby is a air and missile defense crewmember and a platoon sergeant.(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Cesar Rivas, 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade)

100821-A-0846W-184 U.S. Army Spc. Adam D. Lopez, a team leader with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, provides security during a visit to Lar Sholtan village in Kunar province, Afghanistan, on Aug. 21, 2010.

040605-M-4419R-072. Base: India Base (NASIR WAAL SALAAM) State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Soldiers with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team complete a 3.6 mile run in combat gear during a physical training exercise at Camp McGregor, New Mexico, Jan. 14, 2024. They are training at Camp McGregor as they prepare for a deployment to the Horn of Africa.

United States Marine in bunker, Marjah, Afghanistan

Two soldiers during training

Senior Airman Jesse Medrano, Joint Terminal Air Controller, 807th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan, deployed from the 10th Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft. Riley, Kan., conducts a foreign object debris walk and inspection of a dirt landing zone in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan near FOB Lagman as part of the hands onl portion of a Landing Zone Safety Officer (LZSO) class. The class consisted of U.S. Air Force, Army, and Romanian Army personnel who were there to be certified to safely run the dirt landing and drop zone. The class was taught by was taught by U.S. Air Force instructors from Task Force CROM.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Adrian Langley, a mortarman assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, stages before conducting a live-fire raid on Range 226 during a battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 21, 2022. Range 226 improved the Marines ability to operate their rifles at close quarters and in low-visibility environments during the larger FEX, intended to increase the battalions combat readiness.

U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team (LCT), 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, prepare charges for a demolition urban operations range during Marine Littoral Regiment Training Exercise (MLR-TE) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 28, 2023. MLR-TE is a large-scale, service-level exercise designed to train, develop, and experiment with the 3d MLR as part of a Marine Air-Ground Task Force, led by 3d Marine Division, operating as a Stand-in Force across a contested and distributed maritime environment.

POHANG, Republic of South Korea (March. 26, 2023) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Daniel Lanza, a team leader, assigned to Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Aussie repels from a tower during Ssang Yong 23. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance, Ssang Young 2023 strengthens the Alliance through bilateral, joint training, contributing toward the ROKs combined defense of the Korean Peninsula and increasing the readiness of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.

Two US Marines draw their 9mm pistols to cover a hatch opening (Not shown) during a security drill on the Forrestal Class Aircraft Carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). The Marines are part of the ship's security force while it is deployed to the Persian Gulf for the Southwest Asia build-up. Base: USS Independence (CV 62)

South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG) Sgt. Michael Johnson, from 2nd Platoon, A Co. 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion (CAB), provides security” during patrol-movement training on Ojojibara Maneuver Area, Sendai, Japan, on February 12, 2010. The training was part of FTX North Wind 2010, a joint exercise involving elements of the South Carolina National Guard and elements of the 44th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF).

U.S. Army Soldiers, representing the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, competing in the air insertion event during the U.S. Army Forces Command Best Squad Competition on Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 16, 2022. These soldiers represent the best in the U.S. Army Forces Command.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa - Soldiers of the 1-168th Infantry Battalion shoot an azimuth on the Land Navigation course on Mead Training site of Camp Ashland, Neb. March 6, 2010. The land navigation course completed an Army Warrior Task for the units mobilization requirement. The 1-168 is scheduled to deploy with the 2ng Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division later this summer. (100306-A-3304L-088)

NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken arrive at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASAs Kennedy Space Center ahead of SpaceXs Demo-2 mission, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Florida. NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 mission is the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agencys Commercial Crew Program. The flight test will serve as an end-to-end demonstration of SpaceXs crew transportation system. Behnken and Hurley are scheduled to launch at 4:33 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. A new era of human spaceflight is set to begin as American astronauts once again launch on an American rocket from American soil to low-Earth orbit for the first time since the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Program in 2011.

U.S. Navy Senior Chief Brian Clark, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five, briefs his team prior to bomb disposal robot training during Valiant Shield 2022, at Naval Base Guam, June 13, 2022. The Sailors removed physical, manmade, and explosive threats impeding the force's ability to maneuver on land and sea, enabling freedom of movement for the fleet and joint force. In doing so, they refined expeditionary warfare skills and enhanced their integration ability with the fleet and joint force.

U.S. Army Trooper Spc. Richard Ellezy, a vehicle commander assigned to Killer Troop, Thunder Squadron, 3d Cavalry Regiment, gives a thumbs-up next to the Mk. 19 automatic grenade launcher mounted to the top of the Stryker hes assigned to at a live-fire exercise at a remote location of the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, May 27, 2022. The 3d CR and enabling units completed a month-long training exercise at NTC, certifying their ability to deploy to an austere environment and support American partners and allies in international conflicts.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jon Leary and Sgt. Josh Allaart, explosive ordnance disposal technicians with 2nd EOD Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepare unexploded ordnance for demolition during exercise Intrepid Maven 22.4 in the United Arab Emirates, Sept. 22, 2022. Intrepid Maven is a bilateral exercise between U.S. and UAE armed forces to train with and strengthen our relationships with allied nations in the CENTCOM area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dakota Hungerford, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, a combat graphics specialist assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, documents U.S. Marines conducting an airfield damage repair exercise as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) 1-23 course, at Canon Air Defense Complex (P111), near Yuma, Arizona, on Oct. 1, 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.

US Navy SEALs shoot and sight in their Colt 5.56mm M-4 Carbine rifles on a firing range in Kuwait as part of the Southwest Asia buildup. Country: Kuwait (KWT)

U.S. Marine Cpl. Dylan Guggenmos, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, waits for a dry fire event to start at Saylor Creek Range in Grasmere, Idaho during exercise Garnet Rattler April 18, 2022. Garnet Rattler is a joint exercise between Marines, Soldiers and Airmen to train and qualify Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) to be more efficient and lethal in a realistic training environment.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Luis Martinez from Houston, Texas, a rifleman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provides security while an MV-22B Osprey lands during a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) exercise as part of Assault Support Tactics 3 (AST-3), Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23, at Twentynine Palms, California, Oct. 21, 2022. AST-3 is a multi-mission evolution consisting of a NEO as well as Foreign Humanitarian Assistance operations. This evolution allows the prospective WTIs to plan, brief and execute both missions while shifting their focus towards an in-depth review and dissection of rules of engagement, military authorities and civil considerations.

U.S. Marine Corps Rct. Landon D. Falls, a recruit with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, walk across a 12 stalls obstacle during the crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 15, 2022. The crucible is a 54-hour event that challenges all the skills a recruit has learned throughout recruit training. Falls was recruited out Recruiting Station Salt Lake City, Utah.

American soldier in military uniform using laptop computer for drone controlling and to stay in contact with friends and family

U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Stevens, California Army National Guards 40th Infantry Division Agribusiness Development horticulturist, gathers a soil sample from a field alongside the main road in Marawara, Afghanistan, Nov. 23, 2009. The ADT stopped in Marawara to meet with local farmers about their crop output and farming in the area, as well as to gather soil samples from fields along the road to learn how crop production might be increased in the area.

US Marine (USMC) Corporal (CPL) Patrick H. Weston, Combat Support Service (CSS), 1ST Battalion, 11th Marines (1/11), practices weapon familiarization by disassembling and reassembling an MK 19 Mod 3 40mm grenade machine gun system, at Living Support Area 1 (LSA 1), during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Country: Kuwait (KWT)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Benjamin J. Macri, combat engineer officer, from Plainfield, Indiana, assigned to Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, radios runway coordinates while conducting a basic recovery after attack (BRAAT) mission, during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23, at Auxiliary Airfield II, near Yuma, Arizona, Sept. 30, 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.

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Mary Davison, 18th Contracting Squadron officer in-charge of the commodities and services flight, wears the 18th CONS patch on her uniform at Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 27, 2023. The 18th CONS provides agile acquisition support and contract execution to the bases mission partners, enabling the 18th Wing to continuously project decisive airpower to ensure regional stability and security.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines prepare fighting positions as part of live fire training during Artillery Relocation Training Program 22.3 at the Ojojihara Maneuver Area, Miyagi, Japan, Dec. 3, 2022. The skills developed at ARTP increase the proficiency and readiness of the only permanently forward-deployed artillery unit in the Marine Corps, enabling them to provide precision indirect fires.

U.S. Air Force Airman Basic Joseph Bennett, security forces trainee, loads paint round ammunition into his weapon's magazines part of arming procedures during the field operations block of training for the U.S. Air Force security forces apprentice course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, Sept. 22, 2022. The field operations course is part of a six-week course designed to teach the basic skills necessary to new security forces Airmen.

U.S. Air Force Airman Basic Joseph Bennett, security forces trainee, loads paint round ammunition into his weapon's magazines part of arming procedures during the field operations block of training for the U.S. Air Force security forces apprentice course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, Sept. 22, 2022. The field operations course is part of a six-week course designed to teach the basic skills necessary to new security forces Airmen.

040609-M-5555L-012. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Zuriah Mele, representing the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support), conducts patrol mission at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility as part of the U.S. Army Reserve Best Squad Competition at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on May 17, 2022. Approximately 40 Soldiers from across the nation traveled to Fort McCoy to compete in the 2022 U.S. Best Warrior Best Squad Competition from May 14-21, 2022. The 2022 BWSC is an annual competition that brings together the best Soldiers and squads from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of Best Warrior and Best Squad among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-focused events that test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue.

U.S. Soldiers, Airmen, and coalition forces participate in the Viking games at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, on Jan. 12, 2024. The games, which was hosted by the Norwegian Telemark Battalion "Task Force Viking", included a variety of team-based events that tested competitors' stamina, speed, strength, and endurance.

Spc. Christian Lindhardt, a combat engineer with the Missouri Army National Guards 1135th Engineer Company (Route Clearance), jots down information during the evaluate a casualty portion of the 2015 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, Tuesday, June 23, 2015. The competition tests competitors on a variety of tactical and technical skills physically and mentally demanding three days as they vie to earn the title of Best Warrior and become the Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year for the Army Guard. The winners of the competition will then represent the Army Guard in the Department of the Army level Best Warrior Competition later this year.

021125-M-3022S-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: USS Austin (LPD 4) Scene Major Command Shown: CTF 52.2

A United States Marine behind the cover of a mud wall during a combat operation in Afghanistan's Helmand Province

A Soldier assigned to 4th Infantry Division runs up a hill, May 23, 2022, during the Ivy Week Utah Beach physical training event, at Fort Carson, Colorado. Units had to gather their Soldiers and equipment at the turn around point with one hundred percent accountability.

During the MASCAL exercise at the Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland, U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Waldman assigned to the 222nd Military Police Company announces the Mass Casualty Exercise, on January 18, 2024. The 47th Brigade Support Battalion, integral to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team demonstrated its ability to rapidly adapt and support soldiers during a crisis scenario.

Staff Sgt. Victor Carrasco, an observer, coach and trainer assigned to 4th Cavalry Multi-Functional Training Brigade, First Army Division East, performs OCT/T range safety duties during a pre-mobilization exercise for a U.S. Army Reserve partner battalion, Oct. 11, 2022, at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

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