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Soldiers Silhouettes at Dusk

Silhouettes of soldiers against dramatic sunsets, showcasing military readiness and teamwork during twilight. The mood is tense yet focused, with deep orange hues.

Silhouette of U.S. Marine with rifle against the sunset.

Two Marines from Combat Cargo, USS New York wait as a landing craft air cushioned embarks the ship off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 30, 2009. Aboard the ship are Marines from several units that merged to form Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26 for the ship's commissioning in New York, Nov. 7.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon Wright (left), Lance Cpl. Kyreese Baylor (middle), and Lance Cpl. William Robinson (right), Marines with 1st Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, prepare for a cargo lift during exercise Steel Knight 23 on Camp Wilson, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 4, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Wright is a native of Homosassa, Florida; Baylor is a native of Philadelphia; and Robinson is a native of Kansas City, Missouri.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Daniel Goller (left) and Lance Cpl. Anthony Brady (right), both machine gunners with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, conduct force-on-force training during Fuji Viper 22.5 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Sept. 22, 2022. Exercise Fuji Viper exemplifies a commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Goller is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and Brady is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.

A U.S. Army soldier with 3rd Platoon, 87th Sapper Company takes a break during a route clearance mission off of Route 1 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, Aug. 13, 2013. U.S. soldiers conducted a routine route clearance mission on Route 1 in order to maintain freedom of movement for military and commercial traffic.

Silhouette of Marines and an amphibious assault vehicle providing security on Hwajin Beach, Republic of Korea.

U.S. Soldiers with 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment (General Support Aviation Battalion), 11th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), run down a street at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, August 6, 2022. Soldiers with 11th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Eagle, participated in the 11th annual Spencer C. Duncan Make It Count 5k run and walk while deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh, the common Arabic term for IS or ISIS, within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

981008-F-5789F-501. Base: Camp Red Cloud State: Gyeonggi-Do Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Silhouette of special forces operators with weapons in the tunnel. in the tunnel

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines conduct fire team attack drills on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 8, 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.

221207-N-XK462-1473 PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 7, 2022) U.S. Navy Air Traffic Controller Airman Coby Schmidt, from Sacramento, Calif., participates in a small arms live-fire exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway conducting routine operations.

Lance Cpl. James Daves, with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, climbs an obstacle on the confidence course during the units Warrior Day at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2015. The Warrior Day consisted of various team building exercises and obstacles in order to practice small unit leadership and enhance unit morale.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alex Camacho, a motor vehicle operator with 9th Engineer Support Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, loads a magazine of 9mm rounds on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 23, 2022. The range was held as a tryout for III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific Marines to represent their individual units at the upcoming Far East Division Matches shooting competition. 3d MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III MEFs comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

060406-A-7969G-009. Base: Bayji State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division fire an M777 howitzer during Artillery Relocation Training Program 22.2 at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Aug. 31, 2022. ARTP is an exercise held to strengthen the defense of Japan and the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Soldiers of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), rush towards the finish of a 12-mile ruck march in the first annual Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Campbell, Ky, July 15, 2022. The inaugural event is part of Sergeant Major of the Army Michael A. Grintons initiative to assess small groups of soldiers on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their cohesiveness and ability to work together.

Spc. Greg Hadley, assigned to the 164th Military Police Company, 2nd Engineer Brigade, a native of Leesburg, Ga., enters a building as the rear man in a stack on a situational training exercise lane during team qualifications at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 24, 2013. The military police soldiers trained on various team-based scenarios aimed at testing their abilities to adapt to rapidly changing situations under stressful physical and mental conditions.

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

After securing a beachhead, two US Marines, armed with M16A2 rifles, walk a defensive perimeter as a Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) approaches. The amphibious assault highlighted RIMPAC '96 when about 1,000 Marines simulated an assault on a beach held by "rebel" forces at Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii. Subject Operation/Series: RIMPAC '96 Base: Kauai State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Infantry Division, observe multiple U.S. Air Force aircraft pass over Husky Drop Zone as they conduct a low-light airborne operation during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Alaska 23-02 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, March 27, 2023. JPMRC-AK 23-02 is a display of the 11th Airborne Divisions ability to survive and thrive in the Arctic, and its soldiers ability to fight and win our nations wars anywhere.

U.S. Army Soldiers in class 09-22 of the 7th Army Training Comand (7ATC) Non-Commissioned Officer Academy's (NCOA) Basic Leadership Course conduct their graduation ceremony in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Aug. 30, 2022. The 7ATC NCOA mission is to train and develop future leaders who are adaptive, disciplined, and ready to lead effectively at the squad and team levels.

061018-A-2756F-018. Base: Fob Bressfield-Mora State: Salah Al Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

060927-N-0684R-080. Base: USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines mans a guard post at Observation Post Athens, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 28, 2013. The unique view at OP Athens provided the servicemembers with a 360-degree view of the area surrounding the village of Kajaki and Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge.

Silhouette of special forces operators with weapons in the tunnel.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Luis Aragon (Right), a mountain warfare instructor with Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC)t, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, observes Pfc. Ricardo Grimaldo, a rifleman with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, as he rappels down a sheer cliff face during Mountain Exercise (MTX) 1-23 at MCMWTC Bridgeport, California, Sept. 18, 2022. MTX is a month-long exercise designed to prepare units to survive and operate effectively in austere, mountainous terrain.

Army soldiers with rifles orange sunset silhouette in action during raid crossing river in the water. Army soldier silhouette

U.S. Army Pvt. Nicholas Miller, assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, disconnects antennas from a Carrier Ammo Tracked vehicle after a live fire training day during Exercise Dynamic Front 24 at Polatlı Training Area, Türkiye, Feb. 18, 2024. Exercise Dynamic Front 24 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-directed, 56th Artillery Command-led fires-centric exercise in Germany and Türkiye. Artillery Soldiers train in a joint-combined environment, focusing on fire interoperability, command, and control between multinational units and using Artillery Systems Cooperation Activities protocol systems. Army Reserve

Silhouette of young soldier in military helmet against the sun

During sunset at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Soldiers of the 191st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion and the 436th Transportation Battalion prepare to lower the U.S. flag, at the Third Army Headquarters, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013.

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

Pictured is Sgt. 1st Class McKellar, Charlie Battery 5-7 Air Defense First Sergeant, completing a lap on the Norwegian Ruck March. Members of 5-7 Air Defense's Charlie, Delta, and HHB Batteries, who are forward deployed to Poland, engaged in the 18.5 mile Norwegian Ruck March. Soldiers were given 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete the course to receive their badge.

Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Thompson, senior enlisted leader, Texas Army National Guard, welcomes soldiers and airmen the morning of the land navigation event at the Texas Military Department Best Warrior Competition on Camp Swift, Texas, May 4, 2022. The three-day event challenges service members from both the Texas Army/Air National Guards on their combat readiness skills.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aaron San Miguel, left, chief martial arts instructor trainer, currently assigned to School of Infantry West (SOI-W) Detatchment Hawaii, presents a student with a Martial Arts Instructor tab during the conclusion of the culminating event of the three week course aboard Marine Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii, April 21st, 2016. The mission of Marine Corps Base Hawaii is to provide facilities, programs and services in direct support of units, individuals and families in order to enhance and sustain combat readiness for all operating forces and tenant organizations aboard MCB Hawaii.

Soldiers from the British Army conduct infantry training during Exercise Eager Lion in Jordan, Sept. 11, 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.

NAWA, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Seven Marines of Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, stand ready to fire three volleys to honor the fallen during a memorial service at Forward Operating Base Geronimo Jan. 19. The memorial service was for Lance Cpl. Mark. D. Juarez, 23, from San Antonio, and British reporter Rupert Hamer, 39, were killed Jan. 9 while Marines were conducting combat operations in Afghanistans Helmand province.

Silhouette of muslim militant with rifle.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Julius Caesar Piga, 355th Security Forces Squadron combat arms training and maintenance instructor and 5/6 Council president, and Airman 1st Class Michah Dunn, 355th Communications Squadron cyber network operations technician, watch over Airmen taking a small are qualifying course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 12, 2022. DMs 5/6 Council came up with the idea for Airmen to shadow other Airmen in different Air Force specialty codes to give them the opportunity to have a better understanding of how everyone contributes to the mission.

Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) position themselves to keep watch after dismounting a light medium tactical vehicle simulating an air assault mission during Exportable Combat Training Capability program at Camp Roberts, California, July 18, 2022. Since 1995, the 29th IBCT has been one of the nation's 15 elite enhanced readiness brigades.

U.S. Marine patrols a wadi near Konduz, Afghanistan clearing it for a range exercise.

Lightning Challenge 2022 competitors gather for a road march Nov. 3, 2022 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Lightning Challenge is an annual service-wide competition held among tactical air control party Airmen.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, participate in Tanks in Mons festivities held at Estinnes, Belgium, Aug. 27, 2022. Tanks in Mons, an annual event in its 21st year, brings people together to commemorate the Liberation of Belgium and the historic Battle of the Mons Pocket.

070113-N-5345W-080. Base: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A bagpiper, dressed in a replica British military uniform of World War II, plays a tune at the annual Tanks in Town memorial re-enactment event in Estinnes, Belgium, on Aug. 28, 2022. Bagpipers, like the famed William Millin, who famously played his pipes under fire on the beaches of Normandy, were sometimes used during battle to help inspire troops and re-invigorate the fighting spirit.

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing conduct call-for-fire training with an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Eglin Range, Florida, May 5, 2022. Pararescumen with the 38th Rescue Squadron, U.S. Army and Czech Special Forces members integrated with and executed special operations, sharpening U.S. forces abilities to operate around the globe.

111006-N-OK922-274PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 7, 2011) Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Nathan Rings presents an urn to Religious Specialist 3rd Class Pashundra Joseph during a burial at sea aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are underway conducting operations off the coast of Southern California.

From left, U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Kramer, tank driver, Spc. Arath Flores, tank loader and Staff Sgt. Alex Jobe, tank commander, all from 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, work on their tank's weapons mounts during vehicle draw activities on the second day of the Sullivan Cup, at Fort Benning, Ga., April 26, 2022. During day 2, Sullivan Cup crews have an equipment layout, draw vehicles and conduct PMCS (Preventive Maintenance Checks), to ensure that their vehicles will be ready to perform for the competition.

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

Group of Jagdkommando soldiers of the Austrian special forces.

A wounded soldier sitting on floor behind a concrete column waiting for help from his comrades.

Underexposed silhouette of a woman in a peaked cap carrying a backpack, camera and rifle while standing on a rocky cliff, Arctic Ocean with the sun sp...

U.S. Army Sgt. Nathaniel Patterson, of 320th Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, ensures the area is safe for his squad in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, April 1, 2008.

Soldier, war and a man with a salute for a helicopter, military training and fire during a battle. Back, nature and an army veteran with respect for navy transport on the battlefield for a mission

U.S. Army squads from across III Armored Corps compete for the title of the corps Best Squad during a head-to-head competition at the III Armored Corps Best Squad Competition 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas, Jun. 25, 2022. On day four of the competition, all squads went head-to-head on a 12-mile ruck march against the clock to see which squad would finish first. Soldiers representing the 3rd Cavalry Regiment squad showcase their teamwork and companionship by sticking together and motivating one another throughout the event. The III Armored Corps pulled only the best from across its divisions and separate brigades to compete in this years inaugural competition. The best squad goes on to compete in the U.S. Army Forces Command competition at Fort Hood in August.

Staff Sgt. Edward Rodriguez, 433rd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal bomb technician, participates in a 9/11 memorial stair climb at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept.11, 2022. The 433rd CES performs a stair climb every year to commemorate the 110 flights of stairs first responders had to climb inside the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and with the Brazilian army prepare to travel in CH-47 Chinook helicopters in preparation to fly out to the training area of the Joint Readiness Training Center August 12, 2022.The purpose of this training is to allow the two forces to conduct large scale operations on a decisive action battlefield against a near-peer threat with multi-domain capabilities.

Soldiers with the United Nations Command Honor Guard stand at attention during a 19-gun salute in honor of Republic of Korea outgoing Defense Minister Suh Wook at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, May 5, 2022. Gen. Paul J. LaCamera, Commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Korea, expressed his gratitude for Minister Suhs leadership that helped maintain a robust combined defense posture and ensured an ironclad alliance between the ROK and the U.S.Minister Suh served as defense minister since September 2020. His career included assignments as ROK Army Chief of Staff, chief director of operations for the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Commanding General of ROK Army First Corps and ROK Army 25th Infantry Division.

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.

U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Newman, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army Europe, watches the sunrise after a dismounted patrol mission near Forward Operating Base Baylough, Zabul, Afghanistan, March 19, 2009.

NAWA, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ñ Lance Cpl. Steven Finlayson, a team leader with Headquarters Company

Army Cpl. XaViera Masline is promoted to the rank of sergeant during a ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Jan. 13, 2023. Sgt. Maslines fellow noncommissioned officers from the Army Multimedia and Visual Information Division were present to congratulate her.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron set up for the Shaw Air & Space Expo at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, March 31, 2022. The Shaw Air & Space Expo featured 12 aerial acts and 10 static display aircraft, as well as other attractions and displays which attracted more than 55,000 guests to attend.

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

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, stand at parade rest after uncasing their colors at Powidz, Poland, Sept. 12, 2022. The 1st Armored Division's Combat Aviation Brigade assumed responsibility for the aviation component of Atlantic Resolve under the 1st Infantry Division, providing air support capabilities to units deployed to Europe.

Soldier doing salute hand gesture towards Chinese flag, feeling pride in serving country. China army personnel does military greeting gesturing while listening national anthem, camera B

Soldier during assault rappelling exercises with weapons.

A U.S. Marine with Lima company, 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, holds security while conducting Range 400 during their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 23, 2022. Range 400 employs realistic live fire training that produces combat-ready forces in preparation for Marine Rotational Force-Darwin. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cedar Barnes)

Paintball, team and high five for celebration, achievement and victory while on vacation, playful or fun. People, group and gesture for accomplishment, partnership or collaboration to win and success

U.S. Army Sgt. Sidney Perry, center left, and Cpl. Trevor Franklin, visual information specialists assigned to 55th Signal Company, conduct Night Land Navigation during Day 2 of the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, May 20, 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.

Five soldiers silhouetted against the sky. Rays of sun burst through dark clouds to create a dramatic and atmospheric shot. They are all wearing steel helmets, and three of them are clearly carrying rifles and backpacks. World War I

U.S. Marines deploy concertina wire to prevent infiltration of their encampment during Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

Squad 1, representing Maneuver Center of Excellence, pause for a photo on day 2 of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Best Squad Competition 2022. TRADOCs Best Squad competition highlights 10 squads from across the enterprise. This competition shows each team's ability to complete common Soldier tasks and skills as a cohesive, ready, and resilient team, while facing stiff competition from other TRADOC centers of excellence. The competition is from Sept. 12-16, 2022, at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Army, huddle or hands with a mission, strategy or motivation on a paintball or military battlefield in nature. Goals, team work or people with support in a partnership or group of ready soldiers

war, army and people concept - close up of young soldier in military uniform

Paintball player with arm raised after being eliminated in a paintball game

Military fence, demarcate the border, closeup, blurry background

officer in uniform standing back on footpath

Army Cpl. XaViera Masline is promoted to the rank of sergeant during a ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Jan. 13, 2023. Sgt. Maslines fellow noncommissioned officers from the Army Multimedia and Visual Information Division were present to congratulate her.

Military, army or shaking hands for partnership, teamwork or deal in war, agreement or unity together. People, soldiers or handshake for team fight, thank you or gratitude in solidarity for a mission

Fence with barbed wire

Members of the Italian Army proceed to carry the Italian flag in formation as part of the closing ceremonies for Italian Armed Forces Day at Redipuglia, Italy, Nov. 4, 2022. Mount Sei Busi in Redipuglia is now the site of the biggest military cemetery in Italy, opened in 1938 and shaped like a monumental staircase consisting of 22 huge steps of "Carsic stone, it hosts the remains of 100,187 fallen soldiers.

England, Hampshire, Portsmouth, Royal Marines Museum, Statue of Soldier

U.S. Coast Guard Sea Service Ribbons with their respective citations are held prior to being awarded at quarters on board USCGC Bear (WMEC 901), Atlantic Ocean, July 27, 2022. Given in recurring intervals of three years, sea service ribbons are given to members who have achieved at least one year of sea time.

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