Tactical Military Operations

Images of soldiers in various tactical scenarios, showcasing intense combat situations with focused expressions, military gear, and dynamic lighting effects.

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

A Soldier displays a green flag to signal all-clear during grouping and zeroing at a weapons range on Fort Drum, N.Y., March 8, 2023. This event was conducted as part of a best squad competition designed to assess Soldiers on technical and tactical proficiency and teamwork.

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (Oct. 18, 2022) The 64th Annual Recruit Cardinal Division march to their evaluation aboard USS Trayer (BST 21) at Recruit Training Command, Oct. 18, 2022. Trayer, more commonly referred to as "Battle Stations," is the crucible event that recruits must pass prior to graduation, testing their knowledge and skills in basic seamanship, damage control, firefighting, and emergency response procedures. Cardinal Division is named after the St. Louis Cardinals, who have sponsored such groups annually since 1958, and is the U.S. Navys longest-running special recruit division.

A U.S. Soldier with Task Force Americal from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, qualifies with an M17 handgun at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 22, 2022. The U.S. Air Forces 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron facilitate and occasionally conduct Joint Force training with the U.S. Army on PSABs firing range. Soldiers and Airmen must undergo routine weapons qualification training to ensure safety and proficiency standards. (U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Linda Christal, Joint Communications Support Element parachute rigger noncommissioned officer in charge, prepares for a freefall jump out of an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft assigned to the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 31, 2022. Joint special operations forces members assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command, Special Operations Command Central and JCSE conducted an administrative non-tactical freefall operation over MacDill as part of a monthly training requirement.

A U.S. Marine with III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) observes a UH-1Y Venom helicopter assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469 during a Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) Master Course at Landing Zone Sterling, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 14, 2022. Fast rope and helicopter rope suspension training teach Marines proper knots, rappelling techniques and build confidence for maneuvering from air to ground.

Special operations forces combat diver transits the water armed with an assault rifle.

Military, soldier and aim target on ground for service, battlefield or fight in forest with army uniform, guns and protection. Warzone, warrior and person in camp for target in wood for defence duty

Nuclear post-apocalypse survivors in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of a destroyed city.

U.S. Air Force Kaden Norwood,1st Communications Maintenance Squadron cable and antenna systems supervisor, displays an 80th anniversary patch for her squadron at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, Aug. 18, 2022. The 1st CMXS celebrated the 80th anniversary of the squadron by displaying and demonstrating their capabilities to other communication squadrons within the U.S. Air Force in Europe.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christian Quiambao, 154th Operational Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, prepares equipment for pilots prior to flight at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 6, 2022. While pilots operate in deployed environments, it is vital that survival kits and radios are working properly.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Nicholas Treadwell, a field artillery operations chief with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, gives a mission brief before 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.

021008-N-6817C-002. Base: USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

A U.S. Reconaissance Marine with Maritime Raid Force (MRF), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), rappels down a rope during Helicopter Rope Suspension Technique (HRST) training on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, April 11, 2022. Reconnaissance Marines practice a multitude of infiltration techniques to access any area of operation around the globe. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps only continously 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. Police Officers assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams from police departments across South Carolina train to clear tight hallways and rooms during the 2022 SWAT Summit at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Columbia, South Carolina, Sept. 27, 2022. The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy hosted a weeklong Federal Bureaus of Investigation Special Weapons and Tactics summit to train law enforcement officers in firearms, close quarters combat, tactical medical care, patrolling tactics and familiarize officers with improvised explosive devices.

050728-A-2098S-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Combat Outpost Rawah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 40588

120319-N-GZ832-090ARABIAN SEA (March 19, 2012) Sailors assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15 wait with chocks and chains for a helicopter to land aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Crew members wearing gas masks, replace a rotor blade on an HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopter during a reserve rescue exercise. Base: Phelps Collins Ang Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

SWAT team fighter aiming pistol from behind ballistic shiield during a firefight.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Seth Padget, 80th Fighter Squadron pilot, performs a pre-flight inspection on a F-16 Fighting Falcon during a training event at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 13, 2022. Pre-flight inspections determine the overall health of an aircraft via visual confirmation and double-checks that it is safe to fly.

Spec ops soldier in face mask during rope exercises with weapons.

DA-SN-86-08521. Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

Nuclear post apocalypse. Studio shot of survivor in tatters. studio shot of nuclear survivor

060125-A-1211S-086. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Loyalty State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Private First Class Ronald Neis, Company A, 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division, waits to board a 435th Tactical Airlift Wing C-130E Hercules aircraft which will transport him to West Germany during exercise REFORGER '90. Subject Operation/Series: REFORGER '90 Base: Antwerp Country: Belgium (BEL)

U.S Airmen conduct Close Quarter Batter (CQB) training during Scorpion Lens 23 at Naval Weapons Station, South Carolina, March 16, 2023. Exercise Scorpion Lens is an annual training event held at McCrady Training Center, Eastover, South Carolina, hosted by the 1st Combat Camera Squadron (1CTCS). The exercise provides expeditionary skills and training to Combat Camera professionals from the United States Army, Air Force, and Marines worldwide.

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.

In Mission-Oriented Protective Posture response level 4 (MOPP-4) gear, SGT Vargasepinal from India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, Twenty-Nine Palms, California, uses an M11 to decontaminate an M198, 155 mm Howitzer, during Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) training operations at a camp near the base of Mount Fuji. Base: Mount Fuji Country: Japan (JPN)

soldier squad team portrait in urban environment relaxed after action and battle

United States Marines with Africa Partnership Station participated in a training exercise focusing on riot control, riverine operations, ambush reaction drills and more October 18, 2013. Each exercise, led by British Marine forces, challenged the Marines through different scenarios focusing on all aspects of military tactics. APS is an international security cooperation initiative, facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, aimed at strengthening global maritime partnerships through training and collaborative activities in order to improve maritime safety and security in Africa.

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, prepares to jump out of a C-17 Globemaster III during exercise Green Flag Little Rock 22-09 over Fort Polk, Louisiana, Aug. 11, 2022. The primary objective of GFLR is to support the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and provide the maximum number of airlift crews, mission planners and ground support elements to a simulated combat environment with emphasis on joint force integration.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Riley Fuller, 432nd Aircraft Communications Maintenance Squadron Mission Defense Team member, displays a 432nd ACMS patch at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, Feb. 8, 2024. The 432nd ACMS is the only ACMS squadron in the United States Air Force, making its role in the 432nd Wing/ 432nd Air expeditionary wing mission unique. Air Force

A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, posts security during a night raid as part of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Atlantic Airfield, North Carolina, June 13, 2022. This type of training evolution is the culminating event aimed at validating the units readiness to conduct combat operations.

Soldiers from North Macedonia conduct "crowd riot control" training during Kosovo Forces 33 Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRE) in the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Feb. 5, 2024. The KFOR 33 MRE is a multinational training event conducted to prepare NATO allies for their deployment to the Kosovo Regional Command East. Army

Nuclear post-apocalypse. Survivors in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of the destroyed city. Nuclear post-apocalypse survivors

Senior Airman Rachel Nelson, security forces with the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard, stands guard while on duty in Washington, D.C., providing support to the 59th Presidential Inauguration, Jan. 20, 2021. At least 25,000 National Guard men and women have been authorized to conduct security, communication and logistical missions in support of federal and District authorities leading up and through the inauguration.

A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry aircrew member assigned to the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron, conducts pre-flight checks July 27, 2022. The 968th EAACS's E-3 delivers real-time tactical decision-making and battlefield awareness to U.S. and partner nation assets.

Operational exercise of a new SWAT team police command, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe

Post-apocalypse survivor in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of a destroyed city.

Marines with Guard Company, Marine Barracks Washington, engage targets with grenades, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 22, 2022. The Marines sharpened their security forces proficiency by conducting riot-control training, grenade throwing, and breaching tactics.

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany - An Airman stands inside a C-130J Super Hercules here before loading cargo in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn March 20. Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn is the U.S. Africa Command task force established to provide operational and tactical command and control of U.S. military forces supporting the international response to the unrest in Libya and enforcement of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1973. UNSCR 1973 authorizes all necessary measures to protect civilians in Libya under threat of attack by Qadhafi regime forces. JTF Odyssey Dawn is commanded by U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III.

Paintball game, gun shooting and woman focus on player challenge, target aim or military conflict fight. Mission, soldier and female sniper pointing weapon in survival war, action or battle training

Paintball field, Paintball Aventura Marratxi, Marratxi, Majorca, Spain, Europe

220608-N-PG340-1015 SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, Calif. (June 8, 2022) Construction Electrician 1st Class Janice Coppock, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, waits in a bunker during Operation Turning Point, also known as their Field Training Exercise, at San Clemente Island. Operation Turning Point is an around-the-clock exercise that focuses on constructing advanced bases while maintaining proficiency in tactics and survivability. NMCB-5 is homeported out of Port Hueneme, California. They train on high-quality construction, expeditionary logistics, and combat operations to execute construction and engineering projects for major combat operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

U.S. Marines assigned to Light Armored Reconnaissance Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, offload equipment from a landing craft, air cushion, after embarking the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 5, 2024. The 15th MEU is currently embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group conducting integrated training and routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

U.S. Air Force AC-130U gunship aerial gunners Staff Sgt. Mark Riley and Staff Sgt. Sarah Mrak from the 4th Special Operations Squadron sit on the back ramp after manning the 105 mm gun Feb. 3, 2011, during a local training mission at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The AC-130U "Spooky" gunship is the primary weapon of Air Force Special Operations Command. Its primary missions are close air support, air interdiction and armed reconnaissance. The U model is an upgraded version of the H and is equipped with side firing, trainable 25 mm, 40 mm, and 105 mm guns.

230410-N-XK462-3170 PHILIPPINE SEA (April 10, 2023) A U.S. Navy Sailor launches an E/A-18G Growler from the Cougars of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is in U.S. 7th Fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Post apocalypse. Sole survivor in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of the destroyed city. Nuclear post apocalypse survivor

Charles A. Flynn, Commanding General United States Army Pacific, visits Camp Kengun, Japan to conduct a site visit during this year's Yama Sakura 83 exercise, Dec. 12, 2022.

German machine gun 08, MG 08/15 of the First World War in the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 in Zonnebeke, Belgium, Europe

A member of Naval Special Warfare Unit One-SEAL Team Five is shown rappelling down a wall during refresher training at an abandoned building site on Guam. Country: United States Of America (USA)

Recruits with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, participate in the Battle of Fallujah event during the Crucible on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Aug. 12, 2022. The Crucible is the culmination of the knowledge and skills recruits learn throughout recruit training.

U.S. Marines and Sailors with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare for a boat launch rehearsal aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) in the South China Sea, Sept. 20, 2022. 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.

Special forces operator during assault rappelling with weapons.

Paintball, team building and black man soldier target together for military, army and field game training. Exercise, fitness and shooting with battlefield players in a sports event with focus

Nuclear post-apocalypse. Survivors in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of the destroyed city. Nuclear post-apocalypse survivors

CHRISTIAN BALE in TERMINATOR SALVATION (2009), directed by MCG.

Medium close up, left rear view, STAFF Sergeant Daniel Myers, USAF, attaches a single point refueling KC-135 refueling point during a crew servicing refueling exercise on the Charlie ramp at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. This scenario took place at the base 24 and 25 February, 2000, following an aircraft generation exercise. Crew servicing becomes necessary when an aircraft lands at an area or base with no crew chiefs or others who might be qualified to get the plane refueled and off the ground. Sergeant Myers is a Crew CHIEF with the 319th Aircraft Generation Squadron. Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS LOOK 00-02 Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Aerial still photographer, Tech. Sgt. Michelle Desrochers, looks out the window of a KC-135R Stratotanker during refueling mission July 30. The aircraft is assigned to the 336th Air Refueling Squadron out of March Air Reserve Base, Calif. Sergeant Desrochers is from the 4th Combat Camera Squadron also at March ARB.

Marines from Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve advance with a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) while conducting a simulated-fire raid during exercise Raven 22-5 at Lumberton, Mississippi, May 10, 2022. Exercise Raven is Marine Forces Special Operations Commands pre-deployment exercise designed to evaluate the readiness of MARSOC companies and teams. To assist this mission, Marine Forces Reserve regularly collaborates with MARSOC to integrate specific Reserve force capabilities like civil affairs, law enforcement, cyber, intelligence, and Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO) into MARSOC training, exercises and operational deployments. This collaboration strengthens Reserve force capabilities and informs MARSOC's efforts to enhance and operationalize their Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Detachment to retain and employ Reserve Marines with these critical skill sets.

Paintball Player

Robots patrolling city holding rifle

Soldier man, army and double exposure for war, city and helicopter with explosion, sad and stress in portrait. Warrior, hero and military service agent in helmet, bomb and warzone in Ukraine conflict

Poster for Exercise NEON SPARK '98. Photos include a Bahrain sailor manning a 7.62 mm MAG general purpose machine gun. Subject Operation/Series: NEON SPARK '98 Country: Unknown

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. William Augsburger, a rifleman with Ground Sensor Platoon, 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, poses for a portrait during a field exercise at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalvez, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 13, 2022. GSP is a scalable specialized unit whose mission is to collect enemy signatures in order to provide Marine Air Ground Task Force commanders advanced warning of offensive attacks, counter enemy reconnaissance, and aid in force protection.

Nuclear post-apocalypse. Survivors in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of the destroyed city. Nuclear post-apocalypse survivors

A World War 2 American army helmet atop a vertically placed M1 Garand rifle, USA. Caliber. 30 06 at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Omaha Beach, Colleville sur Mer, Basse Normandie, France.

Two brave soldiers holding heavy machine guns

DIEGO LUNA in ROGUE ONE (2016), directed by GARETH EDWARDS.

A painted wall stands in the Warrior Preparation Arena at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Jan. 6, 2023. The Warrior Prep Arena is one of the four 35th Force Support Squadron projects planned from 2022 to 2024 meant to improve quality of life for the base populace.

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: DAY OF RECKONING (2012), directed by JOHN HYAMS.

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