Warrior Training and Competitions

Images of soldiers engaged in tactical training, physical competitions, and teamwork during military exercises in diverse environments.

United States Army ranger treating the wounds of his injured fellow in arms.
United States Army ranger treating the wounds of his injured fellow in arms.
253 assets in this story
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040430-M-2900S-004. Base: Al Qaim State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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030829-F-6701P-008. Subject Operation/Series: JTF LIBERIA Base: Lungi Country: Sierra Leone (SLE)
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030916-M-3843B-006. Base: Mcas, Beaufort State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Army Sgt. Fred M. Lino Jr., a small arms/artillery repairer with Hawaii National Guard's Echo Troop, Forward Support Company, 29th Brigade Support Battalion competes in the obstacle course at the National Best Warrior Competition July 26, 2022 in Milan, Tennessee. Each competitor has trained for this and earned their spot for an opportunity to win this title - these are thebest of the best.
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U.S. Marine Sgt. Aaron M. Blackstone, a refrigeration mechanic with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force and a Newark, Ohio, native, competes in a push-up competition during a community relations event April 12 at Maruglo Elementary School in Capas, Tarlac, Philippines. Armed Forces of the Philippines Marines, and U.S. Marines and sailors visited the school to play games with the children as well as drop off educational supplies. The service members are currently participating in Balikatan 2013, an annual bilateral exercise in its 29th iteration, which provides a venue for AFP and U.S. military forces to develop and continue to enhance interoperability across a wide range of military actions.
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BOSTON (Sept. 29, 2022) U.S. Navy petty officers first class, selected for promotion to chief petty officer, participate in a gun drill during Chief Petty Officer Heritage Weeks. During the week, Constitution Sailors teach the selectees a variety of time-honored maritime evolutions while living and working aboard the ship.USS Constitution, is the worlds oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855. During normal operations, the active-duty Sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people a year as they support the ships mission of promoting the Navys history and maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and destroyed or captured 33 opponents. The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 when British canno
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In 2018, Sam Short was diagnosed with spinal cancer. As part of the Make A Wish Foundation, Sam wanted a chance to stand on the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island for a chance to earn the title United States Marine. From April 27-28, Short will complete a condensed boot camp alongwith a platoon of Marines in hopes of earning the honorary title of Marine. Short, who is 16 years-old, is from Columbus, Oh.
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U.S.Marines Corps Sgt. Kyle Stanage, a drill instructor with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Leads the Log Drills exercises for the recruits of Echo Company on Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, May 16, 2022. Log drill is an exercise used to build teamwork and unit strength among marines.
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010803-M-1037T-019. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, execute ground knee strikes during the combat conditioning course (CCX) at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 28, 2022. The CCX was designed to increase recruits stamina and ability to perform Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques.
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U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, execute Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques (MCMAP) during a pugil sticks event on Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 16, 2023. Pugil sticks gives recruits the chance to practice the skills they learn in MCMAP classes ensuring recruits have a basic understanding of hand to hand combat.
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U.S. Navy Builder 3rd Class Mauricio Velazquez, with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, uses a circular saw to cut into a runway while a U.S. Marine with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, sprays water on a chainsaw blade during Summer Pioneer 2022 at Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic Oak Grove, Atlantic, North Carolina, July 23, 2022. Summer Pioneer 2022 is a naval engineering exercise demonstrating integrated U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy formations to establish and sustain Expeditionary Advanced Bases and Maritime Domain Awareness.
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110923-MW330-392 OKINAWA, Japan (Sept. 23, 2011) Seaman Brooke Haney, left, Seaman Recruit Travis Abankwah, and Seaman Recruit Dustin Davidson pull a line aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) while mooring at West Army Pier in Okinawa, Japan. Germantown is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, which reports to Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet.
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Airmen with multiple Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve security forces units learn squad tactics pulling an ahkio sled Jan. 18, 2023, as part of a 16-day Cold-Weather Operations Course led by the Air Force at Fort McCoy, Wis. More than 50 Airmen are participating in the training from across the Air Force. Besides learning about use of snowshoes and moving as a squad over terrain pulling an ahkio sled in a cold-weather environment, the Airmen also learned about cold-weather shelters, survival techniques, cold-weather uniform wear, and more. Fort McCoy has a long history of supporting cold-weather training. Eighty years prior to this training, in January 1943, the installation hosted winter training for the Army's 76th Division prior to the Division deploying to Europe to fight in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
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LANDER, Wyo. -- Army Pfc. Melissa Adist and Staff. Sgt. Denton Newlin, soldiers with the 2-300rd Field Artillery, fill sandbags for a fourth consecutive day in an effort to prevent flooding of homes and businesses in the local area June 10.
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Zion Jackson, left, and Airman 1st Class Chad Stallings, 633d Communications Squadron cyber transport operators, prepare to terminate an Ethernet cable at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, April 21, 2022. Exercise ARDENT CROSSBOW is the first time the 633d Air Base Wing is conducting agile combat support as an Air Base Squadron as part of Air Combat Commands effort to align into the Air Forces new four-phase Force Generation model (Available to Commit, Reset, Prepare and Ready). Through the stand-up of an Air Base Squadron and a supporting A-Staff, Airmen will be prepared to deploy as task-oriented, high-performing teams who are ready for crisis before crisis emerges.
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Spc. Kyle Lawson of Fort Wayne, Indiana, an Infantryman with the Indiana National Guards C Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 134th Infantry Regiment plots his land navigation points during the Region IV Best Warrior Competition on May 12, 2022. He is one of twelve National Guard Soldiers competing in the Region IV Best Warrior Competition May 11-15, 2022, at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio National Guards. The winners will move on to compete in the National Guards competition on July 20-30, 2022, at Camp Smyrna, Tennessee. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Sydney Mariette.)
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The Rhode Island National Guard hosted members of the Young Marines for an orientation and open house on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, on Camp Fogarty, East Greenwich. These Young Marines traversed the obstacle course, set up a rope bridge, got an orientation flight in a Blackhawk, were turned upside down in the rollover trainer, and more. The Young Marines is a national non-profit youth education and service program for boys and girls that promotes the mental, moral and physical development of its members.
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041210-M-3658J-033. Base: Camp Taqaddum State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 1FSSG
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U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 172 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 36 grapple during a field meet at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2024. Marines with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, MWSS-172, and MALS-36 held the field meet to foster a sense of comradery, healthy competition, and esprit de corps between the three squadrons. Marine Corps
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U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Daniel Best, first sergeant of Headquarters Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Support Battalion, grapples Cpl. Braxton Kime, a system administrator with G-6, during a unit physical fitness event Sept. 29, 2022, at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan. The Marines worked on their hand-to-hand combat capabilities to strengthen camaraderie and build confidence. Best, 36, is from Liberty, Texas. Kime, 21, is from McKinney, Texas.
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Recruits with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, complete Basic Warrior Training (BWT) aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., May 12, 2022.During BWT recruits complete a practical application exam where they must demonstrate correct hand and arm signals, fireteam formations, and other field skills they were taught over the week long event.
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030409-M-4419R-027. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 5th Marines
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U.S. Marines assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, Europe and Spanish Marines assigned to Marine Infantry Brigade, Third Armada, First Landing Battalion, participate in non-lethal combative training during exercise Lisa Azul in Sierra del Retin, Spain, Sept. 10, 2022. Lisa Azul is an annual bilateral training exercise that takes place aboard Naval Station Rota and Sierra del Retin and focuses on critical skills such as live-fire, helicopter rope suspension techniques, and physical fitness to foster camaraderie and sustain interoperability amongst U.S. and partner forces and improve lethality in security and infantry operations.
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A Virginia Army National Guard Soldier with Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), completes a swimming obstacle course assessment during a French Desert Commando Course (FDCC) pre-assessment at 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment, Djibouti base, April 19, 2022. The French pre-assessment includes a swim obstacle course, a five-mile run, knot tying and French weapons familiarization. Since 2015, the French Forces stationed in Djibouti (FFDJ) have invited U.S. service members with CJTF-HOA and Camp Lemonnier to participate in the course.
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U.S. Marines with the combat engineer section of Task Force Koa Moana 22, I Marine Expeditionary Force, build a gaga pit for the children participating in Vacation Bible School in Koror, Republic of Palau, July 6, 2022. Marines and Sailors volunteered to work with local children, participated in camp activities, and built an octagon pit for the children to play the ball game gaga during a community led Vacation Bible School. Exercises such as Task Force Koa Moana demonstrate U.S. commitment through routine operations that foster peace and security and develop relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
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Sgt. Bianca Paz sits with other Soldiers in her unit at the Departure/Arrival Airfield Control Group facility on East Fort Bliss before deploying on Jan. 24 to Iraq.
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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Travis Long, a Augusta, Georgia, native with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, participates in an Easter field service during the Adversary Force Exercise (AFX) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, April 17, 2022. The purpose of AFX is to create a credible, realistic threat for the exercise forces participating in the Integrated Training Exercise to engage against during the upcoming MAGTF Warfighting Exercise in a force-on-force, unscripted wargame.
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020321-F-9796L-003. Base: Macdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC
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U.S. Marine Corps recruit Gabriel Campbell, with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, screams while conducting warm up exercises during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) class at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, May 25, 2022. The MCMAP belt system incorporates a building-block approach, while progressively increasing the difficulty of the techniques and advancing the skill proficiency and leadership abilities of the individual Marine. Campbell was recruited out of West Valley City Utah, with Recruiting Station Salt Lake City.
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Recruits with Hotel Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, complete the land navigation course on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., March 28, 2023. Land navigation is part of Basic Warrior Training, designed to teach recruits proficiency in non-technical navigation.
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The 2022 Army JROTC National Raider Championships took place on November 3-6, 2022 at the Gerald Lawhorn Boy Scout Camp in Molena, Ga. This outdoor competition featured all-service and Army JROTC Cadet teams from around the country competing in physically and mentally challenging team events. (Photo by Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs)
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STEWART ANGB Newburgh, N.Y. --Senior Airman Dennis Kim, 231EIS, is ready to do his part as guardsmen of the 105th Airlift Wing and 213 Engineering Installation Squadron prepare for deployment as part of the State response to Hurricane Sandy onWednesday morning Oct. 31, 2012. 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.
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U.S. Navy hospital corpsman 2nd class Hannah Meisberger, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, celebrates HOSPITAL CORPSMAN 2ND CLASS Joelle Eusebiodupont, with CLB 31, 31st MEU, on her promotion after the ceremony aboard Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli, in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 13, 2022. The Meritorious Advancement Program recognizes sailors whose performance reflects a rank higher than their current station, and ensures they are allowed to reach their full potential.
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U.S. Navy hospital corpsman 2nd class Hannah Meisberger, with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, celebrates HOSPITAL CORPSMAN 2ND CLASS Joelle Eusebiodupont, with CLB 31, 31st MEU, on her promotion after the ceremony aboard Amphibious Assault Ship USS Tripoli, in the Philippine Sea, Sept. 13, 2022. The Meritorious Advancement Program recognizes sailors whose performance reflects a rank higher than their current station, and ensures they are allowed to reach their full potential.
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SANTA RITA, Guam (Sept. 19, 2022) Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 1 Detachment Guam Sailors perform combative and detainee handling skills training run by MESG-1 Training Evaluation Unit, in Santa Rita, Guam, Sept. 19, 2022.
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CAMP FRIENDSHIP, KORAT, Thailand (May 12, 2008) - U.S. Army Sgt. Aaron Laflvur, mortarman with 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment, Louisiana National Guard, delivers what could be a rib-cracking knee strike to Thai counterpart Pvt. Rangsun Yingsawat, a Royal Thai Soldier with 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, while practicing Muay Thai during Cobra Cold 2008 here. Muay Thai is a form of Thai boxing, but the Thai military uses a modified form of Muay Thai called Lerdrit.
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Paratroopers from across the 82nd Airborne Division participated in the first day of the Divisions Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, N.C. on June 7, 2022. Today they conducted an Army Combat Fitness Test, M4 rifle qualification, and ran through several lanes that tested their Army Warrior Tasks.
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Airman 1st Class Thomas Bacigalupo has water poured over him after successfully completing the 12km timed foot march in high temperatures during a German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency test at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 13, 2017. The test included an 1x10-meter sprint, flex arm hang, 1,000 meter run, 100 meter swim in Military Uniform, marksmanship, and a timed foot march.
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Members from the Belize Coast Guard practice weapons retention and gun manipulation techniques during Tradewinds 2022 in Belize City, Belize, on May 10, 2022. Tradewinds is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, combined, joint, Caribbean-focused exercise held annually since 1984.
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HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Sept. 7, 2022) - Utilitiesman 2nd Class Michael Fraley, from Winchester, Kentucky, paints park equipment at the Rove Childrens Park in Honiara during Pacific Partnership 2022. Now in its 17th year, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership is a unifying mission that fosters enduring friendships and cooperation among many nations. The years mission in Solomon Islands will include participants from the United States, Japan and Australia.
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Marine Lance CPL. Sosaman of CSSD 29 is opening a bag with food in it. A young Haitian girl is standing by waiting during Operation Uphold Democracy. Subject Operation/Series: UPHOLD DEMOCRACY Base: Cap Haitien Country: Haiti (HTI)
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Marines with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit cross a river using river crossing techniques during a class at the Assault Climbers Course at Cheat River near Camp Dawson in Kingwood, W.Va., May 1, 2010. Broken into four man teams, the Marines navigated Cheat River using four different crossing methods arm-in-arm, group circles, side step and individual swim. Before the Marines practiced these techniques, a rope was run across the river and down stream to provide safety if a one was taken with the current. The Assault Climbers Course is one of several Special Operations Training Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, events as part of 26th MEU's preparation for deployment this fall.
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Chase Todd, 459th Airlift Squadron UH-1N Huey pilot, places a helmet on an attendee during the Japanese-American Friendship Festival 2022, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 22, 2022. The two-day festival was an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the U.S. and Japan bilateral partnership, while strengthening the bonds between Yokota and the local communities. Yokota was able to host the event with the support of Japan Self-Defense Force, sister services and the local community.
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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Chan Parkruiz, an engineer equipment operator with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, removes chains securing a Medium Crawler Tractor at Eastern Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, July 18, 2022. 3rd 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.
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Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division compete in a combatives tournament during Marne Week, Nov. 30, 2022, Fort Stewart, Georgia. Marne Week is an annual event in which "Dogface Soldiers" from across 3ID compete in multiple events in celebration of their history and lineage.
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Sgt. Christopher R. Young, administration clerk with Headquarters Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, finds himself on the bottom of the heap during a Marine Corps Martial Arts grappling session as part of physical training at Fort Meade, Md. Sept. 26, 2012. The Marines of L Company, under Maj. Robert R. Monday, went through the obstacle course in platoons before ending their training with grappling to maintain their warfighting spirit.
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U.S. Army soldiers from the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment conducts a water obstacle course with French soldiers at Camp Papeari Tahiti, French Polynesia, May 11, 2022, during Marara 22. Marara 22 is a multinational training exercise which enhances combined interoperability between the U.S. military and Frances Combined Joint Task Force Headquarters in French Polynesia. Through exercises and engagements, improve our ability to work together with our allies and partners and build on our collective strengths. (U.S. Army Photos by Master Sgt. Shelia L. Cooper, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs)
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011127-M-2427M-008. Base: Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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030512-M-4711R-008. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Foster State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN)
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110901-N-XG305-051YOKOSUKA, Japan (Sept. 1, 2011) Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Reginald Lowery takes the first class petty officer advancement exam on the mess decks aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19).
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Straight on medium shot as USAF SENIOR AIRMAN Justin Shook, SENIOR AIRMAN Don Cole, and STAFF Sergeant Tim Hanks, (left to right), all pararescuemen from the 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody AFB, Georgia, provide lifesaving first aid to a wounded F-16 pilot portrayed by STAFF Sergeant David A. Amaya. Desert Rescue is a premiere joint rescue exercise that facilitates improved search and rescue techniques for over 140 participants. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)