Airborne Operations and Training

Images showcase military personnel engaged in airborne exercises, highlighting preparation for parachuting and teamwork among airmen and soldiers.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Layla Loughman, a landing support specialist assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, rides in a CH-53E Super Stallion during an external lift as part of Exercise Hide and Seek on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 27, 2022. Hide and Seek is a field exercise hosted by 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division that trains participants on signature management, communication, electronic warfare, cyberspace operations and intelligence collection, processing and dissemination in order to enable future operations in a multi-domain contested environment.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class George Alonso, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, , waits for C-130J Super Hercules pilots to give the green light to conduct static line air drops as part of the Aviation Detachment Rotation 22-4 exercise (ADR 22-4), Sept. 15, 2022. Loadmasters and aircrew are responsible for communicating essential information to the jumpmaster to ensure the safety of the personnel participating in the air drops.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class George Alonso, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, , waits for C-130J Super Hercules pilots to give the green light to conduct static line air drops as part of the Aviation Detachment Rotation 22-4 exercise (ADR 22-4), Sept. 15, 2022. Loadmasters and aircrew are responsible for communicating essential information to the jumpmaster to ensure the safety of the personnel participating in the air drops.

U.S. Army Sgt. Jefferson R. Gwynn, assigned to the 119th Engineer Company (Sapper), receives an in-brief for the 6-mile ruck march event for the West Virginia National Guard Best Warrior Competition at range 6 located at Camp Dawson in Kingwood, West Virginia on April 22, 2022. This event is only one of ten that is used to score each competitors performance which determines the winner of the competition. (West Virginia National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Ariana Shuemake)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Layla Loughman, a landing support specialist assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, rides in a CH-53E Super Stallion during an external lift as part of Exercise Hide and Seek on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 27, 2022. Hide and Seek is a field exercise hosted by 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division that trains participants on signature management, communication, electronic warfare, cyberspace operations and intelligence collection, processing and dissemination in order to enable future operations in a multi-domain contested environment.

U.S. Army and International Paratroopers onboard a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter wait to jump onto Glen Rock Drop Zone during Leapfest 2022 at Exeter, Rhode Island, August 3, 2022. Leapfest is the largest, longest standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the International Airborne community.

060421-A-6365W-003. Base: Fob Remagen State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Captain Ernest R. Washington of the 319th Field Artillery, 82nd Airborne Division, wearing camouflage make-up, waits to move out in his jeep during Reforger '82. Country: Federal Republic Of Germany (FRG)

060423-A-6365W-157. Base: Tikrit State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Staff Sgt. Ryan Franklin pauses to catch his breath during an event to qualify for the Expert Soldier Badge at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on May 11, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ian Rivera-Calderon, 20th Security Forces Squadron installation patrolman, makes a call on his radio to indicate his phase of training is complete during an active shooter exercise at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sep. 26, 2022. Rivera-Calderon and other Security Forces personnel completed phase three of their training by ensuring the safety of the injured personnel.

Spc. Caleb Mulder, representing the 65th Field Artillery Brigade, exits the gas chamber during the Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition, Oct. 18, 2022, at Camp Williams, Utah. The Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition is an annual event that brings together Soldiers and Airmen from the major commands to compete for the title of Soldier/Airman-of-the-Year, Noncommissioned Officer-of-the-Year and Senior NCO-of-the-Year. The Army winners of this competition will represent the Utah Army National Guard at the Region VII Best Warrior Competition next spring.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Lucas Hidalgo, a company fire support officer, assigned to B Company,1-116th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), participates in a spur ride August 20, 2022, in Manda Bay, Kenya. The spur ride consisted of physical training events, an obstacle course, rifle and pistol live-fire, weapons familiarization and testing stations, reconnaissance and medical evacuation lanes, and a night call for fire and crew-served weapons live-fire event. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

1st Lt. Chris Blaser of B Troop, 1st Battalion, 91st Cavalry Regiment 173rd Airborne Brigade, unload supplies during a North and West Africa Response Force (NARF) readiness drill at the Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, July 27, 2022. The exercise tested the capability of the NARF to respond to crises and protect American interests in Africa. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa supports U.S. Africa Command with a scalable crisis response capability ranging from a rapid response infantry platoon all the way to a full-scale joint task force headquarters. Joined by elements of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force for aviation lift and a host of other capabilities, SETAF-AF and 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade forms the nucleus of the North and West Africa Response Force, or NARF.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matt Roman, a Light Armored Vehicle crewman with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducts an ambush during an exercise on Hasto Buso Island, Finland, Aug. 13, 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.

Cpl. Hubert Gonzales, 23, from the Philippines, drinks water after finishing a mechanized raid on San Clemente Island July 23. The Marines of Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, departed USS Rushmore and waited inside amphibious assault vehicles for over three hours before assaulting their objective. The Marines conducted their second of three raids from ship to shore before deploying with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit later this year.

More than 600 Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers, joined by Soldiers from the Montana, Oregon, Ohio and South Carolina Army National Guards, have been training in Fort Bliss, Texas, since mobilizing from Gowen Field in early August. The task force, Task Force Rattler, will deploy to Southwest Asia later this month in support of Operation Spartan Shield, where they will rotate out with 250 Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard as well as Soldiers from the Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Florida Army National Guards. Each rotation is approximately 12 months. Soldiers from the 118th Infantry Regiment from South Carolina National Guard and the 285th Medical Company from the Ohio National Guard are also part of Task Force Rattler, which provide the task force the ability to execute combined arms maneuvers. The intense training at Fort Bliss consisted of long hours with day and night combined arms maneuver missions with the Idaho Army National Guard shooting 120mm mortar rounds from M113 A

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 23rd Wing prepare to load an HH-60W Jolly Green II onto a C-17 Globemaster III at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Sept. 19, 2022. This is the first deployment for the HH-60W and it offers a range of improved capabilities over its predecessor including improved range and survivability. Moody Airmen set out on the first-ever operational deployment of the HH-60W to provide rescue services in support of contingency operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alexander Charlesworth, a Light Armored Vehicle crewman with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to conduct an ambush during an exercise on Hasto Buso Island, Finland, Aug. 13, 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.

Tech. Sgt. Kyle Lyon, 355th Civil Engineering Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, puts on a bomb suit at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Aug. 17. This exercise was a part of Bushwhacker 22-04.

Sergent-Chef Benjamin Grand, an infantryman assigned to the 8th Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, observes terrain features during a flight on a 1st Air Cavalry Brigade CH-47 Chinook as part of a joint and multinational air assault training mission for DV-Day on May 12, 2022, near Krivolak Training Area, North Macedonia. Exercise Swift Response 2022 is an annual multinational training exercise which takes part in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics and Balkans from May 2-22, 2022.

Maj. Anthony Hill a pilot assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, is prepped for his flight at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Oct. 19, 2022. Maj. Hill is assisted the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron as part of a larger Department of Defense effort to evaluate cockpit environmental conditions after a simulated chemical weapon attack.

US Navy (USN) Hospital Corpsman Third Class (HM3) Eric B. Centeno and US Marine Corps (USMC) Corporal (CPL) Matthew C. Michel with 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1ST Battalion 7th Marines safeguard a suspect while conducting a search in the city of SA'ad, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: SA'Ad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Recruits with Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, execute tan belt techniques as part of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Jan. 31, 2024. During recruit training, recruits are taught and must master basic assault and defense techniques to earn their tan belt through MCMAP.

From left, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alex Jobe, tank commander and Spc. Arath Flores, tank loader, from 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, discuss procedures during Armor Accuracy Checks (AACs) on day three of the Sullivan Cup, at Fort Benning, Ga., April 27, 2022. AACs help to ensure that the tank's fire control system is operational and verifies that special inputs to the ballistic solutions are implemented properly for fire control components and all main gun ammunition.

041122-M-0173F-021. Base: Camp Blue Diamond State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

970624-N-6999T-008. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ '97 Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST TANKS

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Joseph Hess, an optics technician with Headquarters Company, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, awaits the next event during the 3d Reconnaissance Battalion Screening Team Hawaii Roadshow, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, March 23, 2023. The physical screening test evaluated, assessed and selected Marines potentially capable of earning the reconnaissance military occupational specialty.

030821-M-7837W-014. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Kut State: Wasit Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030501-F-2034C-031. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael Lowery, native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, company commander Bravo Company, Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion during helocast water insertion training on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 26, 2022. Helocasting is an airborne technique used by small unit special operations forces to insert into hard-to-reach areas via bodies of water. This high-risk training prepares the MSPF for the upcoming 26th MEU deployment.

U.S. Staff Sgt. Benjamin Leavitt, a Detachment 1, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron tactical air control party (TACP) specialist, laughs with fellow TACPs at the rally point after jumping from a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to B Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Alaska Army National Guard, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 7, 2022. The 3rd ASOS completed the helicopter jump on Geronimo Drop Zone, maximizing total-force training to demonstrate short-notice mission readiness in an arctic environment.

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, weve asked Airmen of Hispanic heritage from across the wing to share their stories and why they serve:Master Sgt. Jorge Salgado is of Mexican descent from Miami, Florida, and is the Alpha Flight flight chief for the 39th Security Forces Squadron. His daily duties include leading his troops, conducting emergency law enforcement, and protecting the resources and personnel of Incirlik Air Base. When asked why he served, Salgado stated, “I serve for my country and my family, for the last 18 years I have served in the Air Force as a Security Forces leader, and I will continue to serve because I love what I do as an Airmen.” He loves what he does here at Incirlik Air Base and as Alpha Flight's flight chief and is thankful for the opportunity. “I enjoy the overall experience that the Military has provided for my family.”

Staff Sgt. Andrew Tutone and Tech. Sgt. Belanger, 96th Security Forces Squadron, struggle to push a Humvee during part of the Defender Challenge event May 17 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Teams competed in various timed challenges related to the security forces experience. The Challenge was part the 96th Security Forces Squadrons Police Week activities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Stutz, an automotive maintenance technician with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Sustainment Group (Experimental), 3rd Marine Logistics Group, provides security during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, April 12, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units core assigned tasks in order to ensure unit standardization and combat readiness.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Darrin Kirchner, a security forces specialist assigned to the Ohio National Guards 180th Fighter Wing, holds a riot shield while listening to instructors during Domestic Operations training at the Owens Community College for Emergency Preparedness in Findlay, Ohio, Aug. 6, 2022. The training prepares Airmen to support anti-riot operations with local law enforcement agencies through the use of maneuver tactics aimed at dispersing crowds during their beginning phase(s) or extracting agitators and leaders from larger groups.

U.S. Marines with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, receive their Eagle, Globe, and Anchor on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., November 19, 2022. Recruits receiving their EGAs marks their transformation to becoming a U.S. Marine.

U.S. Army Utah Nation Guard Detachment 2, Company C, 1st General Support Aviation Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment from West Jordan, Utah, participate in the Great Utah Shakeout 2012 exercise, in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 17, 2012. The Shakeout simulates the realistic outcome of a hypothetical but plausible 7.0 magnitude earthquake that strikes the Wasatch fault, April 17, 2012, at 10:15 a.m. The governor activates the National Guard to help deal with state wide emergencies. The Guard deploys to designated locations and begins assisting state and local authorities with logistical, medical and communications needs.

U.S. Army Capt. Miles Kirwin, the commander of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, briefs his Soldiers before a platoon live-fire exercise at Fort Drum, Jun. 29. The battalion is honing its warfighting skills for an upcoming deployment to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, slated for later this summer.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Stewart, a motor transportation mechanic with Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Detachment 2, Maintenance Company, 4th Marine Logistics Group, adjusts the power steering mechanism on a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle during Integrated Training Exercise 3-22 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California April 1, 2022. ITX is a live-fire event that increases unit readiness. It teaches the tactical application of combined-arms maneuver, offensive and defensive operations during combat.

A U.S. Marine Corps recruit with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, grabs a fellow recruit during a simulated injury drill on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 4, 2022. This event was a segment of the crucible - the culminating event of recruit training. After completing the crucibles physically and mentally demanding challenges over the course of 54-hours with limited food and sleep, the recruits will finally have the privilege to call themselves United States Marines.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Antonio Cook Jr., a motor transport operator assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, stands in a formation before conducting a simulated aircraft-recovery exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 27, 2022. MWSS-273 and other squadrons assigned to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) trained to integrate with and support Marine ground units during Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) 3-22. SLTE is a series of exercises designed to prepare Marines for operations around the globe. 2nd MAW is the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Army Soldier with the 511th Engineer Dive Detachment uses single channel ground and airborne radio system during a helocast training on Muhammed Al-Ahmed Naval Base, Kuwait, Jan. 21, 2023. Helocasting is an insertion technique developed by Airborne troops whereby Soldiers step off the aircraft's ramp at a low altitude and speed directly into the water below.

DA-SC-87-03715. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Soldier assigned to B Co., 46th Aviation Support Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, operates a forklift at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. on Jan. 26, 2022. The unit was training collective tasks aimed at improving survivability during combat operations. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Kyle Abraham, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade)

A U.S. Marine Task Force 51/5 Joint Tactical Air Controller, and U.S. Army Task Force Aviation master gunner, radios to an AH-64 Apache Helicopter during training at Udairi Range, Kuwait, April 4, 2023. During the training, Air Force Tactical Air Control Parties and Marine JTACs coordinated dry fire onto targets with Army AH-64 Apaches. This joint training between the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines, and U.S. Army, improves coordination between air and ground assets, bringing fire onto targets faster and with higher accuracy during high stress situations.

060220-A-7969G-023. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Summerall State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: B1-187

U.S. Air Force 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Airmen complete a portion of the standardized field sobriety test during a wet lab training at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, July 15, 2022. A wet lab allows security forces Airmen to conduct realistic standardized field sobriety tests with intoxicated subjects to better prepare security forces Airmen for real world situations.

031208-F-9871C-010. Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Vincent Goitortua, a rifleman with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment simulates firing a M203 during a clearing operation as part of Island Viper training exercise at Marine Corps Training Station Bellows, Hawaii, Dec. 4, 2012. Island Viper, a three week training evolution on the island of Oahu, is part of the pre-deployment training program.

GI Joe Infantryman posing with rifle and authentic band aid at Mid-Atlantic Air Museum World War II Weekend and Reenactment in Reading, PA held June 18, 2008

U.S Army Staff Sgt. Adam Alishauskas stands for a portrait during the 1-254th Regional Training Institute's Infantry Advanced Leaders Course 22-02 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 9, 2022. The Infantry Advanced Leaders Course is a branch-specific course that provides Soldiers selected for promotion to Staff Sgt. an opportunity to enhance leadership, technical skill, tactical expertise and experience needed to lead squad-size units.

030304-M-5753Q-011. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dylan Lawsin assigned to the 86th Munitions Squadron sits in front of the U.S. flag in Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear during Operation Varsity Exercise 22-2 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 28, 2022. Operation Varsity is a quarterly exercise that tests the processes and procedures of 86th Airlift Wing personnel while under the stress of a simulated chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear environment.

041111-M-2789C-029. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fallujah State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with All Domain Reconnaissance Detachment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct pre-combat checks before a raid during Realistic Urban Training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, June 10, 2022. The purpose of RUT is to enhance the integration and collective capability of the MEU's command, air, ground, and logistics elements and prepare the 13th MEU to meet the nation's crisis response needs during its upcoming overseas deployment.

030910-M-9023R-002. Subject Operation/Series: CROCODILE 2003 Base: Camp Samuel Hill State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS) Scene Major Command Shown: H

U.S. Marines with 2nd Landing Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, wait inside of a CH-53K King Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461 during an external-lift exercise at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Aug. 11, 2022. This was the first time the Marine Corps deployed the King Stallion in an exercise. HMH-461 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

041202-M-2353F-037. Base: Iraqi / Syrian Border State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Angle Minchala, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, aims his rifle during Spanish FLOTEX-22 near Rota, Spain, June 9, 2022. This exercise features tactical level actions ashore, combined with joint training and planning, aimed at increasing overall bilateral interoperability between nations.

040601-M-0706S-003. Base: Al Shahabi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 1/5, B Co.

PACIFIC MISSILE RANGE FACILITY, Barking Sands, Hawaii, (July 28, 2022) U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, 3rd Marine Division Commanding General, receives a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) tour from Sgt. Mauricio Sosa, a launcher chief attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, at Pacific Missile Range Facility, Barking Sands, Hawaii, July 28, 2022, during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, assist an airmen into the bed of a vehicle following a simulated injury during Raging Gunfighter 22-2 at Wendover Airfield, Wendover, Ut., 21 May 2022. 366th Fighter Wing airmen responded to a simulated drone attack where an airman recieved an injury. They brought the injured airman to receive further medical treatment.

U.S. Army Spc. Logan Speakman, a Blackhawk Maintainer/Crew Chief assigned to the Falcon team at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, poses for a photo inside a hangar in Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 29, 2022.

Team Minot Airmen watch two B-52H Stratofortresses, assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, and two KC-135 Stratotankers, assigned to the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, fly in formation over Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, June 27, 2023. The flyover celebrated 100 years of air refueling.

U.S. Air National Guard Senior Airman. Michael Dahl, 114th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, prepares to marshall an F-16 during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., April 5, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), 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. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Cord Burgan, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, demonstrates how to don a gas mask during exercise Winter Workhorse, at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 9, 2022. Winter Workhorse is an annual exercise for CLR-3 to train to carry out mission essential tasks in forward-deployed, austere environments.

030308-M-5753Q-016. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Camp Ripper Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: 7th Marines

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Glenn Stadig, an infantry unit leader with 2d Marine Division, conducts a 20-km hike during the Division Leader Assessment Program at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, June 23, 2022. This assessment program also provides Marines with learning and mentorship opportunities, which helps train and develop Marines that demonstrate an apex level of lethality, endurance and comprehensive warfighting ability.

Efrain Rodriguez, 36th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, discusses mission plans with a Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldier during a Garuda Shield 2022 mission brief, Aug. 1, 2022, Guam. Our continued, face-to-face interactions with our allies and partners are the foundation of our bilateral and multilateral relationships, reinforcing confidence throughout the region that we are going to be there when times are good but also when times are bad. #SuperGarudaShield #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific

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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Paul Merida, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participates in a media day event in Upinniemi, Finland, Aug. 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.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ricardo Saldivar with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), guides a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) during a vehicle swap at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 14, 2022. The MEU replaced its High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV) with JLTVs to improve tactical vehicle capabilities for future deployments. The JLTVs offer better communication abilities, mobility and protection than the HMMWVs. Saldivar is a ground electronics systems maintenance Marine.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Cory Buckman, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician with Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, oversees training during improvised explosive device response training on Central Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 22, 2022. The training expanded EOD technicians' knowledge and proficiency to locate the threat, cordon and control the area, and mitigate the explosive hazards encountered during real world operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Wood, a motor vehicle operator with Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo during exercise Native Fury 22 at a Logistics Support Area established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 15, 2022. Native Fury 22 is a biennial exercise focused on the demonstration of the rapid offload and integration of a Maritime Prepositioned Force in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of regional security, crisis response, and contingency operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Adam Spradau, right, a squad leader assigned to Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team Company, Europe, shakes hands with two Spanish Marines assigned to Marine Infantry Brigade, Third Armada, First Landing Battalion, after a competition as part of exercise Lisa Azul in Rota, Spain, Sept 19, 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, non-lethal combatives, and physical fitness to foster camaraderie and sustain interoperability amongst U.S. and partner forces and improve lethality in security and infantry operations.

In participation with EXERCISE DESERT RESCUE IX, STAFF Sergeant Lee T. Gaudreau with the 320th Special Tactical Squadron, Okinawa, Japan (hometown is Haverhill, Mass.), completes a High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) jump from the HC-130 near the B-16 range at Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada.Desert Rescue IX is the premiere search and rescue (SAR) training exercise involving Navy, Army, Air Force and Marine personnel. It is conducted at the ranges of Fallon Naval Air Station, Nevada. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE IX Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Graham HerreraMurphy, a combat engineer with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, constructs a charge for an advanced demolition range during the Sapper Leaders Course on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 18, 2022. The Sapper Leaders Course provides small-unit leaders with the training necessary for independent operation, teaching them how to interpret the operating environment, seize opportunities, and effectively maneuver without direction.

030325-N-4048T- 001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)

Staff Sgt. Calvin Miller, a combat engineer assigned to Eighth Army stationed at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, reacts after dunking his arms in cold water following a 12-mile foot march June 6 at Lightning Academy, Schofield Barracks East Range, Hawaii, during the 2022 USARPACs Best Warrior Competition. The USARPAC BWC 2022 is an annual week-long competition consisting of competitors from multiple USARPAC units across the Indo-Pacific. The noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers are evaluated in several categories such as general military knowledge, basic Soldier skills, and physical fitness.

070228-A-0350A-030. Base: Camp Taji State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Moore, Okla., May 25, 2013 Airmen First Class Perez, left and Forbes from the Oklahoma Air Guard stand watch at Plaza Towers Elementary School which has been fenced off after being damaged by the recent tornado on May 20, 2013. President Obama will visit the area on May 26, 2013. Moore, OK, May 25, 2013--Airmen First Class Perez, left and Forbes from the Oklahoma Air Guard stand watch at Plaza Towers Elementary School which has been fenced off after being damaged by the recent tornado on May 20, 2013. President Obama will visit the area on May 26, 2013.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

030323-M-5753Q-004. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Az Zubayr Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A Marine assembles his M-16 rifle at the first tent city set up as part of Operation Provide Comfort, an Allied effort to aid Kurdish refugees who fled from the forces of Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Zakhu Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Staff Sgt. Greg Biondo shouts directions to Airmen during the Ability to Survive and Operate exercise Jan. 16, 2013, at North Auxiliary Air Field, S.C. The exercise was designed to train Airmen to function "outside the wire" as combat documentation specialists. Biondo is a photographer assigned to the 1st CTCS.

030807-M-7837W-010. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: VMGR-234

A Soldier yells "Ranger," after finishing one of the obstacles during the obstacle course portion of the Ranger and Sapper Assessment Program on April 22, 2022. Soldiers and Airmen were challenged with different events to make sure that service members were physically and mentally prepared for starting the process of going to Ranger and Sapper School

An informal portrait of Private First Class Edward J. Carrara at a firing range west of Fort Davis. Country: Panama (PAN)

Sgt. Jamie Martinez, a motor transport operator with India Company of the 634th Support Battalion, recovers from an exhausting 18.6 mile Norwegian Foot March in the Region 3 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, FL, on May 13, 2022. (U.S. Army National Guard photo Spc. Mathias Gentry.)

Air Force casualty role-players make their way to a collection point while participating in Mission Assurance Exercise 22-6 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 25, 2022. MAE 22-6 tested JBERs emergency response capabilities following a mock-down aircraft accident.

An Airman assigned to the 79th Fighter Generation Squadron works on the underside of an F-16 Viper at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, April 21, 2022. The 20th Fighter Wing is capable of meeting all operational requirements worldwide and maintains a state of combat readiness.

DA-SC-86-08891. Base: Hwachon Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, Bahrain (June 01, 2022) - Marines assigned to Task Force 51/5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) completed the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) black belt culminating event aboard Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, June 01. The culminating event included various exercise stations and sparring matches where Marines used techniques learned throughout their MCMAP training. TF 51/5 responds to crises and contingencies; coordinates, plans, and executes operations; conducts theater security cooperation; and advances emerging Naval concepts at sea, from the sea, and ashore in order to support U.S. Central Command, 5th Fleet, and Marine Corps Forces Central Command theater objectives.

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.

Staff Sgt. Michelle Charlie, a former Military Training Instructor, waits for a reporting statement from Delayed Entry Program member Drew Hagen, 18, during a mock training instructor drill on Scott Air Force Base, Ill Oct. 11. The 345th Recruiting Squadron scheduled the drill giving the future Airman an opportunity to experience basic training and ask questions. The Delayed Entry Program is a program allowing individuals to enlist in a Reserve or Inactive Component of a military service with a specified, future reporting date for entry on active duty. The 345th RCS covers a 118-thousand-square-mile area that includes central and southern Illinois, eastern Missouri, western Tennessee, Paducah, Kentucky, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Hill, a vehicle recovery operator with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, takes notes during a Professional Military Education course on conducting 9-line casualty evacuation reports on Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 26, 2022. 3rd LSB conducted a battalion field exercise to train core mission essential tasks and rehearse emerging warfighting concepts in preparation for future exercises and operations. 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. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hunter Barber)

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) sit in the shade after setting up personnel tents at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 8, 2022. The 75th EAS provides C-130 tactical airlift support to multiple users in East Africa, including aeromedical evacuation, logistical movements, and alert aircrews for crisis response and humanitarian operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Senior Airman Josiah Meece)

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