Army Equipment and Maintenance

Soldiers involved in equipment handling and maintenance tasks, demonstrating operational readiness and proficiency with weapons and vehicles.

A Soldier assigned to 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, trains on a FGM-148 Javelin while preparing to enter "the box at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, California, August 4, 2022.

U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), dissembles a M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during an Expert Soldier Badge practice lane on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Oct. 14, 2022. The U.S. Army ESB measures a soldiers proficiency in physical fitness, marksmanship, land navigation and other critical warfighting tasks. The ESB was implemented in the 2020 fiscal year.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment prepare artillery rounds during Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich. Aug. 11, 2022. Northern Strike is designed to challenge training audiences with multiple forms of convergence that advance interoperability across multicomponent, multinational and interagency partners.

POLAND-- Soldiers from 1-6 ACS, Task Force Saber conduct scheduled maintenance on an Apache Helicopter. This detailed preventative maintenance service is conducted every 14 days or 25 flight hours to ensure the aircraft is ready to fly.

U.S. Army Sgt. Tarako Braswell and Sgt. Torrance Saunders, assigned to 982nd Signal Company (Airborne), lift a simulated casualty while competing in 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 physical, tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.

Spc. Zjacquent Jones, a signal Soldier assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, sets up a satellite at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, California, August 4, 2022.

A U.S. Marine with 12th Marine Regiment establishes communications in preparation for exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Sept. 28, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

A Soldier assigned to 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, trains on a FGM-148 Javelin while preparing to enter "the box at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, California, August 4, 2022.

A U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party specialist assigned to the 2d Air Support Operations Squadron out of Vilseck, Germany, operates a Black Hornet Nano during exercise Cobra Warrior 22 in England, Sept. 21, 2022. Cobra Warrior 22 provides valuable opportunities for all participating Force Elements to practice and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures in complex scenarios against a peer adversary.

A U.S. Army Joint Fire Support Specialist with the Fire Support Detachment, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, prepares a range for training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 20, 2022.

Medium shot, left front view, Technical Sergeant John Miller, USAF, Photographer, 89th Communications Squadron, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, installs a surveillance camera in front of the Communications Squadron tent during a deployment at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. During the deployment, wing personnel will be evaluated on Ability to Survive and Operate (ATSO) skills, humanitarian scenarios and base defense. (Duplicate image, see also DF-SD-01-06368 or search 000405-F-0352L-004). Subject Operation/Series: CRISIS LOOK 00-03 Base: Fort A. P. Hill State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), uses a radio to set up communications during Intelligence Interoperability (Intel Interop) at Stone Bay, North Carolina, Nov. 28, 2022. The 26th MEU conducted Intel Interop to enhance understanding of multi-disciplinary intelligence functions across the Navy-Marine Corps enterprise. Intel Interop is part of the larger Marine Air-Ground Task Force Interoperability course, an intermediate-level pre-deployment training program event, facilitated by Expeditionary Operations Training Group.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade conduct an emergency deployment readiness exercise (EDRE) on Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Oct. 8, 2022.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 1-114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, prepare to fire the 120mm mortar weapon system during training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, June 3, 2022. Mortar Systems provide the maneuver commander rapid, responsive, indirect fires in support of combat operations.

A Royal Danish Army soldier observes a potential simulated target during urban environment training as part of Exercise Burmese Chase at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 13, 2022. Exercise Burmese Chase is a longstanding fire support exercise hosted by 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company focused on improving combat readiness and strengthening relationships with allies and partners.

Soldiers with the 145th Field Artillery Battalion, Utah National Guard, prepare for movement to situational training exercise lanes during Western Strike 22, a multi-state National Guard training exercise, June 5, 2022, at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho. Western Strike 22 is an eXportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise led by the Utah National Guards 65th Field Artillery Brigade, that provides National Guard Soldiers immersed training similar to a Combat Training Center and aims to increase participating unit's readiness and lethality.

A U.S. Sailor from the Naval Special Warfare Command, San Diego, Calif., conducts close air support training during Northern Strike 22-1 (Winter Strike”) at the National All-Domain Warfighting Center, Grayling, Mich., Jan. 26, 2022. Winter Strike,” the winter iteration of the Northern Strike exercise program, takes place at Northern Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center. The NADWC serves as the perfect place for units across the Department of Defense to experience cold-weather, all-domain training, allowing participants to enhance their Arctic warfare capabilities. Northern Strike is designed to challenge the training audience with multiple forms of convergence that advances interoperability across multicomponent, multinational and interagency partners. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. David Kujawa)

Airman 1st Class Nathan Sands, front, 52nd Security Forces Squadron patrolman, and Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Brown, 52nd SFS flight sergeant, demonstrate the Dronebuster 3B at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Sept. 1, 2022. The Dronebuster allows Security Forces personnel to intercept unauthorized small unmanned aircraft systems with radio frequency jamming.

A U.S. Army Advisor from 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade prepares a 50-caliber machine gun during Operation Combined Victory, on Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Feb. 08, 2024. OCV validates force packages from the 1st, 2nd, and 54th SFABs, whose Soldiers and leaders assess, support, and advise allied and partner nations globally. Army

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ethan Oglesby, a machine gunner assigned to Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a South Carolina native, monitors the surrounding waters with binoculars while the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) transits the Basilan Strait Feb. 18, 2024. Somerset and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of 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. Marine Corps

(220609-N-OI810-0381) GULFPORT, Mississippi (June 9, 2022) Equipment Operator 1st Class Joseph Cervantes, from Ashland City, Tennessee, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 14, replaces a cotter pin to a brush guard as he conducts a required situational check on a Humvee before equipment licensing training, during fiscal year 2022, quarter three, Regional Training Platform (RTP-3) at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, June 9, 2022. RTP-3 provided NMCB-14 Seabees hands-on training opportunities in tactical combat casualty care; maintenance and material management; civil engineering support equipment operations; convoy operations; and Seabee combat warfare and expeditionary skills. NMCB-14 provides advance base construction, battle damage repair, contingency engineering, humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery support to our fleet and unified commanders.

Spc. Gavin Herring, an Information Technology specialist with the 350th Civil Affairs Command, connects an OE-254 antenna cable to his radio for a comms check during Army Reserve Annual Training at Pensacola, Florida, July 25, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Henry Lawler, 378th Expeditionary Communications Squadron SCOT section chief, teaches other Airmen on how to set up a mast communications system during Operation Agile Spartan III at an undisclosed location, September 12, 2022. Lawler was asked to be a subject matter expert for Liaison Officers and the communication capabilities required in order to conduct the exercise.

Staff Sgt. Bryce Sanders a Sioux City, Iowa native and Pvt. 1st Class Jonathan Casteel, a New Smyrna Beach, Florida native, both M1 armored vehicle crewmembers with 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division mounts an M2 Browning .50 cal to the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) of his M1A2 Abrams main battle tank as a part of pre-training checks in preparation for upcoming platoon situational training exercises, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, April 21, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces; execute joint, bilateral and multinational training exercises; and provides command and control for rotational and assigned units in the European theater.

The 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 35th Corps Signal Brigade (CSB), tested new drone technology to improve their line-of-sight communications using unmanned aircraft systems to further support XVIII Airborne Corps warfighters and all of their mission command systems.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Joshua Barnes, a fire support Marine, assigned to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, uses an Android Tactical Assault Kit to validate joint-coalition targeting processes during exercise Katana Strike on Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 26, 2022. Katana Strike is led by III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group and is designed to demonstrate proficiency in coalition joint-force planning, coordination, and execution of dynamic targeting in a maritime environment. Katana Strike showcases 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, which serves as the central hub for conducting long-range communications between joint ground, naval and aviation units over multiple waveforms. III MIG functions as the vanguard of III MEF, operating in the Indo-Pacific regions information environment, and supports Marine Air Ground Task Force operations with communications, intelligence, and supporting arms liaison capabilities.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. David Drainer, a 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group weather forecaster at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, inspects a humidity tracker for discrepancies Nov. 30, 2010. The tracker allows forecasters to determine dew points and the amount of humidity in the air. Sergeant Drainer is a native of White Hall, Ill., and is deployed from the 354th Operations Support Squadron out of Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, deploy an AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar during exercise Bougainville II at Kalaeloa Airfield, Hawaii, Oct. 28, 2022. To rehearse flexibility, a 3d MLR sensing unit of employment displaced and established a sensor EAB to enable early warning of air and missile threats. Bougainville II is a field exercise that allows the MLR and its subordinate units to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations across the island of Oahu. BVII displays the MLRs ability to rapidly establish and displace EABs while executing command and control in a dispersed environment.

U.S. Soldiers of Squad 9, representing the United States Army Medical Command, react to direct fire during the Army's first-ever Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 04, 2022. The week-long competition will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team, featuring a multitude of fitness, knowledge and combat-related events.

A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines (2/24) participates in a training scenario July 26, 2022, on North Post at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 2/24 is an infantry battalion based out of Chicago consisting of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion falls under the 24th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division. The 2/24 was holding their 2022 annual training at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photos by Scott Sturkol, Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office)

Staff. Sgt Noah Straman (left), assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, aims a DroneDefender while Staff Sgt. William Doan (right), also assigned to the 37th IBCT, helps locate the target during Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 14, 2022. The DroneDefender deploys an electromagnetic signal to disable communication between an airborne drone and its operator, jamming GPS signals and ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) radio frequencies.

On the afternoon of August 31, 2022, Soldiers from 1st Signal Brigade participated in signal operations in a field environment to help hone their skills as signaleers.

Staff Sgt. Noah Straman, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, fires a DroneDefender during Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 14, 2022. The DroneDefender incorporates safe, reliable technology that helps defend against unmanned aircraft systems by jamming common frequencies on which they operate.

Soldiers from the Sandston-based Battery A, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, 116th Brigade Combat Team fire their howitzers Sept. 16 during annual training at Fort Pickett. The soldiers of the 116th BCT focused on both their federal missions and their support to civil authorities missions during the two-week annual training period.

U. S. Army Maj. Gen. Troy D. Galloway, Deputy Commanding General, U. S. Armed Forces Command, talks with U. S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph Tombs, Alpha Troop, 1st Squadron, 102nd Cavalry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey National Guard, about the M120 120 mm mortar system during the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise, July 24, 2022, at Ft. Drum, N. Y. More than 2,500 Soldiers are participating in the training event, which enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win.

U.S. Marines with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, setup a M224 60mm mortar system during a mechanized raid course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 10, 2022. The raid course was a one week program designed to improve the Marines ability to plan and conduct limited scale raids utilizing ground movement while forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Army Sgt. Christian Hernandez with U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalzadjusts his M4 carbine during theInstallation Management Command-Europe 2023 Best Warrior Competition at the 7th Army Training Commands Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 4, 2023. The competition enhances expertise, training, and understanding of the skills needed to be a well-rounded Soldier. Winners will go on to compete at the Installation Management Command level.

MUBENDE DISTRICT, Uganda (Sept. 26, 2012) - U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan Becmer, Task Force Raptor, 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, and Uganda People's Defense Force soldiers exchange best practices regarding mortar tactics and skills. Texas National Guardsmen conduct various military-to-military training sessions in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, whose mission is to enhance partner nation militaries in East Africa.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army 58th Troop Command set up a water filtration unit at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. on Oct. 17, 2022. Shower, Laundry, and Clothing Repair Specialists are primarily responsible for supervising and performing laundry, shower, personnel and clothing decontamination functions. These capabilities are essential to the health and welfare of soldiers in training or deployed environments. Good hygiene is required by all who are subject to the laws and regulations defined by the UCMJ in order to prevent the spread of disease that may compromise mission success.

Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to 2nd Platoon, BravoCompany, 1-149th, Infantry Battalion, Task Force Red Dragon, Combined JointTask Force - Horn of Africa, conducts close-quarters marksmanship training at Arta range complex, Djibouti, April 13, 2022. Operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, CJTF-HOA regularly works alongside allied and partner nations and governmental organizations to achieve a unified effort in improving the peace and prosperity in East Africa.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Charles Mauk, an assistant gunner with Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads a M252 81 mm mortar system during Exercise Cobra Gold in Chantaburi province, Kingdom of Thailand, March 1, 2023. Cobra Gold, now in its 42nd year, is a Thai-U.S. co-sponsored training event that builds on the longstanding friendship between the two allied nations and brings together a robust multinational force to promote regional peace and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Airmen assigned to the 123rd Air Control Squadron sets up a satellite communications terminal June 7, 2022 during Agile Rage 22 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan. Agile Rage 22 focuses on annual currency and proficiency items, future concepts, and maintaining a war-ready posture for members of the Air National Guard.

Senior Airman Ronnie Willis, a force protection escort with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, requests access to the flight line May 3, 2022 at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Willis is an aircraft metals technician at his home base and volunteered for Force Protection as a special duty.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Jacob Harmon (Left), an infantry officer with Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, inspects coordinates on a grid during Maritime Domain Awareness Integration Exercise on the coast of Camp Pendleton, California, March 30, 2022. The purpose of this training evolution was to increase the unit's proficiency in utilizing joint terminal attack controllers in the maritime domain, demonstrating littoral capabilities for future deployments.

040628-F-1601R-001. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: USA

A U.S. Marine with the maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, inspects his weapon system before a live-fire sniper exercise on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, April 10, 2023. The training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed critical marksmanship skills. 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.

050110-F-9429S-011. Base: Karshni-Khanabad Air Base Country: Uzbekistan (UZB)

U.S. Army Sgt. Alejandro Lucero, a public affairs specialist with Special Operations Command Europe takes a photo of a joint terminal attack controller with Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), coordinates simulated close air support with U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano AB, Italy, alongside U.S. Special Operations Command Europe JTACs assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in a bilateral training event in BiH, Jan. 8, 2024.

Explosive ordinance disposal technicians and Soldiers with 71st Ordnance Group, as well as Navy and Air Force EOD personnel, participated in an electronic countermeasures (ECM) training event to provide in depth instruction on the science behind the systems as well as instill confidence with their equipment, Fort Carson, Colorado, June 2, 2022.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Clayton Caudill, a reconnaissance Marine with 2nd Recon Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires his rifle during the Intramural Marksmanship Competition on Stone Bay, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 7, 2022. The Marine Corps Intramural Marksmanship Competition inspires unit cohesion and mission readiness by allowing Marines to compete and improve lethality with both rifle and pistol weapons.

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Trey Barefoot, 23rd Munitions Squadron production flight commander, left, and 2nd Lt. Matthew Merritt, 23rd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment officer in charge, right, score Airmen at the end of Top Tiger at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 14, 2022. Barefoot and Merritt led this quarters competition.

U.S. Army Spc. Ernesto Fuentes, assigned to Apache Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, disassembles and reassembles the track and bolt assembly section of an M242 Bushmaster chain gun as a part of a gunnery skills test certification at Trzebień, Poland, July 18, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Jones, 1st Combat Communication Squadron tactical systems supervisor, sets up an antenna during exercise Heavy Rain III at Breitenbach, Germany, Sept. 15, 2022. The exercise provides the opportunity for service members to receive training and operate in an environment similar to one with limited time, manpower and resources.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brittany Lair, a 137th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron (SOCES) power production specialist, Oklahoma National Guard, marks an anchor point to drill as a team works to secure a mobile aircraft arresting system during Silver Flag Sept. 20, 2022, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. A total of twelve 137th SOCES members participated in the Silver Flag training exercise, learning valuable skills for rapid airfield damage repair and participating in a five day exercise for combat support teams to practice operating in a contingency environment.

US Air Force (USAF) Controllers from the 820th Security Forces Group (SFG), use a Digital Anemometer to check the wind speed and conditions at the Drop Zone (DZ), in preparation for an airdrop, at Moody Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia (GA). (Duplicate image, see also DFSD0607742 or search 040321F0451J088). Base: Moody Air Force Base State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Green Beret Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) from 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) coordinates a target during a live fire range for Exercise Ample Strike 22 in Czech Republic, Sept. 6, 2022. The exercise is a regular Czech Republic JTAC-led exercise focused on advanced air and land training, strengthening U.S. and NATO Allies capabilities, and defending against adversaries in the European Theater.

Cpl. Connor Brannagan, left, fire direction chief, and Sgt. Elijah Kozak, a section leader with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, use a plotting board while conducting mortar training drills at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Bridgeport, Calif., July 27, 2022, for Mountain Training Exercise 4-22. MTX 4-22 prepares Marines for the challenges of operating in a harsh, mountainous environment many of their adversaries are acclimated to.

British Royal Marine pours water on dirt below the muzzle of a sniper rifle to ensure that the weapon will not lift dust into the air when it firing during mountain sniper training, Hawthorne, Nevada, USA

U.S. Marine SSgt. Joseph Owens (left), a light armored vehicle crewman, and LCpl Cameron Herrick (right), a rifleman with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct pre-flight checks on an RQ-20 during joint unmanned aerial system training during exercise Archipelago Endeavor 22 (AE22) at Berga Naval Base, Sweden, September 7, 2022. AE22 is an integrated field training exercise that increases operational capability and enhances strategic cooperation between the U.S. Marines and Swedish forces.

Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers fly an RQ-11B Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) over drop zone Badger at Fort McCoy, Wis., Sept. 9, 2022. The training is part of a two-week skills course taught by instructors from the Wisconsin Military Academy. U.S. Army photo by Kevin W. Clark

Spc. Ryan Lemon, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer assigned to the 7-17th Air Cavalry Squadron, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade readies a RQ-7B V2 Shadow during Exercise Swift Response on May 11, 2022 at Krivolak Training Area, North Macedonia. Exercise Swift Response 2022 is an annual multinational training exercise, which takes place in Eastern Europe, the Arctic High North, Baltics, and Balkans from May 2-20, 2022. It aims to present combat credible Army forces in Europe and Africa and enhance readiness by building airborne interoperability with Allies and Partners and the integration of joint service partnerships.

Idaho Army National Guard Spc. Devin Wine,(right) assistant gunner, begins to hang a mortar round The Idaho Army National Guards Mortar Platoon, HHC, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion sharpen their skills preparing for deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Collin Nicholson, a mortarman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division loads an M252 81 mm mortar system during Resolute Dragon 22 on Shikaribetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 6, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains. Nicholson is a native of Mission Viejo, California.

Senior Airman Kyle Kane, 374th Comptroller Squadron financial analysis technician, fires blank ammunition during the fly-away security training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 10, 2022. Members from the 374th Security Forces Squadron familiarized their own Airmen as well as Airmen from other Squadron with how to secure an aircraft in a location that requires an extra measure of security. In case there are not enough Security Forces members on the aircraft, members from other units will assist in protecting the aircraft from potential threats.

U.S. Army Spc. Carlos Martinez, left, and Pfc. Wesley Duncan, fire support specialists with Blackfoot Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, confirm information for a fire mission during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Alaska 23-02 at Yukon Training Area, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, April 1, 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. Martinez and Duncan are from Cornwall, N.Y., and Kenosha, Wis., respectively.

U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division fire an M252 81 mm mortar during a live-fire training exercise at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Dec. 6, 2022. The purpose of the training was to improve proficiency and maintain unit readiness.

STAFF Sergeant Tom Cardinal, Detachment 2, 617th Weather Squadron, Heidelberg, Germany, takes a reading of wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, and visibility at the Tuzla AB, Bosnia-Herzegovina, so planes may fly safely during their involvement in Operation Joint Endeavor. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Tuzla Air Base Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

Water purification specialists with Alpha Company, 87th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, fill an M 149 water tank trailer from a Load Handling System with an LHS compatible water tank rack up while delivering bulk water to the 14th Field Hospital at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 17th, 2022. The water purification specialist with A Co. supervise or perform installation of water purification equipment and transport bulk water to support units conducting training or operational missions.

U.S. Army Pfc. Paul Kash, Joint Fire Support Specialist attached to 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, orients his map in a mortar live fire during Exercise Arrow 22 at Niinisalo Training Area, Finland May 7th, 2022. Exercise Arrow is an annual, pre-planned, multinational exercise taking place in Finland, where visiting forces to include the U.S., U.K., Latvia, and Estonia, train together with the Finnish Defense Forces in high intensity force-on-force engagements and a live fire exercise with the purpose of increasing military readiness and developing interoperability among participating partner nations. Photo has been modified for operational and security reasons.

SENIOR AIRMAN Jose D. Nunez, USAF, 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nevada performs maintenance on a RQ-1L Predator UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) from the 57th Wing Operations Group, Nellis AFB, NV after its return flight over Afghanistan in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, unmanned aerial vehicle system used for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: 57th Wing Ops Group

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Erick Clark, commanding officer of 4th Marine Regiment, briefs a military spouse on the Mk 19 grenade launcher during In Their Boots” day on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022. This event provided family members with an opportunity to learn more about their Marines’ work and experience a taste of Marine Corps training.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Francisco Govea II, right, and Senior Airmen Jake Buck, visual information specialists assigned to 4th Combat Camera Squadron, 315th Airlift Wing, conducts a Soldier's Skill Lane during Day 1 of the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, May 19, 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.

Pfc. Claude Webster, and infantrymen assigned to A Company, 2-35 Infantry Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, explains the functions and capabilities of a FGM -148 Javelin weapon system to Tentara Nasional Indonesia senior leaders during a rehearsal for Super Garuda Airborne operations in Batuaja, Indonesia on Aug. 2, 2022. Super Garuda Shield, a part of Operation Pathways and a longstanding annual, bilateral military exercise conducted between the U.S. military and Indonesia National Armed Forces, reinforces the U.S. commitments to our allies, and regional partners, joint readiness, and the interoperability to fight and win together.

Pfc. Trevor Gaston, a Soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 263rd Air Defense Artillery, demonstrates an FIM-92 Stinger Man-Portable Air-Defense System at Bolling Air Force Base April 14, 2010. Air Defense units from South Carolina and Ohio have been on rotating deployments to the National Capitol Region to support homeland defense as part of Operation Noble Eagle. This continued operation began in 2001, just days after--and in response to--the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jeremy Pritchard, 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, conducts aerial refueling during Exercise Bright Star 23 over Egypt, Sept. 2, 2023. Bright Star 2023 is a multilateral U.S. Central Command exercise held with the Arab Republic of Egypt across air, land and sea domains that promotes and enhances regional security and cooperation, and improves interoperability in irregular warfare against hybrid threat scenarios.

U.S. Soldiers with 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade fire M320 grenade launchers during a familiarization fire and qualification event.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Amado Saltosandrade, left, radio operator, and Lance Cpl. Miguel Alfaro, Right, electronics maintenance repairer, with the 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment set up the Marine Corps Wideband Satellite during the establishment of the 3d LCT command and control node at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Oct. 25, 2022. 3d LCT established a command and control node to provide command and control of expeditionary advanced bases dispersed across the island of Oahu. Bougainville II is a field exercise that allows the MLR and its subordinate units to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations across the island of Oahu. BVII displays the MLRs ability to rapidly establish and displace EABs while executing command and control in a dispersed environment.

DA-SC-87-04681. Subject Operation/Series: ORIENT SHIELD '85 Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Fuji State: Honshu Country: Japan (JPN)

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Stephen Evans, 141st Medical Group Detachment 1 medical technician, trains on using radiological detecting equipment at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, June 16, 2022. The 92nd Medical Group Bioenvironmental flight held an exercise training Airmen on the handling and detection of radioactively contaminated assets.

U.S. Army Pfc. Mason Diaz, a cannon crewmember assigned to Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Division Artillery, 25th Infantry Division, waits for instruction prior to loading an M119A3 Light Towed Howitzer 105mm during a combined arms live-fire exercise during Balikatan 22 on Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base, Tarlac province, Philippines, March 31, 2022. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Balikatan 22 is the 37th and largest-ever iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine security cooperation and a shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Georgia Army National Guard Spc. Justin Reynolds and Spc. Jon Haley, both cavalry scouts with 1-108th Cavalry, reload a training round into an ITAS tow missile system at the Georgia Garrison Training Center, Fort Stewart, Ga. The tow missile was one of the weapons used during a combined arms live-fire exercise at the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team's eXportable Combat Training Capabilities (XCTC) training at Fort Stewart. Reynolds is a Powder Springs, Ga., native. He works as a driver for Waste Industries and would have served in the Guard for two years in October. Haley is a Kennesaw, Ga., native. He does wood work for David Matthews Contractors and is nearing is third year serving in the Guard. (

SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- U.S. Space Force SPC 3 Michelle Skeets, A Space Operator for the 4th Space Operations Squadron, Mobile Operations Flight (DOM) pulls security during a routine training exercise at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, April 8, 2022. The 4th SOPS' mission is to operate the U.S. Space Force's protected and wideband Military Satellite Communications systems. They provide warfighters global, secure, survivable, strategic and tactical communications during peacetime and throughout the full spectrum of conflict. The squadron is responsible for command and control of the Milstar/Advanced Extremely High Frequency Defense Satellite Communications System Phase III, and Wideband Global Satellite Comunications satellite constellations through dedicated Extremely High Frequency antennas and the Air Force Satellite Control Network. The squadron also operates three mobile constellation control stations at various locations in conjunction with host partners.

An A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 104th Fighter Squadron, Maryland Air National Guard, flies over two U.S. service members at the Kazlų Rūda range in Lithuania during DEFENDER-Europe 22, May 19, 2022. The annual U.S. Army-led large-scale, multinational joint exercise aims to build readiness and interoperability between U.S., NATO and partner militaries.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade provide UH-60M Black Hawk support to the 10th Mountain Light Fighters School on Fort Drum, NY Aug. 11, 2022. Soldiers from 10th CAB were also in the course to qualify for their Air Assault badge.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Warner Paredes from the 53d Air Traffic Control Squadron, Robins Air Force Base acts as a landing zone safety officer during AGILE FLAG 22-2 at Avon Air Field, Florida, July 20, 2022. AGILE FLAG 22-2 marks a significant milestone in standardizing the way ACC organizes, trains, and equips for ACE after a period of experimentation.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Weller, radio operator, with the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division sets up a MRC-148 antenna at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 25, 2022. 3d Marine Littoral Regiment established the Alpha command node which provides the commander the ability to direct, plan, and coordinate within the assigned Zone of Action. Bougainville II is a field exercise that allows the MLR and its subordinate units to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations across the island of Oahu. BVII displays the MLRs ability to rapidly establish and displace EABs while executing command and control in a dispersed environment.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Leonardo Gonzalez, a sniper with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, spots targets during a raid and demolition range on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 22, 2022. This training integrates raiding and demolition tactics to enhance the Marines ability to breach obstructions in an urban environment. 3/2 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division. Gonzalez is a native of San Antonio, Texas.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael J. Spicer, tactical unmanned aerial systems operations technician with 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West, tested counter unmanned aerial systems developed by Steelrock Technology to gain knowledge on evolving advanced technology that will deter and engage the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles. Spicer successfully disengaged drones at distances upwards of eight kilometers with a range of scenarios from military and government buildings to ships, airfields, and compounds. The Nightfighter anti-drone systems increase range and increase the breadth of coverage to not only encounter and deal with standard commercial drones, but also custom drones accurately and precisely disabling them.The Army's modernization plan is ensuring that its Soldiers have the necessary training, equipment, and leadership to conduct multi-domain operations alongside allies to defeat any adversary. The 5th Armored Brigade examines how its Soldiers operate i

230402-N-NH267-1062 BAN EL-MANDEB STRAIT (April 2, 2023) Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Nicholas Boyd loads a .240 machine gun on the foc'scle of the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), April 2, 2023 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Paul Hamilton is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Austin Nicolas, a 1st Special Operations Support Squadron weather apprentice, left, Senior Airman Ethenrae Antonio, a 2d Combat Weather Systems Squadron weather journeyman, middle, and Staff Sgt. Shannon Yocca, a 23rd Special Operations Squadron weather journeyman, right, assembles a TMQ-53 mobile weather observation station at a combined training day at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 26, 2024. The combined training day brought the 2d CWSS, 23rd SOWS, and 1st SOSS weather flight together to simulate base communication degradation and bolster weather operations under duress, proving that operations and dissemination of weather products could continue with limited equipment and data. Air Force

Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Devin Crawford, 108th Training Command, marks points on his target at a pistol training exercise for CIOR at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Vermont on July 20, 2022. The Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers Military Competition (CIOR MILCOMP) is a three-day team competition consisting of NATO and Partnership for Peace nations in Europe. It has been around since 1957. The competition is open to all reserve components for both NCO and officer. It is now run on a volunteer basis and funded by former competitors through an alumni association.

U.S. Army Sgt. Christian Henry and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Matthew Hedges, assigned to Delta Co., 104th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, make adjustments on the AAI RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle on McGregor Base Camp, New Mexico, Feb. 19, 2024. The 44th IBCT is conducting training exercises at multiple sites on Fort Bliss, Texas in preparation for deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Army National Guard

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Shane Croke, a vehicle recovery operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, explains the function of an experimental technology during Technology Operational Experimentation Exercise (TOEE) 2022 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 28, 2022. TOEE 22 is a joint exercise being conducted to support the Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO) concept for an Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) mission from the littorals to inland objectives using manned/unmanned teaming (MUM-T) of technologies as a system to support sustainment and expeditionary logistics.

U.S. Marines with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, check the decontamination fluid during Potomac Restore, a regimental exercise, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 7, 2022. This portion of Potomac Restore was utilized to enhance Marines and Sailors experience in recognizing and defending against simulated CBRN attacks.

U.S. Army Sgt. Miclo Gutierrez and Cpl. Jeffery Robinson, Apache helicopter repairers, assigned to Charlie Company, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade installs a main rotor head blade on an AH-64D Apache helicopter at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, April 1, 2022. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

Airmen assigned to the 123rd Air Control Squadron disassemble a satellite terminal June 14, 2022 during Agile Rage 22 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan. Airmen conducted numerous mission-essential tasks during Agile Rage 22, including joint intelligence operations, airspace control, search and rescue coordination, intra-theater airlift, joint fires, close air support, interdiction of enemy capabilities, and Agile Combat Employment.

A U.S. Marine with Romeo Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), loads a M777 towed 155mm howitzer onto a semi-truck during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 22, 2024. RUT provides the 24th MEU the opportunity to operate in unfamiliar environments, integrate the units of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, and train towards being designated as special operations capable.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Academy cadets participate in the Commandant's Challenge at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Oct. 5, 2022. The challenge is an annual event at the Academy focused on military training, warrior ethos, and teamwork.

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