Artillery and Explosions

Images depict military exercises featuring artillery systems launching rockets, explosions, and smoke clouds in a desert landscape, showcasing the intensity of live-fire drills.

Large explosion near the car with soldiers in the desert.

DD-ST-85-01238. Country: Unknown

U.S. Marines with 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fire a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System at Artillery Firing Area 30 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 6, 2022. Live-fire exercises with HIMARS are conducted in order to enhance the tactical and operational readiness of 1st MarDiv Marines for exercises and real-world operations.

M-1A1 Abrams main battle tanks of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), one partially obscured by dust, move across the desert floor during a live-fire exercise. At left is an M-551 Sheridan light tank. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Base: Fort Irwin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DM-ST-88-07792. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR Base: El Hamman Country: Egypt (EGY)

Large explosion near the car with soldiers in the desert.

U.S. Marine Corps combat engineers with Logistics Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Finnish combat engineers with Nyland Brigade, observe a Bangalore Torpedo detonate during demolition training in Syndalen, Finland, Aug. 11, 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.

Tanks work out the setting of a smoke screen at the training ground Heavy combat vehicles tanks drive around the butts and put up a smoke screen Copyright: xZoonar.com/VladimirxBlinovx 21363217

A parachute-retarded bomb drops near a target truck after being dropped from an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft during a tactical capabilities exercise. Base: Indian Springs Auxiliary Field State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army M142 HIMARS from A Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Multi Domain Task Force, conducts training on Pohakuloa Training Grounds, Hawaii, Nov. 7, 2022. Leaders across the joint force observed live fire from the M142 HIMARS during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center to enhance shared understanding of combined capabilities.

Soldiers at Fort Carson, Colo. give a demolitions demonstration for the 93rd Joint Civilian Orientation Conference participants Oct. 25, 2022. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

DF-ST-89-07334. Subject Operation/Series: MIGHTY WARRIOR 88 Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030404-M-9124R-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, fire an anti-personnel obstacle breaching system during a movement to contact range as part of Service Level Training Exercise 2-24 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 8, 2024. The range is designed to enhance infantry small unit tactics and procedures when taking an enemys defensive line. The purpose of SLTE 2-24 is to simulate combat conditions, improve rapid decision-making cycles and strengthen the Marine Air-Ground Task Forces ability to adapt and accomplish missions across the full range of military operations. Marine Corps

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, fire rockets from an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 14, 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.

U.S. Marine fires a HE fragmentation round from the RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade launcher in a wadi near Kunduz, Afghanistan.

The 833rd Engineer Company, out of Ottumwa, Iowa, creates a large explosion using shaped charges on a demolition range at Orchard Combat Training Center, in Idaho, on June 10, 2022. Combat engineers use charges shaped to direct the effect of the explosives energy; this particular shaped charge is used to create a hole where a cratering charge will then be placed.

Soldiers with the 287th Engineer Company, 168th Engineer Brigade, 184th Sustainment Command, recently conducted field demolition training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on June 11, 2022. The training allows the engineers to fulfill expected tasks of their profession.

021002-A-4385T-028. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

DF-ST-87-09627. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Japan Ground Self Defense Force Type 16 Maneuver Combat Vehicles conduct a live-fire range during Resolute Dragon 22 on Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 5, 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.

980527-F-4116M-005. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH 1998 Base: Udairi Range Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

USA, Wisconsin, Oshkosh, AirVenture 2016, CAF Reception, Wittman Regional Airport, Evening Air Show, Japanese Mitsubishi Zero Fighter

Oil wells burn out of control, darkening the sky with smoke, after being set ablaze by retreating Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm.. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Kuwait(KWT)

050622-A-9889G-008. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Danger, Tikrit State: Salah Al Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

DD-ST-85-01239. Country: Unknown

A nighttime view of tracer fire illuminating members of Co. B, 2nd Bn., 17th Infantry, at the start of the joint service combined arms live fire Exercise CALFEX III at Yukon Range. Subject Operation/Series: CALFEX III Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Massive Explosion of the Detonation of a Mine Clearing Line Charge

Marines exercise on Texel.

Demonstrators hold the Palestinian flag in front of burning tires during a demonstration along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, in solidarity with the Jenin camp against the Israeli military operations that killed at least nine Palestinians. Palestinian Territories, Gaza City.

M198 Towed Howitzer Night Fire

Abrams Tanks from A Company, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, Idaho Army National Guard conduct exercises on the Orchard Combat Training Center in final exercise before deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

DF-ST-87-07543. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, execute a company attack on Range 400 during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) on Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, May 16, 2022. ITX creates a challenging, realistic training environment that produces combat-ready forces capable of operating as an integrated MAGTF.

050622-A-8255A-013. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Wilson State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION

A pyrotechnic display erupts during the joint forces demonstration at the Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 30, 2022. The joint forces demonstration brings together teams across the U.S. Air Force, Army and Alaska National Guard to showcase teamwork and coordination through a simulated combat scenario.

U.S. Soldiers with 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division detonate an improvised silhouette charge during a demolition range in Zagan, Poland, Aug. 30, 2022. The 3/4th ABCT is among other units assigned to 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.

A High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), modified as a Russian smoke generator, in the 177th Armored Brigade battle exercise at the National Training Center. Base: Fort Irwin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Viper Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), hit their targets as part of a fire mission in support of the companys maneuver during a multinational live-fire exercise held at Rovaniemi Training Area, Finland, Aug. 11, 2022. The LFX was part of the Finnish Summer Exercise, where U.S. and Finnish troops had the opportunity to train together to amplify and strengthen the partnership and interoperability between the two nations.

Soldiers destroy a target with flame throwers as part of a combined arms live fire demonstration during the multinational joint service exercise Bright Star '85. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '85 Base: Wadi Natrun Country: Egypt (EGY)

A 2.75 inch white phosphorus rocket from a U.S. Air Force A-10 Warthog with the 354th fighter squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, strikes a simulated target during a live-fire, close-air support exercise at Barry M. Goldwater Range, Gila Bend, Arizona, July 25, 2022. 1st ANGLICO trains to enhance proficiency in CAS and expand digital communications capabilities.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division supporting the 4th Infantry Division, participate in a live fire demonstration and static display for the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Poland, Mariusz Blaszczak at Nowa Deba, Poland, April 12, 2023. The 4th Infantry Division's mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent in order to build readiness, increase our operability, and reinforce our steadfast and loyal commitment to our Allies and partners, which make up an integral part of the Ivy Team.

070110-A-7438M-008. State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: SOUTHEAST

030321-M-5150A-105. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ)

120121-N-TZ605-148 ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 21, 2012) An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

New York Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews conduct water bucket training in Riverhead, New York, June 12, 2020. The New York Army National Guard conducts helicopter firefighting when local agencies request support through the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

DF-ST-85-10546. Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

U.S. Marines with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion (CEB), 2d Marine Division (MARDIV), launch an anti-Personnel Obstacle Breach System (APOBS) during the SAPPER Squad Competition on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 10, 2022. During this exercise, Marines from 1st CEB, 1st MARDIV, and 2d CEB conducted urban demolition training during the annual SAPPER Squad Competition. The competition consisted of a wide array of mission essential tasks under a stressful environment and recognized top talent within the Marine Corps combat engineer community.

The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 27 Commander Dmitry Kondratyev and Flight Engineers Paolo Nespoli and Cady Coleman in a remote area southeast of the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Tuesday, May 24, 2011. NASA Astronaut Coleman, Russian Cosmonaut Kondratyev and Italian Astronaut Nespoli are returning from more than five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 26 and 27 crews.

U.S. Army Sgt. Christopher Drummond, Fire Control Specialist from Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Task Force 82, oversees the firing of an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at Smardan Training Area, located in Galati County, Western Moldavia, Romania, Jan. 17, 2024. The Reduced Range Practice Rockets were fired by the Romanian 8th Field Artillery Brigade, and supported by U.S. Army 4th Battalion, 4th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, attached to Task Force 82. The artillery exercise afforded the artillery crew members the opportunity to conduct fire missions on the HIMARS to increase readiness and proficiency on the combat platform.

Key leadership from the Idaho National Guard and several other U.S. states joined partner nations on June 30, 2022 in Morocco to see the capabilities of multinational armies working together simultaneously in a combined arms live-fire mission. During the exercise, Marines called in air strikes simultaneously as Idaho's 1st Battalion of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment fired the M795 high explosive rounds from the M109A6 howitzers as ground support with Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin Army National Guards, a Marine Corps Reserve unit based in California and active-duty Soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, with preparatory and destructive fires and obscuration using M825 white smoke rounds.

A German C-160 transall approaching the Salerno drop zone for a containerized delivery system (CDS) airdrop during a RODEO 92 precompetition training mission. Subject Operation/Series: RODEO 92 Base: Fort Bragg State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers shooting from the machine gun.

030109-F-9032T-013. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

Members of the 446th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Protection Flight train to put out a JP-8 jet fuel fire at Fort McCoy Wis., during Patriot Warrior, June 10, 2015. Patriot Warrior is an Air Force Reserve Command exercise performed in a joint environment with Army and Navy reserve, active-duty and Air National Guard partners designed to evaluate the capability to deploy, establish and operate in support of joint operations. Nearly 6,000 Army Reserve, Navy Reserve and AFRC personnel took part in the exercise.

The Soyuz MS-07 spacecraft is seen as it lands with Expedition 55 crew members Anton Shkaplerov of Roscosmos, Scott Tingle of NASA, and Norishige Kanai of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan on Sunday, June 3, 2018. Shkaplerov, Tingle, and Kanai are returning after 168 days in space where they served as members of the Expedition 54 and 55 crews onboard the International Space Station.

Napalm (naphthenic and palmitic acids) is a thickening/gelling agent generally mixed with gasoline or a similar fuel for use in military operations. The term napalm is a combination of the names of its derivatives (coprecipitated aluminum salts of naphthenic, and palmitic acids) 'Napalm B' is a more modern version of napalm and, although distinctly different in its chemical composition, it is often referred to simply as 'napalm'.

Exercise Agile Spirit 23 is designed to support theater security cooperation and interoperability among NATO Allies and partners to improve joint and multinational readiness, scale, and capabilities by exercising rapid mobility and posture combat credible forces across the European theater to the country of Georgia to bolster their defense efforts and deter aggression in the Black Sea region while exercising the enduring U.S. State Partnership Program with the Georgia Army National Guard.

An M-1 Abrams main battle tank moves across the desert during exercise Bright Star '89. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '89 Country: Egypt (EGY)

The cannon fire team renders honors to the 1st Cavalry Division's commanding general, Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, during its 101st birthday celebration Sep. 19 on Cooper Field at Fort Hood, Texas. The division celebrated its birthday with friendly competitions and ceremonies to build camaraderie amongst First Team Troopers, Sep. 12-16 at Fort Hood, Texas. The ceremony concluded the week-long celebration, thousands of Troopers and local community members attended a ceremony.

The 124th Civil Engineer Squadron prepares Gowen Field for flight operations Jan. 7, 2023, in Boise, Idaho. CES Airmen monitor weather reports throughout the week and report to the base when inclement weather is slated to affect flight operations and installation work.

ARMY CENTRAL COMMAND AOR (June 22, 2022) - U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3-157 Field Artillery Battalion fire a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in an undisclosed location June 22.

Support personnel rush to the the Soyuz TMA-03M capsule shortly after it landed with Expedition 31 Commander Oleg Kononenko of Russia and Flight Engineers Don Pettit of NASA and Andre Kuipers of the European Space Agency in a remote area near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Pettit, Kononenko and Kuipers returned from more than six months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 30 and 31 crews.

An M-1A1 Abrams main battle tank raises a cloud of dust as it crosses the desert during Operation Desert Shield. The M-1A1 will replace the older M-1 tank on the front line. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

Re-enactment of the Battle of the Nations

U.S. Paratroopers, assigned to 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, score a direct hit with a Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missile at the 7th Army Training Commands Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Dec. 13, 2022. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.

International Military Training Saber Strike 2017", Adazi, Latvia, from 3 to 15 June 2017. US Army Europe-led annual International military�exercise Saber Strike Field Training Exercise�in Latvia.

DN-ST-89-11046. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

040611-M-7443H-005. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The cannon fire team renders honors to the 1st Cavalry Division's commanding general, Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, during its 101st birthday celebration Sep. 19 on Cooper Field at Fort Hood, Texas. The division celebrated its birthday with friendly competitions and ceremonies to build camaraderie amongst First Team Troopers, Sep. 12-16 at Fort Hood, Texas. The ceremony concluded the week-long celebration, thousands of Troopers and local community members attended a ceremony.

051227-A-7359K-115. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Mchenry State: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

SSGT James Bennett of Detachment Three, 1361st Audio Visual Squadron (right), films a fire created to simulate a burning aircraft, during Exercise UREX '82. Subject Operation/Series: UREX '82 Base: Sembach Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

A large explosive smoke plume rises into the air, after coalition aircraft detonated an abandoned ammunition stockpile, near Baghdad, Iraq, during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

The remains of an armored truck sit on Range 800 on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, following a controlled detonation as part of a Large Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device Post Blast Analysis course with FBI agents and explosive ordnance disposal Marines, Jan. 25, 2022. The course focuses on collecting attack-related material such as munition fragments, projectiles, casualty information and explosive residue following a VBIED attack. Through post blast analysis, EOD Marines can provide intelligence sections with the information needed to assess how an explosive threat was manufactured. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hope Straley)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 10th Special Forces Group train on the M136 AT4 light anti-tank weapon during a live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022.

040627-M-8096M-005. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Oruzgan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Soldiers from the Virginia National Guard's Hampton-based Battery B, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team represent the modern military at the Military Through the Ages event March 15, 2014, at the Jamestown Settlement. Hundreds of reenactors depicting armed forces from the first century to modern times converged on Jamestown for the annual event, and the Virginia Soldiers provided a static display featuring the M119A2 howitzer and answered questions from the attendees about their equipment and the Virginia Guard. The Soldiers had the opportunity to train on crew drills and fire blank ammunition to improve their proficiency in advance of live fire training scheduled for their April drill weekend. They also took part in a demonstration that covered 400 years of artillery in Virginia.

051230-A-5745M-021. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Liberty State: Shakaria Village Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST ABN DIV

020602-F-1014W-015. Subject Operation/Series: LIBERIAN RESOLVE Base: Camp Butmir State: Sarajevo Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, 41st Field fire the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) during a live fire demonstration for Molly Pitcher Day at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Aug. 31, 2022.

DA-ST-88-04063. Base: Fort Irwin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An explosion detonates during a mock amphibious assault conducted by the Marine and Naval forces of the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the US, at Hat Yao, Feb. 4. The event was part of Exercise Cobra Gold. Cobra Gold 2010 marks the 29th anniversary of the annual, joint and coalition multinational exercise, hosted by the Kingdom of Thailand. The exercise consists of a Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative Exercise, Command Post Exercise, HCA projects and field training exercises. The goal of the exercise is to enhance military interoperability and improves communities through humanitarian assistance and civil action projects. An amphibious assault demonstrates the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. An amphibious landing of infantry troops on a beach a complex military maneuvers. The undertaking requires coordination of numerous military specialties, including air power, naval gunfire, naval transport, logistical planning, specialized e

North Macedonian soldiers conduct Fire Phobia training during Exercise Kosovo Forces 31 (KFOR31) at Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Oct. 11, 2022. KFOR 31, is multinational training event conducted to prepare units for their deployment to the Kosovo Regional Command East.

031007-M-8703S-055. Base: Magtftc Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 4-Mar

A practice round bursts just outside of the target window during the DEFENDER CHALLENGE '88 M-203 grenade launcher competition. Subject Operation/Series: DEFENDER CHALLENGE '88 Base: Little Rock Air Force Base State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Fireworks light up the sky over Naval Submarine Base New London during an Independence Day celebration. Base: Naval Submarine Base, Groton State: Connecticut (CT) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members from the Laughlin Air Force Base and Del Rio Fire departments move in to extinguish a ground fire during a live fire exercise Feb. 11, 2013, at Laughlin AFB, Texas. The exercise was designed to help Del Rio firefighters maintain their currencies while training alongside Laughlin AFBs firefighters.

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (June 7, 2022) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 detonate an explosive during an airfield damage repair evolution in support of Valiant Shield 2022. Exercises such as Valiant Shield allows the Indo-Pacific Command Joint Forces the opportunity to integrate forces from all branches of service to conduct precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force and our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

War, explosion and missile attack in the countryside during conflict or fighting for freedom with space. Sky, mockup and bomb with a cloud of smoke outdoor on a military warzone or battlefield

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