Combat Patrols and Operations

Images capturing U.S. soldiers engaged in various patrols and operations in combat zones, emphasizing action and the challenges faced during missions.

Equipped and armed special forces soldier during military operation in desert.

A Marine with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment prepares to provide suppressive fire for members of his squad as they sprint across open terrain towards cover, during a patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 18, 2010. Patrols have been increased in an effort to push the Taliban back and create a buffer for villages friendly towards coalition forces in the region.

040811-F-4884R-005. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Las, Anaconda Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Equipped and armed special forces soldier during military operation in desert.

US Marine Corps Privates First Class N.R. Smith and Moore, both from Company C, 1ST batallion, 3rd Marine Regiment, prepare to launch a missile from a SMAW or shoulder fired missle anti-tank weapon. These Marines are practicing on one of the ranges in the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the island of Hawaii during a HCAO or Hawaiian Combined Arms Operation. Base: Pohakuloa Training Area State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

French Forces in Djibouti and U.S. Soldiers with Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, conduct close-quarters marksmanship training at Arta Range, Djibouti, April 13, 2022. U.S and French Forces regularly train to enhance their partnership and build proficiency.

Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/WosunanxPhotostoryx 21537934 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

A wide-spread group of U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 355th Wing received a rendition of the multi-capable Airmen training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, April 28, 2022. The 355th Wing, as an Air Combat Command Lead Wing, conducts regular MCA training to ensure these Airmen are prepared to take on any task or situation they may encounter while downrange.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment pull a watch security halt while searching the mountains in the Andar province of Afghanistan for Taliban members and weapons caches June 6, 2007.

030323-M-5753Q-002. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Az Zubayr Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A squad of Soldiers assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas, are timed as they don their Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology gear during the Iron Squad Competition. The Iron Squad Competition is a four-day event designed to test each squad and individual competitors physical stamina, warrior tasks and battle drills skills and military knowledge. The winning squad will advance to compete in the III Corps Best Squad Competition later this year at Fort Hood.

US Marines on the ground directing a Marine Corps AH-1W SuperCobra during live fire close air support training, Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, California, USA

A soldier looks through his scope during the European Best Sniper Team Competition at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Aug. 5, 2022. The annual European Best Sniper Team Competition is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa competition that tests marksmanship skills, physical prowess, and mental agility while developing relationships and sharing skills between sniper teams across Europe.

U.S. Air Force, Army, and Romanian Army personnel from Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan, conduct a foreign object debris walk and inspection of a dirt landing strip in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan near FOB Lagman as part of the hands on portion of a Landing Zone Safety Officer (LZSO) class. Students were in the class to be certified to safely run the dirt landing and drop zone. The class was taught by U.S. Air Force instructors from Task Force CROM.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Richard Garcia, a rifleman with Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, directs his fireteam during Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 3-22 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 25, 2022. ITX is a month-long training evolution comprised of multiple ranges to refine combined arms maneuver in offensive and defensive combat operations.

970215-M-1890C-003. Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon Everett, a native of Thomasville, Ga., fire support sergeant assigned to Troop C, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, pulls security during a dismounted patrol in Musa Kheyl village, June 5. Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, stationed at Combat Outpost Deysie, patrolled the village with members of the Afghan National Army, to talk with locals and search for weapon caches.

Soldiers with 1-26 infantry regiments, conduct a training lane along with the Romanian task force 151 Oct. 12, 2022 Smardon, Romania.As one of the U.S. militarys contingency response forces, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has units ready to deploy worldwide on short notice to conduct a range of military operations from humanitarian assistance to combat capabilities.

030206-M-5150A-028. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Ta Coyote Country: Kuwait (KWT)

Senior Airman Levi Aragon, 55th Rescue Squadron aircrew, prepares for extraction by an HH-60G Pavehawk while at Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Idaho, Sept. 14, 2022. Terminal Employment is the training performed in preparation for the final phase of the 55th Rescue Squadrons mission of combat search and rescue.

031007-M-8703S-015. Base: Magtftc Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: 4-Mar

U.S. Army Soldiers with the Fort Benning-based 1st battalion, 54th Security Forces Assistance Brigade, observe Georgian Defense Forces soldiers move into defensive positions during Noble Partner at the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia Sep. 2, 2022. Noble Partner is a cooperatively-led multinational training exercise in its sixth iteration between the Georgian Defense Forces (GDF) and U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

U.S. Marines on Patrol in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, Near the Town of Marjah

U.S. Army Soldiers with Cutthroat Company, 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (3-4 ABCT) clear a trench during a platoon live-fire exercise at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, Oct. 13, 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.

060104-A-7359K-174. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Mchenry State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) train members of the Kenyan Army on the M224 60 mm Lightweight Company Mortar System (LWCMS) during a Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) in Isiolo, Kenya, June 30, 2022. The teams focused on honing basic skills such as basic marksmanship, small unit tactics, and mission planning.

Kentucky U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), conduct squad live-fire exercise in Djibouti at Arta range complex, Djibouti, June 8, 2022. CJTF-HOA, operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, is a dynamic operational headquarters, supporting missions to counter violent extremist organizations, responding to crises and enhancing stability in East Africa.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Esselstrom, 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, Moody Air Force Base, Ga., participates in an improvised explosive device training course Dec. 12, 2013, at Nellis AFB, Nev. The course teaches students to gain a holistic view of an IED scenario and provides more focused counter-IED training than what has been previously available.

U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa carry a simulated wounded member up an obstacle course at Centre Dentrainment Au Combat (CECAD), Djibouti, Sept. 22, 2022, while participating in the French Desert Commando Course (FDCC). The FDCC is a multi-day course held by the French at CECAD that challenges both U.S. and French service members by challenging the participants physically and mentally through land and water obstacles and endurance exercises while surviving in austere field conditions.

(From Left) Lance Corporals Jon Wiseman and Sean Nearing provide security from a rooftop during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training, Oct. 22. Both Marines serve with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. Wiseman is a rifleman from Gauley Bridge, W.V. and Nearing is an Infantry Automatic Rifleman from Bradenton, Fla. 3/6 is in Yuma supporting the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course taught by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron-1 located at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz.

Green Berets U.S. Army Special Forces Group soldier.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 299th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division fires an Anti-Tank-4, 88mm rocket launcher during a live fire exercise during Decisive Action Rotation 22-09 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 16th, 2022.

Two soldiers in the desert during the military operation

U.S. Army joint terminal attack controllers and Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) members prepare to coordinate calls-for-fire to a U.S. Air Force AC-130J Ghostrider during Exercise KEEN SWORD 23 at Draughon Range near Misawa Air Base, Japan, Nov 17, 2022. KEEN SWORD is the latest in a series of joint-bilateral field training exercises designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of the JSDF and U.S. Forces.

BELLOWS AIR FORCE STATION, Hawaii (July 19, 2022) U.S. Marines assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, Marine Air-Ground Task Force 7, and Mexican Naval Infantry Soldiers, provide security in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 19. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC 2022 from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 2022 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 worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

CH-53E Super Stallion Al Asad Iraq

DF-ST-86-07838. Base: Gabel Mamza Country: Egypt (EGY)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. John Yachimovicz (left), and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Grant Maxie, infantrymen assigned to Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit, provide simulated suppressive fire as part of an integrated training event during African Lion 2022, Camp Ben Ghilouf, Tunisia, June 21, 2022. African Lion 22 is a multinational- scale exercise focused on increasing training and interoperability between the U.S., partners and allies in Africa to work towards increased security and stability within the region.

A Taliban soldier stands with a machine gun, Raise hands in surrender to the allied soldiers, In the desert mountain terrain battlefield A Taliban soldier stands with a machine gun, Raise hands in surrender to the allied soldiers, In the desert mountain terrain battlefield ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/WosunanxPhotostoryx 21538160 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, plot points on a map during the Crucible at Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 17, 2022. The Crucible is a 54-hour culminating event consisting of mentally and physically demanding challenges with limited food and sleep.

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, participate in 12 stalls during the crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 15, 2022. The crucible is a 54-hour event that challenges all the skills a recruit has learned throughout recruit training.

021206-F-6701P-015. Base: Vasiani Country: Georgia (The Country) (GEO)

A critical skills operator patrols alongside explosive ordnance disposal technicians with Marine Forces Special Operations Command and Air Force Special Operations Command during a training event June 24, 2022. The EOD primer tests all aspects of a technicians knowledge and expertise needed to perform as the only tech on a Marine Special Operations Team while operating in austere, politically sensitive, or hostile environments. EOD technicians assigned to MARSOC have completed Marine Special Operations Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal Level 1, which trains Fleet Marine Force EOD technicians in the knowledge and skills required to support the core tasks assigned to MARSOC as a special operations capability specialist.

During Annual Training 2022, Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers from Charlie Company trained extensively in tactical movements. At the core of those skills is the buddy rush” where infantry soldiers practice the most basic skills of combat. According to U.S.Army Field Manual for The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squads; Every Infantryman, from the private enlisted Soldier, to the general officer, is first a rifleman. As such, he must be a master of his basic skills: shoot, move, communicate, survive, and sustain. These basic skills provide the Soldier’s ability to fight. When collectively applied by the fire team, squad, and platoon, these skills translate into combat power. Of all branches in the U.S. Army, the Infantry is unique because its core competency is founded on the individual Soldier — the Infantry rifleman. While other branches tend to focus on weapon systems and platforms to accomplish their mission, the Infantry alone relies almost exclusively on the human dimension of

060105-A-3283V-017. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Diwaniyah State: Qadisiyah Country: Iraq (IRQ)

020714-F-0201H-029. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kabul Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Sgt. Marco Nunez and Pfc. Isaac Thompson, both infantrymen assigned to 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and 1st Lt. Andrew Dytiuk, an infantry officer also assigned to 4th Bn., 9th Inf. Reg., conduct reconnaissance during a warfighter exercise, Sept. 24, 2022, at Fort Carson, Colorado. Ivy Soldiers train and exercise battle drills to close in the final yards of the battlefield to win our nations wars.

030107-M-0175R-023. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Country: Unknown

Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, advance towards a target as they participate in team live-fire and tactical movement training during Eagle Ursa at the training range in Slunj, Croatia, on February 25, 2024. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployableforces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployedacross Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships andstrengthen the alliance. Army

A U.S. Soldier with Task Force Americal from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, trains with an M4 carbine at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 24, 2022. The U.S. Air Forces 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron facilitate and occasionally conduct Joint Force training with the U.S. Army on PSABs firing range. Soldiers and Airmen must undergo routine weapons qualification training to ensure safety and proficiency standards. (U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Noah J. Tancer)

A Brazilian Marine with 3rd Marine Infantry Battalion, Brazilian Marine Corps, observes an objective during a live fire and maneuver range during Exercise Formosa in Goias, Brazil, Aug. 03, 2022. During this training, Marines exchange infantry knowledge and tactics with Brazilian Marines to further enhance mission readiness. Exercise Formosa focuses on strengthening relations and interoperability between U.S. and Brazilian Forces, conveying the enduring promise to be a trustworthy neighbor.

040310-F-0207D-022. Base: Indian Springs Auxiliary Field State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Three gun crewmen, one looking through the M138 elbow telescope, stand behind breach of an M198 155 mm Howitzer. Camouflage netting in left background. Desert terrain in background. Country: Unknown

Soldiers endure a six-mile ruck march back to garrison during the Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, March 23, 2021. Soldiers representing the Utah National Guards major commands will endure intense mental and physical tests over a three-day competition to determine the states Soldier of the Year, Non-commissioned Officer of the Year and Senior NCO of the Year.

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, drag a simulated casualty during a Marine Air-Ground Task Force Distributed Maneuver Exercise as part of Service Level Training Exercise 2-24 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 15, 2024. MDMX is designed to test the MAGTFs operational capabilities in austere, multi-domain, offensive and defensive operations against adversaries at a regimental level. Marine Corps

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Paratroopers with 3rd Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division prepare to load a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter in the Bermel district of the Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan, Oct. 13, during an air-assault mission to detain a known militant.

M113 Armored Personnel Carriers from the Jordanian Armed Forces and an M1 Abrams from the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 163rd Cavalry Regiment move into an objective during a cordon and search operation during Exercise Eager Lion in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 5, 2022. Eager Lion 22 is a multilateral exercise hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, designed to exchange military expertise, and improve interoperability among partner nations.

A U.S. Soldier with Task Force Americal from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, provides cover fire for his comrade during a Joint Force combat arms training at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 24, 2022. Soldiers and Airmen must undergo routine weapons qualification training to ensure safety and proficiency standards, which they meet together at PSAB.

060401-A-1067B-007. Base: Ntc, Fort Irwin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040414-M-9362G-011. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Army M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle crew, assigned to the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, take a moment to converse after a practice gunnery at Niinisalo, Finland, July 18, 2022. This exercise is the first Bradley Fighting Vehicle gunnery conducted in Finland. The 3rd ABCT and the Pori Brigade of the Finnish Army began summer training in Finland to strengthen relations and help build interoperability between the two nations.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kevin Canovalle from Las Vegas, Nevada, a ground radio operator with 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, communicates with an inbound CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) as they prepare to execute an external lift during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 near Yuma, Arizona on Oct. 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardized advanced tactical training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

U.S. Marines assume the prone position during their annual rifle qualification at Range 116A on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 11, 2022. Camp Pendletons Marksmanship Training Division trains 22,000 Marines and sailors each year across the installation to effectively engage targets with both rifles and pistols. The ARQ is a timed course of fire, ranging from 500 yards down to 15 yards.

030430-F-2034C-002. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, run to a different firing position at Range 800 during the 1st MARDIV annual squad competition at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 8, 2023. The week-long division squad competition incorporates a variety of combat-related tasks designed to evaluate each squads proficiency.

Idahos 145th Brigade Support Battalion spent the past two weeks refining their field training at the Orchard Combat Training Center focusing on day and nighttime mission essential tasks on July 9-18, 2022. Some of the missions included small arms fire, grenade launching, convoy training, land navigation, weapons qualifications, perimeter defense, survivability exercises, medical field training and counter IED actions.

U.S. Marines, soldiers and Tunisian Armed Forces advance through a valley at a rehearsal for a live-fire exercise as a part of African Lion 22 in the Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, June 23, 2022. African Lion 2022 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access.

031217-F-6646W-022. Base: Kirkuk Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/WosunanxPhotostoryx 21538129 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, maneuver through a wire obstacle at range 410A Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., during Integrated Training Exercise 4-22, Aug. 2, 2022. ITX is a live-fire and maneuver combined arms exercise designed to train battalion and squadron-sized units in tactics, techniques, and procedures. This provides a sustainable and ready operational Reserve force for employment across the full spectrum of crisis and global engagement.

Service members with Joint Task Force - Bethel assist local residents with damaged property as part of Operation Merbok Response in Toksook Bay, Alaska, Sept. 24, 2022. More than 130 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes members of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O'Neal)

Service members with Joint Task Force - Bethel assist local residents with damaged property as part of Operation Merbok Response in Toksook Bay, Alaska, Sept. 24, 2022. More than 130 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes members of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O'Neal)

U.S. Army Spc. Triston Burris with Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade engages targets with an M320 grenade launcher during a live fire exercise at Justified Accord 23 in Isiolo, Kenya on Feb. 16, 2023. Justified Accord 23 is a key exercise for U.S. and partner readiness as it enables forces to train and operate as a combined and joint force while enabling East African regional security.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Dye, from Jacksonville, Florida, a fire support liaison chief assigned to Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, moves to the observation point to control various forms of fires including, fixed-wing, rotary-wing, artillery, and mortar assets during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 at Observation Point Sunkist (OP Sunkist), Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, California, Oct. 4, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, 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.

PFC Tuttle, 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, HHB S1, Fort Bliss, Texas uses a phone to contact the Command Post as a UH-60 Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopter takes off from the entry control point. PFC Tuttle is the first line of defense for his headquarters unit during the world's largest joint service, multi-national tactical air operations exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '97 Base: Mcgregor Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Silhouette of military personnel at the back of a Chinook transport helicopter

040323-M-9362G-004. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), make their way to a landing zone during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel mission as part of Realistic Urban Training (RUT) on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 20, 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.

US Marines on Combat Patrol in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush

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.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brady Craddock, the combat arms non-commissioned officer in charge assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Security Force Squadron, spots for a U.S. Soldier with Task Force Americal from the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment, shooting an M4 carbine during a Joint Force combat arms training at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sept. 24, 2022. Soldiers and Airmen must undergo routine weapons qualification training to ensure safety and proficiency standards, which they meet together at PSAB.

031006-M-1623M-005. Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030117-F-1789V-007. Complete Scene Caption: US Air Force (USAF) AIRMAN First Class (A1C) Robert Greco (right) looks through a set of binoculars trying to spot the enemy while A1C Mathew Kressley awaits further instructions during a Silver Flag Alpha training at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Air Field (AAF), Nevada (NV). Both are members of the 55th Security Forces Squadron (SFS), Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska (NE), and are at Indian Springs going through a two-week course on ground air base defense taught by the 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron (GCTS). Both are wearing a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), it detects if the aggressors shoot them. They are also armed with 5.56 M16A2 assault rifles with MILES attachments. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

A U.S. Army infantry soldier and radio operator assigned to 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division stands watch holding an M4 rifle after the target objective buildings were cleared during a blank-fire movement to contact exercise at Yakima Training Center June 8, 2022. Operation Lancer Scorch, which ran from May 20 to June 16, 2022, was an opportunity for the 2-2 SBCT to focus on its infantry company lethality through a complete integration of engineers, cavalry, electronic warfare and other assets.

Sergeant Michael Leash and AIRMAN First Class Daniel Howley of the 443rd Security Police Squadron from Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, man a 90 mm recoiless rifle during Exercise CROWN DEFENDER. Subject Operation/Series: CROWN DEFENDER Country: Unknown

040114-M-9362G-007. Base: Magtftc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion move to cover after placing an explosive charge before breaching a wired obstacle during a combined arms live fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 23, 2022.The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army photograph by Sgt. Luke Michalski)

U.S. Army soldier, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, observes M109 Paladin rounds impact during training and table 6 certifications. A Fire Support Team is responsible for forward observations on the battlefield and activities such as target processing for artillery units and brigade maneuvers.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tim Bradley, chief scout sniper with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, briefs his team at the Ground Reconnaissance Course at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, May 16, 2022. During the course, Marines were tasked with patrolling and observing live role players positions and movements undetected.

Soldiers move toward a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter while the squad sent as their relief walks toward them during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

Soldiers from Alpha Company, 1-5 Infantry Battalion, 1-11 Airborne Division, tends to a wounded soldier during a mock peacekeeping exercise with the Mongolian Armed Forces at the Five Hills Training Center near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 8, 2022. Khaan Quest is an annual United Nations peacekeeping exercise designed to promote improved interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Silhouette of a US Marine in the Foothills of the Hindu Kush Mountains

Turkish Defense Forces service members look out at Turkish T-129 Helicopters on the final day of Exercise Dynamic Front 24 at Polatlı Training Area, Türkiye, Feb. 19, 2024. Exercise Dynamic Front 24 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-directed, 56th Artillery Command-led fires-centric exercise in Germany and Türkiye. Artillery Soldiers train in a joint-combined environment, focusing on fire interoperability, command and control between multinational units, and using Artillery Systems Cooperation Activities protocol systems. Army Reserve

030408-M-2195C-017. Base: Mcagcc, Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sergeant Scott Palelei, chief instructor of Mission Sustainment Teams (MST) training with the 137th Combat Training Flight (CTF), Oklahoma Air National Guard, navigates during field training at Fort Sill, Okla., Sept. 10, 2022. The 137th CTF instructors taught MST Airmen the techniques necessary to operate in austere environments, including basic combat skills, land navigation, base defense and convoy operations.

U.S. National Guard Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Alaska patrol to the end objective in a corridor platoon patrol and maneuvers training during an Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program at Camp Roberts, California, July 20, 2022. XCTC is a series of training exercises between an active-duty U.S. Army Brigade and an Army National Guard Brigade, intended to increase the skills and readiness of National Guard units.

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