Combat Training and Operations

Images of military personnel engaged in combat training, utilizing smoke for cover, and specialized tactics in dark, moody environments.

Police SWAT team fighter aiming pistol while sneaking in the darkness.

U. S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Priest, 1st Combat Camera Squadron combat broadcast journalist, uses a smoke grenade as coverage for crossing an intersection during close quarters battle training at McCrady Training Center, Eastover, S. C., Jan. 27, 2017. Exercise Scorpion Lens is an annual Ability To Survive and Operate training exercise mandated by Air Force Combat Camera job qualification standards. Held at the United States Army Training Center Fort Jackson, S. C., and the McCrady Training Center, Eastover, S.C. the exercises purpose is to provide refresher training to combat camera personnel. Individuals are instructed in the areas of combat tactics, photography, videography and on procedures inherent to support combat camera mission tasks.

United States Army ranger sniper wearing ghillie suit.

Police SWAT team fighter aiming pistol while sneaking in the darkness.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Luis Nunez, an embarkation specialist with the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines, attaches a chain to a High Mobility Air Rocket System, known as HIMARS, on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Oct. 20, 2022. The three-day joint exercise, Operation Rolling Thunder, involved Marines and Airmen working together to further strengthen the DoDs lethality through rapid global mobility.

Sniper wearing face mask and helmet with thermal imager, holding rifle with optical scope.

060704-F-5964B-177. Base: Tall Afar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A tactical fighter with suppressed service rifle in hands, sneaking through a room with blue backlight.

A U.S. Marine with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, fires a 60mm mortar during a live-fire range at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Oct. 3, 2022. The training allowed infantry companies and the medium missile battery with 3d LCT to rehearse maneuver proficiency and conduct expeditionary advanced base operations while integrated into the 3d MLR.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Cyrus Wilson, a pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, conducts preflight checks at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, Aug. 15, 2022. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12 are conducting unit level training in Australia to maintain readiness, test expeditionary capabilities, and increase interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.

March 8, 2008 - 48th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters attack a simulated cargo fire inside an aircraft fire trainer at RAF Mildenhall, England. Firefighters must train constantly to stay proficient in their aircraft rescue and firefighting skills.

Nuclear post apocalypse life after doomsday concept. Grimy survivor with homemade weapons. Studio portrait. post apocalypse survivor with weapons.

DN-ST-90-03764. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Tactical group of fighters quietly sneaking in darkness across a field during a night mission.

A member of the 435th Tactical Aircraft Wing Confrontation Management Team prepares to protect the base during an expected demonstration against NATO's decision to deploy Pershing II and cruise missiles in Western Europe. Base: Rhein-Main Air Base Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Studio shot in red backlight of a special forces soldier wearing night vision device, aiming short barrel assault rifle.

Spec ops police officers SWAT in black uniform and face mask studio shot. Spec ops police officersSWAT

Special forces soldier smoking a cigarette by the fire in a ruined building.

U.S. Army soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division prepare to jump out of a C-17 Globemaster III over North Carolina during Battalion Mass Tactical Week, Jan. 23, 2023. BMTW provides an opportunity for Fort Braggs Third Brigade combat team soldiers to train in personnel drops and joint aircraft inspections in preparation for future deployments.

240227-N-EC000-1181 YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 27, 2024) Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class James Burrous, from Richmond, Texas, uses a power drill to drill holes in a piece of metal during a repair in the metalsmith shop of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), while in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Feb. 27. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, and supports alliances, partnerships and collective maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. Navy

Studio shot of U.S. Marines on black background.

A U.S. Marine with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) simulates detecting and identifying contaminants at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Nov. 22, 2022. CBIRF conducted a certification exercise using an Initial Rescue Force (IRF) Focused, battalion driven exercise designed to test IRF leadership in task organization and command, and control.

A Soldier competing at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Best Squad Competition during helicopter transport to another event. TRADOCs Best Squad competition highlights 10 squads from across the enterprise. This competition shows each team's ability to complete common Soldier tasks and skills as a cohesive, ready, and resilient team, while facing stiff competition from other TRADOC centers of excellence. The competition is from Sept. 12-16, 2022, at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Low key studio shot of an elite soldier with shotgun, wearing face mask and helmet with thermal imager.

U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, "Leader Rakkasans," 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), supporting 3rd Infantry Division, clear a building during training conducted at the Nursipalu Training Area, Estonia, during a visit from Estonian President Alar Karis and U.S. Ambassador to Estonia George P. Kent 25 Jan. 2024. The 3rd Infantry Divisions mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe.

Soldier shooting rifle on fiery background.

Army special operations soldier, security service fighter, commando shooter equipped modern ammunition, wearing combat helmet, mask and glasses, carefully sneaking in darkness with handgun in hand. Military security service fighter sneaking in dark

Special forces in an Army kayak on a cloud night under a full moon in the jungle.

A member of the Special Reactions Team fires an M4A1 Carbine during multiple weapons sustainment training on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 11, 2022. The members of SRT are attached to the Provost Marshals Office and are specifically trained and equipped to react in scenarios like an active shooter, hostage situations, and barricaded subjects.

Modern soldier in combat uniform, helmet and radio headset, shooting handgun in the darkness.

Studio shot of U.S. Marine pointing rifle, surrounded by smoke.

Special forces operator armed with machine gun, paddling Army kayak through river fog.

A U.S Air Force Senior Airman Miguel Ramirez, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, conducts an IED sweep during Exercise Green Goblin at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Dec. 7, 2022. The EOD Airmen aided the 1st Combat Camera Squadron in the four-day exercise which provides relevant and essential night-vision training to prepare combat camera Airmen with enhanced photographic and video capabilities required to capture imagery in low-light and no-light environments.

Teamwork, fast and paintball with man in game for playground, motion blur and gaming. Challenge, mission and soldier with people shooting in battlefield arena for target, gun and warrior training

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, establish defense positions during Jungle Warfare Exercise 23 in the Central Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16, 2023. JWX 23 is a large-scale field training exercise focused on leveraging the integrated capabilities of joint and allied partners to strengthen all-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment.

070310-M-6500K-029. Complete Scene Caption: March 10, 2007, Joint Security Forces from the 7th street Security Station in Ramadi, Iraq to include Iraqi Police along with Marines from st Battalion, 6th Marines (/6), Second Marine Division and Iraqi Army Soldiers conduct Operation Okinawa. The operation consisted of several dismounted patrols to specific buildings near the"Race Track"area. These buildings were searched and cleared and then Marine Combat Engineers constructed and fortified a new Observation Post. /6 is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Anbar province of Iraq MNF-W to develop the Iraqi Security Forces, facilitate the development of official rule of law through democratic government reforms, and continue the development of a market based economy centered on Iraqi reconstruction. Ramadi, Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by SGT. Michael Kropiewnicki) (Released) Subject Operation/Series: OKINAWA Base: Camp Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Ma

Green Berets U.S. Army Special Forces Group soldier in the rain.

National Famine Monument, commemorating 150 year anniversary of the Irish Famine, Murrisk, near Westport, County Mayo, Connacht, Republic of Ireland, ...

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Caid Lopez, a combat engineer with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, conducts a long-range insertion of more than 800 miles during Alert Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force Exercise from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma on Okinawa to mainland Japan, June 9, 2022. III Marine Expeditionary Force executed these actions as part of a series of integrated no-notice drills to maintain a high state of readiness and demonstrate U.S. resolve to maintain regional security. 3/2 is forward-deployed under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as a part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Army counter-terrorism squad, police SWAT team fighter hiding identity behind mask and glasses, wearing helmet with night vision-device, creeping in darkness, aiming service pistol during mission. Police SWAT team fighter aiming service pistol

United Kingdom Royal Marines from 45 Commando and U.S. Army Green Berets from 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) prepare to enter a compound during a training mission at Grafenwöhr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022. This Special Forces-led exercise is designed to improve their ability to work with the United Kingdoms commando forces in a time of crisis.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Girard, 535th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, readies to release cargo from a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 15th Operations Group during a bilateral exercise with Japan Air Self-Defense Force 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron members around the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 28, 2022. JASDF joined PACAFs 535th AS, participating in a 3-day bilateral exercise and familiarizing aircrew from both services on the capabilities of the Kawasaki C-2 and the C-17.

A crewman in protective clothing works to reconfigure a C-141 Starlifter aircraft into a medevac plane during a chemical warfare exercise. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Post apocalypse. Sole survivor in tatters and gas mask on the ruins of the destroyed city. Nuclear post apocalypse survivor

Police special operations team, quick response group fighter in black uniform, helmet and mask aiming with pistol equipped silencer while hiding behind ballistic shield, toned, low key studio shoot. Police special team fighter with pistol and shield

Modern soldier, counter terrorist squad fighter in combat uniform, helmet and tactical radio headset, aiming service pistol in darkness, shooting with handgun, studio portrait on dark background. Counter terrorist squad fighter soldier aiming pistol

U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance Marines with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), walk through a smokescreen during a live-fire exercise on Vuohisaari Island, Finland, Aug. 15, 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.

Modern soldier, counter terrorist squad fighter in combat uniform, helmet and tactical radio headset, aiming service pistol in darkness, shooting with handgun, studio portrait on dark background. Counter terrorist squad fighter soldier aiming pistol

Soldiers participate in the lane "1917" during the European Best Sniper Team Competition at the Hohenfels Training Area, Germany, Aug. 6, 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.

US Navy Engineman Third Class Aaron Richter stands a reflash watch in a berthing compartment during a general quarters drill on board USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75) during the aircraft carrier's last day on station in the Persian Gulf where they participated in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

special forces soldiers team in urban environment making tactical assault action

Futuristic Nazi soldier with Luger pistol and gas mask, in fire and smoke.

Post apocalyptic world bandit or marauder, nuclear disaster survivor, veteran stalker in face mask and sunglasses, handicraft lamellar armor, armed with handmade pistol, isolated on black studio shoot. Post apocalyptic survivor with handmade pistol

A helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 7 (HS-7) SH-3H Sea King helicopter is enveloped by steam from the catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) during Fleet Ex 1-90. Subject Operation/Series: FLEET EX 1-90 Base: USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines moves from ship-to-shore in a CH-53E Super Stallion during Balikatan 22 in Claveria, 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 shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder,’ is a longstanding bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th and largest-ever iteration of the exercise. BK22 coincides with the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation and a shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

050823-A-3240S-013. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Victory, Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Senior Master Sgt. James Robbins observes his fire team during a stairwell clearing exercise March 5, 2014, at Silver Flag Alpha, 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron Range, Nev. Robbins is a 99th GCTS instructor and superintendent of operations.

Fire Fighter on a Burning House

United States Army ranger during a military operation.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Petok, an infantry Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares his gear before a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 31, 2024. The TRAP exercise was conducted to evaluate the platoons rapid response and recovery tactics of downed aircraft personnel and equipment, as well as advanced trauma life support capabilities in isolated locations during deployment. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Special forces operator during assault rappeling with weapons. rappeling assault

man approaching to shoot long rifle weapon

Green Berets U.S. Army Special Forces Group soldier in the rain.

Second World War. Front pictures. Group of Wehrmachigers at dusk

Portrait of terrorist loading gun, attacking enemy command center. Close up of masked insurgent reloading pistol during enemy base assault hijacking in guerilla warfare armed conflict, camera B

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Krisha Contreras, 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron Personnel Support for Contingency Operations sustainments technician, assists with luggage identification at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 16, 2022. By being one of the largest PERSCO teams in the area of responsibility, they provide support to military personnel in transit across the AOR.

DF-ST-85-13187. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT SCORPION Base: Little Rock Air Force Base State: Arkansas (AR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Videographer with Professional Movie Video Camera Gimbal Stabilizing Equipment Taking Action Shoot of Soldiers in Action in urban environment with fire effect

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Korinne K. Takeyama, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron commander, extinguishes the simulated flames in a fire escape room exercise for fire safety awareness Oct. 12, 2022 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. The Airmen had to work together to find clues, unlock padlocks and perform a rescue as part of an exercise to impress upon people the importance and challenge of fire safety awareness.

U.S. FIFTH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (August 15, 2022) - A U.S. Marine assigned to Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Central Command (FASTCENT) conducts advanced marksmanship live-fire drills at a training facility in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Aug. 15. FASTCENT provides expeditionary antiterrorism and security forces to embassies, consulates and other vital national assets throughout the region.

SPECIALIST (SPC) Alexander Reitan, US Army (USA), 1ST Battalion, 17th Infantry Division mans a 7.62mm M240G Machine Gun inside a camouflaged bunker as he secures an area at Orote Point, Guam during Exercise TANDEM THRUST '99. Subject Operation/Series: TANDEM THRUST 99 Base: Orote Point State: Guam (GU) Country: Northern Mariana Islands (MNP)

Spec ops police officer SWAT with ballistic shield.

Spec ops police officer SWAT in the rain. Spec ops police officer SWAT

The 374th Civil Engineer Squadron Rapid Airfield Damage Repair team conduct RADR training as part of an exercise at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. RADR is a multi-staged process which quickly and effectively repairs airfields, allowing for operations to continue in combat situations.

LCPL Miller of Bravo Company, 1ST Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion , rigs his Light Armored Vehicle (LAV-25) with snow chains in off road conditions during NORTHERN EDGE. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN EDGE Base: Fort Greely State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF), conduct proper decontamination procedures after extracting notional casualties from a simulated nuclear detonation training area during Scarlet Response 2022 at Guardian Centers of Georgia, Georgia, May 19, 2022. CBIRF Marines will bring casualties to decontamination tents, decontaminate and move them into a clean area for advanced medical care. Scarlet Response 2022 is designed to physically and mentally test CBIRF personnel and the units joint partners, the 911th Technical Rescue Engineer Company, in a simulated joint disaster response.

SWAT police special forces hiding behind ballistic shield and smoke screen.

Illuminated by a red light, three members of Detachment 3, 5th Weather Squadron, prepare to launch a balloon to gather weather data. Base: Fort Bragg State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

010326-M-6537L-005. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ 2001 Base: Uss Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST Marine Expeditionary Force

DF-ST-85-12096. Base: Bitburg Air Base Country: West Germany (FRG)

1st Air Cavalry Brigade conducts battalion-sized air assault training operation with the Italian Paratrooper Brigade "FOLGORE" during Swift Response 2022, Skopje, North Macedonia, May 17, 2022. 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.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Chris Edwards, a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced), conducts flight operations while hauling a Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) 3 Training Can assigned to 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Brigade (ADA) during a training exercise in Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 18, 2024. The loading system was designed by GySgt. Rodrigo HernandezPolindara, VMM-265, to offer a more efficient method of transporting HIMARS. Edwards is a native of California.

Spec ops police officers SWAT in black uniform and face mask, studio shot.

modern warfare authentic american marines soldier in protective combat gear and rifle with laser beam sight

82nd Airborne artillery personnel load and fire M102 105 mm howitzers during Operation URGENT FURY. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)

DA-ST-85-12364. Subject Operation/Series: SPEARPOINT '84 / REFORGER '84 Country: West Germany (FRG)

NEW LONDON, NORTH CAROLINA. Staff Sgt Timothy Van Dyke reacts during atraining scenario with Staff Sgt Mike Stamper, an aggressor in a "red man" suit during unit training assembly weekend. Both Airmen are assigned to the 145th Security Forces Squadron, N.C. Air National Guard, and are members of the Raven program. They and others in his unit can be deployed on short notice to provide anti-hijacking measures and aircraft security.

Paintball, team work or men running in a shooting game with speed or fast action on a fun battlefield. Mission focused, military or people running with weapons or guns for survival in a competition

041004-F-1740G-002. Base: Yokota Air Base Country: Japan (JPN)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Chance Feller, a satellite transmission system operator with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 22, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 25, 2022. CLB-22s MCCRE is the battalion's final evaluation to demonstrate combat readiness through proficiency in core mission essential tasks before they begin a change of operational control (CHOP) to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Silhouetted National Guard during 1992 riots, South Central Los Angeles, California

Somali men unload sacks of grain from the back of a commerical truck at a feeding center, run by CARE, in Mogadishu, Somalia. This was in effort to flood the streets of Mogadishu with food, and thus weaken the city's bandits. The non-governmental agencies, coalition forces and new Somali police force did a mass food distribution in the Somali capital. This mission is in direct support of Operation Restore Hope. Subject Operation/Series: RESTORE HOPE Base: Mogadishu Country: Somalia (SOM)

special forces soldiers team in urban environment making tactical assault action

Syria, Damascus. Old souk

220709-N-TT059-1560 GULF OF OMAN (July 9, 2022) Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Austin Robberson fires a 9mm pistol during a low-light gun shoot aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) in the Gulf of Oman, July 9. Momsen is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

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