Helicopter Operations and Training

Images showcasing various military helicopters during operational training, hovering and landing in challenging environments, demonstrating agility and readiness.

July 11, 2012 - A U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter begins to land during exercise Javelin Thrust on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, California.

A left side view of a CH-53 helicopter hovering over the desert during exercise Bright Star '82. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR '82 Base: Wadi Seidna Air Base Country: Sudan (SDN)

July 11, 2012 - A U.S. Marine Corps CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter begins to land during exercise Javelin Thrust on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-nine Palms, California.

United States Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopter launches on a combat operation in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan

020822-A-6414T-008. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Khowst Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter departs Patrick Space Force Base, Florida, Sept. 26, 2022, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Ian. The decision was made to relocate the aircraft to areas that would prevent them from being damaged. In less than 24-hours, all of the wing's HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters were prepared, pre-flight checked, then flown or loaded to be transported off of the installation. This movement was the equivalent of a rapid deployment of the wing's Personnel Recovery Task Force-Heavy, which utilizes multi-capable Airmen from across the wing to mobilize rapidly for rescue operations around the world.

Soldiers from B Co. 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade participated in the 2nd Infantry Division ROK-U.S. Combined Division wet gap crossing on September 20-21, 2022 by sling loading sections of a pontoon bridge and lowering them into a river. The 11th Engineer Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade provided the pontoon bridge sections that were used to build the bridge.U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Frank Spatt

CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (REIN), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to land and offload Marines during a helicopter raid exercise here, Oct. 14. The training was part of the 29th iteration of the annual Philippines Bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise, designed to increase interoperability between U.S. and Philippine forces while strengthening their long standing bond.

030414-M-5654R-022. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Tikrit State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: MWSS-373

A UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167 performs close-air support near Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Michigan, Aug. 10, 2022. HMLA-167 trained with U.S. Army National Guard and U.S. Air National Guard units during joint exercise Northern Strike 22-2. HMLA-167 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

DF-ST-87-07528. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DN-SC-88-03886. Base: Persian Gulf

A Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 4 (HC-4) CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter lowers a partially dismantled Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 9 (HS-9) SH-3H Sea King helicopter onto the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 67). The Sea King helicopter was carried to the KENNEDY from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

DN-ST-89-08652. Base: San Diego Bay State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Mi-8 "Hip" helicopter simulates an attack while being scoped by a Dutch Stinger Missile Platoon (Not shown) on McGregor Range, New Mexico during Roving Sands '99, June 21, 1999. Roving Sands is a one-of-a-kind event that is the world's largest Joint Tactical Air Operations exercise. It melds the Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Elements; Air Defense Artillery; and Aircraft; of the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Multinational Forces, into a Joint Integrated Air Defense System (IADs). Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '99 Base: Mcgregor Range State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Florida Army National Guard Soldier from 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment, climbs down the side of an LUH-72 Lakota helicopter after morning maintenance on the aircraft at Cecil Commerce Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 16, 2014.

Soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), conduct Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction (FRIES) training out of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 18, 2022.

120801-N-KL795-084MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII KANEOHE BAY (Aug. 1, 2012) A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter kicks up dust as it lands during a beach landing exercise at Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2012. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial RIMPAC exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

U.S. Marines with Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, fly in UH-60 aircrafts before executing a mission readiness exercise at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Jan. 10, 2023. The exercise was conducted in order to practice realistic training to improve, sustain, and develop standards of procedures safely.

Military helicopter doing touch and go, Arizona

A 332d Air Expeditionary Wing HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter receives fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft, also assigned to the 332d AEW, in Southwest Asia June 12, 2022. The primary mission of the Pave Hawk is to conduct day or night personnel recovery operations into hostile environments to recover isolated personnel during conflict. The HH-60G is also tasked to perform military operations other than conflict, including civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, security cooperation/aviation advisory, NASA space flight support, and rescue command and control.

DF-ST-87-07568. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DM-SC-87-12295. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

A U.S. Marine CorpsUH-1Y Venom from Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, lands at a forward arming and refueling point at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., during Integrated Training Exercise 4-22, on July 20, 2022. A FARP is a temporary facility organized, equipped and deployed to provide fuel and ammunition necessary for the employment of aviation maneuver units in combat. ITX provides the Marine Corps Reserve an opportunity to conduct force deployment planning, mobilization rehearsals, Active Component integration and increase combat readiness for all elements of the MAGTF.

040317-A-6414T-020. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar Army Air Field Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

United States Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopters of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division transport M777 Howitzers of the Georgia Army National Guards 1st Battalion 118th Field Artillery Regiment during training at Fort Stewart, Ga. Dec. 11, 2018. The 1-118th, and other units of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are preparing for their fourth combat deployment since September 11, 2001.

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Cobra assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 lands during a training exercise with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 23, 2022. HMH-361 launched 6 CH-53E Super Stallions in support of the squadrons required annual training.

Alaska Army National Guard aviators assigned to Joint Task Force - Aviation depart Bethel, Alaska, in a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to recover service members from JTF - Bethel who were assisting the community of Nightmute, Alaska, with storm debris removal as part of Operation Merbok Response, Sept. 23, 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)

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment, flies overhead with ammunition during Western Strike 22 at Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho, June 14, 2022. Western Strike 22 is an eXportable Combat Training Capabilities exercise led by the 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.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 24 attach a Light Armored Vehicle 25 to a CH-53K King Stallion helicopters lift hooks at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 27, 2022. The CH-53K King Stallion, the Marine Corps newest heavy-lift helicopter, can lift up to 36,000 pounds of equipment, holds up to 30 troops, and features a computerized fly-by-wire system for semiautonomous piloting. CLB-24 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, the logistics combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

030429-M-3368I-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Jalibah Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469 land an AH-1Z Viper after conducting aerial dive-fire drills during Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 7, 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.

Two Navy SH-60 Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopters from the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, North Island, California, approach a landing site near Phillips Hills in the New Mexican desert during a familiarization flight. The SH-60's aircraft and crew's mission, as part of the Red Forces, includes searching for Scud missile sites on the Alamogordo bombing range, during the world's largest joint service, multi-national tactical air operations exercise. Subject Operation/Series: ROVING SANDS '97 Base: Roswell State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 33rd Rescue Squadron departs for an evening training flight from Kadena Air Base, Japan, March 29, 2023. The 33rd RQS conducts extensive training in various rescue scenarios, day and night, to ensure they are ready to effectively respond to real-world contingencies.

USNS ARCTIC - A Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Force Reconnaissance Platoon, provide security while a CH-53E Super Stallion lands on the USNS Arctic during a simulated Expanded, Visit, Board, Search and Seizure, Dec. 7, 2011 The 24th MEU is currently taking part in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. The CH-53E helicopters are a detachment from HMH-464 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.

First Lt. Joseph Carroll, Company I Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regimentlooks on as an MV-22B Osprey’ takes off during an air assault an Urbanized Terrain town during the Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation Exercise, Jan.16, 2015.

050825-N-7286M-024. State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

United States Marine Corps aviators and ground crew prepare to launch a UH-1Y Venom helicopter on a combat operation in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 (HMLA-267), Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepares to land during Summer Fury 22 at Fort Irwin, California, August 03, 2022. By operating out of forward aviation nodes, HMLA-267 demonstrated expeditionary capabilities in an austere environment. Summer Fury 22 is designed to enhance Marine-Air-Ground Task Force integration and increase aviation operations proficiency with realistic, relevant training to ensure the Marine Corps largest aircraft wing remains operationally excellent, interoperable, deployable on short notice and lethal when called into action.

DA-ST-88-03382. Country: Unknown

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 takes off during Keen Sword 23 at Camp Ainoura, Japan, Nov. 15, 2022. Keen Sword is a biennial training event that exercises the combined capabilities and lethality developed between the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force and the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF). This bilateral field-training exercise between the U.S. Military and JSDF strengthens interoperability and combat readiness of the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

A US Marine AH-1W Super Cobra Fires its 20mm Turret Gun During a Live Fire Combat Training Exercise

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Skorski, right, a CH-47 Chinook flight engineer assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Squadron, 214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, talks with a Finnish pilot during a cultural-exchange flight held at Tampere, Finland, Aug. 4, 2022. For the next few weeks, U.S. Soldiers and Finnish troops will be conducting multiple training exercises to strengthen relations and help build interoperability between the two nations.

A pair of 210th Rescue Squadron HH-60 Pave Hawks fly over Alaska on a training mission Jan. 13, 2012.

Straight on long shot from a low angle, looking up as US Marine CH-53 "Super Sea Stallion" from the HMH 772nd Naval Air Station, Pennsylvania, hovers near the drop zone to deploy a fast rope team, Sunday, March 5, 2000. The team consisting of Explosive Ordnance Disposal members (not shown) from Charleston AFB, South Carolina, and Travis AFB, California, are deployed to the Air Mobility Warfare Center, Fort Dix, New Jersey, for the Phoenix Readiness Combat Course. Subject Operation/Series: PHOENIX READINESS Base: Fort Dix State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to the 1-207th Aviation Regiment, lands on Malemute Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 2, 2022. The AKARNG aviators conducted air assault training with the University of Alaska Army ROTC detachment during its end-of-semester field training exercise. The AKARNGs General Support Aviation Battalion routinely trains with all branches of the military as well as civilian agencies to hone its operational interoperability and maintain readiness for a wide range of state and federal missions.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter takes flight during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 7, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region.

A CH-53E Super Stallion prepares to land during a parachute operations training with 2d Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, on Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, North Carolina, April 28, 2022. This military freefall training included integration with U.S. Navy Physiological Technicians which enabled the unit to jump from 19,000 feet and above using oxygen supported supports.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division (MARDIV), conduct fast-rope training during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-22 at Laguna Army Airfield, Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, April 2, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, which emphasizes the development of small task-organized unit experimentation across all warfighting functions, as well as enhance the battalion's ability to conduct command and control, fire-support planning, intelligence functions, and logistical support to distributed company level operations. This exercise continues support of 2d MARDIV's experimental battalion's assessment and mission essential task list-based pre-deployment training progression.

military helicopter in mountains at war

DA-SC-84-06730. Base: Fort Campbell State: Kentucky (KY) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A member of the ground support crew signals to the pilot of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter attempting to pick up a piece of equipment during exercise Team Spirit '89. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '89 Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron prepares to take off for a night operation during a mission rehearsal in support of Exercise Agile Spartan within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 21, 2023. Exercise Agile Spartan is a combined, joint training exercise that enhances international partnerships and regional security in the USCENTCOM AOR.

(FORT BENNING, GA) Scout teams board the Chinook helicopterthat will take them to the HLZ in the first Inaugural Gainey Cup Scout Competition, March 5, 2013 at Fort Benning. US Army photo Patrick A. Albright

An AH-1 Cobra helicopter stands on the airfield during Operation Sand Eagle '88. Subject Operation/Series: SAND EAGLE '88 Base: Mcdill Air Force Base State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

UH-60 Black hawks from the Utah Army National Guard brought in distinguished visitors to visit more than 200 service members across four major commands who participated in a one day exercise held at Dugway Proving Ground on Sept. 8, 2022. The joint force exercise prioritized the concepts of Agile Combat Employment and Multi-Capable Airmen.

U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters prepare to pick up and transport Soldiers for an air assault mission near Samarra, Iraq, March 3, 2007.

An M-102 105mm howitzer is airlifted by a 101st Airborne Division UH-60A Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopter during Exercise Gallant Eagle '86. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, disembark a CH-46 Chinook helicopter during a squad competition at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Feb. 12, 2014. The helicopter provided initial transport to the nearly 10-mile course, where squads then navigated the different obstacles on their own.

An Implementation Forces Sea King HAS MK 6 helicopter carrying British Prime Minister John Major lands at the helo-pad on Ilidza Compound in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Ilidza, Sarajevo Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

Italian Army AB-205MEP utility helicopter in flight over Shindand, Afghanistan, in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission.

040504-F-6665C-006. Base: Vandenberg Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFSPC

A U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom aircraft assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1), departs after inserting U.S. Navy SEALs into a training compound during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23 at Deuce Village, near Yuma, Arizona, Oct. 12, 2022. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardized advanced tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Brandt Tschida, a landing support specialist with 1st Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, guides a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), to the landing zone after completing a cargo lift during exercise Steel Knight 23 at Sand Hill on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 1, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver. Tschida is a Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, native.

030811-F-6701P-018. Subject Operation/Series: JTF LIBERIA Base: Lungi Country: Sierra Leone (SLE)

060605-F-5964B-040. Base: Tall Afar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

030204-M-7031A-015. Base: Marine Corps Base, Ternate State: Cavite Province Country: Philippines (PHL) Scene Major Command Shown: 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines

040609-F-3488S-006. Base: Eielson Air Force Base State: Alaska (AK) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: PACAF

060115-A-4545F-102. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Bayji State: Salah Ad Din Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), conduct Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction (FRIES) training out of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 18, 2022.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, brace themselves for rotor downwash as a CH-53E Super Stallion lands on a runway during a basic assault support exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23, at Auxiliary Airfield II, near Yuma, Arizona, 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.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, brace themselves for rotor downwash as a CH-53E Super Stallion lands on a runway during a basic assault support exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 1-23, at Auxiliary Airfield II, near Yuma, Arizona, 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.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter takes flight during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 7, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region.

DA-ST-85-02240. Subject Operation/Series: URGENT FURY Country: Grenada (GRD)

HH-60Gs from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev., fly above the ranges north of Nellis and areas of Lake Mead during training missions while participating in the extensive course. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A CH-47 Chinook assigned to B Company 1/189th General Support Aviation Battalion, Nevada National Guard, lands at a Forward Arming and Refueling Point to top off its tank after conducting an aerial gunnery lane at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, June 22, 2022. A FARP is designed to provide fuel and ordnance necessary for highly mobile and flexible helicopter and fixed-wing operations.

041209-M-5607G-002. Base: Starlight Training Site State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), conduct Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction (FRIES) training out of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 18, 2022.

030204-M-7031A-016. Country: Philippines (PHL) Scene Major Command Shown: 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines

A Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, 3rd Marine Air Wing, carries a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle during the Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration of the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 22, 2022. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, artillery and infantry forces, and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

An AH-64D Apache helicopter comes in for a landing at a military base in Afghanistan.

U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter lands at landing zone to pick up soldiers assigned to Cobra Battery, 3rd battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment during elevator drill training in Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, Jan. 11, 2024. Rotational units deployed to Europe continuously train to rapidly surge combat-ready forces across the theater to support the NATO alliance and project forces together.

A soldier with the 2-244th Airfield Operations Battalion, Louisiana National Guard, hangs from the hoist of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to Task Force Gunfighters, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, during hoist training above Multi-National Base Tarin Kot, Afghanistan, Sept. 19, 2013.

A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk, assigned to the 1st Squadron, 214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, left, and a Finnish NH90 utility helicopter, fly in formation on their way to a multinational media day held at Tampere, Finland, Aug. 3, 2022.

A High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is attached to the center-bay hoist of a hovering CH-47 Chinook helicopter from the 49th Division National Guard by personnel from the 21st Combat Support Hospital, 1ST Medical Brigade, during sling-load practice. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: FORSCOM

Rear view of an Israeli Air Force CH-53 Yasur helicopter.

030808-F-4884R-016. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE XI Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Sgt. Greg Fernandez, a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crew chief, works outside of the helicopter after landing, Nov. 11, 2018, at Sacramento Mather Airport in Mather, California. The helicopter is one of the first M-model UH-60s assigned to the California Army National Guard. The aircraft and crew traveled from Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alamitos, in Southern California to support state agencies battling the deadly Camp Fire in Northern California.

RESCUE UNDER FIRE (2017) -Original title: ZONA HOSTIL-, directed by ADOLFO MARTINEZ.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft lands in the Grand Bara Desert, Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2022, during a helicopter landing zone training with the U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) East Africa Response Force (EARF). The EARF is augmented by U.S. Marine Corps aviation assets that transport and insert ground forces wherever they are needed throughout the region, supporting crisis response through seamless and immediate force deployment capabilities across vast distances.

Soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), conduct Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction (FRIES) training out of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, assigned to 2-158 Assault Helicopter Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 18, 2022.

A US Marine Corps (USMC) CH-46E Sea Knight, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron-262 (HMM-262), Marine Aircraft Group-36, 1ST Marine Aircraft Wing, departs after dropping off USMC Marines from Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment (2/3), during training Exercise CROCODILE 2003 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia. Subject Operation/Series: CROCODILE 2003 Base: Camp Samuel Hill State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)

An AH-64A Apache anti-tank helicopter of the XVIII Airborne Corps, armed with AGM-114A Hellfire anti-tank missiles, is prepared for a mission during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Country: Unknown

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), land on a flightline during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) Exercise on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 7, 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.

Marine CH-53 Sea Stallion Helicopters from Helicopter Marine Medium Squadron 365 (HMM-365) sit in front of the control tower and the passenger terminal at Khandahar International Airport, Khandahar, Afghanistan during OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kandahar International Airport Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: 26th MEU (SOC)

UH-1 Iroquois helicopters participate in a joint Australian, New Zealand and U.S. soldiers participate in an airborne assault during exercise Kangaroo '81. Subject Operation/Series: KANGAROO '81 Base: Shoalwater Bay State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)

DF-ST-87-07439. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Country: Unknown

Sgt. Donald Christensen, an explosive ordinance disposal technician with Company C., Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, moves into position as helicopters prepare to land during Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise here, Jan. 12. MEUEX, is a multi-week training exercise conducted prior to every 31st MEU deployment. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nations force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

A U.S. Army Boeing AH-64 Apache from 2-6 Cavalry Squadron, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, conducts training on Pohakuloa Training Grounds, Hawaii, Nov. 3, 2022. Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 23-01 is a realistic training rotation allow us to rehearse strategic movement, and train in unique environments and conditions where they are most likely to be employed in the event of crisis or conflict.

Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil A-Star Helicopter landing in a field to load or off load military personel.

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.

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