Military Command and Operations

Photos capture military leadership interactions and operational briefings, reflecting teamwork and strategic planning in various settings.

CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA (5 September 2019) -- Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander, U.S. Army North, tours the Florida National Guard's Joint Operations Center. She recieved an update on the Florida Guard response from Col. Mike Ladd, Joint Task Force Director of Operations and Maj. Gen. Jim Eifert, the Adjutant General of Florida.

CAMP BLANDING, FLORIDA (5 September 2019) -- Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, Commander, U.S. Army North, tours the Florida National Guard's Joint Operations Center. She recieved an update on the Florida Guard response from Col. Mike Ladd, Joint Task Force Director of Operations and Maj. Gen. Jim Eifert, the Adjutant General of Florida.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Bartley Johnson, inspector supervisor with the 115th Maintenance Company, welcomes Soldiers to the 10th annual Utah Mechanic of the Year Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, March 27, 2023. Hosted by the Utah National Guard, the Utah Mechanic of the Year Competition kicks off the Equipment Readiness Symposium (formerly Maintenance Symposium), which is a week-long event that concentrates on honing vehicle and equipment maintenance proficiencies.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Lanaghan, Assistant Adjutant General - Air, Missouri National Guard, coins Airmen of the 139th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, on Feb. 4, 2024. Lanaghan serves as the chief adviser to the Adjutant General on all matters pertaining to programs, policies, operations, management, and command and control of the Missouri Air National Guard. Air National Guard

Lt. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, Space Operations Command Commander, presents challenge coins to Clear Space Force Station Arctic Airmen and Guardian superior performers in their duties to protect and defend the homeland. The Clear SFS members provide strategic missile warning, missile defense, and Upgraded Early Warning Radar as an integral part of deterrence in support of Homeland Defense. Clear SFS is home to Arctic Airmen and Guardians assigned to the 13th and 213th Space Warning Squadrons and 268th Security Forces, providing 24/7 missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness.

Maj. Gen. Levon E. Cumpton, the adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, meets with members of the 139th Airlift Wing during a base tour at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, Sept. 20, 2022. Cumpton was briefed on the 139th Airlift Wings North Site Development Plan.

Gen. James J. Mingus, U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff, presents a coin of excellence to Spc. Beau A. Kaminski, an intelligence analyst assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps, for his work during Project Convergence - Capstone 4 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 28, 2024. Mingus met with XVIII Airborne Corps Soldiers to discuss the XVIII Airborne Corps experimentation efforts during PC-C4.The XVIII Airborne Corps is just one of many commands from across the Department of Defense and allied nations taking part in this premiere Joint and Multinational Force experiment to determine how warfighting communications, operations and maneuver would occur in the Future Operational Environment. Army

Soldiers and Army Civilians of the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence prepare to fly in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter April 7, 2022 at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Col. John Williams, 155th Air Refueling Wing commander, greets Airmen returning from deployment in the Middle East, Aug. 28, 2022, during a welcome home ceremony at Lincoln Air Force Base, Neb. Airmen from the 155th ARW were deployed for 60 days at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar and helped contribute to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing mission.

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo attends a reception hosted by General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, at the United States Central Command and the United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, June 17, 2019.

Polish Armed Forces General Commander Jaroslaw Mika, general commander of branches of the Armed Forces, speaks to Polish and U.S. Soldiers before starting the combined arms breach exercise at Bucierz Range, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, April 28, 2022. This exercise demonstrated the strength of the M1A2 Abrams tank in action as part of the Abrams Operations Summit.

USACE Northwest Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Van Epps, visits Portland Districts emergency control center for operation blue roof, a program that provides temporary roof coverage for homeowners in Florida that were affected by hurricane Ian. Volunteers answer phones and field questions from residents affected by hurricane Ian.

U.S. Army Col. Martin Wohlgemuth, Area Support Group-Kuwait commander, bids farewell to Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, U.S. Army Central Commanding General, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait on Aug. 19, 2022 during his visit to the base. Wohlgemuth showed Frank around the base to update him on the units and projects going on around camp.

Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe (left), Pacific Air Forces Command chief master sergeant, shakes hands with Col. John Caldwell, 8th Fighter Wing vice commander, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 5, 2022. Wolfe received a familiarization brief from Caldwell and Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Damian, 8th Fighter Wing command chief, to learn of Kunsans strategic mission and how the Wolf Pack plays a role in supporting an open and free Indo-Pacific theater.

Members of the Lebanese Army are briefed on the history of U.S. Army Central by Mike Clauss(Left), USARCENT command historian, during a key leader engagement September 28 at Patton Hall. During the visit the delegation met with key leaders, discussing partnerships and interoperability.

Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Amrhein, left, Air Force Recruiting Service commander, presents a coin to Staff Sgt. Matthew Ramon, 66th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog trainer, during a visit to a 319th Recruiting Squadron office in Bedford, N.H., Jan. 5. Amrhein, as well as Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Arbona, right, AFRS command chief, met with 319th Recruiting Squadron personnel and Ramon to recognize them for their recent recruiting efforts.

From left, Air Force Civil Engineer Center Commander Maj. Gen. John Allen and fellow CE leaders Col. Scott Matthews, Col. Bradley Johnson and Col. John Tryon watch a presentation of Expedient and Expeditionary Airfield Damage Repair (E-ADR) equipment and materials at the 9700 Area at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, April 20, 2022. From 2019-2021, members of the AFCEC Readiness Lab developed technologies to partner with practical equipment to create the capability. Allens visit was part of an overview focused on ongoing research and development efforts for the expeditionary civil engineering enterprise.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III (right to left) is greeted by U.S Air Force Brig. Gen. Joshua Olson, 86th Airlift Wing commander and 86 AW Command Chief Master Sgt. Charmaine Kelley, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 25, 2022. Secretary Austin invited Ministers of Defense and senior military officials to Ramstein this week to discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and various issues facing U.S. allies and partners.

Lt. Gen. Scott L. Pleus, 7th Air Force commander, presents a commanders coin to Senior Master Sgt. Kellie Babino, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron materiel management flight chief, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Dec. 7, 2022. Babino was recognized for her outstanding performance as well as her contributions during the 2022 Air Force Ball.

U.S. Army and Türkiye Land Forces officers speak and laugh during an Exercise Dynamic Front 24 break 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

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar (left), 19th Air Force command chief, and Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart (center), 19th Air Force commander, listens as Maj. Trevor Johnson (right), 85th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, talks about flight simulators at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 4, 2022. Johnson explained the tools the 47th Operations Group utilizes to produce combat-ready pilots.

United States President Joe Biden salutes Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 51st Fighter Wing command chief, prior to his departure at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 22, 2022. The intent of the trip was to further strengthen relationships between the governments, economies and people of the U.S. and Republic of Korea. In addition to this visit being Bidens first time visiting the country as POTUS, it was an opportunity for the president to interact with service members and their families.

It was an honor to welcome back Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, former hospital commander of Blanchfield Army Community Hospital from '96-'98, now serving as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.Dr. Martinez-Lopez took a nostalgic tour of BACH, witnessing the incredible transformations over the past thirty years. The highlight of the day being the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Fort Campbell VA Clinic inside of BACH.

U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw, left, deputy commander for U.S. Space Command, and Honorable Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for space acquisitions and integration, center, greet U.S. Space Force Chief Master Sgt. Jeramey Conley, command senior enlisted leader for the Joint Task Force-Space Defense during a visit to the organization at Schriever Space Force Base, Sept. 7, 2022. Calvelli received briefings on the organizations mission including its three core functions of space domain awareness, indications and warning and space superiority operations. The JTF-SDs mission is, in unified action with mission partners, to deter aggression, defend capabilities and defeat adversaries throughout the continuum of conflict in order to maintain space superiority in the U.S. Space Command area of responsibility.

Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, 55th Chief of Engineers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general, and Brig. Gen. Daniel Hibner, South Atlantic Division commander, met with Lee County Commissions to discuss Hurricane Ian response efforts at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center Oct. 3, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, left, command chief, Air National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Gregory Lair, assistant adjutant general for the Air, South Dakota National Guard, discuss modernization and the 114th Fighter Wings efforts to weave military, veteran and civilian relations at the South Dakota Military Heritage Alliance during Williams visit to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, April 4, 2022. The trip to the Alliance was part of a base tour during Williams visit to the unit where he met with members of all ranks, provided national-level leadership insight, and sought to gain a better understanding of the Airmens mission.

220627-N-TP834-1037U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander, hosts U.S. Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, June 27, 2022, at USSPACECOM headquarters, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo. During his visit, Hokanson met with Dickinson to discuss personnel management and the advancement of the NGB state partnership program. The National Guard is a fully sustainable and interoperable force that remains strongly committed to providing trained and equipped Airmen and Soldiers, capable and ready to carry out full-spectrum operations to protect America at home, and overseas.

Soldiers from the California National Guards San Bernadino-based 1-185th Infantry Regiment arrived home at Los Angeles International Airport today, Oct. 15, 2022, after a one-year deployment to Poland. During their deployment, the 1-185th was part of Battlegroup Poland, a NATO lead operation that enforces NATO and a multinational military presence in Northeastern Europe. Their specific mission was to train with other nations to demonstrate an alliance and the ability to respond as one force against any potential aggression.

USACE Headquarters Deputy Commander, Maj. Gen. Heitkamp, visits Portland Districts emergency control center for operation blue roof, a program that provides temporary roof coverage for homeowners in Florida that were affected by hurricane Ian. Volunteers answer phones and field questions from residents affected by hurricane Ian.

Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvanias adjutant general, welcomes Lt. Gen. Valdemaras Rupšys, Lithuania's Chief of Defense, and Ambassador Dennis B. Hankins, foreign policy advisor to chief, National Guard Bureau, and their teams to Fort Indiantown Gap Nov. 30, 2022, to discuss the future of the State Partnership Program. Lithuanias official party also includes: Brig. Gen. Modestas Petrauskas, defense attaché to the U.S., Command Sgt. Maj. Remigijus Katinas of the Armed Forces of Lithuania, Lt. Col. Giedrius Anglickis, military assistant to the chief of defense, Maj. Kazimiras Bogdanas, aide de camp to the chief of defense, and Maj. Rūta Montvilė, the public information officer.The United States official party also includes: Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh, deputy adjutant general-Army, Brig. Gen. Michael Regan, deputy adjutant general-Air, Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Worley, senior enlisted advisor, Lt. Col. Stephanie Baugh, defense attaché, U.S. Embassy Vilnius, Lithuania, Maj. Dustin Wolfgang, s

041110-F-2326B-106. Base: Tallil Air Base State: Dhi Qar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, commanding general of U.S. Army Central, accompanied by Col. Scott P. Nicholas, commander of 36th Combat Aviation Brigade "Task Force Mustang," returns salute to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rick Dillenbeck, command chief warrant officer of Task Force Mustang, during his visit to Udairi Landing Zone at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Sept. 17, 2022. 36th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Mustang, is deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist, and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh, the common Arabic term for IS or ISIS, within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A Milley and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff SEAC Ramon Colon-Lopez spoke with soldiers and staff of Garuda Canti Dharma II and thanked them for their efforts to continue peacekeeping training in Indonesia.

SILVERDALE, Wash. (June 23, 2022) - U.S. Navy Capt. Jip Mosman, Commander, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS/IMF), right, congratulates U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Figgs, departing commanding officer of Trident Refit Facility, Bangor (TRFB), during a change of command ceremony at TRFB. TRFB supports the nations strategic deterrence mission by repairing, incrementally overhauling, and modernizing Pacific Fleet strategic ballistic missile submarines during refits.

Maj. Gen. Ben Corell, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, congratulates Staff Sgt. Lorik Ramaj, a Kosovo Security Force member assigned to a civilian affairs company, on his graduation from a U.S. Air Assault course at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, on Sept. 9, 2022. Over 200 students participated in the 12-day course held at Camp Dodge, which trains service members in sling load operations and rappelling. The Iowa National Guard is partnered with the KSF as part of the DOD State Partnership Program, which offers unique opportunities for joint training and cooperation. Ramaj and one other KSF soldier became the first KSF members to graduate from a U.S. Air Assault course.

Mr. Devin L. Cate, Executive Director of the Air National Guard has a question-and-answer session with Airmen at the 106th Rescue Wings Mission Support Group at F.S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. on August 5, 2022. (U.S. Air National Guard photos by Staff Sgt. Daniel H. Farrell)

Training staff with the F-35 Academic Training Center brief U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, the executive officers of the F-35 Joint Program, during a training facility tour at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 30, 2022. The tour highlighted the training capabilities and equipment in the ATC, including aircraft systems maintenance and ejection seat maintenance trainers, engine trainers and the weapons load training hangar.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Vincent Majors, communications flight superintendent of the 514th Force Support Squadron, 514th Air Mobility Wing, discusses preparations for a unit effectiveness inspection with Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Varnes, an inspector general inspection specialist with the 514th AMW, and Staff Sgt. Isaiah Hairston, a client systems technician with the 514th Force Support Squadron, 514th AMW, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., on Jan. 7, 2024. The UEI occurs approximately every three years and involves Air Force Reserve Command-level inspectors visiting the wing to validate and verify their programs for accuracy, adequacy and relevance.

Airmen from the 38th, 41st and 71st Rescue Squadrons spoke with Air Rescue Association members, who were once a part of the rescue community, during the HH-60W Jolly Green II Initial Operational Capability ceremony, Sept. 9, 2022 at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The next phase of U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue helicopters will be led by the 23rd Maintenance Group and 347th Rescue Group - who are charged with ensuring the helicopter is combat ready and fully integrated in rescue operations with the HC-130J Combat King II aircraft. The ceremony displayed the platforms operational capabilities and signifies that the HH-60W has met the criteria for IOC and awaits declaration.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brian Tortorelli, a material management specialist with the 174th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Bryce Dates, a security forces specialist assigned to the 174th Security Forces Squadron, roleplay a training scenario during a security forces augmentee course at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Feb. 14. During the course members of the 174th Security Forces Squadron trained Airmen from across the wing to serve as additional duty security forces augmentees. Air National Guard

From left, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Duncan French, executive officer of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, deputy commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, deputy commander for Marine Forces Pacific, Lt. Col. Luke Balthazar, Australia country director, U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dan Eldred, the resident officer in charge of construction for Australia, and Lt. Col. Vanessa Clark, commanding officer of MRF-D Aviation Combat Element, speak amongst one another at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin, NT, Australia, Aug. 24, 2022. The deputy commanders visited Marines and Sailors with MRF-D 22 and members of the Australian Defence Force in Darwin to reinforce the powerful U.S.-Australian alliance.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, center, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, and U.S. Air Force Col. Nicholas Evans, left, 18th Wing commander, congratulates a 31st Rescue Squadron pararescuemen after a successful landing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 19, 2024. 5th Air Force leaders observed parachute drop training by the 31st Rescue Squadron and 320th Special Tactics Squadron that occurred at Kadena while the conference was underway.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, recognizes Airman 1st Class Sabin Venable, a marine patrolman assigned to the 6th Security Forces Squadron during a tour at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 15, 2022. Martin rode with the patrolmen to better understand the roles and responsibilities involved with providing base security for a large coastal perimeter. The 6th SFS Marine Patrol unit is the only fully operational, 24/7 unit in the Air Force, and is responsible for protecting one of the largest coastal restricted areas in the Department of Defense.

Well, I see soldiers as green. There's no color to me, they're soldiers, male, female, doesnt matter. Theyre soldiers and that's how I approach them, professionally, and that's worked for me, and that's how I try to treat people on the outside, the same way. But the military is great. There's so many great people in the military, you know, and that's what keeps me going.For Hispanic Heritage Month Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew Rodriguez, command sergeant of the 177th Military Police Brigade and QA Supervisor for the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Lansing, Michigan, shares his perspective on his Army Career. National Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated from Sep. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions made by Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.

Family and friends congratulate Lt. Col. Todd Hudson, 152nd Airlift Wing Chief of Safety and Nevada Air National Guard C-130 navigator, as Hudson finishes his final flight at the Nevada Air National Guard Base, Reno, Nev., June 25, 2022. Hudson is set to become the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) commander at North Valleys High School in Reno.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Naomi Fisher, 56th Medical Group general dentist, and Capt. Tobey Fisher, 308th Fighter Squadron F-35 pilot, speak with Col. Matthew Johnston, 56th Operations Group commander, and Col. Nathan Schwamburger, 56th Medical Group commander on Sept. 1, 2022, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Naomi was named the U.S. Air Force Clinical Dentist of the Year for 2020, while stationed at MacDill AFB, Florida.

Members of the 173rd Fighter Wing huddle with U.S. Northern Command personnel and others during Vigilant Guard 2022, a national-level exercise held at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Ore., June 9-12. The exercise simulated the response to a major disaster in the western part of the state rendering the 173rd Fighter Wing the sole command and control for disaster response for a period of two days.

Airmen assigned to the 336th Fighter Generation Squadron meet with Air Force ROTC cadets from Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and East Carolina University during the Strive 4th: A project Tuskegee and AIM Initiative, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Nov. 4, 2022. The event allowed Airmen to engage with the local community and AFROTC cadets on the capabilities of Seymour Johnson AFB.

041125-M-4711R-009. Base: Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: DOD

Congressman Mark Alford, representing of the 4th district of Missouri, greets service members during Alfords first official visit to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., February 16, 2023. Alford spoke to service members about the vital role they play in the safeguarding of America.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, left, U.S. Air Forces Central and Combined Forces Air Component Commander, shakes hands with a service member during the Saudi World Defense Show near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 4, 2024. Grynkewich visited service members supporting the Saudi World Defense Show, and recognized them for their contribution to strengthening ties with allies and partners throughout the region. The U.S.s commitment of personnel and aircraft to the Saudi World Defense Show highlights the importance of continued defense cooperation between allies and partners with a shared vision for enduring peace and stability in the region. Air Force photo)

A 1st Special Operations Wing member tells President Mario Abdo Benítez, of the Republic of Paraguay, about part of the Wing's mission at Hurlburt Field, Fla., March 31, 2023. Paraguay and the United States have been allies under the Rio Treaty, an agreement signed by several countries in the Americas for defense solidarity, since 1947.

The 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, JoAnne S. Bass, visited Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base on Jan. 6-7, 2024. Chief Bass participated in a base tour where she heard from subject matter experts about the mission capabilities and accomplishments of the 151st Wing. Afterward, she attended the Utah Air Guard Airmen of the Year Banquet, where Bass gave the keynote speech and celebrated with the Airmen of the Year award winners.

The Air & Space Forces Association Legends speak to Space Base Delta 2 and Space Delta 4 leadership assigned to Buckley Space Force Base during the AFA Legends Tour on Buckley SFB, Colo., Aug. 29, 2022. AFA was incorporated in 1946 to educate and advocate for the Air Force to become a separate military service branch and continues this education and advocacy through events, symposiums, publications and programs.

221004-N-TP834-1000U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw, U.S. Space Command deputy commander, greets the Honorable Nickolas Guertin, Operational Test and Evaluation Office of the Secretary of Defense, director, at the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command 9/11 Memorial, Oct. 4, 2022, during a visit to Peterson Space Force Base, Colo. During his visit Guertin received mission and threat briefs of USSPACECOMs growing interest regarding operations test and evaluation policies. USSPACECOM plans and executes space operations in coordination with other combatant commands, services, DoD agencies, allies and partners and other entities as directed or necessary.

Idaho's adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, and other 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.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is greeted by U.S. Air Force Gen. Glen VanHerck, commander, U.S. Northern Command/North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, commander, U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo., May 24, 2022. Austin visted Fort Carson, Colo. and met with soldiers and assigned to 4th Infantry Division; the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team who recently returned from Operation Inherent Resolve and families of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division who are currently deployed to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Laura McHugh bids farewell to Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 28th Infantry Division, as they depart from Harrisburg International Airport as they begin a year-long deployment where they will serve in the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Ukrainian Air Force Kostiantyn Stanislavchuk speaks with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., right, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass during the Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit in Arlington, Va., Aug. 1, 2022. The summit is hosting senior enlisted leaders from 54 countries to reinforce partnerships between military services.

220607-N-TP834-1044U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander, speaks with the Honorable Christine Wormuth, U.S. Army Secretary, June 7, 2022, at USSPACECOM headquarters, Peterson Space Force Base, Colo. Dickinson and Wormuth discussed how the U.S. Army can support USSPACECOM's UCP-assigned missions through the integration of non-traditional sensors such as the Army-Navy Transportable Radar Surveillance-2. In collaboration with mission partners, USSPACECOMcontinues to pursue increased resources and capabilities to provide space domain awareness for warning, assessment, and attribution.

Lt. Gen. Ricky N. Rupp, commander, United States Forces Japan, and Fifth Air Force and General Koji Yamazaki, chief of staff of Japans Joint Staff and other leaders met at Sagami General Depot to receive a briefing from U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Army Japan personnel on multi-domain operations capabilities and cybersecurity readiness during Keen Sword 23, a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the U.S. and Japan operational cybersecurity partnership and the ironclad Japan-U.S. alliance.

57th Director of the Army Staff Lt. Gen. Walter E. Piatt departs the Pentagon for the last time during his clap-out ceremony, Arlington, Va., Jan. 5, 2024.

General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army, speaks with paratroopers from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment during the 2024 NASCAR Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile-long NASCAR Cup Series motor race held annually and is regarded as the most important and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar.

Qatar Emiri Corps of Engineers Maj. Gen. Essa Ali E M Al-Kubaisi, QECE commander, left, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Kimberly M. Colloton, Transatlantic Expeditionary District commander, right, watch Tyndalls digital twin briefing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, June 9, 2022. Tyndall leaders showcased virtual reality innovations being used for building automation and technical lines of effort.

U.S. Army CW5 Timothy Shrewsbury gets promoted from chief warrant officer 4 to chief warrant officer 5 on Fort Drum, NY Jun 24, 2022. The U.S. Army rank of chief warrant officer 5 is called a "unicorn" rank because it is rarely seen in the Army.

On 13 May 2022 at the Fort Dix School House Auditorium the HHC USASA Fort Dix had a Change of Command. The outgoing CDR MAJ William Jolly relinquished Command to MAJ Justin Warrick. Family and Soldiers were present during the ceremony held in the Fort Dix Schoolhouse Auditorium. Comments were made by Base Commander COL John Brierton and MAJ Foster as the narrator of the ceremony. MAJ Jolly has been the HHC Commander for the base shortly after his completion of the General Staff Course at Fort Belvoir. We welcome MAJ Warrick to his new position as the incoming CDR here at the USASA Fort Dix Base. Prior to his arrival at Fort Dix MAJ Warrick had Commanded the 80th Engineer Company, held a position as a Cybersecurity Course Manager, and instructed for the Army National Guard at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix TSC Training Support Center)

BERLIN, Germany - Lt. Gen. Robert Marion, Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, meets with pilots and crew of a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook assigned to Bravo Company, 2-227 GSAB, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade during opening day of the Innovation and Leadership in Aerospace, Berlin trade show at the Berlin Expo Center Airport, Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, Germany, June 22, 2022. ILA Berlin provides a platform for international exchange between the aerospace industry, space agencies, the military, politics, and science. Representatives of world- renowned companies, leading exhibitors, and aviation experts use it as an opportunity to discuss market developments, strategies, and trends. Maintaining a capable U.S. presence in Europe strengthens our national security by encouraging peace, unity and cohesion.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III addresses U.S. and Latvian soldiers at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia, 09 August 2022 (DoD photo by U.S Air Force Staff Sgt. Julian W. Kemper).

U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, left, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, recognizes Lt. Col. Christopher Scrat Pridgen, right, 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, July, 18, 2022. During his first visit to the 501st Combat Support Wing as the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, Hecker met with several Airmen and received briefings about the wings mission and capabilities.

Lt. Gen. John Kolasheski, commanding general, V Corps, visited with the Soldiers of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade and recognized Staff Sgt. Figueroa and CW2 Goethe for their outstanding commitment to excellence in hangar three on Katterbach Army Airfield, Germany, Nov. 1, 2022. The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S Space Command commander (left), is greeted by U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Vattioni, 377th Air Base Wing commander (center), as he arrives at Kirtland Air Force Base, Mar. 20, 2023. Dickinson makes his first official visit to Kirtland AFB, to see firsthand the missions that are being flown from the space operation center. This was a great opportunity for a high visibility leader to show how Space Systems Command's Innovation & Prototyping Delta are helping shape the space domain for our future warfighters. USSPACECOM, working with Allies and Partners, plans, executes, and integrates military space power into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression, defend national interests, and when necessary, defeat threats.

U.S. Navy Capt. Tom Foster, commanding officer of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), left, and U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy, commanding general, Task Force 61/2, center, talk during a key leader engagement event aboard Kearsarge in Helsinki, Finland, Aug. 7, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 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.

U.S. Air Force Col. Steven Collen, 325th Maintenance Group commander, welcomes Maj. Gen. Michael G. Koscheski, 15th Air Force commander, to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Oct. 27, 2022. Koscheski plans to fly during exercise Checkered Flag 23-1, being hosted at Tyndall from Oct. 31-Nov. 10.

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany - U.S. Air Force Airman Senior Airman Josef Segura and Airman 1st Class Tayvien Walker, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron locksmiths inform a customer that their locks are fixed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Aug. 17, 2022. 786th CES locksmiths pride themselves on fast fixes to security and maintenance issues.

U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Randall Kitchens, left, USAF chief of chaplains, coins Tech. Sgt. Jeovany Vasquez, 459th Airlift Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of tactics, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 23, 2024. As the chief of chaplains, Kitchens oversees the Department of the Air Force Chaplain Corps, which consists of approximately 2,100 religious affairs personnel. This year, the corps is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Air Force

Stephen Sullivan, the Chief Financial Officer and Director for Resources, Installations, and Materiel for the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve, sits in on a briefing April 25, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis., as part of an official visit. Sullivan visited Fort McCoy from April 25-27 to learn more about the installation and see facilities throughout the post. The visit included an initial overview briefing by Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss with other members of the Fort McCoy Garrison command team as well as several Fort McCoy workforce leaders and members. The visit also included tours of barracks buildings and dining facilities used for the Operation Allies Welcome mission at Fort McCoy between Aug. 15, 2021, and Feb. 15, 2022. And Sullivan received an aerial tour aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk that showed him the entire installation from north to south and in between.

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ - Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst leadership is briefed on the process of explosive destruction and assessments during a tour of the destruction site hosted by the Recovered Chemical Materiel Directorate, May 2, 2022, on Joint Base MDL, New Jersey. RCMD partnered with Joint Base MDL for a second mission to destroy World War I-era chemical munitions after discovering a six 75mm projectiles at Joint Base MDLs Parachute Jump Circle while investigating and removing chemical munitions, munitions of explosive concern and/or munitions constituents from two disposal pits.

General Randy George, Chief of Staff of the Army, speaks with paratroopers from the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division 2nd Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment during the 2024 NASCAR Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. The Daytona 500 is a 500-mile-long NASCAR Cup Series motor race held annually and is regarded as the most important and prestigious race on the NASCAR calendar.

Lt. Col. Jared Hann, 54th Helicopter Squadron commander and Ashley Ogden, 54 HS aircrew flight equipment lead, interact with Maj. Gen. Michael Lutton, 20th Air Force commander, at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Nov. 3, 2022. Hann coordinated logistics to prepare Lutton for his helicopter flight.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David G. Bellon, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South and Marine Forces Reserve, talks with Capitão de Mar e Guerra Marcelo da Costa Reis (Colonel Brazilian Marine Corps) the Chief of Staff of Amphibious Division Command Brazil, during exercise UNITAS LXIII in Rio de Janeiro, Sept. 16, 2022. UNITAS is the worlds longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise that focuses on enhancing interoperability among multiple nations and joint forces during littoral and amphibious operations in order to build on existing regional partnerships and create new enduring relationships that promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the U.S. Southern Commands area of responsibility.

U.S. Air Force Gen. David Allvin, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, listens to Col. Judy Rattan, 97th Medical Group commander, before coining three Airmen at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, April 19, 2022. Allvin personally coined several Airmen throughout the day to recognize star performers.

NIGERIEN AIR BASE 201, Niger - U.S. Air Force Maj. Joseph M. Cortez, 409th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron commander, explains base defense postures to U.S. Marine Corps Michael Langley, U.S. Africa Command commander, during his visit at Nigerien Air Base 201, Niger, Sept. 18, 2022. The visit here was one stop on a three-day trip to Niger and Chad from Sept. 18-21, Langley's second trip to Africa since taking command of U.S. Africa Command on Aug. 9.

220927-N-VQ947-1003 SAN DIEGO (Sep. 27, 2022) U.S. Navy Capt. Matthew Thomas, right, commanding officer aboard amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), welcomes Colombian Army Brigadier General Carrasquilla Gomez Carlos, left, from the Colombian War College, Sep. 27, 2022. Portland is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock homeported in San Diego.

Inter-American Defense College Leadership Welcomes Brazilian Ministry of Defense Curso de Política, Estratégia e Alta Administração do Exército (CPEAEx) Leadership, Students and Staff to the IADC on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Oct. 4, 2022. During the visit, the students were briefed by leadership and received a class by a college faculty, and toured the IADC Campus.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. speaks with Air Force and Space Force ROTC cadets and newly commissioned officers during a meeting at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., July 18, 2022. The group is part of a summer internship program at the Pentagon.

Army Reserve Ambassador Mr. Edward Pesce shares with the Staff Delegates what his job entails and how he can provide assistance.

The Inter-American Defense College and United States Northern Command hosts the inaugural North American Defense Framework for Women, Peace, and Security Workshop at IADC Kennedy Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 27-29, 2024. The event brought together military and civilian experts from Canada, Mexico, the United States, and the Bahamas. The collaborative event focused on integrating gender perspectives into military education, addressing gender-based violence, and enhancing gender equality in military operations. Participants, representing diverse ranks and branches, formulated actionable recommendations and formed partnerships, signifying a transformative shift toward a more inclusive defense framework. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kyle Mayer, 133rd Maintenance Squadron, talks about the lightning control unit project to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., in St. Paul, Minn., May 22, 2022. Klobuchars visit focused on the importance of continued modernization of the Wings C-130 fleet, which is regularly relied upon to support state and federal missions.

From left, Joe Lukacsffi, Range Systems Engineering Department head, Chip Demary, a division head in the Performance Assessment Department, both of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, U.S. Navy Capt. Christopher Follin, commodore of Afloat Training Group Pacific, Chief Warrant Officer Travis Ramsey, director of fleet battle lab San Diego, ATG San Diego, and Sean Lamoreaux, also a division head in the warfare centers PA department, speak during a tour of the warfare center in Norco, California, July 28, 2022. As part of their visit to the warfare center, Follin and Ramsey was given an overview of the command and its role in Live, Virtual, Constructive training exercises.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Frederick L. Hall, State Aviation Safety Officer for the District of Columbia Army National Guard, celebrates over 28 years of service with a retirement ceremony at the 260th Regional Training Institute, Fort Belvoir, Va., Jan. 5, 2024. Gordon joined the D.C. National Guard in 2008, after first enlisting in 1995 and serving as a Black Hawk crew chief. CW5 Hall also provided 13 years of active duty service.

The 2022 Minnesota National Guard Women's Leadership Forum was held at General Mills headquarters in Golden Valley, Sept. 17, 2022. Throughout the day, Minnesota National Guard service members participated in professional development, education and mentorship."A priority for the Minnesota National Guard is partnerships," said Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard. "And General Mills' support demonstrates our shared partnership and the depth of our shared partnership and common goal of diversity and inclusion and the desire to really lift women up." (Minnesota National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

Sen. Rob Portman visits with Airmen and tours the facilities Oct. 5,, 2022, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio. Portman visited the 121st Air Refueling Wing during his national defense tour of Ohio before his retirement.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Shawn Carns, I Corps' senior enlisted advisor, (second from left) poses with Command Sgt. Maj. Vern Daley, Jr. (second from right), senior enlisted advisor of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division with members of the 241st Quarter Master Company, 725th Brigade Support Battalion during a visit to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson June 7th, 2022.Carns took time to see how the Spartan Brigade plans to enact the Army's Arctic Strategy, which seeks to continually improve its Arctic capabilities by training and equipping forces to operate in extreme cold, high altitude and latitude, while conducting exercises in variable weather conditions.

050909-A-7128J-005. State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: NGB

From right, Lt. Col. Brian Lewis, 35th Fighter Squadron commander and Maj. Michael ODonnell, 35th Fighter Squadron director of operations, brief Lt. Gen. James A. Jacobson, Pacific Air Forces deputy commander at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, June 7, 2022. During the visit, Airmen and leaders across base discussed strategic capabilities, operations tempo and future plans for the Wolf Pack with Lt. Gen. Jacobson.

Gen. Anthony Cotton, United States Strategic Commandcommander, speaks with members of the Military AffairsCommittee at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., June 28,2023. The MAC serves a critical mission in the state ofMontana to ensure that the missions of federal militaryinstallations located in the state are protected.

U.S. Air Force Gen. James B. Hecker, left, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander, recognizes Airman 1st Class Joshua Svoboda, right, 420th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron water and fuel systems apprentice, at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, July, 18, 2022. During his first visit to the 501st Combat Support Wing as the USAFE-AFAFRICA commander, Hecker met with several Airmen and received briefings about the wings mission and capabilities.

Fort Eustis, Va. (May 16, 2022) - Adm. Daryl Caudle, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, visits the Aquatic Center during a tour of Military Sealift Command (MSC) facilities at Fort Eustis May 16, 2022. Caudle visited the various facilities to familiarize himself with MSC training practices.

Gen. Andrew P. Poppas, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, administers the oath of office to Lt. Gen Sean C. Bernabe, incoming commanding general of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, during his promotion ceremony from Maj. Gen to Lt. Gen on October 4, 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas. Berbabe previously served as the commanding general for the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas.

City of Savannah, Georgia, Mayor Van Johnson greets Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, as they exit one of several flights at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, Aug. 13, 2022. During their deployment, the 1ABCT trained at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, and completed Combined Resolve XVII at Joint Multinational Readiness Center with 11 other NATO allies and partners to enhance interoperability and readiness.

North Carolina Army National Guard Spc. Sarah Moore (Center, left), of the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade, gives a safety brief to local employers before they board a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during an Employer Support Guard and Reserve Boss Lift event at the Army Aviation Support Facility in Morrisville, North Carolina, Sept. 7, 2022. ESGR is a Department of Defense office that promotes cooperation and understanding between the Reserve Component service members and their civilian employers.

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