Military Communication Operations

Images depict military personnel engaged in various communication and cyber defense tasks, utilizing laptops and coordination in training environments. The mood is focused and collaborative.

Master Sgt. Tippets from 640th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Utah National Guard, discusses the requirements of the essay portion of the annual Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, Oct. 16, 2022. The Best Warrior Competition is held to recognize the best Soldiers and Airmen of the Utah National Guard through various tests including a weapons qualification, land navigation, and ruck march.

Leaders of the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Nighthawk, meet with leaders of their ally and partner coalition forces in preparation for KFOR 31 in Hohenfels Training Area in Germany on Oct. 4, 2022. KFOR 31 is a multinational training event conducted to prepare units for their deployment to the Kosovo Regional Command East.

Alaska Air National Guard Cyber Defense Team worked tediously to ensure network security during Cyber Shield 2022 at the Army National Guards Professional Educational Center on Camp Robinson, Arkansas on June 13. Cyber Shield 2022 is the DODs largest unclassified inter-agency and joint national level training cyber defense exercise which includes representation from 20 states plus Guam.

New Jersey Air National Guardsmen from the 177th Fighter Wing and 108th Wing operate in a Mobile Command Center on Nov 6 in Long Beach Island, NJ. The airmen are coordinating relief and security missions on the barrier islands damaged by Hurricane Sandy. (New Jersey Air National Guard

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Richard E. Wiebe, a career counselor, assigned to Army Reserve Careers Group, 9th Battalion, area five, prepares course material before his brief at an Armed Forces Reserve Center on Fort Sheridan, Ill, Oct. 4, 2022. Wiebe, a native of Cambridge, Minn., recently completed his first year as an active guard reserve career counselor with area five and is scheduled to be stationed at Fort Sheridan for a few more years.

Staff Sgt. Kyle Snedeker, a tactical data link manager from the 608th Air Operations Center, monitors a B-52 route during an aerial demonstration of the new IRIS communications system. IRIS is a commercial off-the-shelf, beyond line of sight tool produced by Outerlink. The system would allow B-52s to relay data, voice and imagery information to air operations centers in near real time speeds.

Master Sgt. Tippets from 640th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, Utah National Guard, discusses the requirements of the essay portion of the annual Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, Oct. 16, 2022. The Best Warrior Competition is held to recognize the best Soldiers and Airmen of the Utah National Guard through various tests including a weapons qualification, land navigation, and ruck march.

U.S. Army Pfc. Levi Green, an automatic test systems operator and maintainer assigned to 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, performs a diagnosis on a line replaceable unit at Skwierzyna, Poland, Aug. 10, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ian Koval, left, a satellite operator from Pennsylvania, and Lance Cpl. Paul Hagedorn, a transmissions systems operator from Hawaii, both with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, analyze data during a littoral distribution exercise in preparation for Exercise Nordic Response 24 in Setermoen, Norway, Feb. 20, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response, formerly known as Cold Response, is a NATO training event conducted every two years to promote military competency in arctic environments and to foster interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations. Marine Corps

Sgt. 1st Class James Johnson, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Defense Cyber Operations Element, monitors the networks and cyber systems for the Oklahoma National Guard at Joint Force Headquarters in Oklahoma City, Aug. 10 2022. Johnson was part of the Oklahoma National Guards Defensive Cyber Operations Element that placed first in Netwars during Cyber Shield 2022. Cyber Shield is the Department of Defenses largest unclassified cyber defense exercise involving approximately 800 National Guard cyber specialists as well as law enforcement, legal, government and corporate partners from across the country. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Pfc. Haden Tolbert)

Military service members from Ecuador and Peru talk during PANAMAX 2022 on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, August 4, 2022. PANAMAX 2022, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored multinational command post exercise aimed at reinforcing and enhancing the long-term security of the Panama Canal and the Western Hemisphere, took place August 1-12, at bases in Texas, Florida, Virginia and Arizona.

1st Lt. Christopher Muenter and Sgt. 1st Class Keith Ellsworth (right to left) of Defense Cyber Offensive Element (DCOE) discuss Cyber Shield 2022 at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas June 10, 2022. Cyber Shield 2022 is the department of defense's largest unclassified inter-agency and joint national level training cyber defense exercise which includes representation from 20 states plus Guam.

Capt. Kendra Booth (center right). 8th Communications Squadron Cyberspace Operations flight commander, speaks about her experience following Leading Inclusively Virtual Experience training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 5, 2023. After the LIVE training, Airmen discussed their responses and perceptions of the scenario while receiving input and feedback from peers.

US Air Force STAFF Sergeant Lester Finuf, 1ST Communications Squadron, Videographer, uses a digital editing system and a laptop computer to edit video footage and news publications during the Operational Readiness Inspection at Langley AFB, VA. Base: Langley Air Force Base State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Anthony Madrid, 316th Training Squadron signals intelligence flight chief, teaches Airman 1st Class Owen Arthur, 316th TRS student, how to read a signal hit during the students training capstone, Operation Loneshark, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 11, 2022. The intelligence program identifies the radar emitting and its location. Its then up to the student to determine if the RADAR is a threat and its threat range.

2nd Cavalry Regiment hosts a military-to-military engagement with Macedonian allies at Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany, Sept. 28, 2022. This engagement familiarized Macedonians with Stryker maintenance.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Signal Corps conduct war simulation training Oct. 5, 2022, during Project Convergence 22 at Camp Pendleton, California. During PC22 many systems will be tested to determine how future command and control capabilities can be integrated with all service and multinational partners.

Florida National Guard (FLNG) soldiers with the FLNG's Joint Directorate of Military Support (JDOMS) out of St. Augustine, Fla., discuss the importance of logistics as the state prepares for Tropical Storm Nicole on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. While closing out their relief effort for Hurricane Ian, the FLNG monitored the new threat of Tropical Storm Nicole, committed to operational readiness in confronting the new challenge.

Mission Command Training Program (MCTP) contractor Ken Clark instructs Spc. Dahasia Allison of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard on the Command Post of the Future (CPOF) system in Ashland, Ore. Sept. 9, 2022. The training's purpose is to prepare the Battalion for the upcoming Exportable Combat Training Capabilities (XCTC) event in Camp Roberts, Calif., in the summer of 2023.

U.S. Air Force SrA Robert Taggart (left), A1C Christopher Morley (middle), and A1C Caze Bradley (right), 47th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controllers, work together during a simulated air traffic control session at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, May 4, 2022. This simulator allows Airmen to train for day-to-day air traffic scenarios without the stress of real-world situations.

1st Lt. Daniel Barrow (left) and Chief Warrant Officer Todd Berlinghof monitor the track of a simulated storm - "Hurricane Herb" - during an exercise at the Florida National Guard's Joint Emergency Operations Center in St. Augustine, Fla., June 2, 2008. The National Guard participated in the annual four-day exercise conducted by the Florida State Emergency Response Team (SERT), which is designed to simulate a catastrophic storm striking Florida. The exercise gave state and local agencies the opportunity to test their response capabilities and train new personnel.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Daniel Renner (right), a pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, and Canadian Army Bombardier Chase Gromley with the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support) train on the Viper software program at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 8, 2022. VMU-2 trained with the Canadian Army to increase collective proficiency in the Viper software program. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

A squad of soldiers learn communication and decision-making skills during virtual missions at the Grafenwoehr Training Area as part of the 7th Army NCO Academy Warrior Leaders Course.

U.S. Army Pfc. Joseph Abeyta, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion enhanced satellite communications system operator and maintainer, left, and Spc. Kuri Marquez 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion nodal systems operator, maintainer and integrator, monitor the spectrum analyzer at Sembach Army Base, Germany, Sept 14, 2022. Service members participated in 1st Combat Communication Squadrons annual exercise, Heavy Rain, to test their ability to establish and maintain communications.

Airmen assigned to the 91st Air Refueling Squadron work collectively at Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine, Aug. 25, 2022. Although they are primarily aircrew, the Airmen are fulfilling the role of planners during the 6th Air Refueling Wings Agile Combat Employment capstone.

220609-N-VP310-1032 RAVLUNDA, Sweden (June 09, 2022) Capt. Cameron Chen, Commodore, Commander Task Force (CTF) 68, visits the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and diving Tactical Operations Center (TOC) during exercise BALTOPS 22, June 09, 2022. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea.

The Washington National Guard Defensive Cyber Operations Element collaborates together to defend the network during Cyber Shield 2022. Cyber Shield 2022 at the Army National Guards Professional Educational Center on Camp Robinson, Arkansas on June 13. Cyber Shield 2022 is the DODs largest unclassified inter-agency and joint national level training cyber defense exercise which includes representation from 20 states plus Guam.

Airmen with the Dirty Jobs initiative gather around a computer to set up a networking program at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 13, 2022. Airmen were able to visit the other squadrons on base as part of the Dirty Jobs initiative.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division and members of the Northern Army, Japan Self-Defense Force, coordinate operations in the Bilateral Ground Tactical Control Center during Resolute Dragon 22 at Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 11, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathan Walker, a radio operator with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, troubleshoots satellite communications during Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 5, 2022. SK23 is a 1st Marine Division-led annual training exercise which enables the Navy-Marine Corps team to operate in a realistic, combined-arms environment to enhance naval warfighting tactics, techniques and procedures.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Johnathan Ferguson, 305th Air Mobility Wing quality assurance inspector (Right), and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chase Staron, 305th Air Mobility Wing crew chief (Left), perform a quality assurance inspection at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. on Nov. 22, 2022. Ferguson is one of over one million registered bone marrow donors through the Department of Defenses Salute to Life program. This year he met with the recipient of a donation he made in 2012 that allowed the patient to achieve remission of leukemia.

Ohio Army National Guard personnel with Detachment 2, U.S. Army Cyber Protection Team 172 work during the units validation as part of Cyber Shield 20, Sept. 17, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. The annual Cyber Shield is underway on networks across the nation as over 800 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from more than 40 states signed in for the virtual training exercise, which runs Sept. 12-27, designed to sharpen their skills as network defenders.

Airman 1st Class Leah Butler, a 608th Air Operations Center offensive duty technician, monitors the B-52 path and audio relay during an IRIS aerial demonstration in Shreveport, La., June 22, 2022. IRIS is a beyond line of sight communications system and allowed the bomber to transfer data, voice and imagery in near real time speeds.

030129-F-1443F-008. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members participate in a Expeditionary Fabrication Shop capabilities brief with U.S. Marines from 3d Maintenance Battalion, 3d Sustainment Group (Experimental), 3rd Marine Logistics Grop, during Keen Sword 23 on Amami, Japan, Nov. 11, 2022. Keen Sword is a biennial training event that exercises the combined capabilities and lethality developed between 3rd MLG, III Marine Expeditionary Force and the Japan Self-Defense Force. This bilateral field-training exercise between the U.S. military and JSDF strengthens interoperability and combat readiness of the U.S.-Japan Alliance.

North Carolina Air National Guardsmen verify information and spread a continuous flow of communication while assigned to the 145th Airlift Wing Emergency Operation Center held at the North Carolina Air National Guard (NCANG) Base, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Sept. 14, 2018. Airmen across the base prepare for power outages and water damage that may occur as a result of Tropical Storm Florence. The Emergency Operation Center, usually running with more than 15 people at a time, is a 24-hour hub for assigning resources and people where impacted areas need it most, and communicating updates up and down the chain of command.

From right to left, U.S. Air Force Capt. Nathan Hartman, 58th Airlift Squadron (AS) instructor pilot, goes over questions from the mission brief with Capt. Andrew Butler, 58th AS instructor pilot, and Capt. Kameron Saranto Mercado, 58th AS instructor pilot, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Feb. 21, 2024. The Airmen participated in mission planning and flew a C-17 Globemaster III during a large formation exercise. Air Force

011114-F-4406B-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Naval Air Station, Sigonella State: Sicily Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

The Washington National Guard Defensive Cyber Operations Element collaborates together to defend the network during Cyber Shield 2022. Cyber Shield 2022 at the Army National Guards Professional Educational Center on Camp Robinson, Arkansas on June 13. Cyber Shield 2022 is the DODs largest unclassified inter-agency and joint national level training cyber defense exercise which includes representation from 20 states plus Guam.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aaron Barnes, 86th Maintenance Squadron aircraft metals technology craftsman, previews a file to 3D print at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 21, 2022. Barnes, a member of the Additive Manufacturing Team, 3D-printed a maze for training with a boroscope, a small device with a camera and light used to inspect small spaces such as an aircraft engine.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian Hahn, Region VII chief of staff, right, briefs the operations team during the Defense Coordinating Element Region VII certification exercise (CERTEX) in Kansas City, Missouri, December 8, 2022. DCE Region VII is based out of Kansas City, Mo., and allows U.S. Army North, under U.S. Northern Command, as well as federal and civilian partners the chance to train together in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in case of a natural or man-made disaster.

Soldiers from the 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal, in Baumholder, Germany, train on the controls of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany, Oct. 11, 2022, as a part of training for the KFOR 31 rotation. KFOR 31 is a multinational training event conducted to prepare units for their deployment to the Kosovo Regional Command East. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Anna Pongo)

041203-M-5607G-002. Base: Mcas Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, try the prototype communication and control station for the Joint Land Attack Elevated Netted Sensor System. From left are 2nd Lt. Mike Jones, Staff Sgt. David Brandau, Master Sgt. Greg Heidenescher and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chad Sneller.

Airmen assigned to the 123rd Air Control Squadron establish a communications link June 07, 2022 during Agile Rage 22 at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan. Airmen conducted numerous mission-essential tasks during Agile Rage 22, including joint intelligence operations, airspace control, search and rescue coordination, intra-theater airlift, joint fires, close air support, interdiction of enemy capabilities, and Agile Combat Employment.

Members of the Arizona National Guard conduct exposure notifications from a call center at the Arizona Department of Heath Services June 30, 2020 in Phoenix. The Arizona National Guard was activated by Governor Doug Ducey to assist with exposure notifications by contacting Arizona residents who have tested positive for COVID-19

220414-N-GW654-1419 EL CENTRO, Calif. (Apr. 14, 2022) - Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell, Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific, center left, observes unmanned operations conducted by pilots and aircrewman assigned to the Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21. HSC-21 participated in a proof of concept showing the capabilities of Manned Unmanned Teaming (MUMT) by utilizing both manned and unmanned aircraft to accomplish a mission, which included manned refueling of MH-60s assisted by two CH-53E Super Stallions assigned to the Flying Tigers” of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), and MUMT search and rescue operations utilizing an unmanned MQ-8B and two manned MH-60S.

Military staff in a high tech monitoring room work on data integration, processing real time surveillance for crucial mission tactics. Maintaining security protocols to support strategic operations.

A Marine Raider with Special Operations Task Force 511.2 provides instruction on various Small Unmanned Aerial Systems to Philippine Marines during Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 22 in Palawan, Philippines, June 8, 2022. MASA 22 is a bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Marine Corps, aimed at increasing interoperability and improving aviation-related capabilities ins support of U.S.-Philippine mutual defense.

040127-F-0881Z-005. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Soldiers with the South Carolina Army National Guard plan a mission request at the South Carolina National Guard's Tactical Operations Center in Charleston, S.C., Sept. 14, 2018, in preparation to provide life saving capabilities in response to Hurricane Florence.

041004-F-9429S-002. Base: Grand Forks Air Force Base State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Air Force Personnel Support for Contingency Operations (PERSCO) personnel from the 28th Air Expeditionary Wing check personnel documents during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. PERSCO handles personnel actions for the entire 28th AEW; this includes reenlistment extensions, promotion status inquiry, updating Air Force form 392, and career retention. ENDURING FREEDOM is in support of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), fighting terrorism abroad, after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 at the New York World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Diego Garcia Country: British Indian Ocean Territory (IOT) Scene Major Command Shown: 28th AEW

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joseph Lee, 386th Communications Squadron network infrastructure, installs a Communications Fly Away Kit during an exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, October 19, 2022. Once installed, a CFK can quickly establish secure communications by satellite even in remote locations and under austere conditions.

Laptop, thinking and military man with security software, online research and law academy in office. Planning, soldier or young army person on computer, internet search or website information check

011113-F-1718K-030. Subject Operation/Series: COPE NORTH 02-1 Base: Kadena Air Base State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: PACOM JASDF

011027-F-5114B-009. Complete Scene Caption: Inside the Coalition Operations Center at Mubarak Military City, Egypt, MAJ, Charles McClean (second from the left), USAF, US Central Command, MacDill AFB, FL work on computer simulated war games with Egyptian Army, Major (MAJ), Medht Elessawi during the Command Post Exercise (CPX) part of Exercise BRIGHT STAR 01/02. BRIGHT STAR 01/02 is a multinational exercise involving more than 74,000 troops from 44 countries that enhances regional stability and military-to-military cooperation among our key allies, and our regional partners. It prepares US Central Command to rapidly deploy and employ the forces needed to deter aggressors and, if necessary, fight and win side-by-side with our allies and regional partners. Subject Operation/Series: BRIGHT STAR 01/02 Base: Mubarak Military City Country: Egypt (EGY)

040629-F-3208M-153. Base: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

030330-M-8539K-011. Base: Al Qadisiyah Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 1ST Mar Div DM

Soldiers from the 50th Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced (ESB-E), 35th Corps Signal Brigade, set up their equipment during a field training exercise on Oct. 26, 2022, at Fort Bragg, N.C. The 50th ESB-E spent a week in the field, running through day and night validation exercises where each crew had to complete a time digital gunnery table to certify their scalable network nodes. (U.S. army Photos by Sgt. Maxine Baen)

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Anthony Madrid, 316th Training Squadron flight chief for the signals intelligence flight, corrects a students brief during the capstone exercise, Operation Loneshark, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 11, 2022. Madrid explained that if an airplane was lost, it is the intelligence professionals job to pinpoint its last known location and determine if any threats caused the downing of the aircraft.

Maj. Gen Bryan R. Radliff (right), 10th Air Force commander, tests an equipment simulator at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, June 5, 2022. The equipment simulator allows airmen to practice using heavy equipment, hone skills and be mission ready.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from different organizations on Joint Base Langley-Eustis relay pertinent information back to their work centers from the Emergency Operations Center exercise at JBLE, Virginia, June 28, 2022. The base populous of JBLE plays a crucial, unique role in real-world incidents, from first responders and Defenders who train for scenarios such as these, to the Airmen and civilians who are not directly involved in emergency situations on a daily basis.

Capt. Taylor Swift, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, provides legal assistance to Lt. Col. Valarie Solis, NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Spain, during Regulator Week in Valencia, Spain. Dozens of U.S. Soldiers assigned to NATO units in Spain and Portugal participated in the week-long event to get up to date on Army training, medical and administrative requirements Jan. 23-26. The training was provided by Soldiers, Airmen and civilian employees from Italy, Germany and Spain.

NEWPORT, R.I. (Aug. 31, 2022) Capt. Brian Mutty, commander, Surface Warfare Schools Command (SWSC), left, and Lt. Cmdr. Bobby Knapp, N72 academic director, back right, give Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, commander, Naval Education and Training Command, a brief on the Conning Officer Virtual Environment simulator on Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, Aug. 31, 2022. Garvin visited NAVSTA Newport Aug. 31-Sept. 1 to speak with the staff and students of Center for Service Support, SWSC, Senior Enlisted Academy, Officer Training Command Newport, Naval Chaplaincy School, Naval Leadership and Ethics Center, and Navy Supply Corps School.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Isaiah Figueroa, a radio operator with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conducts a radio check during Steel Knight 23 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 5, 2022. SK23 is a 1st Marine Division-led annual training exercise which enables the Navy-Marine Corps team to operate in a realistic, combined-arms environment to enhance naval warfighting tactics, techniques and procedures.

U.S. Army Soldiers competing in the Army Best Squad Competition write an essay on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 30, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition tests Soldiers on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-readiness events that test their physical endurance, technical skills, and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue

A Cryptologic Technician Technical student learned about maintaining the AN/SLQ-32(V)6 using the interactive Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System 3 Dimensional (MRTS 3D®) technology during a CTT A School class at Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station.

060619-A-5168K-097. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Two students at the US Army Signal School practice troubleshooting techniques for automatic telephone switching equipment during an advanced class. Base: Fort Gillem State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the U.S. Air Force's Ramstein Air Base, Ramstein, Germany

010501-F-0697K-010. Subject Operation/Series: UNION FLASH 01 Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

U.S. Army Spc. Pablo Ramirez, a fire support specialist, left, and Cpt. James House, the , assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Operate the AEFSTAB for the upcoming call for fire exercise in Grafenwöhr, Germany, Nov.19, 2022. The Combat Aviation Brigade participated in a live call for fire exercise to increase the lethality and capability of our fire support teams.

1AF's Detachment 3 successfully completed a validation exercise designed to verify the ability of United States Air Force "Guardian Angel" Pararescue specialists to operate with aircrew aboard U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawks to, if needed, rescue astronauts at sea. The joint team will support NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's upcoming Crew 5 launch. "The integration with Navy helicopter crews and the Air Force pararescuemen was successful," said Col Jason Gingrich, First Air Force, Air Forces Space Air Deputy to United States Space Command. "We worked out joint solutions for human space flight support operations (HSFSO) with our counterparts from Fleet Forces Navy and NASA. Also, United States Space Command provided great oversight and support for this vital HSFSO mission."

US Navy Cmrd. Michael Ryan, PACFLT, takes notes on the academic lectures for day 2 of Gema Bhakti, September 10, 2022, Jakarta Indonesia. Gema Bhakti 22 is a USINDOPACOM Joint Exercise Program event, utilizing US Joint forces partnering with TNI Armed Forces working together to increase interoperability and enhance regional stability and security through bilateral and multilateral partnerships. (US Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Jackson)

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Michael Blumberg, 85th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, middle, showcases simulators used in modern pilot training to airmen at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, on Sept. 2, 2022. The 85th FTS celebrated its 50th anniversary at Laughlin by showcasing the modern pilot training experience to previous members and commanders.

Citizen Soldiers and Airmen from the Arizona National Guard facilitate contactless COVID-19 testing at a testing site in Phoenix, Ariz., July 20, 2020. The Arizona National Guard has completed more than 2700 missions statewide in response to the COIVD-19 pandemic since being activated in March 2020.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. David Herrera, 47th Communications Squadron network control center section chief, shows Col. Robert Moore, 47th Mission Support Group (MSG) commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Burleson, 47th MSG command chief, improvements being made to the servers at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 6, 2024. Server improvements allow for faster data flows and more secure information transfer. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sidra Perez, right, 921st Contingency Response Squadron command and control standards and evaluations noncommissioned officer in charge, briefs Airmen from the 921st CRS during Exercise Dragon Spark at Travis Air Force Base, California, Oct. 14, 2022. Exercise Dragon Spark provided units from the 60th Air Mobility Wing and the 621st Contingency Response Wing an opportunity to sync operations in preparation for a national disaster.

Global Sentinel participants from work together to solve challenging space scenarios during Global Sentinel 2024 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Feb. 13, 2024. USSPACECOM and representatives from partner nations come together each year at Global Sentinel to promote cooperation and safe, secure space operations. In addition to the United states, partner nations that attended this year included Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Thailand and Ukraine. Space Force

SrA Sondgeroth and A1C Peagler of the 612th ACOMS Davis Monthan AFB, AZ operate the AN/TTC-39A (V) 4 Mobile Telephone Switcher in the central telephone office at Pope AFB, NC in support of Operation Uphold Democracy. Subject Operation/Series: UPHOLD DEMOCRACY Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Staff Sgt. Cameron Dunkin, 302nd Communications Flight network operation technician, and Tech. Sgt. Sandra Locke, 302 CF client system supervisor, work together to troubleshoot a simulated network error while wearing mission-oriented protective posture equipment during Exercise OVERTORQUE at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, Jan. 24, 2023. The exercise tested the abilities of Airmen to operate in a contested, degraded and operationally limited environment.

Key personnel of the 509th Bomb Wing meet in the base command post during the exercise GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98. Subject Operation/Series: GLOBAL GUARDIAN '98 Base: Whiteman Air Force Base State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

041208-F-7295A-020. Base: Moffett Federal Air Field State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 prepare ordnances for loading onto a MFAS 112 F-18C Hornet at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 28, 2022. The MALS 12 and MFAS 112 performed the ordnance load to maintain proficiency standards and for unit cohesion for upcoming exercises. (Senior Airman Michael S. Murphy)

New York Naval Militia members man a trailored command post at Camp Babcock-Hovey, BSA near Ovid, New York, during a communications/ boat handling exercise known as Empire Challenge in July 15, 2022. Two boats manuevered on Seneca Lake, while the command post communicated with New York Guard rad io stations across the state. (DMNA photo by Commander Don McKnight)

040305-F-2950H-001. Base: Ramstein Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

040419-F-6849F-066. Base: Spangdahlem Air Base State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

030312-F-7418E-001. Country: Unknown Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit learn how to use the noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO) tracking system during a NEO class on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 17, 2022. A NEO is an operation evacuating noncombatant individuals from a threatened area abroad, due to potential danger from natural or manmade disaster, civil unrest, imminent or actual terrorist activities, hostilities, and similar circumstances, that is carried out with the assistance of the Department of Defense. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

Marine Forces Special Operations Commands Cyber Operations Team participates in the spring Marine Corps Cyber Games at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 13, 2022. The Marine Corps Cyber Games is a service-wide effort to foster competition across the Marine Corps in order to increase cyberspace effectiveness and readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Sgt. Jesula Jeanlouis)

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members work alongside U.S. Army Soldiers as part of Yama Sakura 83 at Camp Asaka, Japan, Dec 6, 2022. The Yama Sakura training event encourages participants to work as dedicated partners in support of the US-Japan security alliance and for the continued peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Daniel Renner (left), a pilot with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 2, and Canadian Army Bombardier Chase Gromley with the 4th Artillery Regiment (General Support) train on the Viper software program at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Dec. 8, 2022. VMU-2 trained with the Canadian Army to increase collective proficiency in the Viper software program. VMU-2 is a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Richard Vaughn, a 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron fitness center apprentice, poses for an environmental portrait at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 16, 2022. Fitness specialists provide Air Commandos with a clean facility and the resources to enhance physical readiness.

Competitors in seven-man teams showcase their linguistic prowess during the Voice Intercept event at the 2024 Polyglot Games on Feb. 3, 2024, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Each team listens to audio clips in one of seven languages, answering questions and demonstrating proficiency in diverse linguistic contexts. Army National Guard

Staff Sgt. Jared Brown, representing 60th Troop Command Headquarters and Headquarters Company, researches background information online for his writing prompt to complete the written evaluation portion of the competition during the 60th Troop Command Best Warrior competition at the Claude T. Bowers Military Center on Feb. 10, 2024. 60th Troop Command conducts their brigade Best Warrior Competition to select the best qualified non-commissioned officer and Soldier to move on to the state competition on February 10th and 11th, 2024 at Claude T. Bowers Military Center. Army National Guard

Students from Wil C. Wood High School present their proposal to the judges during a Travis Spark Challenge presentation at Travis Air Force Base, California, May 13, 2022. Their proposal is to create a viable option to the Foreign Object Damage walk. Travis AFB and the Solano County Office of Education teamed up to host the Travis Spark Challenge. The Travis Spark Challenge is a team-based competition that motivates high school students to solve real challenges facing Travis AFB. The event was designed to teach the students life skills and empower them to make a difference in their community.

a soldier looking at a computer screen with a map

These soldiers are from Vermont Army National Guard 572nd BEB (Brigade Engineer Battalion). They are training on the Fort Dix Range Complex at Range 40. They are completing the M2HB and MK19 Qualification training. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix TSC Training Support Center)

DA-ST-87-01733. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE 86 State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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