Military Training and Marksmanship

Soldiers engaged in marksmanship training and tactical movements in diverse terrains, representing collaboration and readiness among military units.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Anthony T. Ruiz, a squad leader with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Swedish Air Force Rangers cross a simulated danger area during Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel training near Kristianstad, Sweden, Aug. 26, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division confirm the zero on their M4A1 carbines during advanced rifle marksmanship training on a range near Smardan, Romania, June 5, 2019. Advanced marksmanship training helps prepare the Soldiers of the 1-16th Infantry to be a lethal asset to NATO allies in support of Atlantic Resolve.

Cpl. Frank P. Wippel scans the surrounding area for enemy during Exercise Croix du Sud at Camp la Broche, New Caledonia, Oct. 13. U.S. and French Marines patrolled and conducted sweeping maneuvers to take control of two key bridges as part of a multilateral, company-level attack. Wippel is a rifleman with 1st platoon, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment which is currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The French paratroopers are with 8th Marine Infantry Paratrooper Regiment, based out of Castres, France.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Anthony T. Ruiz, a squad leader with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), and Swedish Air Force Rangers cross a simulated danger area during Tactical Recovery of Aircraft Personnel training near Kristianstad, Sweden, Aug. 26, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

9th Mission Support Command squad conduct squad movement July 20 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, during the squad lane for the 2022 U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition. The 2022 U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition consists of multiple 5-Soldier squads from USARPAC units competing for the opportunity to represent USARPAC at the Department of the Armys competition. stations. The non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted will be assessed together in their ability to execute warrior tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and land navigation, and will be challenged to complete a mission as a squad.

Spc. Liam Lee, a member of the 101st Airborne Divisions Best Squad, qualifies with an M4 Carbine during the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 26, 2022. Marksmanship is a fundamental cornerstone of Soldier lethality, and Best Squad Competition competitors were tested on their ability to accurately shoot with their assigned weapon.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, fire the M240B machine gun during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 6, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Cristian Alfonso, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, loads an M136 AT4 Rocket Launcher while conducting squad attacks during a live-fire range at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 28, 2022. This training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed small-unit leadership. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade engage targets on an objective during a combined arms live fire exercise on a maneuver range at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.

Sgt. Joshua Kleinhans of Kiel, Wisconsin, a Fire Control Specialist with the Wisconsin National Guards B Battery, 1st Battalion, 121st Field Artillery Regiment, fires a M240B machine gun during the Region IV Best Warrior Competition May 11-15, 2022 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio National Guards. The winners will move on to compete in the National Guards competition on July 20-30, 2022, at Camp Smyrna, Tennessee. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Luke Beverland, a combat engineer with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, uses an M1014 shotgun to breach a fabricated door during a ballistics breaching range as part of Summer Pioneer 22 on Camp Lejeune, July 23, 2022. Summer Pioneer is a naval engineering exercise demonstrating integrated U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy formations to establish and sustain expeditionary advanced bases and maritime domain awareness.

U.S. Marines Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Lee, a machine gunner with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, patrols during Exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 21, 2022. Shinka exemplifies a shared commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 3/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Lee is a native of Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

U.S. Marines assigned to Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up security for a live-fire tactical range during exercise Alexander the Great 2022, Glafyra, May 11, 2022. Alexander the Great 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Greece, and Allied nations, enhancing strategic defense and partnership while promoting security and stability in the region.

Georgian Defense Forces scan their sectors of fire for a defensive position training scenario held during Noble Partner located in the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Noble Partner is designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. The exercise allows participants to conduct situational training exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers.

United States airborne infantry men in camo uniforms.

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members fire an M240B machine gun alongside U.S. Marines assigned to 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division during Artillery Relocation Training Program 22.1 at the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Hijudai Training Area, Japan, April 22, 2022. The skills developed at ARTP increase the lethality and proficiency of the only permanently forward-deployed artillery unit in the Marine Corps, providing long-range precision indirect fires throughout the Indo-Pacific Region.

A Soldier with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, practices Buddy Team Tactics at a Fort Benning range on 28 September 2022. The Buddy Team Tactics instill the skills of learning how to properly engage a target, cross-talking and being aware of where their battle buddy is at all times

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kyle Beckwith, a mortarman, and Pfc. Ethan Zuck, a rifleman, with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division move to a firing position with an M3A1 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapons System (MAAWS) while conducting a beach defense exercise during Balikatan 22, at Appari Beach, Cagayan, Philippines, March 31, 2022. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder,’ is a long-standing bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. BK22 is the 37th iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

Two armed special forces soldiers with sniper rifles standing in a blooming field.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Soldiers assigned to the Hellenic XXV Armored Brigade prepare to move onto their objective during Military Operations in Urban Terrain training on Oct. 14, 2022, near Petrochori Training Area, Greece. The United States commitment to defending NATO territory is ironclad and the United States will continue to bolster our posture to better defend our NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.)

A soldier from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st Fires Brigade, pulls security during the CBRN lane at the unit's pre-deployment training at Fort Hood, Texas, June 19. Soldiers were trained on battle drills, CBRN, CASEVAC and other Common Soldier Tasks.

An Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldier with Company B, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, fires his M4 Carbine during a live fire squad training exercise at Fort Riley, Kan., March 25, 2023. 45th IBCT Soldiers conducted pre-mobilization training in preparation for their upcoming deployment as Task Force Tomahawk supporting operations across three East African countries.

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF), Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, (CJTF-HOA), run through several courses of fire at the Djiboutian Range Complex, Djibouti, May 25 2022. The EARF provides support for any contingency, including crisis response, humanitarian assistance, non-combatant evacuation operations, disaster relief operations, support to U.S. embassies, recovery capabilities of aircraft and personnel, and other missions as directed. (U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Joel Pfiester)

U.S. Army Ohio National Guard Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, provide cover-by-fire to other members of their unit during annual training exercise Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Aug. 10, 2022. Over 2,000 Ohio and Michigan U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers conducted their annual training at Camp Grayling, conducting a multitude of training missions to maintain combat readiness and fulfill their role as a part of the U.S. Army.

A U.S. Marine Corps recruit with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, fires down range during the table two course of fire at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 16, 2024. The table two course of fire teaches recruits the fundamentals of safety and marksmanship in combat shooting positions and rifle carries.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gustavo Mondragonaquino, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, posts security during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 4, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

A U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, engages a target with the M249 light machine gun during team live-fire and tactical movement training as part of Eagle Ursa at the training range in Slunj, Croatia, Feb. 25, 2024. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployableforces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployedacross Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships andstrengthen the alliance. Army

U.S Army Soldiers from Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve forces take part in a field training exercise during the 1-254th Regional Training Institute's Infantry Advanced Leaders Course 22-02 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 9, 2022. The Infantry Advanced Leaders Course is a branch-specific course that provides Soldiers selected for promotion to Staff Sgt. an opportunity to enhance leadership, technical skill, tactical expertise and experience needed to lead squad-size units.

Soldiers with 1st Platoon, B Dog” Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct a platoon live fire on a range at Fort Knox, KY, April 27, 2022.The purpose of this training is to execute a decentralized division training density from dispersed field environments in order to enhance readiness, while stressing communications and sustainment systems across extended distances.

A U.S. Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets security during a squad attack exercise at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 12, 2022. Squad attack exercises reinforce infantry tactics and combined arms lethality. 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 premier crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region.

A U.S. Soldier assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (3/4th ABCT), shoots an M320 grenade launcher as part of the zeroing before Defender 2022 at Oberlausitz Training Area, Germany, April 25, 2022. Defender Europe 22 is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises in Eastern Europe. The exercise demonstrates U.S. Army Europe and Africas ability to conduct large-scale ground combat operations across multiple theaters in support of NATO.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, load a MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, while they conduct an air-insertion during Resolute Dragon 22 on Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 5, 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. Army Ohio National Guard Infantrymen assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, conduct a support-by-fire training exercise during Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Aug. 10, 2022. Over the course of the training Operation, over 2,000 Ohio and Michigan U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers conducted a wide variety of training missions and exercises across Camp Grayling to maintain readiness and unit cohesion.

Pair of US marines during the military operation

A U.S. Army Soldier, with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, takes a security position with the M249 light machine gun during a field mission at the Fort Dix Ranges on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, March 25, 2023. The 114th Infantry Regiment had a four day drill weekend to better prepare for JRTC.

Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment, Michigan Army National Guard conduct Table 5 MORTEP motar training at the All-Domain Warfighting Center, Camp Grayling, Michigan, August 10, 2020. A MORTEP certifies the Soldiers as a motar platoon to conduct live fires for maneuver units on the ground during training exercises.

South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG) Spc. Michael Garcia, from A Co. 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion (CAB), prepares to fire at the moving-targets range on Ojojibara Maneuver Area, Sendai, Japan, on February 12, 2010. The training was part of FTX North Wind 2010, a joint exercise involving elements of the South Carolina National Guard and elements of the 44th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF).

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Sung Shin, right, a fires and effects integrator, with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conducts physical training before shooting a course of fire during a Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program range part of 2nd Brigade Platoons field exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2024. This CMP allows Marines to maintain weapon proficiency by engaging targets in a stress-induced environment with primary and secondary weapon systems. 5th ANGLICO Marines refined their shooting fundamentals through advanced marksmanship training which enhanced their lethality. Shin is a native of Duluth, GA. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Drake Hiester and Lance Cpl. Jonah Palomares, both squad leaders with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, set security during Spanish FLOTEX-22 near Rota, Spain, June 21, 2022. This exercise features tactical level actions ashore, combined with joint training and planning, aimed at increasing overall bilateral interoperability between nations.

U.S. Army Sgt. Sebastian Poynter, assigned to the Southern European Task Force (SEATAF) steps off for a road march during the 2022 U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition on Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany Aug. 9, 2022. Teams from across USAREUR-AF test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent USAREUR-AF at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, shoot an M240H Machine Gun during aerial gunnery at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 6, 2022. Soldiers first qualify with their weapons on the ground before moving to the aerial portion of the qualification.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christian Montemayor, a fire support Marine, with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, maneuvers behind a barricade during a Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program range as part of 2nd Brigade Platoons field exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2024. CMP allows Marines to maintain weapon proficiency by engaging targets in a competitive environment with primary and secondary weapon systems. 5th ANGLICO Marines refined their shooting fundamentals through advanced marksmanship training, enhancing their lethality. Montemayor is a native of San Diego. Marine Corps

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conduct a team live-fire exercise, with M4 rifle, as part of exercise Repel Resolve II at Monte Romano Italian training area, Italy, Jan. 22, 2024. The Repel Resolve exercise series develops small-team lethality and experience, increasing the battalion's ability to operate across the Brigade Support Area of operation. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.

Soldiers from Charlie Company, 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion, practiced weapons handling, fast loading, and engagement skills during the first week of annual training.The 2022 annual training exercises for the Idaho Army National Guard are the last mass field exercises for the 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team before deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

A U.S Marine with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division, calls out a command during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 1, 2022. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

From left, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Gabriel Hernandez, Sgt. Lukas Ibarra, and Lance Cpl. Aaron Finnegan, scan for notional adversary insurgents during a field exercise at Kahuku Training Area, Hawaii, Feb. 8, 2024. During the training, 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division conducted tactical logistic operations, supporting 3d MLR units while confronted with notional enemy interference. Hernandez is a native of Anaheim, Calif., Ibarra a native of Middletown, N.Y., and Finnegan a native of Edmond, Okla.; all are motor vehicle operators with 3d LLB. Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kenny Kulik, a machine gunner with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), kneels in the defense during a force-on-force exercise on Russaro Island, Finland, Aug. 10, 2022. During the exercise, U.S. Marines acted as the opposing force for Finnish soldiers. 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. Marines with 3rd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, attach a Multi-Use Adapter to a Type 96 Wheeled Armored Personnel Vehicle during a bilateral vehicle recovery training during exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 5, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual 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.

Finnish soldiers assigned to the Guard Jaeger Regiment, and U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fire each other's organic weapon systems at Huovinrinne, Finland, July 8, 2022. The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the Pori Brigade of the Finnish army began summer training in Finland to strengthen relations and help build interoperability between the two nations.

Leaders from the Hungarian and Romanian Army observe Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), as they conduct a combined arms maneuver live fire exercise (CAMLFEX) on Dec. 9, 2022, at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. Our commitment to defending NATO territory is ironclad and the United States will continue to bolster our posture to better defend our NATO allies. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs.)

U.S. Army soldiers assigned of the 1-503rd Infantry Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team provide over watch as a convoy passes threw a valley, April 29, Southern Wardak, Afghanistan. A Route Clearance Patrol Team leads the convoy threw the valley insuring a safe journey to COP Jaghato.

Soldiers of the Arizona National Guard, Alpha Company,1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, Tucson, Arizona, provide support fire July 31, 2017 during a live fire exercise as part of Exercise Northern Strike 17. Northern Strike is a National Guard Bureau-sponsored exercise uniting approximately 5,000 service members from 13 states and five coalition countries during the first two weeks of August 2017 at Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, both located in northern Michigan and operated by the Michigan National Guard. The newly accredited NS 17 demonstrates the Michigan National Guard's ability to provide accessible, readiness-building opportunities for military units from all service branches to achieve and sustain proficiency in conducting mission command, air, sea, and ground maneuver integration, together with the synchronization of fires in a joint, multinational, decisive action environment.

Soldiers from the United Arab Emirates 11th Mountain Battalion and U.S. Army 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade conduct a leaders reconnaissance of the live fire area during Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 23-04, Feb. 20, 2023. United Arab Emirate soldiers from the 11th Mountain Battalion are participating in the training rotation alongside U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade. UAE Soldiers will train alongside a U.S. Army brigade throughout this JRTC rotation to increase tactical interoperability and readiness.

Danish soldiers conduct forward observer operations as leaders from 18 participating countries view live fire demonstrations during Dynamic Front 23 at Oksbol, Denmark, March 30, 2023. Exercise Dynamic Front 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa directed, 56th Artillery Command led, multinational exercise designed to improve allied and partner nation's ability to execute multi-echelon fires, and test interoperability of both tactical and theater-level fires systems in a live environment.

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conduct a team live-fire exercise, with M4 rifle, as part of exercise Repel Resolve II at Monte Romano Italian training area, Italy, Jan. 22, 2024. The Repel Resolve exercise series develops small-team lethality and experience, increasing the battalion's ability to operate across the Brigade Support Area of operation. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael Hurley, a digital wideband systems maintainer assigned to 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, practices remedial action for the M240B machine gun at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 26, 2022. 8th Communications Battalion establishes, maintains and defends communication networks in order to facilitate II Marine Expeditionary Force's ability to command and control forces.

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 174, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, fire M240-B and M2 .50-caliber machine guns at the Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay range, Hawaii, Jan. 16, 2024. The training provided an opportunity for Marines with MWSS-174 to get hands-on training and familiarization with the employment of crew-served weapons.

Two U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, conducts Individual Movement Techniques with their assigned weapon during Exercise Super Garuda Shield on Dodiklatpur Rindam V, East Java, Indonesia., September 1, 2023. Super Garuda Shield 2023 is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. SGS2023 is the second consecutive time this exercise has grown into a combined and joint event, highlighting the 6 participating and 12 observing nations' commitment to partnership and a free and open indo-pacific.

U.S. Army Spc. John Alvarado, a bridge builder crewmember assigned to the 74th Multi-Role Bridge Company, pulls security during a gap crossing as part of Remagen Ready, at Fort Hood, Texas, Oct. 26, 2022. The event represented the early stages of the formation of a Gap Crossing Training Center on post.

Green Berets US Army Special Forces Group soldier. US Army Special Forces Group soldier

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Gage Stephens, an infantry Marine with Battalion Landing Team 1/1, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, issues a hand signal during a mechanized raid exercise at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 16, 2024. The mechanized raid was conducted to refine the Marines ability to carry out continuous operations in austere environments and execute strategic plans. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in in the 7th fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners, and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Marine Corps

Navy SEALs crossing the river with weapons.

A U.S. Marine assigned to 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and a Royal Marine Commando assigned to M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines discuss movement plans during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise in support of Northern Viking 2022 on Keflavik Airbase, Iceland, April 8, 2022. Northern Viking 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and Allied nations, enabling multi-domain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the defense of Iceland and Sea Lines of Communication in the Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (August 1, 2022) U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Sawyer A. Fields, rifleman, 3D Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, yells during an amphibious raid for a multinational littoral operations exercise as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, August, 1. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

U.S. Army Sgt. Charles Ivey, left, and 1st Lt. Aidan Baxter, right, communicate via radio while conducting dismounted reconnaissance movements during Exercise Arrow 22 at Niinisalo Training Area, Finland May 4th, 2022. Exercise Arrow is an annual, pre-planned, multinational exercise taking place in Finland, where visiting forces to include the U.S., U.K., Latvia, and Estonia, train together with the Finnish Defense Forces in high intensity force-on-force engagements and a live fire exercise with the purpose of increasing military readiness and developing interoperability among participating partner nations.

Lance Cpl. Patrick Raymond Lewis enemy targets during a base defense training excercise at Saber Strike 2012. Lewis, and other Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, was defending a Marine stronghold by neutralizing notional opposing forces. 3/25 is a Pennsylvania-based Reserve unit. The role player was played by a Latvian army soldier. Saber Strike 2012 is a multinational, tactical field training and command post exercise that involves more than 2,000 personnel from the U.S. Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, the 4th U.S. Marine Division, the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard, Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian armed forces, with contingents from Canada, Finland, France and the U.K. The exercise, led by U.S. Army Europe, is designed to enhance joint and combined interoperability between the U.S. forces and partner nations, and will help prepare participants to operate successfully in a joint, multina

Staff Sgt. Byron England, a native of Johnson City, Kansas, and a member of the Marine Corps Shooting Team, shoots during the section match May 19 at the Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria, Australia, during the Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting 2015. The Australian Army Skill at Arms Meeting is an annual, international combat-marksmanship competition hosted by the Australian Army, May 6 to 22. MCST is comprised of 12 Marines from Marine Corps Base Quantico and Marine Rotational Force- Darwin to represent the Marine Corps in this years competition. The team advances and promotes marksmanship to strengthen Marine Corps warfighting capability in order to provide combat-capable Marines and Sailors to the operating forces so that they may respond worldwide across the range of military operations.

Spc. Brett Cooper, a Valparaiso, Indiana native and infantryman with 2nd Platoon, Viper Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), explains the benefits of the 84mm Recoilless Rifle, known as the Carl Gustov Apr. 26, Fort Campbell, Ky. This brief is in preparation for an upcoming Engagement Area Development, a company-level defense set to take place this week during Operation Lethal Eagle II.

Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the mortar platoon in Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, and a member of the Kosovo Security Force, fire an M224 60 mm lightweight mortar system during a live-fire exercise at Camp Atterbury, Indiana on May 29, 2022. Approximately 15 KSF troops embedded with companies in the 1-133rd Infantry during a two-week annual training exercise. Senior leaders in the IANG and KSF visited each company near the end of the exercise to observe the full integration of KSF troops and recognize Soldiers who demonstrated excellence throughout their training. The tour was also an opportunity for KSF leaders to gain a more comprehensive understanding of IANG training requirements, equipment and logistics.

Infantrymen assigned to Alaska National Guard, U.S. Army, and U.S. Army Reserve units train on Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson Aug. 26, 2020 as part of the Advanced Leadership Course held by the Alaska National Guard's 207th Multi-functional Training Regiment. The Course consists of 18 days of classroom and field training instruction designed to further the leadership skills of these non- commissioned officers.

U.S. Special Forces on patrol in a special operation vehicle.

Combat medics assigned to the 237th Support Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team perform a litter carry during a mass casualty training exercise as part of Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 11, 2022. Northern Strike provides sustainment formations with a place to train and test their ability to rapidly deploy, set the theater and provide timely support in a decisive action environment.

U.S. Marines provide security during an amphibious landing as part of exercise UNITAS LXIII in Itaoca, Brazil, 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. Army taff Sgt Nathan McGowan and Staff Sgt Benjamin Holley, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade, Arkansas National Guard, use a M2010 and M110 Sniper Rifle to fire at their assigned targets during the "Know Your Limits" event on Maertens Range, Fort Benning Ga., April 4, 2022. These snipers are the best from their home Units and have come to prove they are the best.

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment engages targets with a M240 machine gun during a combined arms live fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Sept. 22, 2022.The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army photograph by Sgt. Luke Michalski)

Soldiers from the Royal British Armed Forces conduct infantry training during Exercise Eager Lion in Jordan, Sept. 11, 2022. Eager Lion 22 is a multilateral exercise hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, designed to exchange military expertise, and improve interoperability among partner nations.

Spc. Jacob Tippmann, infantryman with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, Task Force 2-28, 172nd Infantry Brigade, scans an adjacent hilltop outside of Forward Operating Base Tillman. Located just 3.5 kilometers from the border, the terrain around Tillman is some of the most rugged, remote and hostile terrain in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

Norwegian Rapid reaction special forces FSK soldiers in field uniforms posing in the forest. Norwegian Armed Forces soldiers

U.S. Marines with 3rd Transportation Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, perform a simulated casualty medical evacuation at Landing Zone Hawk, Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, December 6, 2022. Winter Workhorse is an annual exercise for CLR-3 to train to carry out mission essential tasks in forward-deployed, austere environments.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, participate in bilateral force-on-force training during Resolute Dragon 22 at Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 12, 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 combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), communicate with fire team leaders during a reconnaissance patrol during a field exercise at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 4, 2022. MWSS-273 conducted the exercise to enhance their ability to operate as a squadron in a field environment and train in real-world scenarios that would prepare them to support 2nd MAWs expeditionary aviation elements.

Cadets with the United States Military Academy tap the symbol of 1st Battalion, 187 Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team "Rakkasans," 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), while finishing the Crucible from Camp Natural Bridge to Camp Buckner at West Point, Ny., May 29, 2022. The Crucible is the last ruck before the completion of Cadet Leadership Development Training, or CLDT.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zack Farmer, a Knoxville, Tennessee native and a mortarman with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (LAR), 2d Marine Division, posts behind a M240 machine gun during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation (MCCRE) on Fort Pickett, Virginia, Aug. 8, 2022. The MCCRE evaluates the combat readiness of 2d LAR in preparation for their future deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

U.S Army Soldiers from Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve forces take part in a field training exercise during the 1-254th Regional Training Institute's Infantry Advanced Leaders Course 22-02 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 9, 2022. The Infantry Advanced Leaders Course is a branch-specific course that provides Soldiers selected for promotion to Staff Sgt. an opportunity to enhance leadership, technical skill, tactical expertise and experience needed to lead squad-size units.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, conduct a platoon live fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, June 2, 2022. The exercise demonstrated the squadron's use of the newly fielded Integrated Tactical Network (ITN).

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines (2/24) participate in a training scenario July 26, 2022, on North Post at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 2/24 is an infantry battalion based out of Chicago consisting of approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors. The battalion falls under the 24th Marine Regiment and the 4th Marine Division. The 2/24 was holding their 2022 annual training at Fort McCoy. (U.S. Army Photos by Scott Sturkol, Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Yaret Garcia Hernandez, a machine gunner with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division fires an M240B machine gun during Resolute Dragon 22 at Shikaribetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 5, 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. Yaret is a native of Oakland, California.

Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, engage enemy targets during a live fire exercise while participating in Joint Readiness Training Center Rotation 23-04, Feb. 22, 2023. United Arab Emirate soldiers from the 11th Mountain Battalion are participating in the training rotation alongside U.S. Army Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade. UAE soldiers will train alongside a U.S. Army brigade throughout this JRTC rotation to increase tactical interoperability and readiness.

U.S. Soldiers with Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment climb a slope during a squad live fire exercise at the 7th Army Training Commands Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May 12, 2022. 2CR provides the 7th ATC with a lethal and agile force capable of rapid deployment throughout the European theater in order toassure allies,deteradversaries, and when ordered,defendthe NATO alliance.

Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. Soldiers in camouflage military uniforms carrying weapons, Reconnaissance missions in rugged mountains, Assault infantry battle training. ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/WosunanxPhotostoryx 21538175 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division Soldiers assault a compound at a training mission during Joint Pacific Multinational Training Center (JPMRC) 23-01 on Pohakuloa Training Grounds, Hawaii, Nov 2, 2022. JPMRC 23-01 is a regional combat training center (CTC) rotation that builds combat readiness in #AmericasPacificDivision and is a keyway the Army forces engage in a joint environment with our regional allies and partners.

U.S. Soldiers assigned assigned to Chaos Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1ABCT), operationally controlled by the 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), conduct a team meeting prior to live fire exercises at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Nov. 18, 2022. The 3-1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1 ID, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

A U.S. Army Soldier with the 1-114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, fires the M136 AT4 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, June 3, 2022. The AT4 is an 84mm unguided anti-armour weapon. It is effective in assaulting tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopter, aircraft and armoured vehicles.

U.S. Army Spc. Robert Curran, a Religious Affairs Specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 368th Engineer Battalion, surveys the Dyer Training Area during Warrior Exercise 78-22-02 held at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 20, 2022. WAREX 78-22-02 aids in the U.S. Army Reserve's role of providing combat-ready units to the U.S. Army Forces Command and combatant commands across the full spectrum of conflict.

U.S. Marines assigned to 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (2nd ANGLICO), II Marine Expeditionary Force, take cover during a simulated raid as part of Exercise Burmese Chase at Marine Corps Outlying Landing Field (MCOLF) Atlantic, North Carolina, July 13, 2022. MCOLF Atlantic is one of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Points satellite facilities that is used to support aviation and other ground training.

A U.S. Army soldier of the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, Connecticut Army National Guard, feeds 7.62mm ammunition into an M240L machine gun during a machine gun qualification at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vermont, July 16, 2022. The M240L machine gun can be employed by an individual soldier or in teams when serving in a crew served role.

Sergeant Andrew Row from 2nd Brigade Combat Team Strike”, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 18th Airborne Corps, moves ahead during a road march to an objective during the FORSCOM Best Squad Competition on Fort Hood, Texas, August 16, 2022. Each of these events are designed to test the physical and mental toughness along with the lethality of each squad to see which squad will represent FORSCOM at the Best Squad of the Army competition that will take place at Ft. Bragg, NC.

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)

BOBOC AIR BASE, Romania -- A U.S. Army Soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division performs security operations during Swift Response 21. Swift Response 21 is designed to validate U.S. European Command's ability to send high readiness forces into a designated area while advancing airborne interoperability among NATO allies.DEFENDER-Europe 21 is a large-scale U.S. Army-led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the U.S., NATO allies and partner militaries. This year, more than 30,000 multinational forces from 26 nations will conduct nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas in 14 countries from the Baltics to the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea Region. Follow the latest news and information about DEFENDER-Europe 21, visit www.EuropeAfrica.army.mil/DefenderEurope.

Soldiers assigned to Hard Rock Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct a Platoon Live Fire Exercise on Sept 27, 2022, at Cincu Training Area, Romania. 101st units will support V Corps mission to reinforce NATOs eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises with partners across the European continent to reassure our Nations allies. (U.S. Army photos by 2nd Lt. Stacey Shaw, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, Unit Public Affairs Representative.)

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