Military Training Exercises

Photos of U.S. military personnel engaged in training exercises, featuring airfield operations and combat drills, set in varied outdoor environments.

36th Wing hosts the 23d Wing and 374th Airlift Wing during an austere airfield training objective which include: airfield takedowns, airfield insertions, hotpit refueling, and the first known Fortress Landing Zone forward area refueling point at Pacific Regional Training Center - Andersen on Nov 4th, 2022. 23d Wing airmen deployed to Andersen Air Force Base to participate in a dynamic force employment exercise to maintain readiness in a geographically separated and contested environment.

36th Wing hosts the 23d Wing and 374th Airlift Wing during an austere airfield training objective which include: airfield takedowns, airfield insertions, hotpit refueling, and the first known Fortress Landing Zone forward area refueling point at Pacific Regional Training Center - Andersen on Nov 4th, 2022. 23d Wing airmen deployed to Andersen Air Force Base to participate in a dynamic force employment exercise to maintain readiness in a geographically separated and contested environment.

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division participate in an M240B machine gun range 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.

A U.S. Army Ohio National Guard Infantryman assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, keeps watch during a movement training exercise as part of Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Michigan Aug. 10, 2022. During their annual training, Soldiers of the 1-148 IN conducted a variety of combat drills to better enhance their combat readiness.

A U.S. Marine, Australian Soldier, and two U.S. Army Soldiers, assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, conducts Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUNT) training 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 Lt. Col. Andrew Rhodes, commander of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, discusses the exercise with German soldiers before a close-quarters marksmanship training as part of Defender 22 at Oberlausitz Training Area, Germany, April 27, 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.

Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School take a knee during reconnaissance training as part of the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) at Camp Mackall, North Carolina January 9, 2023. Soldiers participated in SFQC training that tested their knowledge of small unit tactics and basic urban operations to ensure they possess the combat skills required to successfully operate on a Special Forces Operational Detatchment Alpha.

Soldiers representing the 21st Theater Sustainment Command work together as a squad to navigate through terrain during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad competition to start, Grafenwohr, 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.

U.S. Marines with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, patrol down a road during Summer Pioneer 2022 on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 20, 2022. Summer Pioneer 2022 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 with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, conduct a live-fire unknown distance range during Resolute Dragon 22 on Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 3, 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.

Medical lane training during WAREX 78-22-02 serves as an annual training opportunity for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers.

U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party specialists assigned to the 2d Air Support Operations Squadron out of Vilseck, Germany, debrief with the United Kingdoms Royal Air Force during exercise Cobra Warrior 22 in England, Sept. 21, 2022. Cobra Warrior 22 is the capstone training event that concludes the training of the United Kingdoms Royal Air Forces Typhoon Qualified Weapons Instructor course.

Soliders from the Nebraska Army National Guard compete in the 2022 Adjutant General's Marksmanship Sustainment Exercise at the Greenlief Training Site near Hastings, Nebraska, Aug. 5, 2022. This is the first time the event has been held since the U.S. Army has updated it's marksmanship qualification test in 2019.

U.S. Army Soldiers with 2nd Brigade Infantry Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, move with a convoy towards an objective during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Training Center rotation 23-01 at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Oct. 31, 2022. JPMRC 23-01 is a regional combat training center (CTC) rotation that builds combat readiness in Americas Pacific Division and is a key way the Army forces engage in a joint environment with our regional allies and partners.

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, conduct call for fires with an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, May 11, 2022. Emerald Warrior provides annual, realistic pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas. The exercise prepares special operations forces, conventional force enablers, partner nations and interagency elements, to integrate with and execute full-spectrum special operations, sharpening U.S. forces abilities to operate around the globe.

Combined Arms Support Command Best Squad/Drill Sergeant of the Year competitors descend a hill together June 27, 2023, during the Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills event in the woods of Training Area 29, Fort Gregg Adams, Va. The BSC/DSOY competition featured 17 Soldiers from throughout CASCOM for the opportunity to showcase their Soldier skills and move on to the Training and Doctrine Command-level competition.

U.S. Army Ohio National Guard Spc. Brendon Brigdon, an Infantryman assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, pulls external security during annual training exercise Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 10, 2022. During Operation Northern Strike, Soldiers took part in a massive training exercise, seeing over 2,000 U.S. Army Ohio National Guardsmen participate in the event.

Joint training exercise with Det 2. 6 Co. 3/238th AVN MEDEVAC, Cox Health and Missouri State Highway Patrol at Hercules Glade Wilderness, Bradleyville, Mo., Oct. 06, 2022. Multiple Missouri departments teamed up to practice life-saving MEDEVAC scenarios. (Photo by U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Rose Di Trolio.)

Soldiers assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps set out to their land navigation starting points during the XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 26, 2022. Land navigation is a core military discipline, requiring Soldiers to plot coordinate points on a grid map and traverse through rough terrain, in adverse conditions, day or night.

An observer-controller/trainer from the Joint Readiness Training Center briefs soldiers from the United Arab Emirates 11th Mountain Battalion and U.S. Army 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade during a leaders reconnaissance of the live fire area during JRTC 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.

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.

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)

A student in the Combat Medic Specialist Training Program provides security for his platoon during combat field training, Sep. 29, 2022 at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Tx. The training facility allows soldiers to train under conditions that simulate what they are going to see on the battlefield. Soldier medics will train in the environment and the conditions of stress.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. John Wilczek, a combat engineer with 8th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, fires M1014 shotguns before a ballistics breaching range during 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.

A group of Dutch Snipers, load their assigned weapons before the "Spawn Camp" event on Wagner Range, Fort Benning Ga., April 5, 2022. These snipers are the best from their home Units and have come to prove they are the best.

U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin Minnig, left, and Spc. Cristian Fuentes-Velazquez, both assigned to 66th Military Intelligence Brigade, load a M240 machine gun at the range during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 11, 2022. Teams from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa 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 U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (July 12, 2022) An Australian Army Soldier assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conducts a live fire exercise during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, July 12. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four 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.

The U.S. Army Reserves Warrior Exercise 78-22-02 brought units and Soldiers from across the country to build on their readiness levels. Excercises trained and evaluated Soldiers on Army Warrior Skill-level 10 tasks. WAREX serves as an annual training opportunity for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers

U.S. Army Spc. Paredes Richiez, an infantryman assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, participates in a platoon live fire exercise while conducting pre-mobilization training at Fort Drum, Jun. 29. The battalion is honing its warfighting skills for an upcoming deployment to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, slated for later this summer.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, sight in with Mk 153 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapons at simulated targets during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2022.The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

A Stinger Air Defense Team from the 82nd Airborne Division take aim during training at the Joint Readiness Training Center. Base: Fort Polk State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A U.S. Marine with 3d Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, and a U.S. Army soldier with (unit) conduct a battlespace turnover at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Jan. 27, 2022. The Marines Corps, Army, and Air Force conducted joint reconnaissance operations to prepare the battlespace for follow-on actions. The training demonstrates the joint forces ability to integrate command and control, expand battlefield awareness, and conduct long-range precision strikes as an enduring, stand-in-force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lorenzo Ducato)

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)

Pfc. Kayla Harmon, a military police soldier with the 304th Military Police Company, pulls security at a road block as part of a situational training exercise during Titan Warrior here in Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Titan Warrior is a two-week long exercise where units within the 290th train on job specific tasks and basic soldiering skills.

Spc. Jacob Byrd, a musician assigned to U.S. Army Japan stationed at Camp Zama, Japan, clears a M240B machine gun June 8 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, at the multiple weapon scenario-based marksmanship event during the 2022 USARPACs Best Warrior Competition. The USARPAC BWC 2022 is an annual week-long competition consisting of competitors from multiple USARPAC units across the Indo-Pacific. The noncommissioned officers and junior enlisted Soldiers are evaluated in several categories such as general military knowledge, basic Soldier skills, and physical fitness.

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

U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Spencer Vega, representing the Army Reserve Medical Command, Staff Sgt. Juan Tapiacardona, representing the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support), and Pfc. Jordan Watson, representing the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support), discuss he squads next movement at the Combined Arms Collective Training Facility as part of the U.S. Army Reserve Best Squad Competition at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on May 17, 2022. Approximately 40 Soldiers from across the nation traveled to Fort McCoy to compete in the 2022 U.S. Best Warrior Best Squad Competition from May 14-21, 2022. The 2022 BWSC is an annual competition that brings together the best Soldiers and squads from across the U.S. Army Reserve to earn the title of Best Warrior and Best Squad among their peers. Competitors are evaluated on their individual and collective ability to adapt to and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-focused events that test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and

Spc. Robert Britt, left, and Pfc. Trevor Surico-Pink, assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, move down a walkway while clearing building during urban operations training as part of Exercise Cartwheel near Nadi, Fiji, September 15, 2022. Exercise Cartwheel is a multilateral military-to-military training exercise with the U.S., Republic of Fiji Military, Australian, New Zealand, and British forces that builds expeditionary readiness and interoperability by increasing the capacity to face a crisis and contingencies by developing and stressing units at the highest training levels.

Finnish soldiers assigned to the Guard Jaeger Regiment, and U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, teach each other how to operate their 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.

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, conduct a combined arms live fire exercise (CALFEX) on Fort Drum, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2022. The exercise consisted of a foot march, breaching obstacles, and a clearing operation with supporting fire from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th MTN DIV, and 1st Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th MTN DIV.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1916th Battalion, Fort Irwin, California, ruck towards their next event in the U.S. Army Forces Command Best Squad Competition, at Fort Hood, Texas, August 14, 2022. The Best Squad Competition promotes esprit-de-corps and recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army Values and embody the Warrior Ethos.

Virginia Army National Guard Soldiers with Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) exchange knowledge on close-quarters combat at the French 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment base, Djibouti, June 23, 2022. Members of the CJTF-HOA regularly train and work alongside allies, partners, and government organizations to achieve a unified effort to improve safety, security and prosperity in East Africa.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 10th Special Forces Group train on the M320 grenade launcher during a live-fire exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Sept. 16, 2022.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment conduct an air assault training exercise, May 24, 2022, on Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea. The exercise provided an opportunity for 1-36 Infantry to validate their air assault capabilities.

Airmen from the 423d Security Forces Squadron advance their position during a field training exercise at Stanford Training Area, England, Aug. 17, 2022. Instructors from the 820th Base Defense Group and 435th Security Forces Squadron Ground Combat Readiness Training Center, conducted the exercise to evaluate and bolster the combat readiness skills of the defenders from the 423d SFS.

U.S. Air Force tactical air control party specialists from the 169th Air Support Operations Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, communicate through radio traffic and messaging during Exercise Forward Reach 23-1 in Danvers, Illinois, Dec. 3, 2022. The TACPs used the exercise to demonstrate their new Mobile Response Team domestic operations capability, which will quickly extend the reach of first responders during natural disasters.

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. Army Ohio National Guard Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, regroup and plan their next movement during a training exercise as a part of Operation Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Aug. 10, 2022. Operation Northern Strike, an annual training exercise for Ohio and Michigan National Guard Soldiers, saw over 2,000 Soldiers take to Camp Grayling to conduct this massive training event.

U.S. Soldiers with Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment engage targets during a squad level 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 toassureallies,deteradversaries, and when ordered,defendthe NATO alliance.

U.S. Air Force Airmen participating in Advanced Ready Training - Outside the Wire move and provide tactical combat casualty care to individuals with simulated injuries at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Feb. 9, 2024. The ART-OTW course is a pre-deployment requirement to gain experience in specialized tactics and techniques through strenuous training scenarios. Air Force

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery Regiment, Ohio National Guard, looks through an M119 Howitzer sighting system to aim at a target during a fire mission at exercise Northern Strike at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 12, 2022. Northern Strike tests multi component and coalition forces through a challenging, realistic and detailed scenario based on relevant real-world security challenges and future conflicts.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bandits Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, return from the range during a squad live-fire exercise at Karliki, Poland, Jan.23, 2024. The 3rd Infantry Divisions mission in Europe is to engage in multinational training and exercises across the continent, working alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Army Pfc. Sergio Ortiz, bottom, an infantryman assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), assaults a notional defensive position with his squad at Hungarian Defense Forces Central Training Area, Bakony, Hungary, Sept. 21, 2022. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) continues to reinforce NATOs eastern flank and engage in multinational exercises, like Brave Warrior 22, with Allies and partners across the European continent to reassure our Nations Allies.

Paratroopers across the 82nd Airborne Division finish the 12 mile road march, complete a weapons test, and recieve their E3B on Fort Bragg, NC, April 7, 2023. 371 Paratroopers and Soldiers across multiple units and locations successfully completed E3B.

Competitors assigned to the 44th Medical Brigade and 4th Psychological Operations Group display casualty evacuation techniques during the Expert Field Medic Badge competition (EFMB) at Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 26, 2022. The EFMB is the non-combat equivalent of the Combat Medical Badge and consists of a Physical Fitness Assessment, Written Test, Day and Night Land Navigation, Three Combat Testing Lanes, and a 12 Mile Foot March.

U.S. Army Maj. Jenkins L. Dove, an operations officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Infantry Division, observes an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at a firing point during a Latvian-led combined military exercise near Liepāja, Latvia Sept. 26, 2022. The 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade, is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 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. Army Maj. Jenkins L. Dove, an operations officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Infantry Division, observes an M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at a firing point during a Latvian-led combined military exercise near Liepāja, Latvia Sept. 26, 2022. The 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Fires Brigade, is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

Spc. Amanda Treible, a mass communications specialist from the 326th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment from Reading, Pennsylvania, fires the M2 machine gun for the first time at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 22, 2022. The training was part of Warrior Exercise 78-22-02, which aids the Army Reserve's mission to provide combat-ready units and Soldiers to the Army and the Joint Force across the full spectrum of conflict.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines conduct movement drills during a combat marksmanship range as part of Fuji Viper 23.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Nov. 22, 2022. Exercise Fuji Viper exemplifies a commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 1/2 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

U.S. Marines assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepare to fire a Mk 153 Shoulder-Launched Multipurpose Assault Weapon while conducting a live-fire raid on Range 226 during a battalion field exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 22, 2022. Range 226 improved the Marines ability to operate their rifles at close quarters and in low-visibility environments during the larger FEX, intended to increase the battalions combat readiness.

Corporal Jared Kiner from 2nd Brigade Combat Team Strike, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 18th Airborne Corps, pulls security during a long halt heading to an ambush point 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.

U.S. Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, clear a corner of a concrete room with M27 Infantry Assault Rifles, while conducting close quarters combat (CQC) training during exercise Tradewinds 2022 (TW22) at Hattieville, Belize, on May 14, 2022. CQC is a tactic used within a very short range of enemy combatants that involves a firefight. TW22 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored Caribbean-focused multi-dimensional exercise conducted in the ground, air, sea, and cyber domains, designed to provide participating nations opportunities to conduct joint, combined, and interagency training focused on increasing regional cooperation and interoperability in complex multinational security operations.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Hallmark, left, with Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment leads his men 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 toassureallies,deteradversaries, and when ordered,defendthe NATO alliance.

U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Dillon Mills, student, left, and Airman First Class Mardoche Angerville, student, right, load the M240 B medium weight machine gun as part of a live firing exercise during the Lightweight Machine Gun Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas, Oct. 4, 2022. The course is two-weeks long culminating in three days where students familiarize themselves with weapons by live firing in multiple conditions and is designed to ready students for mission demands on day-one of assignment at their new base where this training is not available.

Washington National Guard Soldiers with Charlie Company, 898th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, set up long-range, mobile antenna systems on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Feb. 4, 2023. The retransmitting teams and their equipment were sling-loaded to strategic battlefield locations by a CH-47 Chinook crewed by 1st Battalion, 168th General Support Aviation Regiment (GSAB). The training was the first of its kind to be conducted in the brigade.

A Czech soldier, assigned to the 72nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, clears a mine on a road during Exercise Combined Resolve 17 at Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, on June 8, 2022. Combined Resolve is a U.S. Army exercise consisting of 5,600 service members, allies, and partners from more than 10 countries, and is designed to assess units' abilities to conduct combat operations effectively in a multi-domain battle-space.

Army Staff Sgt. Timothy King rushes past the finish line during a ruck march for the Kentucky National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky. on Nov. 11, 2022. King and other competitors are required to ruck 12 miles in order to get a chance to represent their state at the regional competition.

Sgt. 1st. Class Michael Pulido, first sergeant for Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, observes that Soldiers follow all safety procedures during the weapons qualification at Studnica range, Poland, April 1st, 2022. Safety during training is one of the essential items during training and guarantees that Soldiers are fit to fight while avoiding any injuries.

A soldier from the 231st Transportation Company aims down the sight of his M249 during perimeter defense at Independence Tactical Training Base on July 22, 2022 at Fort McCoy, Wis. This exercise is part of the annual WAREX in which Army Reserve units conduct joint training under the 78th Training Division.

Troopers assigned to Delta Troop, 4-6 Air Cavalry Squadron, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, pull security during Downed Aircraft Recovery Team training (DART), at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., on Oct 12, 2022. DART trains on a variety of individual and collective tasks that are necessary to the recovery of an aircraft in the event it is down and cannot fly away under its own power.

On Range 47B on the Fort Dix Range Complex the soldiers from the 508th MP Company are completing the M240B Machine Gun Qualification. Qualification with the M240B machine gun Crew consists of achieving the minimum standards for 10-meter day and transition day firing tables. This qualification is completed with a team which includes an observer and a soldier manning the M240 machine gun. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix TSC Training Support Center)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, fire an M252 81mm mortar system during combat rehearsals at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 8, 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.

A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with the New Jersey National Guard's 1-150th Assault Helicopter Battalion drops off Soldiers 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.

Wyoming Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, conduct leaders reconnaissance in a platoon-level simulated training exercise during the Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) program at Camp Roberts, California, July 17, 2022. XCTC focuses on fully instrumental and realistic collective training to certify platoon and company level training proficiency in coordination with First Army.

BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania-- An Airman with the U.K. 140th Expeditionary Air Wing moves towards the pickup zone during personnel recovery training with 3-227 AHB, July 12, 2022.Regular interoperability training with NATO partners and allies builds trust and readiness, increasing the capacity for deterrence and defense.

U.S. Army Sgt. Roel Casares, a cavalry scout assigned to the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, goes over clearing procedures with Finnish soldiers on the M4A1 carbine at Niinisalo, Finland, July 21, 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.

Soldiers assigned to the 16th Military Police Brigade perform a litter carry during the medical stress lane event at XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition for Corps' Separates Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, June 8, 2022. The competition tested squads physical, technical and tactical abilities under stress and fatigue to determine which squad would partake in the next competition at Fort Stewart, Georgia, in July 2022.

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, patrol up a hill during a live-fire exercise as part of a squad competition at Range 223B on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 24, 2022. 1st Marines held a week-long regimental squad competition to send the winning infantry squad to compete against squads drawn from other units across the division.

U.S. Airmen conduct weapons drills during a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Combat Medic Tier 3 Pilot Course at Travis Air Force Base, California, Feb. 14, 2024. Travis AFB will be an operational site to teach the 64-hour course to selected medical Air Force specialty codes. Air Force

Medical lane training during WAREX 78-22-02 serves as an annual training opportunity for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers.

Competitors representing U.S. Army Forces Command load a Carl Gustav M4 recoilless rifle during the Army's first-ever Best Squad Competition, held on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 4, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition succeeds the Army Best Warrior Competition and extends the competing element from the individual level to the squad level, as Soldiers never fight alone.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bailey Dick, an information technology specialist assigned to the 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, waits to be assigned a lane at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 25, 2022. Soldiers from the 37th IBCT conducted the new M4A1 qualification course of fire, which sees Soldiers challenged by the integration of support barriers, unprompted magazine reloading, and a variety of position changes to better ensure they are prepared and ready to face combat.

U.S. Army Soldiers, with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 114th Infantry Regiment, 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.

Airmen from the 423d Security Forces Squadron lay prone while looking down the sights of their M4 carbines during a field training exercise at Stanford Training Area, England, Aug. 17, 2022. Instructors from the 820th Base Defense Group and 435th Security Forces Squadron Ground Combat Readiness Training Center, conducted the exercise to evaluate and bolster the combat readiness skills of the defenders from the 423d SFS.

The United States Army's most qualified uniformed interrogation teams met at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to compete in the inaugural Army Interrogation Olympics to determine the Army's Best Interrogation Team of the Year. Military Intelligence Soldiers from Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard components met and thrived in an austere field environment while refining and improving individual and collective HUMINT, analytical, leader, and Soldier skills. The competition was hosted by the 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade from August 8 to 10, 2022.

Czech soldiers assigned to the 72nd Mechanized Engineer Platoon, CS Coy, clear a mine on a road during Exercise Combined Resolve 17 at Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, June 8, 2022. Combined Resolve is a U.S. Army exercise consisting of 5,600 service members, allies, and partners from more than 10 countries, and is designed to assess units abilities to conduct combat operations effectively in a multi-domain battle-space.

Staff Sgt. Mark S. Owens and Spc. Brady L. Dunn, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians with 759th Ordnance Company, compete at the all-Army team of the year competition at Fort Carson, Colorado, May 17, 2022. This year, 71st Ordnance Group hosted the all-Army Team of the Year where teams 52nd Ordnance Group, 71st Ordnance Group, 48th Chemical Brigade, 303rd Ordnance Battalion, and 718th Ordnance Company, put their skills to the test to tasks in a physically and mentally demanding training environment.

Army National Guard competitors in the National Guard Region V Best Warrior walk to attend a safety briefing after arriving at Camp Gruber Training Center May 17, 2022. The annual competition brings together top-tier soldiers to challenge them on a variety of Army warrior tasks. The contest consists of eight events that promote soldier readiness in their war fighting skills and recognizes individuals who embody the Army Values. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Stone)

Two soldiers talking to each other

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Delroy Smith, a rifleman with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, reloads a M320 Grenade Launcher on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 5, 2022. The exercise allowed the Marines to engage and destroy a variety of targets found on the battlefield in order to increase the lethality of the unit and provide a heightened level of marksmanship with the M320 Grenade Launcher.

U.S. Army Joint Fire Support Specialists with the Fire Support Detachment, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, prepare a range for training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 20, 2022.

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. (Jul. 27, 2022) Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273 march out of camp at the end of Operation Turning Point, also known as Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1s Field Training Exercise. Operation Turning Point is an around-the-clock exercise that focuses on constructing advanced bases while maintaining proficiency in tactics and survivability. NMCB 1 is homeported out of Gulfport, Miss. They are conducting an intense homeport training plan to expand their ability to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater operations.

Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, suppress an enemy target with an M240G medium machine gun during a simulated airfield seizure at Farmville Municipal Airport, Va., Jan. 14. The Marines arranged a Marine Corps Community Day following the airfield seizure to thank the local community for their support and to display the military equipment and capabilities of the unit. The display and seizure were part of the 24th MEU's Realistic Urban Training exercise scheduled Jan. 5-20, which focuses on conducting off-base missions near the town of Farmville to prepare for the various operations they may conduct while deployed.

GULFPORT, Miss. (May 6, 2022) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, conduct counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) casualty response training aboard Woolmarket Small Arms Range. NMCB 1 is conducting an intense homeport training plan to expand their ability to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater operations.

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)

Guard members from the 181st Brigade Support Battalion take part in a medical evacuation and field hospital exercise during their annual training on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. July 20, 2022. Nearly 240 Guard members from the 181st are supporting Officer Candidate School Phase III while also training on field craft and strengthen their MOS skill sets.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jadon Hillary, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, conducts live-fire drills during Exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 16, 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. Hillary is a native of Boaz, Alabama.

Modern warfare Soldiers Squad Running as Team in Battle Formation

Cpl. Iangell Deleon-Marquez, Cpl. Chase Kidd and Sgt. Austin Arvizo, mortarmen with the 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, make adjustments to their deflection and elevation during a 120mm fire mission while competing on day three of the Best Mortar Competition at Fort Benning, Georgia, on April 12, 2023. The 120mm mortar system's maximum effective range allows teams to engage with targets over five miles away.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 22, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, prepare a HIMARS launcher pod container during a helicopter support team training event at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 26, 2022. Landing Support Platoon, with CLB-22, conducted these external lift operations with a helicopter support team to improve their skills and ability to execute potential contingency missions in support of 2nd Marine Division and II Marine Expeditionary Force.

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