Tactical Combat Training Exercises

Dramatic visuals of Marines conducting tactical training, using weapons and equipment in various operational settings to enhance combat readiness.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Antonio Barajas-Lopez, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, conducts fire team attack drills on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 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. Barajas-Lopez is a native of Fresno, California.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Themer, a Light Armored Vehicle crewman with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), posts security during an exercise on Hasto Buso Island, Finland, Aug. 12, 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.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Antonio Barajas-Lopez, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, conducts fire team attack drills on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 10, 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. Barajas-Lopez is a native of Fresno, California.

Lance CPL. Fransico Alcaca tries to radio the battalion Command and Operations Center shortly after hitting the ground. Lance CPL. Alcaca is with Headquarters and Service Company, 1ST Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division. Subject Operation/Series: Combined Joint Training Field Exercise (CJTFEX) 96 Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Black silhouette of soldier in the smoke moving in battle operation. Back light, cropped, toned and colorized. Black silhouette of soldier

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 181st Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), Massachusetts Army National Guard, conduct combat training exercises during the eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercise on July 19, 2022 at Ft. Drum, N.Y. More than 2,500 Soldiers are participating in the training event, which enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Pfc. Seth Cohen)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Boswood (left) and Cpl. Jonathan Powell, anti-tank missile gunners with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, fire a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile during exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, July 2, 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. Boswood is a native of Gaylord, Michigan and Powell is a native of Bellville, Ohio.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Austin Sauceda, a mortar Marine with Battalion Landing Team 2/5, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, posts security during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 16, 2022. A TRAP mission occurs when aircraft and personnel sustain damage, requiring a flexible aircrew and a coordinated team of Marines to locate, medically treat, and transport those injured to the next level of care. 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.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John C. Ezelle, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Ground Combat Element, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) 22, prepares to fire an M320 grenade launcher during exercise Darrandarra 22 at Mount Bundey Training Area, NT, Australia, June 15, 2022. Exercise Darrandarra 22 increases MRF-D 22s readiness to respond to realistic crises throughout a range of military operations within the region.

050808-F-4441R-006. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher McGrew, a rifleman with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines engages in realistic combat training supported by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Fuji Training Center during Exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, June 13, 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.

U.S. Marine Corps soldier in action on a gloomy night under the cover of darkness.

Army National Guard officer candidates, enrolled in the Washington Army National Guards 205th Regimental Training Institute Officer Candidate School Phase III, execute a platoon raid and air extraction at the Leschi Town Collective Training Facility on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., July 24, 2022. A raid is a limited-objective, deliberate operation entailing swift penetration of hostile terrain. Squad and platoon missions help candidates to develop their leadership skills, and quickly make critical decisions based on an understanding of Army tactical doctrine.

020507-F-1644L-007. Base: Tora Bora Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Special forces operators in the military kayak. Spec ops in the military kayak

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Isaac A. Henderson, a machine gunner with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Devante L. Bars, a mortarman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines fires an M240B machine gun in the Central Training Area on Okinawa, Japan Oct. 31, 2022. Marines took part in the live-fire range to maintain proficiency and readiness. 3/3 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as a part of the Unit Deployment Program. Henderson is a native of Bangor, Maine.

020219-F-6911G-004. Base: Incirlik Air Base, Adana Country: Turkey (TUR)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jarred Gutbier, a radio operator with Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducts an ambush during an exercise on Hasto Buso Island, Finland, Aug. 12, 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.

Silhouette of special forces with rifle in action during river raid in the jungle waist deep in the water. Under cover of darkness. Crossing river in jungle

110815-N-DG226-881AZUSA, Calif. (Aug. 15, 2011) Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David Brandenburg, assigned to Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific, participates in M4 weapons qualifications during the Fleet Combat Camera Group Pacific Summer Quick Shot 2011. Quick Shot is a semiannual field training exercise intended to train combat camera personnel to operate in a combat environment.

U.S. Marines with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division, participate in live-fire mortar range near Setermoen, Norway, March 30, 2023. Marines are deployed to Norway as part of Marine Rotational Forces Europe 23.1 which focuses on regional engagements throughout Europe by conducting various exercises, arctic cold-weather and mountain warfare training, and military-to-military engagements, which enhance overall interoperability of the U.S. Marine Corps with allies and partners.

A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operator assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida, prepares to conduct call for fires with an AC-130J Ghostrider 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.

U.S. Marines with 2d Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company conduct a simulated force-on-force training event during warfighter week on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 28, 2022. Warfighter week is a week-long training event to ensure familiarity with ground operations and technical proficiency, providing liaison assets to foreign countries across all domains.

Russian special forces operator in bulletproof helmet in the smoke and fire. Russian special forces operator

Staff Sgt. Bryan Robbins, platoon sergeant for 3rd plt., Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, calls for mortar support during a live-fire exercise here, July 13. Following the conclusion of Exercise Hamel 2012, the Marines of Co. G. engaged in movement to contact drills, using what they learned from living in a woodland environment for the past three weeks. Exercise Hamel 2012 is a multi-national training evolution between the U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Army and New Zealand Army, aimed at certifying the Australian 1st Brigade for operational deployment. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the nations force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Basic Cadets from the Class of 2026 complete the assault course at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Jacks Valley in Colorado Springs, Colo., on July 12, 2022. Basic Cadet Training (BCT) is a six-week indoctrination program to guide the transformation of new cadets from being civilians to military academy cadets prepared to enter a four-year officer commissioning program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Trevor Cokley)

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines conduct defilade and high-angle fires with a Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher during Exercise Fuji Viper 22.5 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Sept. 14, 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. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

Boise State University Cadets from the Bronco Battalion form a security perimeter for their squad.Following the previous weeks field lab cancellation midway through the exercise, the Bronco Battalion returns to the foothills above the City of Boise for an exercise in reconnaissance tactics. The weather, unlike the previous week, is mild, with clear skies and tolerable temperatures. The Office of Visual Information for Idaho Army National Guard will follow the Boise State University Bronco Battalion for the Spring 2022 Semester through graduation. The program trains young men and women to serve as officers and leaders. Graduates will serve as officers in the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserves. Several seniors scheduled to graduate will eventually serve in the Idaho Army National Guard, while some cadets are already currently serving in the Idaho Army National Guard while attending BSU. Many officers currently serving in the Idaho Army National Guard are

United States paratrooper airborne infantry in the desert.

U.S. Marines combat engineers with Alpha Company, 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, clear debris out of an artificial corridor created by the combat engineers at Henoko Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 25, 2022. 3rd LSB conducted a battalion field exercise to train core mission essential tasks and rehearse emerging warfighting concepts in preparation for future exercises and operations. 3d MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward-deployed combat unit that serves as III MEFs comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Federico Marquez)

A view through a fisheye lens, of members of the 1ST Bn., 35th Inf., 25th Inf. Div., as they exit a UH-1A Iroquois helicopter in an air-mobile assault during Opportune Journey 4-83. Subject Operation/Series: OPPORTUNE JOURNEY 4-83 Base: Pohakuloa Training Area State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

060319-N-6901L-086. Base: Fob Taji State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6), Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, wait to execute Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear night operations in preparation for exercise Freezing Winds 22 in Syndalen, Finland, Oct. 13, 2022. Task Force Red Cloud, headquartered by elements of CLB-6, is deployed to Finland in support of Exercises SYD 2022 and Freezing Winds 2022 to enhance U.S. and Finnish select interdependence in the maritime domain; solidify bilateral maritime maneuver within the Finnish littoral environment; and foster strong relationships between U.S. Marine Corps and Finnish Defense Force sustainment units.

A U.S. Marine assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, posts security for an amphibious insert during a persistence exercise (PERSISTEX) in Okinawa, Japan, June 26, 2022. The purpose of the training was to refine and enhance expeditionary advance base operations capabilities and practice distributed operations. 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.

U.S. Army Soldiers attached to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment search for three missing Soldiers in Yusifiyah, Iraq, May 14, 2007.

A U.S. Marine conducts a bilateral amphibious landing during Balikatan 22, Claveria, 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 longstanding bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Brady, a machine gunner with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, provides security while conducting force-on-force training during Fuji Viper 22.5 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Sept. 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. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Brady is a native of Cleveland, Ohio.

Special forces operators in the military kayak. Spec ops in the military kayak

Soldier Aiming Through Gunsight

U.S. Marine combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), record measurements of a bridge during a reconnaissance patrol at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 4, 2022. The exercise improved the ability of MWSS-273 to facilitate 2nd MAWs readiness and capability to rapidly forward-deploy.

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii (July 19, 2022) Royal Australian Army soldiers with 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, call for air missions at Pōhakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 19, 2022. Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division conducted joint and international joint terminal attack control air and fire missions as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. 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.

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators with the 24th Special Operations Wing discuss airfield operations during Emerald Warrior 22.1 at Eglin Range, Florida, May 3, 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 in an arctic climate, sharpening U.S. forces abilities to operate around the globe.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jake Brandimarte, a Seaford, New York, native and squad leader with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, poses for a photo during Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 28, 2022. The main challenges that Ive overcome are nothing special to myself but what many Marines face, which is choosing to do the right thing everyday. said Brandimarte. Its being disciplined, its having a good attitude at work and towards everything you do. The purpose of a MCCRE is to formally evaluate the units combat readiness in preparation for deployment.

Soldiers take cover in a trench from enemy fire during a night attack.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Nathan Boswood (left) and Cpl. Jonathan Powell, anti-tank missile gunners with 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, prepare to fire a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile during exercise Shinka 22.1 at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, July 2, 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. Boswood is a native of Gaylord, Michigan and Powell is a native of Bellville, Ohio.

U.S. Marine combat engineers with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 273, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), debrief after a reconnaissance patrol of a bridge at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 4, 2022. Combat engineers with MWSS-273 conducted training missions, like the reconnaissance patrol, during the field exercise to enhance their ability to provide forward-support for 2nd MAWs aviation elements in a field environment.

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii (July 22, 2022) U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Jared Hollis, battery commander with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, briefs Marines before a simulated mass casualty evacuation training event at Pōhakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 22. Marines with 1/12 conducted a mass casualty evacuation training event as part of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Casualty evacuation drills train Marines to treat and evacuate patients within a tactical environment. 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 serie

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Ryan Davis, a combat engineer with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, emplaces an M18 Claymore mine during a live-fire range on Okinawa, Japan, April 13, 2022. Marines rehearsed combined arms tactics to maintain readiness for expeditionary operations in contested environments. 1/3 is forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines as a part of the Unit Deployment Program. Davis is a native of Amissville, Virginia.

Cpl. Matthew Ortiz, 21, a team leader from San Antonio, directs a TRAM vehicle while filling Hesco barriers at a new combat outpost in Musa Qaleh, Nov. 13. Engineers with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), worked through the night in order to build an elevated guard post for Afghan security forces.

220331-N-VQ790-1346 Virginia Beach, Va. (March 31, 2022)Operators assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group Two administer medical treatment to a simulated patient during a special operations tactical medic refresher course. The course is a biennial training exercise required for Naval Special Warfare medics.

Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conduct a live fire iteration during 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. Marine Corps Captain Raymond Lessig, air officer with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, coordinates close air support as part of Joint Terminal Attack Controller operations during exercise Fuji Viper 22.5 on Fuji Training Center, Japan, Aug. 24, 2022. Fuji Viper, and exercises like it, exemplify a shared commitment to realistic training that produces lethal, ready, and adaptable forces capable of decentralized operations across a wide range of missions. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Lessig is a native of Auburn, AL.

Members of Company B, 1ST Battalion, 187th Infantry, 193rd Brigade Task Force from Panama, take cover during the joint US/Honduras training Exercise AHUAS TARA II (BIG PINE). They are wearing camouflage and are armed with M16A1 rifles and an M203 grenade launcher. Subject Operation/Series: AHUAS TARA II (BIG PINE) Base: Aguacate Country: Honduras (HND)

British Royal Marine firing a sniper rifle during mountain sniper training, Hawthorne, Nevada, USA

U.S. Soldiers, assigned to 1-41 Field Artillery Battalion, Charlie Battery, maneuver into firing positions during Exercise Combined Resolve 17 at Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, June 6, 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.

A fire team leader from the 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, attached to Marine Forces Panama, signals his team to advance during a live-fire exercise at Empire Range. Base: Canal Zone Country: Panama (PAN)

A U.S. Army Paratrooper assigned to 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, uses his spotter scope to see the impact of his snipers bullet during sniper training as part of Exercise Eagle Sokol at Pocek Range in Slovenia, Mar. 25, 2019. Exercise Eagle Sokol is a bilateral training exercise with the Slovenian Armed Forces focused on the rapid deployment and assembly of forces and team cohesion with weapon systems tactics and procedures. Exercises such as this build a foundation of teamwork and readiness between allied NATO countries. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.

DF-ST-86-12041. Base: Fort Huachuca State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-ST-87-09827. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

A close up left side view of US Army LTC David M. Kennedy Division Artillery Brigade (DIVARTY) Executive Officer, as he examines the wing from the wreckage of a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which lay on a hillside in the Russian sector of the Multinational Division North (MDN). The wing apparently struck a tree and broke off on impact. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

Lance Cpl. Jake Gill, a Reserve Marine and field radio operator assigned to Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, fires an M40A6 sniper rifle during an unknown distance range at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, May 18, 2022. Marines from across 3/23 met at Fort Campbell for a mission rehearsal exercise to prepare for the upcoming Integrated Training Exercise 4-22 in the summer of 2022. The Marines conducted specific long-range precision fire training with multiple weapons systems to hone marksmanship skills.

U.S. Army ROTC Cadets assigned to the U.S. Army Cadet Command 2nd Brigade accept awards for placing first overall during the Ranger Challenge at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. on Oct. 23, 2022.The competition is conducted over two days on a non-tactical course. The mission is to challenge Cadets' mental and physical toughness and to develop leadership while fostering teamwork and esprit-de-corps. Teams participate in nine graded events, each team is awarded points based on how well they perform in each event. The best team in each event is awarded a trophy for being the first, second, and third place teams. The number one team is The Ranger Challenge Winner for that year.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Isaac Eyler, a joint terminal attack controller with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, communicates with an inbound aircraft during Stand-in Force Exercise on Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 6, 2022. SiF-EX is a Division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region.

A Marine with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, exits an amphibious assault vehicle during a mock mechanized assault July 19, during Talisman Sabre 2011. TS11 is the largest joint military exercise undertaken by the Australian Defence Force. Around 14,000 U.S. and 9,000 Australian personnel will participate. TS11 provides an opportunity to conduct operations in a combined and joint environment that will increase both countries' bilateral war-fighting capabilities to respond to crisis and to provide humanitarian assistance. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation's force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Security police participate in the combat tactics portion of Volant Rodeo '82. Subject Operation/Series: VOLANT RODEO '82 Base: Pope Air Force Base State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ethan Jara, a native of East Bethel, Minnesota and an ammunition technician with III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, manuevers his fire team on an Infantry Battle Space Platoon Course during a live fire range on U.S. Army Garrison Casey, Gyeonggi, South Korea, Feb. 10, 2023. III MSB is conducting Bushido Strike 23, which comprises training events including a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation in South Korea to validate its mission essential tasks of providing combat service, security, and administrative services to III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Original Film Title: WE WERE SOLDIERS. English Title: WE WERE SOLDIERS. Film Director: RANDALL WALLACE. Year: 2002. Stars: MEL GIBSON.

Newly arrived troops march to a processing area after disembarking from an aircraft during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

DM-ST-88-06887. Base: Quantico State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

United States Army rangers sniper pair in the forest.

Bearded soldier of special forces wearing a jungle hat with face painted.

Special forces operators in the military kayak. Spec ops in the military kayak

THE FLOWERS OF WAR (2011) -Original title: JIN LING SHI SAN CHAI-, directed by YIMOU ZHANG.

AIRMAN John Rush stretches his arms to signal the alignment of an M-29 81mm mortar and its tripod. The airman is an 8th Security Police Squadron member participating in heavy weapons training. Country: South Korea

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Alexander Koeneke, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with 3rd EOD Company, 9th Engineering Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics group, constructs his shelter during Jungle Crab 22 at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, June 28, 2022. During the training, EOD Marines prepared to support Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations by practicing survival methods in areas where logistical support may not be available. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine Expeditionary Forces comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

Soldiers from 4th Bn., 87th Inf., 25th Inf. Div. (Light), disembark from a Co. A, 53rd Aviation Bn., 25th Inf. Div. (Light), UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during the joint Australian/U.S. exercise Kangaroo '89. Subject Operation/Series: KANGAROO '89 Base: Katherine Country: Australia (AUS)

U.S. Navy SEAL equpped with night vision during a surveillance operation.

An Army Reserve Soldier carrying 33lbs pack closes in on the finish line for a ruck march, July 29, 2022, at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center. The ruck march is one of several events Soldiers must complete to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Arizona Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brian A. Barbour)

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division engage the Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team out of Alaska as opposing forces during Exportable Combat Training Exercise (XCTC) program at Camp Roberts, California, July 17, 2022. XCTC is a series of training exercises between an active-duty U.S. Army Brigade and an Army National Guard Brigade, intended to increase the skills and readiness of National Guard units.

Soldier covering comrade with gunfire as they attack enemy on a battlefield, with explosion in background.

A Marine with an M-16A2 rifle hits the beach during the joint service exercise Ocean Venture '90. Subject Operation/Series: Ocean Venture '90 State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, fire a M777 Howitzer during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, June 9, 2022. This type of training evolution is a culminating event designed to formally evaluate a unit's combat readiness and operation abilities.

A US Army services member clears the drop zone after participating in a US/Thai joint-combined jump exchange at this year's Exercise COBRA GOLD 2001. A jump exchange is a time honored jump tradition that affords individual the opportunity to earn the right to wear the wings of foreign military paratroopers who participate in the jump exchange. CG '01 is regularly scheduled, joint-combined exercise designed to ensure regional peace and strengthen the ability of the royal Thai Armed Forces to defend Thailand or respond to regional contingencies. This year's exercise the 20th in the series, will focus on peace enforcement operations. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2001 Country: Thailand (THA)

DJIBOUTI (April 25, 2014) Landing support Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 22, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU), await a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter for a helicopter supply transfer during a U.S.-France bilateral exercise. The 22nd MEU is deployed with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout the U.S. Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.

DA-SC-86-04477. Subject Operation/Series: ORIENT SHIELD Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Fuji State: Honshu Country: Japan (JPN)

Marines of the Security Force Company patrol in the woods with M-16A2 assault rifles during training in guarding the special weapons area of the submarine base. Base: Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay State: Georgia(GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marines with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, carry a simulated friendly casualty to the extraction point during exercise Tradewinds 2022 (TW22) at Guacamallo Bridge, Belize, on May 13, 2022. During the patrol lane portion of the training, Marines experienced simulated enemy contact and friendly casualties. 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. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Anthony Davino, a rifleman with Ground Sensor Platoon, 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, conducts a patrol during a field exercise at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalvez, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 14, 2022. GSP is a scalable specialized unit whose mission is to collect enemy signatures in order to provide Marine Air Ground Task Force commanders advanced warning of offensive attacks, counter enemy reconnaissance, and aid in force protection.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile in a combined arms live-fire event during KAMANDAG 6 at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base, Philippines, Oct. 13, 2022. KAMANDAG is an annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

DM-ST-88-09879. Base: Quantico State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Green Berets U.S. Army Special Forces Group soldier with headset.

A Belgian soldier with the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Battalion transmits messages over a radio at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 10, 2022 as part of Exercise Saber Junction 22.Saber Junction 22 is a multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade to execute unified land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with more than 4,500 participants from the U.S. and Allied and partner nations at the U.S. Army's Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas from August 29 to September 20, 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 partner

980312-M-1086K-002. Subject Operation/Series: VALIANT USHER 98-1 Base: Townshend Island State: Queensland Country: Australia (AUS)

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. John McGee, a fire team leader with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, holds security during a gun drill during Mountain Training Exercise 1-23 at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, California, Sept. 15, 2022. During MTX, the Marines learned various skills to become more proficient in combat and survival in an austere mountain environment. McGee is a native of Danville, California.

Members of Btry. D, 2nd Bn., 14th Artillery Regt., load an M-198 155mm howitzer during a combined arms exercise. Country: Unknown

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