US Military Pictures & Videos

The Black Daggers parachute over the 2012 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show, May 4. The Black Daggers are the official U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team.










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Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team and soldiers with the Afghan National Army 6 Kandak, 203rd Corps, move into a village April 28, 2012, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Inside the village, entry into homes and compounds is done by Afghan soldiers.




Pfc. Anthony Makar, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, walks through mountain landscape of southern Ghazni province during a combined patrol with Afghan National Army soldiers April 28, 2012, Afghanistan. Villagers in the area are primarily farmers and shepherds.




Staff Sgt. Jason Guerrero, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, explains to an Afghan National Army soldier the differences between the Afghan’s M-16 rifle and his M-4 carbine during a combined patrol April 28, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. According to U.S. paratroopers, the Afghan soldiers were very excited to work with the American troops.




Sgt. Alberto Hernandez, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, patrols an Afghan village April 28, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Hernandez serves with the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.




Spc. Adam Holbrook, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, greets an elderly Afghan village during an Afghan-led clearing operation April 28, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Even when they are pulling security, soldiers try to remain friendly to the local villagers.




A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, pulls security during a combined U.S. – Afghan clearing operation April 28, 2012, in Ghazni province, Afghanistan. He is set up in the ruins of an old kalat, or mud-wall building.




Sgt. Joshua Smith, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, chats with an Afghan boy during an Afghan-led clearing operation April 28, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. The soldier studied the Pashtun language prior to his deployment to southern Ghazni.




Senior Airman Timothy Baxley, a U.S. Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller allied with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, accompanies Sgt. Benjamin Weathersby and other paratroopers in a patrol during an Afghan-led clearing operation April 29, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. JTACs are the liaison between Air Force bombers and ground troops.




Spc. Craig Moon and fellow paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team load concertina wire onto the front of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle after using it to make a temporary traffic control point to search vehicles in a partnered U.S. Afghan clearing operation April 29, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Military vehicles often travel with rolls of the wire fastened to their exteriors for just this purpose.




The commander of an Afghan National Army company with 6 Kandak, 203rd Corps, speaks with a villager about Taliban using his home for meetings as Capt. Tyler Vest, commander of a company of paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team stands by, April 29, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan.


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Capt. Tyler Vest, a company commander with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, listens to a villager speak in English about how he likes American troops because they are courteous to locals, during a combined U.S. – Afghan patrol April 29, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Vest commands Company A, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.




Pfc. Patrick Davis and Staff Sgt. Joshua Tyree, paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, shield an Afghan’s eyes from bright sunlight as Davis scans his iris with a Handheld Interagency Identity Detection Equipment, or HIIDE, system during an Afghan-led patrol April 29, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. By scanning his iris and taking fingerprints using the same system, the soldiers can tell if the young man is recorded as having participated in insurgent activities.




Sgt. 1st Class Jason Gregory, a platoon sergeant with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, leaves an Afghan National Army compound with Pfc. Colton Unger and several other paratroopers on a combined clearing operation with Afghan soldiers (not in photo) April 30, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. This is Gregory’s third deployment to Afghanistan.




Pfc. David Gonzalez, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, briefly looks over his shoulder during a combined U.S. – Afghan clearing operation April 30, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Ghazni is mostly arid, but with substantial agriculture in irrigated areas.




An Afghan soldier and paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team stop a vehicle leaving an Afghan village during a clearing operation April 30, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. The vehicle is a taxi.




Spc. Jon Saladin, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, walks past an Afghan graveyard during a U.S. – Afghan patrol April 30, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Saladin serves with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.




Staff Sgt. Joshua Tyree, a squad leader with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, receives input on a map from an Afghan National Army soldier with 6 Kandak, 203rd Corps, during a combined clearing operation April 30, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. At left is platoon sergeant, Sgt. 1st Class Jason Gregory.




Capt. Tyler Vest, a company commander with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, speaks with an Afghan National Army soldier with 6 Kandak, 203rd Corps, as they finish an Afghan-led clearing operation April 30, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. The soldier at left is Spc. Andrew Noonan.




Sgt. George Rodriguez, a fueler with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, fuels a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle at night, April 29, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. Rodriguez is assigned to Company F, a forward supply company for 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.




Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles are positioned along Afghanistan’s Highway 1 as paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team and soldiers with the Afghan National Army set up a checkpoint to search vehicles April 28, 2012, Ghazni province, Afghanistan. All body searches are done by Afghan soldiers.


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A-10 Thunderbolt II Air Refueling Operations



An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho fires off flares on departure from receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.




An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho fires off flares on departure from receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.




An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho fires off flares on departure from receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.




An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho fires off flares on departure from receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho




An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho fires off flares on departure from receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho




An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho departs after receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.




A pair of Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt IIs, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho depart after receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.




An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho maneuvers into position to receive fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training operation May 10 in southern Idaho.




An Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt II, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho receives fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training operation May 10 in southern Idaho.




A pair of Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt IIs, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho depart after receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.




A pair of Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt IIs, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho depart after receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.




A pair of Idaho Air National Guard A-10, Thunderbolt IIs, from the 190th Fighter Squadron, Boise, Idaho depart after receiving fuel from a 151st Air Refueling Wing KC-135 during a training mission May 10 over southern Idaho.


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(Photos Released 10th May)



An HH-60 Pave Hawk assigned to the 55th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., flies over the Barry M. Goldwater Range Complex, Ariz., May 3, 2012, in support of the Cactus Starfighter exercise. The Pave Hawk's participated in the combat search and rescue portion of the exercise, rescuing a simulated downed pilot.




U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Torgerson, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, watches an airstrike he called in during the exercise at the Barry M. Goldwater Range Complex, Ariz., May 03, 2012. JTACs let the pilots know if the airstrike was successful or if they need to fly in to re-attack a target.




U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Troy Carle, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller instructor, checks the time on target of a strike called by Staff Sgt. Jacob Torgerson, 116th ASOS, during the exercise at the Barry M. Goldwater Range Complex, Ariz., May 03, 2012.




U.S. Air Force 1st LT Trevor Kernes, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller instructor/evaluator, and U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Troy Carle, 116 ASOS JTAC instructor, checks the settings of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Torgerson, 116th ASOS JTAC, during the exercise at the Barry M. Goldwater Range Complex, Ariz., May 03, 2012. JTACs must stay current on tasks and are reevaluated under the eye of an instructor on whichever tasks are needed.




U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Torgerson, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, scans the area for potential threats during the exercise at the Barry M. Goldwater Range Complex, Ariz., May 03, 2012. The 116th ASOS is an Air National Guard unit from Camp Murray, Wash.




U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Torgerson, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, calibrates his equipment prior to the start of the exercise at the Barry M. Goldwater Range Complex, Ariz., May 03, 2012. JTACs provide ground level guidance of munitions and help to deconflict aircraft.


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U.S. Marines from Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF) Africa Partnership Station 12 (APS-12) ground combat element, conduct extraction training with members of U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 3, May 10, 2012 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. This training was designed to familiarize the Marines of APS-12 with specialized tactics that may be used during their upcoming deployment to Africa.




U.S. Marines from Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF) Africa Partnership Station 12 (APS-12) ground combat element, conduct extraction training with members of U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 3, May 10, 2012 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C




U.S. Navy sailors with Riverine Squadron 3, throw a smoke grenade to signal for extraction, May 10, 2012 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.




U.S. Marines from Security Cooperation Task Force (SCTF) Africa Partnership Station 12 (APS-12) ground combat element, conduct extraction training with members of U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 3, May 10, 2012 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.

[h=2]Marines maintain security while deployed[/h]




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The mission was part of a three-pronged operation to search the area for homemade explosives factories, persons on a most-wanted list and weapons caches.




A CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter lands at Forward Operating Base Arian to pick up paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team for an air assault mission to clear villages May 4, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.




A CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter lands at Forward Operating Base Arian to pick up paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team for an air assault mission to clear villages May 4, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan




Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team and Afghan National Army soldiers with 6th Kandak, 203rd Corps, travel aboard a CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter during an air assault mission May 4, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan.




A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team passes before the rising sun during a patrol into a village May 4, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. The equipment on his back is used to block remotely detonated improvised explosive devices.




Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team enter a village through agricultural fields during a patrol May 4, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. The paratroopers helicoptered to the edge of the village before sunrise.




Afghan National Army Maj. Niyazi, a 13-year veteran who also fought the Russians, and Capt. Robert Gacke, a company commander with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, enter an Afghan village May 4, 2012, in Ghazni Province.




An Afghan boy shakes the hand of a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team May 4, 2012, in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. The paratroopers are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.




Staff Sgt. Miguel Alfaro, Spc. Alpesh Patel and Sgt. Nick Herrera prepare a mortar position during a patrol of an Afghan village May 4, 2012, in southern Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Emplacing the mortar is a common practice to protect a force that will be semi-stationary for a length of time.




Staff Sgt. Mick Miller, a squad leader with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, tests soil samples for evidence of homemade explosives near a suspected HME factory May 4, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. The kit that Miller is using allows him to test for a wide variety of HME components.




An Afghan villager unlocks the door of a suspected homemade explosives factory for Spc. Timothy Rodgers, a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, May 4, 2012, southern Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Pulling security for Rodgers are Afghan National Army soldiers with 6th Kandak, 203rd Corps.




Staff Sgt. Harry Dixon, a dog handler with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, leads a Belgian malinois into a suspected homemade explosives factory May 4, 2012, in southern Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Dixon is on his third deployment, the dog, its second




First Lt. Geoffrey Dean, a platoon leader with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, photographs evidence collected during the search of a building for homemade explosives May 4, 2012, Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Every infantry company has soldiers trained in the gathering of evidence.




A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, pauses below high mountains of Afghanistan’s southern Ghazni Province May 4, 2012. The vehicle is operated by paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team.



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This is part of a large-scale training mission on how to react to a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear or high-yield Explosives (CBRNE) attack, taking place at Yakima Training Center.




A soldier from 1st platoon, 181st Chemical Company, protected inside the vehicle fires a .50-caliber machine gun using the Remote Weapon Station on a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle, NBC RV Stryker during the gunnery range May 9.




Sgt. Rachel Ettesvold, a team leader from 1st platoon, 181st Chemical Company based out of Fort Hood, Texas, performs final checks and loads ammunition into an M2 .50-caliber machine gun mounted on the Remote Weapon System of a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle, NBC RV Stryker, preparing for the gunnery range May 9.




Soldiers from 1st platoon, 181st Chemical Company, load M2 .50-caliber ammunition into the Remote Weapon Station of a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle, NBC RV Stryker, for the gunnery range May 9.




Ammunition for an M2 .50-caliber machine gun is in place to be loaded into the Remote Weapon Station of a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle, NBC RV Stryker for the gunnery range May 9.




Soldiers from 1st platoon, 181st Chemical Company configure an M2 .50-caliber machine gun in the Remote Weapon Station of a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle, NBC RV Stryker, for the gunnery range May 9.




Spc. Philip D. Justice, a team leader in the 63rd Chemical Company based out of Fort Campbell, Ky., performs the final checks of an M2 .50-caliber machine gun mounted on the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS II) of his M93 “Fox” vehicle, used as a Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle, prepares for the gunnery range May 9.


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