Month: September 2021

Two defenders from the 8th Security Forces Squadron search the perimeter of a routine training exercise at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 29, 2021. The 8th Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) specialists contributed their expertise for remote and hostile environment survival, in support of the 8th SFS defenders showcasing their abilities during a simulated ground attack by defending the installation and neutralizing adversarial personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mya M. Crosby)
U.S. Air Force

Through rain, shine: Defenders, SERE protect the Wolf Pack

September 30, 2021 VA Worker 0

Two defenders from the 8th Security Forces Squadron search the perimeter of a routine training exercise at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 29, 2021. The 8th Operations Support Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) specialists contributed their expertise for remote and hostile environment survival, in support of the 8th SFS defenders showcasing their abilities during a simulated [Read More …]

U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines conduct a fire mission during Exercise Noble Jaguar 2021 within the Central Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 29, 2021. The Marine Corps and Navy leveraged integrated command and control and joint sensors to expand battlefield awareness, share targeting data, and conduct long-range precision strikes in support of sea control and sea denial in contested maritime environments. III Marine Expeditionary Force executed these actions as a part of an integrated operation with 7th Fleet to maintain readiness and demonstrate U.S. resolve to preserve regional security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun)
U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Marines operate a Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar during Exercise Noble Jaguar 2021

September 30, 2021 VA Worker 0

U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines conduct a fire mission during Exercise Noble Jaguar 2021 within the Central Training Area on Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 29, 2021. The Marine Corps and Navy leveraged integrated command and control and joint sensors to expand battlefield awareness, share targeting data, and conduct long-range precision strikes in support [Read More …]

Idaho Army National Guard Pfc. Alissa Mayorga continues working on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle in preparation to issue the vehicle to Nevada Army National Guard units using the Orchard Combat Training Center for training exercises. At the heart of the Orchard Combat Training Center, the Idaho Army National Guard's Maneuver Area Training and Equipment Site (MATES) is the 116th CBCT's premier and largest maintenance shop. MATES is charged with the sustainment of combat power across 3 separate states, in support of their missions both domestic and abroad. MATES is built around 5 Field Maintenance Teams (FMTs), 1 Field Maintenance Support Team (FMST), 1 Materiel and Readiness Team, and a BII Warehouse in order to provide maintenance support to units from Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada. MATES soldiers within the FMTs are subject matter experts on the M1A2/A1 Abrams, the M2A3 Bradley, the M88A2 Hercules, the M113/M1068 family of vehicles (FOVs), and variety of other equipment. MATES mechanics have been asked to travel across the country to ensure the highest possible quality of work is performed. The FMTs rely heavily on the knowledge and skills within the various supporting teams. The FMST are proactive in repairing equipment at the lowest possible expense while recognized nationally for creative solutions to common maintenance or repair problems. The MATES teams can troubleshoot electronic components down to the microchip level, repair .50 caliber machine guns, or fabricate a part when needed. According to MATES Superintendent Cpt. Mark Ross, “ Despite a global pandemic, numerous state emergencies, and an ever increasing operational tempo, MATES personnel continue to drive the mission forward, hunt for creative solutions, and steward the high reputation of success created by those who came before them. “
Uncategorized

Idaho MATES – A Steady Pace

September 30, 2021 VA Worker 0

Idaho Army National Guard Pfc. Alissa Mayorga continues working on a Bradley Fighting Vehicle in preparation to issue the vehicle to Nevada Army National Guard units using the Orchard Combat Training Center for training exercises. At the heart of the Orchard Combat Training Center, the Idaho Army National Guard’s Maneuver Area Training and Equipment Site (MATES) is the 116th CBCT’s [Read More …]

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, I Marine Expeditionary Force, maneuver up a cliff face during a boat raid course at Red Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 22, 2021. The course prepares Marines for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brandon Salas)
U.S. Marine Corps

1/5 Boat Raid

September 30, 2021 VA Worker 0

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, I Marine Expeditionary Force, carry a combat rubber raiding craft during a boat raid course at Red Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 22, 2021. The course prepares Marines for deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brandon Salas)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, attached to 3d Marines, clear a trench line on Range 410A during Service Level Training Exercise 1-22 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Sept. 27, 2021. Range 410A prepares Marines for platoon supported attacks on enemy positions to enhance integrated operations in contested environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)
U.S. Marine Corps

Kilo Co. Range 410A

September 30, 2021 VA Worker 0

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, attached to 3d Marines, clear a trench line on Range 410A during Service Level Training Exercise 1-22 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Sept. 27, 2021. Range 410A prepares Marines for platoon supported attacks on enemy positions to enhance integrated operations in contested environments. (U.S. [Read More …]

U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” perform during the California Capital Airshow Sept. 24, 2021, at Mather Airport in Sacramento, California. Travis Air Force Base also participated in the event alongside the Thunderbirds. With Travis AFB aircraft in sky and its personnel and resources on the ground, Team Travis connected with the community by showcasing what happens behind the gates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Nicholas Pilch)
U.S. Air Force

California Capital Airshow

September 30, 2021 VA Worker 0

U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” perform during the California Capital Airshow Sept. 24, 2021, at Mather Airport in Sacramento, California. Travis Air Force Base also participated in the event alongside the Thunderbirds. With Travis AFB aircraft in sky and its personnel and resources on the ground, Team Travis connected with the community by showcasing what happens behind the [Read More …]

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael C. Brown, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, readies himself for an airdrop during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters have a short window during an airdrop to ensure cargo is safely and efficiently dropped at the target location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)
U.S. Air Force

Bilateral Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling

September 29, 2021 VA Worker 0

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael C. Brown, 1st Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, readies himself for an airdrop during a flight off the coast of Japan, Sept. 15, 2021. Loadmasters have a short window during an airdrop to ensure cargo is safely and efficiently dropped at the target location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cesar J. Navarro)

U.S. Army soldiers with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1/1 ADA), 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, disengage an antennae mast group attached to a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck during a Gunnery Table VII evaluation on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 23, 2021. Soldiers with 1/1 ADA participated in the field training exercise in order to be able to quickly dismount and redeploy heavy equipment for the Patriot missile defense system from one location to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan H. Pulliam)
U.S. Marine Corps

1/1 ADA soldiers conduct Gunnery Table VII evaluations

September 29, 2021 VA Worker 0

U.S. Army soldiers with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1/1 ADA), 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, disengage an antennae mast group attached to a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck during a Gunnery Table VII evaluation on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 23, 2021. Soldiers with 1/1 ADA participated in the field training exercise [Read More …]

Paratroopers from twelve different nations participate in mass airborne operations and remembrance ceremonies dedicated to World War II’s “Operation Market Garden” at Drop Zone Ginkelse Heide, Netherlands on September 18, 2021. The offensive began September 17, 1944 and called for three Allied airborne divisions to drop by parachute and glider into the Netherlands, seizing key territory and bridges so that ground forces could cross the Rhine. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Catessa Palone)
U.S. Army

Operation Market Garden 77

September 29, 2021 VA Worker 0

Paratroopers from twelve different nations participate in mass airborne operations and remembrance ceremonies dedicated to World War II’s “Operation Market Garden” at Drop Zone Ginkelse Heide, Netherlands on September 18, 2021. The offensive began September 17, 1944 and called for three Allied airborne divisions to drop by parachute and glider into the Netherlands, seizing key territory and bridges so that [Read More …]

Schofield Barracks, HI — Students from class #11-21 of the Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC) at Lightning Academy, 25th Infantry Division executed a medical evacuation and a jungle penetrator hoist training exercise on September 23, 2021 at East Range Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. This training allows Jungle students to demonstrate the knowledge they have gained throughout JOTC by evacuating a casualty in a jungle environment. The Jungle Operations Training Course spans 12 days through which students execute a 12 day program of instruction. Subjects focus on jungle mobility training, waterborne operations, combat tracking, jungle tactics, survival training, and situational training exercises at the squad level. Graduates of the JOTC learn tactics, techniques, and procedures required to fight, win, and survive within any jungle environment. The course consists of two weeks of training following the crawl, walk, run methodology embedded within each activity as well as the overall training path. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jessica Scott)
U.S. Army

Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC) Jungle Penetrator

September 28, 2021 VA Worker 0

Schofield Barracks, HI — Students from class #11-21 of the Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC) at Lightning Academy, 25th Infantry Division executed a medical evacuation and a jungle penetrator hoist training exercise on September 23, 2021 at East Range Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. This training allows Jungle students to demonstrate the knowledge they have gained throughout JOTC by evacuating a casualty [Read More …]