Helicopter Operations

Dramatic scenes of military helicopters in action, featuring troop deployments and equipment lifts in desert environments, highlighting the dynamics of aerial support.

An AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopter gets ready for take off at Camp Speicher

030806-F-5435R-021. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE XI Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

970517-M-0416K-002. Complete Scene Caption: A CH-53E "Super Stallion" from HMH-461, MCAS New River, North Carolina, externally lifts an M998 High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) during HST (Helicopter Support Team) training at Observation Post (OP) Crampton during Combined Arms Exercise (CAX) 6-97. CAX 5/6-97 is a MAGTF (Marine Air Ground Task Force) exercise being conducted at MCAGCC (Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center), 29 Palms, California. The command element for this exercise is MAGTF-6, which is built around the 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Many commands from the II MEF (Marine Expeditionary Force) have sent units to this desert warfare exercise, to fill key billets in the Ground Combat Element (GCE), Air Combat Element (ACE) and the Combat Service Support Element (CSSE). Subject Operation/Series: CAX 6-97 Base: Twentynine Palms State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: II

060507-A-6365W-226. Base: Forward Operating Base Remagen State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

An AH-64D Apache Longbow Block III attack helicopter gets ready for take off at Camp Speicher

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to load ordnance into an AH-1W Super Cobra during a Forward Arming and Refueling Point exercise at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, June 29, 2022. FARPs are critical for sustaining the Marine Corps Air Combat Element between mission objectives and their return home. 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.

020410-A-8359B-023. Base: Bird International Airport Country: Antigua And Barbuda (ATG) Scene Major Command Shown: USSOUTHCOM

The Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration takes place during the 2022 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show at MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, Sept. 23, 2022. The MAGTF Demo displays the coordinated use of close-air support, artillery and infantry forces, and provides a visual representation of how the Marine Corps operates. The theme for the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, Marines Fight, Evolve and Win, reflects the Marine Corps ongoing modernization efforts to prepare for future conflicts.

041023-F-2034C-051. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Mckenzie Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A UH-1N Iroquois helicopter of Marine Utility/Attack Squadron 367 (HMLA-367) is refueled during Exercise Imminent Thunder, part of Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: IMMINENT THUNDERDESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter sits on the runway at Bagram Airfield, in Kabul, in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

060412-F-7203T-065. Base: Fort Polk State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

030416-A-0363C-012. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Kahr Bolaq Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

As Samawah, Shooting Range, May 6, 2004. © Cavd / Royal Navy. Soldiers of the "Charlie" team from Al Khidr hold various schiers series on the shooting range near Camp Smitty.

United States Marine Corps AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter launches on a combat operation in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan

July 20, 2013 - An Afghan Air Force aerial gunner makes final checks on a Mi-17 helicopter before a functional check flight mission after routine maintenance at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan.

A CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465 sets down a Humvee during the Steel Knight exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 14. During the exercise, three Super Stallions with HMH-465 lifted and transported many supplies as well as two Humvees back to Camp Wilson aboard MCAGCC Twentynine Palms.

The Week of the Warrior continues as competitors from the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division finish the third day of events, May 3, 2022, on Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. The third day saw the Soldiers complete an air assault from Camp Casey to Camp Humphreys and complete a course that tested various warrior tasks and battle drills.

Operators from the 20th Special Forces Group conduct an aerial assault mission during a training exercise near Chester Township, Michigan, on August 6, 2022. The mission was part of Northern Strike, an annual multinational joint training event headquartered at the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center in Michigan.

Manama, Bahrain, March 7, 2006 - An Air crewman gives the engine start up signal to the pilots aboard a MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter prior to a flight mission.

A U.S. soldier assigned to Cobra Battery, 3rd battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment offloads the U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter during elevator drill training in Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, Jan. 11, 2024. Rotational units deployed to Europe continuously train to rapidly surge combat-ready forces across the theater to support the NATO alliance and project forces together.

An instructor at the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center based out of Fort Benning, Georgia, holds a cable as U.S. Soldiers and Airmen practice rappelling from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa, on Sept. 14, 2022. Nearly 30 Soldiers and Airmen participated in a Rappel Master course hosted by a mobile training team from the WTC based out of Fort Benning, Georgia.

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 6, 2017) An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Nightdippers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 prepares to take off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). Gerald R. Ford is underway conducting test and evaluation operations.

030404-F-2034C-018. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTCOM

U.S. Marines with 1st Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1 and Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, begin rigging a steel I-Beam to a CH-53 Super Stallion during Integrated Training Exercise 3-22 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 8, 2022. ITX is a live-fire event that increases unit readiness. It teaches the tactical application of combined-arms maneuver as well as offensive and defensive operations during combat.

DF-ST-87-02136. Subject Operation/Series: FUERZAS UNIDAS BOLIVIA Base: Santa Cruz De La Sierra Country: Bolivia (BOL)

U.S. Army CH-47F Chinook transport helicopter silhouetted on an airbase.

041023-F-2034C-005. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Mckenzie Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit board a CH-53E Super Stallion during an Air Raid course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 18, 2022. The purpose of the Air Raid course is to test and refine unit standard operating procedures, enhancing tactics and techniques in order to prepare units for expeditionary operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Edith Villa, a UH-1Y Venom mechanic, with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 (HMLA-267), Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stands in front of a AH-1Z Cobra during Summer Fury 22 at Fort Irwin, California, July 31, 2022. By operating out of forward aviation nodes, HMLA-267 demonstrated expeditionary capabilities in an austere environment. Summer Fury 22 is designed to enhance Marine-Air-Ground Task Force integration and increase aviation operations proficiency with realistic, relevant training to ensure the Marine Corps largest aircraft wing remains operationally excellent, interoperable, deployable on short notice and lethal when called into action.

An MV-22 Osprey, attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, idles on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) during flight operations during exercise BALTOPS 22, June 10, 2022. BALTOPS 22 is the premier maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. The exercise, led by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and executed by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO, provides a unique training opportunity to strengthen combined response capabilities critical to preserving freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea.

040619-F-0193C-037. Base: The Green Zone, Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 465 prepares for flight during an integrated training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 25, 2023. Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267 and HMH 465 conducted integrated training as a proof of concept for future distributed operations.

An Apache helicopter at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan

An AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter sits on the flight line at Camp Speicher

United States Marines refuel an MV-22 Osprey at a remote austere combat outpost in the Helmand Province, Afghanistan

An UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, foreground, and two CH-47 Chinook helicopters stand in a field near a tent city housing Kurdish refugees. The camp was established as part of Operation Provide Comfort, an Allied effort to aid the refugees who fled the forces of Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Base: Silopi Country: Turkey(TUR)

EAST CHINA SEA (Oct. 8, 2019) Chief Boatswains Mate William Garcia, from Los Angeles, serves as the flight deck safety observer as an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Scorpions of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, takes off from the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69). Milius is underway conducting operations in the Indo-Pacific region while assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navys largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleets principal surface force.

240129-N-LR905-3278LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (Jan. 29, 2024) - U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 conduct Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) training in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with Minnesota National Guards 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment as part of Snow Crab Exercise 24-1. SNOWCRABEX is an annual exercise designed to test and evaluate U.S. Navy EOD and Navy Divers capabilities and equipment in a simulated arctic environment and improve combat effectiveness. Navy EOD and Navy Divers are part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force (NECF), enabling the U.S. Navy Fleet by clearing and protecting the battlespace.

U.S. Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron (HMLAT) 303, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, prepare an AH-1Z Viper for a mass flight at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, April 28, 2022. HMLAT-303 is the fleet replacement squadron for the H-1 series aircraft, responsible for training Marines to safely fly the Marine Corps attack helicopters. The Marines with HMLAT-303 demonstrated the tactical capabilities and combat power of the H-1 platform by completing this mass flight and continue to train the next generation of warriors.

220926-N-DW158-1260 WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA (Sept. 26, 2022) A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook lands on the flight deck of the U.S. Navys only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), in the waters east of the Korean peninsula, Sept. 26. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is participating with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy in Maritime Counter Special Operations Exercise (MCSOFEX) to strengthen interoperability and training. The U.S. routinely conducts CSG operations in the waters around the Republic of Korea to exercise maritime maneuvers, strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance, and improve regional security.

The Joint Base MDL conducted a Postal Warrior Training Mission on 10 August 2022 which was conducted by the 78th Training Division. This training event was on Fort Dix Site IR3C. Multiple Army Reserve Units from the states of New York, Georgia and California were on-site for this training. The U.S. ASA Fort Dix Commander COL Mitchell Wisniewski, Joint Base Commander COL Wes Adams (AF) and the Army Reserve CSM, CSM Andrew Lombardo were in attendance. They all had observed the training from the ground and also in-flight during the soldiers training. The flights were provided by the 773rd Marine Light Attack Helicopter on a UH1 Cobra Helicopter. Postal Warrior is a task-focused exercise for Postal Units to support Postal Operations in a combat area when needed. During this training Units are being prepared for delivering mail during possible small arms or sniper fire from enemy while carrying out their mission. (Images provided by the Fort Dix (TSC) Training Support Center / Dan Amburg /

060430-A-6365W-046. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Forward Operating Base Remagen State: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: 101ST

An AH-64A Apache helicopter passes overhead as ground crewmen prepare three OH-58D Kiowa helicopters for flight during Operation Desert Shield. An M-978 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) fuel tanker is at right. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

U.S. Army UH-60A Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopters and one AH-64A Apache helicopter, second from right, conduct a mass takeoff during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia (SAU)

United Kingdom soldiers from the Experimental Training Group assault through a training village Oct. 27, 2022, during Project Convergence 2022 on Fort Irwin, California. PC22 experimentation incorporates technologies and concepts from all services and from multinational partners, including in the areas of autonomy, augmented reality, tactical communications, advanced manufacturing, unmanned aerial systems and long-range fires.

A UH-60L Blackhawk sits on its pad at the German PRT in Afghanistan.

040330-F-7823A-015. Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Daevon Robinson (Left) and Lance Cpl. Seth Whaley both Landing Support Specialist with 1st Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Battalion 1 Combat Logistics Regiment 1, rig an M777 howitzer to a CH-53 Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464, 2nd Marine Air Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, during Integrated Training Exercise 3-22 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, April 11, 2022. ITX is a live-fire event that increases unit readiness. It teaches the tactical application of combined-arms maneuver as well as offensive and defensive operations during combat.

U.S. Army Spc. William Charles, assigned to 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, refuels the UH-60 Black Hawk after completing helicopter gunnery qualifications at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, April 6, 2022. NSTA is a Bulgarian training facility operated by U.S. Army's Area Support Group-Black Sea and hosts U.S. military personnel as part of an ongoing bilateral defense cooperation with Bulgaria under the terms of the 2006 U.S.-Bulgarian Defense Cooperation Agreement. Air Cav is part of V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe, that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces and retains command and control for all rotational units in the European theater.

FORT CARSON, Colo. - A Soldier from 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, directs a Chinook while Soldiers from 2nd GSAB, 4th Avn. Reg. and Group Support Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), secure a Humvee to be sling-loaded to a different site during, their field training exercise, and 4th CABs first FTX, near Fort Carson, Colo., July 25, 2013.

Marines of Co. C, 1ST Bn., 2nd Marine Div., move out on a mission after disembarking from a Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 (HMM-263) CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter during Exercise Imminent Thunder, part of Operation Desert Shield.. Subject Operation/Series: IMMINENT THUNDERDESERT SHIELD Country: Saudi Arabia(SAU)

A CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter prepares for takeoff from the flight deck of a ship at sunrise. Country: Unknown

Soldiers and units from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) conduct sling load operations with CH-47s from Task Force Apocalypse, 3-501, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Romania on Oct. 27, 2022. The training built proficiency for PZ and sling load operations with numerous types of equipment in support of future collective training events and contingency operations. The United States commitment to defending NATO territory is ironclad and the United States will continue to bolster our posture to better defend our NATO Allies. (U.S. Army photos by MAJ Brett Sullenger, 2nd Brigade Combat Team "STRIKE" Public Affairs Officer)

221116-N-EV253-1216 SAN DIEGO (Nov. 16, 2022) - US Naval Aircrewmen (Helicopter) receive training from representatives from Air Rescue Systems (ARS) in an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the Merlins of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3 during a dynamic proof of concept course at Naval Outlying Landing Field in Imperial Beach, Calif., Nov. 16. The course, which was overseen by HSC-3s Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Search and Rescue Model Manager (SARMM), was led by ARS, and was designed to teach Navy pilots and aircrewmen the physics behind helicopter hoisting, and new techniques in order to conduct safe and efficient dynamic hoisting evolutions. Other participants of the course included: Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC), Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Pacific, Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School Atlantic, Lemoore Station SAR and Whidbey Island Station SAR. As the designated SARMM, the Merlins of HSC-3 ensure that SAR units are fully-qualified to

DF-ST-87-08122. Subject Operation/Series: PATRIOT COYOTE State: New Mexico (NM) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division, Combat Aviation Brigade, conducted an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise on October 8, 2022, at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. EDRE is a rapid-deployment exercise that tests a unit's ability to alert, marshal and deploy forces and equipment to an emergency disaster or contingency operation.

050404-N-6501M-010. Base: Fob Hotel, Najaf Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Marine CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters aboard the amphibious assault ship USS GUAM (LPH 9) during operations off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon. Base: USS Guam (LPH 9) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)

U.S. Marines and Sailors conduct flight operations aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), May 18, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are participating in the Estonian-led exercise Siil 22 (Hedgehog 22 in English). Siil 22 brings together members of the Estonian Defense Force and Sailors and Marines under Commander Task Force 61/2 to enhance Allied interoperability and preserve security and stability in the Baltic region.

Right side view of a Marine CH-53D Super Stallion helicopter in use during a multinational peacekeeping operation. Base: Beirut Country: Lebanon (LBN)

Finnish Soldiers with Helicopter Battalion, Utti Jaeger Regiment, conduct a sling load lift with a NH90 helicopter while participating in a helicopter support team resupply with U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6), Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, in preparation for exercise Freezing Winds 22 on Hästö Busö, Finland, Oct. 18, 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.

Israeli Air Force AH-64A Peten attack helicopter Ramon Airbase, Israel.

031007-M-2900S-200. Base: Savannah State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040512-F-5560J-002. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Tikrit, Iraq - AH-64 Apache prepares to leave its pad for a mission

030429-M-2900S-010. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Almaty Country: Kazakhstan (KAZ)

U.S. Soldiers in the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, participate in a mass casualty training event at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Dec. 14, 2019. First responders from the Camp Buehring military police, emergency personnel, and fire department joined medics from the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team in the response to treat Old Hickory Soldiers who role-played as casualties with various degrees of injuries following a mock attack on the base. The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team is comprised of National Guard Soldiers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia, who participated in the base-wide exercise.

Right front view medium close-up shot as USAF STAFF Sergeant John Green (not shown) of the 41st Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, tosses a rope latter out of a HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter during a simulated Pararescueman (not shown) pick up, near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada. Members of the 41st Rescue Squadron, are participating in Exercise Desert Rescue VIII, a joint Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine exercise to prepare the each services for the event of a war time rescue in a joint environment. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT RESCUE Base: Naval Air Station, Fallon State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

May 15, 1975 - A Marine and Air Force pararescueman run for an Air Force HH-53C helicopter during an asualt on Koh Tang Island to rescue the U.S. Merchant ship Mayaguez and its crew.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to hookup a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle to a CH-53E Super Stallion during Helicopter Support Team training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 22, 2022. U.S. Marines with CLB 13 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362 (Reinforced) conduct HST training to enhance their skills as landing support Marines and pilots. This is the first time a JLTV was used during HST training.

Soldiers Board an Army CH-47 Chinook

040615-F-4884R-005. Base: Balad Air Base Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 23rd Wing hot pit refuel an HH-60W Jolly Green II during exercise Agile Flag 22-2 at Avon Park, Florida, July 25, 2022. This was the first exercise Moody Air Force Base Airmen used the strategic aircraft refueling cart for hot pit refuels and the first time Moody Airmen refueled an HH-60W with the STARCART. Agile Flag 22-2 is Air Combat Command's first lead-wing certification event designed to demonstrate the 23rd Wing's capability to generate combat air power while continuing to move, maneuver, and sustain the Wing and subordinate force elements in a dynamic and contested environment.

U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallions with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), lands on a flightline during Realistic Urban Training (RUT) Exercise on Fort Barfoot, Virginia, Jan. 7, 2024. RUT provides the 24th MEU the opportunity to operate in unfamiliar environments, integrate the units of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, and train towards being designated as special operations capable.

Royal Marine Commandos assigned to M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, board a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion on Keflavík Air Base, Iceland, in support of exercise Northern Viking 2022, April 6, 2022. Northern Viking 22 strengthens interoperability and force readiness between the U.S., Iceland and Allied nations, enabling execution of multi-domain command and control of joint and coalition forces in the defense of Iceland the Sea Lines of Communication in the Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.

An HH-60G Pave Hawk, assigned to the 355th Wing, sits on the flight line at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, Oct. 27, 2022. The U.S. Air Force is in the process of phasing out the HH-60G Pave Hawk and replacing it with the HH-60W Jolly Green II.

Airmen from the 132d Wing Operations Support Squadron participated in a joint exercise with soldiers from C Co 2-147th Air Assault Helicopter Battalion in Boone, Iowa, June 10, 2022. Intelligence Operations Specialists from the 132d Wing gathered and shared intel to support the various mission sets. (Iowa Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Victoria J. Hanson)

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53D Sea Stallion Helicopter Lands at a Landing Zone at a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan's Helmand Province

H-3 (Pelican) helicopters from the Italian Air Force get ready to launch for a Combat, Search and Rescue mission at Aviano Air Base, Italy. The H-3 helicopters are part of VENETO RESCUE 2000. Veneto Rescue is a simulated non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) that simulates the extraction of American citizens and designated third-country nationals from a fictitious, politically troubled country. Subject Operation/Series: VENETO RESCUE Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

U.S. Marines with 3d battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division load an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to conduct an air insertion during Resolute Dragon 22, Yausubetsu Training Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 1, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is a bilateral exercise 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.

PEARL HARBOR (July 13, 2022) U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Nolan Ebert, assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares for the arrival of distinguished visitors at a helicopter landing zone (HLZ) during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022, at Ford Island, Hawaii, July 13, 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. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 372, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), refuel a UH-1Y Venom with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd MAW, at a forward arming and refueling point during exercise Steel Knight 23, on Red Beach, Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 3, 2022. Exercise Steel Knight 23 provides 3rd MAW an opportunity to refine Wing-level warfighting in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force and fleet maneuver.

MH-60 Pave Hawk, a special operations variant of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

HH-60Gs from the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nev., fly above the ranges north of Nellis and areas of Lake Mead during training missions while participating in the extensive course. Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers practice external cargo mounting on a UH-60 Yanshuf of the Israel Air Force.

DF-ST-87-07570. Subject Operation/Series: GALLANT EAGLE '86 Base: Edwards Air Force Base State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

040929-A-7306A-004. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Jagdalek Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

A U.S. Navy CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter is directed to a parking spot on the ramp. U.S. forces are bringing in personnel, materiel and equipment to support Operation United Shield, which is the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeepers from Mogadishu, Somalia. Subject Operation/Series: UNITED SHIELD Base: Mombasa International Airport Country: Kenya (KEN)

U.S. Army Soldiers from 3-25 General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB), 25th Infantry Division, prepare to fly during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) on Schofield Barracks, Hi., Nov. 1, 2022. The 3-25 GSAB is tasked to refuel AH-64 Apaches during the JPMRC.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion 503 Infantry Regiment (A CO. 2-503 IN) conduct an air assault using Black Hawk helicopter and secured an landing zone during Exercise Saber Junction 22 at Hohenfels Training Area, Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) In Hohenfels, Germany, Sept. 9, 2022. Saber Junction 22 is a combat training rotation designed to assess the readiness of the 173rd IBCT (ABN) in executing operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with participating allied and partner nations.

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Pennsylvania National Guards 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade flies over Philadelphia during a recent Dense Urban Terrain exercise. The exercise, which ran from July 25 to 29, was conducted by Task Force 46, a 600-personnel chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) response element, comprised of National Guard units from states across the country.

240129-N-LR905-3271LITTLE FALLS, Minn. (Jan. 29, 2024) - U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technicians assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 conduct Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques (HRST) training in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with Minnesota National Guards 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment as part of Snow Crab Exercise 24-1. SNOWCRABEX is an annual exercise designed to test and evaluate U.S. Navy EOD and Navy Divers capabilities and equipment in a simulated arctic environment and improve combat effectiveness. Navy EOD and Navy Divers are part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force (NECF), enabling the U.S. Navy Fleet by clearing and protecting the battlespace.

A UH-1Y Venom (left) and AH-1Z Viper helicopter come in for a landing near Saaremaa, Estonia, May 22, 2022. Task Group 61/2.4 provides naval and joint force commanders with dedicated multi-domain reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance (RXR) capabilities. Task Group 61/2.4, under Task Force 61/2, is executing the Commandant of the Marine Corps Concept for Stand-in Forces (SIF) to generate small, highly versatile units that integrate Marine Corps and Navy forces. Task Force 61/2 is deployed in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., Allied and Partner interests.

Soldiers from 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) refuel AH-64 apache helicopters at Oxford, MS, during a Large-Scale, Long-Range Air Assault (LLAASLT) into the Joint Readiness Training Center on Fort Johnson, LA. This exercise is intended to test and strengthen the unit's readiness. Close to 80 U.S. Army helicopters from Fort Campbell, KY will stop at several locations throughout the flight path to refuel and resupply before they assault onto the training objectives at Fort Johnson, LA. There are four FARPs: Millington, TN, Oxford, MS, Monroe, LA, and Alexandria, LA.

US Marine Corps CH-53D Sea Stallion prepares to launch from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq

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