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Twenty-Nine Palms, California. (June 16, 2023): In this photo by Corporal Ryan Schmid, Lance Corporals Edward Reeves, left, and Daniel Puente, both mortarmen with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, conduct mortar range firing during Integrated Training Exercise 4-23 held at Twenty-Nine Palms, California. This is the premier annual event for Marine reservists from across the country to absorb realistic training at the Marine Corps Air Combat Center.
Training Exercise 4-23 gives reservists the chance to practice mobilization readiness and to establish coordination with the units they would serve with in combat. The Marine Corps reserve was established by Congress in 1916 and is responsible for providing trained units and qualified individuals to be mobilized for active duty in time of war or national emergency. Marine reservists may also be called upon to relieve active-duty troops and they continually provide service to their local communities through programs like “Toys for Tots”. There are currently 35,000 Marines serving at 184 reserve training centers around the country who typically serve two days a month and two weeks a year.
In civilian life, Corporal Reyes is a firefighter and Puente is a salesman.
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Aviano, Italy. (June 22, 2023): In this photo by Senior Airman Noah Sudolca, an Air Force pararescueman from the 57th Rescue Squadron takes notes at a simulated helicopter crash during exercise Astral Knight 2023 in the Albanian countryside. The 57th Rescue Squadron is a combat-ready team of pararescue personnel capable of performing combat rescue and personnel retrieval missions in theaters of operations worldwide. Air Forces Africa Airmen and aircraft from across the U.S. and throughout the European theater assembled in Croatia and Albania to participate in this year’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense exercise.
The 57th Rescue Squadron trained with NATO allies on performing complex rescue operations in hostile environments. This year’s Astral Knight featured the American HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, the HC-130 Hercules cargo plane, A-10 Warthog attack fighters, and ships and aircraft from both Albanian and Croatian militaries.
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Bay of Biscay, Spain. (June 14, 2023) The world’s most advanced aircraft carrier set sail into history this month, its launch signifying a generational leap in our nation’s ability to project power around the world. In this photo by MC2 Nolan Pennington, Sailors from the "Black Lions" of Strike Fighter Squadron 213 conduct routine maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet in the hangar bay of the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford. Fighter Squadron 213 Black Lions fly the two seat F/A 18 strike fighter which is designed for traditional air superiority, reconnaissance, and close air support. The Super Hornet can also provide forward air control (airborne), air defense suppression, and day/night precision strikes in defense of the fleet.
Gerald R. Ford is the U.S. Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier and sports numerous technological upgrades making it the most sophisticated carrier in history. The Ford is named after our 38th President who served during World War II and whose naval service included combat duty aboard the light aircraft carrier Monterrey in the Pacific theater.
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Miami, Florida. (June 19, 2023): “Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do, when the Coast Guard comes for you.” (Set to the theme of the hit television show COPs.) It is a question smugglers ask themselves every day. In this photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Rodriguez, fellow Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon New, a crew member of Coast Guard Cutter Bear stands security watch during a drug offload at the Port of Miami. These offloaded drugs were interdicted in nine separate incidents in international waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
All totaled, these raids by the Coast Guard seized more than 14,000 pounds of cocaine valued at an estimated $186 million. Twelve suspected smugglers were also apprehended and face prosecution,
In each of these incidents, Smugglers used “go fast” boats, speedy craft they hope can outrun the law. Today, technological advances in engine performance and high-speed boat designs mean the Coast Guard will have to deal with faster and faster vessels than ever before.
While speed is essential, the Coast Guard also stresses using a “force package” that combines maritime patrol aircraft, high speed surface craft, unmanned aerial surveillance, and airborne use of force tactics. The goal is to identify, track, search, and seize vessels suspected of drug trafficking before they can deliver their poison to our shores.
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South China Sea. (June 12, 2023): As tensions between America and China are at an all-time high, one of the most overlooked players in this overseas drama is the U.S. Coast Guard. In this photo by Chief Petty Officer Brett Cote, Coast Guard Cutter Stratton Sailors Petty Officer 2nd Class Jorden Santos (foreground) and Petty Officer 2nd Class Valerie Foreman retrieve a “man overboard” mannequin from the water during a search and rescue exercise with the Philippine and Japanese coast guards in the South China Sea. The Stratton deployed to the Western Pacific to participate in a multi-day trilateral engagement between their respective Coast Guards under the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.
Many Americans do not realize the scope of America’s Coast Guard operations in foreign waters. The Coast Guard maintains a forceful presence in the Indo-Pacific conducting surveillance, drug interdictions, and participating in free navigation of the seas exercise with the U.S. Navy.
The Coast Guard has three permanent international units with Patrol Forces Southwest Asia being its largest outside of the United States. By regularly training with their Philippine and Japanese counterparts, America’s Coast Guard will be ready to confront whatever dangers may lie ahead in the South China Sea.
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Inezgane, Morroco. (June 13, 2023): In this photo by Sergeant Cameron Boyd, Army Chief Warrant Officer Brandon Delgado, an HH-60M Blackhawk pilot for the 1-111th Aviation Regiment, 78th Aviation Troop Command, Georgia Army National Guard, goes through preflight inspections prior to taking command of the aircraft during Exercise African Lion 23.
African Lion 23 is the U.S. Africa Command's largest joint annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. Approximately 8,000 troops from 13 nations and NATO participated in realistic combat training events held in austere environments across Africa. The 1-111th Aviation provided aerial medical evacuation services to ensure the safety of participants during the exercise.
This year’s African Lion featured multiple combined arms live fire exercises, sea maneuvers, and simulated air combat involving F-16 Fighting Falcons and bomber aircraft. Paratroopers conducted a forced entry field exercise and there were two chemical, nuclear, and biological training sessions to integrate U.S. and African nation capabilities against chemical attacks. Finally, American troops held several humanitarian civic assistance programs to benefit less fortunate citizens on the African continent.
In a series of cultural exchanges, the Moroccans and Americans presented a musical show featuring the African Republic and 23rd Utah State Army bands.