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Atlantic Ocean. (March 11, 2023): Easy does it, one slip and that is it. In this photo by MC3 Manvir Gill, Aviation Ordnance man 2nd Class Benjamin Tepe, assigned to the "Black Lions" of Strike Fighter Squadron 213, mounts a missile to an F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. One of the more unique jobs in the Navy, Aviation Ordnance specialists risk their lives daily loading the latest explosives onto America’s elite combat aircraft.
Navy Aviation Ordnance specialists are weapons experts charged with managing all types of ammunition carried on Navy aircraft. They inspect, maintain, and repair mechanical and electrical ordnance systems on a variety of aircraft in real time operations. The F/A-18F Super Hornet carries up to 13,700 pounds of explosives on two outboard wing stations including Sidewinder air-to-air missiles and ground attack weapons. The Hornet also has a M61 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon that fires 20mm ammunition mounted on the plane’s nose. Every pilot depends upon the skill and bravery of these ammo specialists to ensure their payload is ready to go in combat.
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Atlantic Ocean. (March 11, 2023): In this photo by MC2 Jennifer A. Newsome, an E/A-18G Growler, attached to the "Gray Wolves" of Electronic Attack Squadron 142, flies by the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford underway in the Atlantic Ocean. The Ford and her crew are conducting intense, multi-week exercises to fully integrate its carrier strike group into a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force. These exercises will test the ability of the strike group to carry out sustained combat operations at sea.
The first new class of aircraft carrier in 40 years, the Ford represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navy's capacity to project power around the world. The Ford honors the 38th president of the United States, who served from 1974-1977, and pays tribute to his lifetime of service in the Navy and the nation. During World War II, future President Ford attained the rank of lieutenant commander and served on the light carrier USS Monterey.
Today, the Ford has a new nuclear power plant capable of generating nearly three times more electrical power along with modern arresting gear and electromagnetic aircraft launch systems. This new configuration replaces the traditional steam catapult and expands the range of manned aircraft.
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Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye. (March 13, 2023): As the tragic number of earthquake victims continues to rise, America’s military is doing its part to provide comfort and relief to the thousands of Turkish civilians who need it. In the above photo by Specialist William Thompson, an Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter assigned to 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade of the 1st Armored Division takes on relief supplies for delivery on behalf of the American people.
As of March 13th , more than 55,700 deaths were confirmed in Turkey and Syria and an estimated 1.5 million are homeless. According to the Turkish government, more than 160,000 buildings containing 520,000 apartments collapsed or were severely damaged during the quake forcing survivors to bed down in tents, factories, train cars, and even greenhouses. As these victims struggle against cold and hunger, American choppers are bringing tons of essential supplies to hard hit areas that are impossible to reach by road. The 3rd Battalion’s two Chinooks delivered 40,000 pounds of humanitarian aid from Incirlik Air Base to Elbistan and Pazarcik including tents, hygiene products, and diapers. The 3rd Battalion flew 10 air missions totaling more than 60 flight hours to support the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, and Turkish relief efforts.
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Oman. (February 29, 2023): Terrorists and their schemes never sleep. They won’t be getting much sleep when they realize they are being pursued by the U.S. Marines and our allies the Royal Oman Police. In the U.S. Army photo above, the Marines Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (Central Command) and the Omani Special Task Unit conduct live fire exercises as part of Invincible Sentry 23. This recurring exercise brings together partner nations to coordinate responses to terrorist threats to the region.
The Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team organizes, trains, equips, and provides anti-terrorism security forces for expeditionary forces guarding American interests in the Central Command region. The Team provides strategic weapons and training to provide dedicated security and anti-terrorism protection of high-value naval installations, most notably those containing nuclear vessels and weapons.
Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) platoons are capable of rapidly deploying around the world to immediately improve security at United States government installations under threat. These units are experts at special operations, including advanced close quarter battle and in-extremis hostage rescue. Established in 1987, FAST platoons are forward deployed at various naval commands to rapidly respond to unforeseen contingencies worldwide. Each FAST company is made up of 500 Marines equipped and trained with the most state-of-the-art weaponry available.
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Isiolo, Kenya. (February 23, 2023): In this photo by Sergeant Christian Dela Cruz, U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to Chosin Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade demonstrate combat tactics during Exercise Justified Accord 23 hosted by the government of Kenya. This is the U.S. Africa Command’s largest exercise, led by the Army’s Southern European Task Force Africa, involving 20 countries to increase readiness for peacekeeping, crisis response, and humanitarian assistance missions.
The highlight of Justified Accord 23 involved over 1,000 participants holding live-fire field training exercises that included the 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, the 720th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment and the 352nd Civil Affairs Command. The Massachusetts State National Guard provided sustainment support for Kenyan Defense Forces as part of a long-standing partnership.
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Pacific Ocean. (March 4, 2023): In this photo by Sergeant Marcos A. Alvarado, U.S. Marines with the maritime raid force 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct a search during a visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) exercise aboard the tank landing ship JS Osumi during Exercise Iron Fist 23.
Iron Fist 23 provided an opportunity for the USS America Amphibious Ready Group and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force to work together in combined counter-piracy operations at sea. The 31ST Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) serves as America’s forward deployed, quick response force capable of responding immediately to crises around the world. Commanded by a Marine colonel, the 31st MEU is comprised of approximately 2,200 Marines and Sailors embarked aboard three or four amphibious ships.
Iron Fist 23 is an annual field training exercise designed to increase interoperability and strengthen the relationship between the Marine Corps, Navy, and the Japanese Self Defense Force. This year’s exercise simulated an island seizure involving airborne and battalion landing teams working with their Japanese counterparts.
Visit, board, search, and seizure exercises practice maritime boardings of suspect vessels at sea and is one of the more dangerous peacetime missions for the Navy. These boarding teams capture enemy vessels, combat terrorism, stop piracy, and prevent smuggling of contraband or human traffic. These highly trained professionals undergo eight weeks of training in close quarter battle, shooting, rappelling, and search and seizure procedures. Marines are trained to fast rope from helicopters onto potentially hostile vessels and use their tactical skills to subdue and seize the ship and its crew. As one can imagine, the school’s dropout rate is unusually high, around 30% fail to qualify.
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