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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2d Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division, alongside 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, conduct fast-rope air assault isolated personnel extraction training, Dec. 18, 2025.
251218-A-VH016-1626 Jan 14 2026
A LC-130 Skibird takes off in Antarctica. The New York National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing flies the LC-130 in support of Operation Deep Freeze.
251223-Z-F3860-1002 Jan 07 2026
Three U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 356th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, fly in formation before aerial refueling over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 11, 2025
251211-F-BX586-1252 Jan 06 2026
A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, flies over the Pacific Ocean, Japan, Dec. 18, 2025.
251218-F-KO634-1069 Jan 06 2026
U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, refuel an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232, MAG-12, 1st MAW, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 30, 2025.
251230-M-JN598-1297 Jan 05 2026
U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit One (EODMU1), fast rope from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, during a drill on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 30, 2025.
251230-N-NH911-1186 Jan 02 2026
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 26, 2025.
251226-N-PT073-1008 Dec 30 2025
A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, sets up security during a casualty evacuation drill during Fuji Viper 26.2 at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 12, 2025.
251212-M-NC826-1545 Dec 29 2025
Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2-23 Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, conduct a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise, honing their combat skills through realistic training scenarios.
251218-A-IJ924-4215 Dec 23 2025
Charlie Battery 1-38 Field Artillery Regiment fires the first rocket from the new M270A2 Multi Launch Rocket System, becoming the first unit to utilize the new equipment in a live fire setting on the Korean Peninsula at Rocket Valley, South Korea, Dec. 11, 2025.
251211-A-ZF147-1008 Dec 22 2025
U.S. Navy Sailors direct an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Philippine Sea, Dec. 19, 2025. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Units assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathaly Cruz)
251219-N-IJ966-1096 Dec 22 2025
An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Dec. 16, 2025.
251216-N-NH911-1136 Dec 19 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts flight operations aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), Dec. 12, 2025.
251212-N-UC201-1019 Dec 18 2025
U.S. Army Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment advance to a covered position during a company live-fire iteration at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, Dec. 13, 2024.
251215-A-GF403-4053 Dec 16 2025
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120) conducts a pass-in-review during the 84th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Dec. 7, 2025.
251207-N-KN989-1065 Dec 16 2025
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Reis of the U.S. Army Parachute Team lands for a demonstration parachute jump on 13 December 2025 for the Army Navy game.
251213-D-GH686-3793 Dec 15 2025
A U.S. Marine with the Maritime Raid Force, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast-ropes from a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 during helicopter rope suspension techniques training on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 12, 2025.
251212-M-YF186-1216 Dec 15 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 , 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to land aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), flagship of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, Dec. 7, 2025, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations
251207-M-EC903-2377 Dec 12 2025
Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) transits while underway in the Philippine Sea, Dec. 10, 2025. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (
251209-N-UM953-1026 Dec 11 2025
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 , 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to load ordinance onto an F-35B Lightning II aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), flagship of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, Dec. 7, 2025, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations
251207-M-EC903-1104 Dec 11 2025
A U.S. Marine with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, adjusts their PEQ-15 laser device before conducting a live-fire range during Korea Viper 26.1 at Camp Rodriguez, South Korea, Dec. 8, 2025.
251208-M-SH338-2412 Dec 11 2025
From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Mark Weinstein and Cody Raymond, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing loadmasters, drop humanitarian bundles.
251210-F-SL055-1361 Dec 11 2025
U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 32 with to Assault Craft Unit 5, embarks Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during shore to ship operations in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 3, 2025.
251203-M-VC519-1678 Dec 04 2025
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zhiyuan Jiang, section chief, B Battery, 6-37 Field Artillery Regiment, 210 Field Artillery Brigade, fires 240B machine gun during a live fire exercise at Montana Range near Paju, South Korea, Nov. 4, 2025.
251204-A-AM489-1014 Dec 04 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands during flight operations aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), flagship of the Tripoli Expeditionary Strike Group, Dec. 2, 2025, while conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Operations.
251202-M-MH864-1026 Dec 03 2025
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 Expeditionary Mine Countermeasures (ExMCM) Company 9-3 and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) EOD teams jump from an MH-53E Sea Dragon from Helicopter Mine countermeasures squadron 15 (HM-15) during a helicopter casting exercise as part of Mine Warfare Exercise (MINEX) 3JA, Nov. 22, 2025.
ABURATSU, Japan Dec 03 2025
U.S. Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, patrol on an obstacle course during Operation Odyssey Stormbreaker III at Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 4, 2025.
251104-M-JI447-1147 Dec 02 2025
An F-35B Lighting II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242, lands on the flight deck during flight operations aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), Nov. 28, 2025.
251128-N-RT401-1099 Dec 02 2025
U.S. Sailors attach a cargo hook to an MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Battle Cats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 26, 2025.
251126-N-VM650-1432 Dec 02 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II flies over clouds.
251027-F-LO539-1009 Dec 01 2025
U.S. Sailors prepare an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Mighty Shrikes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, for launch on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 25, 2025.
251125-N-IP140-1172 Nov 26 2025
The weapons squad from C Co. 4-9 Infantry engages designated targets during a platoon live fire exercise at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in South Korea.
251120-A-IJ924-2068 Nov 25 2025
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Nov. 23, 2025.
251123-N-NH911-1113 Nov 25 2025
A C-17 aircraft delivers cargo over a drop zone.
251107-F-JA727-1123 Nov 24 2025
U.S. Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, run in formation at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 7, 2025
251107-M-JN598-1302 Nov 24 2025
Three U.S. Air Force Fighting Falcons from the 35th Fighter Squadron depart for the Super Squadron Phase 2 test at Osan Air Base in an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 21, 2025.
251121-F-KK391-1065 Nov 21 2025
Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) returns to Naval Base Guam, reaffirming its role in the Indo-Pacific, Nov. 18, 2025.
251118-N-EH855-1020 Nov 20 2025
Soldiers aboard a boat flying an American flag transit a body of water as other boats converge in the area, with lingering smoke and tree-scaped land in the background.
251120-A-BF020-1005 Nov 20 2025
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer, JS Hyuga, leads United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Fitzgerald (centre-right), Indian Navy Shivalik-class frigate, INS Sahyadri (centre-left), and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Ballarat, during Exercise MALABAR 25 off the coast of Guam.
251113-N-NO824-1002 Nov 20 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed to Kadena Air Base, conducts aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron during a local exercise over the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 17, 2025.
251117-F-KO634-1033 Nov 19 2025
U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron conduct a mission sortie during a three-month deployment to U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory.
250601-F-F3701-1001 Nov 18 2025
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Dawson Dauzat, a high mobility artillery rocket system operator assigned to 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, operates an M240B machine gun during a live-fire mission at the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, Oct. 26, 2025.
251026-M-NV658-1191 Nov 13 2025
U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a freefall jump during parachute operations training over Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 26, 2025.
250926-M-EC903-2694 Sep 30 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron flies over the Pacific Ocean during a refueling mission in preparation of Exercise Bushido Guardian 2025 near Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 26, 2025.
250926-F-EP621-1293 Sep 30 2025
U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a freefall jump during parachute operations training over Okinawa, Japan, Sep. 26, 2025.
250926-M-MI274-1294 Sep 30 2025
A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30, two U.S. Air Force F-35s, two RAAF F-35s and two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15Js fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean prior to the start of Exercise Bushido Guardian (BG) 25 near Misawa Air Base, Japan, Sept. 26, 2025.
250926-F-F3702-1001 Sep 29 2025
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Devin McRae, a loadmaster with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, waits for arrival at a drop zone before releasing container delivery systems from a KC-130J Super Hercules during an air delivery operation for Resolute Dragon 25 at Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 23, 2025.
250923-M-NM862-1348 Sep 26 2025
U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participate in force-on-force training during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita, Japan, Sept. 20, 2025.
250920-M-AO948-1421 Sep 26 2025
U.S. Army Missouri National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment and Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel conduct tactical maneuver training as part of Orient Shield 25 at Sekiyama Training Area, Niigata, Japan, Sept. 19, 2025.
250919-A-KM154-1018 Sep 24 2025
.S. Marine Corps pilots with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing perform a hot seat switch during Resolute Dragon 25 on Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Kanoya Air Base, Kagoshima, Japan, Sept. 19, 2025.
250919-M-AD637-1205 Sep 24 2025
U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cole Goodrich, a crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, gives a signal for refueling during exercise Resolute Dragon 25 on Ie Shima, Japan, Sept. 19, 2025.
250919-M-AD637-1151 Sep 23 2025
A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II jet with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, Carrier Air Wing 5, conducts field carrier landing practice at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 18, 2025.
YAMAGUCHI, Japan Sep 22 2025
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 355th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, departs after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 909th Air Refueling Squadron, during Freedom Edge 25 over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 16, 2025.
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan Sep 19 2025
.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, fire the FGM-148 Javelin during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 15, 2025.
250915-M-AO948-1141 Sep 19 2025
A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing flies over Saga Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 12, 2025, during exercise Resolute Dragon 25.
250912-M-JH235-1064 Sep 18 2025
U.S. Marines with 12th Littoral Combat Team, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, wait for a fire mission during Resolute Dragon 25 at Hijudai Maneuver Area, Oita Prefecture, Japan, Sept. 13, 2025.
250913-M-AO948-1174 Sep 17 2025
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Sept. 16, 2025) – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, and U.S. Navy ships sail in formation in support of Exercise Freedom Edge 25, Sept. 16. Trilateral exercises like Freedom Edge demonstrate a shared commitment to achieve and maintain peace in the Asia-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles Oki)
250916-N-SF508-1872 Sep 17 2025
A U.S. Air Force pararescueman assigned to the 31st Rescue Squadron, jumps off a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, above Yokota Air Base, Japan, Aug. 27, 2025.
250827-F-KO634-1107 Sep 16 2025
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Ashley Oscar, from Atlanta, left, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Korie Espenschied, from Beach City, Ohio, both assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) observe a U.S. Army AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Calvary Regiment assigned to the 25th CAB take off from the flight deck of the America during a joint aviation training exercise with the U.S. Army, boosting interoperability and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region Sept. 11
250911-N-TW227-1117 Sep 15 2025
U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing fly in formation during exercise Resolute Dragon 25 off of the coast of Kagoshima, Japan, Sept. 12, 2025.
250912-M-AD637-1225 Sep 15 2025
 


 

 

 

 

'Ghost Brigade' Soldiers Prepare for Future Conflicts

31 May 2016

From Staff Sgt. Samuel Northrup

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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Washington -- Since 1981, military personnel have come and gone through the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to prepare for missions around the world. 

These month-long rotations are usually geared to prepare a unit for an upcoming mission. For the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, their May 2016 rotation to NTC was a way to hone in on those key fighting skills as a brigade.

"We jumped on the opportunity to try to build upon what we learned at the last NTC rotation and what we learned during the missions we executed in the Pacific," said Maj. Keith Benedict, the operations officer for 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team. "We are trying to combine lessons learned both from the National Training Center and Pacific Pathways and bring them together during this rotation to experiment further and make our selves better as a unit." 

In January 2016, the "Ghost Brigade" participated in Pacific Pathways, an operation in which units from the brigade were sent to multiple countries in the Pacific, Benedict said. There, the Soldiers worked and trained with their counterparts to build upon each nation's capabilities and to work through interoperability challenges. Pacific Pathways also helped leaders become accustomed to working in different environments around the world.

"While in Thailand, Korea and the Philippines, our Soldiers trained and interacted at the individual, company, and staff level in order to learn how to deploy into that theater with which our brigade is aligned," Benedict said. "This helped build the capabilities and partnerships with those countries and will yield dividends in the event of a humanitarian crisis or any other time our Soldiers may be called upon.

"We have got to make everything a learning environment," he said. "We serve no purpose if we don't understand our operating environment. We must seek every opportunity to challenge our ability to operate in a humanitarian aid, decisive action or combined arms maneuver capacity -- while fighting an adversary, if need be." 

NTC is the only place where the unit gets to operate as a brigade in an environment that trains and facilitates all aspects related to that, said Maj. Garrett Shannon, the intelligence officer for 1-2 SBCT. Even at home station, it is very difficult to replicate all the moving pieces, speed and complicated measures that come into brigade operations. 

"Back at home station, we don't have the same training effectiveness of a thinking enemy with a chain of command that is planning and operating against us," said Shannon. "It is just really not possible to replicate the large mass of enemy Soldiers and be given sufficient time to interact with each other back at home."

According to Benedict, the U.S. Army has been operating and training in the last decade with counterinsurgency (COIN) in mind. Many of today's leaders have COIN experience, but many of our most senior leaders were in the Army before the COIN era and understood how to execute decisive action (the continuous, simultaneous combinations of offensive, defensive, and stability or defense support of civil authorities tasks).

"As an infantry officer, I have deployed in a counterinsurgency environment," Benedict said. "I have learned to operate within that capacity, but I have not deployed in a decisive action environment. So the opportunity to understand how to maneuver, how to execute security tasks, while facing a capable adversary, is something that used to be the Army's bread and butter. 

"We had gotten away from for a bit out of necessity because of the mission set we were presented," he said. "But we recognize that in the future we may be called upon to do any number of missions, and the decisive action training methodology is ultimately is what is going to allow us to operate in any environment." 

"Escalations of conflict or a disaster could happen at any time and that could put us into a humanitarian situation where we have to be ready to take on any one of those tasks," said Shannon. "If we were not able to use a training environment such as NTC on an annual basis, it would really be a deficit, regardless if there is a an upcoming deployment or not." 

"... I have found this experience to be truly humbling and eye opening," said Benedict. "As a field grade officer responsible for the operations of this brigade, there has been no limit to the amount of pressure and challenge presented to me during this rotation. I know that we will emerge from it stronger and be more capable of operating in any environment."

 

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