A Sailor assigned to Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) embraces her boyfriend before departing on Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18). PP18’s mission is to work collectively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. (MCSN Harley K. Sarmiento/Navy)
Marine Sgt. John Stefanowicz, from Kennerdell Pa., pins Navy Petty Officer Joseph Marques from Punta Gorda, Fla., during the 82 kg weight class of the 2018 Armed Forces Wrestling Championship Greco-Roman competition. Stefanowicz is a member of the Armed Forces Sports program’s All-Marine wrestling team. AFS All-Service teams provide servicemembers opportunities to participate in national and international competitions including the Military World Games and the Olympics. (MCS1Gulianna Dunn/Navy)
Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) haul in mooring lines as the ship departs Varna, Bulgaria. Carney, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is on its fourth patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of regional allies and partners, and U.S. national security interests in Europe. (MCS2 James R. Turner/Navy)
Sailors participate in flight operations on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson Strike Group is currently operating in the Western Pacific as part of a regularly scheduled deployment. (MCS3 Dylan M. Kinee/Navy)
U.S. Marine Cpl. Benton Allen yells out commands during Exercise Cobra Gold 2018 at Camp Ban Chen Khream in the Kingdom of Thailand, Feb. 23, 2018. Cobra Gold 18 is an annual exercise conducted in the Kingdom of Thailand from Feb. 13-23 with seven full participating nations. Allen, a Bowling Green, Kentucky native, is a squad leader with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. The Hawaii-based unit is forward-deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the unit deployment program. (Sgt. Ricky Gomez/Marines)
Pfc. Kayla Henry and Sgt. Angel Ferrer detain Staff. Sgt. Joseph Harris, escaped prisoner role player, during the United States Army Regional Correctional Facility-Europe Emergency Action Procedure Evaluation, February 20, 2018 on Sembach Kaserne, Germany (Elisabeth Paque/Army)
A 54th Helicopter Squadron UH-1N Iroquois lifts a simulated casualty above the Turtle Mountain State Forest, N.D., Feb. 14, 2018, during a 91st Security Forces Group field training exercise. During the FTX, defenders vectored the aircraft to a landing zone and performed a simulated medical evacuation. (SA J.T. Armstrong/Air Force)
Marines in an M1A1 Abrams tank engage a target during semi-annual qualifications at Fort Stewart, Ga., Feb. 13, 2018. The Marines are assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion. (Cpl. Aaron Henson/Marines)
Musician 3rd Class Kent Grover, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, practices with his saxophone on the expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) during pre-deployment for Continuing Promise 2018. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet has deployed a force to execute Continuing Promise to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian assistance, training engagements, and medical, dental, and veterinary support in an effort to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America. (Brandon Best/Army)
Soldiers assigned to Charger Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, march to their next objective during Operation Punchbowl at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 10, 2018. Operation Punchbowl was a battalion-level, combined arms, live-fire exercise that focused on arctic lethality. During the operation three 150-Soldier companies maneuvered through varied terrain; attacking and seizing enemy positions as well as eliminating key weapons and vehicles being utilized by the enemy. (Alejandro Peña/Air Force)
U.S., Allied, and partner-nation Soldiers from nine countries participate in the Cold Regions Military Collaborative Training Event at Arctic Valley in Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Feb. 22, 2018. The U.S. Army Alaska hosted event focused on strengthening relationships among allied and partner nations with experience operating in cold weather, and at high elevations; and set conditions for future collaboration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Connaher)
