United States Department of Defense

Photo Essays

Military Services

Unified Combatant Commands

Special Operations
Command

Strategic
Command

Transportation
Command

Leaders Talk

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Canadian Maj. Gen. Denis Thompson, left, commander of Multinational Force and Observers, talk between meetings on the North Camp in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, Feb. 21, 2016. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen

Hi-Res | More Photos | Photo Gallery

Chairman's Talk

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talks with service members assigned to the Multinational Force and Observers after joining them for lunch at the North Camp in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, Feb. 21, 2016. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen

Hi-Res | More Photos | Photo Gallery

Frogs With Flag

Members of the Leap Frogs, the Navy's parachute team, perform during a training demonstration in San Diego, Feb. 15, 2016. U.S. Navy photo by James Woods

Hi-Res | Photo Gallery

The Battle for Iwo Jima - 71st Anniversary

Seventy-one years after the Battle for Iwo Jima, the Defense Department remembers the courage and sacrifice of the service members who fought on the Pacific island, and those who gave their lives there.

Special

Refueling and Reflection

An airman refuels an A-10C Thunderbolt II during training in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Feb. 11, 2016. The aircraft belongs to the 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luke Kitterman

Hi-Res | Photo Gallery

Smugglers' Notch

A soldier rappels down the face of a cliff on Smugglers’ Notch in Jeffersonville, Vt., Feb. 18, 2016. The soldier, assigned to the Vermont National Guard, was participating in an event for Mountain Warfare School basic and advanced students. Vermont National Guard photo by Army Staff Sgt. Nathan Rivard

Hi-Res | Photo Gallery

Force of the Future

Defense Secretary Ash Carter has launched a national discussion on building the Force of the Future and what the Defense Department must do to change and adapt to maintain its superiority well into the 21st century.

Special

Shot Line

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class T. Westmoreland fires a shot line from the USS Gonzalez during a replenishment at sea with the USNS Joshua Humphreys in the Persian Gulf, Feb. 14, 2016. Westmoreland is a gunner's mate Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Pasquale Sena

Hi-Res | Photo Gallery

Firing in Snow

A Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tank participates in a live-fire exercise with Norwegian forces in Rena, Norway, Feb. 18, 2016. The Marines and Norwegian troops are preparing for Exercise Cold Response 16, which will bring together 12 NATO allies and partner nations. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Dalton A. Precht

Hi-Res | Photo Gallery

Operation Inherent Resolve: Targeted Operations Against ISIL Terrorists

The president has authorized U.S. Central Command to work with partner nations to conduct targeted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria as part of the comprehensive strategy to degrade and defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Special

Memorial Visit

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visits the Unknown Soldier Memorial in Cairo, Feb. 20, 2016. Dunford also met with Egyptian military leaders and U.S. service members. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen

Hi-Res | More Photos | Story | Photo Gallery

Sharp Shooter

A soldier participates in a live-fire exercise with a .22-caliber rifle at Ethan Allen Firing Range in Jericho, Vt., Feb. 6, 2016. Vermont Army National Guard photo by Spc. Avery Cunningham

Hi-Res | More Photos | Photo Gallery

Wielding Shields

Marines practice riot control techniques during nonlethal weapons training on Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 11, 2016. The Marines, with the 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, were preparing for an upcoming deployment. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan Boynes

Hi-Res | Photo Gallery

Morning on the Flightline

Airmen conduct an early morning search for debris on the flightline before daily operations on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 8, 2016. The airmen are assigned to the 158th Maintenance Squadron. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jeffrey Tatro

Hi-Res | Photo Gallery

Blogs

Competitive Hacking for Talented Cadets, Midshipmen, and Now DoD

A Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency image represents DARPA’s High-Assurance Cyber Military Systems program, which seeks to create technology for constructing systems that are functionally correct and satisfy safety and security properties.

The third running of the annual CyberStakes competition showed again what a great tool this competition is for helping talented young men and women build cyber skills.More

Coast Guard Reserve Marks 75 Years of Service U.S. Coast Guard reservists describe their service through the years. More

Adventure Trips Push Disabled Vets Physically & Mentally

Veteran Chad Jukes, who lost his right leg in 2006 in Iraq, doesn’t let his disability stop him from making the extremely difficult climb up El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Cheyne Lempe

Disabled vets are rediscovering themselves and their concept of community through outdoor adventure trips that many fit people probably couldn’t do. More

Facebook Twitter

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-21 Feb

The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is the official escort to the President of the United States and our nation's premier memorial affairs and ceremonial unit. They are the #USArmy's oldest active Infantry Regiment. Old Guard Soldiers represent all Soldiers in ceremonies in the National Capitol Region and throughout the nation. Credit: U.S. Army

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-21 Feb

The U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) demonstrates the future uses of mixed reality, nanosatellites, and atmospheric propagation.

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-21 Feb

The U.S. Coast Guard takes an active role when it comes to the protection of living marine resource. Humpback whales are one of the largest mammals on the planet. More than 18,000 reside in the North Pacific. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and District 14 Coast Guard are working together to save these endangered whales. #savethewhales Credit: DMA Hawaii, U.S. Coast Guard Hawaii Pacific

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-20 Feb

U.S. Navy sailors prepare MV-22B Ospreys for takeoff aboard USS New Orleans LPD 18 in the Pacific Ocean. The Ospreys are assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166. #Rebalance U.S. Pacific Fleet U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler C. Gregory

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-20 Feb

We can neither confirm nor deny rumors that Hugh Jackman joined the United States Air Force. Here he is in an F-16 at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth on Friday. Might we suggest a new call sign? "Wolverine."

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-20 Feb

Elinor Otto was one of the original Rosie the Riveters — the thousands of women who took on jobs for men deployed overseas during World War II. She worked on airplanes for almost 50 years until she was laid off in 2014 at the age of 95 from the Boeing Company plant in Long Beach, California, where she shares a house with her grandson. United States Air Force Video by Jimmy D. Shea

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-20 Feb

Disabled vets are rediscovering themselves and their concept of community through outdoor adventure trips that many fit, healthy people probably couldn't do. #DisabledVets #WoundedWarriors

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-19 Feb

A U.S. Army paratrooper assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade conducts airborne operations from a United States Air Force 86th Air Wing C-130 Hercules aircraft at Juliet Drop Zone in Pordenone, Italy. U.S. European Command (EUCOM) U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) U.S. Central Command U.S. Army Photo by Visual Information Specialist Davide Dalla Massara

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-19 Feb

The future amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland was launched at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Amphibious transport dock ships support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions and can serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious ready groups. U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Navy video courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-18 Feb

A soldier provides security during a convoy halt at the National Training Center/Fort Irwin, Calif., Feb. 12, 2016. The soldier is assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alex Manne

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-18 Feb

The F-35's next generation stealth will make it virtually undetectable allowing the 9G capable multirole fighter to dominate the sky. The F-35A is the United States Air Force's latest 5th generation fighter; it's lethal, survivable, and adaptive.

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-18 Feb

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter condemned a bomb attack that killed more than two dozen people and injured scores more today in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-17 Feb

42 rescued 1,800 miles off Hawaiian Islands 1,800 miles south of the Hawaiian Islands a 258-foot fishing boat caught fire, sending 42 people into life rafts, work boats and a skiff to abandon the ship. A #USCG Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules airplane crew dropped a dewatering pump, flash lights and flares to the distressed vessel and U.S. Coast Guard Hawaii Pacific crews coordinated the rescue with AMVER vessel Fong Seong 888. For more info about AMVER → http://goo.gl/kHc1c5 More info on rescue → https://goo.gl/X6kC9y

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-17 Feb

Colonel (Ret.) Richard Toliver, a decorated United States Air Force fighter pilot, reflects on how racial oppression affected the early stages of his life. During his 26 years of service, Toliver commanded a number of units and held key staff positions in major commands of the Air Force. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 27 oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. #BlackHistory Read his full Veterans in Blue profile: http://1.usa.gov/20RfbKp

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-16 Feb

Commonly referred to as the “Boneyard,” the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., contains about 5,000 retired military aircraft throughout 2,600 acres. Crews at the Boneyard preserve aircraft for possible future use, pull aircraft parts to supply to the field, and perform depot-level maintenance and aircraft regeneration in support of United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force video/Andrew Breese) See more at: #sthash.7RL7dzAY.dpuf" target="_blank">http://airman.dodlive.mil/2013/01/holding-pattern/#sthash.7RL7dzAY.dpuf

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-16 Feb

U.S. Navy Airman Tuan Hoang signals to an MH-60S Seahawk as it takes off from the flight deck of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Pacific Ocean. The Seahawk is assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 14. Navy photo by Seaman Cole C. Pielop

U.S. Dept of Defense
DeptofDefense-15 Feb

An exciting new scientific frontier-synthetic biology-took center stage as a celebrated scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently spoke at the headquarters of the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-21 Feb

.@USArmy #paratroopers run through smoke to mask their movements while assaulting an objective at Fort Polk. https://t.co/X7jRBNXTGt

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-21 Feb

Military #Money news!!! If you're @USArmy @USNavy @USAirForce @USMC @USCoastGuard, better listen up! https://t.co/EXazvgZERT

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-21 Feb

A group of disabled #vets hiked through @YosemiteNPS w/ @paradox_sports. Here's their story https://t.co/XzK5kx9CXE https://t.co/H59wEjbwdK

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-20 Feb

During exercise #CobraGold16 in Thailand, a team of #Marines help build a school. @USMC https://t.co/85Ra59j98e

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-20 Feb

Six military adaptive sports athletes compete in the Invictus Dash today at the @MillroseGames. See them live on @NBCSN starting at 4pm EST.

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-20 Feb

RT @DoDNews: Call Sign: Wolverine? @RealHughJackman joins the @USAirForce for an F-16 flight over Fort Worth, Texas. https://t.co/WVVt123Cid

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-20 Feb

#Marines protect a simulated injured person during a tactical recovery training scenario on @MCIWPendletonCA. @USMC https://t.co/WOW94IcmpF

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-20 Feb

See how far combat aviation has come with the @USAirForce’s #F35A multirole fighter jet! https://t.co/Ywk0uKTcMt https://t.co/FDeyLLU5ab

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

A @USArmy soldier provides security during a convoy halt at the National Training Center on #FortIrwin. @NTC_UPDATE https://t.co/xYXdCE2Xa9

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

RT @DoDNews: 71 years ago, the @USMC captured the island of Iwo Jima during #WWII during a hard fought battle. https://t.co/UEcwjUvAbl

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

#OTD in 1945, #Marines began the bloodiest fight in @USMC — the battle for #IwoJima. https://t.co/o0Q6L3WJO1 https://t.co/y1gGwL7Vul

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

.@USCG celebrates 100 yrs of #Aviation. Lt. Montour says, "it's a feeling unlike any other" https://t.co/YElL5QlBEX https://t.co/nPqw6ii0oH

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

RT @PentagonPresSec: Updated time: I will brief the #Pentagon press corps at noon today. Watch live on https://t.co/qEKkHCk640

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

RT @usairforce: Happy 75th anniversary to the @USCGReserve. #USCGR75 #AirForce https://t.co/dizSFW6G6z

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

RT @PentagonPresSec: Statement on Libya Airstrike on #ISIL. Strike demonstrates we will go after ISIL using full range of tools available h…

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

RT @DoDNews: .@WWE's #NXT #Superstar? @USAirForce Airman Realizes Wrestling Ring Dreams - https://t.co/3az7LTR9Xc https://t.co/Sx3d1vgtEv

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-19 Feb

Check out #OperationDeepFreeze - the military’s support of @NSF's U.S. #Antarctic Program: https://t.co/vVOqsWafFf https://t.co/Qr7aBav59a

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-18 Feb

Not sure about what you can post online during the election? Check these do's and don'ts: https://t.co/ig9MjtxAKy https://t.co/iLlatOmgMQ

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-18 Feb

RT @usairforce: 2nd Lt. Abbie Sweetwine. https://t.co/2TfDnQ6XDE @USAFHEALTH #BlackHistoryMonth https://t.co/nTiJgjXi5l

U.S. Dept of Defense
@deptofdefense-18 Feb

.@USNavy observes #BlackHistoryMonth by highlighting #Navy leadership profiles: https://t.co/cmwNAO0PFE https://t.co/j7yuZ4lY8T

1,166,952

1,742,866

Special Reports

Features

Face of Defense

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman presents Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alejandro Salabarria a Silver Star medal during a ceremony at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Feb. 5, 2016. Marine Corps photo

Navy Corpsman Receives Silver Star Medal A Navy corpsman with the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Raider Regiment received the Silver Star medal at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Story

In The Spotlight

Coast Guard Reserve Celebrates 75 Years Coast Guard reservists have served in every major conflict or crisis the nation has faced since the inception of the component. Story

Science and Technology

Army Scientists Begin First MERS Vaccine Clinical Trial Army scientists started vaccinations in the first clinical trial to test the safety and immune response in people for a vaccine candidate to prevent Middle East respiratory syndrome. Story | Special

National Black History Month

Tuskegee Airmen former Cadets Walter Robinson Sr., William Fauntroy Jr. and retired Col. Charles McGee join Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James at the Pentagon, Feb. 16, 2016. The Tuskegee Airmen shared their stories and experiences with the secretary. U.S. Air Force photo by Scott M. Ash

Tuskegee Airmen Share Life Lessons Members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen visited the Pentagon to share their experiences with fellow airmen and meet Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James. Story | Special

DoD Cyber Strategy

Midshipmen and cadets from the Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard service academies participate in CyberStakes 2016, an annual cutting-edge Defense Department cyber skills competition held in Pittsburgh, Feb. 5-7, 2016. Photo courtesy of ForAllSecure

CyberStakes Proves Worth as Learning Tool The annual CyberStakes competition represents a new level of challenging, hands-on engagement that bodes well for the nation's cyber training pipeline, a senior Defense Department official said. Story | Special

Focus on the Forces

U.S., Thai and South Korean Marines conduct helocasting during an amphibious capabilities demonstration as part of Exercise Cobra Gold 16 at Hat Yao beach, Rayong, Thailand, Feb. 11, 2016. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Ismael Pena

U.S., Thai, South Korean Marines Conduct Osprey First During Cobra Gold For the first time in a joint environment, U.S. Marines helocasted from an Osprey aircraft with Thai and South Korean counterparts during exercise Cobra Gold 16 in Thailand. Story | Special

Top Stories

Photo Essays

More Stories

Military Services

Unified Combatant Commands

Blogs

Top Videos

Special Reports

Features