DOD in Photos: 2021

Red beams of light illuminate the sky as a howitzer fires.

Rolling Thunder - Marines fire an M777 howitzer at Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 19, 2021, during Rolling Thunder 1-22, an artillery exercise led by the 10th Marine Regiment.

Muddy Maneuver - Marine Corps recruits maneuver in the mud during basic warrior training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., July 8, 2021.

A curved light illuminates the night sky.

Lucy in the Sky - An Atlas V rocket carrying NASA’s Lucy spacecraft launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., Oct. 16, 2021. The spacecraft will be the first to explore Jupiter’s Trojan asteroids.

Soldiers holding plastic shields run through fire.

Fire Runners - Iowa Army National Guardsmen run through a spray of gasoline and flames during fire phobia training at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, April 13, 2021.

A small rubber boat in blue water is dwarfed by a giant iceberg behind it.

Big Berg - A Coast Guard small boat navigates in the Labrador Sea, Aug. 13, 2021, during Operation Nanook, a Canadian-led effort to enhance collective abilities to respond to safety and security issues in the High North.

A Marine with a rifle strapped to her uniform holds an infant in a litter-strewn urban environment.

Corps Comfort - A Marine holds a baby while a family in-processes at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 28, 2021. U.S. service members were assisting the State Department with the non-combatant evacuation operation in Afghanistan.

Six Air Force airmen simultaneously receive COVID-19 vaccines.

Vaccination Configuration - Six airmen assigned to the 31st Medical Group receive their first COVID-19 vaccination at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Jan. 8, 2021.

A row of soldiers lie on the ground with weapons at twilight.

Security Watch - Soldiers stand security at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug.15, 2021. Soldiers and Marines were supporting the drawdown of personnel in Afghanistan.

A Marine descends by parachute in blue sky with the moon as backdrop.

Over the Moon - A Marine conducts a high-altitude, low-opening parachute jump during training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 13, 2021.

Soldiers seen through a hole in a cement wall work in a field.

Sneak Peek - Soldiers prepare for a controlled detonation at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Jan. 13, 2021.

A soldier and a civilian lift a patient on a flightline.

Help in Haiti - Army Capt. Alix Idrache, a pilot and future operations planner assigned to Joint Task Force Bravo, assists a patient during a medical evacuation mission in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 24, 2021. Task force members conducted relief efforts following the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck the nation Aug. 14.

A Navy ship creating a white wake in blue water and two small boats seen from overhead.

Sea Scene - Marines and Coast Guardsmen travel with U.S. Ambassador to Palau John Hennessey-Niland to observe the USS Jackson as it departs from Koror, Palau, Sept. 4, 2021.

Two women place a pin onto a Marine's uniform.

Proud Promotion - Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Anthony Henderson has his rank placed onto his uniform by his mother and wife during a promotion ceremony at Marine Corps Barracks Washington, D.C., July 1, 2021.

Spirit Show - An Air Force B-2 Spirit flies during an air show over Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, Mo., May 2, 2021.

A soldier's face half-emerges from a big cloud of pinkish-purple smoke.

Purple Haze - An Army Sniper School student participates in a ghillie wash at Fort Benning, Ga., Feb. 5, 2021. The event is designed to weather and test the strength of the camouflage suits they wear.

A service member walks with a wreath through a cemetery with wreaths adorning the gravesites.

Holiday Honors - A service member participates in National Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Dec. 18, 2021.

Airmen sit atop a space capsule in the water as others stand in the water nearby.

Capsule Crew - Air Force pararescue jumpers and combat rescue officers practice retrieving astronauts from a space capsule mockup at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Feb. 23, 2021.

An airman joins heads with a military working dog while lying on the ground.

Muzzle Nuzzle - Air Force Senior Airman Armando Mendiola and military working dog Ootter perform a demonstration at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 16, 2021.

Solders attached to a rope are lifted in the air by a helicopter.

Army Assortment - Soldiers conduct special patrol intersection extraction system training at Fort Campbell, Tenn., Nov. 14, 2021.

Two ships sail next to each other at night, with yellow and orange lights illuminating blue water.

Water Colors - The USS Arlington sails alongside the USNS Joshua Humphreys during a nighttime replenishment in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 2, 2021. A long shutter speed was used in this photo to create the blurring effect.

A soldier clenches her fist in victory while holding a rifle in her other hand.

Got the Gold - Army Reserve 1st Lt. Amber English reacts to winning gold in women’s skeet at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, July 26, 2021. English set a new Olympic record of 56 hits out of 60 in what was her first Olympic appearance.

Marines ride in a military vehicle at night.

Night Fire - Marines prepare to fire an M240B machine gun from a joint light tactical vehicle during a live-fire exercise at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Oct. 7, 2021.

A group of Army cadets are reflected as they march across a bridge.

Graduation Reflection - The graduating class of cadets march to the stadium for the graduation ceremony at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., May 22, 2021.

A Marine yells while holding a sword next to his face.

Drill Commands - Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler K. Martin commands recruits as they execute drill movements at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., April 7, 2021.

Aircraft fly in formation over an aircraft on a landing strip.

Super Delta - The Navy and Air Force flight demonstration squadrons, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, debut the Super Delta formation over a C-130J Super Hercules at Naval Air Facility El Centro, Calif., March 2, 2021.

A sailor embraces an older man sitting with an American flag on his lap.

Veteran Embrace - Retired Army Staff Sgt. Jake Larson, a World War II veteran, embraces Seaman Nicole Gonzalez in front of the USS Constitution in Boston, July 16, 2021.

Fish swim in front of a sailor in dive gear underwater.

With the Fishes - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Clutch participates in diving operations during training at Panama City Beach, Fla., July 29, 2021.

Breaking Formation - Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs and two French Rafales break formation over France, May 18, 2021, during the Atlantic Trident 21 multinational exercise.

A civilian pours tea into a cup while standing outside with two soldiers.

Spot of Tea - Soldiers visit with a village elder during a patrol supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria, March 11, 2021.

Seafaring Friends - The USS Shiloh, USS Lake Champlain, USS Carl Vinson and USS Milius sail alongside Japanese vessels during bilateral operations in the South China Sea, Oct. 30, 2021.

A Marine crawls under an obstacle with trees displaying fall colors in the background.

Fall Crawl - Marine Corps Cpl. Inori Hayashi completes an obstacle course during a bilateral exchange with French counterparts at Canjuers military camp in France, Nov. 2, 2021.

A sailor lifts his son in the air while standing next to his father at a graduation ceremony.

Loving Lift - Navy Seaman Dominick Mazuera lifts his son Mateo in the air after seeing him for the first time since graduating from Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., Sept. 24, 2021.

Army parachutists in black uniforms form a circle in a blue sky.

Flying Formation - Members of the Golden Knights, the Army's parachute team, perform an eight-way formation skydiving jump in Eloy, Ariz., Oct. 20, 2021, during a U.S. Parachute Association event.

A line of people in firefighting gear use tools to rake burned debris.

Dixie Firefight - A California National Guard crew fights the Dixie Fire in Northern California, Aug. 16, 2021.

A line of people board an aircraft at night.

Night Boarding - Airmen prepare to direct qualified evacuees aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2021.

A sailor in a hard hat signals by the side of a road to a dump truck driving on it during a rainstorm.

Ground Guide - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Victoria Witherspoon serves as a ground guide to a Navy dump operator as they assist with road clearing operations during Hurricane Ida disaster relief efforts in Grand Isle, La., Sept. 16, 2021.

A soldier hands a stuffed animal over a pile to a child.

Animal Attraction - Army Pfc. Kylee Herron hands a stuffed dog to an Afghan child during a toy giveaway at Fort Lee, Va., Sept. 15, 2021.

A Marine's boots and pant legs are visible underwater during a jump into a pool.

Feet First - A Marine jumps into a pool during a swim qualification at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 7, 2021.

A soldier wearing a face mask leans over to a car window to talk to an elderly man wearing a face mask.

Shared Gratitude - Army 1st Lt. Michelle Torres thanks World War II veteran William Sanchez for his service after giving him a COVID-19 vaccination at the California State University Los Angeles vaccination site, Feb. 17, 2021.

An F-35 jet soars above high-rise buildings.

Lightning Flight - Air Force Maj. Kristin "Beo" Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team pilot and commander, flies over the Toronto skyline during the 2021 Canadian International Air Show, Sept. 4, 2021.

A Navy officer stands over a coffin while holding a notebook.

Arlington Honors - Navy Lt. Chandler Irwin, a chaplain, presides over the funeral service for Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Thomas Griffith at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., May 21, 2021. Griffith was killed in the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor; the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that his remains were accounted for in 2020.

Marines carry an ordnance on the deck of a ship.

Ordnance Ops - Marines download inert ordnance from an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft aboard the USS America during flight operations in the Solomon Sea, July 13, 2021.

A helicopter prepares to land in the snow; trees seen in the background.

Search and Rescue - An Air National Guard HH-60G Pave Hawk participates in combat search and rescue training during Noble Defender in Alaska, Jan. 21, 2021. The exercise is a North American Air Defense Command Arctic air defense operation.

Soldiers wearing face masks and gloves fill boxes with fresh produce at a local food bank.

Fresh Produce - Soldiers assigned to the Arizona National Guard load boxes with fresh produce at a local food bank in Phoenix, May 21, 2021, while supporting the state's COVID-19 response efforts.

Marines are strapped to a rope attached to an aircraft not shown while hovering above water.

Insertion and Extraction - Marines conduct insertion and extraction training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, March 19, 2021.

An airman uses a device on a pole to clean the suit of another airman, both wearing neon yellowish hazmat suits.

Decontamination Duo - Air Force firefighters practice decontamination steps during a hazardous material exercise at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Dec. 20, 2021.

A ship transits the sea illuminated by red light.

Bosporus Beauty - The guided missile destroyer USS Porter transits the Bosporus, Jan. 28, 2021.

An airman watches at a checkpoint as military vehicles displaying U.S. flags drive by.

Holiday Downrange - Air Force Senior Airman Edward Ferguson clears a security forces patrol through an entry control point at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2021. The vehicles displayed American flags during routine patrols to mark Independence Day.

An aircraft refuels midair illuminated by red light.

Carolina Lights - Air Force Staff Sgt. Tyler Fee refuels a C-17 Globemaster over Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Feb. 3, 2021.

Military aircraft fly above an aircraft carrier and a smaller boat as they move across the ocean.

In Formation - U.S. aircraft fly in formation above the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth while an air-cushioned landing craft transits alongside during a photo exercise in the Atlantic Ocean, May 17, 2021.

A Marine shuts her eyes as a dog she's washing in a metal tub shakes water off its body.

Shake It Off - Marine Corps Sgt. Suzette Scott, a chief trainer with the military working dog section of the Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Provost Marshal’s Office, grooms Shiva at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 3, 2020.

Two sailors perform with parachutes in the air.

Parallel Performance - Members of the Navy Parachute Team, the Leap Frogs, perform during San Francisco Fleet Week, Oct. 9, 2021.

A line of soldiers ski up the slope of a mountain.

Steep Ascent - U.S. and Chilean soldiers cross-country ski at the Chilean Army Mountain School in Portillo, Chile, Aug. 27, 2021. Soldiers learned the basics of cold weather mountain warfare as part of Exercise Southern Vanguard.

Soldiers stand near military vehicles as a large fire erupts in a sandy area.

In With a Bang - Soldiers participate in a mass reenlistment on an explosive ordnance disposal range at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Sept. 8, 2021.

Coast Guardsmen and sailors ride in an inflatable boat in rough waters.

Rough Waters - Coast Guardsmen and sailors participate in a noncompliant vessel pursuit tactics exercise in the Atlantic Ocean, April 1, 2021.

People walk in front of Tomb of the Unknown soldiers with flowers in hand.

Flower Procession - Visitors participate in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration Flower Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Nov. 9, 2021.

An airman sits in the cockpit of an airborne aircraft.

Thunderbirds Reflection - Air Force Maj. Michael "Thorny" Brewer, a pilot with the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's flight demonstration team, flies over the Cleveland Browns stadium during a show in Cleveland, Sept. 6, 2021.

Two airmen sit on the shoulders of two other airmen while clapping hands.

Drill Down - Air Force Airman 1st Class Tyrone Taylor and Airman Destiny Millerd perform during a drill down at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., March 19, 2021.

Five Marine Corps helicopters, viewed from below, fly in a line in blue sky.

Sky Line - Marine Corps UH-1Y Venom helicopters fly over Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 24, 2021, carrying Marines returning from integrated predeployment training in Yuma, Ariz.

A soldier carries a weapon while running in the rain.

Rain Runners - Soldiers complete a 5K in preparation for a jungle operations training course at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, May 14, 2021.

Air Force cadets jump in the air in front of a large bonfire.

Rally Revelry - Air Force Academy cadets participate in a spirit rally bonfire before the football game against Army at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 11, 2021.

An airman fist bumps a child as other children sit beside.

Friendly Fist Bump - An airman interacts with children during an event to present school supplies and sports equipment to students at Moi Air Base, Kenya, May 12, 2021.

Pool Perspective - Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joseph Aubrey swims laps during search and rescue training at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 10, 2021.

A Marine lies on top of a military vehicle.

Robot Ride - Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Claude Henderson role-plays as a casualty on an expeditionary modular autonomous vehicle during a medical evacuation scenario at Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 24, 2021.

Rehearsal March - A member of the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps participates in a rehearsal for the 59th presidential inauguration in Washington, Jan. 18, 2021.

Sharp Shooters - Army Reserve soldiers use M4 weapons during mobilization training at Fort McCoy, Wis., Feb. 9, 2021.

Flying Partners - Army AH-64 Apaches fly in formation with Hungarian Mi-24 Hinds during the multinational exercise Saber Guardian in Varpalota, Hungary, June 9, 2021.

Marines and sailors paddle in an inflatable craft.

Color Craft - Marines and sailors navigate a combat rubber raiding craft after launching from the USS Ashland during an exercise in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 24, 2021.

A Marine and three sailors fold an American Flag.

Flag Folders - A Marine and sailors fold an American flag during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony aboard the USS Portland in the Indian Ocean, Sept. 11, 2021.

A sailor uses a medical device to look inside a girl's ear.

Peeking Inside - Navy Lt. Joanne Isme performs a medical checkup on a young girl in Kings Bay, Ga., Nov. 15, 2021.

National Guard soldiers and airman walk in a single-file line on pavement, with the Capitol dome in the background.

Capitol Crew - New Jersey National Guard soldiers and airmen arrive near the Capitol to set up security positions in Washington, Jan. 12, 2021. National Guardsmen traveled to Washington to provide support to federal and district authorities leading up to the 59th presidential inauguration.

Sailors stand on top of a submarine as it moves through waters next to a ship.

Saipan Approach - The USS Hampton approaches the island of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, Oct. 21, 2021.

Wrinkle Warriors - Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Barnard, left, and Tech. Sgt. Latasha Major prepare a U.S. flag at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Aug. 5, 2021.

Water pours over an Air Force cadet holding a weapon, with head tilted up.

Splashy Schooling - A cadet completes the assault course during Basic Cadet Training at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., July 13, 2021. The training is a six-week indoctrination program for new cadets.

Midshipmen throw their hats in the air as five military jets fly above them.

Cover Toss - The Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, fly over Bancroft Hall as midshipmen toss their covers concluding the fifth swearing-in event for the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2020 in Annapolis, Md., May 20, 2020.

A soldier jumps out of a small boat as fellow soldiers watch.

Cannonball! - A soldier jumps out of a boat during competitive tactical events at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, April 8, 2021. The events aimed to build cohesive teams.

A Marine plays an instrument on a platform.

Sunset Sounds - Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Christopher Walker assigned to "The Commandant’s Own," the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, performs during a sunset parade at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va., June 23, 2021.

A soldier pets a camel as other peopole watch.

Cool Camel - Army Maj. Steven Kornegay pets a camel after his promotion ceremony in Djibouti, June 9, 2021. Kornegay had a ceremony in traditional dress with Djiboutian soldiers.

A rocket takes off, its contrail reflected in a nearby body of water.

Rocket Reflection - A Falcon 9 rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., November 13, 2021. The rocket carried 53 satellites into orbit.

Expert Application - A soldier applies camouflage makeup during efforts to obtain the Expert Infantryman Badge or Expert Soldier Badge at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, April 27, 2021.

An airman stands behind two seated children looking at tablets.

Family Focus - Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brandon Robinson shares a quiet moment with his daughters during the 2021 Technical Sergeant Promotion Party at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 1, 2021.

Marines stand on a beach in water up to their knees while pulling a rope connected to a large vessel.

Heavy Haul - Marines pull a vehicle traction pad from an Army logistics support vessel during the Spartan Fury exercise at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, March 8, 2021.

Firefighters spray water on flames burning on the wing of an aircraft.

Conflagration Concentration - Firefighters battle a simulated aircraft fire at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., Nov. 3, 2021.

Chaos Challenge - Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Lara, left, and Senior Airman Matthew Arellano carry a canoe while competing in the Chaos Challenge 2021 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 15, 2021.

A group of service members wave to a crowd from a boat on the water.

River Parade - Navy officers, sailors and Coast Guardsmen wave to the crowd during the Texas Cavaliers Fiesta River Parade in San Antonio, June 21, 2021.

DOD in Photos: 2021

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