Photos

Air Force Capt. Daniel Smith, a pilot assigned to the 91st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, hugs his wife upon returning to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., May 19, 2025, following a deployment.

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ismael G. Bamba, command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Korea, demonstrates how to put on protective equipment during a Jane and John Wayne Day event at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea, May 9, 2025. The event, a decade-long tradition across the service, brought together military spouses for hands-on training in equipment operations and weapons handling, fostering camaraderie and underscoring the strength of the U.S.-South Korea relationship.

Children run down a breezeway during a Snowball Express event at Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport, Dec. 7, 2024. The Snowball Express hosts a five-day experience at Walt Disney World for more than 1,750 children and spouses of fallen service members.

Marine Corps Sgt. Alejandro Solis distributes certificates of Martial Arts Excellence to Spouses Warrior Day participants who practiced Marine Corps martial arts during the event at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Nov. 13, 2024.

Air Force Lt. Col. John Tudela is promoted to the rank of Colonel with the help of his family during a ceremony at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2024.

Army Sgt. Narcisse Bizimana presents a bouquet of yellow roses to Sophie Gainey during a change of command ceremony for her husband, Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, who assumed command of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa in Vicenza, Italy, July 18, 2024.

Christy Schrock receives a bouquet during her husband’s change of command ceremony at Fort Sill, Okla., July 2, 2024. The flowers recognized her dedication to the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, which had been led by Army Col. Ryan Schrock.

Army Pvt. Neirio Mariah gives flowers to Joann Rex, the spouse of Army Capt. Jeromy Rex, during the Victory Reception Company’s change of command ceremony at Fort Riley, Kan., May 10, 2024. The presentation of yellow flowers symbolizes new beginnings, welcoming the family to the unity.

Marine Corps spouse Yulissa Medel wades through a portion of the endurance course during Samurai Spouse Day at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Okinawa, Japan, April 18, 2024. The event allows spouses to participate in activities military members experience.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brennon Potter greets his family at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., March 21, 2024, following a deployment to the U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleet areas of operation to strengthen ties with NATO allies and partners.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Dieudonne Mofor presents flowers to the incoming 4th Air Force commander’s family during an assumption of command at the Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Pa., March 2, 2024. Military personnel present families with flowers during ceremonies as a symbolic gesture of appreciation and love.

A military spouse greets a friend during the Fasching Parade in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany, Feb. 13, 2024. Fasching is a traditional German celebration of the whimsical side of life.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Amanda Garcia, left, performs aerial refueling while a military spouse looks on during a spouse incentive flight near Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Dec. 19, 2023. Spouse incentive flights offer the unique view of aerial refueling from a different aircraft as well as a first person view from the boom pod. Spouses play a key role in Air Force missions and operations by supporting service members at home and abroad.

Air Force Senior Airman Milo Carter looks at Mount Fuji during Operation Volant Spouse 2023 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2023. The annual event provides military spouses with a firsthand experience with the Yokota airlift mission and boosts morale.

Military spouses participate in the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School's Spouse Qualification-Course at Camp Mackall, N.C., Sept. 19, 2023.

An airman is welcomed home at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., Oct. 3, 2023, after a deployment to Qatar.

Navy Capt. Peter J. Riebe presents a certificate of appreciation to Lt. Jesse Gutenberg’s family during Gutenberg’s retirement ceremony at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, Aug. 3, 2023.

Jessica Altman, an Air Force spouse, reads a book to her children during the Eustis Youth Book Bash at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Sept. 16, 2023. The book bash for military families included storytelling and arts and crafts.

Air Force Col. Sondra Nensala's mother, daughter and husband pin on her new rank during a promotion ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Aug. 31, 2023. Nensala is the 66th Air Base Group staff judge advocate.

Navy Seaman Connor Fort-Liss hugs his wife, Lilly, during a homecoming event for the USS Delaware at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Aug. 14, 2023. The crew returned after a six-month deployment.