Photos

Army Sgt. Joshua Kleinhans descends the rope net during the Region IV Best Warrior Competition at Camp Riley, Minn., May 14, 2022. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio National Guards.

Flowers are presented to Kimberly Lanham during the retirement ceremony for her husband, Army Command Sgt. Maj. David Lanham, at Saint Francis Barracks, St. Augustine, Fla., May 14, 2022. Lanham is the outgoing senior enlisted advisor for the Florida National Guard.

Army Spc. Isaac González, a member of the Joint Task Force - Puerto Rico, administers a COVID-19 test to a citizen in Cayey, Puerto Rico, May 12, 2022. As part of Operation Continue Safe, the Puerto Rico National Guard continues its commitment to ensure the health and safety of the island’s citizens.

Marine Corps Cpl. Raymond Vázquez, a member of the municipal health office and the Puerto Rico State Guard, registers a person's data in the municipal tracing office in Yabucoa, Puerto Rico, May 10, 2022. The Puerto Rico National Guard conducts rapid COVID-19 tests for Operation Continue Safe, a mission to monitor and ensure the health of Puerto Rican citizens.

A South Dakota Army National Guard medic tests the blood pressure of a woman in Suriname, April 22, 2022. About 30 soldiers from the South Dakota National Guard traveled to the South American country to provide engineering support for a school renovation and medical and dental services as part of the Suriname and South Dakota State Partnership Program agreement.

A Bell UH-1N Twin Huey lifts off from an observation point during Exercise Garnet Rattler at Gowen Field Air National Guard Base, Idaho, May 4, 2022.

Crew chiefs and maintainers assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing meet before launching a fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the wing at the Vermont Air National Guard Base in South Burlington, Vt., May 2, 2022. The aircraft departed to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, to continue NATO’s Enhanced Air Policing mission along the Eastern Flank.

Army Staff Sgt. Edward Silvestrini, assigned to the Puerto Rico State Guard, receives a COVID-19 test before starting his shift at a municipal tracing office in Patillas, Puerto Rico, March 31, 2022. The Puerto Rico National Guard conducted rapid COVID-19 tests as part of Operation Stay Safe to monitor the health of Puerto Rico’s residents.

New Jersey Army National Guardsman Sgt. Eric Boyer takes samples at a simulated crime scene during a training exercise in Augusta, N.J., May 5, 2022.

Army Spc. José Santiago administers a COVID-19 test in Humacao, Puerto Rico, April 29, 2022. The Puerto Rico National Guard continues to assist the Department of Health by administering COVID-19 tests throughout the island.

Members assigned to the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing arrive at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, April 29, 2022. As part of NATO’s plan to bolster its collective defense posture, the 158th Fighter Wing will take over the mission for Hill Air Force Base’s 388th Fighter Wing.

U.S. and French troops conduct a joint artillery live-fire operation in Djibouti, April 11, 2022.

Army Spc. Garrett Wright sprints across a simulated battlefield during the Ohio Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center in Ravenna, Ohio, April 1, 2022.

Air Force Master Sgt. Jamie Bethune, the 185th Air Refueling Wing crew chief, receives a nasal swab for a COVID-19 test being administrated by 1st Lt. Amber Franco, assigned to the 185th ARW Medical Group, at the Iowa Air National Guard Unit in Sioux City, Iowa, April 18, 2022. Unit members assigned to the 185th ARW are required to receive a rapid COVID-19 test prior to departing for a U.S. Central Command deployment this week.

U.S. and French troops participate in the opening of a new military operations on urbanized terrain site during a joint training exercise at the French Base, Djibouti, March 22, 2022.

D.C. National Guard airmen and soldiers prepare to unfurl a giant U.S. flag as a part of the opening day ceremonies at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., April 7, 2022. .

Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Wyatt Walls competes in the Best Warrior Competition at Camp Rilea near Warrenton, Ore., March 19, 2022.

West Virginia National Guardsmen and Qatari armed forces conduct a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear training exercise in Charleston, W.Va., March 27, 2022. The exercise involved a simulated chemical attack at a large outdoor stadium to prepare the Qatari armed forces to support the FIFA 2022 World Cup soccer tournament.

An Idaho Army National Guardsman embraces a family member Feb. 23, 2022, before deploying to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Virginal National Guardsmen participate in Wakri at Grand Bara, Djibouti, March 15, 2022. The French-led exercise demonstrates how the U.S. and France train together to defend against threats, strengthen collective security forces and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.