Photos

Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary Gabriel and the daughter of Col. Kevin Kippie signal a B-1B Lancer to stop during Kippie's fini flight at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2023. The fini flight is an Air Force tradition marking pilots' departure from a unit, or the last time they fly an aircraft.

Service members and their families play games during the Marine Corps Community Services Camp Pendleton July 4th celebration at Del Mar Beach, Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 3, 2023. The event featured a Family Fun Zone, food vendors, live music and more.

Army Reserve soldiers attend a deployment ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Ill., June 24, 2023.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rashard Beachem plays with his son during a Juneteenth event at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., June 15, 2023.

A sailor assigned to the USS John P. Murtha greets loved ones at Naval Base San Diego, June 8, 2023, upon returning from a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Art Richardson is greeted by his wife and child during a homecoming event for the USS San Juan at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., June 6, 2023.

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Angie Luna and her family receive leis during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 24, 2023. Luna became sergeant major of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 after Sgt. Maj. Alejandro Garcia Jr. relinquished his duties.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Nate Ledden reunites with family members at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Neb., April 13, 2023, after a nine-month deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

The Naval Air Facility Atsugi’s Taiko kids group performs during the installation’s Spring Fest Friendship Festival, April 22, 2023. The event celebrates the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Japan.

A Florida National Guard soldier gives yellow roses to Lisa Haas as a traditional offering during a change of command ceremony for her husband, Maj. Gen. John D. Haas, who assumed command of the Florida National Guard as the incoming adjutant general at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Fla., April 22, 2023.

Ramstein Elementary School students search for a location to plant a tree during an Earth Week event at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 18, 2023. Military children planted over 45 trees in a wooded area near the schoolhouse.

Air Force Senior Airman Takeira Ayala speaks with Alconbury Elementary School students during Camp Kudos at Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, April 14, 2023. The camp gave military children the opportunity to experience and learn about various aspects of deployment preparation.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shannon Lee colors with her son David during a Month of the Military Child event at Hill Field Elementary School in Clearfield, Utah, April 14, 2023. The event included crafts and a children’s performance.

Humphreys Central Elementary School students celebrate Month of the Military Child at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, April 14, 2023. The school hosts a Purple Up Day event annually to show support for military children and families.

Air Force Master Sgt. David Schnabel is welcomed home from deployment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., April 4, 2023.

Navy Capt. David Adams cuts the ceremonial ribbon for the opening of a new child and teen care center at Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan, March 17, 2023. The new facility will host programs that provide after school activities for children.

A soldier reunites with family in Baumholder, Germany, March 7, 2023, after a yearlong deployment to NATO’s eastern flank after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Air Force Senior Airman Mikhaela Maglaque, 28th Medical Group dental technician, cleans a military child’s teeth during a Children’s Dental Day event at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., March 10, 2023. During the event, the medical group's dental clinic provided free services for military children.

A military child participates in Operation Hero, a mock deployment to give kids an idea of what their loved ones experience when they deploy, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 4, 2023.

Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Gayla Laackman hugs her family in Mason City, Iowa, Nov. 5, 2022, before deploying to Poland in support of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce.