An Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter prepares to pickup a bridge bay during slingload training on Fort Chaffee, Ark., July 31, 2015. Soldiers from Army Reserve and active-duty units trained during River Assault, an exercise involving Army engineers and support elements to create a modular bridge across the Arkansas River at Fort Chaffee, Ark. Master Sgt. Michel Sauret/Army
An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Aviano Air Base, Italy, Aug. 9, 2015, to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, to support Operation Inherent Resolve. This deployment coincides with Turkey’s decision to host U.S. aircraft to conduct operations to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. The Falcon was one of six F-16s assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing and about 300 personnel and cargo to deploy from the base. Deana Heitzman/Air Force
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, conducts an external lift of an M777A2 lightweight 155 mm howitzer Aug. 5, at Robertson Barracks, Palmerston, Northern Territory. The Marine pilots and aircrew, along with soldiers with 8th/ 12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 1st Brigade, Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, planned and conducted the external lift of the howitzer and familiarized both units with each other’s training procedures to enhance interoperability. The MRF-D six-month deployment demonstrates how the Marine Air-Ground Task Force is equipped and organized to carry out national objectives in cooperation with our international partners. Cpl. Reba James/Marine Corps
