- Details
- Hits: 3452
Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois. (March 20, 2025): It is a symbolic gesture that conveys a nation’s gratitude for true and faithful service. In this photo by the Navy’s Kelsey Danner, Sailors fold the American flag during a retirement ceremony held here. The flag is folded thirteen times to represent the original colonies of the United States, but that is not the only tie to the Revolutionary War.
First, the flag is folded into a triangle to symbolize the tri-cornered hats worn by soldiers who fought for independence. In addition to representing the original colonies, each fold has its own symbolism. The first fold represents life, for example, while the second expresses a belief in a supreme being, and the third honors veterans who gave their lives. Each subsequent fold represents a tribute to fathers, women, god, and the United States.
- Details
- Hits: 3574
Colorado Springs, Colorado. (March 19, 2025): In this photo by Dylan Smith, the Air Force’s Christina Watrall scores a point against an opponent during a Fencing championship at the Air Force Academy. Like pirates of old, the military continues to incorporate the ancient art of Fencing into its training and competitions. With all the high-tech arms available today, what value is sword play in modern warfare?
Archeologists tell us the first evidence of sword fighting was discovered on a temple wall in Egypt, circa 1190 BC. These early drawings depicted warriors in combat as well as individuals apparently participating in a duel. In ancient Greece, swordsmanship became a staple of the Olympic Games and the Greeks established the first Fencing school teaching combat styles that are still used today.
- Details
- Hits: 3673
Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. (March 7, 2025): The grand tradition of the “sweet science” of boxing is alive and well in today’s military. In this photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem, Airman 1st Class Bradley Hoke, left, and Senior Airman Jason Santillana punch it out during the recent Rumble in the Deid IV. The event was hosted by the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron and involved forty participants who showed off their physical condition and combat skills.
Boxing in the military dates to ancient Greece where it became a popular sport in the first Olympic Games. Originally called “pugilism” from the Latin word “pugil” meaning fighter, the contest required two men to battle with their fists until one was knocked out or admitted defeat. The sport evolved into a method to train soldiers in hand-to-hand combat and to improve overall physical readiness.
- Details
- Hits: 3920
Catoosa, Georgia. (March 12, 2025): In this photo by Sergeant Allison Gilstrap, Staff Sergeant Gregory Smith uses a red light to illuminate navigation points during a night land navigation exercise. Of all the colors in the rainbow, why does the military insist on using red lights?
The reason is twofold; to be able to see, and to not be seen.
Red light is less disruptive to the eye's ability to see in the dark compared to other colors. The eyes have two types of receptors, called rods and cones, which allow us to see colors in low light conditions. In near darkness, the eyes use the rods on the outer edges of the retina that are most sensitive to light to distinguish black and white. Because red has a longer wavelength than brighter colors like blue or green, it allows a person to see without compromising their night vision.
- Details
- Hits: 3637
Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana. (March 15, 2025): They call it “the box”, and its occupants are charged with defending America against the unthinkable. In this photo by Senior Airman Mary Bowers, Airman 1st Class Vincent Rymar lowers himself into a trainer missile silo. These silos simulate an ICBM launch control center at one of the country’s three nuclear launch sites in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota.
America’s missileers begin their training at Vanderburg AFB, California, under the exacting instructors of the 532d Training Squadron. The squadron is responsible for all training in ICBM operations and missile maintenance and the unit graduates approximately one hundred students each year. Training continues at individual launch facilities guided by season instructors.
- Details
- Hits: 3626
San Diego, California. (March 4, 2025): A rare sight appeared above the skies of San Diego as Marines assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, fly in formation as a team. In this photo by Lance Corporal Jennifer Sanchez, seven aircraft conduct this historic flight as part of Project Legacy 2025. The exercise gave Marine pilots a chance to practice flying in tight formations together as a unit. The flight included three FA-18C/D Hornets, three F-35 Lightning IIs, and one KC-130J Super Hercules transport plane.
MAG-11, based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, is currently composed of two F-35C squadrons, one F-35B squadron, and two F/A-18C squadrons. The unit has a long and storied history in Marine Corps aviation. In the early stages of World War II, MAG-11 shipped off to the Pacific where two of its squadrons took part in the bloody Battle for Guadalcanal. The unit helped relieve the famous “Cactus Air Force” that was desperately fending off Japanese counterattacks. America’s victory in this battle is considered a major turning point in the war.