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Sean Spoonts

Sean Spoonts
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot flies within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 4, 2023. The F-16’s mission is to deliver airpower, fortify U.S. commitment to partner nations, and provide regional stability within the AOR. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kirby Turbak)

Pic of the Day: Thirsty Falcons

World Jan 15
Caption: The Challenger 2 (Main Battle Tank) of the 3rd Troop ‘D’ Squadron of the Royal Dragoon Guards (RDG) is being tested to the limit as it ploughs through the sands of the Omani desert in the training area north of Thumrait. The Guards are part of the Army’s 4th Armoured Brigade. The Regiment is part of Exercise Saif Sareea 2, a bi-lateral military Exercise in Oman. More than 20,000 troops have been deployed from the UK and Germany to train alongside Omani forces in a variety of roles. For More Info contact: Picture Editor G3 media Operations HQ Land Command Wilton Salisbury SP2 0AG

UK Will Send 14 Challenger II Tanks to Ukraine

World Jan 15
In this image, Orion captures a unique view of Earth and the Moon, seen from a camera mounted on one of the spacecraft's solar arrays. Photo; NASA

The SOFREP Crossword: The Space Program

Entertainment Jan 01
A Ukrainian Self propelled gun, sits i the forest somewhere near the town of Kreminna as Ukraine continues limited offensive strikes against Russia in the bitter cold.

Ukraine Winter Offensive Operations Towards Kreminna, Russia Evacuates Staff

World Dec 26
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (July 07, 2008) The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force ship JS Kirishima (DDG-174) leaves Pearl Harbor to begin naval exercises in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008. RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational exercise scheduled biennially by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Participants include the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United Kingdom. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thomas L. Rosprim (Released)

Japan Doubles Defense Spending-Will Build an Aircraft Carrier

World Dec 26
(Dec. 25, 2022) Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Steven Hopkins, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), run on the flight deck during a holiday 5K, Dec. 25, 2022. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Curtis Burdick)

Pic of the Day; Deployed for Christmas

The Pic of the Day Dec 26
SOFREP Crossword Puzzle: The Medal of Honor

SOFREP Crossword Puzzle: The Medal of Honor

Entertainment Dec 25
(Dec. 11, 2022) Amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27) prepares to recover the NASA Artemis I Orion spacecraft I the Pacific Ocean, as seen from a rigid-hull inflatable boat, Dec. 11, 2022. Portland, along with Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8), is underway in U.S. 3rd Fleet in support of the recovery. The retrieval operation is part of a Department of Defense effort that integrates combatant command service capabilities to determine best practices for safely retrieving spacecraft capable of carrying humans into space. The U.S. Navy has many unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner for supporting NASA, including its amphibious and expeditionary capabilities with the ability to embark helicopters, launch and recover small boats, three-dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Brittany Ott)

Pic of the Day: Navy Recovers NASA’s Orion Space Capsule

World Dec 18
U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 3rd Maintenance Squadron de-ice a C-17 Globemaster III after the 15th Airlift Squadron completed an Air Force Force Generation certification event at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 7, 2022. The 15th Airlift Squadron completed a training event that tested their ability to communicate, navigate and maneuver in a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Parker)

Pic of the Day: Training for a Winter War

The Pic of the Day Dec 17
Armored fighting vehicles of the Kazakhstan army aboard rail cars recently. There are unconfirmed reports they are moving to the border with Russia

SITREP Ukraine: Arms Dealing, HIMARS Limits and the Nazis of Kazakhstan

Expert Analysis Dec 10
PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 03, 2022) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Geovanni Felix, right, from San Diego, and Yeoman 2nd Class Kenneth Quinones, from Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, review shot groupings after a live-fire exercise aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln is currently underway conducting routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joel A Mundo)

Pic of the Day: Live Fire Exercises Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln

The Pic of the Day Dec 10
President Joe Biden greets Cherelle Griner following the release of Brittney Griner, Thursday, December 8, 2022, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

The U.S Exchanged The Most Dangerous Arms Dealer on Earth for Low Level Drug Offender

Expert Analysis Dec 09
Marines from Naval Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) load JAGM air-to-surface missiles on a AH-1Z Viper helicopter for an exercise in Yuma AZ. Photo; DVIDS

Lockheed Will Ramp Up Productions of Missile and Launchers for Ukraine

Expert Analysis Dec 04
PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 1, 2022) – A landing craft, air cushion (LCAC) assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 prepares to enter the well deck of dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during exercise Steel Knight 23 (SK23), Dec. 1, 2022. SK23 provides U.S. 3rd Fleet and I Marine Expeditionary Force with an opportunity to practice amphibious operations and demonstrate that amphibious forces can access critical areas that shape actions across the range of military operations to resolve conflict, conduct humanitarian assistance or combat the adversary. Steel Knight is an annual combined-arms live-fire exercise led by the 1st Marine Division which ensures forces are optimized for naval expeditionary warfare in contested spaces and is purpose-build to facilitate future operations afloat and ashore. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Zachariah Issa)

Pic Of The Day: USS Harpers Ferry Goes to Steel Knight-23

Featured Dec 04
Collections of the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota.10th November 2018. Photo: Aaron Headly

The Greatest Army Air Corps Fighter Plane of WWII? The Answer May Surprise You

World Dec 04
San Diego Webcam screen cap of the near miss incident of the USS Momson and USS Harpers Ferry

A Close Call for two Navy Ships in San Diego Bay Which Nearly Collide

News Dec 03
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 6 (CLB-6), Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, conduct a helicopter lift with Finnish aircraft NH90 during Freezing Winds 22 in Gumbole, Finland Nov. 30, 2022. Task Force Red Cloud, headquartered by elements of CLB-6, is deployed to Finland in support of Exercises SYD 2022 and Freezing Winds 2022 to enhance U.S. and Finnish select interdependence in the maritime domain; solidify bilateral maritime maneuver within the Finnish littoral environment; and foster strong relationships between U.S. Marine Corps and Finnish Defense Force sustainment units. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl Jackson Kirkiewicz)

US Marines Conduct Cold Weather Training in Finland

The Pic of the Day Dec 03
Chris Naganuma interviewing members of Task Force 31, which conducts training of Ukrainian police, border guards, territorial defense and civilian volunteer recruits.

American Photojournalist: “I was not a part of any war crimes”

Editorial Nov 30
Sailors assigned to Repair Locker 5 investigate the scene of a simulated fire during a general quarters drill on the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) while the ship is underway as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, Nov. 23, 2022. The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is on its inaugural deployment conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and demonstrate the U.S. Navy’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey)

General Quarters! or Battle Stations! What’s the difference?

World Nov 27
The aircraft carriers, (bottom-to-top) Principe de Asturias, amphibious assault carrier USS Wasp, supercarrier USS Forrestal and light V/STOL carrier HMS Invincible, sailing together displaying the size differences of aircraft carriers in the late 20th century

SOFREP Crossword: Aircraft Carriers

Entertainment Nov 27