Year in Photos 2019

U.S. Soldiers of Bravo Company assigned to the 143rd Infantry (Airborne) returns fire with the Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) during The Joint Forcible Entry Exercise at Kelly Drop Zone, San Antonio, Texas on Mar. 23, 2019. The Joint Forcible Entry Exercise is an annual large scale Airborne drop and mobility mission that simulates a contested battlefield scenario as a way of training units for dangerous situations that occur while deployed. (US Army Reserve Photo by Spc. Jeffery Harris)

Enduring the Cold

Army Reserve Spc. Shakira Bridges, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist and native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, assigned to the 413th Chemical Company, 415th Chemical Brigade, 76th Operational Response Command, waits in a downpour of snow for her turn to fire a M9 9mm semi-automatic pistol during a joint command Best Warrior Competition at Camp Williams, Utah March 21. Nearly 20 Soldiers from around the country have come together to compete in four-days of intense challenges ranging from 12-mile ruck marches, to weapons marksmanship, drill and ceremony, written essays, day and night land navigation and a host of basic Soldiering skills as they vie to rise above their competitors and claim the title of their command’s Best Warrior. The event is the preliminary competition for the annual Best Warrior Competition held by the U.S. Army Reserve Command later this year. (Official U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent C. Powell)

Best Ranger Competition Training

U.S. Maj. Rob Killian with HHC 223rd Regimental Training Institute, California Army National Guard rappels at the Warrior Training Center (WTC) located on Fort Benning, Ga., Feb. 26, 2019. Members of the National Guard Best Ranger Competition team prepare themselves weeks ahead of the event to sharpen their skills and condition their bodies. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. DeAndre Pierce)

Ready to deploy whenever, wherever required

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers and senior leaders from the 200th Military Police Command and its Headquarters Company load bags onto a Light Medium Tactical Vehicle in the snow at the end of a field training exercise at Fort Meade, Maryland, Jan. 13, 2019. The 200th MP Command provides trained and ready MP Soldiers, leaders and units-of-action to the Total Force in order to enable protection and promote the rule of law to win the nation’s wars. The command provides the full range of military police support to the Army’s decisive action in unified land operations whenever and wherever required. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret)

The Faces of Cold Steel

U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Nathan Mayfield, motor transport operator, 369th Transportation Company, poses for a portrait during Operation Cold Steel III at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., Feb. 13, 2019. Operation Cold Steel III trains and qualifies Army Reserve Soldiers on M2 .50 caliber machine guns, M19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers and M240 7.62 mm machine guns weapons systems in ground and mounted military vehicles, in order to provide lethal and combat ready units ready to deploy anywhere in the world. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

Central Texas museum brings history to life

The Museum of the American GI hosts its "Living History Weekend" March 23, 2019 in College Station, Texas, with a World War II battle reenactment. Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Michael Thorn.

Paratroopers conduct airborne operation

U.S. Army Paratroopers from the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry (Airborne) prepare for an airborne operation in support of the Joint Forcible Entry exercise in Fort Worth, Texas, March 21, 2019. The Joint Forcible Exercise is an annual large-scale air drop and land mobility mission that simulates a contested battlefield scenario as way of training units for dangerous situations that can occur while deployed. (U.S. Army photo by SSG Alex Manne/Released)

Antiterrorism Award

Master Sgt. Dennis Hatch, the antiterrorism program manager for the 200th Military Police Command, poses for a portrait, Feb. 28, 2019, at the command’s headquarters at Fort Meade, Maryland. Hatch’s efforts led to the 200th MP Command winning the U.S. Army Antiterrorism Program “Best Large Unit” Award. That means that as a U.S. Army Reserve organization, the 200th beat out all brigades, divisions and commands across the entire Army to win first place. The awards program recognizes Soldiers and organizations working day-in and day-out to achieve antiterrorism excellence by protecting people, information, property and facilities. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret)

Army Reserve Soldiers put warrior skills to the test in joint command competition

Army Reserve Soldiers carry a simulated casualty to safety during a special mission assignment as part of a joint command Best Warrior competition at Camp Williams, Utah March 23. Nearly 20 Soldiers from around the country have come together to compete in four-days of intense challenges ranging from 12-mile ruck marches, to weapons marksmanship, drill and ceremony, written essays, day and night land navigation and a host of basic Soldiering skills as they vie to rise above their competitors and claim the title of their command’s Best Warrior. The event is the preliminary competition for the annual Best Warrior Competition held by the U.S. Army Reserve Command later this year. (Official U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent C. Powell)

143rd Infantry (Airborne) Joint Forcible Entry

A group of U.S. Army Paratroopers, assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) sits on the tarmac in their T-11 parachutes waiting to baord a C-17 aircraft to condcut an airborne jump at Naval Air Station - Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas; Mar. 21, 2019. The Joint Forcible Entry exercise is an annual large scale airborne drop and land mobility mission that simulates a contested battlefield scenario as a way of training units for dangerous situations that can occur while deployed. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Berner)

Army Reserve Soldiers increase battlefield lethality during Operation Gauntlet

Army Reserve Spc. Kadeesia Lindsey, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist and native of Newberry, South Carolina, assigned to the 371st Chemical Company, 457th Chemical Battalion, 415th Chemical Brigade, 76th Operational Response Command smiles before driving her Stryker vehicle and crew onto a gunnery range as part of Operation Gauntlet at Fort Riley, Kansas, April 5. More than 450 Army Reserve Soldiers from around the country are participating in the three-week gunnery exercise to hone crucial platform gunnery skills and increase battlefield lethality. (Official U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent C. Powell)

USACAPOC(A) Best Warrior Competition 2019

This year’s United States Army Civil Affairs & Psychological Operations Command Best Warrior Competition was held at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, April 27 thru April 30, 2019. Each day the competitors were physically and mentally tested, with little sleep, little food, all without knowing what was next. On the last night, the competitors, support personnel, and distinguished guests, attended an Awards Dinner, where the winners were announced. Both the NCO and Enlisted Best Warrior will continue on to the United States Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, to be held at Fort Bragg, N.C., June 23-29, 2019. (U.S. Army Photos taken by Mrs. Saska Ball, USACAPOC(A) PAO).

Exercise Immediate Response

U.S. Army Paratroopers with Legion Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and CH-47 crews from A Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, conduct sling load operations during Exercise Immediate Response at Vojarna Josip Jovic airbase, Udbina, Croatia, May 17, 2019. Exercise Immediate Response is a multinational exercise co-led by Croatian Armed Forces, Slovenian Armed Forces, and U.S. Army Europe. The logistics-focused exercise is designed to test and improve the ability to move forces and equipment rapidly from one location to another. The exercise will improve readiness and interoperability among participating allied and partner nations. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Joshua Wooten)

Vice President Mike Pence visits Fort McCoy, Wisconsin

Vice President Mike Pence speaks to Soldiers, civilians and their families at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin on May 16, 2019. Pence spoke about the importance of Fort McCoy as a Total Force Training Center. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Calvin Reimold)

Exercise Immediate Response

A group of U.S. Army Paratroopers, assigned to Legion Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, moves toward a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to conduct cold load training during Exercise Immediate Response at Vojarna Josip Jovic Airbase, Udbina, Croatia, May 16, 2019. Exercise Immediate Response is a multinational exercise co-led by Croatian Armed Forces, Slovenian Armed Forces, and U.S. Army Europe. The logistics-focused exercise is designed to test and improve the ability to move forces and equipment rapidly from one location to another. The exercise will improve readiness and interoperability among participating allied and partner nations. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Berner)

2019 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers representing the several commands compete in the Helocast Event at the 2019 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort Bragg, N.C. June 27, 2019. This year’s Best Warrior Competition will determine the top noncommissioned officer and junior enlisted Soldier who will represent the U.S. Army Reserve in the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition later this year at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Pfc. Keely Key) (Released)

Native son- Army Reserve Soldier returns to home in Guatemala as part of Beyond the Horizon 19

U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Brandon Paiz, a carpentry/masonry specialist with the 358th Engineer Company from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, embraces his father, Jorge, June 24 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Paiz, a native of Guatemala, returned to the country for the first time in more than a decade, and also met his father for the first time on the training/partnership mission. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master. Sgt. Ryan Matson, 652nd Regional Support Group)

CSTX 78-19-02

U.S. Army Spc. Brayan Murillo, 993rd Transportation Company, uses a monocular to keep an eye out for enemy activity at his fighting position during CSTX 78-19-02 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 21, 2019.CSTX 78-19-02 is a Combat Support Training Exercise that ensures Army Reserve units are trained and ready to deploy on short-notice and bring capable, combat-ready, and lethal firepower in support of the Army and our joint partners anywhere in the world. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Applebaum)

CSTX 78-19-02

U.S. Army HMMWVs (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) return to COL Victory during CSTX 78-19-02 in Fort Dix, NJ, June 12, 2019. CSTX 78-19-02 is a Combat Support Training Exercise that ensures Army Reserve unit are trained and ready to deploy on short-notice and bring capable, combay-ready, and lethal firepower in support of the Army and our joint partners anywhere in the world. (U.S. Army photo by SSG Benjamin Applebaum)

Leapfest 2019

U.S. Army Capt. Jett Nelson, with the 56th Troop Command, watches for the landing zone while performing Jump Master duties on a CH-47F Chinook Helicopter during Leapfest 2019 at West Kingston, RI., July 31, 2019. Leapfest is the largest, longest-standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard to promote high-level technical training and esprit de corps within the International Airborne community. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua E. Powell)

Paralegal training ensures disciplined forces are lethal forces

U.S. Army paralegal specialists arrive at their field-training site for the 2019 Paralegal Warrior Training Course at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 21, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. James Garvin)

CSTX 78-19-02

A U.S. Soldier from the 993rd Transporation Company maintains security with his M249 Light Machine Gun following an ambush on his fighting position during CSTX 78-19-02 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 21, 2019. CSTX 78-19-02 is a Combat Support Training Exercise that ensures Army Reserve units are trained and ready to deploy on short-notice and bring capable, combat-ready, and lethal firepower in support of the Army and our joint partners anywhere in the world. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Applebaum)

Touring Bushy Run

History was on display for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers. Three military history detachments out of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, provided a staff ride to public affairs mass communication specialists with the 354th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. Largely led by the 305th Military History Detachment, lessons of the past were showcased on the afternoon of the 256th anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run in Jeanette, Pennsylvania, Aug. 4, 2019. Reenactors, portraying both Native American warriors and British soldiers, demonstrated the strategic moments leading to the British victory during Pontiac’s Rebellion at Bushy Run. The Native Americans, attempting to ambush a British supply expedition to Fort Pitt, suffered many casualties that ultimately led to the continued presence of British in the area. Soldiers with the 354th MPAD performed their newly acquired mass communication specialist duties during the staff ride, broadening their broadcast, print and photographic skills to encompass all aspects of the U.S. Army military occupational specialty. Reenactors portraying British soldiers from the 42nd Regiment of Foot from the Scottish Highlands fire their muskets at Native American warriors during the 256th anniversary of the Battle of Bushy Run, in Jeanette, Pennsylvania, Aug. 4, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. James Garvin)

New vehicle tackles obstacle course

A Joint Light Tactical Vehicle maneuvers through large potholes on an obstacle course designed for the JLTV on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 22, 2019. Instructors provided JLTV drivers training to Soldiers who attended the Operator New Equipment Training course, which gave trainees over a 100 miles of experience and buildt their readiness and capability on the Army's new tactical vehicle. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Cameron Christensen)

Soldiers train to save lives at Fort McCoy

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 13th Psychological Operations Battalion prepare a litter for casualty transfer during a medical training exercise at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 18, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Alicia Pennisi)

Lanes day: A medic's mission to train lifesavers

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 13th Psychological Operations Battalion respond to a simulated casualty during their combat lifesaver validation course at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 18, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Cameron Christensen)

Combat lifesaver course brings new challenges for Soldiers

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers with the 13th Psychological Operations Battalion train on combat lifesaving skills at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, July 18, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas De La Pena)

165TH QUARTERMASTER

A group of U.S. Army Parachute Riggers, assigned to the Packs and Aerial Delivery Platoon, 165th Quartermaster Company, conducts parachute shake out to make sure all the MC-6 parachutes are untangled and ready to be repacked at the 165th Quartermaster Building, Dobbins Air Force Base, Marietta, GA., July 14, 2019. These Airborne Riggers are required to repack a certain number of parachutes and to stay proficient in their duties as Riggers. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Austin Berner)

Shared Accord 2019 Live Fire Exercise

U.S. Army Sgt. Austin Boyd and Spc. Ian Fonceca, infantrymen of Company C, 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), react to contact during the live fire exercise as part of the field training exercise of Exercise Shared Accord 2019, in Gabiro, Rwanda, Aug. 26, 2019. SA 19, which runs Aug. 14-28, is focused on bringing together U.S. and Rwandan forces, African partner militaries, allies and international organizations to increase readiness, interoperability, and partnership building between participating nations for peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

Second-largest command in Army Reserve gains new deputy commanding general

Anne Werner, right, fires a canon after her father, Brig. Gen. Stuart E. Werner's promotion ceremony, Aug. 17, 2019, at Los Alamitos, Calif. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Alexandra Hays).

Shared Accord 2019 Tactical Combat Casualty Care

Members of the Rwanda Defence Force and Rwanda National Police conduct Tactical Combat Casualty Care training during Exercise Shared Accord '19, in Gabiro, Rwanda, Aug. 20, 2019. SA 19, which runs Aug. 14-28, is focused on bringing together U.S. and Rwandan forces, African partner militaries, allies and international organizations to increase readiness, interoperability, and partnership building between participating nations for peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

Training to become best in the Army

Sgt. Edward Singh, runner-up noncommissioned officer for the 2019 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition, poses for a portrait at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Aug. 13, 2019. Singh belongs to the 475th Engineer Company, representing the 1st Mission Support Command. Winners and runner-ups from the Army Reserve competitions for Best Warrior and Drill Sergeant of the Year have been training on warrior tasks, physical fitness and military knowledge for more than three weeks in Wisconsin to prepare for the next level of their respective competition. The Drill Sergeant of the Year Competition will kick off Aug. 17, 2019, at Camp Bullis, Texas. The Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition will kick off Oct. 4, 2019, at Fort Lee, Virginia. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret)

Sgt. Joshua Smith emerges from a tunnel

Sgt. Joshua Smith, 2019 Army Reserve Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, emerges from a tunnel on an eight mile foot-march along the Sparta-Elroy trail near Norwalk, Wisconsin, August 15, 2019. The 2019 Army Reserve Best Warriors and Army Reserve Drill Sergeants of the Year trained for three weeks in Wisconsin to prepare for their upcoming competitions.

Field day for Field Artillery

A bead of sweat drips from the nose of Spc. Steven Roderique, a combat medic from the Headquarters and Headquarters Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery while he treats a life-like training dummy during a combat life saver exercise at Fort Campbell, Tennessee, August 14, 2019. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. David Graves)

Blackhawk at CSTX 86-19-04

A U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk flies over Fort McCoy, Wis., during Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) 86-19-04 Aug. 19, 2019. CSTX 86-19-04 is a Combat Support Training Exercise that ensures America’s Army Reserve units and Soldiers are trained and ready to deploy and bring capable, combat-ready and lethal firepower in support of the Army and our joint partners anywhere in the world. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. John Russell/86th Training Division)

Ready for Decon

An Army Reserve Soldier from the 413th Chemical Company, 457th Chemical Battalion, 415th Chemical Brigade, 76th Operational Response Command waits in a staging tent before conducting a mass casualty decontamination training event at the Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, New York, September 28. The event, which involved nearly 150 Army Reserve Soldiers, was part of a two-day consequence management training exercise focused on mass casualty decontamination, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance and medical operations along side multiple civilian agencies in and around New York City. The training involved various scenarios including rescuing patients from a Subway disaster and decontamination operations at a local hospital. (Official U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brent C. Powell)

Carrying the names

Lt. Col. Frederick Moss, a senior staff officer for the U.S. Army Reserve Headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, stares into the camera for a portrait at the North Carolina Veterans Park in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Sept. 27, 2019. Moss runs multiple military races each year — including the Army Ten Miler in Washington, D.C. — while carrying a binder holding the names of the fallen Vietnam War service members. Moss decided to print the binder and run with it in honor of his father, Terry Leon Williams, who is a Vietnam veteran who survived the war, but who lost comrades in combat. Moss recognized that his father’s generation of veterans were rarely welcomed with open arms after they returned from war. His desire to run with the binder is an effort to bring remembrance to their legacy. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret)

Top senior enlisted leaders across Army Reserve take on ACFT

The top command sergeants major from across the U.S. Army Reserve perform the leg tuck for a practice Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia, Oct. 25, 2019, during the Army Reserve Senior Enlisted Council. The council is a three-day event hosted by Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Copeland, the U.S. Army Reserve's senior enlisted leader. During the workshop the enlisted leaders tackled various topics that affect Soldiers' readiness, training and professional development. They conducted a practice ACFT as they lead the effort to implement the new test over the next 12 months before it becomes the official fitness test of record across the U.S. Army. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret)

645th Regional Support Group Best Warrior Competition

U.S. Army Reserve Spc. William Johnston, from the 182nd Transportation Company, climbs across an obstacle at the confidence course event of the 645th Regional Support Group's Best Warrior Competition at Fort Custer, Michigan, Nov. 6, 2019. Confidence courses put U.S. Army Soldiers physical strength and agility to the test. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Adam Parent)

Largest police force in DoD changes command

Sgt. Rayshawn Cooper, a counterintelligence agent with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 200th Military Police Command, holds the unit colors during a change of command ceremony Nov. 1 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. After three years of leading the largest police force in the DoD, Maj. Gen. Marion Garcia handed the reigns to Maj. Gen. John. F. Hussey. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Audrey Hayes)

Combat Operations

U.S. Army soldiers conduct combat operations in an undisclosed location, Dec. 15, 2019.

Navy beats Army in 120th matchup

Cadets from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point taunt their Navy rivals at the 120th edition of America’s Game between the Army’s Black Knights and Navy’s Midshipmen at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Dec. 14, 2019. The Navy’s football team, ranked 23rd in college football, broke a three-year losing streak to beat Army by a score of 31-7. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Michel Sauret)