The U.S. military is the largest, most powerful force in the world. After two wars over the last ten years, it's clear that the U.S. has had plenty of time and practice to keep our forces battle-tested.
Combat troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan in 2014, effectively marking the end of the war. President Obama has pledged that all US troops will be out of the country by 2016. However, Marines, Army, and Navy continue to train and stay battle ready.
The following night photos, drawn from the U.S. Marines, Army, Air Force, and Navy show just how cutting-edge our military has become.
Inspired by similar images posted by Foreign Policy, we have prepared our own gallery including a few more exclusively from military photographers.
A Marine Special Operations Team member fires a M240B machine gun during night fire sustainment training in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
U.S. Marines with Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, fire M777A2 Lightweight Howitzers during exercise Steel Knight in California.
Marines participate in an external load lifting exercise with a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter.
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