Striking images of the US military training at night reveal the surreal colors of war

Ben Brimelow

Apr 17, 2018, 20:14 IST

Striking images of the US military training at night reveal the surreal colors of war

US Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Elizabeth Merriam

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Zach Byrd directs a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter assigned to the Purple Foxes of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 364 (Reinforced) during nighttime flight operations aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20).

Fighting in the dark has always been a difficult task in warfare, but with the invention of night vision, soldiers, sailors, and airmen can conduct their operations almost as well as they can during the day.

Photos captured while the US military performs nighttime training provide viewers with a unique look into the world of war. Military equipment, as well as the troops themselves, takes on a unique coloring when seen outside of the light of day.

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Here are 26 striking photos of the US military operating at night:

The US Navy guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey fires a Tomahawk land attack missile.

A C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron conducts a night flight mission over Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Aircraft land aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise during nighttime flight operations in the Arabian Sea.

Capt. Thomas Bernard, a 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules pilot, performs a visual confirmation with night vision goggles during a training mission over the Kanto Plain, Japan.

Canadian special operations regiment members call in close-air support from their US Air Force allies at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

A US Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft with the 107th Airlift Wing fires off flares during a night formation training mission.

US Marines with Task Force Southwest (TFSW) observe their surroundings while at a security post for an advising mission with 1st Brigade, Afghan National Army (ANA) 215th Corps as they conduct Operation Maiwand 12 at Camp Shorserack, Afghanistan.

USS Ross fires a Tomahawk missile towards Shayrat Airbase.

Afghan and American Special Operations soldiers destroy a Taliban weapons cache during a night operation in Ney Meydan, Sar-e Pul province, Afghanistan.

US Paratrooper Spc. Michael Tagalog, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, fire a Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle from an observation post in Pekha Valley, Achin District, Nangahar Province, Afghanistan.

The F-35 Integrated Test Force is completing a series of night flights, testing the ability to fly the jet safely in instrument meteorological conditions where the pilot has no external visibility references.

US Marines with Task Force Southwest (TFSW) fire a 120mm mortar as a show of force at Camp Shorab, Afghanistan.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Swordsmen of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Sailors recover combat rubber raiding craft with Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) during night operations in the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Kevin Williams directs an F/A-18C Hornet from the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis.

Capt. Jonathan Bonilla and 1st Lt. Vicente Vasquez, 459th Airlift Squadron UH-1N Huey pilots, fly over Tokyo after completing night training.

A 25 mm machine gun fires during a live fire exercise aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall.

An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron 311, part of the Air Combat Element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands on the USS Essex (LHD 2), March 6. The pilots of VMA 311 were conducting night carrier landing qualifications in preparation for the 31st MEU's Certification Exercise.

A Marine Special Operations Team member fires a M240B machine gun during night fire sustainment training in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 prepares to launch from catapult two during night flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.

A Marine from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides cover fire during a platoon assault exercise at Arta Range, Djibouti.

Senior Airman Stephen Clark and Airman 1st Class Matthew Pfeffer, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130J loadmasters, sit on the open ramp of a C-130J Super Hercules flying near Yokota Air Base, Japan.

Capt. David Hirt, left, and Maj. Stephen Piantarnida observe the terrain using night-vision goggles during an air support exercise as part of a weapons and tactics course for instructors at Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Arizona.

LAV-25 Light Armored Vehicles from Charlie Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance detachment, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fire on fixed targets as part of a combined arms engagement range during sustainment training in D'Arta Plage, Djibouti, Nov. 9. The 11th MEU is deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Soldiers secure an area in view of the aurora borealis during night live-fire training as part of Exercise Spartan Cerberus at Fort Greely, Alaska.

A Marine Special Operations Team member fires an AK-47 during night fire sustainment training in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

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