Many Marine recruiters promise young civilians the opportunity to see the world and travel to many foreign lands. For some, it is a deciding factor; for others, a pleasant bonus. For most, the first time traveling abroad is a memorable experience.

Several junior officers and enlisted Marines experienced their first visit to “any clime and place” when Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 self-deployed to Belize in Central America with ground support from Marine Wing Support Squadron 271.

More than 400 Army National Guard Soldiers from the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade , and other New York Army National Guard aviation elements, are training here to prepare Soldiers for a potential deployment overseas in 2012.

The United States and its borders are safer today thanks to the hard work of the Utility Helicopters Project Office.

For the last decade Marines have fought against terrorists in Iraq and Afghanistan with battles primarily fought on the ground. So why do squads continue to carry the PL-87 Stinger missile and other anti-aircraft weapons with them during convoys?

Marines are known for being prepared for the worst, and that includes the possibility of battling enemy aircraft.

When paratroopers descend from the air, they look down at the giant open drop zone below trying to avoid any objects that might be in their way. However, some areas of the world are covered in rocks, trees and mountains absent of any open fields for miles.

It's when the Army jumps into those not so ideal locations that the paratroopers of the 57th Sapper Company, 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne) are more than ready to answer the call.

"We are the multi-tool of the Army," said Sgt. Gregory Hill, a paratrooper with the 57th Sapper Co., 27th Eng. Bn.

Four F-35B test pilots started the first steps in qualifying to land the F-35B on a deck at sea Sept. 14.

After completing flight envelope expansion for the aircraft in preparation for initial ship trials, the pilots began expeditionary airfield (EAF) landing practice, eventually building up to field carrier landing practice (FCLP).

EAF and FCLP testing is part of the pilot certification process for landing aircraft on an amphibious deck, to ensure pilots are adequately prepared for the inherent danger in operating aircraft in a maritime environment.

The United States is reported to be expanding a secret drone program in east Africa and the Arabian peninsula in order to gather intelligence and strike al-Qaida-linked militants in Somalia and Yemen.

Citing U.S. defense officials, The Washington Post reported that the U.S. is building a new military installation to host the unmanned aircraft in Ethiopia, where drones can more easily attack members of the militant group al-Shabab that is fighting for control of neighboring Somalia.

Storming through the desert on helicopters and tracked vehicles, the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, practiced counterinsurgency operations during Exercise Clear, Hold, Build 2 at Range 210 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., from Aug. 14 to 19.

Suddenly, gunshots ring out from behind a dirt mound and the sound of casualties screaming out in pain fills the air. As quickly as Soldiers started going down in the hot afternoon sun, squad leaders assess their ranks to figure out who survived and who needs immediate medical treatment.