Fortunately, while one of our commander-in-chief wannabes — who never served a day in the military — was spouting off sheer nonsense about NATO, about nuclear weapons, about deserting our military allies and on how to supposedly defeat ISIS, our men and women in uniform continued to do their jobs quietly and effectively…
Whether in Afghanistan in their mine-resistant, ambush-protected, all-terrain vehicles as in this Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys
Or in South Korea observing activity on a target during a live-fire exercise (Army photo by Spc. Loren Keely)
Or, also in South Korea, as this sniper provides over watch on an objective during a live-fire exercise. (Army photo by Spc. Loren Keely)
Or as this female Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot getting ready to launch from Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand (Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amber E. Jacobs)
At Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, these Marines conduct firefighting training. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo)
By staying alert at Al Taqaddum, Iraq, as this Marine scans the area during a perimeter patrol, as part of the effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. (Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rick Hurtado)
By advancing toward their next objective as these soldiers are doing during a live-fire exercise at Pocek Range in Postonja, Slovenia. (Army photo by Paolo Bovo )
By cleaning and maintaining a close-in weapon system aboard the USS Porter in the Mediterranean Sea. (Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert S. Price)
But there are also some moments of “closeness” as shown by this Marine embracing his K-9 during joint training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. (Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson)
And moments of joy as this Florida National Guard soldier reunites with family members upon returning from a deployment to Afghanistan. (Florida National Guard photo.)
Have a great weekend!
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.