Soldiers’ Resilience: Photos from the Cold Front
Cold weather operations present significant challenges for soldiers, including maintaining supply lines, ensuring proper insulation for equipment, and managing transportation in snow and ice. Soldiers must contend with risks like frostbite, hypothermia, and reduced dexterity, which can impact their performance and safety.
However, through numerous deployments, continuous adaptation, and rigorous specialized training, soldiers can develop the resilience and skill sets necessary to overcome the harsh realities of cold weather operations.
Their efforts have been captured in these photos, showing how strong soldiers are when operating in harsh weather conditions.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scottie Geil Throws Molotov Cocktail During Joint Training in Estonia
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Scottie Geil, from Abel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, participated in a joint training exercise near Camp Tapa, Estonia, on February 19th, 2025.
During the exercise, hosted by Estonian soldiers for British and U.S. troops, Sgt. Geil threw a molotov cocktail. These exchanges of tactical practices help U.S. Army forces improve their readiness and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to NATO and its European partners.
Soldier Sets Up 60 mm Mortar System During North Wind 25 in Japan
U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Milliman, a mortarman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, set up a 60 mm mortar system during North Wind 25 in Minami-eniwa, Japan, on February 8, 2025.
North Wind 25 is a bilateral cold-weather field training exercise aimed at enhancing combat readiness and promoting interoperability between the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Army.
The exercise, held from January 31 to February 9, 2025, at Camp Makomanai and the Hokudai-en Hokkaido Large Training Area in northern Japan, reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending Japan against external threats.
HIMARS Operates and Communicates During Static Display in Estonia
On January 3, 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. Cade England, a HIMARS gunner operator with Able Battery, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, communicated with the driver in Narva, Estonia. Sgt. England supported Task Force Voit and Task Force Pegasus during a static display showcasing HIMARS capabilities to the public.
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a highly mobile artillery rocket system developed by Lockheed Martin. It offers the firepower of the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) on a wheeled chassis, making it versatile and effective in various combat scenarios
This event emphasized the importance of U.S. troops engaging with local communities to strengthen bonds and reassure NATO allies of ongoing partnership and cooperation.
Tomb Guard Walks the Mat During First Snowfall of the Year at Arlington National Cemetery
On January 6, 2025, during the first snowfall of the year, a tomb guard walked the mat at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most iconic memorials in the United States. It honors unidentified American soldiers from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. The neoclassical white marble sarcophagus stands atop a hill overlooking Washington, D.C., and has been a place of mourning and reflection since its establishment in 1921.
“Taps” Sounded During Snowstorm at Arlington National Cemetery
During a snowstorm on January 19, 2024, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Adrienne Doctor, a bugler with The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” sounded “Taps” at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
“Taps” is a bugle call played at military funerals and memorial services to honor fallen soldiers. It is a solemn and poignant piece, often performed at dusk or during ceremonies to signify the end of the day and to pay tribute to those who have served.
Paratrooper Recovers Parachute After Jump During JPMRC 24-02 in Alaska
On February 8, 2024, U.S. Army Soldier Pfc. David Hanson, from the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, recovered his parachute after jumping onto Donnelly Drop Zone at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska.
This jump was part of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 24-02, a training exercise conducted in Alaska’s world-class facilities and harsh Arctic environment. JPMRC 24-02 aims to build soldiers and leaders into a cohesive team of skilled, tough, alert, and adaptive warriors capable of fighting and winning anywhere in the world.
Green Berets Return from First Recon Mission During Cold Weather Training in Colorado
On January 16, 2024, a group of Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) returned to base after successfully completing their first reconnaissance mission during Cold Weather Training in the mountains of Colorado.
This initial mission is just the beginning of their rigorous CWT program, which is designed to test their ability to perform their standard mission set under extreme cold conditions. Throughout the training, these Green Berets will face a series of challenging missions that will push their limits and enhance their skills in operating in freezing environments.
Soldiers Conduct Walks at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
U.S. Army Soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) conducted walks at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, on Martin Luther King Jr Day, January 15, 2024. Martin Luther King Jr Day, a federal holiday observed on the third Monday in January, honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Soldiers Advance Toward Objective During JPMRC 24-02 Training Near Utqiagvik, Alaska
On February 15, 2024, U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, advanced towards their target near Utqiagvik, Alaska, as part of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Training Center 24-02.
This exercise, conducted in Alaska’s top-tier training facilities and challenging Arctic conditions, transforms Soldiers and leaders into a unified group of proficient, resilient, vigilant, and adaptable fighters ready to succeed in any global conflict.
10th Mountain Division Soldiers Trek Through Snow During D-Series XXIV at Fort Drum
On January 19, 2024, Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division embarked on a challenging trek through the snow after being transported to the landing zone at Division Hill for the D-Series XXIV winter challenge at Fort Drum, NY. This rigorous event is designed to build combat-capable teams at the most fundamental level.
It achieves this by fostering a spirit of healthy competition, enhancing unit cohesion, and ensuring mastery of Alpine tactics, techniques, and procedures. The D-Series not only tests the physical endurance and tactical skills of the Soldiers but also promotes teamwork and resilience, preparing them to face and overcome the harshest conditions in any operational environment.
Avalanche Safety Training at Black Rapids Training Site in Alaska
On February 27, 2023, Soldiers engaged in comprehensive avalanche safety training during a cold weather leader course at the Black Rapids Training Site in Alaska. This training is crucial for preparing leaders to effectively manage and mitigate the risks associated with avalanches in harsh, snowy environments.
The course covers various aspects of avalanche safety, including recognizing potential avalanche zones, understanding snowpack conditions, and employing rescue techniques.
Soldiers Perform High-Altitude, Low Opening Jump During Yudh Abhyas 2023
U.S. Army Soldiers from the 11th Infantry Airborne Division and Indian Army soldiers conducted a high-altitude, low opening jump for Yudh Abhyas 2023 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Yudh Abhyas ’23, held on October 5, 2023, is a bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the combined interoperability of the Indian Army and 11th Airborne Division to increase partner capacity for conventional, complex, and future contingencies throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
