2014 Military Photographer Of The Year Awards

Members of the Special Tactics Training Squadron enter the pool with their hands and feet bound. The drown proofing exercise teaches students to remain calm in the water during stressful situations, skills that are vital during real-world operations. (Photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen/U.S. Air Force)

Airman 1st Class Keith Fussell, 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, dons his helmet before training on Hurlburt Field, Fla., July 17, 2014. Firefighters spent more than an hour training on the correct ventilation techniques to maintain proper readiness to complete the mission. (Photo by Senior Airman Christopher Callaw/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Army Rangers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, fire a 120 mm mortar during a tactical training exercise on Camp Roberts, Calif., January 30, 2014. Rangers constantly train to maintain the highest level of tactical proficiency. (Photo by Pfc. Nathaniel Newkirk/U.S. Army)

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly the Delta formation over Falcon Stadium during the U.S. Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony, May 28, 2014. The flyover marks the return of the Thunderbirds to Colorado Springs since sequestration last year. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr./U.S. Air Force)

Jace Manning, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), air traffic control staff noncommissioned officer in charge and native of Belton, Texas, squats 385 pounds during a weight-lifting competition aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5), at sea, April 20, 2014. Manning placed first in the light-weight division of the competition, lifting 1,175 pounds between bench presses, dead lifts and squats. The 22nd MEU is deployed with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (Photo by Sgt. Austin Hazard/U.S. Marine Corps)

Sgt. Timothy Martin, a native of Waipahu, Hawaii, wheeled vehicle mechanic, Company B, 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepares to conduct night land navigation during the brigade’s Soldier and NCO of the Year competition at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, April 23, 2014. The competition consisted of three days of events and will culminate with an awards ceremony on May 1. (Photo by Sgt. Marcus Fichtl/U.S. Army)

U.S. Air Force wounded warrior, Capt. Sarah Evans, jumps rope in a gym in San Antonio, Texas. Evans was diagnosed with cancer while deployed to Afghanistan and was medically evacuated back to the United States where her leg was amputated. (Photo by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen/U.S. Air Force)

Soldiers assigned to Palehorse Troop, 4th Squadron, 2nd Calvary Regiment move over rough terrain during Operation Alamo Scout 13, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, February 10, 2014. The operation was a joint effort between Palehorse troops and the Afghan National Army’s 205th Corps Mobile Strike Force to conduct reconnaissance patrols in villages around Kandahar Airfield. (Photo by Sgt. Harold Flynn/U.S. Army)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Josh Martin, 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, Mi-17 aerial gunner, provides rear security on a Mi-17 helicopter, Kabul, Afghanistan, May 31, 2014. Martin, a Rapid City, S.D. native, is deployed from the 55th Rescue Squadron, Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The 438th AEAS and Afghan Air Force have combined efforts to train with about 300 Afghan commandos with the 8th Commandos Kandak. The training will enable Afghan helicopter aircrews to work seamlessly in support of ground forces in combat by improving their static load training, aircraft familiarization and understand of capabilities. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young/U.S. Air Force)

Staff Sgt. Kyle McGann, Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, climbs into a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle during EOD blast pit training, March 16, 2014. Blast pit training prepares EOD technicians to handle detonations by practicing procedures and communications for real-world responses. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young/U.S. Air Force)

University of Michigan right fielder, Kyle Jusick, poses for a portrait during the College of Charleston Tournament, March 15, 2014, in Charleston, S.C. The University of Michigan played the College of Charleston and would go on to lose both games of a double header. (Photo by Senior Airman James Richardson/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jaclyn Trosper celebrates winning a card game, February 17, 2014. The military members found ways to occupy time while transitioning to a deployment in Afghanistan. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young/U.S. Air Force)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies below a KC-135 Stratotanker while being in-air refueled, June 29, 2014. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young/U.S. Air Force)

An Afghan man spends a moment alone inside the Afghan National Army military planning room prior to serving tea to soldiers, June 11, 2014. The Afghan man provides drinks and cleaning supplies to soldiers as they transition in and out of the ANA command section. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young/U.S. Air Force)

Three 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen secure the American flag during the sounding of retreat on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 27, 2014. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band and the 86th AMXS both took part in retiring the American and German national flags for the day. (Photo by Senior Airman Jordan Castelan/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Army Rangers, assigned to 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, prepare to lay cover fire for the assault element advancing on the objective during task force training on Fort Hunter Ligget, Calif., January 23, 2014. The rigorous training ensures rangers are prepared to execute the missions they are tasked with when deployed. (Photo by Spc. Steven A. Hitchcock/U.S. Army)

AFNORTH’s Eliska Volencova reacts with teammates Erica Balkcum and Emma Rainer after coming back from 10 points to defeat Hohenfels 22-19 in the DODDS-Europe basketball championships Division III semi-final game Friday, Feb. 21, 2014. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua L. Demotts/U.S. Air Force)

Australian soldiers assigned to 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment fire an 84 mm M3 Carl Gustave rocket launcher at Range 10, Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, July 20, 2014, during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014. (Photo by Sgt. Matthew Callahan/U.S. Marine)

A player for the Fort Dorchester High School Football team yells to motivate players in a hostile regional game against Bluffton High School at Bluffton High School Stadium, October 24, 2014. The Patriots won the game and are now first in their region and second in the state of South Carolina. (Photo by Senior Airman Daniel Hughes/U.S. Air Force)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nadia Rowell, health services management journeyman, 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, N.C., stands for a portrait outside the aeromedical evacuation crew tent at Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., March 15, 2014. Service members at JRTC 14-05 are educated in combat patient care and aeromedical evacuation in a simulated combat environment. (Photo by Master Sgt. John R. Nimmo/U.S. Air Force)