Soldiers from the Illinois National Guard stack to prepare to breach a structure during the live fire exercise for Rising Thunder 19. Rising Thunder 2019 is an annual exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force featuring units from the 7th Infantry Division, the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 108th Sustainment Brigade, and Japan's 25th Infantry Regiment. The exercise, held Aug. 28 – Sept. 13 at Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Washington, consists of company/platoon unilateral and bilateral training events in two phases, culminating with a bilateral live fire exercise.

Capt. Jordan Legris, commander, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, briefs members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force prior to the kick-off of the live fire exercise during Rising Thunder 19. Rising Thunder 2019 is an annual exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force featuring units from the 7th Infantry Division, the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 108th Sustainment Brigade, and Japan's 25th Infantry Regiment. The exercise, held Aug. 28 – Sept. 13 at Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Washington, consists of company/platoon unilateral and bilateral training events in two phases, culminating with a bilateral live fire exercise. (U.S. Army photo contributed by 1st Lt. Andrew McCormick, Illinois Army National Guard)

Troops from the Illinois National Guard prepare to depart on a live fire exercise during Rising Thunder 19. Rising Thunder 2019 is an annual exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force featuring units from the 7th Infantry Division, the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 108th Sustainment Brigade, and Japan's 25th Infantry Regiment. The exercise, held Aug. 28 – Sept. 13 at Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Washington, consists of company/platoon unilateral and bilateral training events in two phases, culminating with a bilateral live fire exercise.

Pfc. Kyle Brennan poses with a member of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense during Rising Thunder 19. Rising Thunder 2019 is an annual exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force featuring units from the 7th Infantry Division, the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 108th Sustainment Brigade, and Japan's 25th Infantry Regiment. The exercise, held Aug. 28 – Sept. 13 at Yakima Training Center in Yakima, Washington, consists of company/platoon unilateral and bilateral training events in two phases, culminating with a bilateral live fire exercise. (U.S. Army photo contributed by Pfc. Kyle Brennan, Illinois Army National Guard)

Spc. James Tyler Short, a combat medic with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Army National Guard, surveys the digital multipurpose range complex during Rising Thunder 19 at Yakima Training Center, Yakima, Washington, Sept. 3. Rising Thunder 2019 is an annual exercise between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and is part of Pacific Pathways 19-3. RT19 is a USARPAC-sponsored capstone event. U.S. Army Units participating include the 7th Infantry Division and the Illinois Army National Guard's 108th Sustainment Brigade and 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The exercise consists of company/platoon unilateral and bilateral training events in two phases, culminating with a bilateral live-fire exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Camacho Roberts) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Camacho Roberts)

Sgt. First Class Brian Jackson from the 1844th Transportation Company uses a "halt" hand signal as his recovery vehicle's towbar lines up with the humvee during a training lane in Rising Thunder 2019. Rising Thunder is an annual exercise joining the U.S. Army and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and is part of Pacific Pathways 19-3. Rising Thunder 2019 is also a United States Army Pacific-sponsored capstone event featuring U.S. Army units from the 7th Infantry Division and the Illinois Army National Guard’s 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 108th Sustainment Brigade.