This Week's Top Military Photos: Missile Launch, Dogs Go to the Park, Kid Tries to Fly Helicopter (Kinda)

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Connecticut National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks, Connecticut
The bag of a soldier assigned to the 142nd Medical Company sits on the tarmac of the Connecticut National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, September 8, 2022 as the soldier and her family reconnect following the unit's recent deployment. (Timothy Koster/Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office)

This week in the military, the Pentagon will stop issuing the National Defense Service Medal, indicating a potential shift toward peacetime despite troops still being deployed to Iraq and Syria; an analysis of leaked Oath Keepers rolls alleges that 128 active-duty and reserve troops were members of the right-wing militia group; a Coast Guard commander was relieved; and some Democrats are urging President Joe Biden to allow HIV-positive Americans to join the military.

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s monarch and a World War II veteran of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, died on Sept. 8, 2022.

U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aircraft Baltic Sea

Navy and Marine Corps aircraft fly over the Portuguese Navy NRP Corte-Real (right) and the USS Gunston Hall (left) in the Baltic Sea. (Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino/U.S. Navy)

Related: It 'Blew Everything Apart.' Osprey Accident Shows Danger of Clutch Issue as Services Keep Flying

Marines carry a combat rubber raiding craft during a boat launch sustainment exercise

Marines carry a combat rubber raiding craft during a “boat launch sustainment exercise” in the Sea of Japan. (Sgt. Danny Gonzalez/U.S. Marine Corps)

Related: Here's the Truth About That Iconic Photo of Marines Pulling Afghan Baby to Safety

Connecticut National Guard's Army Aviation Support Facility in Windsor Locks, Connecticut

A bag belonging to a soldier sits on the tarmac as troops assigned to the 142nd Medical Company reunite with family after a deployment to Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. (Timothy Koster/Connecticut National Guard)

Related: Fort Riley Soldiers Headed for Europe Rotation as Ukraine War Drags On

Military Working Dog and its handler from the 820th Base Defense Group, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing

A handler and his military working dog conduct “water confidence training” at Wild Adventures theme park in Georgia. (1st Lt. Katie Tamesis/U.S. Air Force)

Related: US Military Working Dogs Should Be American-Born, Senator Says

unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches

An Air Force Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launches during a test at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. (Airman 1st Class Ryan Quijas/U.S. Air Force)

Related: Air Force Tests Long-Range, Nuclear-Capable Missile Amid Global Tensions

 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Kansas City Air Show

Capt. Olivia Lynch, a company commander with the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, explains various aspects of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to a young attendee during the Kansas City Air Show. (Staff Sgt. Keegan Costello/U.S. Army)

Related: UH-60A/L Black Hawk Helicopter

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence.

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