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    Ancient Ascent | National Guard aviators from Utah and Nevada take on mission of prehistoric proportions [Image 7 of 42]

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    A man in a green t-shirt and cap is working with large white plaster field jackets, which are used to protect and transport fossil specimens during paleontological excavations. The jackets are labeled with handwritten annotations including the word 'Tibia', indicating the enclosed fossil bone type. Dark ropes are visible in the foreground, likely used for rigging or moving the heavy plaster-encased specimens.

    UNITED STATES

    06.13.2026

    Photo by Staff Sgt. Alejandro Lucero 

    Utah National Guard Public Affairs

    Dr. Randall Irmis Ph. D., the curator of paleontology at The Natural History Museum of Utah, positions dinosaur fossils for an airlift in southern Utah, June 13, 2026. The Utah National Guard trains on aerial hoist missions to maintain the proficiency needed to operate in areas inaccessible by traditional means. This capability supports search and rescue and disaster response efforts, while also enabling Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) missions that provide essential services to communities and strengthen military readiness. Regular training ensures aircrews and ground personnel remain ready whenever they are called upon. (Utah National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Alejandro Lucero)

    IMAGE INFO

    Date Taken: 06.13.2026
    Date Posted: 06.29.2026 13:33
    Photo ID: 9780345
    VIRIN: 260613-A-JU983-3624
    Resolution: 5448x3632
    Size: 4.62 MB
    Location: US
    Web Views: 36
    Downloads: 5

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    This work, Ancient Ascent | National Guard aviators from Utah and Nevada take on mission of prehistoric proportions [Image 42 of 42], by SSG Alejandro Lucero, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

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    The image is taken from inside one helicopter looking out through an open door at a second military helicopter flying in formation. The exterior helicopter appears to be a UH-60 Black Hawk in olive drab/tan military livery, flying over a vast forested and mountainous landscape. A silhouetted figure is visible in the foreground on the right side of the frame.
    A military helicopter, consistent with a UH-60 Black Hawk, flies over a dramatic desert canyon landscape with red and white sandstone formations. The terrain below features deeply eroded canyon systems typical of the American Southwest, with distant mountains visible on the horizon. The image is a high-quality aerial photograph taken from another aircraft or elevated vantage point.
    The image shows the interior cockpit view of a military helicopter in flight, with two crew members in full flight gear and helmets visible. Through the windshield, a second military helicopter (likely a UH-60 Black Hawk) is visible flying in formation ahead. The terrain below consists of green forested landscape with mountains visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
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    Ancient Ascent | National Guard aviators from Utah and Nevada take on mission of prehistoric proportions

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    IRT, Utah Natural History Museum, dinosaur, fossil, Innovative Readiness Training (IRT)

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