Life on the frontline: Stunning photographs on the shortlist for the 2019 Military Visual Awards capture the realities of combat and training faced by armed forces around the world
- Striking images show the finalists for the 2019 Military Visual Awards media competition
- The ultimate winner was Chris Hibben, a Tech. Sgt. in the U.S. Air Force Reserve who enlisted in 1991
- He has served on two overseas deployments, most recently documenting military operations in East Africa
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Striking images show the finalists for the Military Visual Awards media competition.
More than 2,000 pictures and videos from around the world were submitted for the event as, for the first time ever, the competition was not limited to the U.S., but allowed entries from each country’s photographers.
The ultimate winner of the 2019 MVA Photographer of the Year, announced on March 13, was Chris Hibben, a Tech. Sgt. in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Hibben originally enlisted in the Navy in 1991, and later crossed over to the Air Force joining the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, where he is currently stationed in Charleston, S.C.
He has served on two overseas deployments, most recently documenting military operations in East Africa.
Each category was judged by several media industry professionals, to include Jeremy Lock – seven-time military photographer of the year, Callie Shell – CNN and TIME magazine photojournalist, and Stacey Pearsall – Nikon ambassador and founder of the Veteran’s Portrait Project.
1st: Hille Hillinga. Dutch operator of the Korps commando troops is scanning the environment together with his dog in Afghanistan
48th Rescue Squadron, ‘Razor’s Edge’. U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., conduct exercise scenarios during Razor’s Edge, a two-week long pre-deployment exercise, at Parker, Arizona, December 9, 2019
Runner up in the portrait category by Hille Hillinga. ‘Earned’
Runner up of the Combat Documentation Training category, by Jeanette Mullinax
‘Hidden Communications’ by Chris Hibben. Hibben originally enlisted in the Navy in 1991, and later crossed over to the Air Force joining the 4th Combat Camera Squadron, where he is currently stationed in Charleston, S.C. He has served on two overseas deployments, most recently documenting military operations in East Africa
A winner for the category ‘Combat Documentation Training’ by Rachel Young
A runner up in the category ‘Combat Documentation Training’ by Christopher Parr. Scott EOD trains with St Louis Regional Bomb and Arson
A runner up in the category ‘Portrait’ by Thomas Mort. Soldier prepares his crew to overtake a local town
A runner up in the category ‘Pictorial’ by Keifer Bowes
U.S. Air Force pararescuemen assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, conduct exercise scenarios during Razor’s Edge, a two-week long pre-deployment exercise, on December 9, 2019
A member of the US Navy hugs his daughter in a heartfelt moment. A runner up in the ‘Feature’ category by Nathan Beard
Winner in Pictorial category, by Josheph Swaford. Training prepares mobility and AFSOC airmen for future ops
Second place in the sports category, by Bobby Yarbrough. ‘Put up or shut up’
Chris Williamson. Senior Chief Logistics Specialist Travis Menzie attempts to hide his face as he becomes emotional during his retirement ceremony at Navy Recruiting District St. Louis headquarters, Feb. 8, 2019, winner of the ‘Feature’ category
Third place in the News category by Dustin Biven, Cpl. Jerry Garrison finally receives his welcome home after 70 years
Second place in the Features category by Ryan Hegaeli. ‘Swimming Lines’
A member of the US Air Force wields their gun in a dramatic moment. US Air Force Academy Basic Cadet Training Class of 2023