U.S. Army Spc. William B. James shoots at the enemy during a firefight that lasted more than three hours at an Afghan National Police Checkpoint in Kunar province, Afghanistan, Sept. 18, 2010. James is assigned to the 327th Infantry Regiment's Company D, 1st Battalion, Task Force Bulldog. An estimated two dozen insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and small arms at the post. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte
Lance Cpl. Nilton Castro, a radio operator with the Combined Action Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, along with two Afghanistan National Army soldiers from the 215th Corps, 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, walk past the Helmand River while on patrol in Gowragi, Afghanistan, during a clearing operation, Sept. 29, 2010. The clearing operation was followed by a sustained presence in the area. Castro is from Westchester County, N.Y.
An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter carrying combat search and rescue U.S Air Force airmen approaches a landing zone during an exercise on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 21. 2010. The exercise tested the squadron?s ability to provide medical aid to U.S. and coalition forces. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (Nov. 4, 2010) Sailors assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 2 and Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 2, participate in a simulated training mission on a Laser Shoot Littoral Combat Simulator. The simulator is one of four used by Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paul D. Williams)
U.S. Indiana National Guard soldiers work together to smoothly execute a fire mission using an M777 Howitzer on Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center in central Indiana, Nov. 4, 2010. The Indiana Guard is one of the first states to receive this piece of equipment. The soldiers are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. John Crosby
Lighting flashes as the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln transits in the Straight of Malacca, Oct. 8, 2010. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Colby K. Neal
GULF OF OMAN (Nov. 1, 2010) An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Kestrels of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during night flight operations. VFA-137 is part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alan Gragg)
A U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter flies over the tree tops and a Afghan farmer during an aerial reconnaissance mission in southern Afghanistan, Nov. 8, 2010. The OH-58D crew is assigned to 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Sadie Bleistein
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 27, 2010) The ex-USNS Saturn suffers extensive damage and is ablaze during a sinking exercise. Ships assigned to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group fired live ammunition at the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Leonard Adams)
GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 2, 2010) Marines assigned to 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) embarked aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), depart Djibouti in an amphibious assault vehicle after conducting amphibious training exercises. Carter Hall is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
U.S. Army paratroopers exit a German C-160 aircraft over Sicily Drop Zone on Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct. 6, 2010, as part of Operation Federal Eagle during which more than 800 American paratroopers earned German jump wings. German jumpmasters aboard the aircraft supervised the jump. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod