Christmas Inside A Plow Truck

The South Dakota National Guard's Rapid City Task Force 109 dispatched snow blowers, dozers, dump trucks and more than 80 Soldiers to assist the Department of Transportation with snow removal missions throughout the state. (Photo by the South Dakota National Guard) (Released)

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Air Force Medics Partner With Iraqi Ministry Of Defense Hospital

Capt. Elizabeth Hoettels guides Iraqi air force members through medical evacuation training Dec. 21, 2009, at the Air Force Theater Hospital, at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The purpose of the training is to help Ministry of Defense officials strengthen their health care system for Iraqi troops. Captain Hoettels is from the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brittany Bateman)

New Recruits Get A Leg Up

Iraqi air force recruits march in a pass in review parade during their graduation ceremony from the basic military training Top Off course at the Iraqi Air Force Training School Dec. 28, 2009, at Camp Taji, Iraq.

The staff incorporated discipline, marching and drill during the morning sessions and academics in the afternoon.

(U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Trish Bunting)

Side By Side

Guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald and USS Lassen are moored at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, as crews from both ships enjoy a holiday stand-down, Dec. 28, 2009. Fitzgerald and Lassen are two of seven Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Byron C. Linder

Soaring Over Ie Shima

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Stephen Goodman and Capt. Robert Wilson perform a high-altitude, low-opening jump over Ie Shima Island, Japan, Dec 23, 2009. The jump was part of routine training for the 31st and 320th special tactics squadrons from Kadena Air Base, Japan. Goodman and Wilson are assigned to the Air Force’s 31st Rescue Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chad Warren

Convoy Security

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Dec. 8, 2009) Construction Electrician 2nd Class Alicia Morgan, assigned to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 convoy security element, provides entry control point security at a road project site. NMCB-74 has been charged with improving key convoy routes in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Lindsey/Released)

Injured Patient From Coalition Forces In Helmand Province

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen carry an injured patient after receiving him from coalition forces in the Helmand province of Afghanistan on Dec. 8, 2009. The pararescuemen will administer medical care while transiting to a medical facility. The airmen are assigned to the 66th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron and deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence, U.S. Air Force. (Released)

Masow Meeting

Farah Province Gov. Rahool Amin meets with elders from Masow village on a U.S. Marine Corps outpost in the Pusht Rod district, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2009. U.S. Marines, Afghan soldiers and Italian Army Task Force South members provided security for the event. The provincial governor encouraged Masow residents to support their country’s government and the coalition to bring peace, security, and prosperity to their village and surrounding communities. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Tracy

Marine Friend

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Autayvia K. Mitchell interacts with local children during a patrol through Tajik Khar, Garmsir, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2009. Mitchell is assigned to the Female Engagement Team, Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. The FET works with Afghanistan women to determine medical and humanitarian assistance needs. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dwight A. Henderson

Memorial Visit

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jarid Phalzgraf looks at identification tags left by servicemembers at a memorial atop Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan, Dec. 21, 2009. The tags are tokens of respect from visitors to the site which memorializes the iconic photograph of Marines raising a flag on the island during the 37-day World War II battle for the island. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Josh Huebner