BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Airmen perform a final ammo inspection on an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Dec. 26, 2009. The F-16 provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Felicia Juenke)
KABUL, Afghanistan (Dec. 25, 2009) Santa chose a slightly different mode of transportation in Afghanistan to toss candy canes to children as he gave Rudolph and the other reindeer a much deserved rest while he tested out an Air Force Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle. The flags flying represent all the nations that are contributing forces as a part of the NATO mission. (U.S. Navy photo by Capt. Jane Campbell/Released)
NORTH ARABIAN SEA (December 25, 2009) Lt. Jon Sunderland dresses in a Santa suite while directing aircraft operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Christmas Day. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United Statesà commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil (Released)
An Iraqi man shuts down his heavy construction equipment to take a break, from cleaning up debris in a village, Kosina, Iraq, Dec. 10, 2009. The village was leveled by a vehicle born improvised explosive device in early August, and is currently being rebuilt. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ali Hargis/Released)
Afghan National Army soldiers from 3rd Company, 1st Battalion, 201st Corps conduct live-fire and tactical movement drills in Pol-e-Charki, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2009. During the training, the soldiers practiced using anti-tank weaponry and M-4 rifles. (DoD photo by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Davio, U.S. Army/Released)
U.S. Navy Aviation Boatwain's Mate Airman Michael Beckwith operates a flight deck scrubber during a deck wash aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) at sunset Dec. 18, 2009, in the North Arabian Sea. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil/Released)
NORFOLK (Dec. 22, 2009) Line handlers stand by as the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) returns to Naval Station. Wasp completed a three-month deployment supporting Southern Partnership Station-Amphib in the Southern Command area of responsibility with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 40 and embarked Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Brian Goodwin/Released)
ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 24, 2009) Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) sort through 34,400 pounds of mail delivered Christmas Eve. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class David Mercil/Released)
The USO Lounge at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport offers military travelers a respite from crowded airport terminals, particularly during the holiday season. DoD photo by Donna Miles
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Ronald Alligood, a 7th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron joint surveillance target attack radar system (JSTARS) navigator stationed at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., sets up an orbit course for JSTARS to fly at a location in southwest Asia on Dec. 18, 2009. Setting up an orbit course maximizes the radar coverage JSTARS will receive during this mission. JSTARS is a command and control platform that conducts ground surveillance to support attack operations and contributes to the disruption of enemy forces. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Army Lt. Col. Fredrick Dummar, commander of the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion at Fort Bragg, N.C., congratulates Army Capt. Ivan Castro on graduating from the Maneuver Captain's Career Course at Fort Benning, Ga., Dec. 15, 2009. Castro, who will be assigned to the recruiting battalion, is the first blind student to attend the course. U.S. Army photo by Kristin Molinaro
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Sgt. Matthew Machtan, of Center City, Minn., noncommissioned officer in charge of radiology with the 204th Area Support Medical Center, makes use of a "chimney and fireplace" in the medical center at Contingency Operating Base Basrah, Dec. 23. Photo by Spc. Samuel Soza, 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.
NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Dec. 20, 2009) Airman Josh Deresner assigned to the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, removes a rudder from an F/A-18C Hornet for maintenance aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/Released)
DJIBOUTI (Dec. 22, 2009) Said Omar Moussa, president of Djibouti's Chamber of Commerce, addresses an audience of Djiboutian businessmen and women during Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa's Vendor Day. The event helped bridge African companies to the many maintenance, service, supply and construction contracts that support Camp Lemonnier, CJTF-HOA and its down range projects throughout East Africa. Seated with Moussa are, from left to right, Robert Mecklenburg, contracting officer for Navy Facility, Camp Lemonnier; U.S. Navy Capt. Greg Johnson, chief of contracts, CJTF-HOA; Moussa; U.S. Navy Capt. William Finn, commander of Camp Lemonnier; and Bill Callahan, deputy program manager, Pacific Architect Engineers, Camp Lemonnier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Larry Foos/released)
