An unmanned helicopter known as a Kaman K-1200 or “K-MAX” prepares to take off during the first unmanned aircraft delivery to a patrol base in Helmand province, March 15. Unmanned helicopters have the potential to carry larger loads of cargo than those in their conventional counterparts, keeping more Marines off the roads and putting fewer in harm’s way. Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Warren.
U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, provide overwatch security for their squad near an empty wadi here, March 6. Marines at Patrol Base Lambadand conduct daily patrols with Afghan Nation Security Forces, training and mentoring their counterparts as Afghan forces and the district government take the lead in counterinsurgency operations in Nawa. Photo by Cpl. Johnny Merkley.
U.S. Navy Seaman Cody Ottmo directs an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck aboard the USS Carl Vinson in the Arabian Sea, March 15, 2012. Ottmo is an aviation boatswain's mate, handling, airman assigned to the Air Department's V-1 Division. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman George M. Bell.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon launches at dawn during a Peninsula Operational Readiness Exercise on Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, March 20, 2012. The exercise ensures service members are capable of performing their duties in wartime conditions. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rasheen A. Douglas.
A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft takes off from the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) March 20, 2012, during test operations in the Atlantic Ocean. George H.W. Bush was conducting carrier qualifications. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian Read Castillo.
A coalition soldier secures an area during a patrol in the Muqer district in Afghanistan's Ghazni province, March 21, 2012. Coalition forced conducted the patrol, which followed an insurgent attack, to engage merchants, villagers and key leaders in the area. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David Frech.
A grater from the 980th Engineering Battalion dumps carves out a new road through acres of grape orchards near Kandahar Airfield while local land owners look on and wait to assist with shovels. The road will serve a dual purpose, it will serve an access road for locals to the acres of orchards in the area and it also will allow the coalition forces easier access to insurgent activity which is prevalent in the area. Photo by Chief Petty Officer Jason Carter.
ARABIAN GULF (March 14, 2012) Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) observe a riverine patrol craft from Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2 and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Adak (WPB 1333) conduct a maritime infrastructure protection exercise. Milius is on a routine deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Quartermaster 2nd Class Kendall Mabon.
SASEBO, Japan (March 19, 2012) The Virginia-class attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) arrives at Fleet Activities Sasebo for a brief port visit to accommodate crew rest and replenishment. North Carolina is the first Virginia-class submarine to visit Sasebo. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dustin Kelling.
Ships with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) maneuver into formation while transiting the Atlantic Ocean. The strike group is deployed to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman.
A group of crew chiefs from the 127th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron confer during pre-flight preparations for several A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., March 21, 2012. The aircraft are flown by the pilots of the 107th Fighter Squadron. One of the oldest flying units in the military, the 107th FS will turn 95 years old this summer. Photo by Master Sgt. Terry Atwell.
An Afghan soldier searches a stopped vehicle during during Operation Pranoo Verbena in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel Schroeder.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Joseph Holloway provides security during a mission to a local agricultural processing plant in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, March 17, 2012. Holloway is assigned to the Nangarhar Agribusiness Development Team. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg Biondo.
U.S. Army Pfc. Samuel Corsolini uses his weapon's scope to provide security as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter takes off after unloading U.S. and Afghan troops during a vehicle interdiction to disrupt Taliban activities as part of Operation Pranoo Verbena in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, March 16, 2012. Corsolini is a gunner assigned to the Company F, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. The Afghan troops are assigned to a civil order patrol special weapons and tactics team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Daniel Schroeder.
