U.S. Department of Defense

Vice Chairman, USO Entertainers Visit Troops in Iraq

A helicopter carrying staff members from the House Armed Services Committee flies over Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008. The staffers traveled with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright to see operations at Combat Outpost Cahill, Combat Outpost Summers and Forward Operating Base Falcon, Iraq.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright flies over the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008. Cartwright flew to Combat Outpost Cahill, Combat Outpost Summers and Forward Operating Base Falcon to visit troops.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright listens to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Shrout, commander of the 1st Armored Division's 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, during a stop at Combat Outpost Cahill, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008. Cartwright visited the outpost to learn about operations and see living conditions.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright hands a coin to U.S. Army Spc. Shawn Edmison at Combat Outpost Cahill, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008, during a visit to the troops.

U.S. Army Chaplain (Capt.) Matthew Guncheon shows Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright a cross at the chapel at Combat Outpost Summers, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008. The cross was made out of scrap metal by U.S. Army Spc. Daniel Bristow and Cpl. Meral Smith.

Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright thanks soldiers from the Arkansas National Guard at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008. The Guardsmen provided security for the general during his visit to Iraq.

Patrick Smith talks with U.S. Army Spc. Joseph Yackera and Spc. Angelica Castillo at Combat Outpost Summers, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008. Smith, who employs soldiers from the U.S. Army National Guard, traveled with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright on an eight-day trip to learn about operations at more than a dozen bases.

Model Mayra Veronica sings during a USO show at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2008. Veronica is traveling for the second time with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright on a USO tour.

Rapper Kaine of the duo The Ying Yang Twins performs during a USO show at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2008. The rap duo is traveling with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright on an eight-day trip.

Comedian Gabriel Iglesias performs for troops during a USO show at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2008. Iglesias, traveling with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, performed in front of 800 people.

Rapper D-Roc of the duo The Ying Yang Twins performs during a USO show at Camp Liberty, Iraq, Nov. 14, 2008. The duo, traveling with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, performed in front of 800 people at an outdoor stage at Camp Liberty.

A helicopter carrying staff members from the House Armed Services Committee flies over Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 15, 2008. The staffers traveled with Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright to see operations at Combat Outpost Cahill, Combat Outpost Summers and Forward Operating Base Falcon, Iraq.
DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Adam M. Stump