Lead Photos

ACHIN OPERATIONS

Members of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan and Afghan National Army Commandos conduct a security patrol through Achin district in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 30, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika

600 POUNDS OF OPIUM

An Afghan National Police officer picks up a bag of opium. Afghan National Police officers, along with U.S. Special Operations Soldiers, discovered 600 pounds of opium May 7, 2009, during a cordon and search operation of a known Taliban safe house, collection center and trauma center in Babaji Village, in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo by Cpl. Sean K. Harp

OPERATIONS IN IRAQ

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander, Multi-national Forces- Iraq, calls on a reporter during a May 8, 2009, press briefing at the Pentagon. Odierno centered his presentation on the challenges of on-going security operations in Iraq as foreign allied troop levels drop and Iraqi forces assume an increasingly larger security responsibility. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

SADR SIGHTS

U.S. Army Spc. Kristopher Doktor scans his sector of fire through the sights on his M-240 Bravo machine gun on top of Combat Outpost Texas in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq, May 8, 2009. Doktor is assigned to the 1st Armored Division's 1st Battalion, Company A, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Evan Loyd

OVER THE TOP

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christian Johnson lends a hand to 1st Lt. Miranda Thompson as they use a rope to climb a wall during a Defender Challenge course on an air base in Southwest Asia, April 25, 2009. Thompson and Johnson are assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Mission Support Group. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brian J. Ellis

LIGHTNING SKY

Lightning illuminates the sky behind an F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron 147 aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the Pacific Ocean, May 7, 2009. John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Elliott Fabrizio

APPRECIATION DAY

U.S. Navy sailors march on the 18th fairway during Military Appreciation Day during the Players Championship golf tournament at Tournament Players Club Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Fla., May 6, 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan Gragg

AFGHANISTAN VISIT

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates talks to soldiers deployed to Field Operating Base Airborne in Wardak province, Afghanistan, after re-enlisting eight soldiers, May 8, 2009. Gates visited Afghanistan and met with military and local leaders. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison