Lead Photos

BELLINGHAM HOIST

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad Lewis guides a Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council volunteer during hoist rescue operations training at Bellingham International Airport in Bellingham, Wash., May 5, 2009. A Whidbey Island crew trained 20 volunteers on procedures and safety precautions during the annual training event. Lewis is assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue. U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates

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

CONTROVERSIAL FLIGHT

The White House released this image on May 8, 2009, showing a VC-25 presidential aircraft over the Statue of Liberty in New York City captured by a photographer aboard an F-16 fighter jet. During an April 27 photo opportunity, the aircraft flew as low as 1,000 feet and many New Yorkers believed they were seeing a repeat of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the wake of the incident, Louis Caldera, director of the White House Military Office, tendered his resignation, May 8. White House photo

OPERATIONS IN IRAQ

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander, Multinational Forces Iraq, calls on a reporter during a May 8, 2009, press briefing at the Pentagon. Odierno centered his presentation on the challenges of ongoing 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

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

SUSPICIOUS RESIDENCE

Afghan National Army Commandos and members of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Afghanistan establish a perimeter and prepare to enter the residence of a suspected bomb maker in Shinwar district, Nangarhar province, April 29, 2009. The combined elements routinely conduct operations to support the security and stability of the province. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika

CHECKPOINT SEARCH

Afghan National Army Commandos and the Afghan National Police conduct a vehicle checkpoint on the outskirts of a bazaar near the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 29, 2009. The forces were searching vehicles for anything suspicious, including improper registration and prohibited items. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika

BORDER CROSSING

Afghan National Army Commandos search motorists at a vehicle checkpoint established on the outskirts of a bazaar near the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, April 29, 2009. The elite Afghan soldiers and their Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force–Afghanistan partners were searching vehicles for anything suspicious, including improper registration and prohibited items. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Anna K. Perry