Lead Photos

PURPLE HAZE

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Ricardo Gutierrez runs to the next obstacle while testing for the Expert Field Medical Badge on Camp Bullis, Texas, May 13, 2009. The course tests a soldier's mental and physical toughness during a real time medical evacuation. DoD photo by Benjamin Faske

OVERHEAD WORK

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Cowan secures aircraft fuel cells to the overhead of hangar bay one aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz in the Pacific Ocean, May 11, 2009. Cowan is assigned to the Electronic Attack Squadron 135. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Heil

HOVERING HAWK

An SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 5 hovers over the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Gulf of Oman, May 9, 2009. The helicopter's tail is painted with the Navy digital camouflage design. U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Jane Campbell

AIR ASSAULT

U.S. and Iraqi army soldiers set up security while waiting for UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters after conducting an air assault operation to intercept and prevent illegal weapons movement near Mushada, Iraq, May 11, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 28th Infantry Division’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry Regiment, Associators, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Neil Stanfield

GLORY GRAB

All Air Force Senior Airman Jammar Major grabs for a rebound during a basketball game against the Marine Corps in Millington, Tenn., May 13, 2009. Major led the team with 13 points during the 86-67 victory over the Marine Corps in the second round of games for the Armed Forces Basketball Championship. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class John Collins

STRETCHING OUT

U.S. Navy Plebes lift Midshipman 4th Class Ryan Kavanaugh on a stretcher during the U.S. Naval Academy Sea Trials in Annapolis, Md., May 2,2009. Based on the Navy's Battle Stations and the Marine Corps' Crucible, Sea Trials is the capstone training evolution for the Naval Academy freshmen class. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Philip McDaniel

TRAFFIC CONTROL

A U.S. and Iraqi army soldier talk at a traffic control point during a joint air assault operation to intercept and prevent illegal weapons movement near Mushada, Iraq, May 11, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Neil Stanfield

BEFORE HEARING

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speak with Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson prior to testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the 2010 National Defense Authorization Budget Request. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley