STRIKE POSITION

U.S. Army Spc. Andrew Soria points out the position of a mortar strike to Staff Sgt. Eddie Adradi, fire support noncommissioned officer, during a practice live-fire at Nishagam District Center, Konar province, Afghanistan, March 17, 2009. The soldiers are assigned to the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Matthew C. Moeller

REAR VIEW

U.S. Marines observe the view from the rear of a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter before engaging targets during aerial gunnery training over Fort Hunter Ligget, Calif., March 29, 2009. The training is part of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Exercise, which enables pilots and crew chiefs to train under simulated situations. U.S. Marine photo by Cpl. Shawn M. Spitler

PERSIAN PATROL

A Navy patrol boat assigned to Inshore Boat Unit 22 approaches the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain as it patrols the waters surrounding the Al Basra Oil Terminal off the coast of Iraq, Persian Gulf, March 26, 2009. The USS Lake Champlain is deployed as part of the Boxer Amphibious Readiness Group supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Barker

SIX PACK

C-17 Globemaster IIIs sit on the flightline in preparation for six-ship formation testing on Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., March 17, 2009. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in deployed environments. U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Cassidy

SUPERFROG

A competitor races through the surf during the 31st Annual SUPERFROG Triathlon at Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado, Calif., March 29, 2009. The event consists of a 1.2-mile open-ocean swim, 56-mile bike ride and 13.1-mile run. It is considered one of the toughest triathlons in the United States. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco

MORTAR MUSCLE

U.S. Army Spc. Laurence Walker, left, and Army Sgt. Jacob Ford, center, observe as an Iraqi soldier takes a hands-on test on a120mm mortar system in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, March 26, 2009. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 1st Infantry Division's Company D, 1st Combined Armor Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Kani Ronningen

CHIEFS MEET

U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, Commander, U.S. Central Command, introduces U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the U.S. Central Command Central and South Asia Nations Chiefs of Defense Conference in Washington, D.C., March 31, 2009. The annual three-day conference is an opportunity to increase high-level dialogue between theatre commander and regional defense chiefs. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

IN THE TRENCHES

Volunteers fill sandbags at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D., March 29, 2009, to stop the Red River's rising waters along the North Dakota-Minnesota border. More than 2,400 National Guard troops also are responding to the area's flooding. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Dennis J. Henry Jr.