EXECUTING COLORS

Seaman Zach Vineski prepares to execute evening colors aboard the attack submarine USS Scranton, moored at Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3. Norfolk, Va., Aug. 22, 2008. Vineski is a machinist's mate fireman. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Xander Gamble

LAST RAIL STAND

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk man the rails as the ship departs San Diego Harbor en route to Bremerton, Wash., Aug. 28, 2008. At 47 years old, the Kitty Hawk is the Navy's oldest active-duty warship and is due to arrive Sept. 2, 2008, at Bremerton’s Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for decommissioning in early 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Lily Daniels

KEYS PLEASE?

An Iraqi soldier makes friends with an Iraqi boy during a cordon and search in West Palestine, Mosul, Iraq, Aug. 23, 2008. The Iraqi soldiers are assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Division, Military Transition Team. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Sarah De Boise

'MOON DUST '

U.S. Army soldiers blow fine sand from their weapons after returning to Forward Operating Base Warhorse from a mission in Baqubah, Iraq, Aug. 18, 2008. The soldiers area ssigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. Referred to by soldiers as "moon dust," the sand has the consistency of talcum powder. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Mario A. Quiroga

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE

U.S. Army Spc. Corey Thompson works with Australian Combat Engineers as they align two large sections of the Moqur Bridge, Andar, Afghanistan, Aug, 17, 2008. The soldiers are assigned to the 420th Engineer Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Capt. James Reid

RAVEN COLLECTOR

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tashir Hasan instructs 10th Mountain Division soldiers on the RQ-11B "Raven," a Small Unmanned Aerial System that provides Intelligence Reconnaissance Surveillance, on Joint Security Station Doura, Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 25, 2008. Hasan is assigned to the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joan E. Kretschmer

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE

Members of the Louisiana Air National Guard medical team assist a special-needs resident as she prepares to be evacuated before the arrival of Hurricane Gustav at the Union Passenger Terminal Station in New Orleans on Aug. 30, 2008. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael L. Owens

ABRAMS HEAT

U.S. Marines aboard an M1A1 Main Battle Tank engages light armored targets with explosive anti-tank rounds during the battalion’s bi-annual gunnery qualification at Twentynine Palms, Calif., Aug. 26, 2008. The Marines and tanks are assigned to the 1st Tank Battalion’s Company C. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Corey A. Blodgett