United States Department of Defense

Virginia Tech’s J.C. Coleman accepts the Military Bowl 2014 MVP trophy after Virginia Tech’s 33-17 victory over Cincinnati University at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Dec. 27, 2014. DoD News photo by EJ Hersom

U.S. Army Maj. Juli Fung provides a medical screening for a Honduran child during a Medical Readiness Training Exercise in the Department of Gracias a Dios, near Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras. Dec. 17, 2014. Fung is assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo’s Medical Element, which provided medical care to more than 1,500 Honduran citizens during the two-day operation. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Tedesco

Firefighters practice their ice water rescue techniques at a lake near Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Dec. 20, 2014. The firefighters are assigned to the 673d Civil Engineer Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Tommie Baker

2014 Year is Photos is a special report featuring some of the best images captured by Defense Department photographers during the year, as they provided a rich visual record of U.S. troop activities around the world.

U.S. sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett ensure a fuel probe is secured during a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Rainier in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 19, 2014. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Coffer

U.S. Army Pfc. Caleb Blair exits a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Dec. 22, 2014. Blair is a radio telephone operator and an infantryman assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Melissa Parrish

Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Denis Butierries holds his son Jacob for a view of Honolulu Harbor during a tour of the Coast Guard Cutter Rush in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 23. 2014. Six-year-old Jacob was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy when he was four months old and was given between four months and one year to live. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Kurt Fredrickson

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. JaLissa Farr provides security while conducting a patrol during exercise Steel Knight 15 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 14, 2014. Farr is a motor transport operator assigned to Headquarters, Battalion Security Platoon, 1st Marine Division. U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Lance Cpl. Adrianna R. Lincoln

2014 Year in Review is a special report highlighting 10 of the Defense Department's most critical issues during the year, from budget concerns at home to emerging threat around the world.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Cole Haldeman fires an M777 A2 howitzer during a live-fire exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 17, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez

Air Force Airman 1st Class Johnny Lamb signals to a KC-135R Stratotanker pilot to stop on McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., Dec. 22, 2014. Lamb is assigned to the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo

Defense Department leaders and their spouses extend holiday wishes to U.S. troops and their families around the world.