U.S. Marine Corps Sgts. Matthew Vandentop and Robert Rowe, Marine Wing Support Squadron 272, put one of the final pieces of AM2 matting on a newly built expeditionary marshalling pad in Al Asad, Iraq, Dec. 27, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James D. Hame
U.S. Marine Sgt. Jackson and Lance Cpl. Olsen, both assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 2, prepare to launch an unmanned aerial vehicle in Al Asad, Iraq, Dec. 22, 2005. The battalion is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Eric M. Hooper
A C-17 Globemaster III from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., drops heavy cargo over North Auxiliary Air Field, S.C., Dec. 20, 2005. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey II | Fact Sheet |
U.S. Army Sgt. Juan Rivera, assigned to the 1-9 Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division, launches the Raven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle into the air to take surveillance of outlying areas in downtown Baghdad. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. William Servinski II
The guided missile submarine USS Ohio is gently pushed to the pier by a tugboat as it returns to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Wash., Dec. 19, 2005, after completing sea trials. Ohio is the first ballistic missile submarine to complete conversion to the new class of guided missile submarines. The submarine will also have the additional capability to transport and support Navy special operations forces. Defense Dept. photo by Rick Chaffee
Seventeen C-17 Globemaster III aircraft fly over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia during low-level tactical training Dec. 20, 2005. The C-17s, assigned to the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., demonstrated the strategic airdrop capability of the U.S. Air Force. A total of 17 aircraft are performing the largest-ever formation of C-17s from one base. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey | Fact Sheet |
Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Richard A. Cody tests a flight simulator at Fort Rucker, Ala., home of Army Aviation Center. Cody is the Army's senior aviator with more than 5,000 flight hours. U.S. Army photo by B.J. Weiner
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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Benjamin Stern, 22nd Training Squadron Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape specialist, wears the prototype uniform while he works at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. He has helped collect data on it for the Air Force Uniform Board since August. It will replace the woodland battle dress uniform most airmen wear as their home-station utility uniform. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan
A computer illustration shows the new 53,377 square foot physical fitness center on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., which will replace the old facility destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It will serve active duty, enlisted, Department of Defense personnel, naval aviation rating students, base transient personnel, reservists and retirees at the base. The facility is expected to be completed in summer of 2007. U.S. Navy illustration
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Adam Murtishaw, crew chief with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, guides an F-22A Raptor into its parking space after a mission at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Dec. 14, 2005. The 27th Fighter Squadron earned initial operating capability, which means the stealth jet is combat ready. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker | Story |
An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter prepares to land aboard the Sea Fighter during flight deck certification off the coast of San Diego, Calif, Dec. 9, 2005. The Sea Fighter is a high-speed aluminum catamaran that will test a variety of technologies, which will allow the Navy to operate more effectively in littoral or near-shore waters. U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams
Line handlers stand by while the Navy's newest class of amphibious ship USS San Antonio pulls pier side at its new homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Dec. 12, 2005. San Antonio is the lead ship in the Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock-class of ships. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Laura A. Moore
The C-130J Hercules is the latest addition to the C-130 fleet at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., Dec. 8, 2005. Compared to older aircraft, the J model climbs faster and higher, flies farther at a higher cruise speed, and takes off and lands in a shorter distance. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tim Bazar
U.S. sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower gather on the flight deck to watch as the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio sails alongside in the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 10, 2005. San Antonio is the lead ship in the Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock-class of ships. She is scheduled to arrive in her new homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for the holidays and then will sail to Ingleside, Texas for her commissioning ceremony, Jan. 14, 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher B. Long | Fact Sheet |
An MH-60R Seahawk taxis to its flight line at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Dec. 5, 2005. The MH-60R Seahawk is the Navy's newest version of the H-60 helicopter series that will replace the SH-60B and SH-60F models. The aircraft is enhanced with a new glass cockpit, as well as mission improvements that include the sonar, radar, electronic support measures and an integrated self-defense suite. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Ahron Arendes | Story |
The U.S. Marine Corps' new Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle is tested in the landing area of Del Mar Boat Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif, Dec. 5, 2005. It will be capable of transporting 18 Marines and a crew of three over water at speeds of 29 miles an hour, using a hull propelled by two water jets. On land the vehicle will achieve speeds of 45 miles an hour. The new vehicle is planned to replace the current amphibious assault vehicle in use by the Marine Corps. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zack Baddorf | Fact Sheet |
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Keith Pierson, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Detachment Japan, directs the actions of a Remote Ordnance Neutralization System in response to a suspicious package during a drill at the Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka post office, Dec. 2, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class John L. Beeman
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class William Peterson bores holes for night vision goggle test equipment aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu under way in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California, Dec. 2, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zack Baddorf
A C-17 Globemaster III aircraft is being displayed for the military appreciation concert sponsored by Armed Forces Entertainment featuring country singer Aaron Tippin at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., Nov. 4, 2005. U.S. Air Force photo by Denise Gould | Fact Sheet |
U.S. sailors moor the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Charlotte to pier 3 at Naval Station Norfolk, Nov. 29, 2005. The Charlotte departed its home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Oct. 27, bound for Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, where the submarine will undergo a depot modernization period before returning to the Pacific Fleet in late 2006. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Laura A. Moore
The Advanced Electric Ship Demonstrator “Sea Jet” undergoes sea trials, Nov. 30, 2005, on Lake Pend Oreille in Bayview, Idaho. The 133-foot vessel is testing an underwater discharge water jet called AWJ-21, a propulsion concept with the goals of providing increased propulsive efficiency, reduced acoustic signature, and improved maneuverability over previous destroyer class combatants. U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams | Related Photo |
A precision-strike Stealth F-117 Nighthawk lands at Lajes Field, Portugal, Nov. 14, 2005, due to an emergency divert from a routine mission. This is the first time that any of the Stealth Aircraft have landed at Lajes Field. U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Tabitha Larson
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The experimental Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull ship "Sea Slice" returns to its homeport of Naval Station San Diego, Calif., Nov. 30, 2005. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zack Baddorf