U.K. forces board a U.S. CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward), here in the early morning hours July 30. HMH-466 inserted more than 100 troops into an area north of Marjah, where they will partner with Afghan National Security Forces and U.S. Marines to clear the area of Taliban threats and bring stability to the region. Photo by Cpl. Ryan Rholes

An E2-C Hawkeye assigned to the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 performs a fly-by of the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.Photo by Seaman John Wagner

MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced) from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, land at a bivouac site during Exercise Bright Star 2009 in Egypt. Bright Star is a biennial, multinational exercise designed to improve readiness, interoperability, and strengthen the military and professional relationships among U.S., Egyptian and participating forces. Bright Star is conducted by U.S. Central Command.Photo by Cpl. Theodore Ritchie

Cpl. Miriam M. Alvarez, a motor transport mechanic with Maintenance Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward), 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), works on the step of a Mine-Resistant, Ambush Protected, Vehicle at Camp Leatherneck, Oct. 9. The Marines of Maintenance Company work long hours in order to get damaged vehicles back on the road in the shortest amount of time possible.

U.S. Army Pfc. James Walkingstick, from Talequah, Ok., patrols in the mountains near Sar Howza, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 2. Walkingstick is deployed with Bulldog Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith

Marines with the police mentoring team, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2, walk on patrol, May 24. The Marines patrol the local area daily to ensure the safety of the village and nearby combat outpost. Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ned Johnson

A young Iraqi girl watches U.S. Army Soldiers pass through her neighborhood in Al Qurna, Iraq, April 7. The Soldiers are in the area conducting atmospherics to have a better understanding of the conditions and possible violent threats from insurgents. Photo by Spc. Christopher Wellner

Residents of western Paktika stand in line to receive saplings handed out by members of the provincial government, the Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team, and the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, March 24. Afghan national security forces escorted the tree saplings to their respective district for distribution as well as providing security for the class and distribution process to prevent thievery and corruption. These trees will be equally distributed and planted throughout the region in order to allow the root systems to hold the soil in place.