US MARINES CORPS

ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 10, 2008) An SH-60B assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42) prepares to land on the flight deck of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX provides a realistic training environment to ensure the strike group is capable and ready for its upcoming scheduled deployment. The Iwo Jima ESG is made up of Iwo Jima; the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast-attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Michael Starkey

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 102 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk for the last time in Pacific Ocean, Aug 6, 2008. Carrier Air Wing 5 aircraft flew off Kitty Hawk to join the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington in San Diego. In September, George Washington will replace Kitty Hawk as the Navy's only carrier operating from Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau

SALAH AH DIN, Iraq (February 15, 2008) - U.S. Army Soldiers talk about the M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System Vehicle capabilities in Salah ah Din province, Iraq, Feb. 12, 2008. The soldiers are from the 2nd Infantry Division and 101st Airborn Division. Photo by Maj. Johnpaul Arnold, U.S. Army

An F-22 Raptor takes off from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Aug. 28 to take part in an aerial refueling test using an alternative jet engine fuel -- a first for an Air Force aircraft. The fuel is a 50/50 mix of JP-8 jet fuel and a natural gas-based fuel. (Lockheed Martin photo)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 30, 2008) Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling 3rd Class Lataf Bush launches an AH-1W Cobra from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 264 off the flight deck of the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7). Iwo Jima, the flagship of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, is on a scheduled deployment en route to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad R. Erdmann

U.S. Navy Seaman Michael Cain, left, Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Dahlin and Seaman Nancy Torres, ride a Zodiac inflatable boat through the surf while on safety patrol near the construction area of an elevated causeway during Joint Logistics Over-The-Shore, JLOTS 2008, Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 12, 2008. The sailors are assigned to Amphibious Construction Battalion 1. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian P. Caracci