An Iraqi boy peers tentatively at the camera as a Marine from Alpha Co., Battalion Landing Team 1st Bn., 2nd Marines gives him a bottle of Gatorade during a security patrol near Forward Operating Base New Market, Jan. 2, 2006.

BLT 1/2 is the ground combat element of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), which is conducting counterinsurgency operations with the 2nd Marine Division in Iraq's Al Anbar province.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Peter R. Miller

Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Christian Schlenker performs the final check before launching an E-2C Hawkeye aircraft during flight operations aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Jan. 2, 2006.

The nuclear powered aircraft carrier is currently under way on a regularly scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations.

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Javier Capella

KUKRUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Airmen and Soldiers of the 506th Air Expeditionary Group and 1st Brigade Combat Team crowd in front of a video camera before the 2006 Rose Bowl game. The troops -- including both University of Texas Longhorns and University of Southern California Trojans fans -- gathered at the "Clamtina" here, at 4 a.m., to watch the game and tape a segment that was shown to a national television audience during the playing of the National Anthem before the Jan. 4 game and during halftime festivities.

U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ken Sloat

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN)

Airmen and Soldiers take a moment to pray for each other's safety before heading out for another day of convoy duty in Iraq.

The Airmen run the convoys into Iraq and the Soldiers, in their armored trucks, escort them.

U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Campbell