A UH-1Y Venom helicopter with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, flies over the desert dunes en route to the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Dec. 9, 2014. The evolution is part of a week-long deployment-for-training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Uriel Avendano/ Released)
An Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Wyatt J. Martin Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Martin, 22, of Mesa, Ariz., died Dec. 12, 2014 in Parwan province, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
Eleven C-130H Hercules’ and 13 C-130J Super Hercules’ prepare to take off Dec. 6, 2014, from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas in support of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School’s Joint Forcible Entry Exercise 14B. The C-130H models are from various Air National Guard units and the C-130J models are from the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. In addition to the C-130s, the JFEX included approximately 20 C-17 Globemaster IIIs and various other aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Alexander Guerrero)
Paratroopers from the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade conduct an airfield seizure at dusk at Rivolto Italian Air Force Base Dec. 10, 2014. The battalion conducted airfield seizure training at to sustain their readiness as the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe. (Photo by Graigg Faggionato)
U.S. Marines under the cover of yellow smoke engage targets during a vertical assault at Combat Town, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 10, 2014. The assault was part of a pre-deployment exercise. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Richard Currier
C-17 Globemaster IIIs deploy flares during the U.S. Air Force Weapons School’s Joint Forcible Entry Exercise 14B over the Nevada Test and Training Range on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Dec. 6, 2014.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Thomas Spangler
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flies high over the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2014. The helicopter crew is assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. U.S. Army photo by Capt. Jarrod Morris
Marines with Golf Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), off-load from a CH-53E Super Stallion with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced), 11th MEU, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Dec. 12. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/Released)
President Barack Obama spends time with an audience of 3,000 service members, military families, civic leaders and elected officials inside a Marine Corps hangar on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Dec. 15, 2014. The president visited the base to thank troops for their service.
U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris
Santa Claus marches with soldiers from the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, of Fort Irwin during their march from Fort Irwin to the Barstow, Calif. Veterans’ Home on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014. (AP Photo/Desert Dispatch, James Quigg)
