25. The Things I Do for Bacon

A flight medic with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, is hoisted into a medical helicopter with Luca, a Military Working Dog with 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division during a training exercise, Feb. 24, at Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. The training prepared the flight medics for medical evacuation of working dogs. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Needham, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

A flight medic with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, is hoisted into a medical helicopter with Luca, a Military Working Dog with 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division during a training exercise, Feb. 24, at Forward Operating Base Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. The training prepared the flight medics for medical evacuation of working dogs. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Needham, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

24. Feet and Knees Together! 

Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Alaska's 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion airdropped a Humvee on JBER's Malamute Drop Zone, followed by approximately 60 paratroopers from a C-17 aircraft, Wednesday, April 17, 2013. The paratroopers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry Division recently completed post-deployment RESET, and are transitioning the brigade to assuming part of the quick reaction force mission for the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Connaher)

Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Alaska’s 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion airdropped a Humvee on JBER’s Malamute Drop Zone, followed by approximately 60 paratroopers from a C-17 aircraft, Wednesday, April 17, 2013. The paratroopers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry Division recently completed post-deployment RESET, and are transitioning the brigade to assuming part of the quick reaction force mission for the Pacific theater. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Connaher)

23. Overwatch

Sgt. Joshua J. Clark, from Elkhart, Ind., with the 591st Engineer Company (Sappers), provides over watch security for Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel outside an Afghan Border Police checkpoint near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border April 1 in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)

Sgt. Joshua J. Clark, from Elkhart, Ind., with the 591st Engineer Company (Sappers), provides over watch security for Air Force Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel outside an Afghan Border Police checkpoint near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border April 1 in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)

22. Master Sergeant Christopher Nelms & The Worm Pit at Best Ranger

Source: US Army

Source: US Army

21. Chinooks Over Afghanistan

Two crew members keep watch on the rear ramp of a CH-47 Chinook while flying over the mountains in the Khas Uruzgan district of Afghanistan on March 16, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jessi Ann McCormick

Two crew members keep watch on the rear ramp of a CH-47 Chinook while flying over the mountains in the Khas Uruzgan district of Afghanistan on March 16, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jessi Ann McCormick

20. Rangers Lead the Way!

Rangers from B Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, practice Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction (FRIES) out of an MH-47 from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment during 2nd Battalion’s Task Force Training at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash., March 27, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Connor Mendez

Rangers from B Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, practice Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction (FRIES) out of an MH-47 from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment during 2nd Battalion’s Task Force Training at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash., March 27, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Connor Mendez

19. Air Assault

In below freezing temperatures, the Strike Soldiers of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team "STRIKE," 101st Airborne Division, conduct artillery air assault gun-raid training with the 101st’s 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, at multiple Fort Campbell training areas, March 20. The Top Guns Artillerymen prepared the 5,000-pound M119 Howitzer guns for sling-load operations, hooked them to the Wings of the Eagles’ UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, air assaulted onto a cleared objective, received notional enemy coordinates and fired for effect, all within a 30-minute time limit. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joe Padula, 2nd BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.

In below freezing temperatures, the Strike Soldiers of Battery A, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team “STRIKE,” 101st Airborne Division, conduct artillery air assault gun-raid training with the 101st’s 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, at multiple Fort Campbell training areas, March 20. The Top Guns Artillerymen prepared the 5,000-pound M119 Howitzer guns for sling-load operations, hooked them to the Wings of the Eagles’ UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, air assaulted onto a cleared objective, received notional enemy coordinates and fired for effect, all within a 30-minute time limit.
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Joe Padula, 2nd BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.

18. King of Battle 

Sgt. 1st Class Fredrick Edwards fires a D-30 Howitzer at Kabul Military Training Center, Afghanistan, March 19, 2013. These test fires are the final step for this refurbished artillery weapon. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph B. Prouse

Sgt. 1st Class Fredrick Edwards fires a D-30 Howitzer at Kabul Military Training Center, Afghanistan, March 19, 2013. These test fires are the final step for this refurbished artillery weapon. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph B. Prouse

17. Scouts Out!

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16. Why Walk When You Can…

An Operational Detachment Alpha from 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (7 SFG (A)) begin to be lifted off the ground by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a training event Eglin Base Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 5, 2013. Green Berets from 7SFG (A) participated in a training event in which they practiced Special Purpose Insertion Extraction (SPIE). Spies are used to rapidly insert or extract soldiers from terrain that does not allow helicopters to land. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Steven Young/Released)

An Operational Detachment Alpha from 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (7 SFG (A)) begin to be lifted off the ground by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a training event Eglin Base Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 5, 2013. Green Berets from 7SFG (A) participated in a training event in which they practiced Special Purpose Insertion Extraction (SPIE). Spies are used to rapidly insert or extract soldiers from terrain that does not allow helicopters to land. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Steven Young/Released)

15. Rally Point

Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team form an LGOP, or little group of paratroopers, on the drop zone before moving to a rally point following a jump Feb. 25, 2013, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Paratroopers are trained to jump in day or night. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod)

Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team form an LGOP, or little group of paratroopers, on the drop zone before moving to a rally point following a jump Feb. 25, 2013, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Paratroopers are trained to jump in day or night. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod)

14. Checking the Lines

1st Lt. James D. Whitler, a platoon leader from Colorado Springs, Colo., serving with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, walks the line of his unit’s perimeter and checks on Spc. Alan L. Villalobos, an infantryman from Edmonds, Wash., Feb. 26 at a remote Afghan Uniform Police checkpoint near Takhteh Pol, Afghanistan. The unit is securing the checkpoint while assisting the AUP in conducting highway interdiction operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)

1st Lt. James D. Whitler, a platoon leader from Colorado Springs, Colo., serving with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, walks the line of his unit’s perimeter and checks on Spc. Alan L. Villalobos, an infantryman from Edmonds, Wash., Feb. 26 at a remote Afghan Uniform Police checkpoint near Takhteh Pol, Afghanistan. The unit is securing the checkpoint while assisting the AUP in conducting highway interdiction operations. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.)

13. I Can See You

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Robert Wolfe, security force platoon leader for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, provides rooftop security during a key leader engagement in Farah City, Feb. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Matthew Stroup

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Robert Wolfe, security force platoon leader for Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah, provides rooftop security during a key leader engagement in Farah City, Feb. 25. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Matthew Stroup

12. NTC Sure Is Bright

Troopers from 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment conduct a dismounted patrol at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin. Calif. Feb. 14, 2013. Photo by Specialist Adam Hoppe

Troopers from 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment conduct a dismounted patrol at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin. Calif. Feb. 14, 2013. Photo by Specialist Adam Hoppe

11. Hook Man For The Sling Load

Artillerymen with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team prepare to hook up an M119A2 105mm howitzer to a UH60 Black Hawk helicopter during air assault training Feb. 8, 2013, at Fort Bragg, N.C. The artillerymen are assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

Artillerymen with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team prepare to hook up an M119A2 105mm howitzer to a UH60 Black Hawk helicopter during air assault training Feb. 8, 2013, at Fort Bragg, N.C. The artillerymen are assigned to 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

10. Daddy – Daughter Salute

Daniella, daughter of Capt. Dan Moen, 1-89 CAV (RECON), U.S. Army Fort Drum & 10th Mountain Division, salutes behind her father as the National Anthem is played at a deployment ceremony on January 11 at Fort Drum, NY. Photo by Sasha Moen

Daniella, daughter of Capt. Dan Moen, 1-89 CAV (RECON), U.S. Army Fort Drum & 10th Mountain Division, salutes behind her father as the National Anthem is played at a deployment ceremony on January 11 at Fort Drum, NY. Photo by Sasha Moen

9. Sniper Team at Work in Afghanistan

A sniper team with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash., scans the area outside of a leaders' shura from a rooftop in Afghanistan Jan. 30. Photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

A sniper team with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash., scans the area outside of a leaders’ shura from a rooftop in Afghanistan Jan. 30. Photo by Staff Sgt. Shane Hamann, 102nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

8. Saying Goodbye

Soldiers say their final goodbyes during a farewell ceremony on McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., Jan. 26, 2013. The soldiers, assigned to the South Carolina Army National Guard, will head to Fort Hood, Texas, to train before deploying to Afghanistan. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago

Soldiers say their final goodbyes during a farewell ceremony on McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., Jan. 26, 2013. The soldiers, assigned to the South Carolina Army National Guard, will head to Fort Hood, Texas, to train before deploying to Afghanistan. National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jorge Intriago

7. Hiking Along the Afghanistan – Pakistan Border

Afghan Border Police and U.S. Army Soldiers from ABP Zone 1, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, hike from their landing zone to an observation point along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Jan. 21, 2013. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jon Heinrich, CT 1-101 Public Affairs

Afghan Border Police and U.S. Army Soldiers from ABP Zone 1, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, hike from their landing zone to an observation point along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Jan. 21, 2013. U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Jon Heinrich, CT 1-101 Public Affairs

6. Irene!

Six UH-60L Black Hawks and two CH-47F Chinooks, assigned to Task Force Brawler, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Task Force Falcon, simultaneously launch a daytime mission Jan. 18 from Multinational Base Tarin Kowt.

Six UH-60L Black Hawks and two CH-47F Chinooks, assigned to Task Force Brawler, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Task Force Falcon, simultaneously launch a daytime mission Jan. 18 from Multinational Base Tarin Kowt.

5. Apaches Going to Work 

Soldiers from 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, out of Ansbach, Germany offload an AH-64 Apache helicopter from a C5 Galaxy cargo aircraft in Mazar e Sharif, Afghanistan on 28 April, 2012. The brigade is deploying to Afghanistan’s Regional Command North in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by Maj. John C. Crotzer) (Released)

Soldiers from 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, out of Ansbach, Germany offload an AH-64 Apache helicopter from a C5 Galaxy cargo aircraft in Mazar e Sharif, Afghanistan on 28 April, 2012. The brigade is deploying to Afghanistan’s Regional Command North in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (Photo by Maj. John C. Crotzer) (Released)

4. Man’s Best Friend

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Brian Zamiska, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), pulls security with a U.S. Air Force working dog, Jan. 6, 2013, during a patrol with the Afghan Border Police in Tera Zeyi district, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alex Kirk Amen

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Brian Zamiska, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), pulls security with a U.S. Air Force working dog, Jan. 6, 2013, during a patrol with the Afghan Border Police in Tera Zeyi district, Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alex Kirk Amen

3. Snowbird

A UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter with A Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade gets run up to ensure mission readiness during a snow storm on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Dec. 27. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duncan Brennan, 101st CAB public affairs)

A UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter with A Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade gets run up to ensure mission readiness during a snow storm on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Dec. 27. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Duncan Brennan, 101st CAB public affairs)

2. Blackhawks Over Kandahar

Blackhawk helicopters fly to Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2012. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen

Blackhawk helicopters fly to Kandahar, Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2012. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen

1. Battle Buddy

U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Serella, a narcotics patrol detector dog handler with the 3rd Infantry Division, takes time to bond with his dog, Nero, as local children look on during Operation Clean Sweep conducted in districts throughout Kandahar City, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Meister

U.S. Army Sgt. Adam Serella, a narcotics patrol detector dog handler with the 3rd Infantry Division, takes time to bond with his dog, Nero, as local children look on during Operation Clean Sweep conducted in districts throughout Kandahar City, Afghanistan, Oct. 3, 2012. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Tyler Meister