PRESS CONFERENCE

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates smiles when asked if he is considering staying on with the next administration during a joint press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen at the Pentagon, July 31, 2008. Gates said he is planning on leaving in 173 days, at the end of the current administration. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie Cullen

CHESTY-TO-CHESTY

U.S. Marine Sgt. Chesty XIII, left, plays with Sgt. Chesty XII, the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington, during a parade practice at Marine Barracks Washington, July 25, 2008. Chesty XII would retire minutes later and be succeeded by Chesty XIII. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob H. Harrer

WISTANI GATE

A U.S. soldier stands on top of a battlement on the inside of the Wistani Gate, one of the remaining four gates leading into the Rahseed district of Baghdad, Iraq, July 27, 2008. The soldiers, assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, 89th Cavalry Regiment, ensure the site has not been tampered with by vandals. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brian D. Lehnhardt

STREET TALK

A U.S. soldier speaks to an Iraqi man during a humanitarian aid mission in a village in the Jazeera desert in Iraq, July 26, 2008. The soldier is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment. U.S. and Iraqi soldiers distributed toys, clothing and medical supplies during the mission. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Micky M. Bazaldua

NUTS & BOLTS

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Alan L. Scott inspects a KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft brake assembly on March Air Reserve Base, Calif., July 30, 2008. Scott is a pneudraulics technician assigned to the 452nd Maintenance Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis

LIGHTNING STRIKE

Members from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing, 144th Fighter Wing, 146th Airlift Wing, 163rd Reconnaissance Wing and 162nd Combat Communications Group walk to the forest outside of Paradise City, Calif., July 27, 2008 to conduct fireline training during Operation Lightning Strike. More than 200 members from the various California wings were called up to help fight the wildland fires in Northern California. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Dan Kacir

GREETING A COMRADE

U.S. Army Spc. Jesse A. Murphree, left, greets his 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team comrades returning from deployment in Afghanistan, on the flight line at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 22, 2008. Murphree lost his legs in a roadside bomb attack in the Korengal Valley, near Ali Abad, Afghanistan, Dec. 27, 2007. He has been undergoing treatment at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. U.S. Army photo by Dave Melancon

LIFT OFF

A U.S. sailor gives the takeoff signal to a CH-46E Sea Knight pilot assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit during training aboard the USS Iwo Jima, July 21, 2008. The exercise is part of the certification process the MEU must complete while aboard the USS Iwo Jima for the final exercise of its predeployment training period. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Christopher A. Matt