December 1, 2011 - Photo by Sgt. Micahel J. MacLeod

Specialist Christopher Pawson leads his artillery battery in a footrace through the forests of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during a team-based competition - Download Hi-Res photo

Spc. Christopher Pawson leads his artillery battery in a footrace through the forests of Fort Bragg, N.C., during a team-based competition, Dec. 1. The "Bandit Blitz" is a day of challenges for the paratroopers with Battery B, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, which is the artillery component of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team.

A civilian instructor coaches two paratroopers how to use a Carl Gustav 84 millimeter recoilless rifle

December 6, 2011 - Photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

A civilian instructor coaches two paratroopers how to use a Carl Gustav 84mm recoilless rifle - Download Hi-Res photo

A civilian instructor coaches two paratroopers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, on how to use a Carl Gustav 84 mm recoilless rifle during a certification class at Fort Bragg, N.C., Dec. 6.

Chief of Staff of the Army General Raymond T. Odierno and retired Colonel Ray Horoho pin three-star epaulets on the shoulders of Lieutenant General Patricia D. Horoho

December 7, 2011 - Photo by Rob McIlvaine

Chief of Staff of the Army General Raymond T. Odierno and retired Colonel Ray Horoho pin three-star epaulets on the shoulders of Lieutenant General Patricia D. Horoho - Download Hi-Res photo

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno and retired Col. Ray Horoho pin three-star epaulets on the shoulders of Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, the 43rd surgeon general and commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Command, at a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Dec. 7. Horoho is the first nurse and first woman to be nominated for the position and confirmed by Congress.

General Lloyd James Austin III and Command Sergeant Major Joseph R. Allen case the USF-I Colors during a ceremony that marked the end of Operation New Dawn

December 15, 2011 - Photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo

General Lloyd James Austin III and Command Sergeant Major Joseph R. Allen case the USF-I Colors during a ceremony that marked the end of Operation New Dawn - Download Hi-Res photo

Gen. Lloyd James Austin III, commander of U.S. Forces-Iraq, and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph R. Allen case the USF-I colors during a ceremony that marked the end of Operation New Dawn, at the former Sather Air Base, Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 15. Since 2003, more than 1 million U.S. service members have served in Iraq.

Specialist Aaron King is hoisted back into a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter

December 15, 2011 - Photo by Staff Sgt. Donna Davis

Specialist Aaron King is hoisted back into a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter - Download Hi-Res photo

Spc. Aaron King, a flight medic with Company C, 3-82nd General Support Aviation Battalion, is hoisted back into a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during hoist training at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 15.

Service members watch as the U.S. Forces-Iraq flag is cased

December 15, 2011 - Photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Barrieau

Service members watch as the U.S. Forces-Iraq flag is cased - Download Hi-Res photo

Service members watch as the U.S. Forces-Iraq flag is cased, marking the closure of Operation New Dawn and the war in Iraq, during a ceremony in Baghdad, Dec. 15.

Specialist Devon Boxa looks out the back door of a CH-47D Chinook helicopter as another Chinook follows

December 17, 2011 - Photo by Spc. Ken Scar

Specialist Devon Boxa looks out the back door of a CH-47D Chinook helicopter as another Chinook follows - Download Hi-Res photo

Spc. Devon Boxa, a member of Company B, 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, looks out the back door of a CH-47D Chinook helicopter as another Chinook follows. The helicopters were flying from Kabul to Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Dec. 17.

Kuwait border military police and Soldiers from the 265th Movement Control Team close the gate at the Khabari Crossing

December 18, 2011 - Photo by Master Sgt. Montigo White

Kuwait border military police and Soldiers from the 265th Movement Control Team close the gate at the Khabari Crossing after the final convoy crossed the border from Iraq to Kuwait - Download Hi-Res photo

Kuwait border military police and Soldiers from the 265th Movement Control Team close the gate at the Khabari Crossing after the final convoy crossed the border from Iraq to Kuwait, Dec. 18.

Specialist Jeremiah Holbrook provides security near Torkham Gate, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan

Decemeber 23, 2011 - Photo by Sgt. Trey Harvey

Specialist Jeremiah Holbrook provides security near Torkham Gate, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan - Download Hi-Res photo

Spc. Jeremiah Holbrook, attached to 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, provides security near Torkham Gate, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 23.

Kentucky National Guard Soldiers inspect a greenhouse in Mahmod-e Raqi district, Kapisa province, Afghanistan

December 28, 2011 - Photo by Spc. Amber Leach

Kentucky National Guard Soldiers inspect a greenhouse in Mahmod-e Raqi district, Kapisa province, Afghanistan - Download Hi-Res photo

Kentucky National Guard Soldiers with Agribusiness Development Team 3, Task Force Hurricane, inspect a greenhouse in Mahmod-e Raqi district, Kapisa province, Afghanistan, Dec. 28. The purpose of the mission was to observe the progress of improving agricultural growth in the area.