Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Karpf, part of an armed U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew, looks over New York City during security preparations for the Republican National Convention, Aug. 29, 2004. DoD photo by Mike Hvozda, U.S. Coast Guard.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Forbes, with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, gives a “high-five” to an Iraqi child during a cordon and search in the town of Alalaa, Iraq, Aug. 24, 2004. C Co, 2/108th Inf. mission is to search for Improvised Explosive Devices, identify targets and gather intelligence information. DoD photo by Sgt. April L. Johnson, U.S. Army.

Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, Va. Army National Guard, patrol the hillside near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug. 25, 2004. DoD photo by Sgt. Christopher Kaufmann, U.S. Army.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Terry Scott and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps John Estrada receive a tour of Al Basrah Oil Terminal off the coast of Iraq, in the North Arabian Gulf, Aug. 21, 2004. Scott and Estrada traveled throughout Iraq, Kuwait and the North Arabian Gulf talking to Sailors and Marines on the front lines in the war on terrorism. Iraqi Oil Terminal (KAAOT) is currently under the protection of U.S., coalition and Iraqi security forces. The six-day visit marked the first time the MCPON and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps have toured the Middle East together. (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Wes Eplen)

1st Lt. Ryan Merrill, with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, gives candy to children during a cordon and search in the town of Alalaa, Iraq, Aug. 24, 2004. C Co, 2/108th Inf. mission is to search for Improvised Explosive Devices, identify targets and gather intelligence information. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. April L. Johnson)

Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Robert Wise of San Diego, Calif. stands watch with Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Jeramia Ringwell of Elkhart Lake, Wis., and Airman Jeremy Davis of Redding, Calif., as USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) departs Apra Harbor, Naval Forces Marianas Support Activities, Guam, to escape Typhoon Chaba, Aug. 21, 2004. Kitty Hawk’s port-of-call was cut short to ensure the ship would not be damaged due to anticipated high winds and heavy seas to be inflicted by Chaba. Currently under way in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), Kitty Hawk demonstrates power projection and sea control as the world’s only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, operating from Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Jason T. Poplin)