U.S. Department of Defense no topic Update

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, left, commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks with U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Ian Gorman, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Indy Johnson during a visit to Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2013. Amos presented helmets to Gorman and Johnson who had both been wounded in combat. Gorman, a squad leader, and Johnson, a rifleman, are assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment.

As seen through a night-vision device, U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ellis E. Russell prepares for takeoff from inside a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2013. Russell, a crew chief, is assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462, provided aerial support for British forces with Task Force Helmand during an operation.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Antony Muiruri, assigned to the Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126, handles packages in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman during a replenishment-at-sea in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 20, 2013.