Sgt Stryker

The thing about the US military is that they do have air dominance in conflicts, but they also dominate heavy artillery, heavy armor, infantry, special forces and the seas. (Which has been proven recently with the actions against pirates in the Mideast, Africa, and elsewhere in the world.) By being competent in the air, on the sea, and by land, the US military is really able to get the situation under control and go from there. And having these powerful forces AFTER the battle is just as important, as is constantly being shown in the 21st century.

Future history may show that the 2000s were all about what happens after the bombs stop and the battle is taken to the ground. And after the gun battles are done. Oh, there are still conflicts in Iraq, but there are bad events in America and elsewhere in the world too. Things ARE getting better. The reports are showing that. It’s in black and white and hard to miss unless you’re not looking or are looking at other things (as the media tends to do most of the time.) This doesn’t have to be the case, though. Whether it’s the Navy, the Air Force, the Army, Marines, Coast Guard or the National Guard, there are a lot of brave young men and women (and OLD men and women) who are giving up for their country.
This is the highest kind of service people can perform for their country. Oh, there are other ways to make America better, but the men and women (in the air, on the seas, and on the ground) should all be appreciated for the big sacrifices they make to make their country (and the countries of foreigners!) safe and secure. This is a lot and deserves a lot in return. Most people do it willingly for little reward.

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Joint Presence Patrol in Mosul

U.S. Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 161st Infantry, 81st Brigade Combat Team (Heavy), Washington Army National Guard, and members of the Iraqi Army walk down a steep hill during a joint presence patrol in the Abu Sayf District of Mosul, Iraq, June 1, 2009. Photo by Senior Airman Kamaile O. Chan

An Iraqi boy rides his bike in the Abu Sayf District of Mosul, Iraq, June 1, 2009. Photo by Senior Airman Kamaile O. Chan

“Jolly Rogers” on the Flight Deck

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 103 approaches the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Carrier Air Wing 7 and the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility on a scheduled deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Rafael Figueroa-Medina

HMCS Protecteur and USS Fitzgerald Replenishment

The Canadian navy replenishment oiler HMCS Protecteur conducts an underway replenishment with the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is one of seven Arleigh Burke-class destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, and is permanently forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Byron C. Linder