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The nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered submarine, Texas (SSN 775), returned to Northrop Grumman Newport News with a broom atop its sail to signify a clean sweep of the ship's alpha sea trials. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

The Navy flew a broom atop Texas' sail to signify a clean sweep of the ship's alpha sea trials. “It was great to be at sea on the Texas,” said Capt. John Litherland, prospective commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit Texas. “She is a magnificent machine and a proud testimony to...

On April 8, 2005 the floating dry dock, with Texas on board, moved into launch position and shipyard employees and Texas crew members completed final launch preparations. Photo by John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Newport News

Northrop Grumman Newport News reached a construction milestone on April 9, 2005 by launching the second Virginia-class submarine, Texas (SSN 775). This was the company’s first submarine launching in nearly a decade. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- First Lt. Erik Axt, 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, touches down in his A-10 Thunderbolt II after flying a mission here Aug. 14 supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Russell Wicke)

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo by...

SIGONELLA, Sicily -- Four A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft line up for takeoff from Naval Air Station Sigonella here April 15. NAS Sigonella provides logistics support for Commander, Sixth Fleet and NATO forces in the Mediterranean area. (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Stephen P. Weaver)

An A-10 Thunderbolt II receives fuel from a KC-135E Stratotanker during a training mission Friday, April 14, 2006, over Tucson, Ariz. The A-10 is from the 358th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and the KC-135E is from the Air National Guard's 101st Air Refueling Wing at...

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group climb after takeoff against the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains of the Hindu Kush at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, on Feb. 21. The A-10s provide close-air support for Army ground forces in...

Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 52nd Fighter Wing, 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdhalem Air Base, Germany, drop away from a refueling tanker during a NATO Operation Allied Force combat mission. The "Warthogs," deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, are specially designed for close air...

OVER THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Municipal Airport, Westfield Mass., Massachusetts Air National Guard, banks while flying accross the Mediterranean Sea enroute to a forward operating base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bucher)

A-10 practice run OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH -- An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies over a practice range near Al Udairi, Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch. This Maryland Air National Guard A-10 is dropping inert bombs during a practice run. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Orville...

Exercise Bushwacker 06-02 An A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 354th Fighter Squadron flies in support of Exercise Bushwacker 06-02 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on Saturday, April 1, 2006. The operational readiness exercise helps ensure Airmen are ready to deploy. (U.S. Air Force...

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM -- Maintenance troops work on an A-10 Thunderbolt II on March 23 at a forward-deployed Operation Iraqi Freedom location. The tank-killing A-10 is affectionately known as the Warthog. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman JoAnn S. Makinano)

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) - US Army pictures

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) - US Army pictures

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) - US Army pictures

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) - US Army pictures

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) - US Army pictures

High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) - US Army pictures