U.S. Marine Sgt. Jason Swofford conducts a security patrol through the Nawa district in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 20, 2009. Swofford is assigned to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg

U.S. troops, civilian agencies, Afghan officials and locals attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the first high school for females in the Shajoy region in Zabul province, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence

A U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft drops supplies outside Forward Operating Base Golestan in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 28, 2009. U.S. Marines assigned to India Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, rely on supply drops to keep operations running smoothly. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam

A U.S. Air Force pararescueman surveys his area during a training scenario at an undisclosed U.S. location during exercise Patriot Archangel, Oct. 17, 2009. The exercise hones Guardian Angel combat operations in simulated hostile urban environments and increases combat effectiveness for pararescuemen. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo

Jack Downing, president and CEO of Soldier On, right, presents the Soldiier On award to Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Holyoke, Mass., Oct. 29, 2009. Mullen was the first recipient of the award created to recognize a person each year who works to stem homelessness among veterans. Soldier On operates shelters as transitional homes for veterans while providing medical care, counseling and career services. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife Deborah greet formerly homeless veterans at the 1st Soldier On award ceremony in Holyoke, Mass., Oct. 29, 2009. Mullen was the first recipient of the award created to recognize a person each year who works to stem homelessness among veterans. Soldier On operates shelters as transitional homes for veterans while providing medical care, counseling and career services. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

An enlisted air crew member signals a Marine Corps CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter as it approaches the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry during landing qualifications in the South China Sea, Oct. 29, 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Solomon Michel directs a Marine Corps CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter as it approaches the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry during landing qualifications in the South China Sea, Oct. 29, 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua J. Wahl