Santa Claus, commanding officer of Holiday Cheer, Northpolecom, conducts basic swim qualifications at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 19, 2017. Claus must pass the Marine qualifications every two years. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Evan Ahlin
U.S. Army Soldier, assigned to 3rd Infantry Division, conducts aerial observation over Afghanistan.
U.S. Army photo by John Martinez
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble transits the Arabian Sea. U.S. Navy photo by Morgan K. Nall
Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis participate in a holiday event held by the ship's crew in the hangar bay. U.S. Navy photo by Class William Ford
Lightning strikes near the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt as it transits the Arabian Gulf. Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Mark Vetere
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, Headquarters Regiment, 1st Marine Logistics Group, overlook the beach during a field exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 12, 2017. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adam Dublinske
1st Lt. Daniel Butensky, an engineer officer assigned to 299th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, cuts through metal with a Broco torch in sub-freezing temperatures during the Best Sapper Competition, Fort Carson, Colorado, December, 6, 2017. U. S. Army photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill
