
From the left, French President Francois Hollande, bits farewell to U.S. National Guardsman from Roseburg, Oregon, Alek Skarlatos, U.S. Airman Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler, a senior at Sacramento University in California, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, after being awarded with the French Legion of Honor by French President, Francois Hollande, Monday, Aug. 24, 2015. French President Francois Hollande and a bevy of officials are presenting the Americans with the prestigious Legion of Honor on Monday. The three American travelers say they relied on gut instinct and a close bond forged over years of friendship as they took down a heavily armed man on a passenger train speeding through Belgium. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) 
Firefighters from multiple engineer detachments utilize a high-pressure fire hose to extinguish a flame during a training event Aug. 16 as part of the Combat Support Training Exercise (CSTX) at Fort McCoy, Wis. The training replicates real-world missions which develops the units’ abilities to successfully plan, prepare, and provide combat service support. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Christopher A. Hernandez, 345th Public Affairs Detachment) 
First Lt. Shaye Haver, left, and Capt. Kristen Griest talk on the phone Aug. 20 with Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who called to congratulate them on being the first women to earn the Ranger Tab. (Photo: Patrick A. Albright/Army) 
A UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter lifts off with a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle during Exercise Uhlan Fury at the Gen. Silvestras Zlikaliskas Training Area, Pabrade, Lithuania, Aug. 10, 2015. 
U.S. Marines with 3rd Combat Assault Battalion, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, conduct a patrol during a demolition training exercise Aug. 21 at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia. Combat engineers with MRF-D conducted the demolition to familiarize Marines with tactics, techniques and procedures to safely use the explosives. The rotational deployment in Darwin enables Marines to more effectively train, exercise and operate with their partners, enhancing regional security and building a capacity to respond more rapidly to natural disasters and crises throughout that region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reba James/Released) 
A Washington National Guard Black Hawk pilot looks out over the Cougar Creek fire near Mt. Adams on August 24 while helping battle the blaze. (Photo by Chief Warrant Officer Eric Swenson) 
150819-N-FN215-230 SANDAKAN, Malaysia (Aug. 19, 2015) Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron 4 and members of the Royal Malaysian navy conduct high value asset training during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia 2015. In its 21st year, CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joshua Scott/Released) 
The Japanese fleet oiler JS Mashu participates in a replenishment with the hospital ship USNS Mercy during Pacific Partnership 2015 in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 13, 2015. The partnership exercise is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. 
A Marine assigned to Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, climbs a rope as part of the Dark Horse Ajax Challenge aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 20, 2015. The eight-mile course tested the Marines’ and Sailors’ endurance and leadership skills with trials spread across the San Mateo area. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Will Perkins) 
150818-N-NI474-067 SAN DIEGO (Aug. 18, 2015) The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) are pierside at Naval Air Station North Island while conducting a hull-swap. The force structure change allows George Washington to undergo its mid-life refueling complex overhaul and Ronald Reagan to support the security and stability of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel M. Young/Released) 
Fans stand alongside recruits from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego before the San Diego Padres play the St. Louis Cardinals in a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)



