The U.S. Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School is well-known throughout the military community. However, when tourists and residents flew over Key West, Fla., and saw the school's 50-foot free ascent dive tower on a Naval base, many thought it belonged to the U.S. Navy.

That changed on Dec. 7, 2012 when the school hosted a ceremony unveiling the tower's new ink which reads "U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES" on the roof and displays the Army's Special Operations Combat Diver Badge and Green Beret around the sides of the building, making their presence known.

Guided-missile frigate USS GARY (FFG 51) and its embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team (LEDET), TACLET South, turned a routine boarding into a display of joint proficiency and while conducting maritime interception operations in the 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility Jan. 8.

While on patrol in the Eastern Pacific in support of Operation Martillo, Gary encountered a small vessel loaded with cargo that was deemed a contact of interest (COI). The vessel displayed several indicators which constituted reasonable suspicion that it was participating in illicit trafficking.

Bill Walter, a Air Force Special Operation Command Strike Requirements Branch program analyst, has a long history of brainstorming money-saving ideas and seeing them to fruition.

A tip from the U.S. Army Ammunition Program Office led Walter to a valuable supply of modified 40 mm M2 A1 gun parts used on the AC-130 gunship, which netted an Air Force savings of more than $14 million.

Marines and sailors with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa deployed from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 8, 2013.

Scheduled for a six-month deployment, the approximately 150 Marines and sailors are tasked with conducting theater security cooperation and limited crisis response missions in support of U.S. Africa Command.

Soldiers strive to be proficient on their weapons system, with the understanding that proficiency can save lives.

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery began their Table VIII training with this mindset. For many their previous experience helped them excel during the training.

"I feel like I'll do awesome. After all, it's our fourth or fifth rodeo. It comes naturally as you do it more and more," said Sgt. Matthew Andress, A Battery, 3-2nd ADA.

The Table VIII evaluates a battery's ability to conduct air and missile defense operations in a field environment.

A former Army staff sergeant will become the fourth living recipient of the nation’s highest award for battlefield gallantry in Iraq or Afghanistan, White House officials announced.

Army aviation special operations forces and conventional aviation forces will continue to collaborate and forge bonds that will become tighter as the Army downsizes, special operations forces and other commanders said today.

Col. John R. Evans, commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), said as demands for his unit's services have increased, conventional aviation has stepped up in every regard and supported operations across a broad spectrum.

Sailors from four guided-missile destroyers in the Nimitz Strike Group Surface Action Group (SAG), will depart for a Western Pacific deployment Jan. 14.

San Diego-based USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23 will join Everett, Wash.-based USS Shoup (DDG 86), already underway.

The SAG will deploy with approximately 1,200 Sailors and will focus on maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts, which help establish conditions for regional stability.

Swimming has been part of the Marine Corps since its birth in 1775. Marines stormed their first beach during the Revolutionary War. They turned the tide in Korea when they landed at Inchon in 1950, and their skill in water remains key today.

The Marines stood on top of the dive tower, looking down into the deep blue pool, hearts beating through their chests as the countdown began.

The Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 27, 2nd Marine Logistics Group jumped into their annual swim qualification here, from Jan. 7 to 9.