[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

030624-N-9411J-035 Arabian Gulf (Jun. 24, 2003) -- Boatswain's Mate Seaman Isaac Hollister from Dayton, Ohio, operates a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) carrying personnel assigned to the guided missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) Vessel Boarding Search and Seizure Team (VBSS), while returning to the ship following a Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO). MIO operations are performed by specially-trained personnel who board and inspect vessels to ensure they are operating in accordance with current U.N. resolutions and to prevent transportation of illegal cargo and personnel. Rodney M. Davis is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multi-national coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, and end the regime of Saddam Hussein. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Christopher L. Jordan. (RELEASED)

[LaDivaLoca]

Thank you for the pictures, EMB. I agree with Kathy - it sure helps to know about the pictures when commentaries are included. Tom, Kathy, Radix and others have been doing an awesome job of keeping us here updated about our Troops.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Now THIS is a cool picture, EMB. "Maritime Interdiction" under the present circumstances could be quite interesting and pretty spooky, never knowing what, or who, you might find.