Unseen missions

Stuff you may not have seen as part of the regular coverage of what your military is up to...

U.S. Navy divers conduct salvage and diving operations in a channel near Mobile, Ala., as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The divers, assigned to the rescue and salvage ship USS Grapple (ARS 53), have been tasked with removing a sunken channel marker that is blocking commercial traffic within the Alabama port channel.

U.S. Navy divers, assigned to the rescue and salvage ship USS Grapple (ARS 53), remove a sunken channel marker from a commercial port in Mobile, Ala., as part of the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Grapple is currently on stand-by to remove large debris from harbors and ports along the Gulf Coast

A UH-3H Sea King helicopter, assigned to the “Desert Ducks” of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two (HC-2), and an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the “Desert Hawks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Six (HSC-26), fly in formation over the Persian Gulf. HSC-26 relieved HC-2 of their duties as primary logistics and search and rescue helicopter assets in the area. HC-2 has been a permanent detachment in Manama, Bahrain for 33 years and will be returning to Norfolk, Va. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Felix Garza Jr.

A team of U.S. Navy Sailors, along with the assistance of state and local marine and wildlife law enforcement officers, assess the food, water, and medical needs of families stranded by Hurricane Katrina's destruction to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Sailors are assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), currently conducting relief efforts in the Gulf of Mexico.