USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) escorts Spanish frigate Alvaro de Bazan in Persian Gulf.

The American shipbuilding and repair industry today finds itself with fewer big contracts such as that for USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), seen here under construction.

The Ecuadorian Navy corvette BAE Manab? (CM 12) leads an international formation during UNITAS 46-05 Pacific Phase. International navies coverage [The Commanders Respond] begins on page 34.

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Sherod Melvin stares down the sights of a .50-caliber machine gun at his post on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). This issue features the winners of the 44th Naval and Maritime Photo Contest, beginning on page 33.

The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) expeditionary strike group and LCACs of Assault Group 4 conduct maneuvers in the Atlantic Ocean.

The USS Scranton (SON-756) under way during Operation Inspired Siren, a joint maritime security exercise between the United States and Pakistan. This year’s submarine warfare coverage
A New Role for the Trident Fleet begins on page 26.

Corporal Robert Houser searches a stone aquaduct in Baghdaddi, Iraq, for hidden weapons caches as part of Operation El Toro Loco.

A Coast Guard crew from Station Mayport, Florida, trains in a 47-foot motor lifeboat off Atlantic Beach. Winning entries in the 2006 Coast Guard Essay Contest begin on page 22. (Cover photo by Donnie Brzuska)

Lieutenants Ken Hockycko and Roy Emanuel of VF-31 launch from the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) as part of the F-14’s final combat deployment.

Limited future shipbuilding budgets may reduce the number of new ships, such as the USS New York (LPD-21), that the Navy can afford. Admirals Natter and Pilling address this issue on page 14.

Lifelike Marines land in the Leatherneck Gallery of the new National Museum of the Marine Corps. Deep Leatherneck Immersion

The National World War II Memorial evokes memories of the Pacific war that began 65 years ago at Pearl Harbor. Our anniversary tribute begins on page 52.