Maritime interception, 2003

(Mark Oliva/Stars and Stripes)

Aboard the USS Milius, Feb. 20, 2003: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Gentleman climbs a rope ladder from a rigid-hulled inflatable boat to USS Milius after running maritime interception operations in the Persian Gulf. Coalition forces were stopping Iraqi smugglers to enforce U.N. sanctions.

Read about the mission and see additional photos here.