In this handout photograph released by the US military on June 30, 2008, a mine-resistant, ambush-protected armored vehicle waits for loading onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Joint Base Balad in Balad, 75 kms north of Baghdad, on June 24, 2008. The distribution of these vehicles is critical to the survival of service members operating in a combat environment where they may face improvised explosive device attacks. AFP PHOTO / HO / JULIANNE SHOWALTER ==RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE==