London-based Olive Security provides former British Special Air Service troops--one unarmed guard for every four or so engineers who go out on a job--to drive and offer a show of muscle.

FORBES: On The Cover/Top Stories

In 2005 Rebecca Pittock-Shouldis of Ghost Hill Cellars chose to leave a full-time career in aviation as an Oregon Air National Guard maintenance technician on the F-15 Fighter Aircraft to pursue her passion for wine.

FORBES: Female Winemakers: Second In A Series Featuring Oregon

Three HH-65C helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Houston rescued more than 20 people and were continuing to fly round-the-clock rescue missions until weather grounds them, said Petty Officer Renee Aiello, a station spokeswoman.

CNN: More than 120 rescued from Ike's floods

The crew of the Coast Guard MH-60J helicopter CG 6007, U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak, nominated by the United States of America, for rescuing, at night, in blowing snow and sub-zero temperatures, all five crew members from a stranded fishing vessel, in Alaska, in February 2011.

FORBES: Korean Ship Captain Honored for Extraordinary Bravery at Sea

In part, I found answers to the question while serving in the South Carolina Air National Guard and partnering with one of the greatest F-16 Fighter Pilots I know.

WHITEHOUSE: Engage and Connect

The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve have also sent six C-130 aircraft specially set up to drop water and fire suppressant on the fires.

CNN: Chertoff: Lessons from Katrina being applied to fire response

In addition to the 168 towers to be closed April 1, some 16 towers that are operated on a cost-sharing basis with other governments, and five operated with the Air National Guard, will be closed Sept. 30.

CNN: FAA begins process to close 168 towers on April 1

In Los Angeles it means a coveted address on one of the guard-gated streets of the Platinum Triangle (Holmby Hills, Bel Air and Beverly Hills).

FORBES: The Era Of The $100 Million House

The latest call-up includes more than 3, 000 Guard members and reservists who will provide air refueling and joint communications to deploying troops.

CNN: Bush lifts sanctions against India, Pakistan

Standing on the roof of Two World Financial Center, amid mounds of debris that still litter the streets and rooftops around the World Trade Center, New York police officers -- among them former Marines -- raised the flags of the United States, Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.

CNN: Marines honor fallen members of armed forces