41.   The problem with these humanitarian missions is that they can suddenly turn into combat operations.

42.   The service secretaries are civilians responsible for budgets, recruiting and training, but not combat operations.

43.   The situation that will develop if ground combat operations are launched does not look too good for Iraq either.

44.   The United States pulled out of Somalia after a company of Army Rangers was mauled during a combat operation against one warlord.

45.   The V device signifies that a medal was won for service in combat operations.

46.   The United States cannot use its bases for combat operations without Japanese permission, and American officials sometimes worry about whether they would get that permission in a crisis.

47.   These interpretations may seem illogical and improbable to Americans, but they are all too possible in many of the countries where combat operations could soon commence.

48.   Using lasers and infrared technology, the Apaches, unlike other helicopters, are capable of combat operations at night and in bad weather.

49.   With the war in Afghanistan a month old, the American commander of combat operations gave notice that a bigger buildup of U.S. forces was likely.

50.   Yet Jaskot said, thanks to the additional training en route to the Persian Gulf, his pilots should be ready for possible combat operations when they arrive there.