Critically acclaimed thriller writer Douglas Preston, who is from Maine, admires the art of a New England-based US Coast Guard unit painted on a blast wall at the Kuwait Naval Base, during a USO-sponsored “Operation Thriller* meet and greet with other authors, November 8, 2010, the second of their events in a week-long tour of the Persian Gulf. During their time on the front lines, the authors will share insider writer techniques, pose for photos and shake hands with troops. USO Photo by Mike Theiler