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Hagel Hails Milestone in Afghanistan Security

File photo: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel praised the formal transfer of security lead throughout Afghanistan to Afghan national security forces in a statement, June 18, 2013. Hagel called it a critical milestone which was made possible by “heavy sacrifices on the part of the United States, coalition partners, and the Afghan forces.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Army General Martin E. Dempsey Becomes 18th. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Start/stop Specials Slideshow U.S. Special Operations CommandFeds Feed Families 2013 Food DriveSexual Assault - Awareness and PreventionCybersecurityBiosurveillanceSuicide Prevention and AwarenessDOD Science & Technology News2014 Defense Budget ProposalSequestration: Across-the-Board Budget Cuts Could Threaten National SecurityTraumatic Brain InjuryDefense IntelligenceMilitary Family Support

Featured Photos More »

  • U.S. Defense Chuck Hagel speaks at the dedication of a new installation in the Pentagon, June 18, 2013, to commemorate the Korean War. Hagel thanked Korean War veterans at the event for their service, and said that the war and their service would never be forgotten.  DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • A Korean War veteran salutes during the dedication of a new installation in the Pentagon, June 18, 2013, to commemorate the Korean War. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke at the event, thanking Korean War veterans for their service. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, center, Ahn Ho-young, South Korean ambassador to the United States, left, and Lewis M. "Lew" Ewing, national director of the Korean War Veterans Association, cut the ribbon to dedicate a new installation in the Pentagon, June 18, 2013, to commemorate the Korean War. Hagel thanked Korean War veterans at the event for their service, and said the war and their service would never be forgotten. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, congratulates Afghans in a video message in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18, 2013, for reaching Milestone 2013. Dunford said Afghan national forces now take the lead for security across their country. International Security Assistance Force video still
  • Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, far right, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, briefs Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about B-2 bomber operations and maintenance on Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 18, 2013.     DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, left, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, briefs Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about B-2 bomber operations and maintenance on Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., June 18, 2013.  DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Newell scans the area using his machine gun's optic lens while training to maintain his tactical skills as a member of a quick reaction force on Jalalabad Airfield in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, June 7, 2013. Newell, an M240B gunner, is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. As of June 18, 2013, Afghan forces have taken the lead in providing security for their country. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class John D. Brown
  • Paratroopers jump from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft over Malamute Drop Zone during Operation Spartan Reach on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 4, 2013. The paratroopers are assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's Company A, 3rd Battalion, Airborne, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Connaher
  • U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Roger Skilling operates an assault amphibious vehicle during a simulated amphibious raid event with Thai marines during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2013 in Hat Yao, Thailand, June 10, 2013. Skilling is assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, attached to Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.  U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John C. Lamb
Start/stop Featured Photo Gallery Slideshow THANKING KOREAN WAR VETSA VETERAN'S SALUTEKOREAN INSTALLATIONMILESTONE MESSAGEBOMBER BRIEFINGOPERATIONS UPDATETACTICAL TRAININGGLOBEMASTER JUMPRAID EVENT

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