Gates Visits Troops in Afghanistan

Troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan wave as U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates lands in a helicopter to visit with them, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates lands in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

A U.S. Army soldier asks a question of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates at a  forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Army soldiers applaud U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during his visit to a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with unit commanders at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with unit commanders at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates takes a photo with troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

A V-22 Osprey lands at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, while a C-17 Globemaster air craft waits to take off, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

A V-22 Osprey flies over a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates signs an American flag for a crew member on a V-22 Osprey enroute to a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates exits a V-22 Osprey at a forward operating base  in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. troops applaud U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during his visit to a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. 
 DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the troops at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen

A U.S. Navy sailor asks a question of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during his visit to a forward operating base in Afghanistan, June 5, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen