Gates Bids Farewell to Pentagon Press Corps

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, enter the Pentagon briefing studio for what will be Gates' last press conference, June 16, 2011. Gates retires at the end of the month. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conduct a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. Gates said the briefing would be his last with the Pentagon reporters and thanked them for their hard work. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates holds his final scheduled press briefing at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Gates, who retires at the end of June. DOD photo by R. D. Ward
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conduct a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conduct a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates responds to a reporter's question during a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, left, calls on a reporter as Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, looks on during Gates' final scheduled press briefing at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by R. D. Ward
  • Joe Tabet, Al Hurra Television chief Pentagon correspondent, questions Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates responds to a reporter during his final scheduled press conference at the Pengaton, June 16, 2011. Gates noted that the majority of questions from reporters throughout his time in office concerned the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - both started before he became secretary. DOD photo by R. D. Ward
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, conduct a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates responds to a reporter's question during a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gives reporters his view of the often precarious, but essential relationship shared by the United States and Pakistan during a press briefing at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by R. D. Ward
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates responds to a reporter's question his last scheduled press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates responds to a reporter's question during his last scheduled press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by R. D. Ward
  • Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, responds to a reporter's question during a press conference at the Pentagon, June 16, 2011. DOD photo by Cherie Cullen