An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Photos

Snapshots of what’s happening in the Defense Department.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Patrick Ryan, center, talks with other soldiers during Operation Southern Fist in Obezhan Kalay village in the Spin Boldak district in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Sept. 30, 2012. Ryan, an infantry officer, is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's Security Force Assistance Team 8, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Patrick Ryan, center, talks with other soldiers during Operation Southern Fist in Obezhan Kalay village in the Spin Boldak district in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Sept. 30, 2012. Ryan, an infantry officer, is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's Security Force Assistance Team 8, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Patrick Ryan, center, talks with other soldiers during Operation Southern Fist in Obezhan Kalay village in the Spin Boldak district in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, Sept. 30, 2012. Ryan, an infantry officer, is assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division's Security Force Assistance Team 8, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Photo Gallery