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.

A U.S. Marine provides security with an M249 squad automatic weapon during Operation Backstop in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2008. The Marine is assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

BACKSTOP WATCH

A U.S. Marine provides security with an M249 squad automatic weapon during Operation Backstop in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2008. The Marine is assigned to Company I, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

Photo Gallery