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.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates responds to a reporter's question about troop levels in Afghanistan during a press briefing with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon, July 20, 2009.

PENTAGON BRIEFING

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates responds to a reporter's question about troop levels in Afghanistan during a press briefing with Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pentagon, July 20, 2009.

Photo Gallery