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. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greets Shir Kham, village elder, in Mata Khan, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2009. Mullen toured the village market and discussed the security situation with the elder during his visit to Paktika province.

ELDER GREETING

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greets Shir Kham, village elder, in Mata Khan, Afghanistan, Dec. 15, 2009. Mullen toured the village market and discussed the security situation with the elder during his visit to Paktika province.

Photo Gallery