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. Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Marine Gen. Gen. James N. Mattis, commander, U.S. Central Command, salute during the presentation of colors at the change-of-command ceremony for U.S. Forces Iraq in Baghdad, Sept. 1, 2010. U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III relieved U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.

PRESENTING COLORS

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Marine Gen. Gen. James N. Mattis, commander, U.S. Central Command, salute during the presentation of colors at the change-of-command ceremony for U.S. Forces Iraq in Baghdad, Sept. 1, 2010. U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III relieved U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.

Photo Gallery