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 soldiers gain ground security in Masamute Valley as they prepare to cordon and search the village of Bala in Laghman province, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard.

GAINING GROUND

U.S. Army soldiers gain ground security in Masamute Valley as they prepare to cordon and search the village of Bala in Laghman province, Afghanistan, Sept. 25, 2010. The soldiers are assigned to the 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment, 86th Brigade Combat Team, Vermont National Guard.

Photo Gallery