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.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (3rd from left) escorts Afghan Minister of the Interior Bismullah Mohammadi (left) and Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak (right) to a Pentagon conference room where they will participate in the first of what are hoped to become twice-yearly U.S.-Afghan security consultation forums on Feb. 23, 2011.

Secretary Gates escorts Afghan Minister of the Interior Bismullah Mohammadi and Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak to a Pentagon conference room.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates (3rd from left) escorts Afghan Minister of the Interior Bismullah Mohammadi (left) and Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak (right) to a Pentagon conference room where they will participate in the first of what are hoped to become twice-yearly U.S.-Afghan security consultation forums on Feb. 23, 2011.

Photo Gallery