Lead Photos

HALIFAX CITADEL

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay conduct a press conference at the Citadel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 20, 2009. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen

CITADEL TOUR

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay tour the Citadel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 20, 2009. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen

HIGHLANDERS

Members of the 78th Highlanders stand at the entrance of the Citadel in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 20, 2009. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen

HALIFAX FORUM

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addresses the audience as Canadian Minister of National Defense Peter MacKay, left, and Craig Kennedy, president of the German Marshall Fund, look on during the Halifax International Security Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nov. 20, 2009. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen

PACIFIC OPERATIONS

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington transits the Pacific Ocean while an SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 51 conducts flight operations in the background, Nov. 18, 2009. The George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Oki

OUTPOST SHELTER

U.S. Army Pfc. Stephen Martin cleans his weapon inside a small shelter at an observation post near Combat Outpost Munoz in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 15, 2009. Martin is assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith

MEETING MISSION

U.S. and Afghan soldiers walk from Combat Outpost Munoz towards the district center to attend a meeting with local leaders to address regional concerns in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 13, 2009. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith

RIDGELINE WATCH

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Calvin Esslinger scans a ridgeline from an observation post near Combat Outpost Munoz in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 15, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith