Secretary of Defense Gates Visits Iraq

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, center, conducts a press conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 20, 2006, following a meeting with top generals. Also present at the press conference are, from right, U.S. Army Gen. John Abizaid, commander of U.S. Central Command; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace and U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq. DoD photo by Cherie A. Thurlby. (Released)

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates conducts a press conference as U.S. Army Gen. George W. Casey Jr., commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq, looks on in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 20, 2006, following a meeting with top generals. DoD photo by Cherie A. Thurlby. (Released)

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates shakes hands with a U.S. Army Soldier from the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 20, 2006. Gates is in Iraq to meet with deployed troops, military leaders and key Iraqi government officials to help him assess the current situation and to prepare for the future. DoD photo by Cherie A. Thurlby. (Released)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace, left, and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, right, share ideas aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aicraft en route to Iraq Dec. 19, 2006, while Robert Rangel, back left, special assistant to the secretary of defense, and Eric Edelman, under secretary of defense for policy, look on. Gates is going to Iraq to meet with deployed troops, military leaders and key Iraqi government officials to help him assess the current situation and to prepare for the future. DoD photo by Cherie A. Thurlby. (Released)

NEWSBYTES

Gates: Nothing More Important Than Succeeding in Iraq
By Kathleen T. Rhem
BAGHDAD, Dec. 20, 2006 (AFPS) -- Succeeding in Iraq is the Defense Department’s top priority, newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, said here today.

Gates Arrives in Baghdad for Talks With Military, Iraqi Leaders
By Kathleen T. Rhem
BAGHDAD, Dec. 20, 2006 (AFPS) -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here today on a surprise pre-Christmas visit to meet with troops, generals and Iraqi leaders in order to assess the situation on the ground.

Gates Urges Americans to Remember Servicemembers, Families in Prayers
By Kathleen T. Rhem
BAGHDAD, Dec. 20, 2006 (AFPS) -- New Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, here on a surprise pre-Christmas visit, today urged Americans to remember military members and their families throughout the holiday season.

ALSO SEE

Secretary Gates' Swearing-In Remarks
Speech

More Combat Camera Images on THE TENSION

Collections from Amazon.com:
War Photography
Combat Photography

Tags: War, Military, terrorism, Middle East, Operation Iraqi Freedom, United States, coalition, photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism, Combat Camera, Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraq, Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Marine Corps, Gates, DoD
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Buzz, Tension

Maintain THE TENSION, visit the online store:
THE TENSION EXCHANGE