Muhammad Shia, Maysan provincial governor, right, and U.S. Army Col. Peter Newell talk to Iraqi media in Majaar Al Kabir, Iraq, June 30, 2009. Iraqi soldiers replaced U.S. soldiers at their combat outpost on the outskirts of town during the implementation of the Status of Forces Agreement. The U.S. soldiers are assigned to the 1st Armored Division’s 4th Brigade, commanded by Newell. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens

U.S. Army Capt. Steven Kendall presents a partnership certificate to Iraqi Army Lt. Col. Hillal at a ceremony to mark what Iraqis are calling National Sovereignty Day in Majaar Al Kabir, Iraq, June 30, 2009. Following the ceremony, Kendall's unit vacated its combat outpost at a defunct sugar factory while Iraqi soldiers moved in. Kendall, a company commander, is assigned to Company B, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Myles Caggins

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Brown and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert L. Wilson uncase the squadron’s colors at a transfer of authority ceremony on Forward Operating Base Bostick in Kunar province, Afghanistan, June 20, 2009. The 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Battalion, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, took over operations in eastern Nuristan province, Afghanistan. Brown is commander for the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, and Wilson is the senior enlisted advisor. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Eugene Cushing

U.S. Army Capt. Andrew Salmo, center, answers questions from evacuees before moving them during a noncombatant evacuation training exercise conducted by the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team on Camp Mackall, N.C., June 25, 2009. Salmo is the commander of Company A., 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. The exercise tested the unit's ability to deploy on short notice to help evacuate American citizens and others trapped in a war-torn third-world country. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor

Amphibious assault vehicles transport U.S. Marines and Malaysian soldiers along Resang Beach during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Malaysia, an amphibious landing exercise in the South China Sea, June 29, 2009. The annual bilateral exercise held in Southeast Asia is designed to strengthen relationships and enhance the operational readiness of participating forces. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Bill Larned

U.S. Navy sailors prepare to raise an aircraft barricade during flight deck drills aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Pacific Ocean, June 26, 2009. Aircraft barricades are used to assist damaged aircraft in landing safely on the flight deck. The George Washington is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean on her first summer deployment from Yokosuka, Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Adam K. Thomas

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shane Olguin, right, and Airman 1st Class Chris Gonzalez, check the fluid flow of an AV843 hydraulic test stand during an inspection on March Air Reserve Base, Calif., June 30, 2009. The stand is used for checking hydraulic and pneumatic components. Both airmen are assigned to the 452nd Maintenance Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carolyn Erfe

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates congratulates Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, incoming commander of European Command, during the change of command ceremony at European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, June 30, 2009. Army Gen. John Craddock relinquished command to Stavridis. DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison