Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Japanese Minister of Defense Fumio Kyuma pay respects during the playing of the Japanese and American national anthems during an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon, April 30, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A. Thurlby

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Japanese Minister of Defense Fumio Kyuma pay respects during the playing of the Japanese and American national anthems during an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon, April 30, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A. Thurlby

U.S. Army Col. Steven Townsend, commander, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, briefs the Pentagon Press Corps from Baghdad, to provide an update on current operations, April, 30 2007.

Royal Netherlands Army Maj. Gen. Ton van Loon, commander of NATO International Security Assistance Force Regional Command-South, provides the Pentagon Press Corps with an operations update on Southern Afghanistan, April, 30 2007.

Joint Civilian Orientation Conference participants tour the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Patriot Battery at an air base in Southwest Asia, April 29, 2007. An Army soldier answers questions about the Battery's huge antenna array. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class L.A. Shively

John Mellencamp sings at Walter Reed Army Medical Center at a free performance for wounded warriors, family and staff , April 27. About 200 wounded soldiers, staff and family members attended the event, providing a small but energetic crowd. Defense Dept. photo by Fred W. Baker III

Members of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference 73 talk with a member of the Marine security team assigned to protect the assets and personnel assigned to U.S. Naval Central Command Headquarters in Bahrain, April 26, 2007. U.S Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Allen

Members of the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference 73, pose for a group photo in front of the U.S. Naval Central Command's headquarters building in Bahrain, April 26, 2007. During the tour the group learned about NAVCENT's ongoing operations and responsibilities in the region. U.S Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Allen