Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, reviews a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) formation in Auckland, New Zealand. In Wellington, Adm. Fargo met with Prime Minister Helen Clark and defense officials to thank New Zealand for its contributions toward peace and stability in Afghanistan and Iraq. Photo by Sgt. Athol Corbett, RNZAF

BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS 38) is docked in Manila, Philippines, during a turnover ceremony. The United States donated the Cyclone Class patrol ship, including a two-year supply of parts, to the Philippine Navy to enhance the Philippine Navy’s coastal and counterterrorism capabilities. Official U.S. Department of Defense photo

(L to R) Rear Adm. Sunil Krashanaji Damle, Commander of Indian Naval forces in the Goa region; U.S. Ambassador David C. Mulford; and Capt. Tom D. Crowley, Commanding Officer of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), cut a cake during a March 2004 reception for the Indian Navy in Goa, India. The USS Boxer stopped in Goa after offloading U.S. Marine Corps aircraft and personnel in Iraq. Photo by PH3 Class Denise Vallee, USN

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, Commanding General of the 25th Infantry Division (Light) in Hawaii, and Command Sgt. Maj. Frank Ashe stand at attention as SSgt. Brian Mincey uncases the division’s colors during the transfer of authority ceremony in April 2004 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Photo by Sgt. Stephanie Carl, USA

Michiaki Ozawa, President of the Japan-America Air Force Goodwill Association, Misawa Chapter, receives an overview of the F-16 by U.S. Air Force pilot Capt. Justin Dupuis at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The U.S. Air Force hosted members of the chapter on a tour of the base that included an F-16 static display overview, hands-on life support and combat edge displays, F-16 aircraft munitions displays, and F-16 cockpit simulator training. Chapter members also visited the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Northern Air Defense Force and 3rd Air Wing. Photos by Capt. Miki Galloon, USAF

U.S. Air Force Sr. Amn. Matthew Stanley picks up debris during the 7th Annual Fish Port Cleanup in Misawa City, Japan. About 200 U.S. Air Force personnel from Misawa Air Base and 200 Japanese residents participated in the event. This was the second of several Misawa Air Base Earth/Green Day activities planned as joint efforts between the base and local community. Photo by SSgt. Marcus McDonald, USAF

Japanese teacher Natsubori Minako shows American children from Misawa Air Base how to arrange flowers during the 17th Annual Japan Day activities on 3 April 2004. The Misawa International Club hosts Japan Day annually to introduce Japanese culture to base residents. About 60 vendors from throughout Japan displayed exhibits and cultural demonstrations, such as a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, pottery making, flower arrangements, calligraphy, and traditional Japanese dances. Photo by Capt. Miki Kristina Gilloon, USAF

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo presents the Philippine Military Merit Medal to U.S. Navy Lt. Gregory Chad Miller during a ceremony in Manila. Lt. Miller, Executive Officer, Underwater Construction Team Two, Naval Base Ventura County, California, received the medal for his unit’s support during rescue operations that saved the lives of 420 passengers and crewmembers from the burning Super Ferry 14 in Manila Bay. Photo by SSgt. Nathan L. Hanks, Jr., USMC

Then Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is escorted through an honor cordon and into the Pentagon by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld. The two leaders met in May 2004 to discuss defense issues of mutual interest. DoD photo by Helene C. Stikkel

The Honorable Mari Alkatiri, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, receives ceremonial honors as he boards the destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76), which arrived off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, for a March 2004 port visit. The visit is part of the United States’ ongoing commitment to this newly established democratic country. The USS Higgins had recently completed operations in the Arabian Gulf as part of a multinational force supporting Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Photo by CTO Mark Jackson, USN

Children at the Sahilia Elementary School in Sahilia, Iraq, are protected by U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Fidelito Ordonio during the school’s dedication ceremony. 1st Sgt. Ordonio is a member of the 25th Infantry Division whose members recently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan from Hawaii. Photo by Spec. Sean Kimmons, USA

Members of Japan’s Nirai Fire Department are rinsed off to remove mock contaminants during a training exercise with U.S. Air Force firefighters. The exercise involved safely removing casualties from an area containing hazardous materials. Official U.S. air force photo

A Japanese participant undergoes mock decontamination by U.S. sailors during a simulated Japan-U.S. mass casualty drill in Yokosuka, Japan. The U.S. sailors are members of the U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka Special Medical Operations Response Team (SMORT). U.S. Navy SMORT teams provide emergency decontamination response to forward-deployed units and partner nations in the Western Pacific. Official U.S. Navy photo

Students in a school in Kunsan City, Republic of Korea, receive instruction in English and U.S. culture from U.S. Air Force TSgt. Gregory Braxton, who is a volunteer teacher on weekends. Photo by SSgt. Michael R. Holzworth, USAF