Gates En Route to Iraq Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, prepares to board a C-17 to Iraq, Dec. 19, 2006, just one day after he took the oath of office as the 22nd secretary of defense. 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.   Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A. Thurlby Back To HomePage More Photo Essays Next About DefenseLink DoD Inspector General Freedom of Information Privacy & Security External Link Disclaimer Web Policy Contact Us USA.gov