U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Iraqi Defense Attaché, Staff Brig. Gen. Ismael H. Alsodani speak at the celebration marking the 88th anniversary of the creation of the Iraqi armed forces, Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2009. Mullen spoke to the gathering thanking the Iraqi people for their sacrifice and reiterated the bond that the two countries have in defending the democratic principals they hold dear. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley/Released)