U.S. Department of Defense

US. and Australian Communications Accord Signed

Joint Color Guard members stand at attention as they conduct an honor cordon during the arrival of Joel Fitzgibbon, left, Australian minister of defense, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., July 16, 2008. Fitzgibbon met with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, right, and signed a communications accord between Australia and the United States.

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, right, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, greets Australian Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon, left, at the Pentagon, July 16, 2008.

Australian Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon signs a welcome book at the Pentagon, July 16, 2008.

Australian Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon, left, and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pose for a photo at the Pentagon, July 16, 2008.

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, left,chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, right, talk with Australian Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon, left foreground, at the Pentagon, July 16, 2008.

Australian Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon, left, and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates sign a communications accord between Australia and the United States at the Pentagon, July 16, 2008.

Australian Minister of Defense Joel Fitzgibbon, left, and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates shake hands after signing a communications accord between Australia and the United States at the Pentagon, July 16, 2008.

Joint Color Guard members stand at attention as they conduct an honor cordon during the arrival of Joel Fitzgibbon, left, Australian minister of defense, at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., July 16, 2008. Fitzgibbon met with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, right, and signed a communications accord between Australia and the United States.
Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison