Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is escorted by Col. Peter Newell, commander of 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division after visits Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment preparing for a joint patrol with Iraqi police from Nasiriyah, Iraq, July 28. Soldiers had an opportunity to brief Gates on their partnership role with Iraqi security force units to support the "advisory and assistance" mission taken on by the brigade. The 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division "Highlander" is deployed out of Fort Bliss, Texas and advises, assists, and trains Iraqi security forces in Dhi Qar, Maysan, and Muthanna provinces.