U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, center, salutes Navy Capt. Daniel Grieco, the commanding officer of U.S. 7th Fleet command flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), and the honorary side boys as he departs the ship Oct. 26, 2011, in Yokosuka, Japan. Panetta's trip to the Pacific Region was designed to reinforce the U.S. commitment in Asia.