U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter addresses sailors and Marines during an all-hands call in the hangar bay aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 19, 2015. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Travis DiPerna
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter congratulates U.S. Navy Seaman Alexandra Leon on her selection as Kearsarge's 2015 Blue Jacket of the Year selectee, during his visit aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 19, 2015. Leon is an aviation maintenance administrationman airman. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Preston
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter meets with the King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Dec. 19, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip in which he is visiting leaders and deployed service members in the Middle East and Afghanistan. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, talk with troops on Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2015. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Coronado
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, center, walks with Afghan Defense Minister Masoom Stanekzai, front left, and U.S. Army Gen. John F. Campbell, right, commander of NATO’s Resolute Support mission and U.S. Forces – Afghanistan, while visiting Forward Operating Base Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East to meet with defense leaders and thank U.S. and coalition troops for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holiday season. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Coronado
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks with troops during his visit to Irbil, Iraq, Dec. 17, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Midlle East to meet with military leaders, and to thank troops for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holiday season. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, left, meets with Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
U.S. Defense Ash Carter, his wife, Stephanie, and Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland speak with troops in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East in part to thank troops for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holiday season. MacFarland is in charge of the coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks with troops in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter thanked them for their hard work and sacrifice over the holidays. DoD photo
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter greets Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland after arriving in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, arrive in Bahrain, Dec.15, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks with with coalition troops on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec.15, 2015. Carter, who discussed the push to accelerate the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, speak with children of service members stationed on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec.15, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East in part to thank troops for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holidays. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, pose with a young mother and her child after a town hall meeting with U.S. and coalition troops on Incirlik Air Base, in Adana, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2015. DoD photo
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, meet with coalition troops on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2015. The secretary spoke about the push to accelerate the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, arrive in Turkey to meet with troops and their families as part of a weeklong trip to the Middle East, Dec. 15, 2015. DoD photo