The NFL touring party was provided with dedicated air support in the form of Balckhawk helicopters to safely transit these large distances over a relatively dangerous area. Posing for a photo with a flight crew, the tour participants extended their gratitude for the air lift and support for their military service. (USO photo by Dave Gatley)

GEN Dave Petraeus poses for photos with quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and defensive end Osi Umenyiora of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants. Far from a stranger to USO entertainment, the NFL has partnered with the USO for more than 40 years and continues its long-standing tradition of bringing celebrity sports figures to service members year-round. The NFL was the first sports organization to send players on USO tours to visit troops when future Hall of Famers John Unitas, Willie Davis, Sam Huff and Frank Gifford went to Vietnam and other parts of the Far East in 1966. (USO photo by Dave Gatley)

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders -(L-R) Christina Parker & Deryn Derbigny, stand atop a new MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protector vehicle posing for troop photos in the Middle East. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

NFL defensive end Osi Umenyiora poses for pictures with troops stationed in the Persian Gulf. During each tour stop, Umenyiora also let service members hold and wear his Super Bowl ring. This is Umenyiora's first USO tour. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

While posing for photos and autographs with troops stationed in the Middle East, Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner)(2nd Left); Osi Umenyiora New York Giants DE; Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints QB (green shirt); and Jack Lengyel - Football Coach, subject of "We Are Marshall" movie - all look on as guard dogs demonstrate their authority during an autograph and photo taking visit to the troops in the Middle East. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

Service members stationed in the Persian Gulf take turns snapping photos of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, Osi Umenyiora of the New York Giants, actor Milo Ventimiglia of NBC's "Heroes," former head football coach of Marshall University Jack Lengyel, and two members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. The group is in the region on the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's summer USO tour. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

Admiral Mike Mullen meets and greets U.S. troops stationed in the Persian Gulf as part of a seven-day, three-country summer USO tour. Accompanying Admiral Mullen on this tour are NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, Osi Umenyiora of the New York Giants, actor Milo Ventimiglia of NBC's "Heroes," former head football coach of Marshall University Jack Lengyel, and two members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

(L-R) Super Bowl Champ Osi Umenyiora and Jack Lengyel of Marshall University pose for photos with U.S. troops stationed in the Persian Gulf during a seven-day, three-country summer USO tour. This is Umenyiora and Lengyel's first USO tour. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

Christina Parker and Deryn Derbigny of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders meet and greet a couple of service members stationed in the Persian Gulf as part of Admiral Mike Mullen's summer USO tour. A staple in USO entertainment, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have participated in more tours than any other entertainment group in USO history. This tour marks the squad's 66th USO tour. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

Cpl. Terry takes a moment to pose for a photo with (L-R) Osi Umenyiora of the New York Giants; Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints; NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; and former head football coach for Marshall University Jack Lengyel during Admiral Mike Mullen's summer USO tour. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

NFL quarterback Drew Brees tries out an MRAP (IED - Mine Resistant Ambush Protector) in the Persian Gulf as part of a seven day, three-country summer USO tour led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

A very popular item among almost every member of our troops serving at the bases visited by this tour, was New York Giants' DE Osi Umenyiora's Super Bowl ring. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

Paying respect to those that had lost their lives at one of many bases visited - (L-R) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB; and Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants DE - watch the display set up to honor those fallen heroes. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

Actor Milo Ventimiglia of the NBC series "Heroes," documents a surprise birthday celebration during his tour of the Middle East. This came after a long day of touring Forward Operating Bases signing autographs and having his picture taken with the troops. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

Admiral Mike Mullen conducts a press conference with New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees and New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora. Brees and Umenyiora are in the region to help boost troop morale and bring a touch of home to America's armed forces. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

Paying respect to those that had lost their lives at one of many bases visited - (L-R) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB; and Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants DE - watch the display set up to honor those fallen heroes. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

Pre-autographing their respective photos while on a seven-day, three-country summer USO tour are (L-R) Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints); Osi Umenylora (New York Giants); Jack Lengyel (former head football coach for Marshall University); (REAR) Milo Ventimiglia (NBC's hit series "Heroes"); and Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner). (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

NFL Quarterback Drew Brees signs miniature footballs for U.S. troops stationed in the Persian Gulf. This is Bree's third USO tour. (Photo by Dave Gatley/USO)

Posing in front of the unit insignias and the 10th Mountain HQ, is Colonel Clark and the group visiting these Middle Eastern bases: (L-R)(rear) defensive end Osi Umenyiora of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants; NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell; software engineer/former head football coach of Marshall University Jack Lengyel; quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints; actor Milo Ventimiglia of the NBC series "Heroes." As part of the Chairman�s USO tour, Admiral Mullen�s special guests will visit with troops, distribute giveaways, pose for photographs and sign autographs. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

Carrying his slung riffle while taking photos of the visiting actor and sports figures, SSgt Michel Sauret photographs Major Badzik with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders - (L-R) Deryn Derbigny and Christina Parker. The cheerleaders are with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, on a seven-day, three-country summer USO tour. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

With the extra exuberance of youth, 20 yr old PFC Cory Obitts (C) celebrates meeting with "Heroes" actor Milo Ventmiglia during a photo and autograph session at a Forward Operating Base in the Middle East. Ventmiglia is accompanying Admiral Mullen on this tour along with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints, defensive end Osi Umenyiora of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, software engineer/former head football coach of Marshall University Jack Lengyel, and two members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

20 yr old PFC Cory Obitts (C) enthusiastically poses with Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Deryn Derbigny (L) and Christina Parker (R) during a photo and autograph session at a Forward Operating Base in the Middle East. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees (R), signs autograghs for the troops with footballs during his tour of Forward Operating Bases in the Middle East. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)

Commissioner Roger Goodell sits with New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora (C) and New Orleans QB Drew Brees in a new MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protector vehicle as they get a demontration ride while touring to meet and greet the troops stationed in the Middle East. (USO Photo by DAVE GATLEY)