FRIDAY FOTO (April 11, 2014)

Mongolian Salute

Defense Dept. photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has been on a whirlwind trip across Asia recently, stopping in Beijing, Tokyo and Ulaanbaatar (that’s the capital of Mongolia).

Hagel, a former Army infantryman, reviewed an honor guard — as is customary for visiting dignitaries. He then stood and watched the honor guard present arms and then yell — which apparently is also customary in Mongolia.

We’ve seen some unusual dress uniforms in Defense Department photos over the last few years, but these Mongolian soldiers may take the cake. Note the spiffy spiked helmet and pointy-toed boots. But check out the stocks on some of those rifles!

Apparently another Mongolian custom is to give visiting distinguished guests a horse as a present. To see the cute pony Hagel got — and what he named it, click here.