Capt. Patrick J. Neher retired after 29 years of service in the Navy at the Washington Navy Yard on Aug. 23. He most recently served at Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, deployed in Afghanistan, from February 2011 to May 2012. After initially serving as the staff judge advocate, he was picked to join the U.S. delegation negotiating a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Afghanistan. In recognition of his role in the negotiations for a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the U.S. and Afghanistan, and supporting Memorandums of Understanding on the transition of detentions and the Afghanization of special operations, Neher was presented the Defense Superior Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, and Department of State Distinguished Honor Award.