News Articles

Dec. 19, 2011

Volunteers help Afghan families keep warm in winter

KABUL, Afghanistan (December 13, 2011) — Poverty in Afghanistan is more common than running water or electricity. Thousands of Afghans live in austere conditions, surviving day-to-day with limited resources. The Afghan government estimates that 42% of the country’s population lives in poverty. The winters are especially harsh. It is common for families in refugee camps to burn trash and old tires for heat.

Dec. 16, 2011

Panetta, Dempsey to mark end of Iraq mission

BAGHDAD, Iraq (December 15, 2011) — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta arrived here today to join Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in ceremonies marking the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.

Dec. 15, 2011

Panetta thanks front-line troops for successes in Afghanistan

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan (December 14, 2011) — Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta traveled here to the eastern reaches of Paktika province to thank troops on the front lines he credited with making the gains that are turning the tide in Afghanistan.

Dec. 15, 2011

Obama praises U.S. troops’ efforts as Iraq winds down

WASHINGTON (December 14, 2011) — When the last U.S. troops in Iraq case their colors and move to Kuwait, they can leave with their heads held high, secure in the knowledge they did what was right for America and peace in the region, President Barack Obama told service members at Fort Bragg, N.C., today.

Dec. 14, 2011

Babies and bandages: Female Treatment Team educates Afghan women

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (December 10, 2011) Because of traditions and cultural beliefs, many women in Afghanistan are left behind when it comes to medical treatment. Most Afghan doctors are males, and women are rarely seen by them. Instead, they are frequently left to tend to their health the only way they know how: by wives’ tales passed down from their families.

Dec. 13, 2011

Afghan, American students build relationships via video teleconference

HAZAR JOFT, Helmand province, Afghanistan (Decmber 10, 2011) — For the second time in Garmsir district this year, Afghan and American high-school students interacted over a video teleconference here, Dec. 8.

Dec. 12, 2011

Marine air interdiction force supports Afghan Border Patrol from above

KHAN NESHIN, Helmand province, Afghanistan (December 12, 2011) — As a CH-53 Sea Stallion touches down in the open desert, it whips up moon dust, creating a sandstorm obscuring the landing zone to the onlookers near a stopped vehicle.

Dec. 9, 2011

Operation Shamshir III weakens insurgency in Paktya

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (December 7, 2011) — Afghan National Army and US Soldiers kicked off a joint mission, known as Operation Shamshir III, in Paktya Province Nov. 28.

Dec. 8, 2011

ANA learn advanced care from Thunderbird medics

LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (December 8, 2011) — In a small dimly lit room with a slide projector, members of the Afghan National Army sat alert, ready to learn medical skills from basic patient assessment to more advanced techniques like identifying and treating high blood pressure.

Dec. 8, 2011

DOD helps Afghans develop mineral enterprise

WASHINGTON (December 7, 2011) — A Defense Department task force working with the U.S. Geological Survey is modernizing Afghanistan’s geological enterprise so the war-torn nation can stimulate international investment in its rich deposits of minerals, fossil fuels and rare-earth elements.