Jan. 7, 2010

Report criticizes intelligence gathering practices in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Jan. 6, 2010) – A report this week from a top U.S. military intelligence official criticizing the state of intelligence in Afghanistan is a “candid self-assessment” that enriches debate on U.S. strategy, the Pentagon press secretary said Wednesay.

Jan. 6, 2010

McChrystal, Karzai visit Helmand

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai and ISAF Commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal spent Saturday in Helmand.

Jan. 4, 2010

U.S. Forces - Iraq stands up in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (Jan. 2, 2010) – A New Year's Day ceremony here marked another evolution of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as five major command groups merged into a single headquarters command, U.S. Forces Iraq.

Jan. 4, 2010

Petraeus puts Al-Qaida threat in Yemen in perspective

WASHINGTON (Jan. 1, 2010) – The U.S. Central Command chief put the Al-Qaida threat in Yemen in perspective during a news conference in Baghdad Friday.

Dec. 30, 2009

Pentagon praises Yemen for stand against al-Qaida

WASHINGTON (Dec. 28, 2009) – The Yemeni government deserves praise for taking on the al-Qaida threat in that country, a Defense Department official said Monday.

Dec. 23, 2009

Pentagon officials identify troops for Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Dec. 22, 2009) – Defense Department officials today identified 6,000 servicemembers to deploy in 2010 as part of President Barack Obama’s order to increase the U.S. footprint in Afghanistan.

Dec. 21, 2009

Ambassador, general discuss Iraq elections, Iran relations

BAGHDAD, Dec. 19, 2009 – Iraq “is not going to be pushed around” by Iran, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill said here today.

Dec. 18, 2009

Mullen tours Afghan market with Marines

NAWA, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2009 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Patrol Base Jaker here today to tour the base and the Nawa district center and spend time with Marines and sailors assigned here.

Dec. 16, 2009

Petraeus hold spirited all-hands call at NSA Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain (Dec. 15, 2009) – Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), held a spirited All Hands call at Naval Support Activity Bahrain Dec. 13.

Dec. 15, 2009

Gates: U.S. role in Iraq remains critical

KIRKUK, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2009 – The U.S. military role remains critical to preserving gains made in Iraq and helping to prevent sectarian violence in the roll-up to Iraq’s national elections, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told about 300 soldiers and airmen at a town hall session today at Forward Operating Base Warrior.