Oct. 26, 2009

Baghdad bombings illustrate security challenges

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2009 – Terrorist bombings that struck Baghdad yesterday demonstrate the security challenges that exist there, a senior Defense Department official said here today.

Oct. 25, 2009

U.S. forces train Iraqis to train others

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq, Oct. 23, 2009 – Aided by U.S. forces, Iraqi soldiers with the 14th Provisional Transport Regiment gained valuable skills ranging from first aid to Humvee maintenance during a three-week course at Camp Mirra, Iraq.

Oct. 22, 2009

Gates receives ‘mounting endorsements’ of strategy proposals

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, (Oct. 23, 2009) – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today he’s encouraged by unofficial endorsements NATO defense ministers are expressing for Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s strategy proposals for Afghanistan, along with indications they’re considering additional resources to support the mission there. Gates, here for a

Oct. 19, 2009

Gates to press Asia, NATO for more Afghanistan support

HONOLULU (Oct. 19, 2009) – As Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates travels this week to Japan and South Korea before heading to a NATO defense ministers conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, he’s expected to ensure the issue of support for Afghanistan remains solidly on front burner.

Oct. 14, 2009

DoD cites candor on Afghanistan troop levels

WASHINGTON (Oct. 14, 2009) – Defense Department officials have been straightforward about the number of U.S. troops flowing into Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Wednesday.

Oct. 14, 2009

Marines spread good will with vet care

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Oct. 14, 2009 – Marines here have brought new meaning to the expression “goat rope” by helping local farmers with free veterinary care for their goats, sheep and cows.

Oct. 8, 2009

Baghdad attacks on steady decline

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2009 – Attacks committed by al-Qaida and other insurgents operating in Baghdad and its environs continue to drop three months after U.S. combat troops moved out of Iraqi cities, a U.S. brigade commander posted there said Thursday.

Oct. 7, 2009

Petraeus cites need to reverse insurgency

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 7, 2009 – As the president reassembles his national security team today as part of his ongoing review of the strategy for Afghanistan, the commander of U.S. Central Command said the decision is likely to hinge on one of three approaches to reversing the insurgency’s gains.

Oct. 6, 2009

Iraqi troops disrupt kidnappers, save boy

RAMADI, Iraq (Oct. 6, 2009) – Iraqi forces disrupted a kidnapping organization and saved a young kidnapping victim in Iraq in recent days, military officials reported.

Oct. 5, 2009

Gates: Decisions on Afghanistan most important of presidency

WASHINGTON (Oct. 5, 2009) – President Barack Obama’s decisions on the next phase of the Afghan war will be among the most important of his presidency, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who vowed to faithfully execute his orders.