Dec. 4, 2008

General: Take advantage of security gains

WASHINGTON (Dec. 3, 2008) – Violence in Iraq is at an all-time low since the beginning of the war, but challenges remain as a result of the improved security situation, the commander of coalition ground forces said today during a Baghdad news conference.

Dec. 3, 2008

Canal project to 'change the face of Baghdad'

BAGHDAD (Dec. 2, 2008) – Iraqi civilian and military dignitaries broke ground on the Army Canal Rehabilitation Project in Baghdad’s Sadr City district Monday. The ceremonial groundbreaking marked the beginning of a commitment by the Iraqi government to spend $50 million during the next three years in reconstruction efforts along the al-Kanat Road and surrounding areas.

Dec. 2, 2008

Colonel notes absence of tensions as elections near

WASHINGTON (Dec. 1, 2008) – Coalition forces officials in Iraq’s Babil and Karbala provinces have not seen tensions rise among political groups vying for power as elections approach next month, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said Monday.

Dec. 1, 2008

Doctors, midwives learn maternity tips

FOB DELTA, Iraq (Nov. 30, 2008) – Obstetricians and midwives at al Zahara Hospital in al Kut received maternal and child care training provided through a partnership between the hospital staff and coalition forces on Nov. 26.

Nov. 25, 2008

Gates: Afghan support makes economic sense

WASHINGTON (Nov. 24, 2008) – Tough economic times are no excuse for the international community to withhold support for Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters returning with him Nov. 21 from a two-day defense ministerial in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Nov. 24, 2008

Children return to refurbished kindergarten

BAGHDAD (Nov. 22, 2008) — Wurwood Kindergarten School officially reopened its doors Nov. 21 in the Rasheed neighborhood of Salman Pak after a two-month-long refurbishing period.

Nov. 20, 2008

Soldiers train Iraqi bomb disposal technicians

FOB FALCON, Iraq (Nov. 20, 2008) – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers conducted explosive ordnance training with Iraqi security forces bomb disposal technicians Nov. 16 at Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad.

Nov. 19, 2008

Terror groups feeling pressure along Afghan border

WASHINGTON (Nov. 18, 2008) – With U.S., Afghan and Pakistani forces applying pressure on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the enemy “is running out of options for places to go,” a senior U.S. officer in the region said Tuesday.

Nov. 18, 2008

Iraqi, Coalition forces discuss border security

FOB GARRY OWEN, Iraq (Nov. 18, 2008) – For the first time in Maysan province, leaders from the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and Iraqi border patrol met with Coalition leaders near the provincial capital of Amarah Nov. 15.

Nov. 18, 2008

Joint Chiefs chairman: Troops out of Iraq by end of 2011

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.WASHINGTON (Nov. 17, 2008) – All American troops will be out of Iraq by the end of 2011 under the status of forces agreement between the United States and Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen called the agreement important and one the United