Oct. 8, 2008

Gates discusses Afghanistan with ISAF nations

BUDAPEST, Hungary (Oct. 9, 2008) – Meetings with NATO and troop-contributing nations making up the alliance’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan will help chart the way ahead in the troubled nation, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday.

Oct. 7, 2008

Yarmouk Sons of Iraq under Iraqi government control

}BAGHDAD (Oct. 7, 2008) – Sons of Iraq from the Yarmouk neighborhood in central Baghdad were given their final payday from U.S. forces at Joint Security Station Yarmouk Oct. 2. On Oct. 1, the SoI transitioned to the Government of Iraq control. Paying the 35 members of the Yarmouk SoI was the last task to accomplish for Coalition forces in the area to finalize the transition.

Oct. 5, 2008

Soldiers in Iraq help comrades vote

FOB FALCON, Iraq (Oct. 6, 2008) – Two Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers streamlined the voting process for hundreds of servicemembers and civilians here Oct. 3-5.

Oct. 2, 2008

Displaced families return to al Khwalis

AL KHWALIS, Iraq (Oct. 2, 2008) — More than 100 displaced families returned to their homes recently in the town of al Khwalis. The event was celebrated by a welcome ceremony and is a significant mark in the reconciliation process. The families left the area when tensions mounted after the Iraqi Army cleared the area of Al Qaeda last year.

Sept. 30, 2008

Report: Iraq improving, but conflict remains

WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2008) – Trends across the security, political and economic landscape of Iraq continue to improve, but the fundamental character of the conflict remains unchanged, according to a Defense Department report submitted to Congress Monday.

Sept. 28, 2008

Team inspects crops in Wasit

FOB DELTA, Iraq (Sept. 28, 2008) – Members of "Team Borlaug" conducted their last scheduled farm assessment is Wasit province, just outside al Kut Sept. 25.

Sept. 25, 2008

Bush praises Iraqi leadership

WASHINGTON (Sept. 24, 2008) – President Bush Tuesday applauded the leadership of Iraq as he met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and other leaders of the Iraqi coalition at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Sept. 25, 2008

Partnership paves way to productive future in Iraq

WASHINGTON (Sept. 25, 2008) — The partnership between the Coalition and the Iraqi government has been enormously productive and is continuing to pay dividends, said Brig. Gen. David Perkins, a Coalition spokesman in Baghdad.

Sept. 23, 2008

Gates: Iraq mission in 'endgame'

WASHINGTON (Sept. 23, 2008) – Amid an 80-percent drop in violence and with further withdrawals of U.S. forces in sight, the coalition in Iraq has reached the “endgame,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Tuesday.

Sept. 21, 2008

Iraqi soldiers tackle new mission

CAMP TAJI — Iraq has seen remarkable gains in security during the last nine months, due in part to the hard work of the Iraqi Army.