July 27, 2008

Konar bridge unites divided districts

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (July 26, 2008) — The Konar Provincial Reconstruction Team has embarked on a bridge-building strategy to connect the Afghan government to the five provincial districts on the east of the Konar River.

July 24, 2008

Pentagon: Surge a success by any measure

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2008) — The surge in Iraq has been a success by any measure, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said during a news conference June 23.

July 23, 2008

Government, security improvements lead to drop in violence

WASHINGTON (July 23, 2008) – As violence levels maintain a steady decrease across Iraq, coalition forces and the Iraqi government are able to focus their efforts on reconstruction and civil issues, a senior Coalition military official in Iraq said Wednesday. Iraqi forces are improved, and the government continues to develop and progress, Army Brig. Gen. David Perkins, a Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman, said in a news briefing from Baghdad.

July 22, 2008

Airport provides travel, economic boost to Najaf

BAGHDAD (July 22, 2008) – Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki stepped off the first plane landing in Najaf International Airport July 20.

July 21, 2008

Iraqis gain responsibility for security in Qadasiyah

FOB ECHO, Iraq (July 21, 2008) — The governor of Qadasiyah province assumed security responsibility from Multi-National Force - Iraq during a ceremony in the provincial capital of ad-Diwaniyah, July 16.

July 20, 2008

Mullen: Timeline for drawdown would be dangerous

WASHINGTON (July 20, 2008) – Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advised against a timeline for troop reductions in Iraq.

July 18, 2008

General says Iran launch justifies missile defense

WASHINGTON (July 15, 2008) – Iran’s launch of a missile with a 2,000-kilometer range last week is a concrete example of the threat the world faces from missile proliferation, the chief of the Missile Defense Agency said Tuesday.

July 18, 2008

Gates: Pakistan must do better job near border

WASHINGTON (July 16, 2008) – Pakistan must do more on its side of the border with Afghanistan to combat terrorist extremists, U.S. defense leaders said Wednesday. “We're seeing a greater number of insurgents and foreign fighters flowing across the border with Pakistan, unmolested and unhindered,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a news conference. “This movement needs to stop.”

July 17, 2008

Marines strengthen relationships through medical care

MUDIQ, Iraq (July 17, 2008) – To strengthen their relationship with local Iraqis, Marines of Company F, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, conducted a combined medical engagement earlier this month.

July 16, 2008

Coalition ships intercept drug vessels

BAHRAIN (July 15, 2008) — Coalition warships operating in the Gulf region have seized 23 tons of narcotics, which could have been used to fund the insurgency in Afghanistan.