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.

July 16, 2008

Reconstruction programs spur Iraqi job growth

WASHINGTON (July 16, 2008) – U.S. military-sponsored economic reconstruction programs are helping give jobs to thousands of Iraqis.