June 22, 2009

Oil market prompts shift in Iraqi security strategy

WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) – Falling oil prices and a reduced Iraqi budget have prompted the U.S. command responsible for overseeing Iraqi security forces to re-evaluate its priorities, a military official said recently.

June 17, 2009

Central Euphrates Farmers' Market open for business

MAHAWIL, Iraq (June 17, 2009) – After two years of planning and building, the Central Euphrates Farmers’ Market here is open for business after a June 12 grand opening.

June 16, 2009

U.S. provides supplies for displaced Pakistani children

SWABI, Pakistan (June 17, 2009) – U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson visited the Anbar Elementary College Camp in Swabi District, where about 2,500 displaced persons currently live.

June 15, 2009

McChrystal assumes command in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 15, 2009) - Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal arrived in Afghanistan Sunday to assume command of the International Security Assistance Force.

June 14, 2009

Petraeus praises Pakistani operations against insurgents

WASHINGTON (June 11, 2009) – The commander of U.S. Central Command Thursday praised the Pakistani army for operations it is waging against insurgents near the country’s border with Afghanistan.

June 14, 2009

Afghan tribes find common ground during humanitarian aid drop

WARDAK PROVINCE, Afghanistan, June 12, 2009 – Every summer, the Kuchi tribe migrates through the Daymardad district of this central-Afghanistan province, allowing their animals to graze in the open pastures belonging to the Hazara tribe. This frequently has sparked violent territorial disputes.

June 10, 2009

RC South commander briefs Gates on way forward in Afghanistan

CHATEAU ST. GERLACH, Netherlands – Additional forces in southern Afghanistan will allow the coalition to better protect the people there from the Taliban.

June 10, 2009

Children used to carry out attacks

KIRKUK, Iraq (June 6, 2008) — A teenage boy was seen throwing a grenade at a combined patrol of Iraqi police and U.S. Soldiers, June 4, in the town of Hawijah, approximately 30 kilometers west of Kirkuk City in northern Iraq.

June 9, 2009

Romanian forces end mission in Iraq

COB ADDER, Iraq (June 9, 2009) – Military operations in Iraq formally ended for Romanian forces June 4, as one of America's coalition allies prepared to ship out some of its remaining troops with an end-of-mission ceremony held by Romania’s 26th Infantry “Red Scorpions” Battalion.

June 8, 2009

Report points to irregularities in Farah air strike incident

WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) – The investigation into a May 4 close-air support incident in Afghanistan’s Farah province that caused civilian casualties has pointed to some deviations from established tactics, techniques and procedures, but those involved showed extraordinary care in the incident, the Pentagon’s press secretary said Monday.