March 9, 2009

Gifted girls enjoy new school

CAMP ECHO, Iraq (March 9, 2009) — Some of Diwaniya’s brightest female students happily participated in their new school’s opening, Feb. 26.

March 6, 2009

Afghan Security Forces shouldering more responsibility

WASHINGTON (March 5, 2009) – The Afghan National Army continues to improve as it assumes more security responsibility, the U.S. commander in charge of the training effort said Wednesday.

March 5, 2009

Coalition, Afghans find goodwill at traditional games

KABUL, Afghanistan – Coalition troops and Afghan villagers built understanding Feb. 20 at the "do-rah" games in Oruzgan province.

March 2, 2009

Troops in Iraq after 2010 to focus on training

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2009 – The U.S. military will conduct “a very different mission” in Iraq after combat troops withdraw in August 2010, with troops slated to remain there through 2011 serving primarily as trainers and advisers, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today on CNBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Feb. 26, 2009

Iraqis assume authority over FOB Iskan

FOB ISKAN, Iraq – Soldiers, Iraqi Police and power plant workers gathered to transfer authority of Forward Operating Base Iskan from Coalition forces to the Ministry of Electricity during a ceremony here Feb. 22.

Feb. 26, 2009

Pirate attack thwarted in Gulf of Aden

USS MONTEREY, At Sea – The Danish flexible support ship HDMS Absalon (L 16) successfully deterred an attempted pirate attack on the Chinese M/V Yandanghai at approximately 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 25, 2009

Kuwait Logistics Center improves Afghanistan supply lines

FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 24, 2009) – As 17,000 soldiers and Marines ordered to Afghanistan by President Barack Obama prepare to deploy this spring and summer, logisticians already are orchestrating the shipment of critical supplies such as food and lumber.

Feb. 24, 2009

Violence in Iraq at lowest level in six years

WASHINGTON (Feb. 23, 2009) – Violent attacks in Iraq are at their lowest levels since August 2003, a U.S. commander in Iraq said Sunday. Army Maj. Gen. David Perkins, director for strategic effects with Multi-National Force - Iraq, told reporters in Baghdad the downtick in violence marks a 90-percent decrease since the surge of U.S. troops began in 2007.

Feb. 23, 2009

New clinic provides care for six villages

KURDISTAN — Named in honor of Brig. Gen. Kenneth Tovo’s service in Iraq, the Tovo Medical Clinic opened its doors in the Kani Karweshkan foothills here, Feb. 12.

Feb. 19, 2009

Afghanistan commander welcomes additional troops

WASHINGTON (Feb. 19, 2009) – The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Wednesday that while he’s pleased with President Barack Obama’s authorization to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan, tough times are ahead. Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan