Aug. 5, 2009

Iraqi women take business into their own hands

BASRA, Iraq – More than fifty Iraqi women met with Soldiers and contractors recently at the Basra Airport to discuss opportunities in business development and business contracting.

Aug. 4, 2009

Insurgent activity declines along Afghan-Pakistani border

WASHINGTON (Aug. 4, 2009) – Insurgent activity across the Afghanistan and Pakistan borders has declined as a result of complementary operations in the region, a U.S. commander said Tuesday.

Aug. 3, 2009

Pre-election operation disables enemy in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Aug. 3, 2009 – Afghan and U.S. forces completed an operation July 31 aimed at improving security for Afghanistan’s upcoming presidential election.

Aug. 2, 2009

Officials identify Gulf War pilot's remains

WASHINGTON (Aug. 2, 2009) – Remains found last month in Iraq’s Anbar province are those of Navy Capt. Michael Scott Speicher, who was shot down flying a combat mission in an F/A-18 Hornet on Jan. 17, 1991, and whose fate until now had been uncertain, Defense Department officials reported Sundday.

July 30, 2009

General: Taliban actions speak louder than words

WASHINGTON (July 30, 2009) – Although the Taliban recently issued a “code of conduct” booklet aimed at projecting a more positive image to the Afghan people, their actions directly contradict this goal, the spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said Wednesday.

July 30, 2009

Petraeus: Innovation spurs Marine successes

ARLINGTON, Va., July 31, 2009 – The secret to the U.S. Marine Corps’ success is a blending of bedrock principles with innovation, the commander of U.S. Central Command said here last night.

July 29, 2009

Iraq drawdown may accelerate slightly

INCIRLIK, Turkey (July 29, 2009) – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said conditions in Iraq have improved to the extent that the U.S. combat brigade drawdown from the country may accelerate.

July 28, 2009

Gates visits Iraq to assess advisory brigades

TALIL, Iraq – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited Iraq to examine the prototype of the U.S. advisory and assistance brigades.

July 26, 2009

With training, Iraqi Police becoming self-sufficient

FOB DELTA, Iraq (July 24, 2009) – National police in Iraq’s Wasit province now are capable of sustaining their own training needs after coalition forces leave here, military officials said, thanks to the efforts of a Massachusetts National Guard police company. The 772nd Military Police Company, attached to the 41st Fires Brigade, worked with Iraqi police advisor teams to establish a mobile police training team. The team will serve at the police’s provincial headquarters and Iraqi police stations in the province along the Iranian border, as well as train other police trainers to train their own.

July 23, 2009

Pentagon: Afghan citizens drive military success in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – Coalition efforts in Afghanistan and the Afghan people’s willingness to turn their backs on the insurgency will be the most decisive measures for success there.