July 22, 2009

Obama: Handover signals commitment to Iraqi government

WASHINGTON (July 22, 2009) – The transfer of Iraq’s towns and cities to Iraqi control last month is emblematic of the U.S. fulfilling its commitment to the country, President Barack Obama said Wednesday.

July 21, 2009

Iraqi authority proceeding after initial friction

WASHINGTON (July 21, 2009) – Several weeks after American forces in Baghdad handed over security leadership to their Iraqi counterparts, friction is giving way to a smoother transition of power, a top U.S. commander in the Iraqi capital said.

July 9, 2009

Construction begins at U.S. Central Command, creates jobs for local community

Construction for the U.S. Central Command's new Headquarters facility officially began with a turn of a shovel from Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of USCENTCOM and other members of the command's staff, at MacDill Air Force Base.

June 30, 2009

President hails Iraq city withdrawal as 'important step'

WASHINGTON (June 30, 2009) – President Barack Obama hailed the completed withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraqi cities today as “an important step forward” and a testament to the commitment of American troops.

June 29, 2009

Afghan pilots closer to providing own air support

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 29, 2009) – After an absence of nearly a decade, the Afghan Mi-35 is again flying the skies of Afghanistan, thanks to pilots from the Afghan National Army Air Corps and the Czech Republic, military officials here said.

June 28, 2009

Odierno: U.S. troops out of Iraqi cities ahead of June 30 deadline

WASHINGTON (June 28, 2009) – The U.S. military will have no issues complying with the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement, which requires all U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraqi cities by June 30, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq said Sunday.

June 25, 2009

Kyrgyz parliament approves Manas Air Base agreement

WASHINGTON – The Kyrgyz parliament ratified an agreement between the United States and Kyrgyzstan to extend U.S. access to Manas Air Base.

June 24, 2009

U.S., Iraq closer to meeting deadlines

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2009 – Iraqi and U.S. forces continued to make strides toward meeting the terms of the U.S.-Iraq security agreement in recent days with the transfer of a joint security station to Iraqi control and meetings that offered provincial leaders and female business owners an opportunity to pave the road ahead.

June 23, 2009

Afghan border efforts showing signs of success

WASHINGTON (June 23, 2009) – Afghan, Pakistani and coalition military operations designed to restrict militants’ movements and eliminate safe havens along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have accomplished visible gains, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Afghanistan said Tuesday.

June 23, 2009

Portuguese Navy thwarts pirate attack

NRP CORTE-REAL, Gulf of Aden (June 22, 2009) – A NATO operation conducted by the Portuguese frigate NRP Corte-Real resulted in the disruption of an attempted pirate attack and the boarding of a confirmed pirate vessel, leading to the seizure and disposal of weapons as well as the disruption of the pirates’ ability to conduct further attacks.