Jan. 30, 2009

Afghanistan troop buildup a 'delicate endeavor'

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2009 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is expected to present the Pentagon’s proposal for a U.S. troop increase in Afghanistan to President Barack Obama in the near future, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Thursday.

Jan. 30, 2009

Iraqis prepared to oversee Jan. 31 elections

WASHINGTON - U.S. forces, having helped their Iraqi counterparts for more than a month prepare for the country's Jan. 31 provincial elections, are now stepping back, confident their planning and practice has paid off.

Jan. 26, 2009

Biden: U.S. to engage more heavily in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – As U.S. forces become more engaged in Afghanistan, there may well be a rise in American casualties, Vice President Joe Biden said.

Jan. 25, 2009

Gates: Military to focus on short-term goals in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23, 2009 – As part of the Obama administration’s assessment of the strategy being employed in Afghanistan, the U.S. military will focus its efforts on achieving shorter-term goals there, the Defense Department’s top official said here yesterday.

Jan. 22, 2009

President requests 'responsible' Iraq drawdown

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2009 – President Barack Obama directed key defense and military officials he met with yesterday to come up with plans for “a responsible military drawdown in Iraq.”

Jan. 19, 2009

New CENTCOM unit makes it tough to be a pirate

WASHINGTON - A new patrol in the U.S. Central Command is working to make it unprofitable to be a pirate, the commander of U.S. Navy Central Command and 5th Fleet said Jan. 15.

Jan. 13, 2009

Troops ready to prevent election violence

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2009 – U.S. and Iraqi forces in Iraq’s Diyala province are preparing for rising violence amid upcoming provincial elections, an Army commander in Iraq said at a Pentagon news conference Monday.

Jan. 12, 2009

Iraqi girls reclaim attack site as ‘fort of science’

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – The Huda Girls’ School officially reopened its doors Jan. 5, again providing education to some 950 girls.

Jan. 6, 2009

Iraq assumes authority over FOB Callahan

AL SHA’ AB (Jan. 5, 2009) — Just days after the International Zone was returned to the Government of Iraq, Coalition forces returned Forward Operating Base Callahan to Iraqi jurisdiction, Jan. 3.

Jan. 2, 2009

U.S. turns control of International Zone over to Iraq

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1, 2009 – The United States formally transferred the Republican Palace back to the Iraqi government today, a concrete symbol of the continuing improvement in the country.