Dec. 30, 2009

Pentagon praises Yemen for stand against al-Qaida

WASHINGTON (Dec. 28, 2009) – The Yemeni government deserves praise for taking on the al-Qaida threat in that country, a Defense Department official said Monday.

Dec. 23, 2009

Pentagon officials identify troops for Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Dec. 22, 2009) – Defense Department officials today identified 6,000 servicemembers to deploy in 2010 as part of President Barack Obama’s order to increase the U.S. footprint in Afghanistan.

Dec. 21, 2009

Ambassador, general discuss Iraq elections, Iran relations

BAGHDAD, Dec. 19, 2009 – Iraq “is not going to be pushed around” by Iran, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill said here today.

Dec. 18, 2009

Mullen tours Afghan market with Marines

NAWA, Afghanistan, Dec. 17, 2009 – The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Patrol Base Jaker here today to tour the base and the Nawa district center and spend time with Marines and sailors assigned here.

Dec. 16, 2009

Petraeus hold spirited all-hands call at NSA Bahrain

MANAMA, Bahrain (Dec. 15, 2009) – Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), held a spirited All Hands call at Naval Support Activity Bahrain Dec. 13.

Dec. 15, 2009

Gates: U.S. role in Iraq remains critical

KIRKUK, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2009 – The U.S. military role remains critical to preserving gains made in Iraq and helping to prevent sectarian violence in the roll-up to Iraq’s national elections, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told about 300 soldiers and airmen at a town hall session today at Forward Operating Base Warrior.

Dec. 14, 2009

Army, Marines adjust 'reset' for Afghan buildup

WASHINGTON (Dec. 10, 2009) – As the U.S. military answers President Barack Obama’s order to reinforce efforts in Afghanistan, the Army and Marine Corps are adjusting their plans to redeploy working and serviceable equipment, top military officers told Congress.

Dec. 4, 2009

Petraeus: Afghan 'surge' will target terror leaders

WASHINGTON (Dec. 2, 2009) – Tens of thousands of additional U.S. forces slated for deployment to Afghanistan will be employed to target and eliminate terrorist leaders and assist the Afghan government to better safeguard and provide a brighter future for its people, the commander of U.S. Central Command said.

Dec. 2, 2009

President calls for 30,000 more U.S. troops in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (Dec. 1, 2009) – It is in America’s vital national interests to send another 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said tonight during a speech at West Point, N.Y.

Dec. 1, 2009

Logisticians preparing for massive move from Iraq

Bird, commander of Defense Logistics Agency—Central Command, will have help from his DLA support team and participants from several of the agency’s field activities. That, however, doesn’t make the task of helping the military services draw down a mountain of equipment and supplies accumulated during six years of operations in Iraq any less daunting.