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.

June 22, 2009

Oil market prompts shift in Iraqi security strategy

WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) – Falling oil prices and a reduced Iraqi budget have prompted the U.S. command responsible for overseeing Iraqi security forces to re-evaluate its priorities, a military official said recently.

June 17, 2009

Central Euphrates Farmers' Market open for business

MAHAWIL, Iraq (June 17, 2009) – After two years of planning and building, the Central Euphrates Farmers’ Market here is open for business after a June 12 grand opening.

June 16, 2009

U.S. provides supplies for displaced Pakistani children

SWABI, Pakistan (June 17, 2009) – U.S. Ambassador Anne W. Patterson visited the Anbar Elementary College Camp in Swabi District, where about 2,500 displaced persons currently live.