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JOINT CIVILIAN ORIENTATION CONFERENCE

Coast Guard Cutter Shows Off Global Reach

The commander of the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas greeted Joint Civilian Orientation Conference participants with the rhetorical question he knew all had on their minds: “What is the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas doing in Rota, Spain?” Story

USS Iwo Jima Crew, Technology Wow Visitors

Photo: Marine from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

Civilian leaders who visited the USS Iwo Jima were as wowed by the ship’s crewmembers as by its technology and combat power. Story

• Special Report: JCOC 76

LATEST PHOTOS

C-17 TOUR - Participants of the 76th Joint Civilian Orientation Conference offload a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on Naval Air Station Rota, Spain, Sept. 22, 2008. The JCOC participants are traveling through the European Command. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison

Hi-Res | Special Report | Photo Essay I | Lead Photo Archive

TOP NEWS

Gates Tells Senators Coalition Has Entered 'Endgame' in Iraq

Amid an 80-percent drop in violence and with further withdrawals of U.S. forces in sight, the coalition in Iraq has reached the “endgame,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said. Story

• Gates' Prepared Testimony

Gates: Three Combat Brigades Likely Available for Afghanistan Duty Next Year

Up to three additional brigade combat teams will likely be available for deployment to Afghanistan next spring and summer, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said. Story

Mullen Praises Recruiters for Successes

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told more than 100 military recruiters that their work is vital, especially as people who influence potential recruits are reluctant to steer them toward service in uniform. Story

CFC Can Help Natural Disaster Victims

Americans socked by natural disasters can get assistance through aid provided by donations to the Combined Federal Campaign, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England said. Story

MILITARY NEWS

Officials Launch New 'e-Library'

A new initiative makes Defense Department library materials available online, improving access to educational materials for servicemembers and their families. Story

Coast Guard Embraces 'Social Media'

The Coast Guard’s top officer discussed plans to adopt social-media practices to modernize the Coast Guard and increase the organization’s transparency in a teleconference with bloggers and online journalists. Story

IRAQ NEWS

Displaced Citizens Return to Baghdad

Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team are working with Iraqi security forces commanders, community leaders and “Sons of Iraq” citizen security groups to help displaced families from the Hadar community of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district return home. Story