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10/31/2008 : Gates Describes Challenges Facing New Centcom Commander      
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Oct. 31, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates describes Gen. David H. Petraeus as "a model of a modern commander: part general, part diplomat, part administrator.” He said the new commander of U.S. Central Command brings experience from Iraq that he can apply to the region as a whole.
10/31/2008 : Dempsey’s ‘Acting’ Career Ends as Centcom Turns Over to Petraeus      
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Oct. 31, 2008 - Army Lt. Gen. Martin E. Dempsey turned over command of U.S. Central Command to Army Gen. David H. Petraeus during a sun-drenched ceremony on MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
10/31/2008 : Petraeus Assumes Leadership of U.S. Central Command      
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., Oct. 31, 2008 - U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus assumed leadership of the U.S. military command charged with helping to build peace in a tough and war-torn part of the world.
10/30/2008 : Gates’ Nuclear Message Resonates in Research, Engineering Community      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ concerns about the state of the nuclear weapons program and a “serious brain drain” at laboratories that design and develop them is resonating within the research and engineering community.
10/30/2008 : Homeland Defense Demands Integrated Efforts, NorthCom Commander Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2008 - U.S. Northern Command has moved from a past with friction among commanders and agencies to an international model of integration.
10/30/2008 : Africa Command Headquarters to Remain in Stuttgart      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2008 - U.S. Africa Command’s headquarters will remain in its current location in Stuttgart, Germany, for the foreseeable future, a Pentagon spokesman said.
10/30/2008 : Office Readies Defense Department for Transition to Next Administration      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2008 - No matter who wins the election Nov. 4, Defense Department officials will work to ensure a smooth and efficient transition to the new administration.
10/29/2008 : Mullen Cites Culture of Change During Air War College Address      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2008 - Change is the cornerstone and is at the heart of every aspect of today’s military, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told more than 800 Air War College students.
10/29/2008 : Air Force ‘Moving in Right Direction’ on Nuclear Program, Gates Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said broad initiatives within the Air Force are helping to return its nuclear mission to “the standards of excellence for which it was known throughout the entire Cold War.”
10/29/2008 : U.S. Hopes to Resolve Differences Over Iraq Agreement, Official Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2008 - The United States is holding out hope that issues delaying a status of forces agreement with Iraq will be resolved before the U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing U.S. forces there expires Dec. 31.
10/29/2008 : U.S., Iraqi Leaders Work to Secure Forces Agreement      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2008 - Top leaders on both sides in Iraq are working to reach an agreement that would shape the future of U.S. operations there and ensure that hard-fought security, economic and political gains are not lost.
10/28/2008 : Russians Know Missile Defenses Not Aimed at Them, Gates Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2008 - The next president will “take a fresh look” at plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said, but he dismissed Russian objections to the system as political.
10/28/2008 : Gates Calls Nuke Capability Critical to Deterrence, Reassuring Allies      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2008 - Calling nuclear weapons one of the world’s "messy realities," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said as long as other nations that could potentially use them against the U.S. possess or seek them, it's critical that the United States does as well.
10/26/2008 : Bush Endorses NATO Membership for Albania, Croatia  This story contains photos.    
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2008 - President Bush kicked off the weekend by signing protocol agreements endorsing Albania and Croatia as NATO's newest members and called on other Balkan and former Soviet countries to join the alliance.
10/24/2008 : Air Force to Establish New Nuclear Major Command      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2008 - The Air Force will launch a new major command specifically to manage its nuclear assets.
10/24/2008 : Gates Gets Update on Army Special Ops Capabilities, Challenges  This story contains photos.    
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2008 - The commander of Army Special Operations Command updated Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates about ongoing missions and progress in growing the force to keep pace with ever-increasing requirements.
10/23/2008 : Gates Reflects on Service as Wartime Defense Secretary      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2008 - Less than three months before the next administration takes office, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he’ll leave his post satisfied he made a difference, especially for warfighters.
10/23/2008 : Bragg Visit Emphasizes Need to Reduce Stress on Force, Gates Says  This story contains photos.    
FORT BRAGG, N.C., Oct. 23, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates toured facilities at Fort Bragg, N.C., meeting with troops and their families. “These people are in the forefront of protecting our country, and I am just very proud to be associated with them in any way,” he said.
10/23/2008 : Gates Salutes New Citizens for Service, Sacrifice  This story contains photos.    
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C., Oct. 23, 2008 - Presiding over a naturalization ceremony at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called it an honor “to welcome into citizenship 42 men and women who have served and sacrificed for their country before it officially was their country.”
10/23/2008 : Gates Visits Fort Bragg to Meet With Soldiers, Spouses  This story contains photos.    
FORT BRAGG, N.C., Oct. 23, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled to the home of the 82nd Airborne Division and Army Special Operations Command to meet troops preparing for or recently returned from combat deployments to get an update on their operations and concerns.
10/22/2008 : Pentagon Spokesman Cites Pakistan’s Improved Security Efforts      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2008 - U.S. defense leaders have noted Pakistan’s improved efforts to crack down on al-Qaida and other terrorists operating there, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said at a news conference.
10/22/2008 : Pentagon Remains Focused on Iraqi Agreement, Official Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2008 - U.S. defense leaders remain focused on getting a status of forces agreement with Iraq, and not on contingency plans.
10/22/2008 : Iraq Status of Forces Draft Protects U.S. Servicemembers, Gates Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2008 - The draft status of forces agreement between the governments of the United States and Iraq contains adequate protections for U.S. military members, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.
10/22/2008 : ‘Not a Lot of Give’ in Draft Iraq Agreement, Mullen Says      
SHANNON, Ireland, Oct. 22, 2008 - There is “not a lot of give” in putting in place the draft status of forces agreement between Iraq and the United States, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
10/22/2008 : Mullen Continues Talks with Baltic Allies in Lithuania      
VILNIUS, Lithuania, Oct. 22, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reaffirmed America’s commitment to the collective defense of NATO in meetings in the Baltic republics.
10/21/2008 : Gates Honors Career Civilian Employees for Service, Dedication  This story contains photos.    
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates honored career civilian employees from throughout the department, crediting them with providing extraordinary support to warfighters and their families while improving efficiency and saving taxpayer dollars.
10/21/2008 : Mullen Offers Reassurance to Baltic Republics      
RIGA, Latvia, Oct. 21, 2008 - Following a meeting in Helsinki, Finland, with his Russian counterpart, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff traveled to Riga, Latvia, to discuss defense issues with Latvian officials.
10/21/2008 : Dialogue With Russian Defense Chief Encourages Mullen      
HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 21, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he is encouraged that his Russian counterpart reached out to keep the dialogue between the two countries open.
10/21/2008 : Mullen Meets With Russian Counterpart in Helsinki      
HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 21, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with his Russian counterpart in Helsinki, Finland, in the first face-to-face meeting between the two powers since Russia’s invasion of Georgia.
10/21/2008 : Chairman Says Time Has Come for Iraq to Act on Status Agreement      
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Oct. 21, 2008 - Iraq is running out of time to approve a status of forces agreement that will let U.S. forces remain in the country past Dec. 31.
10/21/2008 : Serbian, U.S. Officials View Balkans Regionally, Mullen Says      
ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Oct. 21, 2008 - Serbian and American military officials understand the two nations disagree about Kosovo, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, but they recognize the relationship has to be about more than just that nation.
10/20/2008 : U.S., Serbian Leaders Discuss New Ways to Cooperate      
BELGRADE, Serbia, Oct. 20, 2008 - The military-to-military relationship between the United States and Serbia is growing closer, the top military officers of both countries said.
10/20/2008 : Mullen Arrives in Belgrade for Talks With Serb Leaders      
BELGRADE, Serbia, Oct. 20, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff arrived in Belgrade to work to improve American military-to-military relations with Serbia.
10/17/2008 : Gates Swears In Donley as New Air Force Secretary      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates swore in acting Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley as the 22nd Secretary of the Air Force during a ceremony held at the Air Force Memorial.
10/17/2008 : U.S., Korean Leaders Reaffirm Mutual Defense Treaty      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2008 - U.S. and South Korean defense officials reaffirmed the two nations’ commitment to keep the defense alliance strong and to continue transforming to meet 21st-century defense needs.
10/17/2008 : Troops Well-Protected Under U.S.-Iraq Agreement, Gates Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2008 - Servicemembers should not be concerned about the status of forces agreement between the United States and Iraq.
10/17/2008 : AfriCom Officials Note Milestones, Challenges Ahead  This story contains photos.    
WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2008 - Army Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward brought the celebration of U.S. Africa Command’s activation home to Germany as he praised those who came together to stand the command up so quickly and urged them to continue working together so it can reach its potential.
10/16/2008 : Iraq Government Set to Pay More Reconstruction Costs      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2008 - Today’s increased price of oil is fueling Iraq’s ability to pay more for its reconstruction costs that up to now have been heavily funded by U.S. taxpayers, a senior U.S. official said.
10/16/2008 : Financial Crisis Has Military Implications, Vice Chairman Says      
BALTIMORE, Oct. 16, 2008 - The current global financial crisis is a far-reaching problem that has implications for the U.S. military and other organizations, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
10/16/2008 : Gates Works with Congress on Iraq Status of Forces Agreement      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is consulting with congressional leaders on the U.S.-Iraq status of forces agreement that will allow American troops to remain in Iraq after Dec. 31.
10/16/2008 : Gates Pushes for Stronger International, Interagency Relationships      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he’s struck by universal interest in bridging stronger ties with the United States in the roughly 50 countries he’s visited since taking office, and that allowing the evolving U.S.-China relationship to unravel would be a huge strategic mistake.
10/15/2008 : Gates: U.S. Toolbox to Confront Threats Requires More Than 'Just Hammers'      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2008 - The war on terror, particularly in Afghanistan, has put the United States and its allies and partners to the test as they strive to apply both “soft-” and “hard-power” capabilities to ward off violent extremism.
10/15/2008 : Bush: Provincial Reconstruction Teams Are ‘Vital to Success’ in Iraq      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2008 - The work of nearly 30 provincial reconstruction teams deployed in Iraq is paramount to achieving success in that country, President Bush said.
10/15/2008 : Defeating Terror Cells Key to Terror Fight, Official Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2008 - While calling the recent killing of al-Qaida in Iraq’s No. 2 operator “significant,” a senior defense official emphasized that succeeding against terrorists requires taking down cells rather than individuals.
10/15/2008 : Coalition Forces Kill al-Qaida in Iraq’s No. 2 Leader      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2008 - Coalition forces killed the second-ranking commander of al-Qaida in Iraq in a raid earlier this month, senior U.S. officials confirmed.
10/15/2008 : Bush to View Budget Law in Light of Presidential Authority      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2008 - President Bush said he will construe restrictions imposed in the fiscal 2009 defense budget “in a manner consistent with the constitutional authority and obligations of the president.”
10/14/2008 : Improved Iraqi Security Forces Will Help Sustain Security, Odierno Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2008 - The United States will help the Iraqi government sustain the country’s security gains, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq said in an interview on Fox News Channel.
10/14/2008 : Bush Signs Fiscal 2009 Defense Budget Into Law      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14, 2008 - President Bush signed the fiscal 2009 defense budget into law, authorizing a $512 billion base to support military readiness, as well as $66 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
10/10/2008 : Cartwright Urges Improving Technological Advances      
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va., Oct. 10, 2008 - The U.S. military needs to continue working on technological advances to fight a pair of wars that are “winnable,” the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
10/10/2008 : Ministers Approve Drug Network Attacks, Increasing Alliance Readiness      
BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 10, 2008 - NATO defense ministers approved a proposal that will allow the International Security Assistance Force soldiers in Afghanistan to shut down drug networks that funnel money to the Taliban.
10/10/2008 : Gates Cites Importance of Europe Visit      
ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Oct. 10, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said his five-day trip to southeastern and central Europe was important to allies in the region and to relations among NATO nations.
10/09/2008 : NATO Ministers Discuss Afghan Problems, Challenges      
BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 9, 2008 - NATO has proven it is up to the job in Afghanistan, and the alliance is adjusting to changes in the country, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.
10/09/2008 : Defense Ministers Seek Ways to Halt Taliban’s Drug Money      
BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 9, 2008 - NATO should go after the drug trade in Afghanistan to take away funding for the Taliban and al-Qaida, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said at a defense ministers conference in Budapest, Hungary.
10/09/2008 : Joint Chiefs Chairman Reflects on First Year in Office      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2008 - With just over a year as the top U.S. military officer, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said he's impressed by the force's resilience despite repeated deployments, and vowed to ensure troops get more time at home between deployments.
10/09/2008 : New Strategy to Broaden Scope, Coordination in Afghanistan, Mullen Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2008 - The changing situation in Afghanistan, particularly increased violence along the Afghan-Pakistan border, warrants a full review of U.S. strategy there to broaden its scope and improve interagency coordination.
10/09/2008 : NATO Maritime Group to Combat Pirates off Somalia      
BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 9, 2008 - NATO will send its Standing Naval Maritime Group to the waters off Somalia, where piracy has become an increasing concern.
10/09/2008 : Security Force Nations Look Ahead on Afghanistan      
BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 9, 2008 - Meetings with NATO and troop-contributing nations making up the alliance’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan will help chart the way ahead in the troubled nation, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.
10/09/2008 : Defense Leaders Meet, Reaffirm Georgia’s NATO Aspirations      
BUDAPEST, Hungary, Oct. 9, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reaffirmed the U.S. and NATO pledge for Georgia’s aspirations to join the alliance at a meeting with Georgian Defense Minister Davit Kezerashvili in Budapest, Hungary.
10/08/2008 : Mullen Calls U.S. Army ‘World’s Greatest Counterinsurgency Force’      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 - As the world’s most skilled counterinsurgency warfare force, the U.S. Army has been the catalyst for reduced violence in Iraq.
10/08/2008 : Normalized Tours, Wartime Control Transfer to Enhance U.S.-Korean Alliance      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 - Efforts to lengthen U.S. military tours in South Korea to three years and to turn wartime operational control of South Korea forces to their own military are on track and moving full-speed ahead.
10/08/2008 : North Korea’s Nuclear Activities Destabilize Region, U.S. Commander Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 - North Korea’s assertions of its nuclear weapons capability and the likelihood that it’s proliferating weapons of mass destruction represent a huge security risk for the region and the world.
10/08/2008 : Official Reaffirms Commitment to Preventing Civilian Casualties      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2008 - As a follow-on investigation into a coalition operation in western Afghanistan that claimed civilian lives nears completion, a senior defense official emphasized the U.S. military’s strong record of accountability.
10/08/2008 : Gates Urges Southeastern European Nations to Send Troops to Afghanistan      
LAKE OHRID, Macedonia, Oct. 8, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called on southeastern European nations to consider helping the military training effort in Afghanistan.
10/08/2008 : Gates Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Ukrainian NATO Membership      
LAKE OHRID, Macedonia, Oct. 8, 2008 - The United States continues to support NATO membership action plans for Ukraine and Georgia, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said following a meeting with Ukraine’s defense minister.
10/07/2008 : Defense Secretary ‘Walks the Beat’ in Kosovo      
GJILAN, Kosovo, Oct. 7, 2008 - Some U.S. soldiers in Kosovo have a job similar to that of a beat cop, and they took Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates along with them as they walked the streets.
10/07/2008 : Gates Tours Bondsteel, Gjilan During Kosovo Visit      
GJILAN, Kosovo, Oct. 7, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates toured Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, met with servicemembers there and in Gjilan, and saw for himself the changes U.S. and NATO forces have brought to the nation.
10/07/2008 : Iranian Reports of Downed U.S. Plane Are Contradictory, Official Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2008 - A senior Defense Department spokesman dismissed Iranian-sourced reports that a U.S. military aircraft had been forced down in Iran.
10/07/2008 : Gates Meets With Kosovo Leaders, Promises Continued U.S. Support      
PRISTINA, Kosovo, Oct. 7, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates congratulated the citizens of Kosovo on their progress in establishing the newest nation on Earth.
10/07/2008 : Gates Visits U.S. Troops in Kosovo      
PRISTINA, Kosovo, Oct. 7, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited with U.S. troops assigned to NATO’s Kosovo Force in what was the first visit to Kosovo by a defense secretary since 2001.
10/06/2008 : Gates Says Meetings to Focus on Afghanistan, Russia, Transformation      
ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, Oct. 6, 2008 - While the alliance’s transformation is the focus at the NATO defense conference in Hungary, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Afghanistan and Russia also will be high on the agenda.
10/06/2008 : Petreaus, Crocker Receive State Department’s Highest Honor      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2008 - The State Department conferred its highest award on the U.S. commander and diplomat who oversaw a dramatic drop in violence in Iraq and forged a model for future military-civilian partnership.
10/06/2008 : Gates to Attend Meetings in Macedonia, Hungary      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will travel this week to participate in a southeastern Europe defense ministerial conference in Macedonia and a NATO meeting in Hungary.
10/03/2008 : Mullen Stresses Leadership, Accountability in Business School Speech      
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 3, 2008 - A year and a day after taking office as the nation’s 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen spoke about leadership to the students of the Wharton Business School.
10/03/2008 : Senate Confirms McKinley as Guard Bureau Chief  This story contains photos.    
ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 3, 2008 - The Senate confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley to receive his fourth star and serve as the 26th chief of the National Guard Bureau.
10/02/2008 : Soldier Medics Re-enlist in Nation’s Capital  This story contains photos.    
WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2008 - Nearly 80 soldier-medics re-enlisted at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., as the Army surgeon general recited Lincoln's charge to "bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle..."
10/01/2008 : Africa Command Unfurls Colors During Pentagon Ceremony  This story contains photos.    
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2008 - A new U.S. unified command that seeks to meld civilian expertise with military planning and logistics raised its flag during a Pentagon ceremony.
10/01/2008 : Bush Salutes U.S. Mission, Servicemembers in Afghanistan      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2008 - President Bush cited the “incredible” progress that has been achieved in Afghanistan after he was briefed on the situation by U.S. Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, NATO’s top commander there.
10/01/2008 : Afghanistan Must Be Viewed Through Regional Prism, General Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2008 - NATO’s top military commander in Afghanistan said he is “cautiously optimistic” regarding recent Pakistani military efforts to rein in insurgent activity near the border with Afghanistan.
10/01/2008 : DoD Moves Toward Civilian Expeditionary Capability      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2008 - The Defense Department is moving forward with setting up a global expeditionary force for civilian employees.
10/01/2008 : Afghanistan’s Solution Primarily Political, Not Military, General Says      
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2008 - The war against radical Islamists operating in Afghanistan will be won, despite the challenges, the senior U.S. military officer posted there said.
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