WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld noted today that U.S. and coalition forces continue to press Taliban and Al Qaeda troops in and around the southern Afghan city of Kandahar and elsewhere in the country.

WASHINGTON - Dec. 7, 1941, the world changed. American service members based in Hawaii saw that seminal moment in history, and those alive today still vividly remember that Sunday morning 60 years ago.

WASHINGTON - Defense officials describe the Taliban's control of its troops as "fractured," as coalition efforts in Afghanistan continue.

WASHINGTON - In the days immediately after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, Americans groped to find ways to describe the event.

WASHINGTON - Nearly 170 volunteer soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and family members recently spent a morning showing their appreciation to residents here at the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home.

WASHINGTON - DoD is still awaiting Air Force bomb damage assessments following attacks on two compounds southeast of Kandahar yesterday where Taliban and Al Qaeda senior leaders were believed to be, DoD spokesperson Victoria "Torie" Clarke told reporters during a morning Pentagon press briefing.

WASHINGTON - There will always be enemy diehards who will fight to the death, "but if we break the leadership of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, there's reduced motivation for troops to stay loyal to the cause and continue to fight," Navy Rear Adm. John D. Stufflebeem told reporters during a Pentagon news briefing today.

WASHINGTON - U.S. operations in Afghanistan continued to focus on emerging targets and supporting opposition forces, Pentagon Spokeswoman Victoria Clarke told reporters this morning.

TAMPA, Fla. - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told reporters here the situation in Afghanistan is "difficult and dangerous."

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said today that Marine forces are in southern Afghanistan to set up a forward operating base.

BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. - "American Indians are very patriotic people," Southern Cheyenne Indian Mel Whitebird told attendees at the second annual Veteran's Powwow, here.

WASHINGTON - All five service members injured in a friendly-fire incident near Mazar-e Sharif in Afghanistan were evacuated to Uzbekistan, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs said this afternoon. A DoD spokeswoman had earlier said only three were injured seriously enough to be evacuated.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2001 - If you had visited a typical military unit in 1983, about one out of e - If you had visited a typical military unit in 1983, about one out of every four service members would have used illegal drugs.

"I come to a powwow to be an Indian, to get a sense of myself. This is part of Indi - Every time Boe Harris- Nakakakena speaks and dances at a school, university, civic meeting, veteran's organization or Powwow, someone always ask, "Do you still live in a teepee? Do you still hunt for your food?"

WASHINGTON - Five service members were injured Nov. 25 during a "friendly fire" incident during a prison riot near Mazar-e Sharif, Afghanistan. None of the injuries was life threatening, Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke said today.

WASHINGTON - What kind of risk will the American people accept in regards to bio-terrorism? How does the government communicate better with the American people when a biological attack occurs?

WASHINGTON - DoD's top doc got his flu shot Nov. 14 and quipped that he felt better already.

WASHINGTON - With Al Qaeda terrorists and Taliban militia bottled up in the Afghan cities of Kunduz and Kandahar, and 75 percent of the country in opposition hands, senior DoD leaders suggested today that some Al Qaeda and Taliban chiefs might attempt to flee.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was a hit among service members and their families, here. The secretary wisecracked his way into their hearts mostly at the expense of the media contingent present -- during a pre-Thanksgiving visit.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recent events in Afghanistan might mean the most orderly change of power in that country in decades.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2001 - President Bush told the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division at For - WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2001 - President Bush told the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., that he can't tell what course the war against terrorism may take, but he is sure of the outcome.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2001 - An American military helicopter made a hard landing in Afghanistan yes - WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2001 - An American military helicopter made a hard landing in Afghanistan yesterday, injuring four crewmembers, said DoD officials.

WASHINGTON - America's brave sons and daughters have, time and again, answered the call to defend this great country and our way of life.

WASHINGTON - DoD deployment health officials have released an information paper that states no country that sent troops to the Balkans has found a health threat related to depleted uranium.

I am delighted to wish you a happy Thanksgiving. This year the holiday season holds special meanin - and more appreciated than ever. Our nation depends on the premiere, community-based force of the National Guard and Reserves. You are America at its best.

WASHINGTON - About three-quarters of Afghanistan is now in the hands of opposition forces, while concentrations of Taliban and Al Qaeda troops continue to be bottled up in the cities of Kunduz and Kandahar, a senior Pentagon spokesperson said today.

WASHINGTON - The leader of the Republic of the Philippines said today that her country and the United States are long-time allies joined together in the fight against global terrorism.

WASHINGTON - Starting Nov. 20 all incoming mail to the Pentagon will be opened and inspected, X-rayed and checked for anthrax, a Pentagon administrative official said.

WASHINGTON - DoD officials have enacted healthcare system changes to make life a little easier for reserve component members and their families following the Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom call-up to active duty.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will visit the Army's Fort Bragg, N.C., the day before Thanksgiving.

WASHINGTON - How many lawyers will be needed to provide legal services for America's service men and women deployed in the war against global terrorism?

WASHINGTON - The World War II-era adage "Loose Lips Sink Ships" underlined the peril of uttering privileged defense information in public -- possibly within earshot of enemy spies.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had nothing but kudos for U.S. special operations troops in Afghanistan during his daily Pentagon media briefing. He also shed some light on exactly what they're doing there.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2001 - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today joined first lady Laura Bush i - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today joined first lady Laura Bush in waving the banner for women's rights in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - The United States must devise a homeland security strategy that looks beyond recovery efforts and aims at preventing attacks, said Tom Ridge, director of the nation's new Homeland Security Office.

SPRINGFIELD, Va. - The Armed Services YMCA wants military youngsters' entries for its 2002 art contest and readers' essay contest.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. air campaign against the Taliban and Al Qaeda continues on this first day of Ramadan, DoD officials said.

WASHINGTON - Fifteen service members and military spouses stationed in the United States and Europe have been named winners of the National Military Family Association's 2001 Very Important Patriot Program.

NAVAL TRAINING CENTER GREAT LAKES, Ill. - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld flew today to this sprawling naval training facility to meet newly graduated recruits and to praise the Navy's efforts in the war against terrorism.

WASHINGTON - I am proud to offer my sincere thanks to the brave wives, husbands, children, and other family members of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines during Military Family Week.

WASHINGTON - Now more than ever, the U.S. military must transform to meet the threats of the 21st century, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said Nov. 14.

WASHINGTON - Air strikes in Afghanistan may have killed Mohammed Atef, the No. 2 man in the Al Qaeda terrorist network, Pentagon officials said today.

WASHINGTON - The Northern Alliance and other opposition groups have made tremendous progress in Afghanistan -- last week, they controlled about 15 percent of the country and today control about half.

WASHINGTON - Focusing national power is different following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, said Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WASHINGTON - U.S. air strikes in Afghanistan during the past several days targeted upper- level Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders and have achieved some success, a senior DoD official said.

WASHINGTON - The media have done a good job of covering the war in Afghanistan, but the coverage contains only "snapshots" of the military action, said Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers. The press could not cover the broader, more important, issue.

Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday - Thanksgiving is a uniquely American holiday, a day that commemorates the Pilgrims' survival in the New World and celebrates the freedom for which we offer our thanks to God.

WASHINGTON - The four-star general in charge of U.S. military actions in Afghanistan told reporters today that Taliban militia and Al Qaeda forces have given up considerable ground in recent days, but they're "not destroyed" and the battle isn't over.

WASHINGTON - Even before Sept. 11, the world was changing. A Navy admiral and Army lieutenant general addressed the role of military power in this changing environment during the Fletcher Conference here Nov. 14.

WASHINGTON - DoD officials can't be sure exactly how much smoking costs the department each year, but they know it's a bundle.

WASHINGTON - DoD is just now starting to get a handle on how to define military responsibilities in homeland defense, said Douglas Feith, defense undersecretary for policy.

WASHINGTON - Using BIC, senior Defense leaders want to "rewrite" organizational business practices using private-sector-inspired ideas and methods in transforming DoD into a more efficient organization for the 21st century.

WASHINGTON - Plans for a National Veterans Museum were unveiled Nov. 8 at a reception here hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

WASHINGTON - The emotional effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks at New York's World Trade Center and the Pentagon will be felt for a long time by people everywhere, according to Veterans Affairs medical officials.

WASHINGTON - DoD officials are not sure what the Taliban intends to do next.

NEW YORK - Defense Secretary Donald W. Rumsfeld got a firsthand look Nov. 14 at "Ground Zero," the terrorist attack site here where the World Trade Center towers once stood.

WASHINGTON - The Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award was presented Nov. 9 to five firms in recognition of the contributions and sacrifices they've made -- and are making -- as employers of National Guard and Reserve members.

WASHINGTON - President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to the press today about progress and hope following their meeting in the White House.

WASHINGTON - DoD officials said reports out of Afghanistan Nov. 12 "are encouraging," but they will wait to see that the gains are held before making more assessments.

WASHINGTON - working from a home or another approved location closer to home -- is much more than just an employee perk. It brings concrete benefits to agencies as well.

WASHINGTON - U.S. special operations forces played a key role in the current Northern Alliance successes in Afghanistan, Air Force Gen. Richard Myers said during a press conference Nov. 13.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. - Vice President Dick Cheney said the service members of today can take as examples a long line of American veterans who have defended freedom around the world.

WASHINGTON - Eighty-three years ago, an armistice was signed between the Allies and the Central Powers. As the guns of both the victors and the vanquished fell silent, World War I -- "The War to End All Wars" -- slipped into history.

WASHINGTON - An unconventional war requires unconventional methods of covering it.

WASHINGTON - President Bush signed the $10.5 billion Military Construction Appropriations Act of 2002 into law Nov. 5.

WASHINGTON - A paperwork error caused the names of some 195,000 TRICARE For Life beneficiaries to not be provided to Medicare claims processors to allow for automatic claims processing.

WASHINGTON - Troops who don't want spousal coverage in the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program now have until Dec. 31 to cancel at no charge. This is a one-month extension on the initial Nov. 30 opt-out deadline widely reported in October.

WASHINGTON - There is "too much dust in the air" to determine the validity of a Northern Alliance commander's claim -- via cell phone -- that his forces are in the strategic Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif, DoD spokesman Navy Rear Adm. John D. Stufflebeem said today.

WASHINGTON - Humanitarian Daily Ration packs being dropped into Afghanistan are still yellow despite media reports to the contrary, DoD officials said.

WASHINGTON - The commander of U.S. operations in and around Afghanistan said today America should take great pride in its military forces and that this war is "unconventional rather than linear."

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging veterans groups to help schools find veterans in their communities to tell students about their military experiences during National Veterans Awareness Week, Nov. 11-17.

WASHINGTON - This Veterans Day is an especially solemn occasion as we pay tribute to not only those who served, who fought, and who died for this great Nation in wars past, but also to the new veterans of the ongoing war against terrorism.

WASHINGTON - The military can't build a bridge, fly a tanker or air defense sortie or do much of anything without help from the National Guard and Reserve. That's because the reserve components make up nearly 50 percent of the total armed forces, according to Craig W. Duehring, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs.

WASHINGTON - America is a cyber nation. In this post-industrial world, moving information is as important as moving people or things.

WASHINGTON - Morale is "terrific" aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Carl Vinson and other U.S. ships in the Persian Gulf, according to Navy Secretary Gordon England.

WASHINGTON - Northern Alliance and other anti-Taliban ground forces -- with U.S. help -- are making progress in the month-old Afghan military campaign, a senior DoD official said.

WASHINGTON - All tests for anthrax at the post office in the Pentagon Concourse are negative, DoD officials said today.

WASHINGTON - U.S. advisers are helping the Northern Alliance become more cohesive, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said, but the rebels' ground war against the Taliban will be marked by successes and reverses.

WASHINGTON - Military allergy and immunization specialists have worked hard to educate healthcare providers on vaccine safety. But in light of rising bioterrorism concerns, they've ratcheted up their efforts.

WASHINGTON - A great debate is ongoing about whether the United States and its coalition allies will continue the campaign against terrorism during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

WASHINGTON - WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2001 - DoD is looking high and low for good ideas to combat terrorism.

WASHINGTON - "We're going to eradicate al Qaeda from Afghanistan and take away the Taliban's ability to support terrorists. There isn't anything that's going to deter us from that mission," Rear Adm. John D. Stufflebeem told reporters today during a Pentagon press briefing.

NEW DELHI, India - U.S. and Indian defense leaders agreed in a meeting here today to expand military cooperation between the two countries and to increase military-to-military ties in the coming year.

OVER THE INDIAN OCEAN - The United States has more than doubled the number of Americans based with Northern Alliance bands, said Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today.

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan - A U.S. Central Command assessment team will visit Tajikistan to examine three military installations as possible areas to base U.S. troops battling terrorism in Afghanistan.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistani and U.S. leaders worked together today to dispel the notion that the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan is aimed at killing civilians.

MOSCOW - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld met here today with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov to discuss cooperation on the war on terrorism and ways to further the new U.S.-Russia relationship.

MOSCOW - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Russian officials will discuss the whole range of issues between the countries during meetings in Moscow Nov. 3.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military's high-tech Joint STARS and Global Hawk airborne surveillance systems will soon fly over Afghanistan, a senior DoD official said.

WASHINGTON - A group of Army 10th Mountain Division soldiers deployed in Uzbekistan expressed confidence in their unit, themselves and their mission to fight terrorists across the globe.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Central Command reports that bad weather caused an U.S. military helicopter to crash-land in Afghanistan today.

WASHINGTON - DoD has expanded the areas in which service members are eligible for imminent danger pay and hardship duty pay.

WASHINGTON - U.S. and coalition efforts to oust terrorist Osama bin Laden, his Al Qaeda network, and Taliban supporters from Afghanistan are on track, a senior DoD official said today.

WASHINGTON - America has more than 95,000 miles of coastline and hundreds of major sea and river ports, not to mention myriad inland lakes and rivers.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld today figuratively flung down the gauntlet in response to recent media reports suggesting the Afghan military campaign is bogged down or somehow floundering.