02/28/2009
Obama Cites Responsibility to ‘Get It Right’ in Iraq, Afghanistan
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama called decisions to send troops to Iraq and Afghanistan “the most important, most sobering” he makes, and said in a Pentagon Channel interview his biggest responsibility to the troops is to ensure he “gets it right.”
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02/27/2009
Iraq Drawdown Decision Process Included Commanders, Gates Says
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama’s decision to redeploy all U.S. combat troops out of Iraq by the end of August next year emerged from a process that included input from military commanders and senior defense leaders, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.
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02/27/2009
U.S. Combat Troops to Leave Iraq by August 2010, Obama Says
WASHINGTON - U.S. combat troops will redeploy from Iraq by August 2010, leaving about 35,000 to 50,000 American forces there to attend to Iraqi troop and police training, counterterrorism and other duties, President Barack Obama told servicemembers at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
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02/27/2009
Multinational Exercise to Test Interoperability in Caribbean
WASHINGTON - An initiative aimed at boosting capacity among Central and South American security forces will get put to the test when 18 countries come together for a national security exercise in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
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02/26/2009
Defense Secretary Confident With Proposed Budget Share
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama’s fiscal 2010 budget gives the Defense Department nearly $664 billion, an amount Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he’s confident will be enough to sustain the department’s programs.
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02/26/2009
Obama Announces More Key Defense Appointments
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama continued his efforts to fill key Defense Department posts, announcing plans to nominate two more people and to have three others continue to serve in their current posts.
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02/26/2009
Security, Development Intertwine in Afghanistan War
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GARDEZ, Afghanistan - The Paktia Provincial Reconstruction Team works to separate Afghans from the insurgency that attempts to undermine coalition efforts and the development of a central government.
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02/25/2009
Gates Calls for Forthright, Collegial Budget Discussions
WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has called for collegial discussions among Defense Department leaders to make tough choices about programs and procurement as the defense portion of the fiscal 2010 federal budget takes shape.
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02/24/2009
Combat Vet Gives Voice to Military Musicians
WASHINGTON - Military musicians normally would struggle to have their voices heard in the cutthroat music industry, but a fellow veteran has given them a chance to get their music released and in the hands of fans worldwide.
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02/20/2009
Afghans, U.S. Forces Mark 20th Anniversary of Soviet Exit
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - U.S. forces were among some 200 guests as the governor of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province hosted a celebration marking the 20th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s withdrawal from the country.
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02/20/2009
Afghanistan Operations Leave 18 Militants Dead
WASHINGTON - Recent operations in Afghanistan left up to 18 militants dead and another one captured, and one of the operations has triggered an investigation into allegations of civilian casualties.
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02/20/2009
U.S. Seeks Successor to Trident Submarine
NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KING’S BAY, Ga. - The U.S. Navy has started the process to find a 21st-century successor to the Trident strategic missile submarine.
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02/20/2009
Chairman Cites Need for More ‘Dwell Time’ Between Deployments
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - The nation’s top military officer expressed concern about troops and their families “toughing it out” with frequent deployments and little time together between those deployments during a town-hall meeting on Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
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02/19/2009
Senior Leaders Salute Milestone Trident Submarine Patrol
NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KING’S BAY, Ga. - The Navy’s top leaders and the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were among senior officials who paid tribute to the crew of the USS Wyoming Trident strategic missile submarine during a ceremony at King's Bay, Ga.
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02/19/2009
National Guard Gears Up for 2009 Hurricane Season
HILTON HEAD, S.C. - “One team, one fight” is the mantra for local, state and federal leaders preparing for a 2009 hurricane season that forecasters say could include nine major storms.
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02/19/2009
Manas Air Base ‘Not Irreplaceable,’ Official Says
WASHINGTON - Kyrgyzstan’s parliament has voted to close Manas Air Base, a key logistics hub for the U.S. military, but a senior Pentagon official said the base closure would not affect operations in Afghanistan.
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02/19/2009
U.S., Poland Sign Special Ops Memo of Understanding
KRAKOW, Poland - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich signed a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation between their two countries’ special operations forces.
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02/18/2009
Initiative Improves Iraqi Women’s Quality of Life
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - A rash of suicide bombings by women in Iraq in 2008 led officials to create a program to empower Iraqi women by fostering equality and ensuring their basic human rights are met.
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02/17/2009
‘Sons of Iraq’ Transition Into New, Long-term Jobs
BAGHDAD - The transfer of the “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group to Iraqi government control and the transition into new employment and education activities is moving ahead according to plan.
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02/17/2009
Arizona Guardsmen Take on NBA Stars
WASHINGTON - Arizona Army and Air National Guardsmen enjoyed an opportunity to score against National Basketball Association greats Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson during the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend.
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02/17/2009
NATO Commander Urges Unity Within Alliance
MONS, Belgium - NATO’s supreme allied commander for Europe stressed the need for international cooperation and partnership to members of the alliance’s Parliamentary Assembly.
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02/15/2009
Intelligence Community Sees Asia Rising
WASHINGTON - U.S. intelligence planners predict the 21st century will be the time for the rise of Asia, the director of national intelligence said.
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02/15/2009
U.S., Afghan Forces Capture Weapons Supplier
WASHINGTON - Afghan National Army commandos and coalition forces captured a suspected weapons facilitator in the Anar Dara district of Afghanistan’s Farah province, military officials reported.
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02/15/2009
Iraqi, Coalition Forces Detain Criminals, Find Bomb
WASHINGTON - Iraqi security forces and U.S. soldiers detained three suspected criminals and discovered a roadside bomb while conducting operations in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district, military officials reported.
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02/13/2009
On the Ground: Americans Help Burned Girl, Train Afghans
WASHINGTON - U.S. troops treated a badly burned Afghan girl and a provincial reconstruction team helped train Afghan soldiers and prison guards in recent examples of efforts to make an immediate and a long-term difference in Afghanistan.
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02/13/2009
Suicide Prevention Hotline Saves Veterans’ Lives
WASHINGTON - Nearly 100,000 veterans, family members or friends of veterans have reached out for help by calling the Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.
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02/13/2009
U.S. Must Prepare for ‘Hybrid’ Warfare, General Says
WASHINGTON - The U.S. military boasts dominant nuclear and conventional capabilities, but must improve its capacity to fight irregular wars, NATO's supreme allied commander for transformation said.
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02/13/2009
Reporter’s Notebook: MRAPs Provide Safe Feeling
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GARDEZ, Afghanistan - American Forces Press Service reporter Fred W. Baker III writes about his experiences in Afghanistan, where he is embedded with a provincial reconstruction team and an infantry unit.
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02/13/2009
Air Forces Africa Works to Boost Nigerian Air Safety
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany - Since it stood up as the air component for U.S. Africa Command on Oct. 1, members of U.S. Air Forces Africa have been building a program aimed at bolstering air safety and security on the continent.
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02/13/2009
Deployed Soldiers Send Valentine’s Day Messages Home
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - Soldiers serving with Company A, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, may not be with their loved ones for Valentine’s Day, but they’ve figured out the next best option.
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02/12/2009
Movie Premiere Hits Close to Home
WASHINGTON - Actor Kevin Bacon joined military and government officials to watch the premiere of “Taking Chance." Bacon stars in the HBO made-for-TV movie about Marine Lt. Col. Michael R. Strobl.
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02/12/2009
Lynn, Other New Defense Leaders Assume Posts
WASHINGTON - Just like any other federal employee, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III started his day in-processing through personnel and taking the oath of office.
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02/11/2009
Wounded Warrior at Fort Bragg Looks to Future
FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Army Sgt. Cameron E. Stroeh’s easy smile and relaxed attitude combine to make for an image that sharply contrasts with what most would expect in a wounded warrior.
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02/11/2009
Organization Plans ‘Valentines for Veterans’ Concerts
WASHINGTON - A nonprofit organization and officials from four Veterans Affairs hospitals joined forces to plan four free “Valentines for Veterans” concerts to show appreciation to veterans and their families.
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02/11/2009
USS Vella Gulf Crew Captures Pirates in Gulf of Aden
AT SEA ABOARD USS VELLA GULF - The crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf apprehended seven pirates in the Gulf of Aden after responding to a distress call from a nearby merchant vessel.
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02/10/2009
Special Operations Focus Efforts Outside War Zones
WASHINGTON - Though U.S. special operations forces are working with local and regional governments to reduce and prevent instability on a global scale, very few actually are engaged in direct combat, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command said.
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02/10/2009
Reconstruction Team Serves on Front Line of War on Terror
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GARDEZ, Afghanistan - Members of the U.S.-led provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan's Paktika province have found themselves in "the center of gravity" on the war on terror, the team's leader said.
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02/10/2009
Clinic Gives ‘Hope’ to Afghan Village
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Mina Wali, an Afghan-American woman who lived in the United States for 28 years, returned to Afghanistan to help bring a brighter future to its people.
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02/10/2009
Guard Bureau Chief Visits Soldiers in Balkans
PRISTINA, Kosovo - The National Guard's support of NATO peacekeeping operations in southeastern Europe is making an important contribution to Kosovo citizens, the National Guard Bureau's chief said.
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02/10/2009
Fuel, Ammo Specialists Keep Aircraft in Fight
CAMP TAJI, Iraq - A diverse group of soldiers in Iraq helps to ensure aviation crews are ready to conduct show-of-force, reconnaissance and presence patrols throughout Multinational Division Center.
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02/09/2009
Surge in Afghanistan Unlikely to Surpass 30,000, Mullen Says
FORT DRUM, N.Y. - The top U.S. military officer said he doesn't expect the United States to deploy more than about 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for the State Department and other U.S. agencies to do their part as well.
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02/09/2009
Mullen: People 'First and Foremost' as Military Shifts Focus
FORT DRUM, N.Y. - As the military begins to shift its focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, it can't lose focus on supporting troops and their families, most importantly by increasing the “dwell time” at home stations between deployments, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
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02/09/2009
Iraqi Bridge Work Spurs Hopes of Economic Development
BASRA, Iraq - Iraqi officials and coalition partners laid the first batch of cement for a new bridge crossing the Shatt Al Arab River that Iraqis hope will bring economic development to the local Basra area and throughout the country.
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02/09/2009
Iraqi Army Provides Security for Road Project
ALBU HASSAN, Iraq - While Iraqi soldiers provided security, U.S. soldiers of A Company, 9th Engineer Battalion, performed much-needed maintenance on an Iraqi road outside Albu Hassan.
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02/09/2009
Coast Guard Marks Acquisition Milestones
WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard’s acquisition directorate has marked a number of positive milestones in delivering new assets and capabilities to the field, the Coast Guard’s senior acquisitions official said.
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02/09/2009
Soldiers Provide Mortar Training for Iraqi Army
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GARRY OWEN, Iraq - Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team conducted mortar-familiarization training for troops from the 10th Iraqi Army Division's 38th Brigade.
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02/09/2009
Improvements Keep Soldiers Connected in Afghanistan
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Blessing in northeastern Afghanistan are finding it easier to keep in touch with family and friends back home thanks to improvements at the morale, welfare and recreation facility.
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02/06/2009
Mullen Shares World View With Princeton Audience
PRINCETON, N.J. - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen gave a quick view of the world from his perspective as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a public lecture at Princeton University.
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02/06/2009
Military Meals for Storm Victims Are Safe, Officials Say
WASHINGTON - Though some of them contain peanut butter, the 660,000 packaged military meals the Defense Logistics Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency are shipping to Kentucky and Arkansas storm victims are safe, officials said.
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02/06/2009
Mullen: Investing in Military Members Critical
PRINCETON, N.J. - Investing in servicemembers and keeping them “whole” is a critical defense expenditure, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told members of the Princeton University ROTC.
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02/06/2009
Afghan, Coalition Forces Disrupt Bombing Cells
KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed seven militants and detained 12 suspects during operations designed to disrupt a roadside-bomb cell in Afghanistan’s Zabol province.
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02/05/2009
Intelligence Lab Tests Best Practices, Emerging Concepts
SUFFOLK, Va. - A new laboratory being built at U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Joint Warfighting Center in Suffolk, Va., will enable analysts and warfighters alike to “step into” 3-D data fields like those that bombard them during real-life missions.
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02/04/2009
Taking Care of Our Own Must Take Priority, Mullen Says
WASHINGTON - As the nation enters its eighth year of war, the military’s highest-ranking officer says he is concerned about the health of the armed forces. He wants to ensure the country takes care of its men and women in uniform.
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02/04/2009
General Does Part to Reduce Mental Health Stigma
WASHINGTON - Army Maj. Gen. David Blackledge is doing his part to reduce the social stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment for war-related stress, partly by telling his own story of treatment.
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02/04/2009
Guard Leaders Discuss Successes, Challenges
WASHINGTON - The top concerns for National Guard's top leaders are having enough equipment for domestic response, supporting mobilized warriors and families, and forging international partnerships.
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02/04/2009
Potential Closure of Manas Air Base Won’t Disrupt Afghanistan Ops
WASHINGTON - The United States hopes to continue operations at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan, but would use other means to support troops in Afghanistan if the Kyrgyz government goes through with plans to close it, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
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02/04/2009
Idaho Guard Supports Special Olympics
BOISE, Idaho - About 200 soldiers and airmen from the Idaho National Guard are preparing for the 2009 Special Olympics Winter World Games in Boise, Idaho.
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02/03/2009
Communication, Leadership Fundamentals Set Tone at Southcom
WASHINGTON - Described by his staff as a renaissance man who embraces the arts and technology, the commander of U.S. Southern Command relies on leadership principles and communication practices he calls the most important tools in his arsenal.
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02/03/2009
Camp Victory Soldiers Learn Money Skills
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Deployed soldiers are learning about financial management through the "Financial Peace University" program offered on Camp Victory, Iraq.
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02/02/2009
Iraqi Legal System Continues to Strengthen
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - As the Iraqi security forces continue to improve their ability to protect Iraq’s people, a strong judicial branch that can help bring criminals to justice becomes increasingly important.
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02/02/2009
Indiana Welcomes Guard Members Home
INDIANAPOLIS - The Hoosier State welcomed home its National Guardsmen who have deployed around the globe during a tribute at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
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