CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - Of all the challenges he confronts at the helm of the Defense Department, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today said one of the most difficult for him is writing condolence letters to families who have lost a loved one in the war on terror.

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - Army Gen. David H. Petraeus needs to focus on the situation in Iraq, not the political climate in Washington, when he files his report on conditions there, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters here today.

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii - The United States has “no intention of neglecting Asia” as it focuses on fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the global war on terror, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.

WASHINGTON - Afghan National Police and Coalition forces captured Haji Salam, a Ghazni area Taliban sub-commander and improvised explosive device expert, during early morning operations in the village of Gawmesak.

WASHINGTON - This fall, a U.S. Navy ship will embark on a six-month deployment to the Gulf of Guinea region, part of a multinational maritime security and safety initiative that partners with several west- and central-African nations, a senior U.S. Navy officer said here today.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi troops captured a militia commander, a U.S. helicopter crew destroyed a heavily armed vehicle, and an Iraqi police chief and more than a dozen associates have been arrested, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - While all eyes are focused on the surge of U.S. troops into Baghdad, a top military commander stressed today that military force alone cannot solve the problems of the country.

WASHINGTON - Four U.S. soldiers were killed and two were injured by roadside bombs yesterday in Iraq, military officials reported. Eight soldiers were injured by a suicide bomber yesterday, and two other U.S. soldiers died May 29.

WASHINGTON - May has been a deadly month for U.S. troops in Iraq, but they are adapting to the situation, the commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said today.

WASHINGTON - A lifelong love for the sea led Lt. j.g. Katie Hagen to the Navy, and now her service is taking her around the country to share her pride in serving the nation.

WASHINGTON - While military leaders will present an assessment of the progress of the new strategy in Iraq by a September deadline, a U.S. military commander in Iraq said it may be too soon to get a good feel for progress in the country.

WASHINGTON - Operation Homefront, a military support group dedicated to providing emergency assistance and morale to servicemembers and their families, recently received a $5.9 million grant to expand its services.

WASHINGTON - Five U.S. soldiers were among those killed when a Chinook helicopter flying a NATO International Security Assistance Force mission went down in Helmand province near Kajaki, Afghanistan, last night, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. troop surge in Iraq will pay off with time and patience, a top U.S. commander in Iraq said today.

WASHINGTON - The American Red Cross is warning military spouses about a new identity-theft scam that targets family members of deployed troops.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Seven servicemembers assigned to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan are dead after a Chinook helicopter flying an ISAF mission went down near Kajaki last night.

WASHINGTON - Elements of the fifth and final brigade of the troop surge have begun arriving in Baghdad, and the brigade should be fully operational by mid-July, the deputy director for operations on the Joint Staff said here today.

WASHINGTON - Today’s brand-new Air Force officers need to live up to a higher standard, even though doing so may take them along “a difficult and lonely road,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.

WASHINGTON - A U.S. general serving with Multinational Force Iraq recently took time out of his mid-deployment leave to let the American public know that the situation in Iraq is different from what they might think.

BETHESDA, Md. - Thirty thousand active-duty servicemembers and guests will be able to attend the inaugural AT&T National invitational golf tournament July 3-8, professional golfer Tiger Woods announced here yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Officers from the U.S. Army battalion that freed 41 prisoners from an al Qaeda in Iraq hideout May 27 provided details on the operation yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces captured 47 suspected terrorists, including some suspected terror-cell chieftains, and seized contraband weaponry during operations across Iraq over the past few days, military officials reported.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Combined Joint Task Force 82 honored the contributions and sacrifices men and women of the armed forces have made in defense of freedom and democracy during a Memorial Day ceremony yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Girl Scouts in southern Nevada are preparing to ship more than 11,000 boxes of Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos, Tagalongs and other Girl Scout cookies to servicemembers overseas.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces detained 37 suspected insurgents, found weapons caches and discovered an alleged prison camp holding 41 people in operations throughout Iraq over the past three days, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces detained five suspected insurgents yesterday and today and killed about two dozen insurgents after a convoy was attacked in Helmand province May 27, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Iranian delegates advocated a peaceful and secure Iraq during a weekend meeting, but Iran’s actions on the ground aren’t in synch with its stated policies and principles, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker told reporters yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Ten U.S. soldiers were killed and three were wounded in two incidents yesterday in Iraq, military officials reported. Eight other U.S. soldiers were killed and 12 were wounded in Iraq over the preceding several days. Also, the Defense Department released the identities of several servicemembers killed recently in the war on terror.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is preparing a pandemic flu guide for civilian managers and rank-and-file employees, a senior official said.

WASHINGTON - When a landmark Defense Department-sponsored health study was launched six years ago, one of its goals was to evaluate the impact of future deployments on long-term health. The investigators did not know how timely the project would be.

WASHINGTON - When 17-year-old John Corley joined the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 1973, his father had already given him some valuable life lessons to tuck under his belt.

WASHINGTON - Seven months ago, on Veterans Day, Army Spc. Jace Badia was carried off the battlefield in Ramadi after an insurgent bomb left him nearly dead -- his left leg gone, his right leg shattered and his right arm and back broken.

WASHINGTON - About 2,000 veterans, former and current military personnel, families and other spectators marked the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial here today during the annual Memorial Day Observance.

WASHINGTON - Women in uniform have performed illustrious service in the U.S. military in the past and they continue to serve with distinction to the present day, a senior Coast Guard officer said here today.

WASHINGTON - Evoking the memories of citizens who died defending America throughout history and urging a new generation to safeguard freedoms for which previous generations made sacrifices, President Bush commemorated Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery here today.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - NASCAR fans, drivers and race teams had the opportunity to show their appreciation to the U.S. military yesterday by dedicating the Coca-Cola 600 here to the men and women of the armed forces.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Memorial Day is a time when troops remember the oath they took for their country and rededicate themselves to those who have gone before, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told servicemembers, drivers and fans here at NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 yesterday.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government needs to step forward to make progress in governance and revitalize the economy, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said today during appearances on various morning television talk shows.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces continued operations in Afghanistan over the past three days, resulting in the capture of Taliban and al Qaeda leaders.

INDIANAPOLIS - Before Dario Franchitti took the checkered flag to win the 91st Indianapolis 500 today, the military took center stage as the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” honored the nation’s servicemembers during its opening ceremonies.

WASHINGTON - A chrome convoy of about 300,000 motorcycles driven by Vietnam veterans and their supporters blazed across the nation’s capital today in a deafening roar of solidarity.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed and captured terrorists, weapons caches and bomb-making materials during operations in Iraq over the past two days.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki reached out to the Sunni population of his country with a visit to Anbar province yesterday. This was Maliki’s second visit to the region since taking office. He visited Ramadi March 13.

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is helping make adaptive homes available to disabled veterans through support for a group called Homes for Our Troops.

WASHINGTON - People across the country will take a moment from their afternoons tomorrow to pause and honor the sacrifices of America’s military.

WASHINGTON - Actor Gary Sinise received the G.I. Spirit Award yesterday during the first G.I. Film Festival, held over the Memorial Day weekend at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here.

INDIANAPOLIS - Patriotism was on display during today’s 50th annual Indy 500 Festival Parade in downtown Indianapolis. People showed support for their country and their troops when patriotic displays and military parade participants marched past.

WASHINGTON - President Bush today asked all Americans to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

WASHINGTON - The 978 new second lieutenants who graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., today, knew from the start of their military education that they were joining an Army at war, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said during the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2007.

WASHINGTON - Servicemembers need to learn the techniques, tactics and procedures for defeating improvised explosive devices before they deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan, according to officials with the Joint IED Defeat Organization.

WASHINGTON - Retired Army Gen. John Abizaid, a 1973 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy who went on to lead the U.S. Central Command during the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, reflects on how his academy experience influenced his career and those of other officers serving during peace and in times of war.

WASHINGTON - Families members who have lost loved ones serving in the military are gathered here this Memorial Day weekend for a survivors’ national support group seminar.

WASHINGTON - Two Navy SEALs who recently returned from Iraq shared some of their combat experiences and described the progress they witnessed in Anbar province, during a panel discussion yesterday at the Naval Heritage Center here.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Midshipmen at today’s U.S. Naval Academy graduation and commissioning ceremony reflected on why they chose to serve in the military and the leadership qualities they hope to bring to the calling.

WASHINGTON - President Bush today applauded the bipartisan effort that led to Congress passing an emergency supplemental budget bill that will fund operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through September.

WASHINGTON - Interruption of the “vicious circle of sectarian violence” taking place in Baghdad is the main challenge facing security forces there, a senior counter-insurgency advisor to Multinational Force Iraq said today.

WASHINGTON - China must continue to make strides in military transparency as it moves forward to becoming a global power, Defense Department officials said here today.

WASHINGTON - In its first deployment to Iraq, one of the Army’s newest modular light infantry brigade combat teams is making its mark under the president’s troop surge plan, the brigade’s top officer said today in a briefing to Pentagon reporters.

WASHINGTON - Delivering practical intelligence as fast as possible to servicemembers is the Defense Department’s “pre-eminent imperative,” the department’s top intelligence official said yesterday.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - As more than 1,000 U.S. Naval Academy graduates here took their oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution today, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reminded them to respect two important pillars of U.S. constitutional freedoms: Congress and the press.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urged graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy accepting commissions today into the Navy and Marine Corps to apply the lessons they learned here to become strong, decisive leaders who motivate and inspire their sailors and Marines.

WASHINGTON - Five soldiers were killed and four others were wounded yesterday in several attacks throughout Iraq, one soldier was killed May 22, and the Defense Department has released the identities of several servicemembers who died in Iraq recently.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 28 suspected terrorists and found two weapons caches in operations throughout Iraq in the past two days, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - As an operations manager for Proctor and Gamble, Army Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz strived to recruit the best new workers, get them trained for their jobs, then retain them so they didn’t take their skills and experience elsewhere.

WASHINGTON - The nearly 500 servicemembers who pass through the United Service Organizations lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas each day receive a warm greeting from “Defenders of Freedom.”

WASHINGTON - On the eve of the Memorial Day weekend, the top U.S. military officer today released a message reminding Americans to reflect on the sacrifices of servicemembers past and present.

WASHINGTON - A body found in Iraq May 23 is that of one of three U.S. soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division’s 31st Infantry Regiment believed to have been abducted during a May 12 ambush, Defense Department officials confirmed late yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Today, some 185 years after West Point became the first of three U.S. military academies, followed by the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., all three schools are thinking globally in the way they educate future officers.

WASHINGTON - Sitting back in his Pentagon office, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, considered three decisions he said dramatically changed his life: to marry Lynne, his wife of 36 years; to join the Marine Corps, and to attend the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Md.

WASHINGTON - The top U.S. military officer today urged men and women in uniform to honor Memorial Day by remembering those who gave their lives for the country and to rededicate themselves to service.

WASHINGTON - Military forces in Iraq need to prepare for a possible increase in violence in July and August, defense leaders told Pentagon reporters today.

WASHINGTON - Though strengthening the central governments is critical to success in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today, it’s also important to build relationships with local leaders who play key roles in their communities.

WASHINGTON - Congress must either fund equipment for the National Guard or accept the risks of an under-equipped strategic reserve, the Guard’s top officer said today.

WASHINGTON - “The Early Show” on CBS took advantage of the New York’s 20th annual Fleet Week to share its support and appreciation for the thousands of sailors and Marines enjoying the city, as well as for military members serving around the world.

WASHINGTON - The world is better off without former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, President Bush said in a White House news conference today.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces seized 15 suspected terrorists, destroyed a weapons cache and thwarted an attack on a State Department convoy in Iraq over the past two days.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces killed several insurgents, detained eight suspects and discovered a weapons cache in Afghanistan over the past two days, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Two Multinational Force West soldiers died yesterday during combat in Anbar province, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified two previous casualties.

WASHINGTON - U.S.-led reconstruction efforts in Iraq are making a tangible difference on the ground, but cannot quickly undo 25 years of systemic neglect of the country’s infrastructure, the officer in charge of the rebuilding program said yesterday.

WASHINGTON - This summer will be a critical time for the U.S. strategy in Iraq, President Bush said today as he called on members of Congress from both parties to pass the Defense Department’s 2007 emergency supplemental funding request.

WASHINGTON - The American public has sent more than 201,000 prepaid phone cards to servicemembers through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service’s "Help Our Troops Call Home" program.

WASHINGTON - Professional golfer Corey Pavin hit a hole-in-one with Operation Homefront when he announced his support of the troop-support group May 22.

WASHINGTON - The undersecretary of defense for intelligence will also now serve as the director of defense intelligence.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Marines here yesterday with a message of thanks from the president and the American people.

WASHINGTON - As “pomp and circumstance” rings through the three U.S. military academies over the next few days, several thousand new graduates will accept their commissions and join the military ranks.

WASHINGTON - At a Capitol Hill news conference yesterday, exhibition designer Ralph Appelbaum provided a first glimpse of the exhibits planned for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, an underground facility slated for the National Mall near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

WASHINGTON - Veterans associated with a California aviation museum restored life to a Marine's private airplane that had suffered from neglect while its owner was deployed.

WASHINGTON - Country music star Toby Keith again demonstrated red, white and blue patriotism mixed with down-home rhythm during his recent tour to entertain U.S. servicemembers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The increase in troops in Iraq means more contact with terrorists and extremists in the country, a U.S. general there said today.

BAGHDAD - Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Air Cavalry Brigade have been helping 10th Mountain Division troops to search for three U.S. soldiers missing since a May 12 ambush on coalition forces.

WASHINGTON - More than 80 much-needed medical clinics are opening across Iraq in the next several months, part of the almost $376 million the U.S. has spent to jump-start health care initiatives there.

WASHINGTON - The Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks brought new challenges and responsibilities to the U.S. Coast Guard, President Bush told the Coast Guard Academy Class of 2007 at its graduation ceremony today in New London, Conn.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government may add as many as 15,000 more troops to its current 348,000-person security force to help decrease the country’s dependence on coalition forces, a top U.S. Army officer testified yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Newly declassified intelligence shows that terrorist leader Osama bin Laden was planning to establish Iraq as a new base to launch attacks against the United States, President Bush told U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduates today.

WASHINGTON - Army Staff Sgt. Matt Olson is sharing the experiences he gained from two tours in Iraq with Americans in communities throughout the United States as part of the Defense Department's Why We Serve program.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed eight terrorists, detained scores of others and confiscated money, weapons and bomb-making materials in various recent operations, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - U.S. servicemembers are working overseas to build capable police forces, and a member organization of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program is helping that cause.

BAGHDAD - The soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division’s 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, from Fort Drum, N.Y., are focused on finding their three missing comrades and returning them home.

WASHINGTON - Nine servicemembers died and three were wounded in incidents yesterday and May 21 in Iraq, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified 20 previous casualties.

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Navy Rear Adm. Mark H. “Buz” Buzby assumed command of Joint Task Force-Guantanamo, relieving Navy Rear Adm. Harry B. Harris, during a change-of-command ceremony here today.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren visited Womack Army Medical Center here today to meet wounded soldiers and take a firsthand look at the programs and treatment offered to soldiers and their families.

WASHINGTON - The Army spares no expense or effort to provide soldiers the top level of protection technology available, the officer in charge of outfitting and equipping Army soldiers said yesterday.

WASHINGTON - As language and cultural sensitivities factor more and more into military operations, defense officials are promoting several initiatives to increase the number of servicemembers and employees with critical language skills.

WASHINGTON - Ten airlines are stepping up to the plate for families of injured servicemembers and encouraging their passengers to do the same.

WASHINGTON - A national support group that helps family members cope with the loss of a loved one in the armed forces is hosting a series of grief seminars and workshops in Arlington, Va., through the Memorial Day weekend.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi security forces have made great improvements to the security situation in Iraq’s Anbar province, opening the door for political developments and partnerships, a top U.S. general in the region said today.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana citizen-soldiers and their families are enjoying copious reading material thanks to a partnership between bookseller Barnes and Noble, the United Service Organizations, and America Supports You, an Indiana Army National Guard senior noncommissioned officer said here, May 20.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists and freed 12 Iraqi hostages in Iraq today, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - The devil may have gone down to Georgia, but Charlie Daniels stopped off at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., to show his appreciation to the servicemembers stationed there May 16.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. - Poignant images are spread across the pages of “Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery,” a new book that debuted May 18.

WASHINGTON - Economic expansion through the revitalization of domestic industrial capacity is a major factor for stability in Iraq, a senior defense official said, May 18, during a call with “bloggers” and online journalists.

WASHINGTON - The $1.725 billion appropriation committed to improving Iraq’s oil sector has had a major impact in building or restoring the country’s crude oil, natural gas and cooking fuel capacity, a senior official in Baghdad reported.

WASHINGTON - U.S. troops operating in Iraq and Afghanistan have the best body armor in the world, and the Army is constantly looking for ways to improve force protection, the general in charge of the program told reporters here today.

WASHINGTON - NATO operations in Afghanistan, transformation of the alliance and missile defense in Europe topped the agenda as President Bush met with NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in Crawford, Texas, today.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces freed five captive Iraqis and detained six suspected terrorists during operations throughout Iraq today.

WASHINGTON - A Danville, Calif.-based organization is offering four-year “Life Scholarships” to help smooth severely wounded servicemembers’ transition to the rest of their lives.

INDIANAPOLIS - Amid the howl of revved-up racecars, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday showcased its 27th Armed Forces Day program with a group enlistment of recruits from all services and other military-themed events.

WASHINGTON - The top military commander in Iraq has urged people there to support the country and government and reject violence and sectarianism.

WASHINGTON - Since taking command of the Army’s premier medical center, Army Maj. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker has restored the trust of patients and energized staff members, the Defense Department’s top health official said today.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates encouraged students participating in the Team America Rocketry Challenge on May 19 to reach for the sky as they help advance science and technology research.

WASHINGTON - More than 3,100 families and friends of servicemembers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan gathered on the grounds of the Washington Monument today to remember their loved ones during a “Time of Remembrance” tribute.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - In a commencement speech at his alma mater today, Defense Secretary Robert Gates challenged the graduates of the College of William and Mary to serve the greater good of the nation by voting, volunteering and participating in public service.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained 34 suspected terrorists during two operations today to disrupt the al Qaeda command network, Defense Department officials said.

WASHINGTON - One soldier was killed and three were wounded yesterday when their patrol was struck by a roadside bomb south of Baghdad, according to Defense Department officials.

WASHINGTON - Enemy forces attacked elements of 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 201st Afghan National Army Corps and coalition forces in the Al Asay Valley of Kapisa province, Afghanistan, close to midnight on May 18, Defense Department officials reported.

CHICAGO - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff offered condolences here yesterday to families of fallen servicemembers, personally recognizing their sacrifice to the nation.

WASHINGTON - Operation Harris Ba’sil has wrapped up after helping knock enemy forces in Iraq’s western Anbar province off balance, officials involved in the operation reported today.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained 11 people during operations yesterday, including nine suspected of involvement in the May 12 kidnapping of three U.S. soldiers.

CHICAGO - What keeps a military man like Marine Gen. Peter Pace, motivated? For the Vietnam veteran with nearly 40 years service who now serves as the military’s highest-ranking officer, the answer to such a question is simple: talking to the troops.

CHICAGO - By September, military officials will have a pretty good feel for whether the “military part” of the president’s surge strategy is working, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace said here today.

CHICAGO - Leadership is not taught, it is learned by example, the nation’s top military officer told students and alumni today at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. - Ask someone serving in the military, and you might be surprised to hear them tell you just how much Armed Forces Day means to them.

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Senior military and civilian leaders from the Joint Requirements Oversight Council got an up-close look at Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle capabilities during a visit here yesterday.

WASHINGTON - A directive blocking access to 13 popular Web sites from the Defense Department network was designed to guarantee bandwidth availability for mission-critical functions, a defense official said yesterday.

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. - The best that the military has to offer -- from the latest aircraft, weaponry and other equipment to the men and women in uniform who operate them -- was on full display here today as the annual Joint Service Open House kicked off.

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE. Md. - The annual Joint Service Open House here kicked off today in tandem with a preview of two new military-themed, high-soaring postage stamps.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces prevented two car bomb attacks but were unable to stop eight others May 16 in Iraq, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Many Marines are concerned that Americans aren’t willing to invest enough time for success in Iraq, the Corps’ top officer said here yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces killed a significant number of insurgents, detained seven militants and destroyed a weapons cache in Afghanistan over the past three days.

WASHINGTON - A top defense logistics official has asked the services to report on their reserve-component needs by the end of the month.

WASHINGTON - With motorcycle fatalities on the rise over the past two years in the Defense Department, senior military officials are making sure that servicemembers and civilians are keeping safety in mind while hitting the roads this summer.

WASHINGTON - Higher troops levels are a major contributor to the success of operations in Iraq, especially in cities like Fallujah, a U.S. commander of troops in the western city said during a news conference today.

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. - Bookselling giant Barnes and Noble opened a new chapter in its history today by announcing a donation of 300,000 items to America Supports You home-front groups.

WASHINGTON - Three U.S. soldiers died and one was wounded yesterday when a roadside bomb struck their patrol south of Baghdad, military officials reported, and the Defense Department has identified 12 previous casualties.

WASHINGTON - Funding for reserve forces will hit a historic high if Congress approves the component’s full fiscal 2008 $18.1 billion request, a Defense Department official testified this week.

WASHINGTON - Search efforts continue for three missing U.S. soldiers who are believed to have been abducted by al Qaeda on May 12 in Quarghuli Village, Iraq.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Defense Department’s America Supports You program and its new partner, the Professional Golfers Association of America, teed off the Military Golf Program today at the Army Navy Country Club here.

WASHINGTON - Al Qaeda is the chief threat plaguing the residents of Anbar province in western Iraq, a senior U.S. military official said yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Army officials continue work to determine the identity of one of the four U.S. soldiers who were killed during an enemy attack May 12 near Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Supporting the global war on terror remains U.S. European Command’s top priority, but the command also is striving to strengthening partnerships within the region and in Africa, the command’s leader said today.

WASHINGTON - The nation’s leaders gathered today to recognize a group of young people taking the first step toward leading America’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates commissioned 55 ROTC cadets and midshipmen today at the White House in a ceremony attended by President Bush and other political and military leaders.

WASHINGTON - Today’s servicemembers reflect the same determination shown by those who fought for America’s freedom more than 200 years ago, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in a message issued as the annual Armed Forces Day observance approaches.

WASHINGTON - Collecting 50,000 DVDs to send to deployed troops is an ambitious goal, but that isn’t stopping 7-year-old Katherine Toebes of Janesville, Wis., from trying.

WASHINGTON - As Memorial Day nears, so does the start of Operation Gratitude’s fourth “Patriotic Drive” to send care packages to troops serving overseas.

WASHINGTON - President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair praised each other’s courage and stressed the continuing importance of the U.S.-British partnership at the White House today in what may be their last joint news conference.

WASHINGTON - A Defense Department task force is in Baghdad again this month working with the Iraqi government to revitalize Iraq’s industry and restore normalcy to the economy.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has charged his staff to take action on 20 of 23 recommendations made by an independent commission for changes in the reserve components.

WASHINGTON - “Operation Care and Comfort” is on a mission to provide support and comfort to military units deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and other regions of conflict.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces captured three suspected insurgents during raids in Afghanistan in the past two days.

WASHINGTON - National guardsmen in four states are helping to battle wildfires that have burned more than 300,000 acres, Defense Department officials said today.

WASHINGTON - Acting on tips received from Iraqi citizens, Iraqi special operations forces and coalition troops detained 16 individuals today during a search for three U.S. soldiers missing since May 12.

WASHINGTON - As the troop surge continues in Baghdad, search efforts continue for three 10th Mountain Division soldiers who remain missing following a pre-dawn attack south of the city, the Joint Staff’s deputy operations director reported today.

WASHINGTON - Petty Officer 1st Class Virginia Marie Mayo, a Navy corpsman, has proved she can do what the guys do and go where the Marines go.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - U.S. military forces are engaged in one of the busiest, most challenging and most complex times since World War II, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here yesterday.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Yesterday marked Phil Stacey’s first full day back to duty since his “deployment” to “American Idol.”

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Oklahoma Air National Guard members arrived here May 14 to participate in Operation Cherokee Angel, a medical humanitarian mission aimed at improving the health and welfare of the local population while training and working alongside Azeri medical personnel.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - The commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command said he is "very pleased" with the federal agency interoperability displayed in Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge '07, an emergency-response training exercise that began April 30 and will continue through tomorrow.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces in Iraq killed four terrorists and detained 30 suspected terrorists during operations yesterday and today targeting the al Qaeda in Iraq leadership network.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department yesterday released the names and units of seven U.S. Army soldiers who were killed or reported missing when their squad was ambushed by enemy forces May 12 near Mahmudiyah, Iraq.

WASHINGTON - President Bush’s nominee to coordinate efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan will work to overcome shortcomings in coordination among agencies. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, the director of operations at the Joint Staff, will work to focus U.S. government assets to better support multifocused efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - President Bush announced yesterday that he has named Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, director of operations for the Joint Staff, as assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush named Lute to the new position to serve as the full-time manager for implementing and executing U.S. strategies for Iraq and Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Proposed cuts to the Army’s Future Combat Systems endanger a program that would improve military capabilities today and in the future, said Army Lt. Gen. Stephen M. Speakes, the service’s director of force development and deputy chief of staff.

WASHINGTON - Despite a desire for U.S. forces to ultimately leave Iraq, Iraqi leaders recognize the need for international support until their military is capable of operating independently, the Iraqi government’s official spokesman said today.

WASHINGTON - A detainee at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who previously lived in the United States, denied he had any involvement with an al Qaeda group or had planned to reenter the country to commit a terrorist act.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces detained a suspected militant and discovered two weapons caches during operations in Afghanistan today.

BAGHDAD - Coalition and Iraqi forces have been working around the clock since a pre-dawn attack May 12 that left one Iraqi and four U.S. soldiers dead and three other U.S. soldiers missing, Multinational Corps Iraq officials reported today.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Two local woodworking groups followed a Civil War custom today by presenting a ceremonial cane to a soldier who lost his leg in Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces nabbed 11 suspected terrorists and seized a cache containing weapons and explosives in Iraq today.

ANKARA, Turkey - Dealing with the underlying causes of terrorism is an issue nations continue to struggle with, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey said in opening remarks at the Countering Ideological Support for Terrorism conference here yesterday.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge 2007, a two-week national-level exercise involving local, state and federal government agencies, is proving the capabilities of the Incident Command System.

WASHINGTON - Three soldiers, an airman and a Marine died, and 11 servicemembers were wounded in Iraq yesterday, military officials reported, and the Defense Department identified previous casualties.

WASHINGTON - When Chef Robert Irvine discovered his “mission” was to feed 850 Marines after they’d completed 30 days of desert warfare training at Camp Pendleton, Calif., his reaction was what one might expect.

WASHINGTON - National Guard troops are responding to wildfires in Florida, Georgia, Minnesota and California, using air assets to deliver water and providing logistics and communication support.

MUSCATATUCK URBAN TRAINING CENTER, Ind. - A handful of attaches got a first-hand look at U.S. military and civilian first responders’ ability to respond to a catastrophe at the National Guard’s Vigilant Guard exercise in Indiana, May 12.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military, coalition partners and Iraqi security forces are making a “massive effort” to find three American soldiers missing in Iraq since May 12, a senior U.S. military officer said today.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is blocking access to many popular Internet sites from department-owned computers due to bandwidth issues, U.S. Strategic Command officials said today.

WASHINGTON - Three U.S. Army soldiers died in Iraq today and two others were killed yesterday, military officials reported, and the Defense Department identified a previous casualty.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces detained 48 suspected insurgents and discovered weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Life in Iraq’s Anbar province is still dangerous, but security is improving, the senior commander for ground operations in the province said yesterday in Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - All available assets are being engaged to find three missing U.S. soldiers who apparently were captured by enemy forces during a May 12 ambush near Mahmoudiya, Iraq, a senior U.S. military officer told reporters yesterday at a Baghdad news conference.

WASHINGTON - Servicemembers receiving care packages from A Soldier’s Wish List or one of its thousands of “adopters” know that good things really do come in small packages.

COLUMBUS, Ind. - When National Guard planners set in motion a training exercise to test the force’s abilities as the first military responder to a catastrophic nuclear explosion, it was destined to fail.

WASHINGTON - A coalition soldier died in Iraq after being struck by a makeshift bomb on May 11, and the Defense Department has identified five previous casualties.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces killed a militant and detained two others at a compound in Afghanistan’s Helmand province during an operation yesterday, U.S. military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists today, including an alleged cell leader, during operations in southeastern Baghdad, U.S. military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Four servicemembers who recently returned from deployments to remote sites in Iraq and Afghanistan were recognized May 10 for their efforts in boosting their fellow troops’ morale.

WASHINGTON - The Washington Nationals baseball team saluted the U.S. military during an evening pre-game program May 11 that featured fireworks, a group enlistment and servicemembers tossing ceremonial pitches.

WASHINGTON - Five soldiers were killed in Iraq today and three others are currently missing following an attack near Mahmudiyah, a senior U.S. military officer reported.

WASHINGTON - President Bush today paid tribute to military spouses across the nation and presented the Presidential Volunteer Service Award to six military spouses who he said “represent the very best of what volunteering means.”

WASHINGTON - A terrorist bomb-builder was killed with three accomplices during a coalition raid near Taji, Iraq, today, U.S. officials said, and other operations over the last few days netted more terror suspects and weapons.

WASHINGTON - Army officials will continue to monitor manning and may offer bonuses to mid-level officers and noncommissioned officers if needed, the Army chief of staff said here today.

WASHINGTON - Visitors to the nation's capital are getting a glimpse of some of the military 's equipment and technology on display on the National Mall, May 7 to 13, during Public Service Recognition Week.

WASHINGTON - After being “married to the military” for almost two decades, Angela Conboy has experienced her share of ups and downs and absences and reunions.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is involved in a “persistent conflict,” and the Army must be prepared to handle the commitment, the Army chief of staff said today.

WASHINGTON - President Bush issued a proclamation yesterday commemorating today as Military Spouse Day and laid plans to observe the day honoring servicemembers and their spouses personally at the White House.

WASHINGTON - Troops serving at remote sites overseas can look forward to better connection with their loved ones at home, thanks to the success of a fundraising gala here last night by the SemperComm Foundation.

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - Servicemembers whose words and pictures best communicated the Defense Department’s activities to its internal audience and the public last year were recognized today at the institution that trains the nation’s military journalists, broadcasters, photographers, graphic artists and videographers.

WASHINGTON - Three U.S. servicemembers died and two were wounded yesterday during operations in Iraq, military officials said, and the Defense Department has identified 10 previous casualties.

WASHINGTON - The most powerful weapon in Iraq will be proving to the population that the government is capable of providing essential services and security, a U.S. commander in northern Iraq said today in a news conference.

WASHINGTON - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace today recognized Military Spouse Appreciation Day and praised military spouses for their "quiet strength and untold support."

WASHINGTON - Elementary school students in Missouri are building their character through activities designed to salute the troops.

WASHINGTON - Legislators serving in the Iraqi Council of Representatives have accomplished much in the body’s first year of existence, but additional important and difficult decisions still need to be made, according to a Multinational Force Iraq statement.

WASHINGTON - Restricting the northward passage of weapons and other enablers of violence from southern Iraq into Baghdad is crucial to stabilizing the Iraqi capital, a U.S. general said yesterday.

WASHINGTON - The Middle East is a crucial part of the world, and the United States will remain involved in bringing peace to that troubled area, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said aboard the aircraft carrier USS Stennis today.

WASHINGTON - Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, is urging troops in his command to take the “moral high ground” when dealing with insurgents and the Iraqi people.

WASHINGTON - Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace today honored "our dedicated military personnel and our devoted spouses."

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is exploring ways to speed up the timetable for getting more Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles to troops in Iraq.

WASHINGTON - A coalition air strike killed three terrorists today in the Sadr City section of Baghdad, and coalition troops in western Iraq killed a terrorist and seized material that could be used to construct chemical bombs.

WASHINGTON - All active-duty components of the military met or exceeded recruiting goals for April, Defense Department officials announced today.

WASHINGTON - The new security plan for Baghdad needs a chance to succeed, and troops serving in Iraq deserve the resources they need to make sure it does, President Bush said at the Pentagon today.

WASHINGTON - U.S. forces are continuing to see improvements in the abilities of the Iraqi security forces they are training, the commander of the Iraqi Assistance Group today told representatives of veterans service organizations during a conference call from Iraq.

BAGHDAD - A proud Marine mother picked up the fight after her son was killed and continued to take care of Marines by supporting “Operation Taking Care of Our Own.”

WASHINGTON - The Chrysler Group is driving home its support for the nation’s military and the United Service Organizations this month with a sweepstakes designed to help servicemembers keep in touch with their families.

WASHINGTON - Al Qaeda terrorists have chosen Iraq as the central front in their worldwide campaign against freedom, so America must stay in the fight to prevent them from establishing a safe haven from which to launch more attacks, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said in Iraq today.

WASHINGTON - Breakthrough work of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is the focus of a new edition of Pentagon Channel’s monthly documentary, “Recon.”

WASHINGTON - The Baghdad security plan is taking time to implement and will take time to produce results, so the evaluation of the plan in September, even if it’s negative, likely won’t lead to any precipitous actions, such as withdrawing all troops, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told reporters at the Pentagon today.

WASHINGTON - There’s a new era of cooperation within the federal government to work together to provide services for troops returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson told the House Veterans Affairs Committee today.

GREENSBURG, Kan. - Within four hours of the deadly tornado that struck this town under the cloak of darkness, Kansas National Guard servicemembers were called to duty to bring relief to their devastated neighbors.

WASHINGTON - Four U.S. servicemembers died and five others were wounded yesterday during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, military officials said, and the Defense Department has identified 10 previous casualties.

WASHINGTON - While President Bush toured the site of a deadly tornado in Kansas today, the National Guard continues to demonstrate its readiness as it responds to natural disasters from coast to coast.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed two insurgents, detained 34 others and destroyed improvised explosive devices in Iraq over the past three days.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Brooke Army Medical Center has 15 outpatient case managers whose sole purpose is to guide servicemembers injured in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom along their road to recovery.

WASHINGTON - After meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders in Baghdad today, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said he noticed “a greater sense of urgency now than I’d seen previously” on the part of those leaders to meet their obligations toward continuing the country’s progress.

WASHINGTON - The United States has a responsibility to leave Iraq with a sense of stability or else face a stronger enemy that threatens the region and Americans at home, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in congressional testimony here today.

WASHINGTON - When Becky Mizener sends a care package to one of the more than 1,000 servicemembers on her list, they can be sure that it’s “packed with pride.”

WASHINGTON - Continued vigilance against al Qaeda, improved governance and focused reconstruction are vital to continued success in Iraq’s Anbar province, a top military official said today.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials today announced the next two major Army units that will deploy to Afghanistan to continue the operations of current U.S. forces in the region.

WASHINGTON - Delays in getting an emergency supplemental war-funding bill approved are causing disruption within the Defense Department, particularly among programs at home, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.

WASHINGTON - Servicemembers and their families should be aware of Defense Department efforts to prepare the force and assist the nation in a possible outbreak of pandemic influenza, a senior official said.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is teaming with other federal agencies to prepare the nation to deal with a potential pandemic outbreak of influenza, a senior official said here yesterday.

WASHINGTON - FBI agents arrested five radical Islamists for allegedly plotting to “kill as many U.S. soldiers as they could” at the Army’s Fort Dix, N.J., and a sixth defendant is charged with aiding and abetting members of the domestic terror group, authorities announced today.

WASHINGTON - A troop commander in Afghanistan delivered an apology today to family members of innocent Afghans who were killed following an attack on a Marine unit in the country March 4.

WASHINGTON - By living among the people of Afghanistan and gaining their trust and respect, U.S. troops are winning in the eastern part of the country, a U.S. commander there said today.

WASHINGTON - A national program is working to help make it easier for veterans to find meaningful jobs.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - NASCAR Nextel Cup points leader Jeff Gordon today unveiled a new design for his No. 24 Dupont-sponsored car sporting a Department of Defense color scheme and the America Supports You logo emblazoned on its hood.

WASHINGTON - National Guard troops responding to a tornado that devastated Greensburg, Kan., have the manpower and resources they need and can tap into additional support if they need it, defense officials said today.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials today announced the next 10 Army brigade combat teams to deploy to Iraq to replace units currently operating there.

AUSTIN, Nev. - All five crew members of a Navy SH-60F Seahawk helicopter died yesterday in a crash about 10 miles west of here.

WASHINGTON - Iraq’s infrastructure is slowly improving despite years of neglect under Saddam Hussein’s Baath party and the current “costly insurgency,” a military commander said.

WASHINGTON - More than 300 members of the Kansas National Guard have been activated in response to a powerful tornado that almost destroyed the town of Greensburg, Kan., May 4.

WASHINGTON - Operation Homefront takes its mission of caring for deployed servicemembers, the families they leave behind, and wounded troops very seriously.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 24 suspected terrorists in operations in Iraq yesterday and today, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Eighty percent of the U.S. military units involved with the surge of troops into Baghdad and western Iraq are now in place, a senior U.S. military officer said in Baghdad yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Three U.S. troops were killed yesterday, two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, and two servicemembers were wounded yesterday in Afghanistan, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained five suspected Taliban militants in Zabul province, Afghanistan, today, and Afghan civilians led coalition and Afghan security forces to a weapons cache May 5 in Paktia province, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Coalition experts have identified trouble areas in the training regimen for the Iraqi security forces but see cumulative progress overall, the top U.S. training official in Iraq said.

MIAMI - Maintaining good communications with civilian employers of National Guardsmen and reservists is a major component of mission success at the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the agency’s new chief said in an interview.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces detained 26 suspects and seized multiple weapons caches in Iraq during several recent operations in the country, and terrorist bombers continued to strike against Iraqi civilians and security forces today.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces thwarted an attack in Afghanistan’s Farah province yesterday, 10 suspected Taliban were detained in a separate incident, and the Afghan border police also stopped two suicide bombers near the Pakistan border.

WASHINGTON - Twelve U.S. servicemembers lost their lives over the past few days while serving in Iraq, and the Defense Department has identified eight pervious casualties.

WASHINGTON - Congress needs to provide the military with the funds and flexibility it needs to prevail to succeed in Iraq, President Bush said in his weekly radio address yesterday.

WASHINGTON - An Air Force construction specialist who served with a provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan last year has dedicated his humanitarian work there to two fallen comrades.

MIAMI - Scores of young people raised their right hands and joined America’s armed forces during a joint enlistment ceremony here yesterday.

WASHINGTON - When Purple Heart recipient Earl “Scotty” MacKenzie was a World War II Army sergeant, communications with loved ones back home from the South Pacific where he was serving were extremely limited. Communication is no longer a problem for the former “fox hole technician.” MacKenzie now works with “Cell Phones for Soldiers.”

WASHINGTON - Twenty-eight America Supports You home-front support groups converged on the Pentagon today to share information about their organizations with the men and women who work inside the building during the U.S. military headquarters kick-off ceremony for Military Appreciation Month.

WASHINGTON - There aren’t enough “thank yous” in the world to express the gratitude felt for the members of the armed forces, said up-and-coming vocalist Jenny Boyle, the entertainer for the Pentagon’s kick off to Military Appreciation Month today.

FORT POLK, La. - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk today to observe training as soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky., were rotating through the training center.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces identified bodies of two al Qaeda leaders, killed three additional terrorists and nabbed 39 others during operations across Iraq recently, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - The top installations from each of the military services and the Defense Logistics Agency were lauded today at the Pentagon for their superior mission support.

WASHINGTON - Seven U.S. Army soldiers were killed and 13 others were wounded recently in Iraq, military officials said, and the Defense Department identified 18 previous casualties.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Seven Sunshine State employers of National Guardsmen and reservists were honored for exemplary support of their employees during a Defense Department-hosted award ceremony here yesterday.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon kicked off Military Appreciation Month today with the third annual “America Supports You Salute Concert,” featuring local recording artist Jenny Boyle, in the national military headquarters’ center courtyard.

WASHINGTON - The military has a robust system in place to deal with mental health issues, but longer and more frequent deployments are causing strain on servicemembers, a Defense Department study has found.

WASHINGTON - America Supports You kicked off Military Appreciation Month today by honoring RE/MAX International, Inc., with the Defense Department’s Exceptional Public Service Award for the company’s commitment to turning military spouses into real estate agents.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today thanked dozens of wounded warriors for their service and sacrifice during a visit to Brooke Army Medical Center here.

WASHINGTON - A newly formed military division in Iraq is focusing on stopping the flow into Baghdad of what the unit’s commander called “accelerants of violence” from the south.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited here today to meet wounded warriors and take a firsthand look at the Center for the Intrepid, the Army’s state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation center.

DALLAS - Almost 200 deployed troops got a Texas-sized homecoming today as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates joined hundreds of friends, family members and local residents to welcome them home from the Middle East for two weeks of rest and recuperation leave.

WASHINGTON - Though they face daily challenges that will continue, U.S. forces remain dedicated to the fight in Iraq and are making steady progress, the deputy director for operations on the Joint Staff said here today.

WASHINGTON - Far below their accustomed bird’s-eye view of Afghanistan, about 240 U.S. airmen with boots on the ground there are working to build vital infrastructure as members of provincial reconstruction teams.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces have been targeting al Qaeda in Iraq over the last six days in a series of raids dubbed “Operation Rat Trap,” a senior spokesman told reporters in Baghdad today.

WASHINGTON - The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors paused May 1 to recognize those who help make their program possible during the TAPS 10th Annual Honor Guard Appreciation Luncheon here.

DALLAS - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today expressed thanks to Americans who support the troops and urged people to check out the Defense Department’s America Supports You program.

DALLAS - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today urged Americans to learn from past mistakes and steel their resolve to see the war on terror through to victory.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department will take “every action necessary for as long as possible,” to ensure that troops fighting in Iraq are not affected by the delay in approval of its supplemental war funding, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday.

WASHINGTON - U.S. and coalition troops have made significant progress in improving the security situation in Iraq, but the Iraqi government and other U.S. government agencies need to act more quickly to improve the political situation and build infrastructure needed to sustain the country, the commander of U.S. Central Command said in congressional testimony today.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces nabbed 39 suspected insurgents and seized weapons caches during operations in Iraq during the past three days, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - Marine entry-level training will reinvigorate its values-based approach, a top Marine official said here yesterday.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today put some punch behind implementing changes in wounded warrior care by announcing an oversight committee chaired by Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England that will ensure recommendations by his Independent Review Group are implemented.

WASHINGTON - The Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team is using its May 6 game against the New York Mets to say thank you to the nation’s troops.

WASHINGTON - The United States should be confident that the Defense Department is working toward better solutions to challenges like natural disasters and threats on the nation’s security, the top general for planning, organizing and executing homeland defense and civil support missions said today.

WIESBADEN, Germany - Servicemembers deployed to war zones will be able to view their high school seniors crossing the stage and moving their tassels from right to left via live webcasts on graduation day.

WASHINGTON - The decision America faces in Iraq is not whether to take sides in a sectarian civil war, but whether to continue the fight against al Qaeda, the organization that attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, and is now threatening stability in Iraq and the entire Middle East, President Bush said here today.

WASHINGTON - From its drivers to its millions of fans, NASCAR has long been associated with patriotism, and the tradition has continued as troops serve in the global war on terrorism.

WASHINGTON - America’s nine unified combatant commands will be in the spotlight as the Pentagon Channel launches a completely redesigned biweekly half-hour news and information program.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Afghan forces killed five enemy fighters and detained four others in Afghanistan during the past three days, military officials reported.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - This sprawling desert base recently became a Hollywood set, as about 150 airmen, about a dozen Marines and some of the Air Force’s sexiest new aircraft shared the spotlight with Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow in filming Hollywood’s next superhero blockbuster.

WASHINGTON - The ongoing surge of U.S. and Iraqi security forces into Baghdad and parts of western Iraq is designed to tamp down insurgent violence and provide enough time for the fledgling government to sort out pressing political issues, the senior U.S. diplomat in Iraq said yesterday.

WASHINGTON - President Bush today vetoed an emergency war-funding bill that includes timelines for withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, calling on members of Congress to put politics aside and give the troops the funding they need to accomplish their mission.

WASHINGTON - America’s top diplomat and the president of the Republic of Montenegro today signed a status of forces agreement between the two countries during a ceremony at the U.S. State Department here.

WASHINGTON - In an effort to draw attention to the personal sacrifices of the men and women of the armed forces and their families, Congress has designated May as National Military Appreciation Month.

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The F-22A Raptor fighter and RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle had barely finished their maiden flights and begun serving in the terror war when engineers, developers and testers here were already at work to improve on the capabilities of those aircraft.

WASHINGTON - Commanders on the ground expected the rise in violence that has accompanied the U.S. troop surge into Baghdad, and the new security plan there will take time to be effective, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today.

WASHINGTON - More than 90 nations around the world that have joined the United States in fighting terrorism and stemming its spread are helping build a more peaceful future for generations to come, President Bush said today in Tampa, Fla.

WASHINGTON - U.S. and Japanese defense and diplomatic leaders today reaffirmed their commitment to realigning U.S. forces in Japan.

WERETH, Belgium - Local townspeople, along with U.S. soldiers and family members based in Belgium and Germany, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony April 28, commemorating men known as the Wereth 11.

WASHINGTON - More than 240 golfers, including 10 injured servicemembers, hit the links at Lansdowne Golf Club in Lansdowne, Va., yesterday for the 4th Annual Fisher House Golf Classic fundraiser.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed seven suspected terrorists, detained 21 others, and destroyed a car bomb and weapons during operations in Iraq over the past two days.

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of musicians from across the country will pay tribute to the nation’s fallen heroes on Armed Forces Day, May 19, in an event called “EchoTaps.”