Improved Iraq enjoys liberty, U.S. Commander says

Posted: 03 Oct 2011 05:03 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (September 29, 2011) -- American forces' efforts in Iraq "have given the people of Iraq a huge gift" through the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a democratic society, a senior U.S. commander said today.

Paktika road improves government reach, unites provinces

Posted: 29 Sep 2011 05:28 AM PDT

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (September 28, 2011) -- Imagine a state with few paved roads, little air transportation to reach smaller cities and no waterways for travel. What ideas would connect people or energize an economy to create jobs? In southeastern Afghanistan, one answer involves roads.

Caldwell: Afghan troops, police make 'significant' progress

Posted: 28 Sep 2011 04:19 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (September 26, 2011) -- Afghan security forces are moving forward and will be able to assume the lead for security in December 2014, said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, commander of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

CENTCOM commander meets with government and military officials in Estonia

Posted: 27 Sep 2011 06:41 AM PDT

TALLINN, Estonia (September 27, 2011) -- Gen. James Mattis, the commander of U.S. Central Command, visited Estonia to meet with government and military officials and gain a better appreciation of their views on current international issues.

Big Red One Soldiers, Afghan forces take on enemy during Operation Tofan II

Posted: 26 Sep 2011 10:52 AM PDT

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan (September 22, 2011) -- "It's probably the most dangerous mission all year," said Capt. Michael Hefti, speaking to his Soldiers before they headed off to the remote Suri Kheyl area of Waze Zadran district, Paktya province, Sept. 15.

CENTCOM commander visits Pakistan

Posted: 26 Sep 2011 05:43 AM PDT

ISLAMABAD (September 25, 2011) -- Gen. James Mattis, the commander of U.S. Central Command, visited Islamabad to meet with Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, the Chief of the Pakistan Army, and Gen. Khalid Wynne, the Chief of Staff of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Gen. Mattis meets and talks routinely with both generals to discuss U.S.-Pakistan military activities, the coalition campaign in Afghanistan and broader regional issues. The generals had candid discussions about the current challenges in the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. However, Gen. Mattis also emphasized the vital role the Pakistan military plays in international security efforts to protect the Pakistani and Afghan people and the need for persistent engagement among the militaries of the U.S., Pakistan and other states in the region.

ISAF commander visits troops in east, inspects weapon capabilities

Posted: 26 Sep 2011 03:49 AM PDT

ABUL, Afghanistan (September 23, 2011) -- The commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Gen. John R. Allen, visited troops yesterday in eastern Afghanistan. The mission included meetings to receive updated briefings, the inspection of the readiness of weapon systems, and to visit personnel.

Combined Afghan and coalition security force kill Taliban leader

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 06:08 AM PDT

KABUL, Afghanistan (September 22, 2011) -- In Sayyidabad district, Wardak province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force killed a significant Taliban leader and one of his associates during a security operation Tuesday.

COMISAF Message to the Command on the Death of Professor Rabbani

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 05:34 AM PDT

Last night we lost a great Afghan leader and a champion of peace. Former President Rabbani lived through decades of tumult and war. He did not just experience the events of the past decades. In many respects, he shaped them. He was, in fact, the author of much of where we are today, with respect to peace.

Reintegration builds confidence in Afghanistan

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 12:38 PM PDT

WASHINGTON, September 16, 2011 - The program coalition forces helped to create in Afghanistan last year to turn young men away from the insurgency and reintegrate them back to their communities is going a long way in building trust and confidence there, a military official said today.

NATO and ISAF leadership join President Karzai in condemning murder of High Peace Council Chairman

Posted: 20 Sep 2011 10:44 AM PDT

The commander of the International Security Assistance Force and the NATO Senior Civilian Representative join President Karzai in condemning the murder of High Peace Council Chairman Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani, and the wounding of Secretary to the High Peace Council Mohammad Massoom Stanekzai, in an attack at Prof. Rabbani's home on the afternoon of September 20, 2011.

Accounting for POWs, MIAs a Year-round DOD Mission

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 10:32 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (September 15, 2011) -- As Americans pause tomorrow to observe POW/MIA Recognition Day, teams of military and civilian experts will be excavating sites in Europe and the South Pacific looking for remains to help identify service members still missing from past wars.

President presents Medal of Honor to Marine

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 07:25 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (September 15, 2011) -- President Barack Obama today draped the pale blue ribbon suspending the Medal of Honor around the neck of Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota L. Meyer, the first living Marine to receive the award for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2011

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 04:41 AM PDT

In every conflict in which our Nation has been involved, selfless American service members have sacrificed their lives for the sake of our country and its principles.

U.S. Central Command Commander holds meetings in Cairo

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 12:25 PM PDT

CAIRO (September, 21, 2011) -- U.S. Central Command Commander General James Mattis departed Egypt yesterday after visiting and consulting with senior Egyptian military officials. Mattis met with Lt. Gen. Anan, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces and Field Marshal Tantawi, Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces. "I want to pass my condolences to the people of Egypt and its government for their recent losses of life," said Mattis.

U.S. General James Mattis visits United Arab Emirates

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 11:18 AM PDT

TAMPA , Fla. (September 23, 2011) -- Gen. James Mattis, Commander of US Central Command, visited the United Arab Emirates to gain the perspective of LTG Hamad Muhammad Thani Al-Rumaythi, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, on regional security issues yesterday.

Panetta cites progress, challenges in Iraq, Afghanistan

Posted: 23 Sep 2011 09:54 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (September 22, 2011) -- The United States and Iraq are in talks to chart military assistance Iraq needs after the pull-out of U.S. troops at the end of the year, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said today.

ANSF and Coalition respond to attack in Kabul

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 06:24 AM PDT

KABUL, Afghanistan (September 13, 2011) -- A small group of insurgents attacked the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy and International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan headquarters today, firing from outside the compound using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. The attack started around 1:30 p.m. (local).

Nation stronger, safer since 9/11, Panetta says

Posted: 13 Sep 2011 04:42 AM PDT

WASHINGTON (September 11, 2011) -- As he stood where a hijacked airliner slammed into the Pentagon 10 years ago today, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said the United States has become stronger and safer since Sept. 11, 2001.

Marjah security tightens, Marines push progress

Posted: 12 Sep 2011 11:36 AM PDT

MARJAH, Helmand province, Afghanistan (September 8, 2011) -- Operation Moshtarak, a Dari word meaning "together," began in February 2010 as a way for Afghan and coalition forces to assert authority in central Helmand and for the Afghan government to demonstrate its commitment to the people living there, according to the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense.