US MILITARY, THE PENTAGON & INTELLIGENCE ARCHIVE :

Please note : Most publications move older stories into their archives which may require a fee to view the full story. Some stories listed below may no longer be available online.

AFP, 05 Dec 09, by Daphne Benoit
Afghan surge poses logistical headache for US army
'The NATO-led mission has to rely more on supplying troops by air in Afghanistan and in the east, steep mountains make soldiers heavily dependent on helicopters.'

Los Angeles Times, 09 Dec 09, by Julian E. Barnes
Petraeus predicts intensified combat in Afghanistan
'The former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, testifying before Congress, says the troop escalation in Afghanistan won't bring progress as quickly as in Iraq. But he calls the situation "no more hopeless."'

New York Times, 09 Dec 09, by Mark Landler
Petraeus Warns of a Long and Expensive Mission in Afghanistan
'America’s role in Afghanistan could last for years and cost upward of $10 billion annually just to finance an adequate Afghan security force, a top general said.'

PBS NewsHour, 07 Dec 09, with Judy Woodruff
With Afghan Plan Under Fire, Pentagon Issues First Deployments
'More than half of the 30,000 additional soldiers President Obama will send to Afghanistan received their deployment orders Monday, despite lingering questions over a planned drawdown beginning in 2011.'

Christian Science Monitor, 10 Dec 09, by Gordon Lubold
Mullen: Afghanistan debate is over, it's time to move out
'Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff, said Thursday that the Pentagon is ready to start the surge. The first troops will arrive in Afghanistan next week.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Dec 09, by Gordon Lubold
Mullen to marines: You have two years to turn tide in Afghanistan
'Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a pep talk to marines at Camp Lejeune Monday, as the Pentagon announced that the first troops of the Afghanistan surge will deploy by the end of the year.'

New York Times, 03 Dec 09, by Scott Shane
C.I.A. to Expand Use of Drones in Pakistan
'American officials are talking with Pakistan about the possibility of striking in Baluchistan for the first time — a controversial move since it is outside the tribal areas — because that is where Afghan Taliban leaders are believed to hide.'

Washington Post, 11 Dec 09, by R. Jeffrey Smith and Joby Warrick
Blackwater tied to clandestine CIA raids
'Firm's personnel were drawn into operations on ad-hoc basis'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Dec 09, by Mark Sappenfield
Obama's Afghanistan timeline adheres to McChrystal assessment
'The Afghanistan timeline President Obama outlined Tuesday calls for the 'surge' of 30,000 new troops to abate after only 18 months. That time frame is consistent with what Gem. Stanley McChrystal has called the "decisive" period of the war.'

Christian Science Monitor, 29 Nov 09, by Tom A. Peter
Afghanistan war: Soldiers from Iraq see more experienced militants
President Obama is expected to announce an Afghanistan war troop surge tonight, which will have to come from soldiers who served in Iraq. Soldiers says Afghan militants are more skilled from decades of war.

Washington Post, 03 Dec 09, by Joby Warrick
Blackwater founder says he aided secret programs
'The founder of Blackwater Worldwide acknowledged in an interview published Wednesday that he had helped the CIA with secret programs targeting top al-Qaeda leaders, a role he says was intended to give the agency "unattributable capability" in sensitive missions.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov 09, by Gordon Lubold
Pentagon to probe 'internal weaknesses' behind Fort Hood shooting
'In the wake of the Fort Hood shooting, the Pentagon will conduct an inquiry to assess its ability to identify and root out internal threats. The review will be headed by two retired service chiefs.'

PBS NewsHour, 11 Nov 09, with Judy Woodruff
Troops' 'Avalanche of Needs' in Treating Traumatic Stress
'Judy Woodruff speaks with a pair of experts about how the military helps treat soldiers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.'

Washington Post, 15 Nov 09, by Walter Pincus
Afghan roadside bombs a new priority for U.S.
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is creating a department-wide task force to focus on ways to counter the roadside bombs that have caused 80 percent of U.S. casualties in Afghanistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Nov 09, by Patrik Jonsson and Tracey D. Samuelson
Fort Hood suspect: Portrait of a terrorist?
'Ties surface between chief suspect in the Fort Hood rampage and a jihadist cleric in Yemen, giving impetus to arguments that the tragedy was a terrorist act.'

Washington Post, 11 Nov 09, by Carrie Johnson and Spencer S. Hsu
Possible agency missteps debated
'Officials' handling of potential Hasan threat at issue'

New York Times, 09 Nov 09, by Michael Moss And Ray Rivera
At Fort Hood, Some Violence Is Too Familiar
'... in the town of Killeen and other surrounding communities, the attack, one of the worst mass shootings on a military base in the United States, is also seen by many as another blow in an area that has been beset by crime and violence since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began.'

Christian Science Monitor, 11 Nov 09, by Tracey D. Samuelson
Navajo 'code talkers' honored on Veterans Day
'Veterans Day parade in New York recognizes Navajo code talkers, whose secret vocabulary never was broken and who helped win World War II in the Pacific.'

PBS NewsHour, 11 Nov 09, with Betty Ann Bowser
For Some Veterans, the Battle Continues Against PTSD
'After returning home from Iraq, Marine Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Workman struggled with the memories of war. ... soldiers like Workman are finding that often time, returning home can mean a new battle with post-traumatic stress disorder.'

Washington Post, 11 Nov 09, by Christian Davenport
A World War II veteran's last battle
'A soldier seeks further recognition for his lieutenant'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Nov 09, by Brad Knickerbocker
Fort Hood shootings: How often do soldiers kill soldiers?
'Military officials say the shootings at Fort Hood were an 'isolated incident.' But the stress of repeated wartime deployments has led to several such incidents in recent years.'

Washington Post, 06 Nov 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
Fort Hood has felt the strain of repeated deployments
'Base leads Army posts in number of suicides since Iraq invasion'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Nov 09 edition, by Gordon Lubold
Afghanistan war decision: how Robert Gates thinks
'Pentagon chief Robert Gates is the swing vote in Obama's decision on the Afghanistan war.'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Nov 09 edition, by Tom A. Peter
Should Obama order Afghan war troop surge? Troops say maybe not.
'October was the deadliest month for US troops in the Afghan war. Troops say a surge could stall handing off operations to Afghans, but concerns about security remain.'

American Forces Press Service, 05 Nov 09, by John J. Kruzel
Commander Calls for Focus on Protecting Satellites
'The chief of U.S. Strategic Command wants better tools for protecting against threats from space debris -- an estimated 20,000 pieces of manmade material orbiting around the planet.'

New York Times, 28 Oct 09, Thom Shanker
Makeshift Bombs Spread Beyond Afghanistan, Iraq
'American military officers are expressing concern over the spreading use of makeshift bombs beyond the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan to other countries in the region, as well as in East Asia and South America.'

AP, 30 Oct 09
US Admiral Concerned About China Military Buildup
'With China's military growing at an "unprecedented rate" -- spending was up almost 15 percent in the 2009 budget -- the U.S. wants to ensure that expansion doesn't destabilize the region, Rear Adm. Kevin Donegan told reporters on a visit to the Chinese territory of Hong Kong.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct 09, by Peter Ford
US, China militaries talk more: Does that make world safer?
'After a long spell of barely disguised animosity, American and Chinese military chiefs are seeking to put their relations on a more cordial footing, in line with ties between their civilian bosses.'

New York Times, 14 Oct 09
Two Weeks in Forever
[audio slide show] 'A look at life for marines in southern Afghanistan.'

New York Times, 14 Oct 09, by Rod Nordland
Wounded Soldiers Return to Iraq, Seeking Solace
'Soldiers have often returned to old battlefields, to honor fallen comrades and to exorcise persistent demons. ... Now, Americans wounded in the Iraq war are being ferried back to the scenes where they were maimed to help achieve psychological closure, the first time such visits have been tried while a war is still in progress.'

Washington Post, 14 Oct 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
A Historic Success In Military Recruiting
'For the first time in more than 35 years, the U.S. military has met all of its annual recruiting goals, as hundreds of thousands of young people have enlisted despite the near-certainty that they will go to war.'

PBS NewsHour, 13 Oct 09
President Revisits 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Policy for Gays in the Military
'Facing criticism from the gay community for failing so far to live up to campaign promises, President Barack Obama addressed gay advocacy group Human Rights Campaign over the weekend, pledging to end the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibits gay and lesbian soldiers from serving openly in the armed forces.'

New York Times, 07 Oct 09, by Eric Schmitt
U.S. Moves to Overhaul Jails That Breed Insurgents in Afghanistan
'To combat Al Qaeda’s growing influence and presence in Afghanistan’s prisons, the Pentagon is creating a military task force to oversee a planned overhaul of the troubled detention operations there.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Oct 09, by Gordon Lubold
McChrystal's Afghanistan comments: insightful or sedition?
'The US commander in Afghanistan essentially dismissed one White House option as "short-sighted." Does civilian control of the military mean McChrystal should keep his mouth shut?'

The Chicago Tribune, 30 Sep 09, by Julie Johnsson
Northrop Grumman, Boeing spar over $35 billion contract for Air Force tankers
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates had hoped to avoid "parochial squabbles and corporate food fights" as Northrop Grumman Corp. and Boeing Co. spar over a contract to build aerial tankers for the U.S. Air Force. But salvos are flying less than a week after the Air Force launched a contest for a $35 billion tanker contract, the first of three contracts aimed at replacing 415 tankers that in total are expected to top $100 billion.'

Christian Science Monitor, 28 Sep 09, by Gordon Lubold
US Air Force's class of 2009: pilots who won't fly
'The graduation of eight officers without flight training points to the increased use of remote-controlled aircraft for reconnaissance and intelligence in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

Associated Press, 30 Sep 09
Fort Dix gets a new name as military consolidates
'Fort Dix will join neighboring McGuire Air Force Base and Lakehurst Naval Air Station Thursday to become the nation's first three-service combined base. Its new name will be Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.'

Human Events, 25 Sep 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from the Navy's first ace to a 'Barren Victory'
'Let's increase awareness of American military tradition and honor America's greatest heroes by supporting the Medal of Honor Society's 2010 Convention to be held in Charleston, S.C., Sept. 29 ­ Oct. 3, 2010.'

Human Events, 15 Sep 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Airborne Laser Could Save Us from Terrorist Nightmare Scenario
'In less time than that required to take a breath, a huge section of North America would be catapulted back to the 18th century. Yet because we are so completely dependent upon 21st century technology, the ensuing chaos, crime, starvation, and disease would be something unimaginable. A single enemy missile could do this to us. The U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, however, have an answer to this threat in the Airborne Laser (ABL) program, essentially a high-energy laser-beam system housed in a Boeing 747-400 aircraft.'

New York Times, 23 Sep 09, by Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt
Top General Denies Rift with Obama on Afghan War
'The senior American commander in Afghanistan on Wednesday rejected any suggestion that his grim assessment of the war had driven a wedge between the military and the Obama administration, but he warned against taking too long to settle on a final strategy.'

New York Times, 20 Sep 09, by Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker
General Calls for More U.S. Troops to Avoid Afghan Failure
'The top military commander in Afghanistan warns in a confidential assessment of the war there that he needs additional troops within the next year or else the conflict “will likely result in failure.”'

Stars and Stripes, 16 Sep 09, by Kevin Baron
Gates outlines Air Force priorities and expectations
'From the rise of unmanned aerial vehicles to the future size and safety of the U.S. nuclear arsenal, Gates promoted the programs and weapons systems he is asking Congress to approve this fall.'

Stars and Stripes, 17 Sep 09, by Travis J. Tritten
U.S. military seeks to reduce reliance on toxic hexavalent chromium
'Now, hexavalent chromium is in the U.S. military’s sights under a recent Pentagon order to begin finding ways to reduce the use of the carcinogen.'

New York Times/Reuters, 08 Sep 09
In Restive Med, U.S. Ship Eyes Risk Of Missile War
'According to a regional map issued last month by the U.S. Missile Defence Agency, a Mediterranean-based Aegis could cover southern Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and north Egypt in the event of a missile war. Another ship, deployed in the Gulf, would similarly protect local Arab states.'

New York Times, 08 Sep 09, by Thom Shanker and Mark Landler
Pentagon Checks Arsenal in Race for Nuclear Treaty
'With the clock ticking on a year-end deadline, President Obama is pressing ahead with a top-to-bottom review of America’s nuclear weapons to see how much the arsenal can shrink, as his negotiators are racing to wrap up a major new strategic arms control treaty with Russia.'

New York Times, 08 Sep 09, by James Dao
Pentagon Keeps Wary Watch as Troops Blog
'There are two sides to the military’s foray into the freewheeling world of the interactive Web. At the highest echelons of the Pentagon, civilian officials and four-star generals are newly hailing the power of social networking to make members of the American military more empathetic, entice recruits and shape public opinion on the war.'

AP, 10 Sep 09, by Michelle Roberts
Wounded troops recover as US war coverage wanes
'With the timetable set for withdrawal from Iraq and the fighting in Afghanistan nearing its ninth year, U.S. war coverage has waned ... But for severely wounded soldiers — those with huge burn scars and amputated limbs — the wars are no distant memory. Their long and painful recovery battles are a constant reminder.'

Christian Science Monitor, 01 Sep 09, by Peter Grier
US use of private contractors in war hits record high
'They make up 57 percent of Pentagon's personnel in Afghanistan, report shows.'

New York Times, 01 Sep 09, by Mark Mazzetti
C.I.A. Resists Disclosure of Records on Detention
'The Central Intelligence Agency is refusing to make public hundreds of pages of internal documents about the agency’s defunct detention and interrogation program, saying such disclosures would jeopardize national security by revealing classified intelligence sources and operations.'

Stars and Stripes, 31 Aug 09, by Kevin Baron
Military terminates Rendon contract
'The U.S. military is canceling its contract with a controversial private firm that was producing background profiles of journalists seeking to cover the war that graded their past work as “positive,” “negative” or “neutral,” ...'

National Defense University, October 09, by Christopher J. Lamb, Matthew J. Schmidt, and Berit G. Fitzsimmons
MRAPs, Irregular Warfare, and Pentagon Reform
[pdf] 'Mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles offer an excellent case study for investigating the current debate over the Pentagon’s emphasis on developing and fielding irregular warfare capabilities.'

Voice of America, 28 Aug 09, by Al Pessin
Top Officer Criticizes US Military 'Strategic Communications'
'In a column for Joint Forces Quarterly, [Admiral Mike Mullen] derides the popular new concept called Strategic Communications, saying there is too much attention put on message formulation, coordination and transmission, and not enough on actual policies and their impact.'

Christian Science Monitor, 26 Aug 09, by Gordon Lubold
Pentagon's urgent bid to counter Afghan roadside bombs
'It will increase its number of bomb disposal teams by half. It is also upping its order of bomb-resistant troop carriers, called M-ATVs.'

NewsHour, 24 Aug 09, with Ray Saurez
Leaders Warn Afghan War 'Serious and Deteriorating'
'With warnings that the situation in Afghanistan is "serious and deteriorating," military leaders say that more troops are needed to regain control.'

NewsHour, 24 Aug 09
U.S. Commanders Call for More Troops to Defeat Taliban in Afghanistan
'As Taliban insurgents refine their tactics, U.S. and NATO commanders told U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke that they require more troops to combat militants in Afghanistan.'

American Forces Press Service, 24 Aug 09, by Samantha L. Quigley
Chairman Cites Security as Key Part of Afghan Strategy
'Providing security is a key component of President Barack Obama's strategy for Afghanistan, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday. ... Mullen said part of that strategy focuses on security for the Afghan people, because improving security will help the country move in the right direction.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Aug 09, by Mark Sappenfield
More US troops to Afghanistan? Why Mullen won't answer.
'After eight years, the Pentagon is only now giving the country its full attention – and understanding Afghanistan takes time.'

Christian Science Monitor, 23 Aug 09, by Tom A. Peter
CIA report: Detainees threatened with guns, power drills
'A long-secret document detailing these and other 'enhanced interrogation' techniques is set to be released Monday.'

Washington Post, 20 Aug 09, by Joby Warrick and R. Jeffrey Smith
CIA Hired Firm for Assassin Program
'A secret CIA program to kill top al-Qaeda leaders with assassination teams was outsourced in 2004 to Blackwater USA, the private security contractor whose operations in Iraq prompted intense scrutiny, according to two former intelligence officials familiar with the events. ... but the program was canceled before any missions were conducted ...'

Washington Post, 17 Aug 09, by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Pentagon Worries Led to Command Change
'McKiernan's Ouster Reflected New Realities in Afghanistan -- and Washington'

Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug 09, by Paul Richter
Afghanistan report won't include U.S. troop request, Gates says
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates says it does not preclude such a request later. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal's report will assess conditions in Afghanistan and the effect of a new security strategy.'

New York Times, 17 Aug 09, by Benedict Carey
Mental Stress Training Is Planned for U.S. Soldiers
'The Army plans to require that all 1.1 million of its soldiers take intensive training in emotional resiliency, military officials say. The training, the first of its kind in the military, is meant to improve performance in combat and head off the mental health problems, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicide, that plague about one-fifth of troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.'

StrategyPage, 16 Aug 09
Air Force Pilots Seethe At The Injustice Of It All
'In Afghanistan, the U.S. Air Force has been allowed to change its tactics. As part of a move to reduce civilian casualties, air force fighters must now, whenever possible, buzz the target (at high speed) before dropping a smart bomb. It's long been known that the A-10 ground attack aircraft, which often comes in low (except when the new version is dropping smart bombs). This scares the Afghans a great deal. It's believed that these pre-bombing buzzing of the target, will often cause the enemy to flee (as A-10s coming low often does.)'

Jane's, 12 Aug 09
US Navy to spend $6bn on unmanned platforms
'... navy officials have developed an unmanned systems vision through to 2030, ... the budget and strategy are part of a broader effort to embed aerial drones in day-to-day maritime operations.'

Human Events, 19 Aug 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from the Battle of Camden to Banzai Attacks at Tenaru
'Aug. 17, 1943: U.S. Army Gen. George Smith Patton Jr. beats his British Army counterpart Gen. Bernard Law Montgomery to the gates of Messina, Sicily, in what Patton had purportedly referred to as “a horse race in which the prestige of the U.S. Army is at stake."'

The Miami Herald/AP, 13 Aug 09
Museum gets lifeboat from pirate hostage rescue
'A Fort Pierce museum dedicated to Navy SEAL history will receive the bullet-sprayed lifeboat where a sea captain captured by Somali pirates was held.'

New York Times, 12 Aug 09, by Thom Shanker
New Army Handbook Teaches Afghanistan Lessons
'The handbook, “Small-Unit Operations in Afghanistan,” strikes a tone of respect for the Taliban and other insurgent groups, which are acknowledged to be extremely experienced fighters; even more, American soldiers are warned that the insurgents rapidly adapt to shifts in tactics.'

New York Times, 12 Aug 09, by David Johnston and Mark Mazzetti
A Window Into C.I.A.’s Embrace of Secret Jails
'The existence of the network of prisons to detain and interrogate senior operatives of Al Qaeda has long been known, but details about them have been a closely guarded secret.'

NPR/AP, 10 Aug 09
The Pentagon Is Now Following You On Twitter
'As the Pentagon warns of the security risks posed by social networking sites, newly released government documents show the military also uses these Internet tools to monitor and react to coverage of high-profile events.'

Washington Post, 11 Aug 09, with Steve Pearlstein
On Leadership: Gen. Tony Zinni on the Internet age
[video] 'Retired General Anthony Zinni on the strategic consequences of consumer technologies in a war theatre.'

Christian Science Monitor, 05 Aug 09, by Gordon Lubold
Marines retreat from Facebook, will Pentagon follow?
'Marines banned social networking sites from their computers Tuesday due to security concerns, and the Pentagon announced a policy review. But Pentagon's top officer will still tweet.'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Aug 09, by Matthew Shaer
For US Marines, a ban on Twitter and Facebook
'For Marines stationed abroad, social networks are a handy way to keep in touch with family and friends back home. But a new order today bans the use of sites such as Twitter and Facebook, which the Marine Corps says could be used to spread “malicious” content. ... The directive does not affect Marines’ use of private computers – only the machines that are connected to the central Marine Corps grid.'

Reuters, 02 Aug 09
Pentagon eyes accelerated "bunker buster" bomb
'The Pentagon is seeking to speed deployment of an ultra-large "bunker-buster" bomb on the most advanced U.S. bomber as soon as July 2010, the Air Force said on Sunday, amid concerns over perceived nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran.'

American Forces Press Service, 31 Jul 09, by John J. Kruzel
Principles, Innovation Reveal Marines' Success, Petraeus Says
'"On the one hand, Marines display a stalwart resistance to change in those bedrock values that form the very foundation of what it means to be Marine,"� he said. "On the other hand, Marines demonstrate a ready embrace of innovation that allows them to adapt to the environments in which they operate and to the enemies they face."� Some of those timeless, unchanging truths that describe the Marine Corps include an unflinching devotion to one's fellow Marines, a ready embrace of hardship and a universal emphasis on the skills and the spirit of the rifleman, he said.'

The State, 05 Aug 09, by Chuck Crumbo
Change might impact Shaw
'As part of the Air Force's reshuffling, 9th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. Gary North's job will be split, with a two-star general handling stateside chores and a three-star general overseeing the air war.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Aug 09, by Gordon Lubold
Remains of first US Gulf War casualty solve 18-year mystery
'The Pentagon once took the unprecedented step of switching Capt. 'Scott' Speicher's status from 'killed in action' to 'missing-captured,' thinking he was alive.'

Human Events, 05 Aug 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from Washington's Purple Heart to the Horror of Hiroshima
'Exactly eight months to the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, elements of the soon-to-be-famous 1st Marine Division -- under the command of Maj. Gen. Alexander Archer "Sunny Jim"� Vandegrift (a future Marine Corps commandant) -- begin landing on Guadalcanal in the southern Solomon islands, launching America's first large-scale ground offensive of World War II.'

Navy Compass, 29 Jul 09, by MC3 (SW) Mike Leporati
Medal of Honor Recipient John Finn Celebrates 100 years
'During Finn's 100th birthday barbecue, astronauts from the space shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station (ISS) called Finn to wish him a happy birthday. The multi-national crew from the ISS includes people from the United States, Europe, Russia, Canada and Japan.'

Human Events, 29 Jul 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from the Wright Flyer to the Raid on Ploesti
'Operation Tidal Wave -- also known as the Raid on Ploesti -- commences: 177 U.S. Army Air Forces B-24 Liberators flying 1,000-plus miles from their bases in Libya, attack the heavily defended Ploesti oil fields in Rumania.'

Navy Times, 29 Jul 09
Ship named for MoH recipient to be christened
'Navy officials will christen the guided-missile destroyer Jason Dunham during a ceremony Saturday in Maine, honoring the Marine corporal and Medal of Honor recipient killed five years ago after saving the lives of his comrades in Iraq.'

Christian Science Monitor, 19 Jul 09, by Liam Stack
Gates: US has one year to make progress in Afghanistan
'American public won’t tolerate rising death tally for long, says US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. A helicopter crashed Sunday, killing 16 civilians.'

Christian Science Monitor, 20 Jul 09, by Gordon Lubold
What has happened to other captured soldiers?
'Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl is only the second American service member taken hostage in Afghanistan since 2001. Soldier abductions have been rare in Iraq, too.'

New York Times, 19 Jul 09, by Eric Schmitt
Pentagon Seeks to Overhaul Prisons in Afghanistan
'A sweeping United States military review calls for overhauling the troubled American-run prison here as well as the entire Afghan jail and judicial systems, a reaction to worries that abuses and militant recruiting within the prisons are helping to strengthen the Taliban.'

Christian Science Monitor, 14 Jul 09, by Gordon Lubold
European missile shield not set in stone, Pentagon says
'The head of the Missile Defense Agency suggests the plans could be altered, echoing President Obama's desire to compromise with Russia.'

Human Events, 10 Jul 09, by Rowan Scarborough
How We'd Shoot Down a North Korean Missile
'The launch of a long-range missile by North Korea against the United States would trigger the activation of radars, sensors, battle management software and rockets -- all acting in a computerized sequence to intercept the warhead at up to 200 miles above the Earth before it reached its target and killed thousands of Americans.'

Washington Post, 16 Jul 09, by Joby Warrick
CIA Assassin Program Was Nearing New Phase
'CIA officials were proposing to activate a plan to train anti-terrorist assassination teams overseas when agency managers brought the secret program to the attention of CIA Director Leon Panetta last month, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the matter.'

U.S. Naval Institute, Jul 09, by Captain John J. Burnham
Adapting the Force to the Fight: Naval Special Warfare
'NSW's traditional operations now include even more-and faster-irregular warfare. This is not going to change anytime soon.'

Time, 15 Jul 09, by Mark Thompson
It's Jobs Not Bombs As Senators Resist F-22 Cuts
'The looming Senate vote over the F-22's fate is shaping up as a test of whether the U.S. will develop a cogent and balanced military force as championed by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, or if his quest will be derailed by an ad hoc coalition of entrenched interests and lawmakers whose priority is protecting the jobs of their constituents rather than the needs of protecting the nation.'

ABC News, 14 Jul 09, by Jake Tapper
President Obama Joins with McCain to Eliminate Raptor Fighter Jets
'Pledging to "veto any bill that supports acquisition of F-22s beyond the 187 already funded by Congress," the president said that Defense Secretary Robert Gates "and the military leadership have determined, we do not need these planes."'

Christian Science Monitor, 15 Jul 09, by Gordon Lubold
Why do some soldiers commit violent crime? Army seeks answers.
'A new study examined multiple deployments, enlistment policies, and exposure to intense combat as possible factors.'

Christian Science Monitor, 13 Jul 09, by Patrik Jonsson
A new commander to train US drill sergeants? Yes, ma'am!
'Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa King is first woman to head Army's only drill sergeant school.'

The Los Angeles Times, 15 Jul 09, by Pat Saperstein
My son, the Marine
'In some circles, Sam's decision might have seemed practical, even heroic. But in our liberal, antiwar sphere, his desire to enlist was met with shock -- even hostility.'

Government Executive, 06 Jul 09, by Katherine McIntire Peters
Air Force leaders describe plan to improve ISR capabilities
'Air Force leaders on Monday outlined the service's "flight plan" to acquire intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to counter threats on the battlefield, in space and cyberspace during the next 20 years.'

New York Times, 07 Jul 09, by Rod Nordland
Tracking Faraway Action From an Iraqi Base
'As American soldiers in Iraq withdraw into their bases, their comrades in Afghanistan are running more missions.'

Washington Post, 08 Jul 09, by Karen De Young
Indefinite Detentions Are Backed
'Guantanamo Bay detainees who are acquitted by civil or military courts may still be imprisoned indefinitely if the government determines that they pose a national security threat, the Defense Department's chief lawyer said yesterday.'

New York Times, 08 Jul 09, by Scott Shane
Democrats Say C.I.A. Deceived Congress for Years
'The director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Leon E. Panetta, has told the House Intelligence Committee in closed-door testimony that the C.I.A. concealed "significant actions" from Congress from 2001 until late last month, seven Democratic committee members said.'

Human Events, 08 Jul 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from Melted Majesty to Early's Raid
'Brig. Gen. Winfield Scott -- a 28-year-old master of Napoleonic infantry tactics destined to become both general-in-chief of the U.S. Army and affectionately known as "the Grand Old Man of the Army"� -- leads his gray-clad infantry brigade forward against British Army forces under the command of Maj. Gen. Phineas Riall in the Battle of Chippewa (Canada along the Niagara River).'

Washington Post, 02 Jul 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
No Limit in Place for Pending Request on Troops in Afghanistan
'The nation's top military officer said yesterday that no limits have been placed on the number or types of troops the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan can request as he seeks to carry out a counterinsurgency strategy there.'

New York Times, 29 Jun 09, by Thom Shanker
For a Post in Europe, a Renaissance Admiral
'As the new American and NATO commander in Europe, Admiral Stavridis, 54, becomes the first naval officer appointed to a position previously held by famed ground-warfare generals.'

Human Events, 01 Jul 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from Pickett's Charge to Roosevelt's Rough Riders
'In what has been described as the "first decisive victory of American forces over the British Navy"� during the American Revolution, the garrison at Fort Sullivan, S.C. (today Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island in Charleston harbor) under the command of militia Col. William Moultrie repulse Royal Navy forces under the command of Admiral Sir Peter Parker.'

Agence France-Presse, 01 Jul 09, by Ben Sheppard
Fight club toughens up US Marines in Afghan desert
'Part of the preparation for war is the Marine Corps Martial Arts Programme (MCMAP), a form of combat that combines disciplines including karate, kick-boxing and taekwondo.'

The Chicago Tribune, 01 Jul 09
Oshkosh awarded Army contract for all-terrain vehicles
'The military has said it needs a hybrid armored vehicle to provide the same type of protection as vehicles that have been used in Iraq. But it must be more agile, lighter and provide increased maneuverability.'

Christian Science Monitor, 18 Jun 09, by Gordon Lubold
US needs more F-22 fighters than Gates wants, says an Air Force commander
'A top Air Force general, crossing swords with Pentagon leadership, says a proposed cap on the number of F-22 stealth fighters puts America at "high risk" of compromising military strategy.'

BBC News, 18 Jun 09
US 'to improve' Afghan training
'A US military report on airstrikes in Afghanistan calls for better training for air and ground forces to reduce civilian casualties, officials say.'

Washington Post, 16 Jun 09, by Greg Jaffe
New Afghanistan Commander Will Review Troop Placements
'Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who took over Monday as the top commander in Afghanistan, said he will launch a broad assessment of how U.S. and NATO troops are arrayed in the country to ensure his forces are focused on safeguarding key population centers and not hunting down Taliban fighters.'

Reuters, 12 Jun 09
New U.S. general looks to shift tack in Afghanistan
'[Lieutenant General Stanley] McChrystal, a former commander of special forces in Iraq, is due to take command of the 56,000 U.S. troops and 33,000 others from NATO countries shortly, replacing General David McKiernan, who was effectively dismissed last month.'

New York Times, 16 Jun 09, by Benjamin Weiser
Lawyers In Military May Assist In Bomb Trial
'A federal judge in Manhattan said on Tuesday that he would probably allow two military lawyers to help defend a former Guantánamo detainee who was ordered by President Obama to face trial in a civilian court.'

New York Times, 10 Jun 09, by Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt
More Leeway for New U.S. Commander in Afghanistan
'The new American commander in Afghanistan has been given carte blanche to handpick a dream team of subordinates, including many Special Operations veterans, as he moves to carry out an ambitious new strategy that envisions stepped-up attacks on Taliban fighters and narcotics networks.'

New York Times, 09 Jun 09, by Elisabeth Bumiller
In Congress, Gates Sounds Positive Note on Afghanistan
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Tuesday that he was more hopeful than he had been in a long time about progress in the war in Afghanistan, but that there would have to be significant improvement a year from now for the American public to support the effort.'

Politico, 10 Jun 09, by Andrew Glass
Marines seize Guantanamo, June 10, 1898
'On this day in 1898, U.S. Marines landed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. For the next month, American troops fought a land war in Cuba that quickly led to the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Western Hemisphere.'

CBS News/AP, 02 Jun 09
Gates: More Missile Defense Spending Possible
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates isn't ruling out spending more on missile defense than what he's asked for in next year's budget if North Korea or other nations increase threats against the United States. Gates said the missile tests by North Korea over the past week appear to have attracted more support on Capitol Hill for missile interceptors.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Jun 09, by Gordon Lubold
In Afghanistan, time is running out, Pentagon worries
'The next year will be crucial, several top defense officials say. The US must begin to show progress or risk losing public support.'

AP, 03 Jun 09
US military tweets news from Afghanistan
'The U.S. military is putting Twitter, along with Facebook and YouTube, into its arsenal of weapons for getting out its side of the Afghan story, reaching the online generation and countering the Taliban's own fast-growing Web-site and text-messaging skills.'

New York Times, 13 May 09, by Elisabeth Bumiller and Mark Mazzetti
A General Steps from the Shadows
'Fellow officers on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where [Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal] is director, and former colleagues at the Council on Foreign Relations describe him as a warrior-scholar, comfortable with diplomats, politicians and the military man who would help promote him to his new job.'

CNN, 13 May 09, by Adam Levine
Gates defends budget priorities
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday defended his decision to shift budget funds to support weapons the U.S. military is using in Iraq and Afghanistan and away from research and weapons that may be used in future conflicts.'

New York Times, 13 May 09, by Eric Schmitt and Mark Mazzetti
In a First, U.S. Provides Pakistan With Drone Data
'The United States military for the first time has provided Pakistan with a broad array of surveillance information collected by American drones flying along the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan, American military officials said Wednesday.'

New York Times, 13 May 09, by C. J. Chivers
In Bleak Afghan Outpost, Troops Slog On
'Afghanistan is to be President Obama's war, and the Pentagon is retooling its efforts here in ways it hopes will undermine a sprawling insurgency. But as soldiers on the ground await reinforcements, this American operation showed that an old axiom of guerrilla warfare still applied: Where conventional soldiers mass, insurgents usually disperse.'

Washington Post/Reuters, 04 May 09, by Andrea Shalal-Esa, Reuters
Fight against pirates also needed ashore: U.S. Navy
'The fight against piracy must involve efforts on land and at sea, the U.S. Navy's top officer said on Monday, saying the issue was more complex than just putting arms on commercial ships.'

Washington Post, 07 May 09, by Walter Pincus
Contractors Using Military Clinics
'Military clinics and field hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan have supplied more than $1 million a month in health-care services to civilian contractors during the past two years without seeking reimbursement from their employers, as provided by law, according to a new audit by the Defense Department inspector general.'

New York Times 'The Lede', 06 May 09, by Robert Mackey
The Pentagon Adds iPods to the Arsenal
'Critics of modern warfare who worry that the line between video games and real violence may be blurred by some technological advances, like the remote-controlled drones used to deliver strikes in Pakistan, probably were not happy to learn that the Pentagon is now reportedly using iPods to help fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

The Virginian-Pilot, 29 Aug 09, by Dale Eisman
Navy nominees steer clear of carrier battle
'Ray Mabus, Obama's choice for secretary of the Navy, and Robert Work, the nominee for under secretary, told senators that a decision about moving a carrier from Norfolk Naval Station to Mayport Naval Station in Florida will be made as part of a broad study of defense programs, the Quadrennial Defense Review, later this year.'

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, 29 Aug 09, by Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Top officer addresses Air Force's role in irregular warfare
'As combat requirements evolve, so must the Air Force's unique capabilities to engage the enemy, the service's top officer said.'

NavySEALs.com, 26 Apr 09, by Chris Carter
International Gunmaker, Military Officer, Medal of Honor Recipients Recognized for Service
'International gunmaker FN Manufacturing (FNM) was recognized Friday, Apr. 24, for its "service to country,"� along with Lt. Col. W. Thomas Smith Jr. (Joint Services Detachment, S.C. Military Dept.) and Medal of Honor recipients Col. Charles P. Murray Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.) and MSgt. John F. Baker Jr. (U.S. Army, ret.).'

Washington Post, 23 Apr 09, by Karen DeYoung
Reservists Might Be Used in Afghanistan To Fill Civilian Jobs
'Military reservists may be asked to volunteer to fill many of the hundreds of additional U.S. civilian positions in Afghanistan called for in the Obama administration's strategy for that nation and neighboring Pakistan, officials said yesterday.'

New York Times, 19 Apr 09, by C. J. Chivers
Pinned Down, a Sprint to Escape Taliban Zone
'The two Army lieutenants crouched against boulders beside the Korangal River. Taliban gunfire poured down from villages and cliffs above, hitting tree branches and rocks and snapping as the bullets passed over the officers' helmets. An American platoon was pinned in the riverbed, which had blossomed into a kill zone.'

Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr 09, by Christa Case Bryant and Carol Huang
Petraeus: What I learned in Iraq, and how it applies to Afghanistan
'As the US shifts focus from Iraq to Afghanistan, much attention has been given to how counterinsurgency strategies honed against Al Qaeda in Iraq may be applied to a resurgent Taliban. If one man has the answer, it just might be Gen. David Petraeus.'

Washington Post, 15 Apr 09, by Greg Jaffe
Hill Response to Plans Pleases Pentagon Chief
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Tuesday that he has been "pleasantly surprised" by the response from lawmakers to his plans for shifting billions of dollars in Pentagon spending toward programs of immediate benefit to today's wars.'

New York Times, 15 Apr 09, by Thom Shanker
Pentagon Closes Office Accused of Issuing Propaganda Under Bush
'A Pentagon office responsible for coordinating Defense Department information campaigns overseas has been abolished in an effort by the Obama administration to distance itself from past practices that some military officers called propaganda, senior officials said Wednesday. Military and civilian critics said the office, the Defense Department office for support to public diplomacy, overstepped its mandate during the final years of the Bush administration by trying to organize information operations that violated Pentagon guidelines for accuracy and transparency.'

Human Events, 15 Apr 09, by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
Military Milestones from a Midnight Ride to a Pre-Dawn Airstrike
'Sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers launch from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in the first raid against the Japanese mainland during World War II.'

CNN, 07 Apr 09
Obama to troops in Iraq: 'Thank you'
[transcript] Obama: "Under enormous strain and under enormous sacrifice, through controversy and difficulty and politics, you've kept your eyes focused on just doing your job. And because of that, every mission that's been assigned -- from getting rid of Saddam, to reducing violence, to stabilizing the country, to facilitating elections -- you have given Iraq the opportunity to stand on its own as a democratic country. That is an extraordinary achievement, and for that you have the thanks of the American people."

New York Times, 06 Apr 09, by Christopher Drew and Elisabeth Bumiller
Military Budget Reflects a Shift in U.S. Strategy
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced a major reshaping of the Pentagon budget on Monday, with deep cuts in many traditional weapons systems but new billions of dollars for others, along with more troops and new technology to fight the insurgencies in Iraq and Afghanistan.'

Washington Post, 07 Apr 09, by R. Jeffrey Smith
Gates Proposal Reveals His Alienation from Procurement System
'In calling yesterday for "a dramatic change in the way we acquire military equipment," Gates showed his slow but palpable alienation from the so-called iron triangle of defense contractors, lawmakers and military service executives that has long promoted building the best weapons systems, no matter what the price.'

Christian Science Monitor, 06 Apr 09, by Gordon Lubold
Gates axes some costly weapons, emphasizes 'irregular' warfare
'Defense secretary applies lessons of Iraq, Afghanistan to new Pentagon budget.'

NPR 'All Things Considered', 06 Apr 09, by Mary Louise Kelly
Gates Calls For Shift In Defense Spending Priorities
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday that he wants to "profoundly reform" the way the Pentagon does business, calling for more money for unmanned spy planes, helicopters and other items for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. His new budget would eliminate a multibillion dollar satellite program and end production of the F-22 fighter jet.'

Christian Science Monitor, 02 Apr 09, by Jane Arraf
Interview: Top US commander in Iraq
'Gen. Raymond Odierno outlines the challenges facing US forces as they continue to tamp down violence while working toward a June deadline to withdraw from Iraqi cities.'

Boston Globe, 07 Apr 09, by Bryan Bender and Todd Wallack
Arms plan has pain, some gain for N.E.
'Gates lays out cuts in weapons spending; new investments could cushion blow of job losses.'

Washington Post, 02 Apr 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
Military Wants More Troops for Afghan War
'Gen. David H. Petraeus disclosed yesterday that American commanders have requested the deployment of an additional 10,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan next year, but he said the request awaits a final decision by President Obama this fall.'

New York Times, 26 Mar 09, by Eric Schmitt
Study Says Pentagon's Africa Command Needs to Refine Mission
'The Pentagon's new Africa Command is still recovering from early missteps in explaining its missions and purpose, miscues that government investigators say have left lingering fears at the State Department, in Congress and on the continent that the Defense Department is militarizing the nation's foreign policy in Africa.'

New York Times, 01 Apr 09, by Kirk Semple
One Oath Leads to Another
'A new U.S. military program is recruiting highly skilled immigrants, offering a fast-track to citizenship.'

Human Events, 31 Mar 09, by Brittany Smith
Medal of Honor Day Pays Tribute to Citizen and Soldier Heroes
'March 25th was National Medal of Honor Day and 35 of the 98 living Medal of Honor recipients attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. "The Unknown Soldiers and Medal of Honor recipients represent the values of courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism,"� said David J. McIntyre, Jr., Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation board member.'

Asia Times, 23 Mar 09, by Gareth Porter
Petraeus hands over a 'political hot potato'
'United States special operations forces in Afghanistan ... have quietly been put under the "tactical control" of the commander of US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, for the first time.'

Townhall.com, 23 Mar 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
America's Ignorance of Her Heroes
'During a recent commercial flight from Jacksonville (Fla.) to Baltimore, a flight attendant offered free drink coupons to any of the 150 passengers who could name just one of the five Medal of Honor recipients from the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.'

Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar 09, by Tom A. Peter
Surviving Iraq: A US Army grunt’s tale
'Spc. Brian Hunsuck is the boy next door on the front lines: He lost a friend, nearly lost a leg, and still acts like Beaver Cleaver.'

The State, 25 Mar 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
National Medal of Honor Day: The true meaning of hero
'On Mar. 25, 1863, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton presented six Union Army soldiers — who the previous year hadd commandeered a Confederate train during a special operation aimed at disrupting the rail-line between Atlanta and Chattanooga — with the firsst-ever Medals of Honor.'

Human Events, 25 Mar 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones: From the Wizard of the Saddle to Task Force Tarawa
'Confederate cavalry under the command of Maj. Gen. (future Lt. Gen.) Nathan Bedford Forrest, “the wizard of the saddle,� strike Union forces under Col. Stephen G. Hicks in the Battle of Paducah, Kentucky.'

Washington Post, 18 Mar 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
Army to Phase Out 'Stop-Loss' Practice
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced yesterday that the Army will phase out the unpopular practice of "stop-loss," which mandates that soldiers stay in the Army beyond their service obligation, over the next two years.'

Human Events, 18 Mar 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from a Kentucky Raider to 'a Bulldog of a Fighter'
'"Morgan, Morgan the raider, and Morgan's terrible men, With bowie knives and pistols, are galloping up the glen."'

MidlandsBiz, 17 Mar 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Brig. Gen. Eugene F. Rogers, Project Chairman, National Medal of Honor Convention
'As America prepares to recognize National Medal of Honor Day – March 25 – a group of active-and-retired business and military leaders under the leadership of Columbia attorney Eugene F. Rogers is organizing the largest single-gathering of Medal of Honor recipients in South Carolina's history.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 Mar 09, by Thom Shanker
U.S. says Iran has material for bomb
'The United States now believes that Iran has amassed enough uranium that with further purification could be used to build an atomic bomb, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff declared Sunday.'

International Herald Tribune, 02 Mar 09, by Emily S. Rueb
Gates defends Iraq withdrawal plan
'Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that forces remaining in Iraq would be consolidated to fewer bases to mitigate risk.'

International Herald Tribune, 25 Feb 09, by Thom Shanker
Pentagon spends more to counter roadside bombs in Afghanistan
'As part of its buildup in Afghanistan, the Pentagon plans to deploy billions of dollars in heavily armored vehicles, spy planes, jammers and even experimental ground-penetrating radars to defend troops against roadside bombs that are proving increasingly lethal.'

Washington Post, 26 Feb 09, by Karen DeYoung and Joby Warrick
Drone Attacks Inside Pakistan Will Continue, CIA Chief Says
'CIA Director Leon Panetta said yesterday that U.S. aerial attacks against al-Qaeda and other extremist strongholds inside Pakistan would continue, despite concerns about a popular Pakistani backlash.'

International Herald Tribune, 23 Feb 09, by Eric Schmitt and Jane Perlez
Secret U.S. unit trains commandos in Pakistan
'More than 70 United States military advisers and technical specialists are secretly working in Pakistan to help its armed forces battle Al Qaeda and the Taliban in the country's lawless tribal areas, American military officials said.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Thom Shanker
New lessons for the U.S army on Iraq duty
'An after-action review of the U.S. military's last 15-month rotation in northern Iraq offers lessons to the Obama administration as it prepares for further reductions of American troops.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Feb 09, by Elisabeth Bumiller
U.S. general sees long term for Afghan buildup
'The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, said that the heightened troop levels that President Barack Obama ordered for Afghanistan could remain in place for as long as five years.'

Washington Post, 19 Feb 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
'Sustained' Push Seen in Afghanistan
'U.S. commander says troop level of 60,000 is needed for at least three to four years.'

International Herald Tribune, 18 Feb 09, by Mark McDonald and Keith Bradsher
Hopes for U.S. military ties with China
'The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific said Wednesday that he hoped a visit to the region by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would lead to a resumption of high-level military exchanges with China.'

International Herald Tribune, 18 Feb 09, by Thom Shanker
Pentagon may be first in line for cuts to offset stimulus spending
'After years in which military budgets have soared to record levels, Pentagon officials are already preparing at a minimum to pare back, with a particular eye to slashing weapons programs that have suffered significant cost overruns.'

Military.com, 18 Feb 09, by Christian Lowe
US Sees 'Test Run' With Captured Pirates
'The U.S. Coast Guard is using the recent capture of seven pirates in the Gulf of Aden as a test case of how to pursue swashbucklers worldwide and submit them to international courts.'

Human Events, 13 Feb 09, by Michelle Oddis
Lt. Redman's 'Sign On The Door'
'Attention to all who enter here. If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere. The wounds I received I got doing a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough and will make a full recovery. What is full? That is the utmost physically my body has the ability to recover. Then I will push that about 20% further through sheer mental tenacity. This room you are about to enter is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere. -- The Management'

Washington Post, 11 Feb 09, by Walter Pincus
U.S. Sought to Expand Asia Base
'The United States had plans to spend up to $100 million to enlarge loading areas at Manas Air Base in Kyrgyzstan to support Afghanistan operations before the Kyrgyz president announced that he would close the facility to U.S. and coalition forces.'

MidlandsBiz, 09 Feb 09
Medal of Honor 2010 Convention Announces "Blue Ribbon" Information Committee
'The Medal of Honor Society's 2010 Convention has announced its 14-member information committee composed of senior military officers and top members of the media.'

The US Report, 09 Feb 09, by Kay B. Day
Medal of Honor convention plans underway to honor 'Bravest of the brave'
'Recipients of The Medal of Honor will be up front and center Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 2010 when the Medal of Honor Society holds a national convention in Charleston, South Carolina. The Society website says there are less than 100 living recipients of the medal often described as going to the "bravest of the brave."'

Christian Science Monitor, 04 Feb 09, by Gordon Lubold
Pentagon pick shows challenges of Obama's ethics rules
'William Lynn's lobbyist experience may help him navigate the industry better, say some.'

MidlandsBiz, 29 Jan 09
Marine Veterans to present check to S.C. National Guard Commander for Medal of Honor Convention
'Brig. Gen. Eugene F. Rogers, chairman of the Medal of Honor Society's 2010 Convention, says, "It is absolutely essential to the moral health and strength of this nation, especially in this time of war, that we increase the awareness of who these men are and why they – not some celebrity or sports star – are the true heroes of America."'

Human Events, 04 Feb 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from Bonhomme Richard to the Space Shuttle Columbia
'Continental Navy Capt. John Paul Jones takes command of the former French frigate, Duc de Duras, renaming her Bonhomme Richard (after Benjamin Franklin’s pen name). It will be aboard the Richard – badly damaged and sinking during the famous battle in the North Sea with the Royal Navy frigate HMS Serapis on Sept. 23 – that Jones refuses a surrender demand, allegedly replying, “I have not yet begun to fight!” It has also been widely reported that when the Serapis’ Captain Richard Pearson inquired as to whether or not Jones had lowered or struck his colors, Jones shouted back, “I may sink, but I'll be damned if I strike!”'

Washington Post, 28 Jan 09, by Ann Scott Tyson
Gates Predicts 'Slog' in Afghanistan
'Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates yesterday signaled sharply lower expectations for the war in Afghanistan, warning the conflict will be "a long slog" and that U.S. and allied military forces, even at higher levels, can achieve limited goals.'

Voice of America, 28 Jan 09, by Julia Ritchey
Gates Warns of Iranian Influence in Latin America
'U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Senators Tuesday that although much attention was given to Russia's recent courting of some Latin American countries, he is more concerned about new activities of Iran in the region.'

Human Events, 28 Jan 09, by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
Military Milestones from Indian-Fighting Marines to the Modern Ranger Battalion
'Murphy, the ranking officer (previous fighting had decimated the officer ranks), immediately orders his men to fall back. He remains forward on the command post telephone directing artillery fire against the enemy. When an officer on the other line asks how close the advancing enemy is to Murphy's position. Murphy replies, "If you just hold the phone a minute, I'll let you talk to one of the bastards."'

YNet, 25 Jan 09
Report: US Navy to fight arms smuggling from Iran
'According to the sources, Combined Task Force 151, which is countering pirates in the Gulf of Aden, has been instructed to track Iranian arms shipments.'

International Herald Tribune, 19 Jan 09, by Lizette Alvarez
More Americans joining military as jobs dwindle
'The last fiscal year was a banner one for the military, with all active-duty and reserve forces meeting or exceeding their recruitment goals for the first time since 2004, the year that violence in Iraq intensified drastically, Pentagon officials said.'

International Herald Tribune, 15 Jan 09, by Elisabeth Bumiller and Thom Shanker
Military planners, in nod to Obama, preparing for faster Iraq withdrawal
'The broad outlines of the military plan for Iraq presented to Obama in December envisioned withdrawing two brigades, or some 7,000 to 8,000 troops, over the next six months, officials said. American military officials have declined to be more specific about other details in that plan, by General David H. Petraeus and General Ray Odierno, the top American commanders responsible for Iraq.'

Washington Post, 14 Jan 09, by Joel Achenbach
Ex-Fighter Pilot Could Be Next NASA Chief
'Retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Jonathan Scott Gration, a highly decorated fighter pilot close to President-elect Barack Obama but almost completely unknown to the space community, has emerged as the top candidate to run NASA, three sources close to the Obama transition team said yesterday.'

Washington Post, 14 Jan 09, by Bob Woodward
Detainee Tortured, Says U.S. Official
'The top Bush administration official in charge of deciding whether to bring Guantanamo Bay detainees to trial has concluded that the U.S. military tortured a Saudi national who allegedly planned to participate in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks ...'

Christian Science Monitor, 08 Jan 09, by Gordon Lubold
Defense spending as 'stimulus'?
'Pentagon's generous budget is not likely to see cuts soon, even if Iraq war starts to wind down.'

2008 US Military, the Pentagon and Intelligence archive
2007 US Military, the Pentagon and Intelligence archive