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.

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