Gates: Some troops to stay in Iraqi cities

BALAD, Iraq (AP) - Despite a summer deadline to pull American combat troops from urban areas, thousands will stay in cities to support and train Iraqis, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said Saturday.

Even with the mandate in the recently approved U.S.-Iraq security agreement, there have been suggestions some troops would not leave urban areas. But Gen. Raymond Odierno was the first military leader to acknowledge some forces would remain at local security stations, as training and mentoring teams.

1st BCT training for homeland response

INDIAN HEAD, Md. – The first active-duty unit dedicated to supporting U.S. civilian authorities in the event of a nuclear, biological or chemical attack is wrapping up three days of intensive training its members hope they never have to apply in real life.

Comments sought on spouse employment

WASHINGTON - The public is invited to comment on proposed rules to speed up the hiring process for some military spouses seeking federal jobs.

Troops getting enthusiastic welcome

The crowd went wild at Fort Stewart's Cottrell Field early Thursday morning as the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team continued its trek home.

More brigades to be sent to Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- The Pentagon is moving to get three of the four combat brigades requested by commanders into Afghanistan by summer, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said as he traveled here to meet with military leaders.

In his most specific comments to date about how soon he will meet the call for up to 20,000 more troops in Afghanistan, Gates said he will not have to cut troop levels further in Iraq to free up at least two of those three brigades for Afghan duty.

Bragg starts huge expansion

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start Monday of a huge expansion at this sprawling Army base that will bring two new commands under one roof and add thousands of soldiers, civilian workers and their families.

Generals, sergeants and contractor executives used silver shovels to turn up sandy dirt for a 700,000-square-foot headquarters complex. The building will be home to the U.S. Army Forces Command and the Army Reserve Command, both currently at Fort McPherson, Ga. Officials said it is the first time two major commands will be located in the same building.

Obama taps Shinseki to head VA

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 - President-elect Barack Obama has selected retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki as his nominee to be secretary of veterans affairs.

"As we seek a new national security strategy that uses all elements of American power, we must also remember those who run the greatest risks and make the greatest sacrifices to implement that strategy – the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States of America," the president-elect said in announcing his choice yesterday.

General leaving Iraq notes 'monumental' progress

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 - Citing "monumental" improvements since his soldiers arrived in Iraq last year, the outgoing commander of Multinational Division North today credited his troops, Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi people with creating a historic turnaround.

Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling and his 1st Armored Division soldiers arrived in Iraq just as the troop surge was taking effect in Baghdad and "the awakening movement" was beginning to push al-Qaida out of Anbar province.

Wounded soldiers promised continued support

WASHINGTON -- The Army's Wounded Warrior Program will support those it was created to serve for as long as it is needed and for the rest of their lives, the sergeant major of the program told listeners of a blog talk radio show Dec. 4.

U.S. military buildup in Afghanistan taking form

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is poised to announce the deployment of at least one more combat brigade to Afghanistan in the coming weeks, as the expected force buildup of U.S. soldiers and Marines begins to take form.

Area vet continues Pearl Harbor Day tradition

In 1940, Jim Williams' mother, Carrie Leigh Collins, resided in Bulloch County. Her aunt resided in Hinesville and called Carrie to come stay with her and work at the White Way Café downtown on Main Street. She said there were many contractors building Camp Stewart and most of them ate at the only restaurant in town. The tips were good and expectations were high regarding incoming troops to the military base nearby.

U.S. beefing up presence in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2008 - The pending deployment of thousands of additional U.S. troops and extra equipment to Afghanistan in tandem with a streamlined command structure will boost the campaign to win the war there, a senior U.S. officer posted in Afghanistan said today.

"We are certainly optimistic," said Army Maj. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, who wears two hats as a senior operations staff officer for both NATO's International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan.

Gates: Terror threat moves from Iraq to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON -- The terrorist threat has shifted from Iraq to the safe havens of Afghanistan and Pakistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.

Gates told reporters at a Pentagon roundtable that coalition and Iraqi forces have their "foot on the neck of al-Qaida in Iraq."

General: Iraq violence at lowest point since war

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Violence in Iraq is at an all-time low since the beginning of the war, but challenges remain as a result of the improved security situation, the commander of coalition ground forces said today during a Baghdad news conference.

"While [coalition forces] are all encouraged by our remarkable success over the past 10 months in our movement towards achieving sustainable security, we must recognize that we are by no means finished," Army Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin III, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq, told reporters. "In fact, security success has allowed for more challenging issues to surface."

Guardsmen sue over chemical exposure in Iraq

Military housing communities earn SatisFacts award for resident satisfaction

Fort Stewart Family Homes and Marne Point Apartments in Fort Stewart and Hunter AAF Homes in Savannah have been recognized as 2017 Resident Satisfaction Property ...

Rahn completes basic training

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Cameron C. Rahn graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

Ambassadors promote Army Reserve

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 65 Army Reserve ambassadors, including Luis Carreras of Hinesville, met last month at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to focus efforts on ...

Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of ...