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Hagel Hails Milestone in Afghanistan Security

File photo: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel praised the formal transfer of security lead throughout Afghanistan to Afghan national security forces in a statement, June 18, 2013. Hagel called it a critical milestone which was made possible by “heavy sacrifices on the part of the United States, coalition partners, and the Afghan forces.”

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Army General Martin E. Dempsey Becomes 18th. Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

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Start/stop Specials Slideshow U.S. Special Operations CommandFeds Feed Families 2013 Food DriveSexual Assault - Awareness and PreventionCybersecurityBiosurveillanceSuicide Prevention and AwarenessDOD Science & Technology News2014 Defense Budget ProposalSequestration: Across-the-Board Budget Cuts Could Threaten National SecurityTraumatic Brain InjuryDefense IntelligenceMilitary Family Support

Featured Photos More »

  • U.S. Defense Chuck Hagel speaks at the dedication of a new installation in the Pentagon, June 18, 2013, to commemorate the Korean War. Hagel thanked Korean War veterans at the event for their service, and said that the war and their service would never be forgotten.  DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • A Korean War veteran salutes during the dedication of a new installation in the Pentagon, June 18, 2013, to commemorate the Korean War. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke at the event, thanking Korean War veterans for their service. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, center, Ahn Ho-young, South Korean ambassador to the United States, left, and Lewis M. "Lew" Ewing, national director of the Korean War Veterans Association, cut the ribbon to dedicate a new installation in the Pentagon, June 18, 2013, to commemorate the Korean War. Hagel thanked Korean War veterans at the event for their service, and said the war and their service would never be forgotten. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo
  • U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, congratulates Afghans in a video message in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18, 2013, for reaching Milestone 2013. Dunford said Afghan national forces now take the lead for security across their country. International Security Assistance Force video still
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addresses more than 1,000 airmen, spouses and local community members during a town hall meeting on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jun 17, 2013. The airmen are assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Aaron Allman
  • Airmen listen to Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as he speaks during a town hall meeting on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 17, 2013. The airmen are assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talks with airmen on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., June 17, 2013. Dempsey visited Minot to observe Air Force operations and visit with airmen. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Aaron Allmon
  • Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, talks with member of Air Force security forces on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Jun 17, 2013. Dempsey visited Minot to observe Air Force operations and visit with airmen. DOD photo by D. Myles Cullen
  • U.S. Army Spc. Christopher Newell scans the area using his machine gun's optic lens while training to maintain his tactical skills as a member of a quick reaction force on Jalalabad Airfield in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, June 7, 2013. Newell, an M240B gunner, is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division's Company C, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. As of June 18, 2013, Afghan forces have taken the lead in providing security for their country. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class John D. Brown
Start/stop Featured Photo Gallery Slideshow THANKING KOREAN WAR VETSA VETERAN'S SALUTEKOREAN INSTALLATIONMILESTONE MESSAGETOWN HALL TALKAIRMEN ATTENTIONDEMPSEY ADDRESSMINOT VISITTACTICAL TRAINING

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Jun. 18, 2013

Afghan Forces Take Security Lead for Entire Nation

Afghans now are in the lead for security throughout their country, and this inflection point points the way toward a stable nation, said Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan.Story

Jun. 18, 2013

Hagel Hails Milestone in Afghanistan Security

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel saluted the Afghan people for their determination and noted the heavy sacrifices by the United States, coalition partners, and Afghan forces that led to the formal transfer of security lead throughout Afghanistan to Afghan national security forces.Story

Jun. 18, 2013

Pentagon Announces Progress in Opening Jobs to Women

The services and U.S. Special Operations Command have completed plans to gradually open jobs to female service members that used to be closed to them, senior Pentagon officials announced.Story