WASHINGTON - The core of the U.S. Army is its responsibility to take care of its soldiers, Army Secretary Pete Geren told the graduating class at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

WASHINGTON - With Congress preparing to return from its Memorial Day recess, President Bush used his weekly radio address to urge lawmakers to pass legislation on war funding and GI Bill xpansion.

SINGAPORE - While the United States and the international community have reached out to Burma, the generals ruling the country “have kept their hands in their pockets,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

SINGAPORE - With progress being made in Iraq, the United States must focus on getting the “end game” right, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

SINGAPORE - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates continued his quest to get more Asian countries to help in Afghanistan during bilateral sessions at an Asia security conference in Singapore.

SINGAPORE - The United States has deep, historic ties to Asia and the Pacific and has no intention of turning its back on the region, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reassured Asian leaders.

SINGAPORE - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates expressed hope that ongoing discussions between the United States and China will lead to greater openness and transparency about China’s military intentions and capabilities.

WASHINGTON - The Army has continued to refine the way it fights in today’s modern battlefield, a senior military official said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi troops killed 13 enemy fighters and captured 14 others during recent operations, military officials said.

SINGAPORE - In the wake of the first operational use of a new hotline linking U.S. and Chinese military leaders, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he hopes military-to-military ties between the countries continue to increase and evolve.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - When Marine Sgt. Aaron N. Cepeda Sr. lost his life in combat his family also lost a son, husband and father. In honor of their loss, Cepeda’s children received a Gold Medal of Remembrance at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery during a special ceremony.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - By providing donated items to Afghan children who live nearby, troops on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, are hoping to offer the youth a glimpse of a peaceful, nurturing environment.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - After being promoted to staff sergeant through the battlefield promotion program, Christian Stephenson declared himself “humbled" by the honor.

WASHINGTON - Several enemy fighters were killed and 20 were detained during separate operations in Afghanistan, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - The Army is committed to providing better access to mental health care and eliminating the stigma associated with seeking help, a senior Army psychiatrist said.

BAGHDAD - The promise of a prosperous future for Iraq took one step closer to becoming a reality when the Sarafiyah Bridge linking Baghdad’s Rusafa and Karkh districts was reopened after being rebuilt.

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute to a legendary figure at Andersen Air Force base, Guam, who was retiring from the federal government with 66 years of service.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - Meetings in Jakarta with Indonesian leaders were constructive and friendly, and they hold great promise for the future, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said afterward.

SINGAPORE - Arriving in Singapore for the 7th annual Asia Security Summit, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he plans to assure regional allies and friends that the United States remains committed to the region.

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates got a firsthand look at growth under way in Guam to prepare for the arrival of more than 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, Japan, by 2014.

WASHINGTON - The Army is deploying a multitude of prevention programs as part of efforts to stop soldiers from taking their own lives, senior Army officials said.

WASHINGTON - About 175 Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen are supporting relief and recovery missions for tornado-damaged northeastern Iowa.

WASHINGTON - After stringent review by one of the country’s premier charity watchdogs, a Massachusetts-based troop-support group has been added to a list of top-rated charities.

BAGHDAD - A contractor in Iraq charged under military law with stabbing another contractor faces arraignment in Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Afghan national security forces killed an unknown number of enemy fighters and neutralized homemade bombs in Afghanistan over the past two days.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 10 enemy fighters, captured 11 suspects, and uncovered scores of weapons over the past three days.

KIRKUK, Iraq - U.S. soldiers in Kirkuk took part in a Memorial Day charity run, in conjunction with civilians in Kansas City, for the common goal of helping those with brain injuries.

TIKRIT, Iraq - Residents of Northern Iraq are seeing improvements in the availability of electricity thanks to steady oil production and improved security.

TIKRIT, Iraq - Army Capt. Christine Iverson and her team of physical therapists are helping deployed soldiers reach their peak performance and avoid injury.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - As the presidential race heats up in the United States, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is reminding servicemembers that their neutrality is part of the fabric of democracy.

JAKARTA, Indonesia - The United States and other countries have to work together to face future challenges, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in the first stop of his visit to Pacific nations intended to help foster that cooperation.

WASHINGTON - President Bush called upon the newest graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy to lead the cause of freedom in their generation.

WASHINGTON - The Burmese government has yet to grant permission for U.S. military vessels to offload humanitarian supplies for its cyclone-stricken citizens, while the Chinese government has welcomed U.S. military-provided aid for its earthquake-stricken people, a senior U.S. military officer said.

EN ROUTE TO GUAM - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates kicked off a six-day swing through the Western Pacific that includes a keynote address at the 7th annual International Institute of Strategic Studies’ Asia Security Summit in Singapore.

WASHINGTON - Forces in Iraq captured dozens of suspects and found multiple caches of weapons in recent days, military officials said.

BETHESDA, Md. - Professional golfer Tiger Woods understands the sacrifices military families make and will thank them this Fourth of July when he hosts the second AT&T National golf tournament in Bethesda, Md.

WASHINGTON - Iraq recently experienced the lowest level of “security incidents” since March 2004, a reduction that military officials attribute in part to improvements in Iraqi security forces.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Army Sgt. Michael Rios is leading a team to train Iraqis to secure their own country.

BAGHDAD - More than 70 Iraqi business owners set up booths representing retail, construction and products in the Babylon Hotel in southeastern Baghdad during the inaugural Rebuilding Karadah Expo and Conference.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Duty, courage and sacrifice are on display at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Va., where the public can view 115 photographs of U.S. troops from the Civil War to the present.

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has begun a swing through the Pacific that will take him to Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Korea.

WASHINGTON - Iraq’s Diyala province is now secure and stable enough for people to return to work and for the government and civil services to conduct business.

WASHINGTON - The Air Force has flown 70 humanitarian missions to Burma to support Cyclone Nargis victims, including five flights each day into Rangoon International Airport over Memorial Day weekend.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England and other senior officials gave honor to 22 Marines and a Navy corpsman, all members of the 25th Regiment's Company L who were killed in Iraq, at the weekend unveiling of a memorial featuring life-sized portraits of the fallen.

WASHINGTON - Under a new program called focused district development, coalition forces are working to build a standardized, uniformed police force.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Army Sgt. Jared Bargas is ensuring that fellow soldiers in Iraq don’t waste time waiting at the gym due to broken equipment.

WASHINGTON - Coalition troops killed several enemy fighters, detained nine others, and destroyed caches of weapons and drugs in Afghanistan, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 48 suspects and seized multiple caches of weapons in Iraq, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - U.S. and Iraqi security forces are systematically hunting dpwn Al-Qaida terrorists in Iraq, giving them given little or no time to regroup.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff spent Memorial Day with 44 U.S. troops from 21 countries as they took the oath of allegiance to become U.S. citizens during a ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan.

BALAD, Iraq - Iraqi security forces are taking “shooting” to a new level as they learn to use cameras to combat terrorism through imagery and in public outreach efforts.

ARLINGTON, Va. - A group of past and present military women gathered at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial to commemorate fallen comrades and celebrate women’s contributions to the nation’s defense.

ARLINGTON, Va. - President George W. Bush and the nation's top defense leaders honored the sacrifices of fallen American men and women in uniform during a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns on Arlington National Cemetery, Va.

WASHINGTON - Americans can be proud of the men and women in uniform and must remember the sacrifices military personnel have made, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said during Memorial Day interviews on national television morning shows.

WASHINGTON - A chain of about 750,000 motorcycles ridden by Vietnam veterans and military supporters blazed through the nation’s capital as part of the 21st annual Rolling Thunder rally.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Several extremists were killed and six were detained during a coalition operation to disrupt anti-government operations in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces found and confiscated numerous enemy weapons stockpiles and killed or captured enemy fighters in recent operations.

WASHINGTON - Increasingly capable Iraqi security forces and increased participation by nonmilitary U.S. agencies have been instrumental in improving conditions in Iraq, a top coalition commander there said.

WASHINGTON - President Bush encouraged Americans to remember the sacrifices of servicemembers during Memorial Day weekend.

WASHINGTON - An entrepreneur is using her small-business success to help other military spouses get started with businesses of their own.

WASHINGTON - Forty World War II veterans flew from Detroit to Washington to fulfill a dream by visiting the memorial built in their honor.

WASHINGTON - Iraq’s security forces should be manned to near capacity by the end of the year, a senior coalition official said.

WASHINGTON - Family members, co-workers and the media got to see the progress being made in building the Pentagon Memorial Park, which commemorates the 184 people killed when terrorists slammed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, Sept. 11, 2001.

WASHINGTON - Reducing the stigma related to servicemembers seeking mental health assistance involves educating peers to look out for each other and encouraging those who might be reluctant to receive care, a military psychiatrist said.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Whether headed to the Marine Corps, to flight school or to serve as submariners or in other capacities, this year's U.S. Naval Academy graduates said they brought a common drive to the academy: a desire to serve their country.

WASHINGTON - While Americans remember the sacrifices and commitments of servicemembers, the crew of USS Boxer will be serving the United States and the people of El Salvador by conducting a humanitarian mission.

WASHINGTON - The Chrysler Foundation has donated $100,000 to the Gen. Douglas MacArthur Foundation’s 5 Star Campaign.

WASHINGTON - The Burmese junta’s agreement to allow in international aid workers does not change the status of Defense Department assets ready to assist the victims of Cyclone Nargis, a Pentagon spokesman said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed six wanted men, detain 54 suspects, and discover multiple weapons caches throughout Iraq, military officials said.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff challenged U.S. Naval Academy graduates to learn from their mistakes, stand up to for what’s right, even to their leaders, and hold themselves accountable for their actions.

WASHINGTON - A Florida couple has designed a challenge coin to help people thank America's troops.

WASHINGTON - Country music star Wynonna Judd performed for patients and staff at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. soldiers are teaching Afghan border police officers advanced skills to maintain and repair their weapons.

HABBANIYAH, Iraq - Iraqi officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the Habbaniyah Government Center in Iraq’s Anbar province May 21.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Wounded in Iraq, Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Cornejo remained determined to return to serve.

WASHINGTON - As America prepares to observe Memorial Day, six poignant perspectives underscore the holiday’s meaning.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department leaders are looking for ways to integrate gaming and a structured learning environment to train military members.

WASHINGTON - More than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines officially kicked off the Memorial Day commemoration as they placed 265,000 miniature flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

WASHINGTON - President Bush honored the courage, sacrifice and service of several 82nd Airborne Division soldiers who served with distinction in Afghanistan and Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The United States “is not out of the woods yet” in Iraq, but the nation is headed in the right direction, the man nominated to be the next Multinational Force Iraq commander said.

WASHINGTON - In his first “full honors” ceremony as host, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff welcomed his counterpart from Poland at the Pentagon.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - An Army research institute has launched a program aimed at a segment of the military population more accustomed to giving care than getting it.

WASHINGTON - During his visit to Fort Bragg, N.C., President Bush saluted the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and cited the soldiers’ distinguished service in Afghanistan and Iraq.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus gave senators his view of the U.S. Central Command during confirmation testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

WASHINGTON - A Pentagon announcement that NATO command tours will be extended to a year was premature, Defense Department officials said.

WASHINGTON - President Bush praised his choice to lead U.S. Central Command and vowed that U.S. commanders will receive all available resources to defeat Iraq-based terrorists.

SCHWEINFURT, Germany - Army officials in Europe are working to develop a standard model to ensure all redeploying soldiers and their families receive the same programs and services, starting with this summer's redeployment of 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team from Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon Channel and cable company Comcast are teaming up to offer televised coverage of graduation ceremonies at military academies.

WASHINGTON - While Americans kick off summer with traditional Memorial Day events, the White House Commission on Remembrance wants them to reflect for a moment on the holiday's meaning.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 13 enemy fighters, detained 79 suspects, and uncovered makeshift bombs and other weapons in recent operations in Iraq, military officials said.

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - An aviation brigade’s 200th combat air assault mission went off with as little fanfare as possible -- just how the pilots like it.

WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of care packages will be packed and ready for shipping to troops deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and on ships at sea in time for Independence Day.

KABUL, Afghanistan - After five months of training, the largest group of non-commissioned officers to date joined the ranks of the Afghan National Police.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Army Maj. Barry Hafer, a Texas National Guard member, serves as the “Red Team” leader with 4th Infantry Division.

TIKRIT, Iraq - Iraqi and U.S. forces have significantly improved security in Iraq’s Ninevah province, a senior U.S. military commander in the region said.

ABOARD THE USS ROSS AT SEA - Pakistani and U.S. naval forces completed Exercise Inspired Union 2008 in the North Arabian Sea, focusing on air, surface and anti-submarine training.

WASHINGTON - Chad Hennings has been known by many titles in his life: U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, A-10 pilot, Gulf War veteran, Dallas Cowboy. The three-time Super Bowl champion can add one more.

WASHINGTON - U.S. strategic objectives “are within reach” in Afghanistan and Iraq, but a lack of patience could doom those prospects, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - People who visit the detention facility for enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, come away with a much different impression from that formed by people who rely only on what they’ve heard, the admiral in charge said.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cited the importance of remembering the cost of freedom in a Memorial Day message to the armed forces.

WASHINGTON - Two NATO allies, the Netherlands and Great Britain, have agreed to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates’ request to extend their commands of Regional Command South from nine to 12 months.

WASHINGTON - China’s lack of openness about its space program’s intentions has U.S. officials concerned, a senior military officer said.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates supports an enhanced GI Bill, but believes some measures being discussed on Capitol Hill would undermine the all-volunteer force.

WASHINGTON - The efforts of the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard are essential to victory in the war against terrorism, Vice President Richard B. Cheney told graduating cadets at their academy commencement in New London, Conn.

WASHINGTON - As the head of the second-largest Cabinet department, the veterans affairs secretary is focusing on providing a better transition of care and poising the department for the future.

WASHINGTON - A new, multinational partnership of military members is working to eliminate maritime threats around West and Central Africa, a senior member of that effort said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained two terrorists and seized weapons in recent operations in Iraq, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department and U.S. military are better prepared than ever to aid disaster-relief efforts, and have improved measures for tracking military families affected by catastrophe.

WASHINGTON - The founder of "Soldiers' Angels," a group dedicated to supporting servicemembers, has become "America's Favorite Mom."

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Every day, provincial reconstruction teams roll out of bases in Afghanistan with mixed bags of services and skill sets, bound by the necessity of their mission. "We have a common interest in the welfare of the Afghan people," a U.S. Army captain said.

BAGHDAD - U.S. Army Spc. Jackie Moore keeps up morale by singing through his vehicle's intercom system and dancing in the turret.

HAWIJAH, Iraq - A program known as "Musalaha" is fostering peace and reconciliation among Iraqis in the Hawijah region. Sheiks, villagers and coalition troops turned out for such a meeting May 18 at Forward Operating Base McHenry.

WASHINGTON - President and Mrs. Bush visited the Chinese embassy to express their condolences to the Chinese people following the devastating May 12 earthquake in China’s Sichuan province.

WASHINGTON - Five more Air Force C-130 Hercules airlifters delivered supplies to Burma, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

WASHINGTON - Neither rainy May skies nor unseasonably cool temperatures stopped cyclists from beginning the 480-mile “Road 2 Recovery” ride from Walter Reed Army Medical Center to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C.

LAUREL, Md. - A group of wounded U.S. military veterans gathered at a Maryland ice rink for some fun, camaraderie and exercise May 17.

WASHINGTON - General aviation officers and military safety officers are using an interactive Web site created and run by the Air National Guard to help eliminate midair collisions and close calls.

WASHINGTON - While the United States fields the best military in the world today, that power “is not assured tomorrow,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

BETHESDA, Md. - The Uniformed Services University of the Health Science offers a unique blend of education and training to prepare military doctors, graduate nurses and other specialized health care professionals for the demands of combat medicine.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates asked Congress to act quickly to approve the president’s $102.5 billion fiscal 2008 supplemental war budget request.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed one terrorist, captured 26 suspects and nabbed scores of weapons across Iraq over the past three days, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - The United States must confront the full range of threats in the world today, and the fiscal 2009 defense budget request would fund the military to do just that, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - Terrorism, piracy and other transnational threats were among topics military planners from around the world discussed at a recent conference in Denmark.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Seymour lives to fly, which makes him the ideal brigade master gunner for aircraft and the standardization pilot for AH-64 Apache helicopters assigned to Task Force 12.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - A Sayafiyah, Iraq, feed mill owner's business suffered because of past insurgent activity, but he plans to revive his business with a U.S. State Department micro-grant.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - Five cheerleaders from the Minnesota Vikings flew to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to cheer troops with a live performance.

WIESBADEN, Germany - Hundreds of troops deployed from Europe will be able to see their children’s high school graduation ceremonies via live webcasts.

WASHINGTON - The NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan has made significant progress in the country despite the command's shortage of resources.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces killed 11 militants, detained 24 others and seized weapons in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Afghan forces detained 18 enemy fighters and destroyed caches of drugs and weapons in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - A U.S.-led training regimen is teaching law enforcement principles to Afghan police and stressing a professional ethic.

WASHINGTON - The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is expected to provide satellite images to China as soon as today to assist in damage assessments in earthquake-stricken Sichuan province.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has merged two military support programs to better address the financial and transition needs of departing troops.

WASHINGTON - Defense officials announced force rotations for Iraq and Afghanistan, including upcoming active-duty deployments later this year and alerts to Army National Guard units for spring 2009 and 2010.

WASHINGTON - A U.S. Marine battalion is focusing on training and mentoring Afghan people, not fighting terrorists.

BAGHDAD - U.S. military volunteers brought a bit of joy into the lives of Iraqi children as they introduced them to a little-known sport at an Iraqi army base in western Baghdad.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - After he was diagnosed with a neurological disease in which his body attacks his nerves, Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christian Smith waged and won a long battle to deploy with his unit.

WASHINGTON - Daily life increasingly returns to normal in northern Iraq, even as forces continue to hunt down extremist groups.

INDIANAPOLIS - While race car drivers sped around the track trying to bump slower competitors out of the 92nd Indianapolis 500 lineup, 55 military recruits took a step to shift their lives into high gear.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military has responded to Chinese requests, delivering critically needed relief supplies to the earthquake-stricken Sichuan province.

WASHINGTON - More American aircraft delivered desperately needed supplies to Burmese affected by Cyclone Nargis, but the aid is a fraction of what’s needed.

WASHINGTON - President Bush noted the improved security situation in Iraq’s southern oil city of Basra following meetings with Iraqi Vice President Abd al-Mahdi in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. - Andrews Air Force Base, Md., was the site of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, which demonstrated to U.S. allies and enemies alike that the country would not be deterred.

WASHINGTON - President Bush praised Afghan President Hamid Karzai following meetings at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

WASHINGTON - Chrysler LLC is putting training programs online so when troops are discharged they can already be certified, qualified and aware of employment opportunities.

WASHINGTON - For the 38 grassroots groups on hand in the Pentagon’s courtyard, the mission was clear: show support for the troops.

WASHINGTON - Award-winning actor and part-time rocker Gary Sinise jammed with the "Lt. Dan Band” for a standing-room-only crowd in the Pentagon's courtyard.

WASHINGTON - Showing appreciation for the men and women who defend the United States is essential, and yet fears about ethical restrictions that limit gift giving is a concern for many philanthropic organizations.

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - At a ceremony to recognize defense communicators, columnist Andy Rooney mused about his days as a Stars and Stripes reporter and telling the story of a military at war.

WASHINGTON - Seven military members received USA Freedom Corps President’s Volunteer Service Awards through the Military Volunteer Recognition Initiative in a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - Research stemming from psychological health issues and traumatic brain injuries will lead to quicker diagnosis and improve wounded troops’ treatment time.

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - The road to Hollywood is rarely paved with combat boots and camouflage, but a Hollywood of sorts is exactly where one soldier landed.

WASHINGTON - Members of a National Guard combat team from New York are training and mentoring Afghan national security forces.

WASHINGTON - America needs dedicated public servants more than ever, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told graduates at Virginia Military Institute.

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. - The current generation of warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan is poised to be the next “greatest generation,” the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained eight suspected Taliban militants during a joint operation conducted in Paktia province.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - The Heroes of the Diamond Tour brought four retired Major League Baseball players to visit troops on Bagram Air Base.

WASHINGTON - The deputy secretary of defense called on Congress to act quickly to pass the fiscal 2008 supplemental legislation for the war on terror.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 19 suspects during a series of operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq operatives in central and northern Iraq.

WASHINGTON - It is right for Americans to pause and honor the country’s military on Armed Forces Day, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a message to the troops.

WASHINGTON - More than 300 former members of “Sons of Iraq” graduated from the Kirkuk Police Academy to become Iraqi policemen after eight weeks of training.

WASHINGTON - The battle against improvised explosive devices takes place on the streets of Iraq and Afghanistan every day, but coalition members also have taken the fight into a conference room in Asia.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department needs to worry more about what warfighters need right now than what they may need down the road, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - The nation’s top National Guard and reserve officers testified to the monumental and historic response by their forces in the nation’s defense since the terrorism attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.

WASHINGTON - The United States sent five more military aircraft loaded with relief supplies to Burma and hopes to sending additional aid.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates urged the Senate Armed Services Committee to act quickly on key military nominations, including Army Gen. David H. Petraeus’ appointment as chief of U.S. Central Command.

WASHINGTON - Web-based social-networking and video-sharing sites such as “MySpace” and “YouTube” may be the best place to turn to entice the nation’s best and brightest young people to work for the Defense Department.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and U.S. forces are making progress while performing counterinsurgency and reconstruction missions across Iraq, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - A preview offered to Iran of details in a yet-to-be-released Multinational Force Iraq report about its meddling in Iraq appears to have had no effect, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.

WASHINGTON - Calling civilian government agencies a “combat multiplier,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said last night that he’s encouraged by moves to bolster the support agencies can provide to fight the war on terror.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon provided proposed legislation to Congress to make it easier for troops to transfer GI Bill education benefits to their spouses or children and to increase the tuition ceiling amount paid by the program.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed two terrorism suspects and detained 21 others during operations across Iraq.

BAGHDAD - The first graduates of a program created to teach Iraqi citizens valuable construction, plumbing and related career skills are ready to begin work.

WASHINGTON - Sitting in the "splash zone" of a killer whale or talking turkey with a big yellow bird are just two activities troops and their families can enjoy for free at Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks.

WASHINGTON - The Defense and Labor departments’ career advancement demonstration project has expanded to include all active-duty military spouses and additional career choices.

WASHINGTON - A mix of force, good governance and economic stimuli has led to a turnaround in an area once a hotbed of Sunni and Shiite insurgents.

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - Army National Guard Spc. Roschell Eaton and her son, Spc. Jason Hutchins, are training to deploy to Kosovo.

WASHINGTON - A total of eight Air Force C-130s have delivered supplies to Burma as part of the U.S. relief effort following Cyclone Nargis, a senior military official said.

WASHINGTON - As allied air forces delivered tons of supplies in the Berlin Airlift almost 60 years ago, one American pilot bacame a favorite of the sweet-toothed children in the German capital.

WASHINGTON - A weekend joint services air show at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., includes plans for fly-bys of a trio of aircraft used during the Berlin Airlift to celebrate the upcoming 60th anniversary of the historic operation that began in June 1948.

WASHINGTON - So-called “special groups” terrorists operating in Iraq apparently are receiving training, arms and funding from Iranian sources.

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England called on the Defense Department to speed up process improvements he said will reduce disruption when a new administration takes charge in January.

WASHINGTON - As the Pentagon Channel celebrates four years of service to troops, families and veterans, it’s not really getting older — its programming and technology are getting newer.

WASHINGTON - The Air Force pilot who flew the first U.S. relief flight to Burma said he and his crew delivered 30,000 pounds of supplies to grateful citizens. "With very little broken English...they were trying to say: 'Please bring more; please bring more,'" the pilot said.

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Brendan Brustad left Altus Air Force Base, Okla., April 23 on a quest to run 168 miles in memory of the 168 people killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military has flown nearly 100 tons of humanitarian relief supplies into Burma to assist its cyclone-stricken people, a senior Pentagon official said.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan soldiers at the Afghan National Detention Facility proved their skills during an emergency action plan exercise

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces captured 16 suspected terrorists in central and northern Iraq, including at least one suspected leader in roadside bombings, and seized hundreds of pounds of explosives.

WASHINGTON - Oscar-nominated actor and director Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will perform a concert in the Pentagon Courtyard Friday, May 16, as part of Military Appreciation Month.

WASHINGTON - From making bandages in the Civil War to sending care packages to Iraq, the United Daughters of the Confederacy supports troops through changing times.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers are safeguarding a piece of Iraqi religious history while operating from a combat outpost next to a Christian-based seminary in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district.

BROOKS CITY-BASE, Texas - The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans program provides guidance and mentoring to help veterans with service-connected disabilities start businesses.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command unveiled their new integrated command center in a ceremony attended by Canadian and U.S. dignitaries.

WASHINGTON - Servicemembers transiting through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport now have a special area to spend time between flights.

WASHINGTON - About a dozen militant extremists were killed during a coalition forces operation in Helmand province to disrupt Taliban weapons supply operations, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces expanded their operations about 70 kilometers north of Basra into Qurnah as the Iraqi army continues to develop its capabilities for tactical maneuvers over long distances.

ROME, N.Y. - While North American Aerospace Defense Command celebrates its rich 50-year history, one unit remains especially proud of its bilateral cohesion in keeping the skies safe.

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Security in Basra has improved dramatically since 1st Iraqi Army Quick Reaction Force fought its way into the city April 1.

WASHINGTON - The top U.S. officer in the Pacific joined the first U.S. relief flight into Burma, making personal appeals to Burmese officials to allow more help.

BALAD, Iraq - A continued partnership aimed at enhancing the skills of the local Iraqi highway patrol has benefited local security.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - A team of soldiers and airmen is teaching classes based on the needs of the Afghan police in each district. “We took it upon ourselves to give these training classes,” said Army Capt. Donald Young.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Concerns that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are distracting the military from preparing for future conflicts are unfounded, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said. Rather, the military must heed the lessons of today's wars to prepare for the future.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates saluted North American Aerospace Defense Command’s role as the guardian of North American skies at the organization’s 50th anniversary observance.

WASHINGTON - National Guard members in four states were called out after tornadoes slammed the southwestern United States and flooded the Delaware coast.

WASHINGTON - News reports suggesting that injured former soldiers are being called back to active duty and confusion over what the Individual Ready Reserve is have resulted in misconceptions, a senior Army personnel officer said.

WASHINGTON - Violence in Iraq’s Kirkuk province has dropped by 70 percent, and coalition and Iraqi forces have “virtually destroyed” al-Qaida in the region.

WASHINGTON - The first U.S. military plane loaded with relief supplies arrived in Burma as members of Joint Task Force Caring Response prepared to dispatch two more relief flights to the cyclone-stricken region.

WASHINGTON - All military services met or exceeded their recruiting goals for April, with the Marine Corps recruiting 142 percent of its goal, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces nabbed 20 terrorism suspects in operations in Baghdad and Mosul.

WASHINGTON - U.S. military officials in Iraq expressed optimism that a truce being worked out between the Iraqi government and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s militia will help reduce violence in Baghdad’s Sadr City section.

WASHINGTON - Two former Marines have set out to provide wounded veterans with a week’s worth of rest and relaxation in luxury homes.

KIRKUK REGIONAL AIR BASE, Iraq - U.S. Air Force military working dogs in Iraq are invaluable in protecting troops on and off bases, conducting frequent patrols and assisting at entry-control points.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - Six Kazakhstani soldiers completed a transfer of operations at Combat Outpost Murray that will provide U.S. soldiers of 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, with clean, drinkable water.

WASHINGTON - Coalition trainers working to build Afghanistan’s national army and police force have fielded 52 infantry battalions to date, a senior U.S. Army official there said.

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Newly commissioned second lieutenants and ensigns need to use their knowledge from college, but also must be willing to acquire more knowledge through practical experience.

ABOARD USS ESSEX, At Sea - Marines and sailors with the Essex Amphibious Readiness Group are preparing for possible humanitarian assistance operations to aid cyclone-stricken Burma.

WASHINGTON - A U.S. Hellfire missile killed an insurgent near the site of a roadside-bomb attack in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah district.

WASHINGTON - Several militants were killed and eight were detained during two separate coalition operations to disrupt militant operations in Afghanistan's Khowst and Helmand provinces.

WASHINGTON - President Bush praised America’s mothers, especially those who’ve lost sons or daughters during the war on terror and those who gave their lives in service to their country, during his weekly radio address.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is taking steps to ensure that remains of fallen servicemembers are always treated with the utmost respect, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said.

FORT BLISS, Texas - A revolutionary treatment program on Fort Bliss, Texas, is demonstrating “little miracles” as it gives new hope to soldiers afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder who want to stay in the Army.

WASHINGTON - U.S., NATO and Afghan forces’ efforts are preventing Taliban insurgents and transnational terrorists from regaining a foothold in Afghanistan, but more support is required from NATO and the international community.

WASHINGTON - Burmese officials have given permission for an Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to deliver supplies to Rangoon, White House officials said.

WASHINGTON - While sailing through the Strait of Magellan, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 8 explained the importance of building partnerships in the Southern Hemisphere.

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - Patriotic quilts made by volunteers to comfort wounded warriors are featured in an upcoming episode of "Army Wives."

FORT BLISS, Texas - The Army Evaluation Task Force on Fort Bliss, Texas, showed U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates some of the revolutionary concepts and systems it's testing to give future soldiers the upper hand on the battlefield.

WASHINGTON - More than a dozen insurgents were killed during a coalition operation to disrupt Taliban support operations in Helmand province.

BAGHDAD - A coalition geospatial team, a consultant on Iraq water resources and Iraqi surveying engineers are refining a navigation system that will help with the construction of Iraq bridges, highways, buildings, irrigation systems and the accuracy of dams.

WASHINGTON - Nearing the end of a 15-month deployment in Iraq’s Madain Qada region, the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team has helped reduce violence in Baghdad and stabilize communities throughout the region, the brigade’s commander said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi soldiers in Baghdad killed six enemy fighters, fended off an attack, and captured and destroyed several weapons caches.

WASHINGTON - The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit will redeploy from Afghanistan in November as scheduled, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said.

WASHINGTON - The premier military service installations and the Defense Logistics Agency were recognized at a Pentagon awards ceremony for effective leadership and management.

WASHINGTON - The tragedy following a devastating cyclone in Burma is compounded by the fact that the U.S. military and others are ready to help, but can’t without the ruling military junta’s approval, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - Work has begun on a review of the U.S. military’s roles and missions, senior defense officials said. The congressionally mandated study looks to ensure the department is organized effectively and in ways to make it easier for the warfighter.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates marked the 10th annual Military Appreciation Month and thanked those who support America's troops through the Defense Department's America Supports You program. His remarks follow.

WASHINGTON - Army recruits who joined the ranks on conduct waivers are slightly more prone to misconduct, but also are promoted faster, re-enlist in higher numbers and represent higher-quality recruits than others, an internal Army study revealed.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - Chaplain (Capt.) Raphael Berdugo, one of only nine rabbis in the Air Force, has a mission: to lead people to a righteous path.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is developing a proposal to finance university research on national security-related issues to "cultivate that expertise" in academia, a senior Pentagon official said.

WASHINGTON - Troops need to feel as comfortable seeking mental health care for combat-related stresses as they are getting treated for physical injuries, a Walter Reed Army Medical Center official said.

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is among the hospitals that encourage early reading through the Reach Out and Read program.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces in Iraq killed nine enemy fighters and detained 13 suspects during a series of operations across the country.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - Coalition forces distributed more than 13,000 egg-laying chicks to 10 poultry farmers in the Hawr Rajab area to provide a more sustainable income for the area’s largely family-based farms.

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Medical leaders from around the world gathered in Bagram for an all-day seminar to discuss infectious diseases, like tuberculosis, which are the No. 1 cause of death in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - The advances that make U.S. warriors more likely than ever to survive battlefield wounds are inspiring military doctors as they study the possibilities of regenerative medicine.

WASHINGTON - Military leaders must encourage their troops suffering from combat stress to seek mental health services, the head of the new Joint Staff Wounded Warrior Integration Team said.

WASHINGTON - Citizens of Basra, the third-largest city in Iraq, celebrated the opening of a central market that demonstrated a return of peace and prosperity to an area that until recently was a stronghold of Shiia militias.

WASHINGTON - A joint team formed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is looking at the broad range of care and support services for wounded warriors to find any gaps and tap into best practices.

WASHINGTON - A flotilla of U.S. Navy vessels, rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, U.S. Air Force planes and thousands of servicemembers are ready to assist Burma’s cyclone-stricken people, if asked, a senior Defense Department official said.

WASHINGTON - A troop-support organization’s Web site earned top honors in the annual Webby Awards competition as the top lifestyle site of 2008. “We are extremely honored,” said Navy wife and author Meredith Leyva, who created the site.

WASHINGTON - The people of Sadr City are cooperating with Iraqi forces, but clearing the crowded portion of Baghdad is a painstaking procedure, an Iraqi government spokesman said in Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - The names of four U.S. servicemembers have been etched into the glossy black walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial alongside more than 58,000 of their fallen comrades.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed a wanted terrorist and detained 23 suspects in two days of operations targeting terrorist cells around Iraq.

WASHINGTON - A significant unmanned aerial vehicle warfighting milestone was reached more than two years ahead of schedule May 1, with the beginning of the 24th MQ-1 Predator combat air patrol.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan - Army engineers have completed construction of a combat outpost on the Afghan-Pakistani border.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces apprehended 13 militants and disrupted insurgent operations in Afghanistan’s Paktia province, coalition officials reported.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq - Actors from the popular Iraqi sitcom “Mud House” recently performed the first comedic play since 2003 in Iraq’s Wasit province.

WASHINGTON - The coalition has initiated a “focused district development” program in volatile southern Afghanistan to reform community police forces.

WASHINGTON - A 13-year-old patriot from New Jersey received the Defense Department’s top award for public service at the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Navy is ready to help in Burma, where a cyclone has caused a humanitarian disaster, but the orders won’t be given unless Burma’s ruling military leaders make an official request of the U.S. government, President Bush said.

WASHINGTON - Military Spouse magazine honored Michelle McIntyre-Brewer, the wife of an Army lieutenant, with its first-ever award for Military Spouse of the Year.

WASHINGTON - U.S. lawmakers have informed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates that they expect to pass the remaining $108 billion of the fiscal 2008 budget by their Memorial Day recess on May 24.

WASHINGTON - The deputy defense secretary praised the nations of Australia and New Zealand for their long-time security partnership with the United States.

WASHINGTON - President Bush presented six military spouses the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for exceptional support to their communities and the nation.

WASHINGTON - President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute to about 1,100 military spouses who gathered for a Military Spouse Day celebration at the White House, where Bush promised to continue pushing for more benefits for military families.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals, while targeting al-Qaida operations throughout Iraq.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - U.S. and Australian soldiers teamed up with Italian-led reconstruction team members to train Iraqi forces on international law and human rights.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Navy is using NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s star appeal to attract future sailors.

HADITHA, Iraq - Marine Corps Cpl. Nicholas L. Szczerba is the go-to guy for his 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment unit.

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - The cast and producers of "Army Wives," Lifetime Network’s top-rated show filmed on Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., try to show real military life out of their respect for real military families.

DETROIT - Two support groups and Chrysler teamed up to send home-style care packages to deployed troops.

WASHINGTON - President Bush issued a proclamation paying tribute to the husbands and wives who support their military spouses. The full text follows.

DETROIT - Chrysler signed a 5-Star Military Support Agreement to continue supporting active Reserve and National Guard employees.

WASHINGTON - Office of Management and Budget officials urged Congress to act quickly on the White House’s request for $102 billion in supplemental funding to cover military operations through fiscal 2008.

WASHINGTON - Noting the toll post-traumatic stress disorder has taken on troops, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the Defense Department may consider awarding Purple Heart medals to combat veterans afflicted with it.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government will form a committee to document Iranian interference inside Iraq, an Iraqi government spokesman said in Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - An M1A2 Abrams tank crew fired a 120 mm round at two attackers on a rooftop, killing both, during fighting in northeastern Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - Army Sgt. Jill Stevens says her experience as a combat medic in Afghanistan taught her determination, a positive attitude and the ability to adapt, skills that have helped her as a Miss America contestant.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - “Army Strong” takes on a new meaning for mothers like Army Spc. Ocie Terry who have served multiple deployments in combat zones.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq - A coalition of troops from four nations overcame primitive conditions to bring medical and dental care to Byda village, near Kut.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed an undetermined number of militants and detained 29 in Afghanistan's Helmand and Khowst provinces.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed and captured dozens of insurgents and terrorists in operations conducted throughout Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The entire U.S. government needs to adopt the military’s expeditionary strategy, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told an audience during a lecture at the University of Kentucky.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told graduating cadets at the U.S. Military Academy they will join an Army under severe stress, but one that is performing magnificently.

TEXARKANA, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates toured Red River Army Depot, observing operations that have won accolades for speed and efficiency in refurbishing worn-out wheeled and tracked vehicles for use by warfighters who depend on them.

TEXARKANA, Texas - The concept of increasing U.S. command and control in Afghanistan “is clearly something that needs to be looked at,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - A rate of higher casualties early in combat has prompted the U.S. Army to publish new handbooks to help soldiers prepare for the first 100 days at war.

WASHINGTON - If a new regenerative medicine venture proves successful, it could increase investors’ confidence in backing the technology, a senior military official said.

WASHINGTON - A few hundred bikers and enthusiasts gathered in the Pentagon’s north parking lot for the second annual National Capital Region Joint Services motorcycle safety event.

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq - An Air Force Reserve pilot deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, broke his own world aviation record for hours spent flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon when he surpassed the 6,000-hour milestone.

WASHINGTON - The MV-22 Osprey has proven itself in Iraq, and Marine officials are applying the lessons learned in the first operational deployment of the tilt-rotor aircraft to current operations.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed at least three enemy fighters, captured 55 suspects, and seized weapons in Iraq, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - Military officials condemned a pair of suicide bombings that occurred near an Iraqi hospital, killing 29 Iraqis and wounding 52.

SUFFOLK, Va. - In a joint training exercise designed to ready soldiers to deploy to the Afghan theater, U.S. forces experience the training as a simulation while U.K. troops are living it as a live exercise.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Afghan forces captured three militants during operations in Afghanistan, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - When he’s in Cincinnati to receive an award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a senior enlisted sailor will meet the girl whose life he saved with a bone marrow donation.

WASHINGTON - National Guard troops are standing by to assist storm-lashed Kansas City, Mo., residents, a Missouri National Guard official said.

WASHINGTON - Bank of America has agreed to waive purchase fees for prepaid gift credit cards purchased by the Fisher House Foundation for servicemembers.

BAGHDAD - Baby Noor is on her way to leading a happy and healthy life, thanks to the soldiers of Multinational Division Center.

WASHINGTON - Starting in July, servicemembers can choose to whom a $100,000 death gratuity will be disbursed if they’re killed in action.

FORT BLISS, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates got a firsthand look at the massive growth under way at Fort Bliss, Texas, to prepare for the arrival of 1st Armored Division in one of the Army Corps of Engineers’ largest-ever construction projects.

FORT BLISS, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute to what he called “the power behind the power” -- the families and communities standing behind the troops engaged in the war on terror.

WASHINGTON - No nation can solve the problem posed by radical extremism by itself, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the 102nd annual meeting of the American Jewish Committee.

WASHINGTON - The nation’s top military officer called on military leaders across the services to set the example and get mental health care if they need it.

WASHINGTON - The question for the American people is not whether the United States ought to be in Iraq, but what the endgame is, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said at Fort Bliss, Texas.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 33 and captured 11 suspected terrorists in various operations around Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Commissary Agency is taking the commissary benefit to National Guard and reserve members and their families living in remote areas.

FORT BLISS, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called on senior Army noncommissioned officers to be his eyes and ears in the field and to ensure systems within the Defense Department to support the troops are working.

FORT BLISS, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he found revelations of substandard housing for returning combat troops at Fort Bragg, N.C., “appalling” and said he’s committing to ensuring servicemembers and their families get the quality-of-life benefits they deserve.

FORT BLISS, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates outlined new measures being taken to reduce stress and improve soldiers' morale and mental health during a speech to NCOs on Fort Bliss, Texas, and encouraged them to help soldiers who need it to seek mental health care.

WASHINGTON - The presence of two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf, interpreted by some as an indication of an imminent attack on Iran, is just a routine rotation, two senior military officers told Pentagon reporters.

PLANO, Texas - Texas-based United We Serve is teaming with football legend Herschel Walker and therapist Jerry Mungadze to offer a series of seminars to help troops manage "life after combat."

WASHINGTON - U.S. Central Command conducted a strike against a known al-Qaida target in Somalia, a Pentagon spokesman said.

WASHINGTON - An advisory panel recently established by the military’s top uniformed officer will evaluate all medical programs for wounded warriors and their families, a senior U.S. officer said.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Jose A. Bautista-Rojas has made a long spiritual journey from teenage Mexican immigrant to priest and from Navy officer in Iraq to meeting the pope.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Craters from roadside bombs can be found throughout the thousands of miles of roadway that cover Baghdad and the surrounding areas. When the attacks occur, it’s time for the soldiers of 230th Concrete Team to “pour” into action.

FORT BLISS, Texas - Seeking mental-health care due to post-traumatic stress will no longer be seen as an obstacle to getting a government security clearance, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced in Texas.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - A coalition medical team recently conducted medical screenings and provided routine treatment to 65 local citizens, including 25 children, in the Kama district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.

FORT BLISS, Texas - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates honored military service at two very different ceremonies: one at Fort Bliss, Texas, and another in Mexico City.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department will change a question on its security clearance form referencing an applicant’s mental health history because officials believe it is preventing some people from seeking counseling.