WASHINGTON - Improvements continue in Iraq's security, political and economic landscape, but the fundamental character of the conflict remains unchanged, according to a Defense Department report.

WASHINGTON - Some 30 Russian tanks and various munitions aboard a Ukrainian vessel that was hijacked by Somali pirates has caused serious concern for Defense Department officials.

WASHINGTON - The commander of the St. Louis branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command discussed the process for mobilizing soldiers under the Individual Ready Reserve program.

WASHINGTON - DNA analysts at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory in Rockville, Md., work with hundreds of bone and tooth samples to help identify the remains of missing troops.

WASHINGTON - President Bush signed an executive order that will make it easier for military spouses to get federal jobs.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials have announced the units that will rotate into Iraq in 2009. The deployments will be consistent with President Bush's recent announcement to reduce Iraq troop levels.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces captured three wanted men and detained eight additional suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq in and around Baghdad and Mosul.

WASHINGTON - A Defense Department registry is helping officials gather data to determine the validity of the long-accepted practice of leaving embedded metal fragments in wounded warriors’ bodies as long as vital organs aren’t threatened.

CAMP ECHO, Iraq - Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team are enjoying the comforts of life in their home away from home.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - A deployed Army veterinarian is using his skills to not only treat animals in Iraq, but also advise Iraqi veterinarians and farmers on agricultural matters.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - People in the smaller villages of southern Afghanistan have limited or no electricity, even though rows of power lines stretch across the region's desolate sands.

FORT LESLEY J. McNAIR, D.C. - Until Iran decides to change its approach to the world, the United States shouldn’t reach out to the nation, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

FORT LESLEY J. McNAIR, D.C. - Noting that balance is at the center of the national defense strategy, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he wants department personnel to look to the future, but not lose sight of what needs to be done now to win today’s wars.

WASHINGTON - As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Defense Department also can take a bow for the key role it has played in lending technology and expertise to NASA’s space exploration and research mission.

BAGHDAD - Five wanted men and two additional suspects were detained during coalition operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq bomb networks and foreign terrorist cells in and around the Iraqi capital.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Afghan forces killed several insurgents during patrols in southern Afghanistan.

PATROL BASE STONE, Iraq - A program designed to help “Sons of Iraq” citizen security group members learn skills that will enable them to help Iraq move forward graduated its final class of 60 students.

CAMERON PARISH, La. - A Louisiana Air National Guard air controller who lost everything when Katrina struck in 2005 helped his home state respond to Hurricane Ike.

WASHINGTON - Construction began last week in Gardner, Mass., on an $8 million live-in rehabilitation center for wounded warriors.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed six militants and detained eight others in operations in Afghanistan’s Regional Command East.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces continue their relentless assault on al-Qaida in Iraq and “special groups” criminals with targeted raids that get these terrorists off the streets.

WASHINGTON - Things are looking up in Nangarhar province, a region that has been declared poppy-free and experiences little insurgent-generated violence.

WASHINGTON - More than 20 servicemembers from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Costa Rica to provide airlift and partner with Costa Rican health officials for a medical readiness exercise in two remote villages.

Arlington, Va. - National Guard transition assistance advisors help troops returning to civilian life to access Veterans Affairs benefits and healthcare services.

WASHINGTON - Civilian business, academic and civic leaders returned to the U.S. fired up about the operations they observed and troops they met during a trip through U.S. European Command.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - A diverse cultural background is helping an Army mechanic deployed to Iraq adjust to his new surroundings.

WASHINGTON - While things are tense and dangerous in Pakistan, “that doesn't mean the sky is falling,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

WASHINGTON - The oldest and largest group representing American cities has thrown its support behind an effort to recognize employers’ support of military members.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained two suspected militants during operations targeting a Haqqani terrorist network in Afghanistan’s Khowst province, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition forces responded to an explosion that killed and injured Iraqi children in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - The Oct. 1 establishment of the Defense Media Activity will change the way the Defense Department gets news, entertainment and information to servicemembers and their families.

STUTTGART, Germany - The top U.S. military officer in Europe urged civilian leaders who visited military installations in the region to share their experiences, particularly with young people.

STUTTGART, Germany - Civilian professionals traveling with the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference looked on as special operators negotiated a military urban operations training site with realistic gunfire and smoke that duplicated the kind of real-world missions they’ve performed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - President Bush has proclaimed Sept. 28 as Gold Star Mother’s Day this year. The day honors the mothers of men and women who were killed in the line of duty while serving the nation in the armed forces.

WASHINGTON - The Air Force has disciplined 15 senior officers, including six generals, in connection with the errant shipping of nuclear missile nose cones to Taiwan in 2006.

BUTLERVILLE, Ind. - First Sgt. Bob Hempstead and his daughter, Pfc. Crystal Hempstead, are preparing to deploy to Iraq in the same Indiana National Guard company.

BALTIMORE - Officials unveiled a new medical evacuation version of the Black Hawk helicopter at the National Guard Association of the United States conference.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - U.S. Transportation Command is marking a milestone: the delivery of 10,000 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to U.S. Central Command.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Coalition forces have returned nearly 13,000 Iraqi detainees to their families this year, hoping they will benefit a society they once attacked.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi soldiers and Sons of Iraq civilian security members are now performing the bulk of security duties northwest of Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces operating in central and northern Iraq arrested three wanted men and seven additional suspects while targeting al-Qaida in Iraq leadership and improvised explosive device networks.

WASHINGTON - Pakistani soldiers manning a border checkpoint fired on U.S. helicopters flying in Afghan airspace, Defense Department officials said.

WASHINGTON - A nonprofit group founded by a Major League Baseball player turns strikeouts into money to support wounded troops.

STUTTGART, Germany - Marine Forces Europe showcased its non-lethal weapons program to visiting civilian leaders, who learned about options U.S. European Command can use for less than deadly force.

WASHINGTON - A cutting-edge form of exposure therapy seeks to help combat veterans overcome symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder by confronting their memories.

WASHINGTON - A team of 170 U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have been tasked with recruiting, training and equipping the Afghan National Army Air Corps.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is examining its operations and strategy in Afghanistan as part of a broader U.S. governmental review.

KIRKUK, Iraq - More than 3,000 Iraqis, including 58 women, joined the ranks of the Kirkuk province’s police force in one of the largest-ever graduation ceremonies.

WASHINGTON - The partnership between the coalition and Iraqi government has been enormously productive, Brig. Gen. David Perkins said from Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - A senior Pentagon spokesman hailed a new Iraqi provincial election law, which opens the way to holding local elections in the near future.

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - Civilian leaders from throughout the United States gained firsthand insight into how the U.S. Army in Europe prepares troops for combat and grooms soldiers in leadership skills.

RAWAH, Iraq - Deployed to Iraq, Marine Lance Cpl. Jovan Rodriguez was able to witness and participate in his daughter's birth via a two-way satellite feed.

WASHINGTON - The National Military Family Association is looking for an accredited camp to host Operation Purple Camp.

WASHINGTON - President Bush applauded the leadership of Iraq as he met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and other leaders of the Iraqi coalition at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

SAN FRANCISCO - U.S. military focus in the Middle East has not receded, despite improved security and stability in Iraq and the completion of troop withdrawals there.

RAF LAKENHEATH, England - Civilian business and community leaders got firsthand and sometimes hands-on exposure to U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s multiple missions.

WASHINGTON - Americans socked by natural disasters can get assistance through aid provided by donations to the Combined Federal Campaign, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon R. England said.

WASHINGTON - Up to three additional brigade combat teams will likely be available for deployment to Afghanistan next spring and summer, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained six suspected criminals in Baghdad's Rashid district

WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard’s top officer discussed plans to adopt social-media practices to modernize the Coast Guard and increase the organization’s transparency in a teleconference with bloggers and online journalists.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - A platoon sergeant in Multinational Division Baghdad with 1st Platoon, Company B, 52nd Infantry Regiment, believes the best way to lead his soldiers is by setting an example for them and sharing the load.

WASHINGTON - Amid an 80-percent drop in violence and with further withdrawals of U.S. forces in sight, the coalition in Iraq has reached the “endgame,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - Before leaving for his third tour in Iraq, an Oklahoma Air National Guardsman found himself in the limelight with the president.

WASHINGTON - A new initiative makes Defense Department library materials available online, improving access to educational materials for servicemembers and their families.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team are helping displaced families from the Hadar community of southern Baghdad’s Rashid district return home.

LOS ANGELES - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told more than 100 military recruiters that their work is vital, especially as people who influence potential recruits are reluctant to steer them toward service in uniform.

ROTA, Spain - The commander of the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas greeted Joint Civilian Orientation Conference participants with the rhetorical question he knew all had on their minds: “What is the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas doing in Rota, Spain?”

WASHINGTON - Before any American recovery team sets foot on foreign soil in search of missing servicemembers’ remains, historians at the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command must painstakingly piece together the servicemembers’ final moments in the hopes of pinpointing their location.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates lauded the performance of the men and women of the National Guard during a speech in Baltimore.

WASHINGTON - The Pakistani government is looking at a proposal by Afghanistan to create a joint force tasked with combating insurgents along their shared border, the Afghan defense minister said.

WASHINGTON - Violence in Iraq – even in the midst of the holy month of Ramadan, which has seen increases in violence in the past – continues its downward trend, the commander of coalition ground forces in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces targeting al-Qaida in Iraq courier networks captured one wanted man and three additional suspects, further degrading the terrorist organization's ability to communicate.

WASHINGTON - Thirty-five Minnesota soldiers who returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan in the past year were among nearly 300 golfers who participated in the 2nd Annual Bryan McDonough American Heroes Golf Classic at Oak Glen Golf Course in Stillwater, Minn.

BAGHDAD - A Multinational Division Baghdad soldier has reached back home to gather English school books for use in classrooms in Iraq.

KONDUZ, Afghanistan - Graduates of the Focused District Development police training program in Afghanistan look forward to serving their communities.

HAMMOND, La. - National Guard soldiers teamed up with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to airlift food and water to thousands of cattle isolated by the flood waters of Hurricane Ike.

BAGHDAD - A cultural awareness class, which includes the Iraqi language, is helping soldiers from the 716th Military Police Battalion communicate in the streets of Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of relatives celebrated the lives of departed loved ones lost in the war on terrorism during a national remembrance ceremony on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

SOUDA BAY, Greece - Civilian leaders who visited the USS Iwo Jima were as wowed by the ship’s crewmembers as by its technology and combat power.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces apprehended five suspected members of an Iranian-backed terrorist group during two separate operations in New Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed a militant and detained seven suspected militants during operations targeting the Haqqani terrorist network in Afghanistan’s Khowst province.

LOS ANGELES - As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen worries a great deal about the systems in place for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans transitioning out of the military, he said during a visit with health care providers and social workers at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transition as the next presidential administration takes control of the military in January, officials assured civilian business, academic and local government leaders.

HONOLULU - The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command held a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to commemorate POW/MIA Day.

LOS ANGELES - During a visit to his hometown, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with several city employees who are reserve-component servicemembers, was honored by the Los Angeles City Council.

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke to more than 1,200 students and faculty at his alma mater, Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

WASHINGTON - Civilian leaders in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference wrapped up the first day of their Pentagon visit with an emotional walk through the new Pentagon Memorial dedicated less than two weeks earlier to honor victims of the 9-11 Pentagon attack.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed a terrorist insurgent suspected of leading al-Qaida in Iraq bomb attacks throughout the Tigris River Valley.

ARLINGTON - A federal program known as 'Safe Haven' gives assistance to National Guard members when a hurricane or other natural disaster causes major damage.

BLENHEIM PALACE, England - Problems with Russia highlight problems with NATO as the alliance attempts to take steadfast and prudent steps to shape the international environment, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - On a small parade field near the Pentagon and across the river from the nation’s Capitol, top military and political leaders pledged to continue looking for missing troops no matter the cost.

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England welcomed civilian business, academic and local government leaders to the Pentagon to kick off a week of giving them a firsthand look at the military at work.

WASHINGTON - Fifteen employers accepted a Defense Department award for their exceptional financial and emotional support of National Guard and Reserve members on their payrolls.

WASHINGTON - Air Force pararescue jumpers operate under the motto “That others may live.” A troop-support group assisting the children of fallen Air Force personnel has adopted that motto.

MORASE, Haiti - The amphibious ship USS Kearsarge is now providing disaster relief in Haiti, sending medical teams to assess the health of citizens hit by tropical storms and Hurricane Ike.

BAGHDAD - As the citizen militias known as the “Sons of Iraq” come under Iraqi government control, the key to a successful transition will be to maintain the security gains attributed to the volunteer program.

LONDON - The United States and the Czech Republic signed agreements today that will allow the United States to build a limited ballistic missile defense system to protect Europe from missiles fired from Iran or other rogue nations.

WASHINGTON - Now in its third year, "That Guy" campaign continues the Defense Department’s effort to reduce binge drinking among 18- to 24-year-olds in the armed forces.

LOS ANGELES - The poppy trade that fuels terrorists and insurgents in Afghanistan is a problem that must be addressed but doesn’t have a military solution, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

HEIDELBERG, Germany - A U.S. soldier stationed in Germany says his decision to join the Army never felt more right than when he faced the greatest challenge of his life: battling cancer.

FORT BLISS, Texas - A military’s most valuable resources are its people and the experienced leaders who mentor and train them, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a visit to the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

WASHINGTON - Tech. Sgt. Valda Wilson is an Air Force photographer. But last month in a harvested wheat field in the village of Strass near Germany’s Hurtgen Forest, she spent most of her days with her hands full of dirt, looking for the remains of a servicemember.

WASHINGTON - Until six years ago, U.S. Navy Seaman Apprentice Thomas Hembree, who was killled in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, laid in a grave marked "unknown" at the national cemetery there. Now, his family knows where "Uncle Tommy" is because of the work of the Joint POW/MIA Command.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military never stops searching for troops reported as captured or missing during the global war on terrorism or those missing from past wars.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained a suspected militant while targeting an improvised explosive device network in Afghanistan’s Khowst province.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces captured three wanted men and detained nine additional suspected terrorists during operations to disrupt the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist network.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued a message to the nation’s airmen to commemorate the Air Force’s 61st birthday.

LONDON - NATO must take a middle ground in response to Russia’s actions against Georgia, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told American and British reporters in London before attending a NATO meeting.

LONDON - The situation in Afghanistan is complicated, and the United States and its NATO allies and other partners continually assess the strategy in the country, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Troops from a security transition command in Afghanistan celebrated the 61st anniversary of the U.S. Air Force during a ceremony on Camp Eggers.

WASHINGTON - An organization is working to help military infants and toddlers cope with the stresses of a parent’s deployment unique to their age group.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Partnership among coalition, NATO and Afghan forces is a must in providing the security necessary for Afghanistan to move forward.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Reconstruction projects to provide clean drinking water, schools and other basics in the Tarmiyah region northwest of Baghdad are giving residents opportunities to build better lives.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Parliament leaders, village elders and other officials met at the Glass House Jirga Center in Kapisa province to introduce a new National Directorate of Security and to discuss issues.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR EAGLE, Iraq - A Spring, Texas, native who’s serving his second tour in Iraq has seen Baghdad’s Sadr City district as the scene of heavy fighting and as a community with a promising future.

WASHINGTON - Hundreds of military troops and civilians are going about the business of bringing missing servicemembers from past wars home, one by one.

WASHINGTON - Leonard DiStaso said he always felt his employer, the Jersey City Fire Department, supported his service in the Reserve. Defense officials honor the effort.

WASHINGTON - A quilt honoring 113 U.S. military women who died in the global war on terrorism was unveiled at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti - Helicopter and landing craft crews from USS Kearsarge will continue to support storm victims in Haiti as their ship travels to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for more supplies.

WASHINGTON - When Rosita, a Sesame Street Muppet, visited a Washington, D.C., elementary school, she had a flashlight and a message to empower kids during emergencies.

ARLINGTON, Va. - About 180 Indiana National Guard soldiers and airmen are supporting relief missions during massive flooding in northern Indiana.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Avoiding civilian casualties is a high priority for U.S. aircrews, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who traveled to Bagram Airfield to get a full picture of American aviation efforts in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - President Bush praised Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the outgoing commander in Iraq who oversaw a dramatic reduction in violence there, and thanked him for agreeing to lead U.S. Central Command.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Army National Guard Readiness Center has opened a new division, offering services based on the belief that soldiers "are not just machines."

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE - The California National Guard's 163rd Reconnaissance Wing is ready to begin training the Air Force’s next generation of unmanned aerial system warriors.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces in Iraq disrupted the foreign-terrorist facilitation network, found enemy weapons stockpiles and disarmed an improvised explosive device.

KIRKUK, Iraq - Former members of “Sons of Iraq” in Kirkuk province have become Civil Service Corps apprentices -- the next step in improving their communities.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - Born and raised in Haiti, Army Pfc. Wislet Genelus is a combat engineer in Iraq -- and now a U.S. citizen.

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - As the Army National Guard and Army Reserve observe Suicide Prevention Month, officials are encouraging soldiers to watch out for their battle buddies.

WASHINGTON - Officials at the Federal Citizen Information Center fear a home-improvement loan scam is targeting military members.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates offered Afghan President Hamid Karzai condolences and his personal regrets for the recent loss of innocent lives as a result of coalition air strikes.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Pakistan to "continue dialogue" with senior Pakistani civilian and military leaders about ongoing operations in the border region with Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Russia’s attack on Georgia, the first invasion orchestrated by Moscow since the end of the Soviet Union, raises questions about NATO’s future role in the region, defense officials said.

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan - NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, U.S. troops and Afghan security forces are in a tough fight in Afghanistan, but Army Gen. David D. McKiernan is convinced the people of the country do not want extremists back in power.

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan - NATO and American officials in Afghanistan say they believe one civilian casualty is too many and have issued a directive on the use of lethal force.

WASHINGTON - As U.S. troops cast their votes at home or from afar using absentee ballots, they will exercise a right that dates back to pre-Revolutionary War days.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military’s top officer is in Pakistan today to meet with senior government and military leaders there, officials said.

WASHINGTON - The United States and Pakistan are allies, and news reports saying Pakistani border troops would fire on U.S. forces are in error, a senior Defense Department official said.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Some U.S. Army researchers spend their summers above above 14,000 feet in Colorado, studying ways to improve the capabilities of troops in high-altitudes.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi and coalition soldiers seized several weapons caches and captured a suspected criminal in operations throughout Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Two military groups will host a forum with military leaders, law makers and health-care providers on providing care to wounded warriors and their families.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A baby was among the 473 Afghan patients from Panjshir province treated by local doctors with the help provincial reconstruction team medics.

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. - For one California National Guard airman, a medical training exercise in Guatemala meant more than just helping thousands of citizens. It was a walk down memory lane.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno assumed command of Multinational Force Iraq from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus during a ceremony on Camp Victory, Iraq.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Coalition forces in Ninevah province are working to help Iraqi entrepreneurs learn the skills needed to earn the money to remain successful after coalition forces leave.

ANKARA, Turkey - Wrapping up his first visit to Turkey as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said he and Turkish leaders reaffirmed “a very strong military-to-military relationship.”

BAGHDAD - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates traveled from Camp Victory to the International Zone on the airport road, an option made possible by improved security conditions.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Taking people to dry places became a top mission for National Guard troops after Hurricane Ike hammered Texas and Louisiana.

ARLINGTON, Va. - After two days of intense search-and-rescue missions, National Guard personnel in Texas and Louisiana are moving on to recovery operations.

WASHINGTON - The Afghan National Army Air Corps has made big strides, with 27 operational aircraft – three times the number it had a year ago – flying 350 percent more missions in direct support of Afghan security forces, a senior military official reported.

BAGHDAD - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates recognized Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker, a military-and-civilian team the secretary said has transformed Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is recognizing the city of Austin, Texas, for its support of the reservists on its payroll.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department announced the deployment of two additional units to Afghanistan, following up on President Bush’s announcement that he will beef up the U.S. presence there while reducing it in Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces killed one militant and detained eight during separate operations in Afghanistan.

ARLINGTON, Va. - In two Defense Department-led initiatives, a military-family support program launched its nationwide expansion, and the Armed Services YMCA introduced a new offering to families whose loved one is deployed.

WASHINGTON - Sixty-three suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members were detained during an operation led by Iraqi security forces in Iraq’s Ninevah province.

LAKE CHARLES, La. - While more than 7,000 Louisiana National Guardsmen were activated to assist in hurricane recovery operations in Louisiana, an officer with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team had the great satisfaction of taking part in the rescue of one of his own family members.

BAGHDAD - Pfc. Rudolph Foliwe didn’t have much time to take advantage of the opportunities for which he came to the United States before he joined the Army and began his career as a cook.

BAGHDAD - Shulla residents received humanitarian aid during a mission planned and executed by the Iraqi army with minimal oversight by Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers.

BAGHDAD - The Iraqi Defense Ministry held a ceremony to say goodbye to Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, as he prepares to turn over command of Multinational Force Iraq to Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.

BATON ROUGE, La. - Louisiana National Guardsmen have used high-water vehicles, boats and helicopters to save more than 330 flooding victims in the wake of Hurricane Ike.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan and the U.S. Agency for International Development have been working with the local government in Oruzgan province on several developmental projects.

GULF OF GONÂVES, Haiti - The amphibious ship USS Kearsarge delivered an estimated 114 metric tons of supplies as it continued its support to remote communities in Haiti hit by recent storms.

WASHINGTON - The Jack Daniel distillery and United Service Organizations will enlist the help of military spouses and other volunteers to assemble 10,000 Operation USO care packages on Fort Bragg, N.C.

CAMP SPEICHER, Iraq - The upcoming Multinational Force Iraq change of command signifies a shift in the coalition's mission, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - President Bush announced that he would be heading to Texas Tuesday to see the first-hand damages left by Hurricane Ike.

WASHINGTON - Coalition troops and Afghan national policemen killed an unspecified number of militants and detained two suspected insurgents in Khowst province, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Iraqi forces detained three suspected Iranian-backed “special groups criminals” and discovered weapons during recent operations throughout Baghdad, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - Search and rescue missions began immediately in areas of Texas left in Hurricane Ike’s trail and continue to be the main focus of relief efforts, a Texas National Guard spokesperson said.

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - For the first time, military chaplains and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster are collaborating their efforts to provide cohesive spiritual response to those affected by the next hurricane.

WASHINGTON - About 25 pararescuemen, combat controllers and support troops from the Kentucky Air Guard deployed to coastal Texas to conduct rescue operations for Hurricane Ike victims.

LAKE CHARLES, La. - As Hurricane Ike slammed ashore, the National Guard was already at work evacuating stranded citizens from their homes and other locations across Southwest Louisiana.

HACKBERRY, La. - Louisiana National Guard personnel helped evacuate three families stranded in their homes by flooding caused by Hurricane Ike.

WASHINGTON - Federal and State response forces have begun what Texas Gov. Rick Perry is calling the largest search and rescue ever in his state as more than 100,000 residents are estimated to have ignored Hurricane Ike evacuation warnings.

MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, Calif. - California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing rescued eight people in Galveston, Texas. The air guardsmen deployed to Kelly Field in San Antonio for Hurricane Ike search and rescue support operations.

MYRTLE GROVE, La. - On the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on America, soldiers and airmen of the Louisiana National Guard assisted Plaquemines Parish by sandbagging a levee that protects Highway 23, the main artery for entering and exiting Plaquemines Parish, as a precaution against Hurricane Ike’s storm surge.

WASHINGTON - In an effort to prevent looting of area residents’ property and local businesses, Louisiana National Guardsmen began patrolling the waters along the north shore of Grand Isle, La.

WASHINGTON - As people all across the country this week walked for miles, raised American flags or simply stood in silence to honor the victims of 9/11, President Bush reflected on the strength of Americans and the events of nearly seven years ago that shook the nation.

WASHINGTON - The Lone Star State's National Guard commander vowed to resume relief missions as soon as Hurricane Ike vents its anticipated fury on the Houston region sometime Saturday.

WASHINGTON - When security responsibility for Iraq’s Anbar province was turned over to the Iraqi government this month, it validated the security model that has been applied throughout the country, a coalition spokesman said.

WASHINGTON - As a man afflicted with prostate cancer, the top Defense Department military health official has a unique perspective on the importance of promoting awareness about the disease.

WASHINGTON - The economy in Iraq’s Salahuddin province has made significant gains over the past year due to the rise in agriculture and the improvement of Iraqi security forces, an Army colonel serving there said today.

NEW YORK - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told CNN that American troops are doing a "spectacular" job in Afghanistan, but they face complex challenges because of regional instability.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Although Hurricane Ike is expected to lose power after hitting Texas tonight, National Guardsmen in four other states are preparing for the worst when it becomes a tropical storm later this weekend.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed two enemy fighters and captured 11 others during a series of operations conducted in and around Baghdad and in western and northern Iraq today, military officials said.

WASHINGTON - A Defense Department task force has recommended the Air Force Space Command be re-designated as Air Force Strategic Command and be home to the service’s nuclear mission.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Marine Corps anticipates meeting its five-year force-growth goal two years early, the commander of Marine recruiting said.

NEW YORK - Major League Baseball’s New York Mets have designated tomorrow as Army Reserve Day at Shea Stadium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Army Reserve and to honor the soldiers of the 77th Regional Readiness Command.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Coalition forces killed more than 10 militants and detained two others while targeting Taliban and Haqqani terrorist networks in eastern Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates praised the “comprehensive” conclusions of a task force he set up to look into the Air Force’s management of nuclear weapons.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - An eight-member team from U.S. Southern Command, with headquarters in Miami, will arrive in Haiti to support ongoing U.S. relief efforts in the country.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR EAGLE, Iraq - The soldiers of Earth Movers Platoon, Company B, 46th Engineer Combat Battalion visit about 120 construction sites each week to provide quality control for coalition forces-funded projects being carried out by Iraqi contractors.

WASHINGTON - With Hurricane Ike forecast to make landfall tonight or early tomorrow on the Texas coast, the Defense Department already is assisting civilian agencies.

KABUL, Afghanistan - The Afghan Interior Ministry announced the creation of the country’s first neighborhood watch program.

WASHINGTON - Freedom Walks, special bulletin board displays and moments of silence marked the seventh anniversary of 9/11 at Department of Defense Dependents Schools around the world.

ARLINGTON, Va. - When Mother Nature strikes, combat vehicles become "high-water vehicles" essential to the mission of rescuing people from flood waters.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq - Army Sgt. 1st Class Cameron Richardson has the rare distinction of having served four combat tours -- all with the same unit.

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. - Citizen-airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, charged with flying directly into the eye of nature's most powerful storms, are conducting around-the-clock flights into Hurricane Ike to give forecasters the best possible data.

SEBRING, Ohio - Residents of Sebring, Ohio, turned out in force yesterday for the town's third annual Freedom Walk to remember the sacrifices of those killed on 9/11 and in the resulting war on terror.

WASHINGTON - As daylight faded and night closed on the Pentagon, the memorial located next to where a hijacked airliner crashed into the building seven years ago opened to the public.

WASHINGTON - More than 16,000 people from all walks of life gathered at the Pentagon during the 9/11 Memorial dedication this morning to remember what happened there seven years ago.

BAGHDAD - Servicemembers and civilians, including one survivors of the 9/11 attacks gathered at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad to reflect on the events of Sept. 11, 2001, during a remembrance ceremony.

JACKSON, Miss. - About 100 Mississippi Army National Guard soldiers of deployed to Gulfport, Miss., to help local authorities as they deal with rising flood waters in two counties.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - As the world observes the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a Multinational Division Baghdad soldier from New York City not only remembers the attacks, but can explain the state of shock the community endured as the buildings collapsed before their eyes.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and their fellow servicemembers and civilians gathered in front of the division’s headquarters to honor and remember the people who lost their lives seven years ago.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, were remembered in an emotional ceremony at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan.

FORT MEADE, Md. - Several dozen young men and women spent the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station here, preparing to enter a military that is fighting the war those attacks launched.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD - Soldiers and civilians from several nations affected by the war on terror gathered beneath the towering flagpoles at the Combined Joint Task Force 101 headquarters, Bagram Airfield, to remember Sept. 11, 2001.

WASHINGTON - A 75-minute documentary that focuses on the lives of six military widows from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will start making the rounds this month at military bases and Veterans of Foreign Wars halls across the country.

WASHINGTON - A small school district in South Dakota is being honored for its partnership with its military employees and the local community.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed several enemy fighters and detained three suspected militants during operations in Afghanistan’s Ghazni and Khowst provinces.

WASHINGTON - On the seventh anniversary of the day a hijacked airliner slammed into the Pentagon, President Bush dedicated a memorial near the crash site, calling it not only a place of remembrance, but also a reminder of the resilience of the American spirit.

BAGHDAD - Coalition forces captured four suspected Iranian-backed “special groups” members in operations in Muwaffaqiyah, about 125 miles southeast of Baghdad in Iraq’s Wasit province.

KABUL, Afghanistan - More than 300 soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians gathered at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, to remember the thousands of victims who lost their lives during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against America.

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE AT SEA - The USS Kearsarge continues to provide disaster relief to remote areas of Haiti hit hardest by this season's tropical storms and hurricanes.

ARLINGTON, Va. - About 20 National Guard couples attended a weekend retreat in Alexandria, Va., which was geared to strengthen marriages through improving communication skills.

ARLINGTON, Va. - An Army National Guardsman narrowly escaped the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon because he went to check on his son in the Pentagon day care center.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq - An Ohio National Guardsman and a firefighter from Savannah, Ga., were both motivated to serve their country in Iraq after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

BATON ROUGE, La. - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has directed National Guard troops to prepare for Hurricane Ike.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air National Guard has met its fiscal 2008 end-strength goal of 106,700 airmen, the first time it’s met its target end strength since 2003, National Guard Bureau officials announced.

WASHINGTON - About 200 volunteers posted nearly 3,000 full-sized American flags near the site of the Pentagon Memorial to be officially dedicated on the seventh anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi people look upon President Bush as a liberator who delivered them from a brutal despot, Iraq’s chief executive told reporters at the White House.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Texas National Guard began evacuating special-needs patients from the Corpus Christi area in advance of Hurricane Ike.

WASHINGTON - As Iraq’s military continues to grow in size and capacity, U.S. and coalition forces are steadily reducing their footprint in Iraq, a senior U.S. military official posted in Iraq said.

WASHINGTON - With less than three weeks left inthe fiscal year, all four military services say their recruiting momentum will help them reach year-end goals, Defense Department officials said.

WASHINGTON - A broader international and interagency approach is necessary to solve Afghanistan’s problems, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the House Armed Services Committee today.

BAGHDAD - In Baghdad, some U.S. soldiers are helping Iraqi farmers tend to one of the country's most important agricultural assets: the water buffalo.

CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan - Members of the New York Army National Guard who served at Ground Zero and have since been deployed to Afghanistan are planning their own commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi security forces are playing “an integral role” in helping to bring peace and security to Baghdad, a U.S. deputy brigade commander said.

GULF OF GONAVE, Haiti - Relief efforts like the one the USS Kearsarge is performing in Haiti are a core mission for U.S. forces in U.S. Southern Command, said a U.S. Navy admiral during a visit to the amphibious ship.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told members of Congress that the challenge in Afghanistan is a classic insurgency “fueled by ideology, poppy, poverty, crime and corruption.”

WASHINGTON - The war in Iraq has entered the “endgame” phase and it is important to get it right, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during testimony on Capitol Hill.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A Colorado Springs, Colo., family has earned the National Military Family Association’s title of 2008 Family of the Year.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has cancelled the competition for a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract, saying the process cannot be completed by January and the next administration should handle it.

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Army National Guard will send up to 3,500 soldiers to Iraq in what has been called the largest deployment of its forces since World War II.

ABOARD USS KEARSARGE AT SEA - The USS Kearsarge has been delivering supplies to sections of Haiti hit by tropical storms Fay, Gustav and Hanna and Hurricane Ike.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Soldiers trying to adjust to garrison life after the adrenaline-rush of combat have a new outlet to ease the transition: the Army's new Warrior Adventure Quest.

WASHINGTON - An airman at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., is exemplifying the volunteer spirit with a hospital visitation program he hopes to expand to bases nationwide.

WASHINGTON - President Bush visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center to pay respects to wounded soldiers and their families, and to the medical personnel who care for the injured.

KEY WEST, Fla. - Members of the Florida Army National Guard helped local law enforcement officers avert what could have been a disaster for some people ignoring safety warnings as Hurricane Ike passed to the south of Key West, Fla..

WASHINGTON - With support from coalition forces, Afghan troops detained a suspected insurgent and heavy-weapons facilitator in the Tarin Kot district of Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province.

WASHINGTON - The Army is funding research to explore the futuristic concept of using brain waves to communicate.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon will send an assessment team to Georgia to determine what role the U.S. should play as the nation’s military rebuilds after clashes with Russia, a Defense Department official said.

CAMP MABRY, Texas - Texas Gov. Rick Perry has authorized the call-up of up to 7,500 Texas soldiers and airmen in response to the threat Hurricane Ike -- over Cuba and heading west – poses to the Gulf Coast.

BAGHDAD - Coalition forces killed one enemy fighter and detained two suspects during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq's attack and facilitation networks in the Baghdad area.

WASHINGTON - The operations director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff who served in Iraq during the troop surge says that push by coalition and Iraqi soldiers was the keystone that has given the Iraqi people “a fighting chance” against extremists.

WASHINGTON - Women who choose to serve their country as military officers should be fully prepared to do so, and one group has been striving to help them get ready for that duty since 2003.

BAGHDAD - The grand reopening of Aden Street on the Suk Shelal Market in the Shaab neighborhood in Baghdad will help stimulate business for the market, which was damaged by two car bombs.

KEY WEST, Fla. - With Hurricane Ike churning across Cuba, Florida National Guard Special Forces teams patrol Key West, Fla., helping city workers identify potential areas where water and wind damage from the massive storm could pose a danger.

FORT LESLEY J. MCNAIR, D.C. - The United States will continue to reduce its troop strength in Iraq, but will increase its footprint in Afghanistan, President Bush said during remarks at the National Defense University.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq - After becoming a U.S. citizen and being promoted, a soldier now dreams of flying.

WASHINGTON - President Bush thanked the nearly 61 million volunteers who support America in myriad ways, including members of the U.S. armed forces and groups that channel support to them.

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. - As Hurricane Ike moved westward toward Cuba, the National Guard prepared and emergency management officials cautioned Key West and South Florida residents to track the storm.

WASHINGTON - With the recent off-loading of 17 tons of humanitarian supplies from the USS Mount Whitney, the Defense Department’s part in providing relief to Georgia is over.

BAGHDAD - Army Chaplain (Maj.) Ibraheem Raheem not only reaches out to soldiers who, like himself, are practicing Muslims, but also breaks down confusion and stereotypes about their faith.

WASHINGTON - State Farm's slogan, "Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is there," applies to the company's National Guard and Reserve employees as well.

WASHINGTON - About 200 people in Orange, Calif., walked nearly a mile to honor the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

WASHINGTON - The Veterans Affairs Department has determined that election officials and nonpartisan groups can help register voters at VA medical facilities as long as visits avoid disruptions to patient care.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists, including two wanted men, during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq in two of the country's largest cities.

WASHINGTON - Incidents of Iraqi-on-Iraqi attacks due to ethno-sectarian strife and other types of violence in Iraq have decreased markedly from a year ago, a senior U.S. officer posted in Iraq said.

CHIÈVRES, Belgium - The Army is encouraging soldiers to treat their mental health like their fitness or their equipment: making sure it is always at 100 percent.

KUFA, Iraq - A $6.5 million bridge south of Baghdad links sister cities and shows the Iraqi government’s commitment to improving people’s lives in poorer areas ignored by the former regime.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Army Maj. Lance Hamilton is the 4th Infantry Division's deputy staff judge advocate in Iraq, a mark of success that he says his father inspired.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - More than 80 people attended the opening of the Chinaki Uyla Medical Clinic built with $106,000 from the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team on land donated by a farmer.

WASHINGTON - Operation Life Transformed - a home-front group of the Defense Department’s America Supports You program – recently awarded its 10th Naval Air Station Lemoore Scholarship of the year.

WASHINGTON - In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, the Coast Guard is preparing for a wave of tropical storms and hurricanes.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi citizens of Babil province yesterday led U.S. soldiers to the seizure of a huge amount of components suitable for the construction of deadly explosively formed penetrator-type bombs.

WASHINGTON - Nearly 10,000 people walked the mile between Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001, as part of the fourth annual National America Supports You Freedom Walk.

WASHINGTON - Participants in the 2008 National America Supports You Freedom Walk came to remember those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and to honor troops who defend the country's freedom.

WASHINGTON - More than 20 groups gathered at the Pentagon after the 2008 National America Supports You Freedom Walk to let participants know how they support the troops.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces in Afghanistan killed more than 10 insurgents and captured seven others during a series of operations conducted in Khowst province.

WASHINGTON - Thousands of people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery, the starting point of the 2008 National America Supports You Freedom Walk to honor those who perished in the Sept., 11, 2001, attacks.

WASHINGTON - More than 700 people have signed up to test their physical fitness capabilities to that of elite Navy SEALs during a Fitness Challenge in Chicago.

WASHINGTON - Coalition and Afghan forces killed more than two dozen insurgents while disrupting terrorist cells along the southeastern and southwestern borders of Afghanistan during operations over the past days.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military command responsible for moving troops and materiel across the globe has new leadership.

WASHINGTON - Newsman’s Own awarded a combined $75,000 in grants to 15 nonprofit organizations for innovative volunteer efforts to improve military quality of life during the company’s ninth annual awards ceremony at the Pentagon .

WASHINGTON - Though U.S., coalition and Afghan troops are making steady progress against increasingly active insurgent forces in Afghanistan, it’s time to turn up the heat, a senior U.S. military officer said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition troops captured more than a dozen suspected terrorists in Iraq, including at least three high-level al-Qaida in Iraq leaders.

WASHINGTON - Five servicemembers died in off-duty accidents during the Labor Day weekend, bringing to 115 the number killed this year during the “101 Critical Days of Summer.”

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - When bells ring for a return to schools throughout Baghdad’s Sadr City district, students at schools renovated by Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers are in for a big surprise.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - U.S. soldiers, the Afghan National Police and a contracted construction and supply company delivered 75 desks, 10 chalk boards and 150 sets of school supplies to several villages in the Kohi Sofi district of Afghanistan’s Parwan province.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - For one soldier at Camp Taji, Iraq, there was never a question of if she would serve. The only question was when.

SCHINNEN, Netherlands - With the Democratic and Republican national conventions now behind us, the 2008 presidential campaign enters the home stretch as Americans look toward Election Day, Nov. 4.

POTI, Georgia - USS Mount Whitney pulled into port at Poti, Georgia, transporting humanitarian relief supplies in support of "Operation Assured Delivery."

WASHINGTON - Dominion Resources has a simple philosophy when it comes to supporting its employees who serve part-time in the military: “Whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.”

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon Memorial will be a place of remembrance, dedication and learning, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

WASHINGTON - With 2008 suicide rates expected to exceed last year’s all-time-high rate, the Army is urging soldiers and their leaders to look out for each other and to see seeking mental-health help as a sign of strength.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Four states along the East Coast are employing their National Guards as Tropical Storm Hanna nears. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have almost 40,000 Army and Air National Guard members available to their governors.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi soldiers serving in their country’s Salahuddin province demonstrate marked improvement compared to their performance two years ago.

LIVINGSTON, La. - National Guard soldiers gave away packaged meals and water to Louisiana residents recovering from Hurricane Gustav.

WASHINGTON - As the official opening of the Pentagon Memorial approaches, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reflects on the events of nearly seven years ago that inspired the memorial’s creation.

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Army Staff Sgt. Lonny Steele helps soldiers succeed in a difficult form of warfare: close-combat fighting.

WASHINGTON - An Army colonel working with Iraqi security forces in the country's southern provinces described their proficiency and dedication as impressive.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon Memorial is a reminder that “each generation inherits freedom, and it’s up to each generation to protect it and pass it along,” a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

WASHINGTON - The enemy’s use of improvised explosive devices continues to decline in northern Iraq’s Salahuddin province.

WASHINGTON - Vice President Richard B. Cheney visited Georgia, delivering “a message of friendship” from the U.S. and condemning Russia’s “illegitimate, unilateral” aggression against the former Soviet republic.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq - As business returns to normal in eastern Baghdad, more than 90 organizations gathered at the Palestine Hotel in the Iraqi capital’s Rusafa district for a trade show.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed one enemy fighter and detained 15 suspects during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cells and their supporting networks in Baghdad and the Tigris River Valley.

WASHINGTON - The National Association of Postmasters gave Guardsmen and reservists its full backing when the organization’s president signed a formal support statement.

BATON ROUGE, La. - With the majority of the state without electricity and in need of food, water and basic necessities, the Louisiana National Guard has shifted its post-Hurricane Gustav focus.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As Tropical Storm Hanna set its sights on the mid-Atlantic coastline, the Florida National Guard continued what has become weeks of ongoing vigilance during the peak of the 2008 hurricane season.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called on fellow defense ministers from across the Americas meeting in Canada to continue their cooperation and collaboration so they can provide a unified front to security challenges facing the region.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Coalition forces have positively identified five Taliban subcommanders killed during operations in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province.

NEW ORLEANS - Louisiana National Guard troops are conducting presence patrols in New Orleans, providing security for returning Hurricane Gustav evacuees and letting them know the city is safe.

COMBAT OUTPOST MEADE, Iraq - Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Samuel Solis is the lone sailor attached to an Army squadron deployed to help protect soldiers from improvised explosive devices.

BAGHDAD - It was a grand opening without any grandeur. No ribbons were cut, no speeches were given. But Iraqi citizens can now get help with combat losses at an assistance center in Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - President Bush praised federal, state and local efforts to assist Gulf Coast residents in the wake of Hurricane Gustav during his visit to Baton Rouge, La.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed confidence that Washington and Baghdad will reach an agreement before the year’s end on the future role of U.S. forces in Iraq.

WASHINGTON - The United States will provide $1 billion to Georgia for humanitarian needs and to support its economic recovery, President Bush announced today.

BATON ROUGE, La. - In response to flooding in West Monroe, La., the Louisiana National Guard delivered 58,000 sandbags, with 50,000 more on the way.

WASHINGTON - A forrmer Marine has formed Operation Silver Spurs, an organization to create "partnerships" between veterans and horses in an effort to promote healing.

WASHINGTON - Chrysler will receive the Defense Department's top employer-support award for providing exceptional support to employees who deploy as National Guard or reserve members.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces killed an al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator and detained eight suspected terrorists during operations targeting the terrorist network in the Tigris River Valley.

GULFPORT, Miss. - Hurricane Katrina provided valuable lessons three years ago that local, state and federal agencies along the Gulf Coast were able to use to respond to Hurricane Gustav.

GULFPORT, Miss. - Mississippi National Guardsmen have set up food and water distribution points for residents returning to their Gulfport, Miss., homes after Hurricane Gustav.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised the U.S. military, in particular the National Guard, for its response to Hurricane Gustav.

ARLINGTON, Va. - With tens of thousands of Gulf Coast residents in the potential path of Hurricane Gustav, Air National Guard members put aside their last-minute school shopping and backyard picnics to help those in need.

WASHINGTON - The host of a radio program available worldwide on the Internet is giving troops a chance to tell their stories with emphasis on the "good things" they're doing.

BEAUMONT, Texas - A conversation between an Army general and a police officer helped build a connection between the Texas Military Forces and local responders.

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. - Airmen from the 23rd Wing are ready to respond to calls for assistance in Gustav's aftermath.

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. - Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing spent the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina flying into another tempest: Hurricane Gustav.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - A civil assistance plan signed six months ago between U.S. and Canadian commands was used for the first time to coordinate Canadian military support to the U.S. Gulf Coast following Gustav.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Up to 50,000 National Guard personnel can be called up to respond to Hurricane Gustav.

WASHINGTON - Army engineers have fanned out across New Orleans to survey the 350 miles of levees, floodgates and floodwalls that protect New Orleans, hoping the reinforced system withstood Hurricane Gustav.

WASHINGTON - A survivor of the 9/11 Pentagon attack is speaking out for the first time about events that have haunted him for years, from the crash to the fireball that almost consumed him.

WASHINGTON - U.S. military aircraft and ships will continue to bring humanitarian supplies to Georgia "as long as it's needed," a defense official said.

WASHINGTON - Coalition forces captured four suspected members of the Shiite group Kataib Hezbollah and seized weapons caches in operations in Iraq.

GULFPORT, Miss. - Labor Day began in Gulfport, Miss., with pounding rain and high-velocity winds many feared would match the devastation from Hurricane Katrina, but damage from Hurricane Gustav was less than expected.

WASHINGTON - The future is getting “greener” and so are the houses Homes for Our Troops will build in the future, thanks to a $1 million grant from The Sierra Club Foundation.

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Army Cpl. Edward Helzer is back in Iraq, running the same routes he did during his first tour in the mine-detection vehicle of his choice known as the Husky.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Intense enemy fire justified actions taken by Afghan and U.S. forces during an Aug. 22 engagement in which several civilians and more than 30 Taliban fighters were killed in western Afghanistan, a coalition investigation has concluded.

BAGHDAD - U.S. citizenship became a reality for 192 U.S. troops from 54 countries during a Camp Victory ceremony. "I'm so happy for what happened today, becoming a U.S. citizen,” said Army Spc. Steven Chol.

WASHINGTON - President Bush praised state governors for their response to Gustav, and emergency officials said cooperation among various agencies has been much better with this hurricane than it was when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in 2005.

WASHINGTON - As Hurricane Gustav hits the southwestern Louisiana coast, all preparations have been made, with National Guard personnel lending assistance and active-duty troops prepared to respond.

WASHINGTON - Iraqi civilian authorities today assumed responsibility for security in Iraq’s Anbar province, where Iraqi forces will now have the lead in security operations, President Bush said.