WASHINGTON - U.S. Joint Forces Command has transitioned its Joint Warfare Analysis Center to U.S. Strategic Command and its Joint Enabling Capabilities Command to U.S. Transportation Command.

WASHINGTON - Bronze campaign stars are now authorized for service members who have served in Afghanistan since Dec. 1, 2009, or in Iraq since Sept. 1, 2010.

WASHINGTON - At his Armed Forces Farewell Tribute, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates thanked President George W. Bush for nominating him in 2006, and President Barack Obama for retaining him in 2009.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' life is a lesson to young Americans that public service is an honorable calling, President Barack Obama said during a Pentagon farewell ceremony at which Gates was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, led the praise for Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute ceremony in Gates’ honor.

WASHINGTON - NATO confirmed the death of a Haqqani network leader who’s linked to the June 28 suicide-bomb attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is looking for companies that can harness biology to speed up and lower the cost of producing new materials.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Afghanistan-deployed Marine Corps 1st Lt. William J. Fredericks, an aerospace engineer, joined the Marines to continue a familiy legacy and to serve his country.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command will continue its inquiry into any potential crimes or other improprieties committed at Arlington National Cemetery, a spokesman for CID announced.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department’s overseas medical research laboratories are "a national investment and a national treasure" that will continue to ensure troops' readiness, the Pentagon’s senior health affairs advisor said.

WASHINGTON - The relationship between the United States and South Korea has never been stronger, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea said.

WASHINGTON - Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, helped launch a partnership to expand career opportunities for military spouses worldwide.

WASHINGTON - Nations and organizations of all kinds must join together to take on the challenges posed by a growing number of weak and failing states, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said during a launch event for the 2011 Failed States Index.

MCLEAN, Va. - The parents of a Marine Corps sergeant killed in Afghanistan accepted a posthumous National Intelligence Medal for Valor on their son’s behalf at the National Intelligence Directorate headquarters in McLean, Va.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE WARRIOR, Iraq - Army Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Haynes relishes his job of being the “voice of the soldier” as an equal opportunity advisor with the 1st Infantry Division.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has sent a message to every post, ship, base and installation thanking service members and their families for their service. Gates will retire as secretary of defense on June 30, 2011.

WASHINGTON - Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, the country’s Ministry of the Interior, and NATO have condemned the recent insurgent attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Defense Department must continue providing U.S. troops the best possible support while finding efficiencies and cutting costs, said Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisitions, technology and logistics.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The sluggish growth of the economy will make it difficult to maintain current defense funding, said Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) Robert F. Hale at the 2011 Defense Logistics Agency Industry Conference and Exhibition.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Persistent global conflict coupled with efforts to reduce the nation’s $14 trillion debt will require the Defense Department to better align its decreasing resources, said Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WASHINGTON - If chosen as the top allied commander in South Korea, Army Gen. James D. Thurman told senators that he'd work to strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance amid provocations and uncertainties from North Korea.

WASHINGTON - If he becomes the new commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John R. Allen told senators that he’ll seek to equal the strong leadership of his predecessor, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus.

WASHINGTON - Navy Vice Adm. William H. McRaven appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee to be considered for the rank of admiral and appointment as commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command.

WASHINGTON - Recruiting and retention remain steadily on track throughout U.S. military services, with every component reporting strong year-to-date numbers and full confidence in reaching fiscal 2011 goals by Sept. 30.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force discovered 992 pounds of marijuana in the Panjwa’i district of Kandahar province.

WASHINGTON - According to a recent Gallup poll, three-quarters of the Americans surveyed report higher confidence in the armed forces than in other national institutions.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Army Lt. Col. Kimberly Marlowe fondly remembers the disbanded Women's Army Corps service and legacy that spanned several wars.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Officials gathered at Fort Belvoir, Va., to break ground on a USO center that will offer a “home away from home” to wounded warriors and their families.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - A groundbreaking ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Va., marked the beginning of construction for the USO’s first stateside center that will provide noncritical care and support for wounded, injured and ill service members.

BETHESDA, Md. - Just two months remain before about 150 inpatients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., make the five-mile move to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

WASHINGTON - The Arctic region is getting increasing attention from the Defense Department and the services due to rapid climate change that is opening the area to increased human activity, according to a recent report to Congress.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province.

MINOT, N.D. - Water purification specialists with the North Dakota National Guard’s 136th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion are helping to provide clean water to victims of record flooding in the state.

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - Air Force Capt. Sarah Eccles, an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot, is gaining additional career experience serving as an air liaison officer on Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department will continue its support of a new national manafacturing partnership to create high-quality jobs and enhance the United State's global competitiveness, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.

WASHINGTON - While in Greece, Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, made a visit to the USS Ramage, anchored of the coast of Athens, to thank the U.S. military members stationed aboard the ship for their service to our nation.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined security force killed two insurgents and detained several suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in Sar-e Pul province.

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Cpl. Travis Alder loves flying and he's living his dream as an MV-22B Osprey crew chief, providing support for ground troops in Afghanistan.

BETHESDA, Md. - A year after its ribbon-cutting ceremony, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence is making a difference in the lives of warfighters suffering traumatic brain injuries and psychological disorders.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama had a range of options to select from when setting the timeline to start bringing U.S. forces home from Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

FORT DRUM, N.Y. - The day after announcing a drawdown of troops from Afghanistan, President Barack Obama visited Fort Drum, N.Y., to thank members of an Army division that was among the first to deploy units following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama considered the military implications of a drawdown in Afghanistan, as well as broader considerations, in deciding to remove surge forces by the end of next summer, Army Gen. David Petraeus said.

WASHINGTON - The day after announcing plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, President Barack Obama visited Fort Drum, N.Y., to praise the 10th Mountain Division soldiers there for their efforts, saying "because of you, we're now taking the fight to the Taliban."

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the U.S. will employ a three-part strategy to transition responsibility to Afghan authorities.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama’s decision to withdraw the 33,000 U.S. surge forces from Afghanistan by the end of next summer is consistent with the policy he established in 2009, said Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Congress he supports President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw 33,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan by September 2012.

BUTLERVILLE, Ind. - Army Staff Sgt. John Halsey broke a world push-up record to motivate his students at the Patriot Academy at Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex, Ind.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pushed to deploy mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to protect troops in combat zones, directed managers to find savings across the department, demanded accountability for the actions of senior leaders.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is launching a new partnership designed to expand job opportunities for military spouses by connecting them with potential employers.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Haqqani terrorist network leader during a security operation in Khowst province.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Members of the North Dakota National Guard are assisting citizen evacuations as the Souris River continues to overtop levees, producing record flood levels.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reflects on how mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles have saved service members' lives, the fiscal challenges facing the department, and the repealing of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

WASHINGTON - The whole time Robert M. Gates has served as defense secretary, the nation has been at war on two fronts.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates regards it as his sacred trust to ensure U.S. warfighters have what they need to succeed. As he said a tearful farewell to U.S. troops in Afghanistan on his last overseas trip this month, they let him know his service, too, was appreciated.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama plans to draw down the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan by 33,000 troops by the end of summer 2012, starting by bringing 10,000 of those home this year.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the president’s decision regarding the withdrawl of U.S. troops from Afghanistan capitalizes on the security successes there.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon Renovation Program, which began in 1991, has come full circle as its leaders recognized contributors who spearheaded the program’s efforts to complete the reconstruction project.

WASHINGTON - Task Force Bon Voizen -- translated “good neighbor” -- has concluded after providing medical, dental and veterinary care to more than 2,100 animals and 32,000 people over the last two months.

WASHINGTON - A new program called Hero Health Hire is helping to find health care jobs for some of the 10,000 wounded warriors who transition each month from the military.

WASHINGTON - The next generation of military doctors will graduate with more skills than the average civilian physician, including the ability to fire a weapon, rappel down a 63-foot wall and be leaders.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon’s top doctor and health affairs advisor urged military doctors-in-training to consider all their career opportunities.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan-led combined security force killed two armed insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader in Laghman province.

MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, Calif. - Marine Corps Master Sgt. Lorenzo Lacy overcame considerable logistical challenges during his six-month deployment last year.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate has voted unanimously to confirm Leon E. Panetta as the next secretary of defense. He will replace outgoing Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who will retire June 30.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Members of Task Force Bon Voizen, a Louisiana National Guard-led humanitarian exercise sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, have been in Haiti providing medical, dental and veterinary care, as well as engineering projects.

WASHINGTON - The United States is committed to maintaining a robust forward presence in the East Asian region, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said after he and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with their Japanese counterparts.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents, including a senior Haqqani leader, during a security operation in Paktiya province.

ARLINGTON, Va. - About 2,000 National Guard members from nine states are continuing relief operations in the wake of the 2011 Midwest floods.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - At her retirement ceremony, Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Nancy Geisler watched her father receive the Bronze Star medal for his service during the Vietnam War.

WASHINGTON - Elite commandos from 19 countries are in El Salvador to participate in Fuerzas Comando 2011, a counterterrorism and special operations skills competition sponsored by U.S. Southern Command.

WASHINGTON - The United States remains concerned that territorial disputes in the South China Sea could threaten the safety, security and stability of the region despite continued efforts toward a peaceful resolution there.

WASHINGTON - Japanese Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto and Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa will meet with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for the first 2+2 meeting between the two nations since 2007.

WASHINGTON - Troops are being surveyed about offerings ranging from automotive services to leisure activities as part of an effort intended to bolster Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department’s Human Performance Resource Center provides a focal point for discovering ways to optimize warfighters' performance in and out of combat.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained two suspected insurgents during a security operation in the Kajaki district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Lilia A. Garcia, an experienced unmanned aerial vehicle technician, oversees mechanical and launching UAV operations for her unit in Afghanistan.

DESDUNES, Haiti - Task Force Bon Voizen, a Louisiana National Guard-led humanitarian exercise in Haiti sponsored by U.S. Southern Command, has provided treatment for more than 800 dental patients and nearly 23,000 medical patients.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MANDRIN, Haiti - Task Force Bon Voizen, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored joint foreign humanitarian exercise led by the Louisiana National Guard, is wrapping up its two-month exercise in Haiti.

PARIS - As defense spending slows in the face of a financial crisis, preserving the industrial base that produces military capabilities is critical, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said in Paris.

PARIS - A fiscal crisis that’s putting the squeeze on defense budgets and related industries requires hard choices and efforts that manage the spending slowdown while retaining military effectiveness, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. strategy toward Libya is “absolutely right,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said on "Fox News Sunday".

WASHINGTON - The Taliban must know they are beaten before they reconcile in any meaningful way, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told broadcast journalist Candy Crowley on CNN’s "State of the Union" program.

BELLEAU, France - Near a village about 50 miles northeast of Paris, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III paid his respects to 2,288 U.S. soldiers and Marines buried on the site where they helped to stem a German offensive during World War I.

WASHINGTON - Army officials announced that the North Post of Fort Belvoir, Va., will be the site of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, scheduled to open in June 2015.

WASHINGTON - The 2011 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration held recently is expected to pay off by advancing technologies that will improve information sharing among U.S. and coalition partners in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke about the need for enduring support of troops at a fundraising event for wounded warriors and their families.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained numerous suspected Taliban insurgents during an overnight security operation in the Sabari district of Khost province.

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Army Spc. Tom Albers received a Purple Heart medal after a wound from an enemy round to his helmet in Afghanistan -- and even plans to re-enlist.

WASHINGTON - Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, called on the cable television industry to use its reach to help educate the public about military families and rally support for “the very best of our country.”

WASHINGTON - The U.S.-Pakistan relationship is complicated, but the two countries must keep the lines of communication open, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates during his last news conference.

WASHINGTON - Key areas in Afghanistan’s Helmand and Nimroz provinces are likely candidates for the second or third rounds of transition to Afghan security.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates thanked reporters for their dedicated service as watchdogs for the American public and for bringing to light some problems that hadn’t been raised by the Pentagon’s vast bureaucracy.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced that he has recommended Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, vice chief of naval operations, to succeed the retiring Navy Adm. Gary Roughead as the next chief of naval operations.

PARIS - The world is at a crossroads in the development of threats in the cyber realm, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III told attendees of a global security forum in Paris. Safeguarding data against cyber attacks is a top priority.

PARIS - During a global security forum in Paris, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III outlined a pilot program that helps the defense industry safeguard their computer systems and data against threats.

WASHINGTON - American support is critical to the NATO-led mission in Libya and is having no significant operational impact on Iraq and Afghanistan missions, Defense and State department officials said in a report to Congress.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force killed two armed insurgents and detained several suspects in the Mota Khan district of Paktika province.

WASHINGTON - Federal agencies hired 72,133 veterans in fiscal 2010, about 2,000 more than in 2009, U.S. Office of Personnel Management officials said in a news release.

MONTEREY, Calif. - Air Force 1st Lt. Ryan Castonia could have become an engineer, but instead studied a foreign language and trained to become a special operations officer.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the service chiefs to “fence” two areas in the budget options the military is contemplating: training and family programs.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Appropriations Committee that he supports the fiscal 2012 budget proposal, and that it funds service members in harm’s way in Afghanistan and Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee that as the DOD looks for savings there has to be an admission that cuts will increase risks.

PRAGUE - The long-standing and growing military relationship between the United States and the Czech Republic has forged “an unbreakable bond,” Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said in Prague.

PRAGUE - Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III met with Czech Republic officials, thanking them for stepping up their role in Afghanistan and discussing the way ahead in the relationship between their countries.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Service members can work with representatives of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command to ensure their summer moves are successful.

WASHINGTON - The situation in Afghanistan continues to improve, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on the “Charlie Rose” TV interview show while discussing a wide range of defense issues.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Army Spc. Christopher Sutton helped save another person's life by participating in DOD's bone marrow donor program and donating peripheral blood stem cells.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed numerous insurgents and detained five others after they were attacked in Paktika province’s Omnah district.

WASHINGTON - A combat veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress told an audience of veterans-help organizations that she wouldn't be alive without the help offered by one such group.

WASHINGTON - American people need to know what their armed forces are doing and the sacrifices service members and their families are making, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on the “Late Show with David Letterman.”

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III released the department’s new operational energy strategy, saying it is consistent with efforts to adapt the forces to emerging threats.

WASHINGTON - The nation’s top military officer spoke at a press conference announcing the “Community Blueprint,” a resource designed to help local leaders focus support to veterans and their families.

WASHINGTON - Noting an energy-efficient force is a more agile and resilient force, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus called on his commanders and troops to reduce their energy consumption in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department’s new operational energy strategy challenges assumptions about battlefield energy usage, paving the way for a more secure, agile and flexible fighting force.

WASHINGTON - Army Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell reports continuing progress in Afghanistan, but says that more time is needed to ensure U.S. efforts will stick.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Army must use lessons learned from the past decade of war to help it prepare for success during future conflicts both foreseen and unforeseeable, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - NATO members are reviewing their contributions with an eye toward increasing their support to the ongoing mission to protect the Libyan people from Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, a NATO spokeswoman said.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulates the Army on its birthday.

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan - Air Force Master Sgt. Jason Reininger is not a carpenter by trade but found a way to use his skills to help Afghan families who are grieving the loss of a child.

WASHINGTON - The entertainment industry can help to shine the light on military families by incorporating their compelling stories into movies and television, First Lady Michelle Obama said during a panel discussion in Los Angeles.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is aiming to collect 733,800 pounds of items as part of a 90-day nationwide campaign challenging federal employees to donate to their local food pantries.

WASHINGTON - An Afghan-led combined force captured a Taliban leader and over 10 suspected insurgents during an operation in the Sarobi district of Paktika province.

NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Army Spc. Brian Walker doesn't recall much about being hit by a roadside bomb, but the parts he does remember speak volumes about his team and their training.

WASHINGTON - A month after the Veterans Affairs Department began processing applications for primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans, officials report steady progress toward delivering the new services and benefits.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is sponsoring a new reading program with the hope of inspiring children -- and adults -- of all ages to read throughout the summer.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Approximately 16 states have adopted laws, or are close to doing so, to make it easier for military spouses to maintain professional licenses as they move from state to state.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is streamlining its administration of the foreign military sales program, including testing a concept to pre-approve high-demand technologies requests such as unmanned aerial systems.

LONDON - The military relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom is second to none in terms of strength, shared sacrifice and commitment to similar ideals, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in London.

WASHINGTON - Employers of reservists and National Guardsmen have until July 6 to fill out a survey intended to measure how war and the heavy use of reserve-components have affected their businesses.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Haqqani network leader, facilitator and several of their associates during a security operation.

WASHINGTON - The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support critical to operations in Afghanistan got its start 150 years ago, when President Abraham Lincoln saw how a gas-filled balloon could help the Union Army prevail in the Civil War.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM, Afghanistan - Navy Chaplain (Lt.) Stephen DiCenso enjoys helping troops posted in Afghanistan, where he is committed to a service greater than himself.

BRUSSELS - NATO has turned into a two-tiered alliance of members who consume security and those who produce it, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

WASHINGTON - As the top civilian leader over Defense Department personnel and readiness, Clifford L. Stanley is overseeing service members and their families through changing times. His best experience to guide that leadership, he says, is his 33 years on active duty.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several people with suspected ties to the Taliban during an overnight security operation.

WASHINGTON - Personnel and readiness programs will not be immune from efficiency initiatives, but Clifford L. Stanley, the top civilian leader for that office, said troops and their families will come at the forefront in the consideration of changes.

WASHINGTON - Several major U.S. air carriers have recently revised their baggage policies for U.S. troops traveling on orders. Service members traveling on orders can now check four, and in some cases five, bags without charge

WASHINGTON - The operation that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden “has not only made clear to the world that we will do what we have to do, but it has also given us the greatest chance since 9/11 to disrupt, dismantle and to defeat al-Qaida,” Leon E. Panetta said during his confirmation hearing to become the next defense secretary.

BERLIN - Germany’s “truly exceptional performance” in Afghanistan’s Regional Command North has come at a cost to a country that is a key ally of the United States, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said.

WASHINGTON - Leon E. Panetta told U.S. senators that if he’s confirmed as the next defense secretary, his first and foremost mission will be to protect the United States and provide troops with the best leadership, training and family support available.

WASHINGTON - Deployed military parents from bases across Europe and the Pacific will be able to watch their teenagers graduate from high school via live webcast.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - NATO defense ministers made progress on Afghanistan and are poised for progress against Moammar Gadhafi’s regime in Libya, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has joined the national "Let's Move!" child care initiative to ensure military children get a healthy start in life.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has formally nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. John R. Allen to receive a fourth star and serve as the next commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Leon E. Panetta told the Senate Armed Services Committee that if he's confirmed as defense secretary, his first and foremost mission will be to protect the United States and ensure it has the “best-trained, best-equipped and strongest military.”

ARLINGTON, Va. - Army Master Sgt. Leland Lesher, a Vietnam vet, finds the best part of his career to be the view from the top while at the Army Guard headquarters.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department recognized its best stewards of natural and cultural resources at the 2011 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards.

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III expressed concern that as the U.S. government tightens its fiscal belt, critical conflict prevention programs could be cut.

CAIRO - The U.S. military remains committed to a strong bilateral relationship with Egypt’s armed forces, continuing a practice that has endured for 30 years, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said during a visit to Cairo.

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon must factor in major trends likely to shape the national security environment, including many that defy traditional military planning, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.

BRUSSELS - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is calling on all members of NATO to increase their participation in Operation Unified Protector in Libya, said a U.S. government official speaking on background in Brussels.

BRUSSELS - NATO defense ministers endorsed the decision to extend Operation Unified Protector in Libya by 90 days, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said during a news conference at the alliance's headquarters.

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Army Cpl. Joel M. Kuhn enjoys helping U.S. troops and Afghans as he performs his duty as a combat medic in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - An Afghan and coalition security force captured a key facilitator for the Kunduz attack network and two of his associates in Kunduz province.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama praised Germany for its role in helping the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan lay the groundwork to “turn a corner” in transitioning to an Afghan security lead there.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama reiterated the need for Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi to step down and hand over power to the Libyan people during a joint news conference at the White House with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

WASHINGTON - Officials in charge of the Defense Department’s school system for military children are seeking input in creating a 21st century learning environment by 2016.

WASHINGTON - Active duty military members and their families who are moving to a new location can now transfer their TRICARE Prime military health plan enrollment with a simple phone call.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House, calling Germany one of the United States’ strongest friends in an alliance that is the cornerstone of efforts to promote global peace and prosperity.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition troops found a weapons cache and detained one suspect during a security operation conducted in Logar province's Charkh district.

COMBAT OUTPOST SHUKVANI, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andrew J. Armstrong, known as “Rock,” has survived two roadside bomb blasts in Afghanistan and is still in the fight.

WASHINGTON - Civilians who work for the Defense Department are on the ground in Afghanistan, collaborating with counterparts there to build effective defense institutions.

KABUL, Afghanistan - “I leave Afghanistan today with the belief that if we keep this momentum up, we will deliver a decisive blow to the enemy and turn the corner on this conflict,” Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has sent to Congress a report on its Arctic operations that leaders say will put the department in a good position to shape U.S. interests as the region undergoes dramatic climate and social changes.

WASHINGTON - About 300 U.S. soldiers joined their British, French and German counterparts in Normandy, France, to honor soldiers who took part in WWII's D-Day invasion.

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan - A senior U.S. military officer said the population centers of Afghanistan’s Helmand and Kandahar provinces and Spin Bolduk on the Pakistan border constitute key areas in the fight against the Taliban this year.

WASHINGTON - Because of today’s environment of asymmetrical threats and uncertain budgets, DOD's senior civilian and military leaders and acquistion managers need the right information, quickly.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SHARANA, Afghanistan - The Defense Department is taking a look at the roles of the National Guard and reserve components, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said while speaking to soldiers in Afghanistan.

COMBAT OUTPOST ANDAR, Afghanistan - The death of al-Qaida chieftain Osama bin Laden might produce a growing divide between al-Qaida and the Taliban, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Army Sgt. Bob Brewer is one of three Nebraska brothers serving together in Afghanistan -- and serving their country above and beyond the call of duty.

WASHINGTON - Forces captured a Haqqani network leader, a Haqqani facilitator and several of their associates during an operation in Paktika province.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WALTON, Afghanistan - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates discussed the upcoming drawdown in Afghanistan with troops doing the heavy lifting in the country.

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan - It is too early to see if the death of Osama bin Laden will have an effect on the fighting in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

CAMP EGGERS, Afghanistan - The conflict against the Taliban in Afghanistan has reached an important inflection point in the struggle for the future of the country, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. - First Lady Michelle Obama lauded the graduating seniors of Quantico Middle/High School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., for their strength, resilience and maturity as they came of age in military families during a time of war.

SINGAPORE - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates explained U.S. policy toward China, the future in Afghanistan and the threat posed by cyber attacks and anti-access capabilities during a question-and-answer session at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has arrived in Kabul for his final visit to Afghanistan as defense secretary. He will meet with Afghan and coalition leaders and U.S. troops while visiting the nation.

SINGAPORE - The United States is reaching out to countries all around Asia and the Pacific to build the web of engagement so important to security, stability and prosperity, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a speech in Singapore.

SINGAPORE - The United States will maintain its strong presence and robust military engagement policy in Asia under any circumstances, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said June 4 at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

WASHINGTON - Defense officials want to see military reserve components integrated into an active fighting force that utilizes their experience gained during a decade of combat.

ARLINGTON, Va. - In the aftermath of severe storms that brought devastating tornadoes to areas of Missouri and Massachusetts and major flooding across the Midwest and other parts of the country, the number of National Guard personnel who are answering the call for help has risen to about 5,000.

WASHINGTON - A senior Pentagon official said the Defense Department is working hand in hand with the Department of Homeland Security to shore up vulnerabilities against an increasingly sophisticated cyber threat.

WASHINGTON - Citing the alliances, partnerships and friendships strengthened by the United States’ forward presence, the commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet said the quick response capability it provides deters aggression.

WASHINGTON - The Navy is hard at work institutionalizing lessons learned as the military draws down in Iraq and looks toward a drawdown in Afghanistan.

SINGAPORE - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie are pleased that bilateral talks have led to progress between the countries in re-establishing good military-to-military relations.

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan - Navy Lt. (Chaplain) James C. Ragain first met military chaplains as a boy after tragedy struck, setting him on a path to serve the military and God.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and detained several suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban leader.

SINGAPORE - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is concerned over the prospect of Congress voting against continued U.S. support to the NATO mission in Libya.

WASHINGTON - Pakistan’s senior military leaders believe a long-term relationship with the United States is important despite ongoing tensions between the countries, said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WASHINGTON - The Taliban cannot expect to regain territory and the Afghan people are resisting the enemy's attempt to intimidate them with high-visibility attacks on Afghan officials, said Army Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured an al-Qaida facilitator and two associates in the Nahr-e Shahi district of Balkh province.

ARLINGTON, Va. - The National Guard is responding to tornadoes in Massachusetts by activating up to 1,000 members, while some 4,300 Guardsmen are battling Missouri River flooding in three other states.

WASHINGTON - The recent Middle East turmoil underscores the importance of an active U.S. engagement and support in Iraq and a “shoring up” of relations with key regional partners.

BAGHDAD - Army Sgt. Marcus Chatman has lived a life of duty to the United States from serving as a police officer in Detroit to deploying to Iraq twice.

WASHINGTON - As NATO looks to prepare, organize and equip for the future, the alliance's supreme allied commander for transformation said lessons learned in Afghanistan will providing building blocks.

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Building a team was the most important consideration as President Barack Obama made his choices for top national security positions, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said.

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Despite all of its problems and controversies, the nations of the world want better relations with the United States, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a news conference en route to Singapore, where he will attend his fifth and final Shangri-La Dialogue.

WASHINGTON - As part of an interagency effort to support America’s veterans, the Labor Department announced $37 million in grants to provide job training for about 21,000 veterans, many of them homeless.

GROTON, Conn. - Eight sailors assigned to the USS Missouri left their Connecticut homeport to assist with recovery efforts after a tornado tore through their ship’s namesake state.

WASHINGTON - Significant gains during winter fighting have wrested key areas from the Taliban and set the stage for July’s transition of the first provinces and district centers to Afghan control.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marine Cpl. Angelo Melendez, a military working dog handler, enjoys working with his German shepherd partner as they help protect workers and residents on base.

WASHINGTON - Helping Afghanistan become a self-reliant nation by 2014 involves the training of Afghan security forces, as well as killing and arresting insurgents, a senior U.S. Army officer said.

WASHINGTON - Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said he believes the Army will require challenging training and additional education for its battle-tested soldiers in the future as the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan conclude.

WASHINGTON - An Afghan-led combined security force captured an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan facilitator along with several of his associates during an operation in Balkh province.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The commander of the Staff Sgt. Heathe N. Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan said caring for friends and foe alike sets the United States apart in the world.

WASHINGTON - An Army Ranger who lost his right hand and suffered shrapnel wounds after throwing an armed grenade away from his fellow soldiers will be the second living Medal of Honor recipient from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - There will be no “slackening” of U.S. commitment to Asia, even as the nation goes through tough financial times, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in Hawaii.