JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey administered the oath of office to Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia to serve as his senior enlisted advisor.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay emerged from their first bilateral meeting touting the countries’ long partnership and vowing to work more closely in their own hemisphere.

WASHINGTON - A U.S. airstrike that killed Yemeni-based terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki is a testament to the close cooperation between the United States and Yemen, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

WASHINGTON - The Military Spouse Employment Partnership is giving spouses more career and education options, Robert L. Gordon III, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, said.

WASHINGTON - Pentagon officials are reminding service members stationed overseas to leave out cost-of-living pay when planning their personal budgets, due to rate fluctuations.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department issued guidance saying decisions for use of DOD property should be made on a “sexual-orientation neutral” basis, and that military chaplains do not have to officiate at ceremonies that go against their religious tenets.

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - Noting that the U.S. armed forces "are powerful, responsive, resilient, versatile and admired," Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey vowed to maintain and strengthen the military during his tenure as the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - During his tenure as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen was critical to preserving the effectiveness and health of the 2.2 million people making up America’s armed forces, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama lauded Navy Adm. Mike Mullen for his service as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a hail and farewell ceremony, at which Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey prepared to take responsibility as the 18th chairman.

WASHINGTON - As his military career drew to a close, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said for him and his wife, Deborah, the event marked both the end of his four-year stint as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the culmination of 43 years together in the U.S. Navy.

WASHINGTON - As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey will be not only be the president’s advisor, but also the personal representative of 2.2 million U.S. service members and their families, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said.

WASHINGTON - Speaking to the audience gathered at his retirement ceremony, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that America can ill afford to lose its military superiority and faces tough decisions in the coming months.

WASHINGTON - William Davidson, the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force, said it’s the wonderful people that he's worked with that have made his 43 years in the Air Force such a great experience.

WASHINGTON - An International Security Assistance Force CH-47 Chinook helicopter made a precautionary landing after receiving small-arms fire in southern Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - In his farewell message, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed his gratitude to service members and their families for their sacrifices and said he'll be "eternally grateful" for their service.

WASHINGTON - Military retirees enrolling in the TRICARE Prime health plan after Oct. 1 will begin paying slightly higher annual fees, Pentagon officials said.

WASHINGTON - Every day the quiet heroes of the Defense Intelligence Agency collect, distill and distribute information that helps America’s warriors defeat its enemies, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said during the agency's 50th anniversary commemoration ceremony.

WASHINGTON - American forces’ efforts “have given the people of Iraq a huge gift” through the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a democratic society, Army Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins, commander of U.S. Division-North and the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division,said.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured two Taliban leaders, detained several suspects and seized hundreds of pounds of heroin in the Ghorak district of Kandahar province.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Army Spc. Alfred Newman found his future career while taking part in the Operation Warfighter, internship program dedicated to helping wounded warriors gain work experience.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has made saving energy a priority in everything it does, Dorothy Robyn, the deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment, said during the 2011 Washington Energy Summit.

WASHINGTON - As “Team Mullen,” Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and his wife, Deborah, have championed the needs of service members and their families during the admiral’s four years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WASHINGTON - Helping military couples and families build healthy relationships can help to prevent domestic violence, said Kathy Robertson, program manager for the Defense Department’s Family Advocacy Program.

WASHINGTON - Combined Afghan and coalition security forces destroyed a narcotics lab housing an estimated $350 million worth of drugs and killed numerous insurgent fighters in separate operations in Afghanistan.

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Jenkins has found a new way to predict the dangerous dust storms that can often impact operations in U.S. Central Command areas.

WASHINGTON - Medal of Honor recipient Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota Meyer plans to raise $1 million in scholarship money for the children of wounded Marines and Navy corpsmen, and challenges the American public to match it.

WASHINGTON - The Iraqi government has transferred its first payment for 18 F-16C fighter aircraft, bringing Iraq closer to independently securing its airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

WASHINGTON - North Korea’s nuclear program and military objectives are a U.S. Pacific Command focus, and the command’s people are working in part with the U.S. government to see North Korea “change trajectory,” Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard said.

WASHINGTON - Despite difficulties in the relationship between the United States and Pakistan, the Defense Department will continue to try to work through the differences, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

WASHINGTON - The United States and China have an important relationship that continues to be vital to the global economy and needs to be managed well, said Navy Adm. Robert F. Willard, commander of U.S. Pacific Command.

WASHINGTON - NATO’s decision to extend the alliance’s mission in Libya by 90 days shows its work there is not yet done, a NATO spokeswoman said.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces used a precision airstrike to kill a key Taliban leader in Wardak province.

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - When Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr. was shot in the chest during a mission in Afghanistan, he knew he had to stay alive for the sake of his battle buddies.

WASHINGTON - Since it began operations Oct. 1, 1961, the Defense Intelligence Agency has changed along with the nature of national security threats worldwide to become a key component of the U.S. intelligence community.

FORT MEADE, Md. - Recognizing there’s no cookie-cutter formula for a “cyber warrior,” the outgoing chief of staff at U.S. Cyber Command said the strong, diverse capabilities already in place will provide the foundation for the military’s professional cyber corps.

WASHINGTON - With slight modifications to premiums, TRICARE’s focus remains on providing the best possible care and services at the best cost, TRICARE Management Activity’s outgoing deputy director said.

WASHINGTON - The soundboard lights went dark for the last time when American Forces Network Radio–Iraq “Freedom Radio” went off the air at midnight Sept. 23, after an eight-year run in Baghdad.

WASHINGTON - Afghan security forces are moving forward and will be able to assume the lead for security in December 2014, said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, commander of NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.

RAMADI, Iraq - Army Sgt. Tony McCaslin, a public affairs broadcaster, is teaching Iraqi police how to tell their stories to the Anbar province residents they serve.

WASHINGTON - Insurgent networks have been severely disrupted over the past two months by Afghan and coalition forces’ operations in the border areas of eastern Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - First lady Michelle Obama praised military families and applauded the efforts of a Navy veteran who is working to help homeless women veterans in Fayetteville, N.C.

WASHINGTON - Brooke Toner was 28 years old the day she heard the knock on her door. That knock brought the news every military spouse dreads: for Brooke, it meant her husband of less than three years was never coming home.

WASHINGTON - The Senate unanimously confirmed Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, to succeed William J. Lynn III as deputy secretary of defense.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama issued a proclamation recognizing Sept. 25 as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day to honor those who have lost loved ones who died serving their country in uniform.

WASHINGTON - The threads connecting military services, organizations and individuals became apparent during a ceremony that honored the bravery and sacrifice of Navy Lt. j.g. Francis L. Toner, who was killed March 27, 2009, in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Clifford L. Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, recognized 15 employers whose support for their deployed National Guard and reserve employees was “restricted only by their imaginations.”

WASHINGTON - During a ceremony at the United States Navy Memorial, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told the audience that Lt. j.g. Francis L. Toner faced death “tragically and heroically” as he presented Toner's widow with his posthumous Silver Star.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department’s effort to better manage its finances has the right strategy, governance process, resources and leadership support, the deputy chief financial officer said before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

WASHINGTON - Service members and their families are under siege from for-profit colleges, many of which see service members as nothing more than “dollar signs in uniform,” a top financial official said.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense led all federal agencies in exceeding the philanthropic goals of this year’s “Feds Feed Families” food drive campaign, which ran throughout the summer from June 1 to Aug. 31.

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas - Scott Shepherd, an Air Force civilian employee who has worked for more than 20 years to preserve historic Randolph Air Force Base, has been nationally recognized for his efforts.

WASHINGTON - Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, received a briefing on the emplaced High Mobility Artillery Rocket System while visiting U.S. troops posted in the eastern part of the country.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert became the 30th chief of naval operations during a change of command ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

WASHINGTON - Three Marines and a hundred wounded veterans developed their sports skills at the fourth annual National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic in San Diego, where they were able to participate in events such as kayaking and surfing.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of International Security Assistance Force, visited an art exhibit and donated money to fund student scholarships as a show of support for the education of Afghan children.

WASHINGTON - In wars, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies, the Air Mobility Command’s real-time global response capability saves lives and brings people home, Air Force Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. said.

WASHINGTON, DC - Speaking to the Business Executives for National Security, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed budget concerns and sought the executives’ experiences to help formulate strategic fiscal planning.

WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will be among National Security Council members meeting in New York with Gulf Cooperation Council ministers to discuss a wide range of topics of mutual interest.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - This weekend, the season premiere of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” will feature a home makeover for 15-year Navy veteran Barbara Marshall, and a surprise visit from first lady Michelle Obama.

WASHINGTON - As a 6.5-ton NASA satellite makes its way back to Earth later this week, an Air Force space operations team in California is tracking its every move to predict when -- and possibly where -- it will re-enter the atmosphere.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the United States and Iraq are in talks to chart the military assistance Iraq needs after U.S. troops leave the country at the end of the year.

WASHINGTON - All of the military’s active duty and reserve components are on target to meet their recruiting and retention goals for the fiscal year, Pentagon officials said.

WASHINGTON - Development of Afghanistan’s security forces is on track as a main element of the Defense Department’s strategy for eliminating terrorist safe havens there, Michèle Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, said.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The top military officer returned to his alma mater to tell future Navy leaders not to fear failure, but rather to learn from their mistakes and grow.

WASHINGTON - Officials will make decisions on cuts to the defense budget strategically, with an eye to maintaining U.S. military dominance, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

WASHINGTON - Success in special operations missions rests, in part, on critical enabling capabilities the Army, Navy and Air Force provide, the nation’s civilian and military special operations chiefs told Congress.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained seven suspected insurgents during a search for an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan suicide bomber in the Imam Sahib district of Afghanistan’s Kunduz province.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - U.S. Transportation Command values commercial industry partners that assist its mission of transporting warfighters and supplies anywhere in the world, U.S. Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb said.

WASHINGTON - Conditions in Afghanistan are improving, and American troops should remain in Iraq to help train the military there, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Acknowledging that changes are needed to deal with unsustainable personnel costs, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen that the United States can’t break faith with military members and their families.

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Though Army Master Sgt. Sheila Sango has golfed just eight years, she was selected to compete in the All-Army Golf Trials held on Fort Jackson, S.C.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - There have been several “good news” trends across the Caribbean and Central and South American regions over the past decade, yet narco-terrorism and corruption remain serious security concerns, U.S. Southern Command’s chief said.

WASHINGTON - As Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, prepares to retire from the military next week, he called the ties between national leaders and their foreign counterparts key to preventing misunderstanding and, ultimately, conflict.

WASHINGTON - Only a month remains for eligible service members, veterans and their beneficiaries to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay.

WASHINGTON - NATO will extend its security mission in Libya to protect civilians there against continued threats, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is committed to pursuing al-Qaida and its military allies around the world and continues to work closely with international partners in that effort, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III led the start of the annual Combined Federal Campaign, challenging Defense Department workers to “make history” with their annual charitable giving during this year’s 50th anniversary drive.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces killed a Taliban leader and several insurgents, detained others and seized weapons throughout Afghanistan in recent days.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Sgt. Chad John spends 12 hours a day providing troops on the ground with an aerial view of Afghanistan, yet he rarely leaves the ground.

WASHINGTON - As the United States prepares to end two separate wars, President Barack Obama called on the United Nations and its member states to “do their part” in supporting progress toward a peaceful, world community.

WASHINGTON - Army Secretary John M. McHugh released a report to Congress, updating improvements made at Arlington National Cemetery more than a year after he ousted the cemetery's leadership and made sweeping changes in its structure.

WASHINGTON - The Army Surgeon General’s Office released its report on dismounted complex blast injuries, which more than twice as many service members have suffered annually since the 2009 troop surge in Afghanistan.

FORT MEADE, Md. - As if answering President Barack Obama’s call for them to hire more veterans, more than 80 employers gathered at a job fair at Fort Meade, Md., to tap into some of the top-notch qualifications the president touted.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - Air Force leaders are focused on managing potential budget constraints so that the service can continue to provide its unique contributions to national security, the Air Force chief of staff said.

MONTEREY, Calif. - A team of Naval Postgraduate School researchers are working with their counterparts to better track small and underwater craft capable of transporting radiological or nuclear materials.

WASHINGTON - As Operation Unified Protector winds down in Libya, the Defense Department and its NATO partners have had early discussions about future roles in the embattled nation, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

WASHINGTON - Pentagon leaders emphasized that they will continue to pressure Pakistan to keep insurgents there from crossing into Afghanistan following the recent assassination of a former Afghan president.

WASHINGTON - As the last month ticks down on a career that began in 1968, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offeres his view of how war, peace, society and the world have changed over the years.

WASHINGTON - Budget cuts create more risk for the military in a time of war, but the risk can be reduced by making decisions strategically and protecting core national security interests, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed that despite the assassination of the chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council, progress toward a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan will continue.

WASHINGTON - As the official end of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law takes effect, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has reaffirmed his dedication to all troops, ensuring everyone who wishes to serve has the opportunity to do so regardless of sexual preference.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials are inviting military and community members to share their thoughts on the quality and continuity of education in DOD schools and their suggestions for improvements.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces have captured numerous insurgent fighters in recent days, and have killed several others in fire fights.

MONTEREY, Calif. - Studies being done at the Naval Postgraduate School aim to take telemedicine to the next level -- possibly using body sensors and robots to help medics treat combat casualties.

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Roy Brown proved his mettle as a combat pilot in Vietnam. Now, 41 years later, he’s proving his stamina and love of the military with service in Afghanistan.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. - The Air Force will maintain its technical edge and commitment to its people while addressing tough budget decisions, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition .

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama issued a statement on the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that had barred gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

WASHINGTON - After years of debate and months of preparation, the Defense Department starts on a new footing with the repeal of the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that since 1993 has banned gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

WASHINGTON - Military retirees would pay an annual fee for TRICARE-for-Life health insurance and TRICARE pharmacy co-payments would be restructured under the new deficit reduction plan released by President Barack Obama.

WASHINGTON - Principal Financial Group is among the 15 companies that will be presented the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award for exceptional support of their Guard and reserve employees.

WASHINGTON - Starting tomorrow, gay and lesbian service members may be open about their sexual orientation as the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law takes effect, a senior Defense Department official told reporters.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Army Capt. Douglas Ray shares his struggles with depression and divorce in hopes of encouraging other soldiers to seek help when needed.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces killed one insurgent, detained one suspect and seized a weapons cache during separate operations across Regional Command East.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama called on Americans to express their heartfelt thanks to National Guard and Reserve members and their civilian employers as he proclaimed National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta inducted Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota L. Meyer into the Pentagon Hall of Heroes, holding him as an example of courage, selfless service and the Corps’ motto, “Always Faithful.”

WASHINGTON - The program coalition forces helped to create in Afghanistan last year to turn young men away from the insurgency and reintegrate them back to their communities is going a long way in building trust and confidence there, a military official said.

WASHINGTON - Members of the military family take responsibility for each other, and that responsibility extends to saving lives that might otherwise end in suicide, Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, said.

WASHINGTON - The National Reconnaissance Office is 50 years old this month, but its mission of designing, building, launching and maintaining America’s intelligence satellites is always future focused, Bruce A. Carlson, NRO’s director, said.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is on track to withdraw its forces from Iraq by the end of the year, the U.S. military’s most senior engineering officer posted there said.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has taken the lead in promoting efforts to make the Defense Department’s financial management processes more efficient, effective and transparent, DOD Comptroller Robert F. Hale told Congress.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praises airmen for their extraordinary and pivotal contributions to the nation as he marks the 64th anniversary of the Air Force.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department will honor employers from around the nation for their exceptional support of service members in the Guard and reserve.

WASHINGTON - No one has matched the United States’ time, resources and commitment to accounting for its missing military members and honoring its prisoners of war, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

WASHINGTON - Australia and the United States are determined to broaden their security cooperation efforts to counter threats and challenges of the future, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said following meetings with senior Australian officials.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials are raising concerns that a company’s proposed wireless broadband network would cause harmful interference to essential Global Positioning System operations.

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Nearly $1 trillion in defense cuts that the 2011 Budget Control Act could require would devastate the military and the defense industrial base, and could add 1 percent to the nation’s unemployment rate, the Pentagon press secretary said.

WASHINGTON - A dispute between Walgreens and a TRICARE contractor will not stop beneficiaries from getting their prescriptions filled, despite a Walgreen’s ad campaign to the contrary, a TRICARE official said.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor to Marine Corps Sgt. Dakota L. Meyer, making him the the first living Marine to receive the award for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan.

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. - Marine Corps Sgt. Colin M. Bell, an aviation supply specialist, beat the competition during an episode of Discovery Channel’s “One Man Army” television show.

WASHINGTON - As Americans observe POW/MIA Recognition Day, teams of military and civilian experts will be excavating sites in Europe and the South Pacific, looking for remains to help identify service members still missing from past wars.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces captured two insurgents involved in the Sept. 13 attacks against U.S. and NATO buildings in Kabul, miltary officials said.

WASHINGTON - The nation’s military services will reduce their general and flag officer ranks by 103 by the end of 2014, senior Defense Department officials told U.S. senators during a two-part hearing.

WASHINGTON - Service members and their families have done all the nation has asked of them over this past decade of war; it’s now time for the nation to return their sacrifice with honor and appreciation, First Lady Michelle Obama wrote in an op-ed.

WASHINGTON - International forces are not deterred by terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and are maintaining momentum in operations there, the chief of staff for the International Joint Command headquarters said.

WASHINGTON - Al-Qaida is a dangerous threat that must be eliminated, and its strategic defeat is within reach, Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael G. Vickers said.

WASHINGTON - Libya was the first major combat operation for U.S. Africa Command, and its men and women responded well, the unit’s commander said.

WASHINGTON - While al-Qaida may be “somewhat diminished,” its affiliates in Africa pose a growing concern, the commander of U.S. Africa Command said.

WASHINGTON - The outstanding support that 15 private employers have given to their National Guard and Reserve employees has earned them the Defense Department Freedom Award.

SAN FRANCISCO - Insurgent attacks like the one at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul on Sept. 13 indicate the Taliban are losing their ability to attack coalition forces on a broad scale, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

SAN FRANCISCO - Asia-Pacific defense cooperation and cybersecurity will be among the topics on the table at the annual Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations in San Francisco, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

WASHINGTON - As U.S. and allied forces dismantle the core of al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan, intelligence officials are studying the degree to which terrorist splinter groups are working together.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The lack of contact between the United States and Iran could be dangerous to the region and the international community, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a stop at the University of Miami.

WASHINGTON - Navy Vice Adm. (Dr.) John M. Mateczun, commander of Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical, is looking forward to a new standard in military care as patients and staff settle in to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, declared the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul a military failure, and praised the Afghan security force’s response to the raid.

WASHINGTON - Iraq’s potential acquisition of 18 U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft is an encouraging development that benefits both nations, Air Force Maj. Gen. Russell J. Handy, the senior U.S. Air Force component commander in Iraq, said.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Six Department of Defense C-130 Hercules aircraft under the command and control of U.S. Northern Command continue to aid efforts to control wildfires in Texas, Oregon and Idaho.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan National Security Forces, supported by coalition forces, successfully concluded an operation against a group of insurgents who attacked several locations in Kabul city earlier this week.

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Capt. Daniel Fiust, an AV-8B Harrier jet pilot, switched his workplace from the air to the ground to coordinate sky-launched assaults against the enemy in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Ten years after 9/11, al-Qaida is weaker and the U.S. intelligence community is more effective, the nation’s top intelligence officials told Congress.

WASHINGTON - If confirmed as the new deputy defense secretary, he will expand on his efforts to answer the needs of warfighters, and also help the Defense Department get more for its money, Ashton B. Carter told senators.

CORAL GABLES, Fla. - American people need to hear about the stressors service members and their families endure to truly understand the sacrifices they've made as the nation fights two wars, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a town hall meeting in Florida.

LINTHICUM, Md. - Citing the high rate of intrusions against Defense Department networks, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command says his biggest concern is the threat of attacks yet to be seen.

WASHINGTON - An attack near the U.S. Embassy and International Security Assistance Force headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul will not deter the United States from its efforts in Afghanistan, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

WASHINGTON - NATO-led operations in Libya will continue to focus on protecting the Libyan people, and will not support either the pro- or anti-Gadhafi forces, a NATO spokeswoman said.

FORT BENNING, Ga. - After enduring an ambush in Afghanistan, Army Sgt. Joel Dulashanti refused to let the loss of his leg, coupled with several internal injuries, prevent him from pursuing a career as a certified Airborne instructor.

NEW YORK - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed his upcoming retirement and the dedication of today's service members and their families on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A small group of insurgents attacked near the U.S. Embassy and International Security Assistance Force headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul. No ISAF injuries were reported.

MILWAUKEE - Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked the tens of thousands of Guard members who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere throughout the world at the 133rd General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States.

WASHINGTON - The main topics of discussion at the Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations will include challenges in the Asia-Pacific region, ways to improve and deepen alliance cooperation, and issues affecting global security, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa - Air Force Senior Airman Cristofer Mercado assists Kadena Air Base service members with everything from obtaining routine travel orders to simulating a deployment movement.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces detained three suspects and seized a weapons cache during operations in the Regional Command East region.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama remembered those who were lost to terrorist attacks a decade ago and said the American commitment to freedom, justice, courage and liberty has not dimmed in the face of many trials.

WASHINGTON - Vice President Joe Biden joined Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at a Pentagon ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

WASHINGTON - Of all the events that took place when terrorists attacked the United States 10 years ago, the best memories are those of the heroes who stood up to protect America’s freedom, the commander of Regional Command Southwest said in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - The Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the Aug. 6, 2011, helicopter shoot-down in Afghanistan that killed 38 men are linked by the events of 9/11, said Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff emphasized resilience as families, friends, co-workers and survivors gathered at the Pentagon to remember the 184 men, women and children killed when terrorists flew American Airlines Flight 77 into the building.

WASHINGTON - As he stood where a hijacked airliner slammed into the Pentagon 10 years ago, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said the United States has become stronger and safer since Sept. 11, 2001.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Two Afghan civilians were killed and scores of International Security Assistance Force service members and Afghan civilians were injured in a vehicle-bomb attack at Combat Outpost Sayed Abad in Afghanistan’s Wardak province.

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. - Marking the National Day of Service and Remembrance, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta joined volunteers in helping tp build a children's playground on Fort George G. Meade, Md.

WASHINGTON - The nation mourns nearly 3,000 innocent lives taken on 9/11 and honors a new generation that has volunteered to shoulder the burden of protecting the United States, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama used his weekly address to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and pay tribute to the first responders, the nation’s military members, and those who lost their lives Sept. 11, 2001.

WASHINGTON - During a community remembrance event at the Pentagon, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reflected on the lasting impact of the Sept. 11 attacks and the symbolic value carried by tributes created from 9/11 artifacts.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta asked others to renew their commitment to keeping the nation safe during a 9/11 commemorative ceremony at the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON - The Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments are developing shared clinical practice guidelines that health care providers in both agencies will use to assess suicide risk and help prevent suicide attempts, a Department of Defense official said.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Six Defense Department C-130 aircraft, equipped with U.S. Forest Service modular airborne firefighting systems, have been called upon to fight wildfires in Texas and in the Pacific Northwest.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised local police and firefighters for their unwavering bravery, determination and heroic efforts following the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

WASHINGTON - Gen. Raymond T. Odierno views readiness, leadership development and family programs as top priorities during his tenure as the new Army chief of staff.

WASHINGTON - America’s determined response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11 reflects a spirit that no tragedy can defeat, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said at the 9/11 Tenth Anniversary Summit.

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Army Staff Sgt. Richard LaVergne, a former Louisiana National Guardsman, reflects on how quickly Guard members' duties changed from natural disaster reactions to war-time deployments following 9/11.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta was on Capitol Hill when news of the World Trade Center attacks reached him. In a recent interview, Panetta said that he carries memories of Sept. 11, 2001 “seared into my insides, and my heart, and my mind.”

WASHINGTON - An Afghan reporter killed in a firefight between insurgents and coalition forces in Afghanistan last summer was the victim of mistaken identity, a report has found.

WASHINGTON - The Maryland National Guard has activated 25 soldiers to assist in the response to heavy flooding in parts of the state caused by Tropical Storm Lee’s heavy rains.

WASHINGTON - Afghanistan was not a part of any of the discussions Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers had with legislators as he readied for Senate confirmation on the morning of Sept.11, 2001.

WASHINGTON - The morning of the 9/11 attacks, then Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld was hosting a breakfast meeting at the Pentagon, warning members of the House Armed Services Committee about the dangers of major cuts to the defense and intelligence budgets.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen was on the fourth floor of the Pentagon on the “spectacularly clear” morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when hijackers flew a 757 airplane into the side of the building, changing the world forever, he said.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will pay tribute to all who have made sacrifices since 9/11 during public appearances commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.

WASHINGTON - An Afghan-led program designed to reintegrate former insurgents into non-violent lifestyle is helping to stabilize communities, districts and provinces throughout Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has renewed his annual message for Americans to devote the 9/11 anniversary to a day of service, a White House official said.

WASHINGTON - The 9/11 attacks on the U.S. homeland forged a bond between the Defense Department and national-mission intelligence agencies that has never been stronger, defense officials said in the days before the tragedy’s 10th anniversary.

WASHINGTON - As NATO’s Training Mission Afghanistan works to build the country’s army, air force, and police, it is doing so with an emphasis on being “Afghan centric,” the mission’s deputy commander said.

BETHESDA, Md. - Mario Lemieux, one of ice hockey's all-time greats, helped dedicate a playroom for children of wounded warriors receiving treatment at Walter Reed Medical Center. The project was funded by Austin's Playroom Project.

WASHINGTON - The White House announced four service members were selected among a group of 15 people to join the 2011-2012 class of White House Fellows to encourage active citizenship and a lifelong commitment to service.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents and wounded one while searching for a Taliban leader in Nangarhar province.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Army Lt. Col. Van Sherwood, a medical entomologist, helps eliminate insects and other unwanted pests that invade Defense Logistics Agency faclities.

WASHINGTON - Like so many Americans, Army Sgt. Cheri Depenbrock watched the horror of 9/11 unfold from her office television. What was different for the Army recruiter was how it changed her job in the weeks after.

WASHINGTON - Ten years later, retired Navy Capt. Stephen Frost surprises himself when his voice chokes up with emotion describing the horrific events of 9/11.

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - As he prepares to take over as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey reflects on past, current and future challenges facing the defense department and the military services.

WASHINGTON - The chain of popular uprisings across the Arab world known as the “Arab Spring” is a monumental moment in the politics and future of the Middle East, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said

WASHINGTON - While terrorism remains a threat to national security, it is joined by cyber attacks, nuclear weapons capability and a number of rising powers among the world’s nations, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

ARLINGTON, Va. - Defense Department officials are looking to balance efficiency, effectiveness and security while moving into “cloud” computing, DOD’s deputy chief information officer said.

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va - Gen. Raymond T. Odierno assumed responsibility as the Army’s chief of staff from Gen. Martin E. Dempsey as Dempsey begins his transition to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

WASHINGTON - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is seeking public input on consumer financial products and services tailored to service members in an effort to educate military families about their options.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has authorized raising the force-protection level for military installations, mainly in the United States, in advance of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

FORT RILEY, Kan. - Army Staff Sgt. Peter Rosie was a New York City paramedic who served as a first responder during the attacks on the World Trade Center. His experiences there helped him decide to re-enlist in the Army.

FORT MEADE, Md. - Most of the young recruits undergoing in-processing at the Baltimore Military Entrance Processing Station were too young to understand the magnitude of the 9/11 attacks as they took place a decade ago, but they have now made a commitment to defend their nation in the post-9/11 world.

WASHINGTON - An Afghan and coalition patrol killed two insurgents, detained numerous suspects and seized enemy weapons while searching for a Taliban leader in Wardak province.

FORT MEADE, Md. - New York Army National Guard Spc. Qiyu “Steve” Luo said 9/11 forever changed him, his unit and the National Guard he continues to serve today.

NEW YORK - The terrorist attacks of a decade ago have in some ways strengthened the United States and weakened al-Qaida, however terrorism still remains a threat, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

RUTLAND, Vt. - The Vermont National Guard’s Task Force Green Mountain Spirit is leading a multi-state effort to support civil authorities who are helping residents and communities affected by post-Irene flooding.

WASHINGTON - A new Defense Department policy requires students attending DOD schools to be in attendance for 180 instructional days per academic year, barring illness and emergency situations.

WASHINGTON - NATO-led operations in Libya show forces are flexible, open and strong, and demonstrate the need for critical capabilities supplied by the United States, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.

NEW YORK - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta toured the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, becoming the first cabinet member to visit the site.

BETHESDA, Md. - Marine Cpl. Miroslav “Mike” Kazimir and his wife, Marcela, credit the quick response of combat medics for saving him from life-threatening wounds sustained during an improvised explosive device attack.

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Kentucky Army National Guard Sgt. Corey Blankenship sticks with a strict diet and exercise regimen -- and encourages others to do the same -- while deployed to Iraq.

WASHINGTON - Afghan and coalition forces killed four insurgents, detained six suspects and uncovered a weapons cache during separate operations in Regional Command East.

CLEVELAND - Paydays for military retirees and those who receive portions of retired pay are changing for the months of September and December, as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service changes its pay schedule.

WASHINGTON - Zachary Laychak lost his father during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and honors his memory by wearing an engraved silver bracelet with his collegiate football number on it.

WASHINGTON - Family-support volunteer Bonnie Carroll vividly recalls the day when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will honor those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks as he travels to New York City.

LATHAM. N.Y. - New York Army National Guard aviation units have logged 150 hours of flight time and transported 60,000 pounds of food and water to communities impacted by Hurricane Irene.

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan - An Army medic serving with the Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan saved a young Afghan boy from life-threatening shrapel injuries.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader responsible for attacks against Afghan security forces.

WASHINGTON - Volunteer organizations that improve the lives of service members and their families must continue their leadership, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the Newman’s Own Foundation Awards ceremony.

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - During his retirement ceremony, the former commander of U.S. forces in Korea lauded those who contributed to the efforts to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praises the achievements of U.S. service members and DOD civilians as he reminds them to have a safe Labor Day weekend.

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials are “keenly aware” that terrorist attacks are possible as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan said.

WASHINGTON - The USNS Comfort will docks at Norfolk, Va., after five months at sea supporting the Continuing Promise 2011 humanitarian assistance mission.

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Blue Angels’ Labor Day weekend performance is another demonstration of the Department of the Navy's commitment to reducing fossil fuel use. Their F/A-18 Hornet aircraft are using a biofuel blend during their performances at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., Air Expo.

SANTIAGO, Chile - Military and civilian defense leaders from a dozen Western Hemisphere nations met in Chile to discuss future military support for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Army’s senior officer praised Army Gen. Walter L. “Skip” Sharp's leadership, resilience and courage over the course of his 37-year military career.

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Marine Corps instructors at the Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest on Camp Leatherneck are training an elite group of Afghan police.

WASHINGTON - As the Dec. 31 drawdown approaches, Iraqi security forces are preparing to manage the country's internal security and external defense, a U.S. brigade commander said.

GARMSIR DISTRICT, HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Marine Corps noncommissioned officers Sgt. LaJuanna Baker and Cpl. Andrea Moreira-Rios helped a midwife deliver an Afghan woman's baby.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs may authorize up to one year of retroactive benefits for veterans who can demonstrate that they have experienced a qualifying Agent Orange presumptive condition.