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KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2008 – The Afghan National Army Air Corps has received the first three of six Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters, adding to its growing capabilities. Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and Afghan National Army Air Corps and NATO members load propeller blades onto a flatbed truck in Kabul, Afghanistan, after three refurbished Mi-35 helicopters arrived to join the air corps’ aerial fleet. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Keith Brown  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The helicopters, donated by the Czech Republic, were refurbished by members of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan....

BAJI - The Iraqi Army achieved a new milestone in their path towards self-sufficiency on Dec. 14 when Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq’s Coalition Army Advisory Training Team - Logistics Military Advisory Team contingent departed Bayji National Ammunition Depot.  The Iraqi Forces accepted full depot management and all associated operational control at BNAD for the Iraqi Ministry of Defense at a ceremony in late September 2008.  Since that time, a small contingent of coalition personnel has been assisting them as they develop full capacity.  The Iraqi Army quickly gained control of all aspects of the depot operation, including the...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2008 – Progress in East Baghdad is going so well that the area is “beyond counterinsurgency” and into development, U.S. officials with responsibility for the area said today. In a teleconference with Pentagon reporters from Baghdad, Army Col. Mark Dewhurst, commander of the 10th Mountain Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, and Conrad Tribble, who leads the provincial reconstruction team in the area, said security, governance and economic progress has been significant in the political districts of Karrada, Rusafa and New Baghdad. The unit is partnered with four Iraqi security force brigades that are commanded by highly competent...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2008 – With fewer than 40 days left in office, President George W. Bush signed a security pact in Baghdad yesterday, putting an end in sight for the Iraq war after nearly six years of fighting. “The war is not over yet,” Bush said, “[but] it is decisively on its way to being won.” During a surprise farewell visit to Baghdad yesterday, Bush met with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for a signing ceremony, affirming the two landmark agreements to withdraw U.S. troops and formalizing a long-term relationship between the two countries. “[The agreements] cement a...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2008 – Afghanistan is making progress, and despite challenges, it can rely on America to help it defeat terrorists and grow its fledgling democracy, President George W. Bush told Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the capital city of Kabul today. “There’s been good progress made, but there are a lot of tough challenges” ahead in Afghanistan, said Bush, who made a surprise visit to Afghanistan following his unannounced visit to Baghdad yesterday. “I told the president that you can count on the United States -- just like you’ve been able to count on this administration, you’ll...

An Iraqi Policeman directs traffic in the Karkh District of northwest Baghdad. Photo by Capt. Michael Roscoe, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — Throughout Baghdad’s Karkh security district, Iraqi Police (IP) make daily strides to earn the trust of the local population. During the past year, the IP in Saliyah, Karkh, and Juafer have stepped up and taken the lead in securing their neighborhoods. Taking this more active role has placed them in the spotlight in securing Karkh, and the citizens of northwest Baghdad are beginning to appreciate their efforts.Coalition forces have supported this move by enrolling the IP...

BAGHDAD — More than 30 shaykhs from the Baghdad neighborhoods of Hurriyah and Tarmiyah gathered recently in an area once filled with sectarian violence to see for themselves how the security situation has changed. The religious leaders from both the Sunni and Shiite tribes met at the al-Farooq Mosque in Hurriyah, where members of the 6th Iraqi Army Division and Multi-National Division – Baghdad displayed how safe the neighborhood is. Many of the shaykhs from Tarmiyah had once lived in Hurriyah and relocated because sectarian violence dramatically increased from around February 2006 to February 2008, according to Maj. John Breland,...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3, 2008 – With the help of mentors from several countries and every branch of service, the 205th Corps of the Afghan National Army now can plan and execute operations, a senior advisor said yesterday. “These are Afghan pilots flying Afghan missions in support of the Afghan people,” Army Col. Paul Somersall, commander of Regional Corps Advisory Command in southern Afghanistan, said to bloggers and online journalists during a teleconference. Three of the 205th Corps’ four infantry brigades have been assessed as capable of conducting independent operations with minimal support from their combat advisors. “One of the brigades...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Dec. 2, 2008 – More than two years of work on the part of a cultural leader in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province is coming to fruition with the completion of a chicken coop. Brishna Yaftali, director of the Marwa Cultural Development Organization in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province, and a member of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team women’s affairs team inspect a chicken coop in Tawakh village, Nov. 22, 2008. U.S. Army photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The project in the province’s Anaba district was one of the main topics when the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team’s new...

It’s my favorite time of year: family, football, and giving thanks for all that I have and hold dear. Yes, Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. Living in Massachusetts, we have a unique perspective on Thanksgiving. From Plymouth Rock to the Mayflower, to Plymouth Plantation, most of us have experienced the sights and rich history of the holiday. The Pilgrims were a courageous group of people, willing to sacrifice the livelihood of their families for religious freedom and prosperity. There are many lessons to be learned from the Pilgrims and their amazing story. My favorite lesson, however, is rarely...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2008 – Coalition forces officials in Iraq’s Babil and Karbala provinces have not seen tensions rise among political groups vying for power as elections approach next month, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today. “What I'm seeing right now is a very positive situation in both provinces, and anticipation of those elections,” Army Col. Tom James, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, said from Iraq during a video news conference with Pentagon reporters. “I have not seen any clear activity or any jockeying in some form of extremist-type activity related...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2008 – Iraqis in Karbala and Babil provinces welcomed the Nov. 27 passing of the U.S.-Iraq status-of-forces agreement, recognizing the important role the United States plays in Iraqi security and governance, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today. “[The Iraqis] are generally optimistic. … [The agreement] is a big deal, a historic event,” Army Col. Tom James, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team, said from Iraq during a video news conference with Pentagon reporters. James said he and his unit have been anticipating the agreement for months, slowly reducing...

BAGHDAD — With chests out, arms to their sides, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their brothers in arms, 142 emergency response brigade graduates swore an oath of allegiance to Iraq during a ceremony, Nov. 20. “This organization, the ERB, is an elite force – a different force – with the best leadership, the best equipment and the best training,” said Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq commander and NATO Iraqi Training commander, to the class during the graduation ceremony. “When we get the toughest missions, we will ask for you to lead the way, and I know you...

BAGHDAD — The Iraqi ARAM Media Print Facility and the Brothers Fuel Station opened in the Iraqi Business Industrial Zone at Victory Base Complex, Nov. 24. These two businesses are the result of Iraqi business men and women who have a desire to develop the Iraqi economic infrastructure. “The whole purpose of the Iraqi Business Industrial Zone is to help improve the industrial base and improve local communities,” said Rear Adm. Kathleen Dussault, commander, Joint Contracting Command. “Military bases create a lot of great jobs. It is a perfect opportunity to pair up local business and the bases to help...

Iraq parliament passes U.S. security pact Thu Nov 27, 2008 9:12am EST By Ahmed Rasheed BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament approved a landmark security pact with the United States Thursday that paves the way for U.S. forces to withdraw by the end of 2011. The deal, which parliament linked after days of fractious negotiations to a series of promised political reforms and a public referendum next year, brings in sight an end to the U.S. military presence that began with the 2003 invasion. Lawmakers in Iraq's 275-seat parliament passed the deal with a majority of 149 out of 198 present,...

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, Nov. 26, 2008 – Whether it is a routine patrol or a weapons search, U.S. and Afghan forces increasingly are working together to halt the violence that has haunted Afghanistan for more than 30 years. Soldiers from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, Combined Task Force Currahee, walk down a mountain in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktika province during a search for a weapons cache. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Otto  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. In the early stages of winter in Afghanistan, creeks begin to freeze as the temperature drops. Everything and everyone...

Once it was impossible to keep track of all the bloodshed. Now it's impossible to keep track of all the progress. General Petraeus once told me during the height of the fighting, that South Baghdad was the canary in the mineshaft. In his exact words regarding what Lieutenant Colonel Pat Frank had to deal with in one of the toughest places in Iraq, "It will be the canary in the mineshaft; if they can pull it off, this will be doable.” It is critical to point out that General Petraeus told me this in 2007 — just at the crest...

We won. The Iraq War is over. I declare November 22, 2008 to be "Victory in Iraq Day." (Hereafter known as "VI Day.") By every measure, The United States and coalition forces have conclusively defeated all enemies in Iraq, pacified the country, deposed the previous regime, successfully helped to establish a new functioning democratic government, and suppressed any lingering insurgencies. The war has come to an end. And we won. What more indication do you need? An announcement from the outgoing Bush administration? It's not gonna happen. An announcement from the incoming Obama administration? That's really not gonna happen. A...

President-elect Barack Obama, on "60 Minutes," defended the financial bailout package. Yes, said Obama, the economy continues to suffer, but "I think the part of the way to think about it is things could be worse. … So part of what we have to measure against is what didn't happen and not just what has happened." Interesting. Why not apply the "what didn't happen" standard to the unpopular Iraq war? Obama calls the Iraq invasion a "dumb war." Never mind that all of his Democratic presidential nomination Senate opponents -- Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen./VP-elect Joe Biden, Sen. Hillary Clinton and...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2008 – After a year of operating in two of Baghdad’s most historically violent districts, coalition forces are beginning to see the effects of a more confident Iraqi government and Iraqi security force, a U.S. Army brigade commander told reporters during a Pentagon press briefing here today. “Significant amounts of progress have been made in the last year in terms of security,” said Army Col. John H. Hort, commander of the 4th Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team. Hort noted the positive effects security has had on governance, economic and essential services improvements in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah...