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Sgt. Christopher Benjamin, 3rd Platoon, 127th Military Police Company, watches as Iraqi policemen handle the flow of traffic at a checkpoint south of Baghdad, March 22. Benjamin, a native of Tampa, Fla. is visiting the checkpoint as part of his platoon's mission as a police transition team. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Marcus Butler More Photos Joint Police Force Works Toward a More Secure Iraq U.S. troops help train Itaqi police. By Sgt. Marcus Butler 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq, March 30, 2007 — The future security of Iraq starts at the ground level...

MEXICO CITY - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Friday that Mexico and the United States need to secure their common border before Congress approves an immigration accord. He acknowledged that focusing on security puts "horrible pressure on the Border Patrol," but said Americans must be convinced that the border is safe before they back a plan to grant more immigrants legal passage to the U.S. Mexico has been pushing for years for a U.S. immigration accord. President Bush has proposed a guest-worker program that would allow Mexicans living abroad to seek temporary work visas, but Congress has refused...

Salman Pak Iraqi Police and U.S. soldiers patrol the area together. U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Bronco Suzuki. Troops Help Iraqis Secure Neighborhood Joint U.S and Iraqi Forces operation uncovers cache of rocket launchers and small arms. By Spc. Shea Butler 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment BAGHDAD, Jan. 10, 2007 -- The ramp drops, the sun rises and the troops emerge. The missions vary and everyone has a different, but equally important job. The troops on the ground in Baghdad work every job from quick reaction force to humanitarian missions. The mission for soldiers with Company B, 1st...

Cpl. Joseph Casiano, a native of San Antonio, and Spc. David Tunstall, a native of Alexandria, Va., both with Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, search through a bag they found on top of a vehicle in Baghdad Thursday. BAGHDAD -- The ramp drops, the sun rises and the troops emerge. The missions vary and everyone has a different, but equally important job. The troops on the ground in Baghdad work every job from quick reaction force to humanitarian missions. The mission for Soldiers with Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2006 -- The solution in Iraq is not only a military one; it will take political will to convince the Iraqis to take responsibility for securing their own country, outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said in a radio interview yesterday. Speaking on “The Laura Ingraham Show,” Rumsfeld emphasized that this is an unconventional war that requires adapting the military forces, and it will require political reconciliation to bring lasting peace to Iraq. “Normally, the center of gravity of a war is on the battlefield. But in this case, we can't lose a battle, and it's...

RADWANIYAH, Iraq — Mohamad, an Iraqi farmer, found it difficult enough to survive on what produce he could eke out of his small desert farm. But when some of the carefully constructed irrigation channels were destroyed, he had no way to provide for his family. Mohamad’s land was partially destroyed when the U.S. Army closed roads for military purposes. While the roads were closed a vehicle drove across his land, caving in the canal and stopping the water flow to his crops. Mohamad had nowhere to turn – except to the U.S. Army’s Brigade Operational Law Team for help. The...

Civilians line up at the point of entry in Rabea, Iraq, to have their paperwork reviewed by a customs agent to gain passage into Syria. The agents receive their training from U.S. Customs agents and embedded transition teams. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shannon Crane Border Transition Teams Secure Relationships U.S. soldiers work side by side with Iraqis -- advising, coaching, teaching and mentoring them. By U.S. Army Sgt. Shannon Crane U.S. Central Command Public Affairs RABEA, Iraq, Nov. 20, 2006 -- It is early morning at the point of entry where two countries meet -- Iraq and Syria....

President Bush is scheduled to sign the Secure Border Fence Act today. AP writer Deb Reichman leads her report with the political implications of the bill. WASHINGTON (AP) - When President Bush signs a bill authorizing 700 miles of new fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday, he’ll give GOP candidates a pre-election platform for asserting they’re tough on illegal immigration. Yet the centerpiece of his immigration policy, a guest worker program, remains stalled in Congress. Securing our nation’s borders is the right thing to do. Furthermore, protecting the men and women who risk their lives to secure the border against...

Paratroopers from the service-and-recovery shop, Company B, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, installed benches, seat belts, an air conditioner and six 1,500-pound-armor plates into a locomotive-movement tactical vehicle to create a detainee vehicle. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Joshua R. Ford Paratroopers Ensure Secure Transportation for Detainees Soldiers make room in tactical vehicle for 15 to 20 passengers. By Spc. Joshua R. Ford3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS BASE SPEICHER, Iraq, Oct. 19, 2006 -- When the order came down from higher headquarters to move detainees from Forward Operating Bases...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2006 – U.S. servicemembers can use the SINCGARS radio system with confidence, officials with the Army’s Communications-Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth, N.J., said today. James Bowden, project leader for the single-channel ground and airborne radio system, said recent media articles claim that Hezbollah used advanced technology to crack Israeli communications during the fighting in Lebanon. The articles allege that the group used technology from Iran to thwart Israeli tank attacks, Bowden said, adding that some servicemembers have expressed the fear that Hezbollah or Iran has shared this technology with extremists in Iraq. But the articles are wrong,...

They are meant to reduce crime by helping police spot problems. By the end of the year, 40 cameras will cover 31 locations in the area. It's part of a plan first announced in January by Dallas Police. Grant money will cover the 840-thousand dollar price tag for the cameras. Police will monitor the cameras from their headquarters and City Hall. Some residents feel apprehensive about the surveillance, seeing it as an invasion of privacy. But others say the cameras could help curb petty crime and random violence.

WASHINGTON — The Iraqi government is ready to send whatever number of troops is needed to help secure Baghdad, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said Sunday. “The commander and chief of the Iraqi Army can move the units of Iraqi Army from different parts of Iraq to Baghdad,” Talabani told CNN’s John King. “Of course our capital is Baghdad, and we are much interested to secure (it).” Such a move would help address concern by the commander of Multi-National Division – Baghdad, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Thurman, that an additional six battalions of Iraqi Soldiers - about 3,000 troops -...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2006 – The Iraqi government is ready to send whatever number of troops is needed to help secure Baghdad, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said today. “The commander and chief of the Iraqi army can move the units of Iraqi army from different parts of Iraq to Baghdad,” Talabani told CNN’s John King, who was sitting in for Wolf Blitzer on “Late Edition.” “Of course our capital is Baghdad, and we are much interested to secure (it).” This would help satisfy U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Thurman’s recent statement that an additional six battalions of Iraqi soldiers, or...

Israel backs Annan bid to secure freedom for soldiers By Alec Russell in Washington (Filed: 05/09/2006)Kofi Annan said he would appoint a secret negotiator to mediate between Israel and Hizbollah for the release of two Israeli soldiers Kofi Annan announced yesterday that the United Nations would mediate to secure the release of the two Israeli soldiers held by Hizbollah in Lebanon in a fresh attempt to defuse tensions in the area. The abduction of the soldiers by guerrillas in a cross-border raid in July provoked an Israeli offensive and led to 34 days of bloody fighting. Until yesterday's announcement by...

Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq Two Iraqi contractors and U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jose Torres, MNSTC-I communications program manager, prepare to run cable lines through different offices in a building that will soon house the 1st Iraqi Army division. Habbaniyah is the 12th location for Iraqi Armed Forces to receive the Iraqi Defense Network. Department of Defense photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Lucia Newman. HABANIYAH -- A key element in any strong organization is communication - even more so when that organization is the military that is defending and protecting the rights of its nation's citizens. With Coalition...

Iraq’s western border becoming more secure by Norris Jones Gulf Region Central District US Army Corps of Engineers (GRD Photos) Al Asad, Iraq -- Iraq’s western border with Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will now be more secure thanks to a continuous line of outposts that will be completed this month.U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Central District (GRC) was responsible for overseeing that work which included 23 border forts overlooking nearly 600 kilometers of Iraq’s remote western frontier. The final fort, Border Fort 32, located along the Saudi Arabian border, was recently completed. Each of those castle-like,...

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., July 3, 2006 – U.S. Northern Command has a new partner in defending North America from future terrorist and natural disasters. During his first official visit to NORTHCOM headquarters here as the commander of Canada Command, Canadian Forces Lt. Gen. Marc Dumais promised the two nations would take their already strong military cooperation to new heights. Canada Command is the Canadian Forces formation responsible for all of Canada's routine and contingency domestic operations. The creation of Canada Command was based on the new international security environment and a commitment to place greater emphasis on the...

THE ISSUE: A comprehensive immigration plan that includes a guest-worker program. ("Base Desires," Dick Morris, PostOpinion, June 26). **** No one with any common sense believes the Senate immigration bill would really be enforced. Rather, it would only begin another round of illegal entries into the country. Bloomfield, Conn. **** Grass-roots conservatives, who worked hard to get President Bush re-elected........will not support a plan that includes amnesty. Lyles, Tenn. **** The resultant population drain and strain on our social programs will surely reduce the United States to just another Euro-type weakling.........enforce existing laws that heavily fine employers of illegal immigrants....

AL ASAD, Iraq (June 26, 2006) -- Sitting silently on a chair next to two humvees, a Marine listens to the continuous static of the radio, waiting attentively for the call that would have him and his Marines load up in the two vehicles and move outside the fences of Al Asad in a moments notice. The Perimeter Patrol Team with 2nd Platoon, E Company, 1st Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, Marine Wing Support Group 37 (Reinforced), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, is responsible for keeping the surrounding areas around Al Asad, Iraq, secure, as well as to establish a presence with...

CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq (June 14, 2006) -- A stretch of highway once called “IED Alley” just might get a new nickname. Maybe something along the lines of “Darkhorse Drive.” Marines of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, are making steps to secure Main Supply Route Michigan, the highway connecting Fallujah and Ramadi. They built several new observation posts along the way, an area near the Euphrates River with no distinct city lines or local government. The Marines are cutting into insurgents’ ability to move and plant improvised explosive devices. “It’s to keep the major lines of communications open, prevent IEDs from...