Larger Force in Afghanistan ‘Might Be Counterintuitive,’ General Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 – The current number of forces in Afghanistan is enough to accomplish the mission, but it’ll take awhile to do so, the U.S. officer who just finished his tour as commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan said here today.
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Afghan National Police Training Continues Despite Obstacles
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio
Special to American Forces Press Service
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 13, 2008 – Surrounded by Afghan National Police, the U.S. Army staff sergeant moved the water-bottle caps around in the dirt, as if on a checkerboard. But, there was no board, and this was no game. It was training.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry Completes First Internal Review
American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, June 13, 2008 – Iraq’s Interior Ministry yesterday conducted an internal review of strategic goals and objectives it has achieved so far in 2008.
The review was a first in the ministry’s history, and it follows a few months after Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani approved the strategic plan in February.
Coalition, Afghan Forces Thwart Ambushes, Kill Enemy Fighters
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces thwarted three ambushes, killing at least 17 enemy fighters and seizing explosive materials and weapons in Afghanistan over the past two days, military officials said.
About 100 militants attacked coalition and Afghan forces today with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades in the Tarin Kowt district of Uruzgan province, before fleeing into a nearby village.
Challenges Remain in Afghanistan, General Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 – Though statistics indicate the insurgency in Afghanistan is not expanding, multiple challenges remain there, the U.S. officer who just finished his tour as commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan said here today.
“I do not share the view that many do that this thing is spreading; it’s not,” Army Gen. Dan K. McNeill told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.
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Forces in Iraq Kill Nine, Capture 24, Seize Weapons
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 13, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces killed nine enemy fighters, captured more than 24 suspects, and seized weapons across Iraq in the past three days, military officials said.
In operations today:
– Coalition forces captured a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist near Lake Tharthar and three alleged foreign terrorist facilitators in Beiji, about 62 miles south of Mosul.
– Coalition troops detained two suspected terrorists in separate raids just north of Baghdad. Military officials said the operations degraded al-Qaida’s network in the northern belt around the Iraqi capital.
– Troops also captured a wanted man and an associate near Biaj, about 80 miles southwest of Mosul
Iraqi flight teams protect date palm crop
Armed Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, DC (June 10, 2008) – Iraq’s Agriculture Ministry improved its ability to protect the nation’s commercial date palm crop from deadly dubas beetles through a nationwide spraying program completed this week.
Pilots and maintenance crews increased their coverage by 33 percent this year, spraying nearly 170,000 acres in six provinces. Last year, crews sprayed just more than 120,000 acres in four provinces.
Too Early to Predict Further U.S. Troop Cuts in Iraq, Mullen Says
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2008 – The number of U.S. troops in Iraq is slated to decrease from 20 to 15 brigades by the end of July, but it is too soon now to predict additional reductions, the U.S. military’s top officer said here today.
The Iraq redeployment involves about 30,000 U.S. troops who were sent there last year to support the surge of forces, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted at a Government Executive Magazine-hosted breakfast at the National Press Club.
Improved Iraqi Security Leads to Reconstruction, Jobs
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 12, 2008 – Improvements in overall security incidents and Iraqi forces continued to rise during the past week, enabling the central government and coalition forces to begin progress in other areas vital to Iraq’s growth and sovereignty, a senior U.S. military official in Iraq said yesterday.
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