General Seeks to Build Professional, Sustainable Afghan Forces
Building Afghan security forces that are capable, professional and sustainable is going to take a long time, but also is key to long-term success, the general who leads the NATO training mission in Afghanistan said.

Petraeus Explains Afghanistan Strategy
While military action is necessary in Afghanistan, it's not enough for success, said U.S. Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, explaining the need for civic assistance operations.

Border Mission 'Not Unique' for Guardsmen
For the nearly 1,100 National Guard members on duty on the Southwest border, the job they are performing is a mission that is very familiar to many of them.

Family Matters Blog: First Lady, Dr. Biden: Support Military Families
In her latest blog, AFPS' Elaine Wilson highlights an op-ed written by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden that urges Americans to support troops and their families.

Coalition, Afghan Forces Rescue Prisoners
A combined Afghan-coalition force was pursuing a senior Taliban leader when it found and rescued seven imprisoned Afghan citizens during an operation in Helmand province.

Trainers Build New Afghan Health System
Some 250 members of a nine-month-old medical training advisory group are standing back to enable Afghans to step up and increase their capability.

Face of Defense: Marine Follows Family Heritage
Defending America's freedom is a family tradition for Marine Corps Sgt. Dominick Valerio. His grandfather and two uncles are veterans, and his brothers serve in the Army.

Gates Sees 'Positive Direction' in Afghanistan
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he is encouraged by what he saw during a visit with troops serving in Afghanistan, especially the partnership between the forces.

Progress in Kandahar Will be Gradual, General Says
Progress in Afghanistan must be gradual and slow to ensure it becomes permanent, Army Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez said while visiting an outpost in Afghanistan with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates.

'We Can Solve' Soldier Suicides, General Says
Pre-screening recruits for military life compatibility and intervening before soldiers' problems mushroom are some of the suicide prevention tactics Army National Guard leaders recommend.

First Lady, Dr. Biden Urge Troop, Family Support
Just days after the combat mission in Iraq ended, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, reminded Americans that their commitment to military families must carry on.

Mullen: News Can't Convey Scope of Pakistan Floods
Pictures and stories on the news "just don't capture" the scope of the floods that have ravaged Pakistan, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said after a tour of the region.

Mullen Gets Afghanistan Updates in Kabul
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed progress and challenges in Afghanistan with top military and diplomatic officials during a three-hour visit to Kabul.

Air Strike Targets Senior Insurgent Leader
Coalition forces employed an air strike against an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan senior member determined to be a deputy shadow governor.

Afghanistan Gains Come at High Price, General Says
U.S. and coalition troops in southwestern Afghanistan have made significant gains in recent months, but not without sacrifice, said the commander of NATO's regional command southwest.

Gates, Karzai Discuss Way Ahead in Afghanistan
There are now enough resources in Afghanistan to deliver "tangible and lasting results," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a joint news conference in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Taliban in Financial Trouble, General Says
The insurgency in southwestern Afghanistan is down to its "last card in the deck," the top military commander in the region said, citing Taliban cash flow problems and manning issues.

Family Matters Blog: Virtual High School Keeps Students on Track
In her latest blog, AFPS' Elaine Wilson writes about the Department of Defense Education Activity's new virtual high school that's helping to fill in gaps for military students.

Face of Defense: Sailors Serve Meals at Homeless Shelter
Sailors assigned to the USS Constitution, which is visiting Baltimore, home of its sister ship the USS Constellation, have prepared and served food at a local homeless shelter as part of Baltimore Navy Week.

Air Guard's 'Wingman Project' Offers Hope
The Air National Guard's "Wingman Project" trains citizen-airmen and their families to recognize the signs of suicide and help others in need.

U.S. Military Boosts Pakistan Aid Capabilities
The U.S. military is boosting its flood-relief capabilities to Pakistan by deploying more aircraft and increasing the number of aid distribution stations in the flood-stricken nation, the Pakistan aid task force commander said.

Students Rate Quality Education, DoDEA Director Says
Military children attending Department of Defense Education Activity schools deserve the best education possible.

Afghanistan Now Has Forces, Resources, Petraeus Says
With the vast majority of 30,000 additional troops now in Afghanistan, surge forces have started conducting operations and are positioned to make major strides in the country, said Army Gen. David H. Petraeus.

Objective in Pakistan is to Help, Mullen Says
Though flood relief efforts may help others see the United States in a more favorable light, the objective here is to help, said Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, while in Pakistan.

Defense Department Prepares for Hurricane Earl Response
The Defense Department is ready to respond should Hurricane Earl's projected landfall bring disaster to the Atlantic coast.

U.S. Continues to Aid Flood-Stricken Pakistanis
Even as floodwaters begin to recede in Pakistan, the United States is continuing to rush assets there to help the millions affected by record monsoon floods.

Cartwright Lauds Nonprofit Groups for Military Support
The work of volunteers is as important to the legacy of America as the contributions of those who serve in uniform, said Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Biden: U.S. Effort in Iraq Goes On Despite Mission Change
Combat operations may be over in Iraq, but the U.S. military and diplomatic endeavor remains, Vice President Joe Biden said in Baghdad, reminding the international community of the significance of Operation New Dawn.

Afghan, Coalition Troops Kill, Capture Hundreds of Insurgents
Afghan and coalition forces killed or captured hundreds of Taliban and Haqqani extremists during the past month.

Odierno Earns Praise for Getting Results in Iraq
As U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno signed off as commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates credited his ability to turn plans into results on the ground.