Iraqi Army soldiers conducted training Aug. 30 at Joint Security Station Deason in Baghdad, exhibiting their capability to secure a more stable and sovereign Iraq.

“A very tough fight” remains in Afghanistan that will demand more hard work and sacrifice, President Barack Obama acknowledged while visiting Fort Bliss, Texas, to thank troops there for advancing the mission in Iraq.

The change from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn does not affect combat and other hazardous-duty entitlements troops serving in Iraq receive, a Pentagon spokeswoman said.

The Veterans Affairs Department is making great strides in its efforts to reduce the backlog of veterans’ claims, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki told thousands of veterans attending the 92nd Annual American Legion National Convention in Milwaukee.

Elementary and middle school students who reside in the Uijeongbu-Dongducheon area – north of Seoul – no longer take a 60- to 90-minute one-way bus ride to Yongsan Garrison to attend school thanks to the historic opening of Casey Elementary School Aug. 30.

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

Active-duty officers have until the end of September to self-nominate and apply for retroactive credit for joint-service experience they gained between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009.

Military garrisons in Korea were ready for Typhoon Kompasu, which hit the peninsula early Sept. 2 with 65-mph sustained winds.

Gen. Raymond T. Odierno put it very simply today, as he finished his address at the change of command ceremony for U.S. Forces Iraq. “Lion 6 – Out,” meaning that the commander had finished using his call sign and was heading for his new assignment at U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.

The Defense Department is ready to respond should Hurricane Earl’s projected landfall this weekend bring disaster to the Atlantic coast.