The history of the Black U.S. Marine

  WASHINGTON  — The year was 1941; our country was still overcoming the severe economic conditions of the Great Depression and racial segregation was widespread throughout the nation. At the time, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt wanted to create fair employment practices for the United States Armed Forces and decided to integrate the American military. He issued Executive Order 8802 on June... 

read full story

U.S. Military changes rules for nighttime operations

KABUL, March 5, 2010 – The commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan has issued new rules governing night raids, acknowledging that although they can have value militarily, they also can foster ill will toward international forces on the part of the Afghan people. In a written statement, International Security Assistance Force officials released unclassified portions of Army Gen. Stanley A.... 

read full story

24th MEU wraps up Haiti missions, prepares for Afghanistan deployment

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit was released from duties supporting Operation Unified Response today by U.S. Southern Command and Joint Task Force-Haiti and will continue on with the rest of their deployment to the Central Command Theater of Operation. After recovering all of its gear and personnel, and completing a deliberate 3-day hand off of responsibility to the 22nd MEU, the 24th MEU and Nassau... 

read full story

US Marine killed in Afghanistan

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, Japan — Cpl. Gregory S. Stultz, 22, of Brazil, Ind., died Feb. 19 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.  He was assigned to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan. Stultz, a reconnaissance Marine, began active duty in the Marine Corps November 15, 2007. He began... 

read full story

Operation Moshtarak shoes progress as Marines and Afghans battle Taliban

KABUL, Feb. 23, 2010 – Signs of steady progress in development and governance are evident in the central part of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command officials said today. In a daily update on Operation Moshtarak, which began in the region Feb. 13, officials said bridges, roads and culverts are being repaired, bazaars are re-opening and attracting... 

read full story

Terrorist bomb maker arrested in Kabul

American Forces Press Service KABUL, Feb. 24, 2010 – A combined Afghan and international security force arrested a suspected bomb maker after discovering an explosives cache in Afghanistan’s Helmand province yesterday as part of Operation Moshtarak. The cache consisted of more than 100 pounds of explosive, 220 pounds of ammonium nitrate, an 8 2mm mortar fuse, three ammunition-filled vests, and... 

read full story

Soldier awarded Silver Star for courage under fire

By Army 2nd Lt. Kimberly Snow Special to American Forces Press Service COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 12, 2010 – Army Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wanner prefers to be referred to as a soldier, not as a hero. But he graciously humors those who insist on the latter Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland awards the Silver Star Medal to Army Sgt. 1st Class Mark A. Wanner on Feb. 6, 2010, at the Ohio Statehouse. Wanner is the first... 

read full story

Navy reservist reaches south pole

McMURDO STATION, Antarctica (NNS) — A Navy Reservist and descendant of the family of famous Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton reached the South Pole last night – a milestone that his distant relative did not achieve despite three heroic attempts. Cmdr. Scott Shackleton, a Reservist assigned to Military Sealift Command, traveled briefly to the South Pole Feb. 9-10, McMurdo Station, Antarctica,... 

read full story

Air Force cools off in Antarctica

By Ian Graham Special to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2010 – While the U.S. East Coast feels the closest it has come in many years to “extreme” weather, some servicemembers are facing real cold as they support the National Science Foundation’s efforts in Antarctica. Air Force Col. Paul Sheppard, commander of the 13th Air Expeditionary Group and deputy commander... 

read full story

US Forces engage Taliban in Operation Moshtarak

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2010 – The clearing phase of Operation Moshtarak in the center of Afghanistan’s Helmand province continued yesterday, with combined Afghan and international forces conducting a number of mounted and dismounted patrols, military officials reported. Forces have been engaged in periodic small-arms firefights. A number of insurgents have been either killed or detained, officials... 

read full story

US Commander discusses Haiti Aid and Olympics support

By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2010 – The commander of U.S. Northern Command discussed Northcom’s support for the earthquake relief effort in Haiti and the upcoming Winter Olympics in Canada during an interview this week.   Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. said Northcom offered personnel skilled in disaster remediation to U.S. Southern Command as soon as... 

read full story

Obama seeks repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2010 – President Barack Obama announced during his State of the Union address tonight that he intends to work with Congress and the military during the year ahead to repeal the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. Video   Obama said he will aim “to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the... 

read full story

Obama’s federal spending freeze will not affect defense

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2010 – Though President Barack Obama announced a three-year discretionary federal spending freeze during his State of the Union Message last night, it won’t apply to defense spending. Video   The initiative, to begin next year, won’t affect national security programs, the president told a joint session of Congress gathered at... 

read full story

2010 a pivotal year for US in Afghanistan

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2010 – Just returned from an international conference on Afghanistan, NATO’s top military commander expressed confidence that the critical pieces are being put into place to make 2010 a turning point for Afghanistan’s future.   Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, who participated in the Jan. 28 International Conference on Afghanistan... 

read full story

Dogs serve on frontlines along with United States Marines

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan -During a dismounted security halt, Lance Cpl. Paul N. Krist, a dog handler for Route Clearance Platoon 3, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion prepares to release his bomb-sniffing dog to search the area for possible IEDs in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 19, 2010. During the mission, the two contributed to RCP3's route clearance of numerous routes in southern Afghanistan.... 

read full story

Combat tested Osprey to begin role in humanitarian effort in Haiti

By Sgt. Alex C. Sauceda, 24th MEU   ABOARD USS NASSAU, Atlantic Ocean  — When calamity strikes and only a trail of desolation remains, no other Marine Air Ground Task Force is better prepared to support a full spectrum of Humanitarian Aid missions than a Marine Expeditionary Unit. 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines and Sailors completed more than six months of training perfecting the planning... 

read full story

U.S. Marines conclude operational mission in Iraq

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq-United States service members and Iraqi Security Forces salute as the Iraqi and American national anthems are sung during a transfer of authority ceremony aboard Camp Ramadi, Iraq, Jan. 23, 2010. U.S. military responsibility for Al Anbar province passed from United States Force – West, commanded by Maj. Gen. R.T. Tryon, to Baghdad-based United States Division - Center, commanded... 

read full story

Navy doctors provide care to Afghan children

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kathleen Leach and a female interpreter teach girls in Afghanistan’s Nuristan province how to brush their teeth in a personal hygiene class conducted by the Nuristan Provincial Reconstruction Team’s female engagement team Jan. 16 and 17, 2010. U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Natassia Cherne By Air Force 2nd Lt. Natassia Cherne Special to American Forces Press Service NURISTAN... 

read full story

U.S. Marines engage Taliban in Afghanistan

Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, open fire on enemy insurgents taking cover in an abandoned compound during a firefight in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Jan. 18, 2010. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James W. Clark By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. James W. Clark Special to American Forces Press Service HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan, Jan. 22, 2010 – Stepping gingerly... 

read full story

USS Carl Vinson provides dual role in Haiti

By Christen N. McCluney Special to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2010 – Sailors aboard the USS Carl Vinson are playing a pivotal role in providing medical services and humanitarian support during Operation Unified Response in Haiti, the ship’s commander said yesterday.   “The people that come on here have broken bones and wounds. You just can’t imagine it unless you... 

read full story

Next Page »