Dec. 22, 2016

Face of Defense: Soldier Reflects on His 9 Deployments

NORTHERN IRAQ — Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Bailey, in Iraq on his ninth deployment, has spent half of the past 15 years in the Middle East, with the vast majority of those deployments on the front line.

Dec. 22, 2016

Military Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA — U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

Dec. 21, 2016

U.S. Returns 10,000 Acres of Okinawan Training Area to Japan

WASHINGTON — The return of land on Okinawa’s Northern Training Area will reduce the footprint of U.S. forces on the Japanese island by 20 percent, officials in Japan said.

Dec. 21, 2016

Pentagon Heritage Display Honors Foreign Area Officers

WASHINGTON — A new display at the Pentagon honors military officers who serve as regionally focused experts in political-military operations with advanced language skills, cultural understanding and the ability to advise senior military and civilian strategic decision-makers in an era of persistent conflict.

Dec. 21, 2016

U.S., Russian Officials Discuss Flight Safety in Syria

WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials held a video conference with Russian Defense Ministry counterparts to discuss flight safety in Syria, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.

Dec. 21, 2016

DoD Crowdsourcing Effort Produces Innovative Operational Approaches

WASHINGTON — A crowdsourcing effort designed to inspire creative thinking on Defense Department operational challenges has produced two primary submissions and several others that will be presented for consideration directly to top officials in the department.

Dec. 21, 2016

Face of Defense: Air Traffic Controller Mentors Fellow Marines

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Marine Corps Sgt. Benjamin Bonilla, a veteran air traffic controller, takes pride in mentoring his less-experienced fellow Marines.

Dec. 21, 2016

Coalition Targets ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA — U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

Dec. 20, 2016

Pentagon’s Newest Exhibit Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War

WASHINGTON — Vietnam veteran and former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel returned to the Pentagon to join Defense Secretary Ash Carter in officially opening an exhibit honoring the estimated 9 million Americans who served in the Vietnam War.

Dec. 20, 2016

Face of Defense: Soldier Cites People as Key to Success

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — Since he began his Army career after a break in service from the Marine Corps, Army Staff Sgt. Brian Hughes has frequently been asked which service is better. Both services, he replies, are composed of outstanding people working together to accomplish their mission.