News Archive

Dec. 31, 2017

Coalition Trains, Equips Iraqi Border Guard Force

SOUTHWEST ASIA — The first group of Iraqi Border Guard Force members graduated from a 12-day program conducted by members of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, coalition officials reported.

Dec. 30, 2017

Mattis, Qatari Senior Official Discuss Defense Issues

WASHINGTON — During a phone conversation, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis congratulated the Qatari defense minister for his promotion to deputy prime minister and also conveyed his commitment to strengthening their partnership, according to a statement released by Pentagon press operations.

Dec. 29, 2017

California Wildfires: State Military Reservists Answer the Call

JOINT FORCES TRAINING BASE LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — When the California National Guard was activated to aid fire relief efforts in the southern part of the state, the California State Military Reserve’s Installation Support Command also answered the call.

Dec. 29, 2017

Lines Blurring Between Special Ops, Conventional Forces, Mattis Says

WASHINGTON — The defense secretary said there is a blurring line that separates conventional operating forces from special operations forces and he expects general purpose forces will eventually shoulder missions once the province of their special forces brethren.

Dec. 29, 2017

Mattis Impressed by Service Members' High Morale

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said he’s impressed by service members’ high morale and the steadfastness of the force in light of its involvement in more than a decade of war.

Dec. 29, 2017

Mattis Says Operations Against ISIS Will Change in 2018

WASHINGTON — The destruction of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s physical caliphate will change the way the coalition will go after the terror group, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon.

Dec. 29, 2017

Air Force Medical Technician Saves Airborne Heart Attack Victim

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — Flight attendants asked if there was a doctor or emergency medical technician onboard this West Coast commercial flight, so an Air Force passenger who just happened to be an independent duty medical technician with the 51st Medical Group, Osan Air Base, South Korea, sprang into action and helped saved a civilian passenger's life.

Dec. 29, 2017

Face of Defense: Soldier Deploys With Red Cross After Hometown Crisis

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. — Army Sgt. 1st Class Rafael Ortiz, who has many relatives living in Puerto Rico, took leave to accompany a Red Cross team that provided humanitarian aid in the wake of Hurricane Maria's destruction across the island. He said the opportunity to make a difference in the place he calls home was a calling he could not ignore.