U.S. Department of Defense Official Website

	Dec. 29, 2008

LATEST PHOTOS

HOLIDAY HOMECOMING - The USS Boise submarine returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., at the end of a six-month deployment, Dec. 23, 2008. While deployed, the USS Boise participated in five anti-submarine warfare exercises with several European allies.U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Todd A. Schaffer

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HOLIDAY MESSAGES

Bush Thanks Troops for Making Country Safer

President George W. Bush sent his best wishes for the holiday season and those of first lady Laura Bush to servicemembers around the world in a message broadcast on the Pentagon Channel. Story | Video

Chairman Honors Sacrifices of Troops, Families

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff evoked the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Trenton in the annual holiday message he issued to U.S. servicemembers and their families. Story

MILITARY NEWS

Army Chief of Staff Visits Troops, Notes Goals

As part of a week-long tour to visit soldiers around the world in Korea, Japan, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey made a stop in Baghdad, Dec. 22, 2008, to assess the current situation in country and speak with troops. Story

• Army Chief Visits Soldiers in Aghanistan

Program Brings Surgeon to Bedside of Wounded

A civilian orthopedic surgeon who has seen servicemembers’ sacrifices firsthand said he believes the nation owes them a debt of gratitude, and that he’ll bring techniques he saw in the military health system to his own practice. Story

• Officials Update National Guard, Reserve Activation Status

AROUND THE SERVICES

• Reserve Soldiers, Retirees May Serve as Recruiters

• Marines in Iraq Take Root in New Area of Operations

• Sailors Rescue Japanese Man From Train Tracks

• EOD Airmen Stay One Step Ahead of Enemy

TOP NEWS

Coalition Ships Seize More Than 53 Tons of Drugs in 2008

Coalition warships in the North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden have seized more than 20 tons of narcotics since October, with an estimated value of more than $100 million. Story

As Role of Reservists Transforms, Deployments Mean Sacrifice, Opportunity

A transformation in the role of the Reserve and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan make frequent deployments a reality for those once dubbed "weekend warriors," and many reservists are looking at their part-time service more as a second career. Story

• Reserve Chief Visits Deployed Reservists

IRAQ NEWS

Former 'Sons of Iraq' Receive Training

Instructors are teaching job skills to former “Sons of Iraq” citizen security group members in southern Baghdad's Rashid district. Story

2,000 Iraqis Return to Eastern Baghdad

Iraqi officials recently reported that more than 2,000 Iraqi families have returned to their homes in eastern Baghdad this year. Story

Deployed NCO Gets Call From President

An Army soldier serving in Iraq received a special phone call Dec. 24, 2008, and on the other end of the line was the commander-in-chief. Story

Strikers Christen New Chapel in Baghdad

After nearly seven months of holding religious services in conference rooms, the Army Strikers at Forward Operating Base War Eagle in the Adhamiyah district of Baghdad christened their new chapel with a Christmas Eve candlelight service Dec. 24, 2008. Story

• Iraqis, Coalition Uncover Enemy Weapons

• Citizens Turn Over Weapons Cache

• U.S., Iraqis Seize Rocket Delivery System

• Afghan, Allied Forces Destroy Weapons

Top Features

PENTAGON CHANNEL LIVE

FACE OF DEFENSE

Iraq Veteran, Amputee Earns Army Commission

The blast of a roadside bomb in Iraq's Sunni Triangle resulted in the amputation of a portion of Richard Ingram's left arm, but it did not rob him of his dream of becoming an Army officer. Story

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