Afghanistan

Landmark Study Finds 1 in 5 New Veterans Suffer from PTSD or Major Depression

04/17/08 -- NEW YORK – Today, the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization, released a groundbreaking study of the mental health of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

Car bomb, Baghdad: Photo by Jim Gordon (CC)

The historic findings highlight the barriers which prevent thousands of new veterans from accessing quality care for mental health problems and traumatic brain injuries.    » read more »

Full Page Newspaper Ads Urge Senators and Representatives to Make Education Affordable for New Veterans

April 14, 2008 -- NEW YORK - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the nation's first and largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, today ran full page ads in newspapers across the country urging key Senators and Representatives to support a modern GI Bill for America's newest generation of veterans.

Iraq veterans against the war: Photo by Night Heron (CC)    » read more »

4/14/2008 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Battlefield warriors, in peak physical condition, the toughest of the tough, are being brought to their knees, writhing on the floor in tears and pain.

The culprit -- tiny kidney stones.

Col. (Dr.) John Mansfield discusses kidney stone disease with Army Sgt. Robert Mosher: U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter    » read more »

07 April 2008 --Failed and weak states are unable for various reasons to provide security and other basic services for their citizens. The Bush administration and a growing number of foreign policy experts say failed states pose a threat to world peace and security. But there are critics who argue that intervening in a failed state can do more harm than good.

Gul Khan was just a boy when his family left its village near Jalalabad to escape the war in Afghanistan. For more than 30 years, he lived in Pakistan because he says it was too dangerous to return. Today he is coming home.

"I am asking my brothers and villagers to come back to this village and this lovely country. If they come back, we can rebuild," he said.    » read more »

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C., April 1, 2008 – The military has to reduce stress on the Army and Marine Corps or risk crossing “an invisible red line” that will place too much strain on the force, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said during an interview here today.

Navy Admiral Mike MullenThe chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke to reporters traveling with him after visits to Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune. The Army post and Marine base have shipped thousands of servicemembers to operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mullen said the mission must come first, but added that leaders have to be cognizant of the pace of operations and pressures placed on troops and their families.    » read more »

March 24, 2008 -- The Department of Defense today announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. William R. Neil Jr., 38, of Holmdel, New Jersey, died March 21 in Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Source: DoD

March 23, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Tech. Sgt. William H. Jefferson, Jr., 34, of Norfolk, Virginia, died March 22 near Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

Source: DoD

March 15, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt.Collin J. Bowen, 38, of Millersville, Maryland, died March 14 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas, of wounds suffered Jan. 2 in Khowst Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, Towson, Md.

Source: DoD

Ruthless Insurgency, Fragile Government Institutions, Massive Illegal Drug Economy

Head of Peacekeeping Says United Nations Mission Does Not Need Additional Powers, but, in Face of Evolving Situation, Mandate Must Be Sharpened    » read more »

March 12, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. Gabriel Guzman, 25, of Hornbrook, California, died March 8 at Orgun E, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Gholam Haydar Kala, Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

Source: DoD

03/12/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Gabriel Guzman, of Hornbrook, CA:

"Maria and I join all Californians in honoring Sergeant Gabriel Guzman for his courage, selflessness and unrelenting devotion to this country. His loss is a tribute to the extraordinary patriotism and commitment displayed by our men and women in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. We send our deepest sympathies to Gabriel's family, friends and fellow soldiers during this time of mourning."    » read more »

Also Questions Understanding of American Families' Struggles

"Good morning. My name is Roger Martinez and I proudly served our country as an infantryman in the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment. I was sent to Afghanistan and Iraq with the 1st Ranger Battalion on three separate deployments.

While I was serving my country, I chose not to speak out about politics. However, I love our country too much to stay on the sidelines now that I'm home.    » read more »

How We Approach the Upcoming NATO Summit is Critical to the Future of the Alliance

March 11, 2008 -- BIDEN: “We always say that a summit is “critical.” But this one really is – it’s critical to the construction of Europe, to the war in Afghanistan and to the future of the alliance itself.”    » read more »

March 10, 2008 -- TRENTON – In honor of United States Army Corporal Steven R. Koch, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday, March 13.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 98

WHEREAS, United States Army Corporal Steven R. Koch, of Milltown, New Jersey, enlisted in the Army in March 2006; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Koch was a highly dedicated paratrooper; and    » read more »

03/06/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Robert T. Rapp, of Sonora, CA:

"The people of California are forever indebted to Sergeant Robert Rapp for his extraordinary leadership, valor and dedication to this country. His sacrifice reminds us of the selflessness exhibited every day by the courageous men and women of our armed forces. Maria and I join all Californians in extending our deepest sympathies to Robert's family and friends as they mourn the loss of an American hero."    » read more »