Mourning the 'grim milestone' in America's longest war

When she heard the news that the United States had suffered its 2,000th casuality related to the war in Afghanistan, retired teacher Lisa Freeman just shook her head and looked down at her grandson, Matthew. The infant craddled in her arms was named after her son Matthew C. Freeman, a Marine captain who fell to a sniper's bullet on Aug. 7, 2009, northeast of Kabul.

13:41 October 6, 2012

Army project to benefit endangered bats

The biggest beneficiary of an Army project to clear brush along the edge of its training area in Hohenfels is expected to be a small, endangered bat with a taste for beetles and butterflies.

13:05 October 6, 2012

Panetta: Karzai owes allies more gratitude, less criticism

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says Afghan President Hamid Karzai should say thank you now and then to the allied military forces that are fighting and dying in Afghanistan, rather than criticizing them.

21:27 October 5, 2012

North Korean soldier defects across border to South Korea

A North Korean soldier killed two of his officers Saturday and defected to South Korea across the countries' heavily armed border, officials said. The last defection was in 2008.

11:53 October 6, 2012

5 terrorism suspects extradited to US; 2 plead not guilty

An ailing extremist Egyptian-born preacher and four other terrorism suspects arrived in the United States from England early Saturday under tight security to face trial, and two appeared within hours in a Connecticut court.

11:27 October 6, 2012

US suspects Haqqani tie to Afghan insider attacks

U.S. officials say the Haqqani insurgent network, which has ties to al-Qaida, is suspected of being behind some "insider" attacks by Afghan forces. Those attacks have killed or wounded more than 130 American and allied troops this year.

Insider outrage: Families feel added sense of violation, betrayal

Southern Exposure: Mission to Antarctica

The Army failed two soldiers. Then they killed themselves.

A nation honors valor in the war on terrorism

Ombudsman

Ernie Gates, Stars and Stripes' ombudsman

At reunion, WWII POWs recall striking back at Japan as saboteurs

Four survivors of the Mukden prison camp share memories of the clever, cautious ways they sabotaged the tools and airplane parts they were forced to make for the Japanese war effort.
Upbeat jobs report brings good news for vets, too
Highest free-fall jump postponed to Tuesday due to winds
Al-Qaida affiliates 'gaining strength,' treasury official says
How much military can you buy for $720 billion a year?
Partisan debate deepens over layoff notices before sequestration
State Department delayed seeking security for FBI agents in Libya
General has no plans to end year-old curfew for troops in South Korea
Panetta: It's a new era for US in South America
First Marine deployment to Australia generally positive, study shows

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Ombudsman

Scorecard: Stripes election coverage rises to meet 5 milestone moments

Like boulders that disrupt a rushing stream, sometimes big moments show how a newsroom handles the racing current of news.

14:57 October 5, 2012

Israeli military downs drone that entered airspace

Israeli jets scrambled to intercept a drone that crossed into Israeli airspace Saturday from the Mediterranean Sea, bringing it down without incident in the south of the country, a military spokeswoman said.
US investigators leave Libya consulate in Benghazi 04:25 October 6, 2012
Roadside bomb near Baghdad kill 5, including soldier 07:50 October 6, 2012
Turkey returns fire after new Syrian shelling 11:37 October 6, 2012
Pakistanis, Americans protest drones in long drive 11:39 October 6, 2012
Panetta: Karzai owes allies more gratitude, less criticism 21:27 October 5, 2012
Turkey-Syria clash showcases dangers of spillover 02:48 October 5, 2012

1 dead, 10 arrested in anti-terror sweep in France

French officials say DNA on a grenade that exploded at a kosher grocery story led them to suspected jihadist cell of young Frenchmen recently converted to Islam.
'Jeopardy!' host Trebek visits Naples, first stop on USO tour 11:11 October 6, 2012
Putin strong at 60 but economic challenges loom 08:07 October 6, 2012
Russia gets 30-year extension for base in Tajikistan 09:39 October 6, 2012
Russia participates in mass military drill in central Asia 07:10 October 6, 2012

Communist rebel leader captured in Philippines

Philippine troops have captured a senior communist rebel leader who had received military training in Libya and had a $135,000 bounty for his arrest, a military spokesman said Saturday.
Report: US to field GPS-guided artillery shells in South Korea 01:11 October 5, 2012
S. Korea, Japan had air skirmish over disputed islands 23:46 October 5, 2012
Hawaii fishermen find skiff from Japan tsunami 20:36 October 5, 2012
Russia gets 30-year extension for base in Tajikistan 09:39 October 6, 2012

Zama rallies to take Game 1 from Edgren

Raymond Bestor had tipped one pass into the hands of opposing receiver Tyrone Bacalso for one touchdown Friday. He slipped and fell on another play, giving Bacalso another easy TD catch. Now, Robert D. Edgren was driving again, trying to increase its lead to 20 as the first half ended.
12:32 October 5, 2012
Yokota sweeps ASIJ to remain perfect 13:17 October 5, 2012
Guam High rolls into playoffs unbeaten 11:02 October 5, 2012
Kinnick hopes to stay alive by beating former Red Devil 03:21 October 4, 2012
Clement setting up Seoul for continued success 04:54 October 3, 2012

Volunteers restore rare B-29 built in 1945

The big bomber was a little late reporting for duty, rolling off a Georgia assembly line and into military service Aug. 4, 1945.

44 minutes ago
Veterans group wins $25,000 Dole Prize in Kansas 14:15 October 6, 2012
Joint US-Canadian fighting group saluted in Congress 14:19 October 6, 2012
Navy commissions destroyer named after NY SEAL 13:55 October 6, 2012
Strong signs border death was friendly fire, FBI says 13:51 October 6, 2012
Hawaii fishermen find skiff from Japan tsunami 20:36 October 5, 2012
More evidence Voyager might have exited the solar system 07:29 October 6, 2012
Man charged with faking deployment, collecting pay 04:10 October 5, 2012

Army project to benefit endangered bats 13:05 October 6, 2012
'Jeopardy!' host Trebek visits Naples, first stop on USO tour 11:11 October 6, 2012
21st TSC announces amnesty day for ammo turn-in 07:54 October 6, 2012
Radical preacher to be extradited, but not sent to Guantanamo 15:57 October 5, 2012
Defense Language Institute gets a home in Stuttgart 11:56 October 5, 2012
DOD identifies another Sky Soldier killed 15:21 October 4, 2012
Europe weighing additional sanctions as Iran's currency plummets 15:08 October 4, 2012
Vicenza remembers Sky Soldier killed in Afghanistan 12:48 October 4, 2012
AFN, YouTube to air live presidential debates 00:43 October 4, 2012
‘Jeopardy’! host to visit four Europe bases for contestant screenings 18:57 October 3, 2012

North Korean soldier defects across border to South Korea 11:53 October 6, 2012
Army relocating chemical warfare battalion to South Korea 18:20 October 5, 2012
First Marine deployment to Australia generally positive, study shows 12:34 October 5, 2012
Report: US to field GPS-guided artillery shells in South Korea 01:11 October 5, 2012
Ex-Philippine president Arroyo arrested in hospital 17:27 October 4, 2012
Nation's heroes gather to remember fallen comrades 13:23 October 4, 2012
AFN, YouTube to air live presidential debates 00:43 October 4, 2012
The Osprey has landed on Okinawa 18:12 October 3, 2012
Remains of 7-man Marine crew to be buried together at Arlington 16:37 October 3, 2012
USS Reuben James to leave Pearl Harbor on last patrol 11:21 October 3, 2012

Latest Blog Postings

The Ruptured Duck

Richmond renovation part of nationwide push to help highlight veterans

Home Depot manager hopes the chance to help fellow veterans through service projects brings more recognition to their ongoing needs
Stripes Central

Upbeat jobs report brings good news for vets, too

The unemployment rate for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan eras dropped below 10 percent again in September, a sign of continuing improvement.
Stripes Central

House Intel Committee chairman: New cyber threat looming

The unnamed threat comes from an "unusual source."
Stripes Central

Debate features little talk about military, no mention of veterans

Wednesday night’s first national showdown between the presidential candidates featured plenty of talk about the budget but only a few passing mentions on defense spending.
The Ruptured Duck

To save his family, a Marine fights his war again, from a therapist's chair

"It may be too late to save my family," said Andrew J. Czubai. "But there is no harm in trying."
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Pacific high school football Top Ten, Week 6 grid honors, Week 7 lookahead

Yokota, Guam High remain 1-2 in the ratings; some tight games on tap this weekend.

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