Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 13, 2013. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LEON E. PANETTA:  Good afternoon.  As you know, this is, I believe, my final press conference here at the Pentagon Briefing Room.  There are moments when I thought I was part of a last act of an Italian opera and not sure exactly[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 13, 2013. The Department of Defense announced today the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize a service member’s extraordinary achievements directly impacting combat operations.  Modern technology enables service members with special training and capabilities to more directly and precisely impact military operations at times far from[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 13, 2013. Afghanistan In his State of the Union address, the President announced that the United States will withdraw 34,000 American troops from Afghanistan by this time next year, decreasing the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan by half – the next step to responsibly bringing this war[Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–February 13, 2013 – Afghan and coalition forces killed Taliban leader, Shadi Mama, during an operation in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, Tuesday. Shadi Mama was a Taliban leader operating in the Marjeh and Trek Nawa areas of Helmand province. He was responsible for improvised explosive device and direct[Read More…]

  Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 12, 2013. I welcome President Obama’s announcement tonight that 34,000 American troops will be home from Afghanistan by this time next year.  This plan to continue drawing down our forces in a phased approach over the coming year was recommended by Gen. John Allen based on a[Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2013 – Afghan and coalition security forces killed Taliban leader, Tor Jan, during an operation in Maiwand district, Kandahar province, on Monday. Tor Jan, also known as Graan, was a Taliban leader and facilitator who organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He coordinated the use of[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 11, 2013 – 1:40 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon.  And on behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House. Every day at the White House we receive thousands of letters from folks all across America.  And at night, upstairs in my study, I read a[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—February 11, 2013. “Seventeen months ago, the United States military ended the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  We have implemented the repeal of that policy and made clear that discrimination based on sexual orientation has no place in the Department of Defense.  “At the time of repeal, I[Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–February 11, 2013 – Afghan and coalition forces confirmed today the death of Taliban leaders, Afshin and Ismail, during a security operation in Baraki Barak district, Logar province, Sunday. Afshin was directly affiliated with the Dec. 24, 2012 attack in Baraki Barak district that killed an American service member[Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–February 10, 2013 – U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force from U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen at a change of command ceremony today. The ceremony was attended by senior Afghan, NATO and U.S. officials, including German Army[Read More…]