Obama outlines goals for Afghan war efforts. And we look at the measures taken to treat wounded soldiers in combat zones.

The journey home from the frontlines of war

Capt. Katherine Gardener leans over a wounded soldier to murmur words of comfort.

This quiet 29-year-old Air Force trauma nurse is watching over several young wounded soldiers lying on stretchers in front of her.

But we are not in a hospital. We are on a C-17 cargo aircraft at 40,000 feet in the middle of the night.

Distressed soldiers treated at combat site

FORWARD OPERATING BASE BOSTICK, Afghanistan — Sgt. Thomas Riordan didn’t want to return to Afghanistan after home leave. He had just fought through a battle that killed eight soldiers, and when he arrived home his wife said she was leaving. He almost killed himself that night.

Obama Lists Modest War Goals in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — As the war in Afghanistan faces a loss of public and congressional support and U.S. casualties rise sharply, the Obama administration is painting its goals for the war as humble and achievable while warning there is no quick fix.

Humanitarian medal approved for Samoa, Chile

The Humanitarian Service Medal has been approved for soldiers who participated in the earthquake and tsunami relief operations in Samoa last fall and Chile this spring.

July Deadliest Month of Afghan War for US

KABUL, Afghanistan — Three U.S. service members were killed in blasts in Afghanistan, bringing the toll for July to at least 63 and making it the deadliest month for American forces in the nearly 9-year-war.

Afghan war spending faces new scrutiny

As part of its attempt to boost Afghanistan’s economic and political development, the United States is paying thousands of Afghan contractors and subcontractors to perform much of the work that supports U.S. efforts there. But the “Afghan First” program could be achieving just the opposite of its intended effect, according to officials trying to figure out where the money is going.

Army: Suicide Rate Reflects Risk-Taking

WASHINGTON — An Army report on the record number of Soldier suicides says the trend reflects a rise in risky behavior including drunken driving and drug abuse in a military stretched to the breaking point by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Al-Qaida Plants Flag in Iraq Attack

BAGHDAD — Militants flew an al-Qaida flag over a Baghdad neighborhood Thursday after killing 16 security officials and burning some of their bodies in a brazen afternoon attack that served as a grim reminder of continued insurgent strength in Iraq’s capital.

Gates, Mullen: Leakers are endangering troops

The Defense Department’s top civilian and military officials blasted the leak and subsequent publication of 91,000 pages of classified documents this week relating to the war in Afghanistan.