NATO has reached its goal of expanding the size of Afghanistan’s army and police to 240,000 three months ahead of schedule. And, Iran’s army gets four homemade subs.

Afghan forces target met 3 months early

NATO has reached its goal of expanding the size of Afghanistan’s army and police to 240,000 three months ahead of schedule, achieving a key measurement that will be used to gauge progress in the war.

Amputee veterans stand up to Mount Kilimanjaro and achieve peak condition

When U.S. Army Sgt. Neil Duncan got taken apart in the highlands of Afghanistan in 2005 — his vehicle ran over a buried explosive and it “blew up right under me” — he really wasn’t picturing life without his legs.

Soldiers Accused of Tossing Explosives

Once the civilian justice system is done with three North Georgia Soldiers accused of throwing military explosives at a crowd, they may still have to answer to the military.

Watchdogs labor to expose liars about military exploits

Army Capt. Joshua Howard, a physician’s assistant at Fort Riley, Kan., ran across the newspaper story online about a Korean War veteran who was to be inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame.

The story told how this veteran had received the military’s No. 2 and 3 awards for valor — the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star — along with two Purple Hearts, one pinned on by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. And how he had been a prisoner of war in Korea for 5½ months.

But the more Howard read, the more “those medals and his account of it all didn’t add up,” he said.

Iran’s Navy Gets 4 Homemade Subs

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s state media say the country’s navy has taken charge of four new Iranian-built submarines as part of Tehran’s efforts to upgrade its defense capabilities.

S Korea Probing if North Sent Mines

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea is investigating whether dozens of mines that washed up on South Korean shores and killed one man were deliberately floated by North Korea, officials said Wednesday.

Mission is Changing, Mullen Says

After nine years of constant combat, the U.S. military is shifting focus from executing the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to helping the troops who’ve fought them adjust to life outside the war zone, the nation’s top officer said Monday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Pentagon identifies fallen Lejeune Marines

Two Marines were killed during an attempted prisoner escape this weekend in southern Afghanistan.

NATO officials said Monday that the Marines died while trying to subdue a prisoner Saturday who had escaped from a room where he was observing prayers. The prisoner acquired a rifle, and then shot at Afghan and coalition forces.

Pentagon Plans Steps to Reduce Budget and Jobs

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday that he would close a military command, restrict the use of outside contractors and reduce the number of generals and admirals across the armed forces as part of a broad effort to rein in Pentagon spending.

Law Blocks Mailing Smokes to War Zones

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Family and friends have suddenly found themselves blocked from shipping cigarettes and other tobacco products to American troops in Afghanistan and Iraq because of a new law meant to hamper smuggling and underage sales through the mail.

Iran digs mass graves for U.S. troops

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has dug mass graves in which to bury U.S. troops in case of any American attack on the country, a former commander of the elite Revolutionary Guard said.