Military News | Headlines | August 13, 2010

US military to urges Barack Obama to slow down Afghanistan withdrawal. And, WikiLeaks Prepares to Release More Files.

Navy CO Fired in Sex Harassment, Assault Case

NORFOLK — The commanding officer of the Little Creek-based amphibious dock landing ship Gunston Hall was relieved of command Thursday after an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, simple assault and conduct unbecoming an officer.

Lt. col. sues over ‘don’t ask’

An Air Force officer a year from retirement is suing to keep the service from kicking him out under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gay service members.

WikiLeaks Prepares to Release More Files

LONDON — WikiLeaks spokesman Julian Assange said Thursday his organization is preparing to release the rest of the secret Afghan war documents it has on file. The Pentagon warned that would be more damaging to security and risk more lives than the organization’s initial release of some 76,000 war documents.

US military to urge Barack Obama to slow down Afghanistan withdrawal

The US military is to urge Barack Obama to slow down the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, which is planned to start next year, it has emerged.

One-fifth of airmen failed to meet standards in new fitness test

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — About 20 percent of airmen failed the Air Force’s new physical fitness test in July, the first month the new standards were in effect, Air Force officials said Thursday.

Tobacco Shipments to Troops to Resume

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The U.S. Postal Service said Thursday that it plans to resume shipping care packages with cigarettes and other tobacco to troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pakistan Floods may Help Taliban Regroup

ISLAMABAD – The floods ravaging Pakistan are generating fears that Taliban insurgents could regroup amid the chaos and destruction. The country’s already anemic economy is expected to weaken, increasing the poverty that is a factor in the militancy wracking the country.

End to Iraq combat role on track, Obama told

WASHINGTON — President Obama is satisfied that the United States can safely end its combat role in Iraq at the end of this month and meet the deadline for removing all U.S. troops from the country by the end of 2011, White House officials said Wednesday.

Claims of Civilian Deaths Spark Protest

KABUL, Afghanistan — A crowd of about 300 villagers yelled “Death to the United States” and blocked a main road in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday as they swore that U.S. forces had killed three innocent villagers, officials said.

Remains in Vietnam ID’d as soldiers

OKLAHOMA CITY — The remains of two U.S. soldiers, one from Oklahoma and one from Nebraska, who had been missing in Vietnam for nearly 40 years, have been identified, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Wednesday.

Heavy Fighting Expected in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — The United States expects heavy fighting around the key Afghan city of Kandahar until late this year, a Pentagon official said Wednesday, dimming hopes for big gains in the war ahead of U.S. elections and a White House review of its war strategy.