Top Military News Headlines | February 4, 2011

REPORT: Is Kandahar safer for good or just safer for now? And, Democrats ask the DoD to allow ousted gays to appeal for honorable discharge.

Kandahar: Safer for good or just safer for now?

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Despite Gen. David Petraeus’ optimistic assessment of the war’s progress in a letter to troops last week, military commanders on the ground here in this pivotal province openly admit they can’t yet judge whether their operations have the insurgents on the run or whether it’s just the winter that has brought calm.

Democrats ask DOD to allow ousted gays to appeal for honorable discharge

WASHINGTON — A group of House Democrats want troops previously dismissed under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law to be able to apply for honorable discharge status, opening the door for them to receive veterans benefits.

Fallen Marine’s Family Adopts Son’s Bomb Dog

SAN ANTONIO — When a sniper’s bullet struck Pfc. Colton Rusk, the first to reach his body was his best friend Eli — a bomb-sniffing, black Labrador so loyal he snapped at other Marines who rushed to his fallen handler.

Air Force to cut 2,300 officers from its rolls

RAF MILDENHALL, England — Some Air Force officers could see themselves involuntarily out of a job by this fall under a new force management program announced Wednesday.

Anti-Mubarak Forces Call for Mass Rally

 CAIRO — Organizers of Egyptian protesters trying to topple the regime of President Hosni Mubarak have called on their supporters to fill every square in the capital on Friday, in the wake of two days of street battles between the pro- and anti-government camps that marked an ugly turn in the country’s crisis.

Destroyer Squadron Commander Found Dead

NORFOLK — The leader of a Navy destroyer squadron was found dead Wednesday in his quarters at Norfolk Naval Station, officials said Thursday.

Senate report blasts Army for not taking bold steps in wake of 2009 Fort Hood shooting

WASHINGTON — Defense Department officials still have not addressed key mistakes that preceded the Fort Hood shooting, leaving the military vulnerable to more violence carried out by Islamic extremists within the services, according to a Senate draft report on the tragedy released Thursday.

Cairo square chaos intensifies, violence spreads

CAIRO (AP) — Protesters and regime supporters skirmished in a second day of rock-throwing battles at a central Cairo square while new lawlessness spread around the city. New looting and arson erupted, and gangs of thugs supporting President Hosni Mubarak attacked reporters, foreigners and rights workers while the army rounded up foreign journalists.

UN: Reputation of Afghan police worsening in south

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The reputation of the Afghan police has deteriorated in the south of the country in the past year, according to a U.N. survey released Thursday, despite a campaign by NATO and U.S. troops to strengthen Afghan security forces in a region seen as key to defeating the Taliban insurgency.

Dilemma For U.S.: Does Net Freedom Trump Security?

President Obama’s advice to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to move “now” on a political transition has not been heeded as quickly as the White House hoped. But on one issue, Obama’s words apparently made a difference.

Billions paid to companies that defrauded Pentagon

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of defense companies that defrauded the U.S. military between 2007 and 2009 still received $285 billion in contracts from the Pentagon during the same period, a U.S. senator said Wednesday.

‘Punisher’ Gives Enemy No Place to Hide

A new Army weapon designed to target the enemy hiding behind barriers is being affectionately called “The Punisher” by Soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.

Navy Discharging 16 on Bataan Over Spice

NORFOLK — The Navy says it’s discharging 16 Sailors assigned to the amphibious ship Bataan for using or dealing the banned synthetic drug Spice.