WASHINGTON - Freedom in America requires a continuing commitment to maintaining strong, equipped, well-led and well-trained ground forces, the newest chief of staff of the Army said.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama called upon all Americans to join him “in expressing our heartfelt thanks to the members of the National Guard and Reserve and their civilian employers” as he proclaimed National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

WASHINGTON - The 2015 Military Youth of the Year honor, presented jointly by the Defense Department and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, was awarded to an 18-year-old military daughter from Vogelweh, Germany, during a ceremony held at the Navy Memorial Naval Heritage Center.

WASHINGTON - The United States and Turkey are finalizing details of Turkey’s recently announced participation in the air campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Syria, a U.S. Central Command spokesman said.

FORT MEADE, Md. - The Coast Guard element at U.S. Cyber Command headquarters celebrated the service's 225th birthday during a ceremony led by Coast Guard Rear Adm. Kevin E. Lunday, Cybercom's director of training and exercises.

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. - Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Tracey House said she has come a long way during her 26-year military career since her high school days in her hometown of Medford, New Jersey.

WASHINGTON - A defense medical research leader spoke about an upcoming symposium focused on military medical research, outlining five key concepts: Discover, deliver and develop for force protection and readiness.

WASHINGTON - Afghan forces are fully responsible for their nation’s security but still need and deserve the broad support of U.S. and coalition forces under the Resolute Support mission, the Resolute Support deputy chief of staff for communication said.

WASHINGTON - The chief of the Army Reserve understands that the U.S. deficit is a threat to national security, but says the component needs flexibility from Congress to spend what money it gets more effectively.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

WEBSTER, N.Y. - What started as a weightlifting hobby at the gym while deployed at Guantanamo Bay in 2011 and 2012 has become a record-breaking event for New York Army National Guard Capt. Jeremy Hillyard.

WASHINGTON - Military installations and their partners in three states have won an annual Defense Department challenge created to protect critical military test, training and operational missions while supporting nearby ecosystems.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - Army Cpl. Tristan L. Booth helped to rescue an injured South Korean citizen who’d fallen onto the railroad tracks at a train station in the city of Pyeongtaek.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials said.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Almost eight months after he was wounded in Afghanistan, Army Spc. Gilbert Frazier accepted the medals he earned at a ceremony on Fort Hood, Texas, surrounded by his brothers-in-arms and his wife.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Marines and sailors began helping local and federal agencies in Saipan with relief efforts days after Typhoon Soudelor struck, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said.

WASHINGTON - Six U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and about 300 personnel arrived at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey to support Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria, a Pentagon spokesperson said.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - For years, Army Sgt. Brian Calhoun, a photojournalist in the 108th Public Affairs Detachment, South Carolina National Guard, has balanced his day-to-day civilian life and military obligations.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised heroes across the eras during the National Purple Heart Ceremony.

WASHINGTON - The current situation in Iraq and Syria clearly indicates that the coalition, and not ISIL, now dictates the pace of operations, a U.S. Central Command spokesman said.

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - The two-day exercise at the National Training Center is one of the most challenging and complex missions in the Army, with 1,500 fighting forces from the Army’s Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command, XVIII Airborne Corps and the Air Force.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - He jumps, he drools, and he sheds like it’s summer all year long, but this is no ordinary pup. This dog is an invaluable part of team that could one day save lives and capture dangerous criminals.

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, which is responsible for surety of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, is a “national treasure,” Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said.

WASHINGTON - Umm Sayyaf, a suspected member of ISIL who has been detained by U.S. forces in Iraq since May 15, was transferred to the custody of the government of Iraq, according to a Defense Department news release.

WASHINGTON - The remains of a serviceman, missing since World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors, said the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - One year after coalition aircraft conducted the first airstrikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, senior leaders reflect on progress made thus far and how it shapes the future of Operation Inherent Resolve.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

WASHINGTON - Even in an age of terror groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and al-Qaida, deterrence remains at the heart of America’s security strategy, said Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command.

OKINAWA, Japan - Kadena Air Base is home to an array of aircraft designed to perform a variety of missions -- from cargo transportation to air superiority -- but none of those missions are accomplished without the support of ground crew.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Department of Defense Education Activity announced the selection of a new principal deputy director and associate director for education, said Thomas M. Brady, DoDEA director.

WASHINGTON - Army officials have announced upcoming Iraq and Afghanistan rotations slated for August and September, Pentagon spokesman Navy. Capt. Jeff Davis told reporters.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - When Army Pfc. Gustavo Moreno enlisted, he knew he was charged to defend his country against all enemies. He didn't know his worst enemy would be one he couldn't see.

WASHINGTON - As the U.S. combat role in Afghanistan ebbs, Afghan security forces continue to evolve as a regional partner, the Operation Resolute Support commander said.

PLEASANTON, Calif. - In an ongoing effort to create innovative partnerships to benefit national security and industry, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work met with senior leaders at the new Defense Innovation Unit Experimental “point of presence."

WASHINGTON - The active-duty Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force met or exceeded their fiscal year-to-date 2015 accession goals through June 2015, Defense Department officials announced.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces continue to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

COAST GUARD AIR STATION NORTH BEND, Ore. - A Coast Guard rescue swimmer recently completed a triathlon-length swim and saved the lives of four fishermen.

WASHINGTON - California National Guard soldiers and airmen and Air Force reservists are assisting first responders in fighting ongoing wildfires in Northern California, the Pentagon’s press operations chief said in a briefing.

WASHINGTON - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - Through crowds of people, the chaos of vendors and food trucks, and the overbearing sound of aircraft zooming overhead, one airman engages with the masses and broadcasts the Air Force story to all who will listen.

WASHINGTON - Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry O. Spencer and Jack Buckley, senior vice president of research for the College Board, spoke about innovation and education during the Military Child Education Coalition’s 17th National Training Seminar.

WASHINGTON - The Senate confirmed Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva as the 10th vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter swore him into office during a Pentagon ceremony.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

SOUTHWEST ASIA - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

POINT MUGU, Calif. - Small, unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, are easy to obtain and hard to detect on radar, making them of particular concern to the Defense Department, according to officials taking part in Black Dart 2015.

WASHINGTON - Military children may have opportunities to live in interesting places but they also face unique challenges that can affect their education, Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, said at the Military Child Education Coalition seminar in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. made his mark as the Joint Chiefs’ vice chairman by “challenging institutional assumptions strategically, technically and conceptually,” Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the admiral’s retirement ceremony.