Jan. 11, 2018

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford's Phone Call with Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Gerasimov

Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Patrick S. Ryder provided the following readout: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., spoke with Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov by telephone yesterday. The conversation focused on issues of mutual interest, to include the situation in Syria.

Jan. 10, 2018

‘Chain of Command’ TV Series Connects Strategy With Troops on the Ground

WASHINGTON — Strategic decisions made in the Pentagon have immediate and far-reaching effects on service members around the world. National Geographic’s documentary “Chain of Command” shows both sides of that process.

Jan. 8, 2018

Pentagon Spokesman: U.S. Wants Pakistan to Take ‘Decisive Action’ Against Terrorism

WASHINGTON — U.S. officials want to see Pakistan take “decisive action” against terrorism following the suspension of U.S. security funding to that country, the director of press operations at the Pentagon said.

Jan. 8, 2018

Pentagon Spokesman Details Progress in Defeating ISIS

WASHINGTON — Coalition and partnered forces are building on progress in Iraq and Syria to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the director of press operations at the Pentagon told reporters.

Dec. 29, 2017

Lines Blurring Between Special Ops, Conventional Forces, Mattis Says

WASHINGTON — The defense secretary said there is a blurring line that separates conventional operating forces from special operations forces and he expects general purpose forces will eventually shoulder missions once the province of their special forces brethren.

Dec. 29, 2017

Mattis Says Operations Against ISIS Will Change in 2018

WASHINGTON — The destruction of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s physical caliphate will change the way the coalition will go after the terror group, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon.

Dec. 26, 2017

Chairman’s USO Holiday Tour Entertains Troops in Afghanistan, Iraq

Q-WEST, Iraq — “We could not bring you home for Christmas, so we decided to bring a little bit of home to you,” Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told service members stationed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Dec. 24, 2017

Medal of Honor Recipient Celebrates Christmas With Military Family

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan — Thanks to the 2017 USO Holiday Tour, retired Army Capt. Flo Groberg celebrated Christmas with his brothers- and sisters-in-arms at Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan – returning as a symbol of bravery and resiliency.

Dec. 23, 2017

Chairman’s USO Tour Takes to Sea Aboard Aircraft Carrier Operating in Gulf

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Persian Gulf — The 2017 USO Holiday Tour left al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and flew 20 minutes to sovereign U.S. soil in the form of the 4.5-acre flight deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt, underway in the Persian Gulf.

Dec. 22, 2017

Pence Visits U.S. Troops in Afghanistan; Chairman Continues USO Holiday Tour

AL-DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates — Vice President Mike Pence delivered America’s holiday wishes to service members in Afghanistan during an unannounced visit, while Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford brought the USO Holiday Tour to troops in the United Arab Emirates.