News
Carter Welcomes Norway’s Expansion of Counter-ISIL Role
May 2, 2016
Defense Secretary Ash Carter is greeted by Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide as he arrives in Muenster, Germany, as part of a European trip June 22, 2015. In welcoming Norway’s May 2, 2016, announcement that Norway is increasing its role in the effort to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Carter said he invited Soreide to participate in a meeting of defense ministers from countries leading the effort. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz

Carter Details U.S. Strategy to Accelerate ISIL’s Defeat
April 29, 2016
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with trainers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve at Besmaya Range Complex in Iraq, April 21, 2016. There are 3,782 Iraqi and peshmerga soldiers being trained at five sites across Iraq. Trainers come from the United States, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. DoD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Dominique A. Pineiro

CJCS awards Purple Hearts to Marines in Iraq
April 28, 2016
The Purple Heart was established by Gen. George Washington at Newburgh, New York, Aug. 7, 1782, during the Revolutionary War. It was reestablished by the President Herbert Hoover in 1932 and is now awarded in the name of the president to U.S. service members who are wounded or killed in combat. These four medals were presented to U.S. Marines Cpl. Adam J. Seanor, a native of Montgomery, Pennsylvania, Cpl.  William Crisostomosfelipe, a native of Orange, California, Lance Cpl. Eli Cisco, a native of Mingo, West Virginia and Lance Cpl. Javier A. Suarezmontalvo, a native of Orange, Florida,  during a ceremony at Kara Soar Base, Makhmur, Iraq, April 22, 2016. The Marines, all field artillery cannon crewmen assigned to Battery E, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, were awarded their Purple Hearts at the very site they were wounded. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Peter J. Berardi)

Carter: DoD’s FY17 Budget Request Takes Long View
April 27, 2016
Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman as he arrives for the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 20, 2016. Carter is visiting Saudi Arabia to help accelerate the lasting defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and participate in the U.S.-GCC Summit. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz

Dunford Explores Ways to Better-Integrate Counter-Extremism Efforts
April 26, 2016

Additional Troops, New Technology Enhance Counter-ISIL Battle
April 26, 2016
The B-52 Stratofortress -- a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions -- has been added to the U.S.-led-coalition’s airstrike arsenal in the campaign to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq and Syria. Air Force Maj. Gen. Peter E. Gersten, deputy commander for operations and intelligence for Operation Inherent Resolve, briefed Pentagon reporters April 26, 2016, about the accelerated counter-ISIL campaign. Air Force photo

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Maj. Gen. Gersten via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq
April 26, 2016

Up to 250 More U.S. Forces to Deploy to Syria, Pentagon Spokesman Says
April 25, 2016

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook in the Pentagon Briefing Room
April 25, 2016

Dunford Awards 4 Purple Heart Medals at Fire Base Bell in Quiet Ceremony
April 24, 2016
During his trip to Iraq on April 22, 2016, Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, awarded Purple Heart Medals to four Marines wounded during the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant attack on Fire Base Bell in March. DoD photo by Gerry J. Gilmore