WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2010 – Iraqi security forces arrested five suspected terrorists during operations today in Baghdad and northern Iraq, military officials said.  The 44th Iraqi Army soldiers arrested a Promised Day Brigade explosives-cell member and two suspected criminal associates during a joint security operation in northeastern Baghdad. Acting on a court-issued warrant, the Iraqi soldiers with U.S.

Two F-16 Fighting Falcons under the direction of Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region officials launched at 11:44 a.m. Jan.

Army Special Operations aviation needs faster helicopters to meet the speed and range requirements needed to conduct operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the 160th SOAR commander. Col. Clayton M. Hutmacher, commander, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), discussed regiment initiatives during the Association of the United States Army's Institute of Land Warfare Army Aviation Symposium and Exposition, Jan. 5-7 in Arlington, Va. "I think the way ahead for us is we have go to break that 120-knot barrier," he said.

USS Georgia (SSGN 729) Blue and Gold crews were awarded the 2009 Battle Efficiency award, or Battle "E," by Submarine Squadron 16 at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. on Jan. 8. "The criterion for the Battle "E" is for the overall readiness of the command to carry out its assigned wartime tasks. While both of our King Bay SSGNs excelled in operational readiness in 2009, Georgia exemplified our force commander's criterion, and I am proud to recognize them for the Battle Efficiency "E" award," said Capt. Tracy Howard, commodore, Submarine Squadron 16.

Arghandab, Afghanistan New Year's Eve, 2009 On this small base surrounded by a mixture of enemy and friendly territory, a memorial has been erected just next to the Chapel.  Inside the tepee are 21 photos of 21 soldiers killed during the first months of a year-long tour of duty.  The fallen will belong forever to the honor rolls of the 1-17th Infantry Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, and they will join the sacred list of names of those who have given their lives in service of the United States of America.

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Voting rights for convicts are more important than gun rights

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Pakistani intelligence officials say at least four people have been killed in a suspected U.S. drone strike in the militant stronghold of North Waziristan. Officials say missiles hit a house and a vehicle near Miranshah, Friday.  The region is near Pakistan's border with Afghanistan. The attack comes a day after President Asif Ali Zardari warned that U.S. drone strikes were undermining Pakistan's "national consensus" in his country's war against militants.   However, visiting U.S. lawmakers told Pakistani officials the U.S.

The African Union is urging the United Nations to boost its support for Somalia's fragile government in view of the rise of terrorist activity in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula. AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping calls the overall security situation in the Horn of Africa nation "unstable, volatile and challenging'. In a report to the AU Peace and Security Council Friday, Ping notes several tragic security breakdowns in the past few months.

The Honduran attorney general's office has issued "abuse of power" charges against military commanders involved in the coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya last June. Prosecutors say the top leaders charged include Army Commander Romeo Vasquez Velasquez. The prosecutors say they presented the charges to the Supreme Court, which has three days to respond. The Supreme Court has sided with coup leaders in several rulings. The Honduran Congress is also reported to be considering amnesty for those involved in the coup, as well as for Mr.