Kristina Wong

Cole shipmates, families await justice 12 years on

On Tuesday, the accused mastermind of the USS Cole attack — Abd al-Rahim Hussayn Muhammad al-Nashiri — is set to appear at a military court hearing at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. For John and Gloria Clodfelter of Mechanicsville, Va., the hearing is just one step along the long road for closure.

July 15, 2012

Making a tough ‘go’ as sappers

Bullets spewed from the M240 machine gun's barrel so fast that it was practically spitting flames.

July 9, 2012

Women tough it out as sappers

Nine times each year, the best young combat engineers and soldiers are selected by their commands to attend the 28-day Sapper Leader Course, widely regarded as one of the Army's toughest schools. Since the Army in mid-May allowed female soldiers to serve in combat support jobs below the brigade level, a few women have undertaken the course.

July 8, 2012

First woman to take Army combat support job

A 21-year-old from Pittsburgh has become the first woman to enlist in one of the Army's six new combat support jobs that opened to women in May, as part of the service's efforts to integrate more women into its ranks.

July 3, 2012

Woman qualifies for submarines

A naval supply officer from Wisconsin has become the first woman to serve on a Navy submarine and earn her "dolphins pin," which denotes her qualifications to work aboard subs.

June 22, 2012

Army: Troops to be ready for Africa missions

More than 3,000 soldiers will begin supporting missions in Africa next year as part of a new reorganization plan that deploys troops quickly to regional hot spots, Army officials say.

June 22, 2012

Pentagon: Afghan forces face challenges but ‘on track’ to take charge

Training Afghan forces to fend for themselves in the defense of their nation is continually hampered by illiteracy, attrition and a shortage of non-commissioned officers, Pentagon officials said.

June 21, 2012

Libya becomes focal point for foiling terror

A breakdown of security in Libya has allowed a significant flow of militants and weapons into other troubled areas in North Africa, according to the top Pentagon official on Africa policy.

June 19, 2012

Pentagon: Libyan weapons entering African trouble spots

A breakdown in security in Libya has allowed militants and weapons to flow into other troubled areas in Africa, a top Pentagon official said Monday.

June 18, 2012

Pentagon aims to be proactive in countering terror threat in Africa

The U.S. military's new strategy in Africa calls for partnerships with regional governments to disrupt and eventually destroy al Qaeda and its African affiliates, a top Pentagon official said Monday.

June 18, 2012

Rumsfeld still opposes Law of Sea Treaty

Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld criticized the U.N.'s Law of the Sea Treaty as a potential burden on U.S. companies, just hours after six four-star military officers had hailed the treaty as a key diplomatic tool.

June 14, 2012

Military leaders argue for Law of the Sea treaty

Six four-star military officials Thursday warned senators that, if they do not ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty, the U.S. would have to rely on military might alone to project power and could lose access to energy resources in the extended U.S. continental sea shelves.

June 14, 2012