The first troops for last year’s U.S. “surge” in Iraq came from the Fort Bragg, N.C.-based 82nd Airborne Division, and now the unit is among the first to be tapped for a similar buildup in Afghanistan. The 2,800 Soldiers of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and their helicopters will be sent there this spring, the [...]

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FORT BRAGG, N.C.  (USASOC News Service, Dec.  16, 2008)
– There are no roads leading into the Shok Valley.  A village which stands sentinel over the valley is home to one of the fiercest of the insurgent forces in Afghanistan - the Hezeb Islami al Gulbadin, or HIG.
On April 6, a daring raid into the stronghold [...]

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For the first time, a detachment of V-22 Ospreys deployed from its home base in the United States, flying across the Atlantic to an exercise in northern Africa. Four CV-22 Ospreys from the Hurlburt Field, Fla.-based 8th Special Operations Squadron flew more than 6,000 miles to the rock-strewn deserts of Bamako, Mali.
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Under previous law, members of the Guard and Reserves could not begin receiving their retired pay until age 60. Under a change implemented by the FY 2009 National Defense Authorization Act, however, certain members may be able to start receiving their retired pay as early as age 50…read more

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Monthly premiums for drilling reserve personnel enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select will drop by 44 percent for individual coverage and by 29 percent for families on Jan. 1. TRS premiums for individuals will fall to $47.51 a month, down from $81. Family coverage will be $180.17 instead of $253….More

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The Air Force has released their latest reenlistment bonus list containing 88 specialties, effective Sept. 15. The new program includes a $93 million budget increase, almost triple the amount of the last program…read more

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Hauling people to safe, dry places became one of the main missions for National Guard troops after Hurricane Ike rampaged through Texas and Louisiana….More

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It may look like a futuristic arcade game, but it’s a scene from an official Air Force animated video: Bad guys of indiscernible origin being shadowed, from a careful distance, by small robotic drones designed to resemble birds and insects….More

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The Department of Defense announced today the deployment of two additional units to Afghanistan. A Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that could have up to approximately 2,000 Marines will deploy to Afghanistan in November 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The MAGTF is composed of a headquarters and ground combat, aviation and logistics elements from units [...]

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Almost three years have passed since aircrews in the 440th Airlift Wing here started flying special missions known as Integrated CONUS Medical Operations Plan missions….More

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