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Leader Meeting

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, left, meets with Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen

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U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Jawad Kadhim Al-Abadi in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. The two leaders discussed accelerated support for Iraqi campaigns to recapture key cities from militant control. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen

Carter, Iraqi Leaders Discuss Increasing Pressure on ISILDefense Secretary Ash Carter discussed with Iraqi leaders ways to increase pressure on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to accelerate coalition progress against the terror group. Story

Secretary Thanks U.S. Troops in BaghdadAs part of his weeklong trip to the Middle East, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter gave a troop talk in Iraq, where he thanked U.S. service members for their hard work and sacrifice. Video | Transcript | Photos | Special

U.S., Japan Reach 5-Year Host-Nation Support Agreement, DoD Spokesman SaysThe U.S. and Japan agreed to a host-nation support package that will help sustain the U.S. military presence in Japan and support the U.S. focus on Asia-Pacific rebalance, a Pentagon spokesman said. Story | Special

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter meets with military family members on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2015. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen

Carter: DoD Seeks Ways to Accelerate ISIL DefeatThe U.S. is looking for ways to do more to hasten the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told service members on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Story | Photos | Transcript | Special

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Baghdad Address

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, his wife, Stephanie, and Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland speak with troops in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East in part to thank troops for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holiday season. MacFarland is in charge of the coalition f…More

U.S. Defense Ash Carter, his wife, Stephanie, and Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland speak with troops in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter thanked the troops for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holiday season. MacFarland is in charge of the coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen

December 17, 2015

‘We Will Win’ ISIL Fight, Carter Tells Troops in Baghdad

WASHINGTON — As part of a weeklong trip to the Middle East, Defense Secretary Ash Carter thanked troops for their service and told them he is confident the coalition will prevail over the the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland greets U.S. Defense Secretary Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, after they arrive in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen

December 17, 2015

Inherent Resolve Commander Describes ‘Significant’ Progress in ISIL Fight

WASHINGTON — Coalition and Iraqi forces are making important progress against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in Iraq and in Syria, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, left, meets with Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi in Baghdad, Dec. 16, 2015. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen

December 17, 2015

Carter, Iraqi Leaders Discuss Ways to Increase Pressure on ISIL

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Ash Carter discussed with Iraqi leaders ways to increase pressure on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and to accelerate coalition progress against the terror group.

December 17, 2015

Military Strikes Target ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

SOUTHWEST ASIA — U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Meyer, 28th Contracting Squadron contract administrator, reviews paperwork at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Nov. 4, 2015. One of Meyer’s primary duties is reviewing contracts to ensure they comply with Air Force guidelines. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class James L. Miller

December 17, 2015

Face of Defense: Former Marine Serves as Air Force Contract Administrator

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. — Air Force Staff Sgt. Chris Meyer, a former Marine Corps infantryman, provides support and business advice to commanders as he deals with base contracts daily at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

U.S. Navy Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, talks to students about regional issues in the Indo-Asia Pacific region during the Naval War College cooperative strategy forum at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Dec. 14, 2015. More than 100 personnel from 10 partner nations attended the event to broaden dialogue and deepen debate on maritime challenges and opportunities in the region. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Hubenthal

December 16, 2015

Cooperative Strategy Forum Focuses on Pacific Maritime Security

HONOLULU — Representatives from 10 partner nations attended a two-day forum in Honolulu aimed at fostering improved collaboration and a better understanding of each other’s viewpoints.

December 16, 2015

U.S., Japan Agree to Host-Nation Support for U.S. Troops

WASHINGTON — The U.S. and Japan agreed to a host-nation support package that will help sustain the U.S. military presence in Japan and support the U.S. focus on Asia-Pacific rebalance, a Pentagon spokesman said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter answers questions from troops on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec.15, 2015. The secretary spoke about the push to accelerate the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant during what was his first stop in a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen

December 16, 2015

DoD Looking for Ways to Accelerate ISIL Defeat, Carter Says

WASHINGTON — The U.S. is looking for ways to do more to hasten the defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told service members on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Micheal Tkachenko waits in line to donate at the 18th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, hosted by U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Dec. 3, 2015 at Pope Field, N.C. Operation Toy Drop is the world’s largest combined airborne operation and this year included jumpmasters from seven nations: Canada, Colombia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, the Netherlands and Latvia. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Angela Lorden

December 16, 2015

Face of Defense: Soldier Grabs First Spot in Line for Operation Toy Drop

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — On a cool December morning, hundreds of soldiers wait in line at Pope Field’s Green Ramp, all bearing gifts for children they would never meet.

December 16, 2015

Military Strikes Hit ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

December 15, 2015

Progress Made in Degrading ISIL Oil Revenues, Official Says

WASHINGTON — The coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has made significant progress in degrading the terrorists’ ability to profit from their oil activities, a senior U.S. official said.

December 15, 2015

Special Report: Travels With Carter

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East to meet with defense leaders, and thank U.S. and coalition troops for their service and sacrifice, especially during the holiday season.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his wife, Stephanie, meet with coalition troops on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2015. The secretary spoke about the push to accelerate the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. Carter is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East. DoD photo

December 15, 2015

Carter Calls for More Global Cooperation to Defeat ISIL

WASHINGTON — More nations must “get in the game militarily” to hasten destruction of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told reporters on Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.

December 15, 2015

Carter Visits Troops, Coalition Partners in Middle East

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Ash Carter is in the Middle East to visit troops during the holiday season and speak with coalition partners about upping the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.

December 15, 2015

Coalition Strikes Hit ISIL in Syria, Iraq

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Juan Hernandez, 731st Air Mobility Squadron air terminal operations center senior information controller, shows some of his artwork on Osan Air Base, South Korea, Dec. 3, 2015. Hernandez is partially colorblind, so he taught himself to identify multiple shades of colors using their assigned numbers. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kristin High

December 15, 2015

Face of Defense: Colorblind Airman Overcomes Hurdles to Succeed as Artist

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea — Air Force Tech. Sgt. Juan Hernandez, 731st Air Mobility Squadron air terminal operations center senior information controller, is colorblind. He’s also a self-taught visual artist.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at the Center for a New American Security's National Security Forum in Washington, D.C., Dec. 14, 2015. The center titled it's program "Setting the Next Defense Agenda." DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen

December 14, 2015

Dunford Discusses Implications of Current Security Environment

WASHINGTON — Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. discussed his short-term priority – defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – and provided insight into his long-term goals during a talk at the Center for a New American Security.

December 14, 2015

Chairman’s USO Tour Puts Overseas Bases in Spotlight

WASHINGTON — The recent USO tour Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. hosted both entertained the troops and put the spotlight on their work for the U.S. military mission in Italy, Djibouti, Bahrain and Germany.

President Barack Obama speaks to reporters at the Pentagon, Dec. 14, 2015, after a meeting with the National Security Council about the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz

December 14, 2015

Obama: ISIL Being Hit ‘Harder Than Ever,’ Will Be Defeated

WASHINGTON — The coalition fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is carrying out relentless strikes against ISIL targets and will defeat the terror group, President Barack Obama said at the Pentagon.

Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work speaks at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C., Dec. 14, 2015. DoD photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee

December 14, 2015

DoD Extends Technological, Operational Edge Into the Future

WASHINGTON — Defense Department leaders are pursuing a significant and enduring effort to extend its military, technological and operational edge well into the future, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said.