Alaska Military in Iraq

Alaska-based soldier admits accepting illegal gratuities

Gold coins and diamond rings are just a couple of the kickbacks an Alaska-based soldier received from an Iraqi contractor, according to federal court documents.

Soldiers return from Iraq in time for the holidays

Members of a Fort Wainwright squadron -- one of the last active-duty Army units to leave Iraq -- have returned from a 10-month tour and reunited with loves ones in time for the holidays.

Fairbanks-based soldiers return from Iraq in time for holidays

Members of a Fort Wainwright squadron -- one of the last active-duty Army units to leave Iraq -- have returned from a 10-month tour and reunited with loved ones in time for the holidays.

SECOND OF TWO PARTS

Cost of care for Iraq, Afghan vets on pace to exceed Vietnam

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be winding down, but the long-term costs of caring for those wounded in battle is on path to rival the costs of the Vietnam War.

Part 1: Small Kentucky town reels from pain of two wars

FIRST OF TWO PARTS

Small Kentucky town reels from pain of two wars

On Veterans Day 2011, Timothy Jackson, a former sailor in the U.S. Navy and the son of a man who was the same, visited a small, unfinished gravesite on a hilltop alongside a winding road. It belonged to Timothy Matthew Jackson, who went by Matt and had himself been a Marine.

Photos: A legacy of wars

Iraq war ending, US troops coming home, Obama says

America's long and deeply unpopular war in Iraq will be over by year's end and all U.S. troops "will definitely be home for the holidays," President Obama declared today. The eight-year war cost the U.S. military heavily: More than 4,400 members killed, more than 32,000 wounded.

Alaska military in Iraq

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

Anchorage-based soldier displayed gallantry in battle, ex-officer recalls

Former Army officer Steve Griffin of Florida writes in The New York Times about the "soldier's heart" -- what makes a soldier want to fight and whether a commanding officer can identify such a soldier ahead of battle. He singles out Jose Merced, now a noncommissioned officer at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, as an example of true warrior spirit rising to the occasion during the notoriously dangerous Ramadi offensive in Iraq in 2006. Continued on jump

Alaska-based soldier from Nevada killed by bomb

A Fairbanks-based Stryker soldier who served a one-year tour of duty in Iraq died in Afghanistan on Sunday, the Army reported today.

Fort Wainwright soldier killed by land mine in Afghanistan

Fort Wainwright soldier killed in Afghanistan by mine

A Fort Wainwright infantryman on his third combat deployment was killed earlier this week in an insurgent attack in the violent Kandahar province of Afghanistan, the Army announced Friday.

Fallen soldier profile: Sgt. Rodriguez Jr.

Deployment stress is topic of military conference at JBER

The Army's favorite term for maintaining the mental health of soldiers and their families is "resilience." Some of the Defense Department's resiliency experts attended an Army conference Wednesday in Alaska as the pace of deployments continues to demonstrate the need.

Army's new Stryker vehicles deflect roadside bombs better

Soldiers driving a new version of the Army's Stryker infantry vehicle are walking away from significant improvised explosives in Afghanistan, according to lawmakers and Army reports.

Ex-Elmendorf airman killed by gunman in Germany

A former Elmendorf airman was one of two Air Force servicemen killed Wednesday in Germany by a gunman who confessed to targeting U.S. military.

Airport shooting suspect radicalized only recently

Soldiers' return from Iraq boosts Fairbanks economy

The return of more than 4,000 soldiers from a yearlong deployment to Iraq has provided a needed boost to the Fairbanks economy.

Last of Fort Wainwright Stryker brigade returning from Iraq

The last members of the 1st Stryker brigade are returning to Fort Wainwright after a year in Iraq.

Alaska-based soldier dies in Iraq helicopter crash

A Fort Wainwright soldier died over the weekend in Iraq when a Black Hawk helicopter went down in a sandstorm, the Army said.

Fallen Soldier profile: Spc. Michael Cote

Fort Wainwright Stryker brigade completing return from Iraq

With flights this weekend, nearly all 4,000 members of the 1st Stryker brigade will be back at Fairbanks' Fort Wainwright after a year in Iraq.

Stryker soldiers returning from Iraq war zone

More than 1,000 soldiers are expected to return to Fairbanks over the next few days.

Alaska Air Guardsmen to head for Afghanistan

About 200 members of the Alaska Air National Guard will deploy this week to Afghanistan.

Fort Rich soldier dies in Afghanistan

Staff Sgt. Kurt R. Curtiss, 27, of Murray, Utah, a soldier from Fort Richardson's airborne brigade, was killed in a firefight at a hospital in Afghanistan on Wednesday.

Fallen Soldier profile: Staff Sgt. Curtiss

Sheik blames outsiders for rocket attack

FOB NORMANDY-Capt. Chris Hassan, of the 3-23rd Infantry Regiment, and Second Platoon, Charlie Company, had a different mission scheduled with their Iraqi Army partners. Plans changed in the wake of an unsuccessful rocket attack against American forces the previous night.

Help requires hard sell

FOB NORMANDY, Iraq- Exiting the Wajihiyah district police station, Lt. Col. Jim DeMoss, commander of 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry, called a quick team huddle in the courtyard.