Tagged: Military and Defense

The Army sergeant charged with killing 16 Afghan civilians earlier this year has arrived back in Washington. That confirmation came late Monday from an official at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The Defense Department says three of four soldiers killed Sunday in Afghanistan were from Joint Base Lewis-McChord. A NATO spokesman said that Afghan police turned on the soldiers during an attack at a remote checkpoint. All three men were members of the 3rd Stryker Brigade stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta visited U.S. Navy troops in Bremerton Wednesday. More than 2,000 sailors lined up on the decks of the USS John C. Stennis to listen to parting words from the Defense Secretary. The speech was a send-off for men and women who are scheduled to be deployed to the Middle East next Monday.

The sailors rocked from foot to foot waiting for Secretary Panetta to arrive. The crowd had mixed emotions about leaving.

NPR is reporting the Taliban has shown a “change of heart” that could pave the way toward the release of Northwest soldier Bowe Bergdahl. The Army sergeant from Hailey, Idaho, was captured in Afghanistan three years ago. He’s the only known U.S. prisoner of war.

A report this week from Reuters news service raises hopes there may be progress in efforts to get an Idaho soldier in Taliban captivity back onto U.S. soil. But the news about renewed negotiations also shows Bowe Bergdahl’s freedom is a key part of peace talks in Afghanistan.