US troops news stories on Newser

Obama Winning Among Veterans

Kevin Spak — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:24:42 CDT

After a decade of war, America's troops aren't feeling very war-like. President Obama currently leads Mitt Romney among veterans who have served since the Gulf War by seven points—a wider lead than he has among the general populace—according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll , and many say it's because...

Organs From US Troops Save Lives in Europe

Dustin Lushing — Sat, 05 May 2012 06:26:15 CDT

Since 2006, organ donations from mortally wounded US troops have saved around 140 European lives, reports USA Today . The families of 36 American servicemembers who were declared brain dead from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan agreed to donate their hearts, kidneys, lungs, livers, and pancreases to patients in Europe. It's...

New Underwear Protects Troops

Evann Gastaldo — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:51:47 CDT

US troops are more protected "down there" thanks to new ballistic underwear, USA Today reports. Staff Sgt. Ross Cox was wearing the underwear when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan: His left foot was blown off and his right leg was shattered, but his injuries could have been much...

US Troops in Afghanistan to Get 'Guardian Angels'

Kate Schwartz — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 06:31:14 CDT

As the number of green-on-blue attacks steadily climbs, US troops in Afghanistan will receive a new protector: "guardian angels." These safekeepers are the flesh-and-blood kind, actual troops who will watch over their sleeping comrades. It's one of a number of new security measures ordered by the US top-dog in Afghanistan,...

Eastern Afghanistan the 'Final Battleground'

Matt Cantor — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:56:05 CDT

As insurgent attacks have fallen in Afghanistan's southern provinces, the US is turning its focus toward the east, where such attacks jumped 20% last year. With the US set to take on an advisory role next year, the mountainous eastern region is poised to be the war's "final battleground" as...

Soldier Suspected in Afghan Killing Spree Is Dad of 2

Evann Gastaldo — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:57:40 CDT

Details are beginning to emerge about the still-unnamed soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians yesterday. An official who spoke to the New York Times says the Army staff sergeant was part of a village stabilization operation in the rural Panjwai district of Kandahar, in which Green Berets forge close...

Afghanistan on Brink Over US Soldier Killings

Polly Davis Doig — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 11:54:59 CDT

US and Afghan officials alike are scrambling in the wake of today's rampage that claimed the lives of 16 Afghan civilians , as relations between the two nations threaten to boil over. The latest reactions, along with emerging details: Reuters has the most incendiary report, alleging that more than one US...

Harry Reid: Afghan Shooting 'Very Sad, Wrong'

Polly Davis Doig — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 08:50:27 CDT

Damage control has begun in today's Afghanistan shooting rampage by an American soldier , with Harry Reid condemning the incident as "absolutely wrong. Our hearts go out to these innocent people." The death toll is still uncertain, but most victims appear to have been civilians. Reid called the deaths "very, very...

US Soldier Fires on Afghan Civilians, Kills at Least 16

Mark Russell — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 07:21:49 CDT

A US soldier in southern Afghanistan has been detained after he walked off his base this morning, shooting and killing civilians in the area, reports the New York Times . At least 16 are dead in the rampage, reports the BBC , with many women and children among them. The soldier reportedly...