GEN Stanley McChrystal, U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, says U.S. and coalition forces are working to increase the Afghan population’s confidence in its own government.

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy says coalition forces need to prepare for the possibility of setbacks during Operation Moshtarak.

Training and advising security forces in partner nations needs to become a priority for the NATO alliance.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee about the Defense Authorization Request for FY2011.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, is doing everything possible to avoid civilian casualties.

Afghan soldiers, assisted by coalition forces, captured a Taliban leader and known weapons facilitator in the Bala Balouk district of Afghanistan’s Farah province Feb. 21, military officials reported today.

After the mission, Afghan and coalition leaders met with village elders to assess security and distribute food and medical supplies. No civilian casualties or property damage were reported.

In other recent operations:

– In Helmand province today, an International Security Assistance Force patrol in Nad-e Ali in found four mortar rounds, pressure plates and bomb-making materials. They later found an improvised explosive device made of a 55 mm illumination round packed with homemade explosives and another IED consisting of a pressure plate and six mortar rounds. An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the munitions.

– An Afghan-international security force captured a Taliban sub-commander with links to several militant networks last night in the village of Zhawrah in the Chak-e Wardak district of Wardak province. He’s believed to be responsible for planning attacks on coalition forces. During the operation, a militant was killed when he confronted the assault force with an imminent threat. Another insurgent also was detained.

– A combined Afghan-international patrol found a weapons cache containing a rocket, grenades and ammunition in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province yesterday.

Coalition forces continue their offensive against Taliban holdouts in Afghanistan’s South, as part of Operation Moshtarak.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen visits Israel to discuss Iran and the nuclear issue.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen visits Cairo, Egypt where he discusses Iran’s nuclear issues as well as the drawdown of US forces in Iraq.

Coast Guard helicopters and ground crews are supporting efforts to rescue a climber who fell into a crater Monday on Mount Saint Helens in Washington State.

Military leaders say Taliban resistance to the latest coalition offensive in southern Afghanistan has been lighter than expected.

As coalition forces continue their major offensive against insurgents in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, officials hope to gain the trust of the local population.

A 500-strong Afghan and coalition force cleared insurgents in Afghanistan’s Farah province and detained a suspected militant in Takhar province in recent days, military officials reported.

Afghan and coalition forces participated in an operation yesterday to clear insurgents from Shewan City.

Heavy fighting took place for more than 12 hours, and the force received rocket-propelled-grenade, machine-gun and small-arms fire. The force responded with small-arms and machine-gun fire as well as air strikes. A large number of insurgents were killed, military officials reported.

“This is a great day for Afghanistan and a great day for Farah province,” said Afghan army Col. Namatulah. “Today we fought alongside coalition forces like brothers. Main roads that go through this city will not be under Taliban control. Safe roads are good for everyone, military and civilian.”

Elsewhere, an Afghan and international force detained a suspected militant today after searching a compound in Takhar province. The compound is known to be used by a leader in the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, a group responsible for financing and shipping weapons to other militant elements in the region.

No shots were fired and no one was injured, officials said.

CENTCOM Commander, General David Petraeus, speaks at the Marine Corps University on “Counterinsurgency Leadership in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

An update from SECDEF Gates.

The importance of avoiding the flu virus is being strongly emphasized this season to U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan.

It would be premature to consider additional resources in Afghanistan until General Stanley McChrystal’s assessment has been reviewed and discussed by President Obama and his team.

In a matter of weeks, many service members will be immunized against the H1N1 virus.

Coalition forces have closed more than 200 bases and facilities in Iraq over the last several months.

The state of Minnesota is honoring families of fallen servicemembers with a special license plate.

A Marine stationed at Quantico, Virginia has been charged under the UCMJ for making false statements.

Members of the Wisconsin-based 115th Fighter Wing deploy on their mission for Iraq.

Coalition forces in Afghanistan are working hard to secure polling locations ahead of Thursday’s election. Plus, new research could end painful limb amputations.