Military

New Year's security to get boost from National Guard: Friday, December 30, 2011; By Gregan Wingert; More than 100 Nevada National Guard troops will spend today through Sunday completing drills that will give the soldiers and some airmen an opportunity to work in tandem with local law enforcement, and help boost security efforts for the New Year's weekend.

Las Vegan draws on near-death experiences to help others: Friday, November 18, 2011; By Conor Shine; When he was 12 years old, Matthew Dovel nearly drowned while swimming in a backyard pool at a friend’s house. As he took his last breath and his lungs filled with water, Dovel, was terrified. And then he felt himself being pulled from his body toward a white light.

Thousands pilot their way to Nellis for annual air show: Saturday, November 12, 2011; Aviation:; By Aida Ahmed; Thousands of onlookers fixed their eyes on the North Las Vegas skyline Saturday morning as Air Force jets soared over Nellis Air Force Base.

Life after military is no parade in this economy: Saturday, November 12, 2011; VETERANS DAY:; By Dave Berns; Vintage jeeps and transport vehicles rolled through downtown Las Vegas on Friday morning, carrying veterans of wars stretching back to World War II. High school marching bands played patriotic tunes while spectators along 4th Street smiled, clapped and waved, thankful for the veterans' service.

Special courts offer veterans kinder approach to criminal justice: Friday, November 11, 2011; By Conor Shine; At any given time, dozens of cases involving military veterans are being processed by various court systems around the valley. Many of the offenses are relatively minor in nature — ranging from petty theft to drug possession to trespassing — and often stem from physical and mental trauma suffered by the veterans while serving that can lead to substance abuse, mental health issues or even homelessness.

Rep. Shelley Berkley opposes arms sale to Turkey: Wednesday, November 9, 2011; By Karoun Demirjian; Nevada's staunchly pro-Israel lawmaker has co-sponsored a resolution to block a proposal to sell $111 million dollars' worth of U.S. attack helicopters to the NATO ally.

U.S. to pull troops out of Iraq by year's end: Friday, October 21, 2011; Ben Feller, Associated Press; President Barack Obama on Friday declared an end to the Iraq war, one of the longest and most divisive conflicts in U.S. history, announcing that all American troops would be withdrawn from the country by year's end.

With Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’s repeal, gay soldiers come out of the shadows: Tuesday, September 27, 2011; By April Corbin; Dave Jenkins received the news after the end of a double shift. It was already one of the worst nights of his career as a corpsman. A 2-week-old infant had died in his arms. He was finishing filing the necessary paperwork when his commanding officer approached him. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say …”

Ninth Circuit denies appeal of Las Vegas man who lied about being awarded a Purple Heart: Monday, September 26, 2011; By Cy Ryan; David Perelman claimed law prohibiting the wearing of the medal violated the First Amendment.

Military service is no sure thing for young job seekers: Friday, September 16, 2011; By Karoun Demirjian; Brandon Smith wants to study finance at UNR and maybe become an accountant someday. But college is expensive, so he and his mother, Carolyn Evans, dropped in on military recruiters in Las Vegas, in hopes of signing up.

8 injured at Nellis AFB when aircraft shelters collapse in windstorm: Thursday, September 8, 2011; By Sun Staff; Eight military personnel suffered minor injuries when a set of aircraft shelters collapsed during a severe windstorm at about 5 p.m. Thursday, officials at Nellis Air Force Base said.

Military moms-to-be treated to big baby shower: Saturday, July 30, 2011; By Aida Ahmed; Heidi Pelkola and her husband are getting ready for one of the biggest days of their lives. But when that big day — the birth of their child — comes, Pelkola, who is five months pregnant, will be without her husband.

Nellis Air Force Base fighter jet crashes; no word on pilot: Tuesday, June 28, 2011; By Nikki Villoria; A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon jet crashed near Caliente at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, officials at Nellis Air Force Base said.

300th Army Band caps off Henderson concert series: Friday, June 24, 2011; By Conor Shine; The California-based 300th Army Band will cap off Henderson’s ArtBeat spring concert series tonight with a musical performance featuring classical, patriotic and contemporary songs.

Nevada delegation's concerns about Afghanistan drawdown muted: Wednesday, June 22, 2011; By Karoun Demirjian; Republican leaders reacted to President Barack Obama’s speech announcing the return by this time next year of 33,000 troops from Afghanistan — about a third of the total fighting force — with pronounced trepidation.