Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said such joint exercises between nations are not unusual.

CNN: Russian bombers in Venezuela amid tension with U.S.

"We are preparing to make this as smooth a transition as we can, " Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said this week.

CNN: Pentagon prepares for wartime transition

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry on Friday officially notified the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek that a 180-day withdrawal process is under way.

CNN: Closure of Afghan supply base begins

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman declined to say what officials think is the reason for the increase, but said the United States monitors released detainees as well as it can.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Monday he is not aware of any reports that show U.S. weapons designated for Iraqi security forces have been found in the hands of insurgents.

CNN: Report: Pentagon lost almost 200,000 weapons in Iraq

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman declined to say what officials think is the reason for the numbers having gone up, but said the United States does monitor as best as it can detainees who have been released from Guantanamo.

CNN: Pentagon: Ex-Gitmo detainees turning to terrorism on rise