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Military missions appear unaffected by latest terror threat While the closure of more than 20 U.S. embassies over the weekend has grabbed headlines and generated ominous warnings from politicians and pundits alike, who have cautioned that al-Qaida is planning a “major” attack, little appears to have changed at U.S. military installations where troops overseas seem to be taking it all in stride.   US military helicopter crashes at training area on Okinawa An Air Force helicopter crashed during exercises at a U.S. military base on Okinawa on Monday, causing a smoke cloud that could be seen by Japanese residents nearby, according to the Air Force and Japanese officials.   Ailing veterans denied claims as they point to Vietnam-era cargo planes A bitter fight has sprung up over whether servicemembers who worked, ate and slept in C-123 transport planes after the Vietnam War should be compensated for exposure to Agent Orange. Complicating the debate is that few of the planes are left standing today - in part because of the Air Force's concerns about potential liability for Agent Orange.   In Afghan national park, the rare sound of women laughing For centuries Afghans have believed that the waters of the group of six lakes known as Band-e Amir can cure illness and infertility. Now Band-e Amir also has become the nation’s soothing antidote to the daily horrors elsewhere: improvised bombs, suicide attacks and bribe-hungry police.   On defense cuts, Rep. Forbes fighting his own party U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes is facing new opponents in what he sees as a crucial fight to protect national security: determined budget-cutters from his own party.   US plans to monitor Afghanistan relief projects remotely As the U.S. military presence dwindles in Afghanistan, officials are finalizing a $200-million plan to use smartphones, GPS-enabled cameras and satellite imagery to monitor relief projects that will continue in areas deemed too remote or unsafe for Americans to visit.   Bill would cut off salaries of military personnel accused of crimes The Stop Pay for Violent Offenders Act has been filed in the U.S. House — to let the military suspend pay for those arrested and charged with rape, sexual assault or a capital offense — by Reps. Tim Griffin, R-Ark., Tom Rooney, R-Fla., and Frank Wolf, R-Va.   Veterans, colleges feel effects of GI Bill According to Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, the Post 9/11 GI Bill that began providing benefits four years ago has given nearly $30 billion in education benefits to veterans who served since Sept. 10, 2001.   Navy warship USS Port Royal remains seaworthy, report says A report ordered by Congress on the Pearl Harbor cruiser USS Port Royal shows that the ship's condition is not as bad as the Navy portrayed in its attempts to retire it early to save money.   Soldier reunited with helmet that saved his life in Afghanistan Sgt. Roger Daniels knows he’s alive and still walking because his Army-issued helmet did something it wasn’t supposed to do.   Taliban talking secretly to Kabul government The Taliban have held secret talks with representatives of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to try to jumpstart a peace process that stumbled and stalled at the starting gate, according to Afghan officials and a senior Taliban representative.   Service academy chiefs face scrutiny on sex assaults Sen. Barbara Mikulski is calling attention to a new commission that would focus on how well military service academy superintendents are working to fight sexual assault.