Fox News, Justin Fishel and the Associated Press: U.S. military leaders on Thursday formally lifted the ban on women serving in combat positions, with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta saying women have become an “integral part” of the military and have already demonstrated their willingness to fight during the wars of the last decade. “It’s clear to all of us that women are contributing in unprecedented ways to the military’s mission of defending the nation,” Panetta said. Read full article