The U.S. military released another 99 detainees Saturday, continuing a the monthly Lion’s Dawn Ceremony, according to a Multinational Force-Iraq spokesman.

According to officials with Task Force 134, which oversees detainee operations in Iraq, the release ceremony will bring the number of detainees released under the program to at least 1,300.

"Prior to release, detainees also make a pledge to an Iraqi judge swearing to maintain peace and good conduct in the future," a task force news release read. This process is a direct representation of the policy of fair releases, not mass releases, for the overall protection and security of Iraqi citizens and government.

There are currently around 18,900 detainees in the U.S. system at two locations: Camp Cropper in western Baghdad and Camp Bucca in southern Iraq.

So far this year, the U.S. has released more than 13,000 detainees, officials say.

Formica chosen to lead Afghan security forcesThe command in charge of developing and mentoring Afghan security forces will be getting a new commander, the Pentagon said.

Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica has been tapped as the next commander of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. Formica is currently the director of force management in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, in Washington.

In another general officer assignment, the commander of the Army Corps of Engineers-Gulf Region Division received his next posting.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey J. Dorko has been named the next deputy commander for military and international operations for the corps in Washington.

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