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U.S. Air Force News

  • Defense adds blog to military science dialogue

    Science has seized the popular imagination. There are magazines, popular books, Web sites, webcasts, blogs, documentary films and even television channels devoted to science and technology. The practical applications of science and technology also can be found in almost every aspect of military

  • Defense agency delivers logistics support to warfighters

    Whether it's an infantryman in Iraq needing a new firing pin for his rifle or a fighter pilot on a carrier in the Persian Gulf who needs to replace a cracked landing strut, the Defense Logistics Agency stands ready to support warfighters worldwide, the organization's director said in a recent

  • Defense authorization bill impacts potential degree programs

    With the finalization of the 2008 defense authorization bill, Air University will have the authority to grant a new master's degree in flight test engineering to graduates of the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. That program, which already resembled an academic degree

  • Defense bill affects pay, separation bonuses, more

    President Barack Obama signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 31, 2011, which increases active-duty and reserve pay by 1.6 percent and governs Defense Department activities, from procurement to military personnel policy.Several provisions in this year's act will potentially

  • Defense budget cuts must be balanced, Mullen says

    As the pressure increases on the federal budget, the Defense Department must make cuts in a balanced way, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today."There are three dials: the people dial, the operations dial and the acquisition or equipment dial," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said to about

  • Defense Commissary Agency named 'Role Model' in promoting fruits, vegetables

    Promoting the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables to its customers has placed the Defense Commissary Agency in select company. DeCA was one of seven retailers to earn top recognition as a "Role Model" by the Produce for Better Health Foundation.DeCA joined Ahold USA Inc., Food Lion Stores

  • Defense communities cope with uncertain times

    Representatives from around the country have gathered here Feb. 14 through 16 for a three-day Winter Forum sponsored by the Association of Defense Communities to discuss the challenges faced by U.S. military installations, both those which are active and those which were closed over the years during

  • Defense contractors will share burdens of furloughs, Hagel says

    The Defense Department is reviewing all of its contracts, and DOD contractors will share the burden of spending cuts, including the furloughs facing the department's civilian workforce, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told senators June 11.Hagel testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee's

  • Defense contributions help NASA's 50-year legacy

    As the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration celebrate its 50th anniversary this week, Defense Department personnel also can take a bow for the key role they have played in lending technology and expertise to NASA's space exploration and research mission.NASA began

  • Defense Cyber Crime Center officials host challenge

    Airmen and civilians are now able to submit solutions for the 2010 Defense Cyber Crime Center Digital Forensics Challenge to compete against more than 975 teams for a chance to win 11 different prizes.The DC3 Digital Forensics Challenge is a public, online, and international Challenge held annually

  • Defense Department axing Internet voting plans

    Defense Department officials are axing an Internet voting program because of concerns about security, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Feb. 6.The Federal Voting Assistance Program, which aids Americans serving overseas in the voting process, will not use the SERVE system in November. The acronym stands

  • Defense Department Celebrates 'Month of the Military Child'

    The Defense Department has long understood the value of caring for and celebrating children of servicemembers. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. The Month of the Military Child is a time to

  • Defense Department expands flu vaccine program

    Department of Defense officials are expanding the flu vaccination program to include people as young as age 50 and those in close contact with those at high risk of getting the flu, the Pentagon's top doctor said Dec. 22. The military medical system has enough flu vaccine on hand to expand the

  • Defense Department launches retirement system comparison calculator

    The Defense Department officially launched the Blended Retirement System comparison calculator, providing BRS opt-in eligible service members their first opportunity for an individualized comparison of retirement systems. The comprehensive tool, in combination with the mandatory BRS Opt-In Course,

  • Defense Department leads nationwide food drive

    The Defense Department is taking a leading role in a nationwide campaign challenging federal employees to donate to their local food pantries.The "Feds Feed Families" campaign, announced by the Office of Personnel Management on May 26, will run through the end of August, said Pat Tamburrino Jr., the

  • Defense Department must end business as usual, Gates says

    Defense spending and program priorities cannot be divorced from the very real threats of today and the growing ones of tomorrow, the defense secretary told hundreds of members of the Economics Club of Chicago here July 16. "We stand at a crossroads," Robert M. Gates said. "It is time to draw the

  • Defense Department officials aim to improve families' lives

    Military families make tremendous sacrifices in support of the nation and deserve recognition as well as the best programs and policies the Defense Department can deliver, a defense official said here Nov. 3. Tommy T. Thomas, the deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family

  • Defense Department officials establish Ebola medical support team

    When Capt. Stacey Morgan’s squadron commander sent her a text message saying that she needed to immediately call him, her first thought was, “Uh-oh. What did I do?” But after a minute or two of talking to her commander, her apprehension was quickly replaced by anxious excitement, as he asked her to

  • Defense Department officials honor top communicators

    The military's best writers, photographers and videographers were recognized for excellence in a ceremony May 13 at the Defense Information School here.Douglas B. Wilson, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, recognized the award recipients for their achievements."Many of those being

  • Defense Department officials launch annual CFC drive

    The Defense Department's 2010 Combined Federal Campaign kicked off here Sept. 20, offering federal civilians and military members the opportunity to contribute to any of more than 4,000 pre-screened charities.Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III launched the department's annual CFC drive in

  • Defense Department officials launch cyber strategy website

    Defense Department officials announced July 25 the launch of a new website to highlight the department's first unified strategy for cyberspace.Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III announced the department's Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace on July 14 at National Defense University at

  • Defense Department officials launch 'Lessons Learned' blog

    For anyone who has served in the military, whether in uniform or as a family member, the concept of sharing lessons learned is a familiar one. A new Defense Department blog that launches Aug. 2 seeks to bring those lessons to an accessible online platform.Titled "In Their Own Words: Lessons Learned

  • Defense Department officials take aim at drug abuse

    "Drug Free is the Key" for the Defense Department's Red Ribbon Week this year as it works to raise public awareness and mobilize communities to combat tobacco, alcohol and drug use among military personnel, civilians and families. The observation of Red Ribbon Week begins Oct. 23 and continues

  • Defense Department officials to announce balanced social media policy

    Defense Department officials plan to forward a social media policy to the department leadership within the next two weeks that will balance the pros and cons of social networking sites, the department's top public affairs official said on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" Sept. 22. "I

  • Defense Department officials to prune senior ranks, freeze staffing

    Defense Department officials will reduce senior ranks and freeze civilian staffing levels, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Jan. 6."The monetary savings from ... reductions in senior personnel will be relatively modest, and mostly consist of the extra staff and amenities that, by tradition,

  • Defense Department pauses spouse employment program

    Defense Department officials here have temporarily halted a popular employment assistance program for military spouses while it conducts a "top-to-bottom" review of its services, officials said Feb. 18. The My Spouse Career Advancement Account program, also known as MyCAA, offers military spouses

  • Defense Department set to kick off 'Why We Serve' tour

    In an effort to help the American people understand why U.S. servicemembers choose to serve their country and what the experience entails, the Defense Department has launched a program it calls "Why We Serve." "Essentially, Why We Serve is an armed forces-style grassroots movement to reconnect with

  • Defense Department sets record with charitable giving

    The Defense Department raised a record-high $15.1 million in the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign, exceeding the department's goal by $2.3 million. DOD recognized its organizations for their fundraising efforts at the Combined Federal Campaign awards ceremony Jan. 25 at the Pentagon. "By all of these

  • Defense Department to announce balanced social media policy

    Defense Department officials here plan to forward a social media policy to the department leadership within the next two weeks that will balance the pros and cons of social networking sites, the department's top public affairs official said on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" Sept. 23.

  • Defense Department to deliver more, improved child care

    The recent ribbon-cutting at the largest military child care center underscores the commitment of Defense Department officials to provide more and better child-care for military families, a senior defense official said. A July 15 ribbon-cutting at Fort Myer, Va., marked the official opening of a new

  • Defense Department to resume anthrax vaccinations

    The Department of Defense will resume its Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, officials said May 3.A memorandum signed April 29 allows military commanders to resume the vaccination program using the emergency use authorization conditions issued by the Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 27,

  • Defense Department to review military awards program

    In an effort to provide clarity in awards standards across the military services, the Defense Department has begun a comprehensive review of military awards and decorations, a DOD official said here yesterday. This routine review will result in revision of DOD Instruction 1348.33-M, the Manual of

  • Defense Department to start H1N1 flu vaccinations

    All military personnel will be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus, and the vaccine will be available to all military family members who want it, a Defense Department health affairs official said Sept. 2 here. The H1N1 vaccination program will begin in early October, said Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Wayne

  • Defense Department tops nation in child care efforts

    Child care is a critical issue for many families around the country, and the Defense Department stands alone as a model for quality child care in the nation, an independent study released March 1 finds. In the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies' ranking of state child

  • Defense Department turns to ESC to lead way on NextGen

    Dr. Tim Rudolph, the Electronic Systems Center's chief technology officer, has been named the Defense Department's lead architect for a federal initiative known as the Next Generation Air Transportation System. The center's 653rd Electronic Systems Wing here, which has a lot of experience with

  • Defense Department updates equipment reimbursement policy

    Defense Department officials announced Feb. 14 the revision of a memorandum on the policy and procedures for the reimbursement of privately purchased protective equipment for operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The new memo, which was signed Feb. 10 by David S.C. Chu,

  • Defense Department Web site eases information delivery

    The new Defense Department Web site is designed to make military news and information more accessible, and also invites greater participation from the public, the department's top public affairs official said Aug. 25. "[Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates] wanted to hear back from people more. He felt

  • Defense Department working to prevent sexual assault

    Defense Department leaders are committed to preventing sexual assault, said the commander of the Department of Defense's Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. "To achieve this goal, in 2005, we have vigorously implemented a comprehensive sexual assault prevention and response

  • Defense Department works to eliminate gaps in medical care

    The trauma care that U.S. servicemembers receive is the best in the world, but Defense Department officials must continue to eliminate gaps in the medical process as patients move from DOD facilities to the Department of Veterans Affairs and to private hospitals, a senior Pentagon medical official

  • Defense Department, services monitor Arctic melting

    With the number of geopolitical hotspots in the world today, the Arctic is not an area that comes quickly to mind for possible defense operations. But it is a place of great national security and strategic importance that the Defense Department and services are monitoring closely.In a report sent to

  • Defense directive sets detainee interrogation policy

    The Defense Department has a new policy on detainee interrogations.Officials began writing the directive in December 2004. Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England signed the directive Nov. 3. It is the first formal defense directive on this policy. DOD Directive 3115. 09 -- DOD Intelligence

  • Defense Education Forum panelists discuss modernization, emerging missions

    Defense Education Forum panelists recently gathered at the Reserve Officers Association headquarters here to discuss the Air Force Reserve's role in modernization and emerging missions. Maj. Gen. Howard N. Thompson, the Air Force Reserve deputy, cited the importance of volunteerism as Reserve Airmen

  • Defense Finance and Accounting Service revamps website

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials are rolling out a redesigned website tonight to give the Defense Department's workforce easier, quicker access to the information they need. "We know our online visitors don't want to spend more of their time on our website than they have to," said

  • Defense forum highlights need for scientists, engineers

    Air Force and U.S. officials forecast a serious shortage of scientists and engineers. That assessment was made by Joe Sciabica, executive director of the Air Force Research Laboratory, during a Regional Defense Forum here May 6. About 370 business and government leaders attended the event to foster

  • Defense Health Agency makes progress

    As the Defense Health Agency approaches its one-year anniversary Oct. 1, it has already saved money and standardized health care in the Defense Department, said Dr. Jonathan Woodson, the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.

  • Defense Health Board receives Port Mortuary review findings

    The Defense Health Board has received findings and recommendations from an independent review of practices at the Dover Port Mortuary in Delaware.The review was directed in December by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today."One of the department's most

  • Defense institute gets new home

    The new home of the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute officially opened here Jan. 14.Dr. Davis S. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, cut the ribbon to open the two-story, 92,000-square-foot facility.A new-campus task force was established in the early 1990s,

  • Defense Latinas praised for distinguished service

    Latina role models, including recently confirmed Chief Justice Sonia Sotomayor, are important to Hispanics and women in general, said a Connecticut Air National Guard member, who was lauded for her own accomplishments here Sept. 10, 2009. "She is an inspiration to all of us, especially Hispanic

  • Defense leader thanks lawmakers for support of special ops

    Ultimate victory in the "long war" requires the U.S. military to adopt more unconventional and indirect approaches in the way it fights, and the Defense Department is doing just that, the Pentagon's top special operations official told a Senate panel here April 5. In testimony prepared for delivery

  • Defense leaders build on strong relations in Hawaii

    Defense officials are working to make Hawaii a better place for military members and their families to live. Navy Adm. Timothy Keating, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, met here with Dr. David Chu, under secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, this week to discuss key issues. Solid

  • Defense leaders laud air-sea battle concept initiative

    The air-sea battle concept being developed by Air Force and Navy officials exemplifies the closer, more integrated relationships the military needs in order to confront future challenges, top Pentagon leaders said.The new concept is "a prime example of how we need to keep breaking down stovepipes

  • Defense leaders praise Keesler resolve, spirit

    The military’s highest-ranking officials leading post-Hurricane Katrina relief efforts toured here Sept. 4 and personally delivered reassuring words to the storm-battered base’s troops and family members.The visiting delegation, led by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, included Gen. Richard

  • Defense Logistics Agency aims high to support Air Force

    Air Force men and women are engaged around the world, flying combat missions in war zones, operating unmanned aircraft, developing and maintaining satellites, operating advanced weapons systems and conducting myriad other missions in support of combat operations, humanitarian assistance and homeland

  • Defense Logistics Agency helps keep A-10s flying

    Defense Logistics Agency members and the Defense Supply Center Richmond responded to a fast suspense request from Air Force officials for critical A-10 Thunderbolt II wing fittings to help keep the planes operational. The A-10's mission is to attack armored vehicles and tanks, as well as to provide

  • Defense Media Activity breaks down barriers

    The Defense Media Activity is all about breaking down barriers between reporting disciplines, the new organization's chief of staff said in an interview Nov. 5. The activity, which stood up Oct. 1, combines the internal information portions of the services' and Defense Department's public affairs

  • Defense Media Activity officially stands up

    The Defense Media Activity gives public affairs within the Defense Department a new structure to move forward as a consolidated and integrated team, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said during the organization's activation ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 20. "This is where jointness really

  • Defense Media Activity officials launch podcast widget

    The Pentagon Channel, the Defense's Department's broadcast vehicle for the latest Defense Department news, has unveiled its latest widget for podcasts.Available under the Widgets tab on Defense.gov, the widget allows users to receive the latest Defense Department podcasts on their own websites or

  • Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Flight 19 launch

    The Air Force successfully launched the 19th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program or, DMSP, spacecraft at 7:46 a.m. PDT, April 3, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The satellite was carried aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.

  • Defense news, information now customized for mobile devices

    Defense Department news releases, articles and other information are now available in a new format that is customized for easier viewing on BlackBerries and other mobile devices, officials said. The new, mobile-device-friendly format can be accessed at www.dod.mil/mobile, officials affiliated with

  • Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection conducted at Minot

    A Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection was conducted at the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., from May 16 to 26. Inspectors from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Department of Defense Inspector General, Air Force IG, Air Combat Command IG and Air Force Space Command IG evaluated the

  • Defense office protects privacy, liberties of troops, civilians

    A small and little-known Defense Department office has the big task of protecting service members' and civilian employees' personal information in the digital world, while also getting accustomed to its new charge of protecting their civil liberties.The Defense Privacy and Civil Liberties Office is

  • Defense official hails effect of unmanned aircraft on warfare

    Perhaps no other weapon platform has more significantly transformed the way the U.S. military wages war in recent years than unmanned aircraft, a senior defense official told Congress March 24 here. Since 2006, operations have grown from about 165,000 hours to more than 550,000 hours annually, said

  • Defense official outlines pay freeze details

    Defense Department civilian employees affected by the federal pay freeze for 2011 and 2012 will still have the opportunity to receive performance awards, promotions and normal longevity increases, a senior defense official said.Pasquale M. Tamburrino Jr., the deputy under secretary of defense for

  • Defense officials authorize medal for Chile relief efforts

    Airmen who participated in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Chile following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake Feb. 27, 2010, are eligible for the Humanitarian Service Medal.U.S. military members must have provided humanitarian assistance for at least one day between March 6

  • Defense officials identify Air Force casualties

    The Department of Defense officials announced May 27 the death of two Airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died May 26 near Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. Killed was Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton II, 39, of Houston, who was

  • Defense officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials here announced Jan. 23 the name of an Airman who died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom Jan. 17 in Iraq.Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La., died as a result of a nonhostile incident at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 6th Security

  • Defense officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials announced Jan. 27 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom . Tech. Sgt. Leslie D. Williams, 36, of Juneau, Alaska, died Jan. 25 due to a non-combat related incident at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 4th Maintenance

  • Defense officials launch official military blogging platform

    Defense Department officials have unveiled "DoDLive," a centrally linked and unified platform from which services can create and maintain blogs. "This blogging tool allows all branches of the military an opportunity to establish an official blog about their command, organization or unit," said Brian

  • Defense officials receive first H1N1 vaccine shipments

    Defense Department officials have started receiving H1N1 vaccines and will begin distributing doses in the coming weeks. The Health and Human Services Department is distributing the vaccines, manufactured by four producers, to the department. Because rates of production vary among the manufacturers,

  • Defense officials release name of downed F-16 pilot

    Department of Defense officials announced today the identity of an Airman listed as duty status - whereabouts unknown. Maj. Troy L. Gilbert was the pilot of an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in support of coalition ground combat operations that crashed approximately 20 miles northwest of

  • Defense officials suspend separation payment recoupment

    Recoupment of military retirees' Variable Separation Incentive, Special Separation Benefit and separation payments by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service has been temporarily suspended pending a formal policy and legal review by Department of Defense officials. The suspension of recoupment

  • Defense officials to allow photographs of caskets with family's permission

    Defense Department officials will allow the news media to photograph the flag-draped caskets of fallen U.S. troops returning home if their families agree, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Feb. 26. The announcement authorizes family members to choose whether to allow media access to the

  • Defense officials to implement Guard, Reserve changes

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has charged his staff to take action on 20 of 23 recommendations made by an independent commission for changes in the reserve components. Secretary Gates presented alternatives to the commission's other three recommendations to department leaders. In a May 10

  • Defense officials urge nuclear deterrent funding

    The nation's security strategy is built on nuclear deterrence, and the systems and workforce that support nuclear capabilities must be sustained, senior Defense Department officials told Congress Nov. 2.James N. Miller, the principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, and Gen. C. Robert

  • Defense officials visit Dover C-5M testing

    The senior adviser to the secretary of Defense on operational and live fire test and evaluation of DOD weapons systems flew on the C-5M Super Galaxy during a local air refueling qualification operational test and evaluation sortie Dec. 7 at Dover Air Force Base, Del.Dr. J. Michael Gilmore, the

  • Defense panel calls for more force structure changes

    Defense Department officials must plan to maintain recent additions to the ground forces for the foreseeable future and boost their long-range strike, maritime and cyber capability to confront global trends and threats, the Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel told Congress Aug. 3.William

  • Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office staff updates families of loved ones

    More than 280 loved ones of American servicemembers missing in action and prisoners of war gathered for a briefing from the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office March 20 here.The mission of the DPMO is to establish policies worldwide for accounting for all missing servicemembers from all

  • Defense procurement director promotes balanced acquisition

    The Defense Department's top acquisition executive shared his views with contract specialists regarding strategic sourcing designed to maximize efficiency in how the federal government procures goods and services Aug. 16 at Brooks City-Base. Shay Assad, the director of Defense Procurement and

  • Defense review addresses uncertain, unpredictable world

    The Quadrennial Defense Review, to be delivered to Congress Feb. 6, will be dominated by two words: uncertainty and unpredictability, senior defense officials said Jan. 25. Congress mandates that the Department of Defense conduct the QDR every four years to ensure the armed forces have the right mix

  • Defense review matches strategy with capabilities

    The Quadrennial Defense Review, due to Congress in February, is a long-term look to ensure the Defense Department has the tools needed to do the missions of the future, a senior DOD policy official said.Douglas Feith, undersecretary of defense for policy, said the review will take its cues from the

  • Defense schools work to raise awareness, prevent suicides

    Officials from Defense Department schools are taking on the tough topic of suicide to prevent what is a leading cause of death among teens. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 15- to 19-year-olds, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and that makes it an important topic for

  • Defense secretary asks entire department to reinforce trust

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has called on every member of the Defense Department to play a personal role in creating a secure environment that will help to prevent more tragedies like the Nov. 5 shooting rampage that left 13 people dead at Fort Hood, Texas. Secretary Gates issued a memo March

  • Defense secretary calls losses 'painful, personal'

    Of all the challenges he confronts at the helm of the Defense Department, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said one of the most difficult for him is writing condolence letters to families who have lost a loved one in the war on terrorism. "I feel very strongly about the families of

  • Defense secretary comments on tanker competition, other issues

    The recently released request for proposals for the Air Force's next-generation tanker aircraft was fair, the Defense secretary said here March 11, and he expressed disappointment that Northrop-Grumman has withdrawn from the competition for the $35 billion contract. Secretary Robert M. Gates also

  • Defense secretary discusses Iraq, Afghanistan with deployed troops

    Servicemembers quizzed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates about Afghanistan, the elections in Iraq and the Iran situation during a question-and-answer period March 11 here. Secretary Gates spoke to members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which has been deployed here since January 2002 in

  • Defense secretary endorses Hayden nomination to CIA

    The defense secretary and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said May 9 they endorse President George W. Bush's nomination of Gen. Michael V. Hayden as CIA director. President Bush nominated General Hayden to the post May 8 to replace Peter Goss. "In my view, Mike Hayden is a true

  • Defense secretary honors two Air Force civilians

    Two Air Force civilians received Department of Defense Awards for their efforts in housing management and electrical engineering at a ceremony Oct. 21 in the Pentagon. Presenting the awards were Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Michael L. Rhodes, deputy director of administration and

  • Defense secretary lauds wounded warrior care improvements

    The military has made "some significant steps forward" in caring for wounded warriors, the Defense secretary said during a Pentagon Channel interview broadcast Oct. 22. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said inpatient care provided to wounded warriors always has been world-class. "We've never had a

  • Defense secretary orders review of UCMJ, AF courts-martial outcome

    Defense officials announced March 12 that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed two separate reviews to ensure that the U.S. military justice system is appropriately protecting victims of sexual assault as well as dispensing justice to the accused, said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little

  • Defense secretary sends holiday message

    Citing the many gains achieved by the military over the past year, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates thanked America's men and women in uniform for their service in a holiday message released Dec. 20. "The holidays offer a special time to remember our many blessings as Americans.  Perhaps chief

  • Defense secretary to recommend Navy admiral to head F-35 program

    The Defense secretary will recommend President Barack Obama nominate Navy Vice Adm. David J. Venlet to oversee restructuring of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter program, a Defense Department official told a congressional panel March 24 here. Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of Defense for

  • Defense secretary touts F-35 as heart of future tactical combat aviation

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited the Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter factory here Aug. 31, assessing progress on what he called "the heart of the future of our tactical combat aviation." Secretary Gates walked through the mile-long production facility, getting

  • Defense secretary urges Air Force cadets to demonstrate leadership

    As the United States and Russia prepare to sign a historic nuclear arms reduction treaty, the Defense secretary related to U.S. Air Force Academy cadets some lessons he has learned from a government career that has taken him from the shadows of the Cold War into a much-altered security landscape as