Defense

  • Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is not happy with the slow pace of using unmanned Predator drone aircraft. They\'ve had great success in Afghanistan, dating back to early 2008. Gates told the Air Force Academy Friday that \"it\'s been like pulling teeth\" to get more of the planes \"because people were stuck in old ways of doing business.\" Gates also clashed with Air Force leadership over production of the top-of-the-line, F-22 Raptor. He said pressure to build more than twice the number budgeted by the Defense Department is a problem.

    March 16, 2011
  • Members of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel are studying the Defense Department\'s proposal to increase fees for working-age retirees who use the military\'s TRICARE health insurance benefit. The panel heard, in separate hearings, from DoD officials defending the increase, and retiree groups who fear it is a \"camel\'s nose under the tent.\"

    March 16, 2011
  • For the third year in a row, President Barack Obama plays the March Madness game.

    March 16, 2011
  • The Navy has stopped all work with a firm that is accused of participating in a kickback scheme involving $10 million in Navy funds.

    March 16, 2011
  • The American Federation of Government Employees said Tuesday it will no longer participate in discussions related to the future status of DoD employees who had been part of the soon-to-be-terminated National Security Personnel System. The labor organization said \"union-busting\" activities by the Air Force were the reason for its decision.

    March 16, 2011
  • Former Air Force Chief of Staff on solving the \"people\" challenges at the DoD.

    March 15, 2011
  • At least one Senior Army Official says fixed-price contracting might not be the way to go for the Army.

    March 15, 2011
  • Reducing pay and benefits of federal civilian employees, military and retirees could save the government $10 billion over five years and $50 billion over 10 years, according to a March report by the Congressional Budget Office.

    March 15, 2011
  • There will be slightly less \"video intelligence\' at the Department of Defense from now on.

    March 15, 2011
  • This year\'s conference theme, \"Leveraging Efficiencies for Operational Effectiveness,\" will bring together experts from government, industry, professional trade organizations, and academia to share their insights, outlooks and perspectives on the most relevant issues, opportunities and challenges we are facing today as we deliver new technologies and operational capabilities to our war fighters and our national security customers.

    March 15, 2011
  • A Congressional panel heard from deputy Pentagon service chiefs last week that when it comes to future acquisitions, DOD may have to settle for \"good enough\".

    March 15, 2011
  • Military personnel would not be subject to a furlough in the event of a government shutdown, according to guidance prepared by the Defense Department as a contingency plan. The memo, drafted earlier this month, gives broad overarching guidance to military departments and agencies who would have discretion to determine what activities would and would not be exempted from a shutdown.

    March 15, 2011
  • The cemetery\'s call center now has access to data and can answer every inquiry from veterans and family members.

    March 14, 2011
  • The existing CR has caused the Navy to miss construction starts and other scheduled projects, Politico reports.

    March 14, 2011