Defense

Marine commander says Iraq pullout in 16 months is 'doable'

Maj. Gen. John Kelly says he believes the Iraqis are committed to settling disputes through the political process rather than violence.

Defense

Immigration leadership takes shape at Homeland Security

President taps veteran prosecutor John Morton to lead ICE; Napolitano selects long-time immigrant advocate Esther Olavarria for policy post.

Defense

IG: Energy cannot account for nuclear materials at 15 locations

Eight years after an audit showed record-keeping deficiencies, the department has not implemented critical reforms.

Defense

F-22 Raptor plagued by stealth maintenance woes

Stealth maintenance hours account for more than half of the fighter's maintenance time, watchdog organization reports.

Defense

Authorization and chemical security bills top panel agendas

Aides are trying to avoid the turf battles that have hampered previous efforts to pass legislation.

Defense

Six months after scathing review, problems at Defense audit agency persist

DCAA’s chief cites progress, but employees say reforms have been ineffective.

Defense

Pentagon urged to improve workforce planning

Defense is not prepared for the impending retirement of more than half its workforce, report says.

Defense

Air Force faces tough choices, chief says

From crafting a workable budget to supporting operations in Afghanistan, significant challenges loom for the service.

Defense

Pentagon issues performance pay and bonuses averaging 8.35 percent

More than 98 percent of employees rated under the National Security Personnel System received a performance-based pay boost in 2009.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: DHS announces departmentwide efficiency review

Secretary Napolitano asks managers to submit reports on ways to reduce costs and streamline processes , with technology likely to be a cornerstone of the effort.

Defense

Moving FEMA out of Homeland Security could pose risks

Leadership is more important than organizational structure in ensuring operational effectiveness, IG finds.

Defense

Air Force poised to make F-22 request

Service will seek more of the fighter jets than the 183 planned, but won't try to reach its long-standing goal of 381 planes.

Defense

Defense extends suspension of price adjustments for small disadvantaged firms

Procurement chief cites a recent court decision declaring the practice unconstitutional.

Defense

Outlook for Defense spending is grim

Significant cuts are unlikely until the economy stabilizes, but weapons programs are unsustainable in the long term, budget observers say.

Defense

Lawmakers urge halt to NSPS pending review

The Defense Department’s new personnel system has resulted in distrust and discontent among the civilian workforce, critics say.

Defense

Pentagon may shift some war costs to base fiscal 2010 budget

An outline of the fiscal 2010 defense budget is expected on Capitol Hill this month after President Obama addresses Congress on Feb. 24.

Defense

Panel dismayed by rise in overseas Defense contracting

Lawmakers claim that Pentagon payments for contractor services rose by 183 percent since 2000, while military pay has gone up only 5 percent.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Lawmaker denies online messaging compromised Middle East trip

"Twitterversy" underscores how social networking is outpacing federal guidelines for releasing information.

Defense

OPM gives Pentagon personnel system high marks

Multiple layers of oversight and data on performance ratings make the National Security Personnel System fair and transparent, report says.

Defense

Officials look to contain FAA information security breach

Agency says it is looking at short- and long-term plans, including offering employees free credit monitoring, to address the problem.