Defense
Army to offer recruitment incentives
Service will soon begin an active-duty version of the successful Guard Recruiter Assistance Program, which offers bonuses to soldiers who sign up new recruits.
Defense
Study questions long-term expense and use of mine resistant vehicles
Report acknowledges the pressing need for the combat vehicles, but recommends a rigorous assessment of the costs, operational need and future use of the vehicles.
Defense
Pentagon asks Congress to drop plan for Afghanistan IG
Defense officials say the office would be redundant and deplete the department’s regular inspector general of needed personnel.
News
Lawmakers object to two-plane approach to tanker needs
Such a strategy would eliminate incentives for efficiency and drive up costs, legislators argue in letters to the Air Force secretary.
Defense
Army seeks to balance near-term, future needs
Officials stress commitment to modernization program, while acknowledging more immediate demands for equipment repair and replacement.
Defense
Military leaders seek larger-than-planned force in Europe
The Pentagon plans to maintain only two combat brigades in Europe, but officials are rethinking that strategy.
Defense
Army says $13 billion needed to repair, replace equipment
Official stresses the service needs the funding up front in one large chunk, rather than in smaller increments throughout the year.
Defense
Senate OKs Defense spending bill
Lawmakers add $794 million aimed at keeping 6,000 National Guard troops along the southwest border in fiscal 2008.
Defense
Senate backs $3 billion border security add-on to Defense bill
Amendment includes funding to hire thousands of border security agents, build hundreds of miles of fences and other barriers, and buy surveillance equipment.
Defense
Senate ends debate on authorization bill, but not on Iraq
Measure kept free of mandated timelines for troop withdrawals, but anti-war Democrats may try to attach those to the Defense spending bill.
Defense
House appropriator to apply pressure for Iraq changes
Committee chairman wants the White House to establish a goal to end U.S. military involvement, ensure that troops receive adequate rest between deployments and begin a "broad scale diplomatic offensive."
Defense
'Buy American' dispute stalls delivery of 1,000 military trucks
Champion of restrictions says the Army is not interpreting new limits on metals from foreign suppliers correctly, and could get a temporary waiver.
Defense
Senate soundly rejects Iraq troop pullout, funding cutoff
Majority leader indicates he is not interested in any compromise that fails to mandate significant changes in the war.
Defense
Appropriator predicts Iraq withdrawal mandate could pass House
Fight would be more difficult in the Senate, where 60 votes would be needed to overcome filibuster, vocal war opponent says.
Defense
Pentagon rejects Air Force bid to control UAV programs
Other services viewed the Air Force's efforts as a power grab and vociferously objected, stating that they feared giving up their buying power.
Defense
Senate appropriators approve Defense spending measure
Committee members honor request to keep the bill free of any Iraq funding or policy provisions.
Defense
Military official warns against delaying war funding
Comments come in reaction to appropriator’s prediction that it could be months before a supplemental funding bill is enacted.
Defense
Senator wants sections of GAO report on Iraq declassified
Specifically, Armed Services chair wants to make public details in assessment of the levels of sectarian violence in Iraq.
Defense
Independent study finds Iraq has failed to meet most goals
Watchdog agency concludes Iraqi government has fully achieved only one of its eight legislative benchmarks and two of nine security benchmarks.
Defense