Defense
Update on Iraq contracting problems alarms lawmakers
Issues include poor requirements, inadequate competition and insufficient oversight.
Defense
House panel rejects bid to restore future combat program funding
Subcommittee leader reiterates argument that panel must give higher priority to near-term needs.
Defense
House lawmaker to seek reports on Iraq operations
Chairman of Armed Services panel will stop short of asking for a troop pullout in authorization bill, in an effort to avoid divisions.
Defense
Lawmaker seeks to avoid division over Defense bill
Authorization measure in danger of getting caught in fights over the Iraq war and over missile defense and modernization program cuts.
Defense
House panels trim missile defense, exceed personnel requests
Subcommittee rejects administration attempt to increase fees for military retirees’ health care.
Defense
Panels give special ops, Navy more procurement funding
Subcommittee unanimously approves the addition of funds to build two extra ships and to start work toward building two nuclear attack submarines a year by 2010.
Defense
Lawmaker abandons bid to fatten Littoral Combat Ship budget
Shipbuilding advocate is still aiming to add three other ships to the Navy’s budget request, marking an unusually large increase.
Defense
House panel cuts $867 million from future combat program
Reduction is equivalent to roughly 25 percent of the Pentagon's request for the program and is far larger than previous congressional cuts.
Defense
Authorization bill’s fate hinges on Dems' next step on Iraq
Authorizers must decide if their bill is worth losing to keep the pressure on President Bush to reverse his Iraq policy.
Defense
Air Force seeks to recover funds diverted to Army
Service needs the money back to cover payroll and other personnel costs.
Defense
Pentagon prevents military officers from testifying before House panel
Mid-level officers blocked from speaking at closed-door House briefing about efforts to train and organize Iraqi security forces.
News
Bush military expansion may cost $108 billion over seven years
Hefty sum is roughly $4 billion lower than the Pentagon's own estimate.
Defense
Marines deploying Osprey aircraft overseas for first time
Critics say fundamental design and reliability flaws have yet to be resolved, argue use in combat would be premature.
Defense
Air Force, Navy funds may be needed to cover Army costs
Defense secretary reiterates concerns that failure to approve supplemental wartime spending bill in next few weeks will damage readiness.
Defense
Defense proposes giving Guard chief 'senior advisor' role
Document makes clear the Pentagon will continue to reject efforts to elevate the Guard leader to a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Defense
Guard chief touts unit readiness but acknowledges stress
Ongoing deployments would make equipment problems at home worse, chief says.
Defense
Lawmaker seeks to set up Defense-industry procurement board
Panel would find ways to identify critical shortfalls in military equipment and streamline the purchase of needed gear.
News
Alarms over detainees fail to stir Fort Leavenworth
Army base is home to the military's only domestic maximum-security prison, making it a potential relocation spot if Guantanamo facility is closed.
Defense
Army Guard units face shortage of gear
Missing equipment hinders training exercises and impedes the Guard's ability to respond rapidly to domestic disasters, chief says.
Defense