Force Protection
Trial Date Finally Set for Ft. Hood Rampage Suspect Nidal Malik Hasan
March 01 by Mike O'BrienThree years after 13 people died and 32 were injured in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, a trial date has been set for suspect Major Nidal Malik Hasan. Judge Col. Tara Osborn said she wants to beg...
U.S. Pledges More Aid to Rebel Forces in Syria
February 28 by Mike O'BrienThe U.S. is to supply Syrian rebel fighters with food and medical supplies, Secretary of State John Kerry announced on Thursday. Supplies will be dispatched through the rebels’ military head...
‘Proud’ Leon Panetta’s Farewell Message to the Department of Defense
February 26 by Mike O'BrienIn his final day in the Pentagon, the outgoing Defense Secretary reflected on the achievements of the DoD during his time in office. Here, in full, is his memo to all personnel: "Tomorrow morni...
U.S. Sends 100 Troops to Niger to Help French Battle Militants
February 21 by Mike O'BrienThe U.S. has deployed 100 troops to Niger to help French forces in troubled, neighboring country Mali. President Barack Obama told Congress on Friday that the troops will be fully armed but will b...
Lockheed Martin Wins Contract to Upgrade Apaches
February 15 by Mike O'BrienTwo U.S. Army contracts worth nearly $162 million have been won by Lockheed Martin to make improvements to the AH-64 Apache helicopter. The defense contractor will upgrade the Apache’s night...
President to Announce Withdrawal of 34,000 Troops From Afghanistan
February 11 by Mike O'BrienPresident Obama is expected to pledge the withdrawal of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan by next February when he delivers his State of the Union address on Tuesday night. That figure represents jus...
Panetta Extends Benefits for Military Same-Sex Partners
February 10 by Mike O'BrienThe Department of Defense announced on Monday that some military benefits would be extended to same-sex partners of military service members. The ground-breaking move comes just weeks after the Pe...
U.S. Navy Cuts Fleet in Persian Gulf to One Carrier
February 08 by Mike O'BrienThe U.S. Navy has decided not to deploy the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to the Persian Gulf, cutting the number of aircraft carriers there from two to one. Pentagon spokesman George Littl...
The Billion Dollar Advancements in Body and Vehicle Armor
February 06 by Mike O'BrienWhile investment in many areas of hardware has stalled, advancements in security force protection such as body and vehicle armor continue to move forward at a swift pace. The global body armor and...
U.S. Military Tops New National Satisfaction Poll
January 28 by Mike O'BrienA new Gallup Mood Of The Nation poll released today (Tuesday, January 29) shows that Americans are most satisfied with the U.S. military – and are more unhappy about the economy than anything...
Double-Arm Transplant for U.S. Soldier Who Lost Limbs in Iraq
January 28 by Mike O'BrienThe first U.S. soldier to survive after losing both arms and legs in wars in Iraq or Afghanistan has undergone a double-arm transplant. Brendan Marrocco, 26, who lives in Staten Island, New York,...
U.S. Military to Let Women Fight in Combat Roles
January 23 by Mike O'BrienThe ban on women serving in combat is to be lifted in a move that could open up thousands of roles for female personnel in front-line positions. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who is expected to...