In his first message to Defense Department personnel, Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote that the President has asked for “my unvarnished advice,” [so] I expect the same of you.” He went on to note that of the myriad “important” and “valuable” activities confronting DOD, the “most important” is the situation in Iraq. His answer on that parallels the central theme of the Iraq Study Group in that a solution requires more than military effort. He wrote, “A successful outcome in Iraq, … will require all elements of America’s national power to work more effectively together, in cooperation with allies and partners in the region.”
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.