USAF security forces at Kirkuk AB, Iraq, slowly are transferring their combat patrol mission to Iraqi government forces. The airmen of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron already have taken a step back—shifting to an “over-watch” role in controlling movement...

Former Defense Secretaries Harold Brown and James Schlesinger say the “increasing likelihood” that a terrorist group will obtain nuclear weapons necessitates giving US Presidents the option of “prompt, precise, non-nuclear strikes.” In a Washington Post op-ed, the two elder statesmen...

The Veterans Affairs call center set up in the wake of the devastating news that up to 26.5 million veterans have been exposed to identity theft had received more than 84,000 calls, as of 10 p.m. May 23—one day after...

James Nicholson, head of Veterans Affairs, says he is “outraged” at the loss of veterans personal data and the fact than it was a VA employee who put the data “at risk.” In a new statement, Nicholson says he is...

Two Senate committees jointly and one House committee this morning have begun grilling Veteran Affairs officials over the data theft. Late yesterday, VA Committee Chair Larry Craig said that the hearing called by his committee would be held jointly with...

As defense officials say, the Pentagon’s annual report to Congress on China rarely changes drastically, but this year’s report highlights a continued drive toward greater power projection. And, that, is “worth noting,” Peter Rodman, DOD’s point man for international security...

Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) has decided to look into the arrangement Boeing has just made with the Justice Department to end a three-year investigation—and not stop there. According to the Associated Press news service, Warner wants to review the mechanics that led to defense contracts for other companies, as well. The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee may have been prompted by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a frequent critic of Air Force acquisition efforts, who told reporters after hearing of the Boeing deal that it might be time for a hearing on the matter. It appears, though, that Warner has decided to broaden the scope beyond the Air Force and the Darleen Druyun affair, which continues, at Air Force urging, to receive a fair amount of review by the DOD IG, which released another audit report last week.

The Air Force is making its presence known around the world—from Pakistan to Louisiana—by sending in quick reaction forces to rapidly survey, assess, establish, and operate air bases in crisis situations. Currently, there are eight contingency response groups across the...

Returning Airmen Are Healthy, For the Most Part: According to follow-up health assessments of some 12,500 airmen taken within 90 to 180 days after they return from an overseas deployment, most of them are healthy. DOD mandates an immediate health...

The President’s pick to head the CIA, Air Force Gen. Michael Hayden probably has the job, despite some tough questions from Senators about the National Security Agency’s now hotly debated electronic surveillance program, initiated when Hayden was in charge. At...

House Approves Vet, MilCon Bill: The full House has approved the 2007 Military Construction, Military Quality of Life, and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, raising VA funding by nearly 12 percent more than the amount enacted for 2006. Overall, the House...

Robots to Take the Field: The mine-area clearing robotic vehicle developed by the 823rd RED HORSE at Hurlburt Field, Fla., in collaboration with the Air Force Research Lab element at Tyndall AFB, Fla., is headed for Afghanistan within the next...

Sports Thrill Seekers Sign Here: According to USA Today, Air Force recruiters have taken their pitch to such venues as motocross races—with their young, thrill-seeking competitors—to seek out likely candidates for its battlefield airmen fields. The Air Force is short...

The American Battle Monuments Commission, enacted by Congress in 1923, was created to oversee commemorative sites honoring American servicemembers who died on foreign soil. Today, it maintains 24 American military cemeteries and 25 monuments and memorials located in 15 countries....

Lawmakers earlier this month questioned service officials on whether mashing together the service medical forces is advisable. The Army said yes, while the Air Force and Navy were hesitant, citing the potential to lose expertise in service-specific care—aeromedical evacuation for...

May 23, 2006 Sortie Type OIF OEF OIF/OEF Total ISR 18 10 28 CAS/Armed Recon 54 34 88 Airlift 150 150 Air refueling 36 36 Total 72 44 186 302 OIF=Operation Iraqi Freedom OEF=Operation Enduring Freedom ISR=Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance