Pentagon news

Biden Announces DOD Task Force on China Policy

Feb. 10, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine
President Joe Biden on Feb. 10 announced a new Defense Department quick-paced review of the military’s overall strategy toward China. Over the next “few months,” the Department of Defense China Task Force will work to define new priorities and “decision points so that we can ...

Hicks Takes Over as Pentagon’s No. 2 Official

Feb. 9, 2021 | By Brian W. Everstine
Kathleen H. Hicks on Feb. 9 reported to work as the highest-ranking woman in Pentagon history, starting as the deputy secretary of defense the day after being confirmed by the Senate. Hicks immediately met with Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and received updates on ...

Biden’s Pentagon to Keep Turkey Out of F-35 Program

Feb. 5, 2021 | By Rachel S. Cohen
The Biden administration is continuing its predecessor’s policy of excluding Turkey from the international F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby indicated Feb. 5. Pentagon officials kicked Turkey, a NATO ally, out of the F-35 coalition because it bought the S-400 air defense ...

Lasers Come to the Digital Battlefield in New Exercise

Feb. 5, 2021 | By Rachel S. Cohen
Fighter pilots can’t yet fire lasers on their real jets, but a new wargame series will let them try it out in cyberspace. Armed with computers and virtual reality headsets, F-16 pilots, F-15E weapon system officers, and an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System air ...

Space Force Makes Its Pitch to Woo Other Troops

Feb. 3, 2021 | By Rachel S. Cohen
Active-duty Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines will soon be able to apply for jobs in the Space Force, as the new service begins to include people outside of the Department of the Air Force for the first time. The Space Force is looking for about 30 ...