By Debbie Gregory. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has confirmed that the Pentagon plans to sharply increase spending on the fight against the Islamic State group and potentially put more American “boots on the ground” in Iraq and Syria in an “enabling” role. “We have 3,700 boots on the ground in Iraq today, and we’re looking […]
By Debbie Gregory. Five evolving challenges drive the Pentagon’s planning for the 2017 defense budget request, including Russian aggression in Europe, the rise of China in the Asia Pacific, North Korea, Iran, and the ongoing fight against terrorism, especially the Islamic. The annual budget request the Pentagon sends to Congress will include a 1.6 percent […]
By Debbie Gregory. As the U.S. winds down the Afghan war, the government has been eyeing a much reduced military force, with numbers at the lowest level since World War II. The downsizing is also due to defense cuts mandated by Congress. The 2011 Budget Control Act required $500 billion in defense cuts over a […]
By Debbie Gregory. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter submitted a proposed $583 billion Defense Department budget for 2017 that focuses more on high-tech future conflicts and less on counterterrorism operations against militants such as the Islamic State group. But the budget does include a significant increase in funding for the fight against Islamic State, also […]
By Debbie Gregory. Family caregivers provide crucial support in caring for veterans. The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act was signed into law in May, 2010. The law acknowledges the critical role of caregivers for seriously injured post- 9/11 veterans, and establishes a national program that addresses the wellness and training of family caregivers. […]
By Debbie Gregory. Col. Eugene Caughey, currently assigned to Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, has been charged with rape, assault and adultery, dating back to 2013, according to court documents. Caughey is accused of raping a woman at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado, in late 2014 or early 2015 while […]
By Debbie Gregory. Following credible threats against him by followers of the Islamic State, Special Forces soldier and UFC fighter Tim Kennedy responded with four words: “Let those cowards come.” Kennedy served in 7th Special Forces Group, and is now a sergeant first class with the Texas National Guard. Threats are nothing new to Kennedy. […]
By Debbie Gregory. The killing of two Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) hackers is raising new questions about whether the Pentagon is targeting the group’s tech-savvy members. In August, a U.S. drone strike killed ISIS hacker Junaid Hussain, who was tied to a number of hacking incidents over the past few years. Hussain […]
By Debbie Gregory. As his SEAL Team Six unit raided a Taliban hide-out where an American doctor was being held hostage, Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward Byers displayed actions that have earned him the Medal of Honor. Tragically, one member of the team was killed. Byers will be the first sailor in a decade to receive the award. […]
By Debbie Gregory. The Defense Department will review more than 1,100 medals issued since the 9/11 terror attacks for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor, the country’s highest award issued for valor in combat The decision follows a review of the entire military awards process that was started by then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in […]
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