United States Department of Defense

Panetta Spells Out DOD Roles in Cyberdefense

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta spelled out in detail the Defense Department’s responsibility in cybersecurity during a speech to the Business Executives for National Security meeting in New York. Story | Special | Transcript

Vice Chairman Visits Wounded Warriors in San Antonio

Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, honored two wounded warriors during a Purple Heart ceremony at the Brooke Army Medical Center's Warrior and Family Support Center in San Antonio. Story

New Strategy to Posture Transcom for Post-war Future

A new, five-year strategic plan unveiled by the U.S. Transportation Command will posture it to ensure the military maintains its global mobility edge, Air Force Brig. Gen. John E. Michel, Transcom’s chief change and learning strategist said. Story

U.S., China to Consider Sharing Mission Resources

Officials from the United States and China plan to meet to discuss sharing logistical resources, including fuel, as they operate together during counter-piracy and humanitarian assistance and disaster response missions. Story

Cybercom Chief: Technology Drives Cultural Change

Over the past six or seven years, cyberspace has undergone a tremendous transformation, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command told attendees of the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation’s GEOINT 2012 conference in Orlando, Fla. Story

Official: Defense Department Seeks ‘Small Footprint’ in Africa

Djibouti, a nation located in the horn of Africa and host to the only U.S. forward operating base on the continent, plays a strategic role for several U.S. military commands in the region, according to Amanda J. Dory, deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs. Story

• Partnership, Engagement Highlight Africa Policy

DOD Aggressively Pursues Intel Innovation, Vickers Says

Michael G. Vickers, undersecretary of defense for intelligence, said the Defense Department is driving innovation across all defense intelligence functions and discussed priorities and partnerships during remarks at the annual Geospatial Intelligence Symposium. Story

Defense Intel Agency Director Outlines Changes Under Way

Army Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn spoke to the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation about reshaping defense analysis and professional development of the workforce, but began with his plan to use the Defense Clandestine Service to integrate the intelligence community. Story

Locklear Encourages Closer U.S.-Bangladesh Military Ties

Praising Bangladesh as a global model in both peacekeeping and disaster management, Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, told Bangladeshi leaders and reporters he welcomes more opportunities for the two countries to work together to support their mutual security interests. Story | Special

Obama Praises Nominees for Key Military Positions

President Barack Obama has nominated Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen to serve as NATO’s supreme allied commander for Europe and commander of U.S. European Command and Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. to succeed Allen as commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Story | Video

• Dempsey Praises Allen, Dunford Nominations
• NATO Chief Welcomes New Military Leaders

DOD Helps Military Families Maintain Financial Readiness

As service members prepare for any and all possible military operations, the Defense Department is reaching out to ensure that there are no contingencies back home to distract them from the mission, namely their personal finances. Story

Commissaries to Offer New Innovations, Conveniences

The new commissary rewards card now offered at all 247 military commissaries worldwide offers a glimpse into what the Defense Commissary Agency is working to provide its customers: the same selection, conveniences and quality as popular commercial grocery store chains with better customer service and lower prices. Story

Organization Offers Online Self-assessments for Depression

Anonymous, online mental health screenings are available to service members, veterans and their families in conjunction with the observance of National Depression Screening Day. Story

All Active Services Meet Recruiting Goals Through August

All four active services met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for fiscal 2012 through August, Defense Department officials announced. Story

TRICARE Advises Patients About German Ban on Meds

TRICARE officials are working with beneficiaries located in Germany as they prepare for changes to their mail-order pharmacy service to accomodate a German law that prohibits importing medications into the country. Story

Walter Reed Joins National Kidney Exchange Pool

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., is the first military hospital to join and participate in a national network of civilian centers for a kidney transplant exchange, said Army Col. (Dr.) Edward Falta, chief of the center’s Army-Navy Transplant Program. Story

Time Remains for Absentee Voting, Official Says

Absentee Voting Week is a reminder that it’s still possible for eligible U.S. voters overseas to register and to vote, said Pamela S. Mitchell, the acting director of the defense department’s Federal Voting Assistance Program. Story | Special

DOD Identifies Missing WWII Marines

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of seven servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being buried with full military honors. Story

Defense Department Identifies Missing WWII Airman

The Defense Department POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Story

More Airports Offer Streamlined Security Screening

Active duty service members and other eligible travelers now have more opportunity to take advantage of streamlined security check-in, as Transportation Security Administration officials have added two more airports to the program. Story

Surveys Ensure Better-fitting Gear for Troops

When it comes to combat clothing and gear, the folks at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center realize that appropriate fit is more than simply a matter of a tailored military appearance. Story | Special

Afghan, Coalition Forces Arrest Haqqani Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader in Afghanistan's Paktiya province. Story

Combined Force Arrests Insurgent Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan financial facilitator in Kunduz province. The arrested insurgent is suspected of being involved in purchasing and trafficking weapons for use in attacks on Afghan and coalition forces. Story

Combined Force Kills Several Insurgents

An Afghan and coalition security force killed several armed insurgents seized assault rifles, a machine gun and several grenades during an operation to arrest a Taliban leader in Sar-e Pul province. Story

Afghan-led Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator

An Afghan-led security force, supported by coalition troops, arrested a Taliban facilitator and improvised explosive device producer in Kandahar province. The facilitator is suspected of managing the construction of large quantities of IEDs, and organizing the their transfer. Story

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Would-be Suicide Bombers

Afghan and coalition forces killed several would-be suicide bombers, detained additional insurgents and seized multiple weapons during a security operation in Wardak province. Story

Six-day Combined Operation Concludes in Afghanistan

Dozens of Afghan soldiers and police, supported by coalition special operations forces, concluded a six-day operation against insurgent networks in the Chak district of Wardak province. Story

Security Force Kills Taliban IED Cell Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force killed the leader of a Taliban improvised explosive device cell in the Alisheng district of Laghman province. The leader was linked to multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces using IEDs, rocket-propelled grenades, rockets and mortars. Story

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader

An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force arrested a Taliban leader in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province. The security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized an IED firing device and IED-making materials, officials said. Story

Attack May Have Included Insurgent Fire, Officials Say

A Sept. 29 exchange of gunfire in Wardak province that left an International Security Assistance Force service member and an ISAF-contracted civilian employee dead may have involved insurgent fire, ISAF officials reported. Story

Security Force Kills Multiple Insurgents

An Afghan and coalition security force killed multiple armed insurgents in the Gelan district of Ghazni province during an operation to arrest a senior Haqqani facilitator believed to be directly involved in several attacks that claimed civilian casualties. Story

Combined Force Detains Insurgents, Seizes Narcotics

A combined security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized multiple assault rifles along with several pounds of illegal narcotics during an operation to arrest a Taliban facilitator in the Washer district of Helmand province. Story