Allen may withdraw from consideration for top NATO post in Europe

Gen. John Allen, who stepped down Sunday as the top U.S. general in Afghanistan, may withdraw from consideration as NATO Supreme Allied Commander-Europe and head of U.S. European Command, defense officials said Wednesday.

42 minutes ago

Pentagon creates new medal for cyber, drone wars

The Associated Press reported Wednesday that U.S. defense officials say they are creating a new medal that can be awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations but do it from afar.

14 minutes ago

Pentagon repeats dire warnings about cuts: 'Wolf is at the door'

For the second day in the row, Pentagon top brass intensified its warnings to lawmakers about sequestration’s crippling effect on military readiness and its ability to respond to budding conflicts across the globe.

13:26 February 13, 2013

VA questioned on mental health care progress despite hiring, funding

Despite more money and more staff to tackle the problem, veterans aren’t seeing enough progress toward getting mental health care, the chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee said Wednesday.

12:27 February 13, 2013

Obama urges shift from narrow focus on politics of austerity

President Obama leaned into his second term by declaring that a single-minded focus on deficit reduction would jeopardize the nation’s future. And he sounded an urgent call to rebuild.

Fact check: Overreaching in State of Union speech

Obama on State of the Union: 'We can fix this'

Obama issues order to bolster cyber-defenses

Obama announces return of 34,000 troops from Afghanistan

Obama discusses counterterrorism operations

Afghan official: Civilians killed in coalition airstrike

A coalition airstrike in Kunar province on Tuesday night killed 10 civilians, including women and children, according to a local government official; NATO said it was investigating those claims.

Fierce fighting reported in province bordering Kabul

Official 2013 military pay tables

Find your 2013 Basic Allowance for Housing rate

A nation honors valor in the war on terrorism

Ombudsman

Ernie Gates, Stars and Stripes' ombudsman

Official: Monitoring of US funds for rebuilding Afghanistan at risk

An accelerating U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan this year and next will raise the risk of ill-advised spending of billions in U.S. funds for the country's rebuilding, the top auditor of U.S. reconstruction spending said Wednesday.
12:40 February 13, 2013
South Korea to boost defenses after nuclear test by North
After fierce debate, Senate panel approves Hagel for Pentagon chief
GAO: Lowered standards inflated ratings of Afghan forces
Official: Monitoring of US funds for rebuilding Afghanistan at risk
Obama issues order to bolster cyber-defenses
Curfew eased for servicemembers in Japan
Article wrongly claims SEAL who killed bin Laden is denied benefits
Official: Sequester cuts 'collateral damage of political gridlock'
Army veteran Clinton Romesha receives Medal of Honor for Afghan fight

Nuclear Korea
Military
Budget cuts
Veterans
Afghanistan

Feds roll out cyber plan, say threat is escalating

Warning that American companies are the target of an intensive cyber-espionage campaign, President Barack Obama's top security officials on Wednesday said they are struggling to defend the nation from attacks on its private computer networks and called on Congress to pass legislation that would close regulatory gaps.
14:14 February 13, 2013
Obama issues order to bolster cyber-defenses 23:58 February 12, 2013
Coast Guard Academy workers busted for sex on job 11:26 February 13, 2013
Pakistani outage halts Fla. terror testimony 14:21 February 13, 2013
Lew warns of dangers from automatic spending cuts 12:10 February 13, 2013
USS Monitor sailors to get Arlington burial 11:49 February 13, 2013
Dorner manhunt: Ex-cop's license found in burned cabin 14:15 February 13, 2013
Woman who stole over 800 IDs sentenced to prison 11:56 February 13, 2013

Fierce fighting reported in province bordering Kabul

American and Afghan commandos are engaged in unusually fierce winter fighting in a neighboring province to the capital, continuing a multi-day operation that has resulted in more than a dozen insurgent deaths, as well as Afghan casualties.
10:47 February 13, 2013
Afghan president welcomes withdrawal of US troops 09:13 February 13, 2013
Kerry: Response to NKorea will send Iran a message 14:02 February 13, 2013
Kerry seeks to change Assad's thinking on Syria 13:58 February 13, 2013
Official: Monitoring of US funds for rebuilding Afghanistan at risk 12:40 February 13, 2013
Lebanese prevent tankers from crossing into Syria 14:58 February 13, 2013
Afghan official: Civilians killed in coalition airstrike, NATO investigating 10:40 February 13, 2013

Longo to replace Boozer as USAREUR, 7th Army deputy commander

The Army has tapped Maj. Gen. Richard Longo to serve as U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army’s next deputy commander and chief of staff.
09:37 February 13, 2013
UK to bring Afghan equipment home via Uzbekistan 14:04 February 13, 2013
Russian arms trader says shipments to Syria will continue 03:52 February 13, 2013
French, Mali troops recover explosives in Gao 09:03 February 13, 2013
45-star flag treasured by French Resistance fighter is returned to US 02:52 February 12, 2013

Curfew eased for servicemembers in Japan

U.S. Forces Japan adjusted the curfew rules Wednesday, pushing back the start by an hour to midnight for servicemembers below E-5 and dropping it for higher ranks.
14:13 February 13, 2013
Kerry: Response to NKorea will send Iran a message 14:02 February 13, 2013
South Korea to boost defenses after nuclear test by North 07:37 February 13, 2013
Complaint details allegations against Yongsan preschool 00:39 February 13, 2013
UN faults Sri Lanka probe of alleged war abuses 11:07 February 13, 2013

Longo to replace Boozer as USAREUR, 7th Army deputy commander 09:37 February 13, 2013
Allen may withdraw from consideration for top NATO post in Europe 14:39 February 13, 2013
45-star flag treasured by French Resistance fighter is returned to US 02:52 February 12, 2013
Famed Italian pianist exposes Vicenza students to classical music 04:06 February 10, 2013
Postal Service plans to limit deliveries will not affect military 10:27 February 8, 2013
DODEA: Teachers could face furloughs if defense cuts take effect 03:44 February 7, 2013
Baseball legends touch ’em all in Wiffle Ball contest in Germany 13:16 February 6, 2013
F-16 pilot remembered for love of life 03:02 February 7, 2013
Immigration, military rules challenge female soldier’s marriage to German woman 16:59 February 6, 2013
Troops get advance screening of Die Hard sequel, but Willis a no show 12:37 February 6, 2013

Longo to replace Boozer as USAREUR, 7th Army deputy commander 09:37 February 13, 2013
South Korea to boost defenses after nuclear test by North 07:37 February 13, 2013
Analysts: Even China may not be able to stop North Korea 14:53 February 12, 2013
Air Force E-8 on Okinawa suspected of drunken driving, causing accident 05:51 February 12, 2013
Curfew eased for servicemembers in Japan 14:13 February 13, 2013
Guardian salvage delayed another week as crane found inadequate 04:24 February 12, 2013
Hawaii-based sub's commander relieved of duties after crash 11:08 February 11, 2013
N. Korea says it tested miniaturized, more powerful nuclear bomb 22:35 February 12, 2013
Brooks nominated as Army Pacific commander in new 4-star post 21:55 February 11, 2013
40 years after release, POWs at Hanoi Hilton reflect on experience 20:46 February 11, 2013

Latest Blog Postings

Europe Sportsblog

DODDS-Europe hoops championships start Feb. 20 at Wiesbaden

All the high school basketball teams that play in DODDS-Europe sponsored leagues converge on Germany next week to play each other to determine the best teams in three divisions.
Europe Sportsblog

Wiesbaden hosts military boxing matches; next event set for Grafenwöhr

Bavarian Military Community took top team honors at Saturday’s military boxing event at Clay Kaserne, outlasting USAG-Wiesbaden, Team Wiesbaden, Spangdahlem and Stuttgart.
The Ruptured Duck

Esquire article wrongly claims SEAL who killed bin Laden is denied healthcare

Esquire magazine claims “The Man Who Killed Osama bin Laden ... Is Screwed.”
Stripes Central

Vote on Hagel nomination set for Tuesday

Former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel's nomination as Secretary of Defense will come up for an open vote before the Senate Armed Service Committee on Tuesday.
Stripes Central

Guardsman turned gay rights advocate loses battle with cancer

Chief Warrant Officer Charlie Morgan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, succumbed to the illness this weekend
Pacific Sportsblog

Yokota's Speed inks National Letter of Intent to play football at Briar Cliff

Yokota quarterback makes the grade after taking arduous recruiting/marketing road to NAIA school.