Defense

Pentagon issued millions in contracts to suspended and debarred vendors

Report found Defense awarded nearly $5.4 million to negligent contractors between fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2009.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Army taps Second Life for troop and family support

Virtual resiliency center will offer everything from exercise classes to tools for coping with the stress of multiple deployments.

Defense

Lawmaker proposes ban on TSA collective bargaining

Airport screeners are seeking union representation and bargaining privileges.

Defense

Senate probe finds gaps persist in preventing domestic attacks

Report on 2009 terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas, faults FBI and Defense Department for not taking sufficient action to identify and prevent terrorist plots.

Defense

Air Force tanker bids due next week

Much-anticipated contract award could come in late February or early March.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: Army migrates to enterprise e-mail this month

Top information technology officials will have their Microsoft Exchange accounts moved first.

Defense

GAO: Northern border remains too porous

A new report says the U.S.-Canada border is still too vulnerable to drug smuggling and terrorists.

Defense

WTO ruling adds new fuel to tanker debate

Finding that Boeing got illegal subsidies is not expected to affect the Air Force's decision on who wins the lucrative contract.

Defense

Marine general says service must comply with lifting ban on gays

Official stresses that it is the corps’ duty to uphold the law.

Defense

‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ training begins in February

Troops will be educated on new conduct policies related to the repeal of the law banning gays from serving openly in the military starting next month.

Defense

Michelle Obama turns to military as part of fitness program

First lady visits Army training facility near Columbia, S.C., to get pointers and observe foods offered in the dining halls and strength training exercises.

Defense

Top intelligence panel Democrat open to spending cuts

Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, D-Md., is reviewing spy agency budgets for places to trim fat.

Defense

General reports progress against roadside bombs in Afghanistan

Senior commander says military has achieved "real disruption of the lethal insurgent networks" throughout Kandahar.

Defense

Defense chief pushes for fiscal 2011 spending bill to avoid 'crisis'

Failure to pass legislation would amount to a $23 billion cut to the Pentagon’s budget this year, Gates says.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: IG says up to 35 percent of WTU soldiers have prescription drug abuse problems

Army Surgeon General says 14 percent of the force is prescribed opiates .

Defense

GAO: Defense business transformation showing signs of progress

Report finds efforts need to be better aligned with Pentagon’s efficiency initiative, however.

Defense

Have no fear: Army finds missing vial of lethal nerve agent

Officials put Utah facility on lockdown on Wednesday, forcing more than 1,000 military and civilian personnel and contractors to bunk there overnight.

Defense

Homeland Security chief announces end of color-coded threat alerts

System has been roundly criticized for being confusing and too vague.

Defense

Navy admiral urges diligence in fight against pirates

Official says problem should be addressed with the same rigor as counterterrorism efforts.

Defense

From Nextgov.com: House, Senate Judiciary chairs clash over extending online spy provisions

Senate measure offers a longer-term solution and more oversight than the rival House proposal.