Defense
Air Force’s commitment to new bomber a matter of debate
The service has said it will fly upgraded version by 2018, but analysts aren’t sure how serious the effort is.
Defense
IG urges better post-disaster data sharing
Privacy requirements hurt law enforcement agencies’ ability to locate missing children and others in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, auditors found.
Defense
Justice, civil liberties groups battle over spy tactics
Justice spokesman says agency appreciates input from the groups, which are upset over temporary expansion of intelligence law.
Defense
Planning difficult with deployments, Army chief says
Service leader also acknowledges that soldiers don’t get enough time off between deployments.
Defense
Security clearance challenges defy easy fixes
During a six-month period ending in March, the government took an average of 208 days to issue secret and confidential clearances and 276 days to grant top-secret ones.
Defense
Travel industry lobbying to help ease U.S. policies
Group is advocating “common-sense” measures to make travel less burdensome while embracing additional security.
Defense
Effort to draw down troops on border invites mixed reactions
There is widespread concern in border states -- particularly New Mexico and Arizona -- that the White House is cutting back the mission too soon.
Defense
Funding to keep Guard troops on border left unsettled
Pentagon budget planners may face the difficult task of shifting dollars within the department's accounts to pay for the mission.
Defense
Navy plans to land pilotless drones on carriers
Service has hired Northrop Grumman to build two planes for demonstration purposes.
Defense
DHS to require flight passenger information before takeoff
New early sharing of information is intended to give authorities more time to identify and remove suspected terrorists from flights.
Defense
EPA, VA clear officials who appeared in religious video
Officials did not appear in uniform and weren’t identified by title.
Defense
IT, metal industries fighting over proposed Defense rule
Change would let the Pentagon buy commercial ready-made weapons parts without determining if they contain metals produced overseas.
Defense
IG criticizes Army, Air Force officers’ participation in religious video
Four generals and three other officers should not have appeared in an official capacity in video promoting Christian group, investigators say.
Defense
House Dem. cautions on speed of U.S. troop pullout from Iraq
Proper withdrawal would take between 15 months and two years, former three-star admiral representing Pennsylvania says.
Defense
House backs full collective bargaining rights at Defense
Amendment to spending bill would halt funding for the labor relations portions of the Pentagon's personnel overhaul.
Defense
Law grants whistleblower protections to transportation workers
Language giving collective bargaining rights to federal airport screeners doesn’t make it into final version of security measure.
Defense
Senate panel backs Coast Guard reauthorization bill
Measure would allow $1 billion in funds for the troubled Deepwater fleet upgrade program.
Defense
Panel hears estimates, pleas for long-term Gulf Coast aid
Some lawmakers question whether federal officials are leaning on states hard enough to curb potential waste, fraud or abuse in recovery programs.
Defense