Kristina Wong

GOP House members aim bill at new medal for drone pilots

Three Republican congressmen introduced legislation Tuesday that would prohibit the Pentagon from ranking a new heroism medal for drone pilots and cyberwarriors equal to or higher than the Purple Heart.

Navy hits reports on sequester scare tactics

The Navy is denying speculation that it has delayed the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman to the Middle East in order to create "drama" over defense spending cuts.

The Few, the Proud will become the fewer, the sad under sequester: Joint Chiefs

House eyeing military funds ahead of sequester

Members of Congress are exploring how to give Pentagon chiefs flexibility in implementing massive budget cuts that are scheduled to begin Friday.

Karzai edict prompted by reports

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is calling for all U.S. special operations forces to stop all activity in Wardak province in eastern Afghanistan immediately and leave entirely in two weeks after reports that the troops are "harassing, annoying, torturing and even murdering innocent people," according to an official statement.

Navy issues furlough guidance to civilians

The Navy will have "80% capacity and manning coverage" across the department if automatic defense budget cuts begin March 1st and the service is forced to furlough its 186,000 civilians, according to a 10-page document released this week by the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert.

F-35 fleet grounded after crack on engine blade found

The Pentagon announced Friday that all F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flight operations have been grounded after a routine engine inspection revealed a crack on an engine blade on the Air Force's version of the stealthy fighter jet operating at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Pentagon hits reports about U.S. troops in Afghanistan after 2014

The Pentagon is denying news reports that the U.S. will leave between 8,000 to 12,000 troops in Afghanistan after all international combat forces withdraw from the country by the end of 2014.

Pentagon insists all forces out of Afghanistan in 2014, denies reports that 12,000 troops to remain

The Pentagon is denying news reports that the U.S. will leave between 8,000 to 12,000 troops in Afghanistan after all international combat forces withdraw from the country by the end of 2014.

Pentagon hits reports about U.S. troops in Afghanistan after 2014

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reportedly told his German counterpart that the United States would leave between 8,000 and 10,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014, when combat missions have ended. But Mr. Panetta is disputing that account of his meeting with the defense minister, Thomas de Maiziere, according to a report by The Associated Press.

Pentagon awash in pink slips, preparing 800,000 civilian furloughs

The Defense Department on Wednesday officially notified Congress that it plans to begin furloughing its 800,000 civilian employees across the country if automatic spending cuts begin March 1, estimating the states would lose a total of $4.86 billion in workers' wages this year.

Army plans to furlough more than 100,000 from civilian workforce

The Army is planning to furlough 122,063 civilian workers across the country due to budget concerns, according to an official document obtained by The Washington Times.

NATO nominee Allen will retire

Marine Gen. John Allen, the former top commander in Afghanistan, is retiring from the military instead of enduring what likely would have been a messy Senate confirmation process to be NATO supreme commander.

Pink slips being printed as Congress vacations, defense industry likely to cut thousands of jobs

Hundreds of Pentagon-related employers large and small are preparing to lay off thousands of employees as Congress takes a recess this week, so far unable to agree on how to undo automatic military spending cuts set to begin March 1.

Obama pressured to drop new hero medal for drone and cyber warriors below rank of Bronze Star

More than 5,000 people have signed a petition urging the White House to lower the ranking of a new medal for drone pilots and cyberwarfare specialists that has drawn criticism for its ranking above the Bronze Star.

Gen. Odierno: Army will lose 100,000 soldiers under defense cuts

The Army would lose more than 100,000 soldiers if Congress does not avert automatic defense budget cuts due to occur in two weeks, the Army's chief of staff said Friday.

Amos: Afghan troops taking charge in Helmand

Afghan troops in Helmand province have taken charge of planning and conducting operations against insurgents, the commandant of the Marine Corps said Thursday.Afghan troops in Helmand province have taken charge of planning and conducting operations against insurgents, the commandant of the Marine Corps said Thursday.

Pentagon brass, Congress meet to end sexual assault in military

Top defense officials this week met with members of Congress to address sexual assault in the military — the fourth such meeting since September, a Pentagon spokesman said.

New medals for new warriors

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced Wednesday that the Pentagon is creating a new medal for cyberwarriors and drone pilots.

Training the few, the proud, the ethical: Civilians get chance to make tough decisions like Marines

Creeping through the hilly, wooded terrain, the squad of Marines spotted something across the river. It looked like three men having a picnic.