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Kristina Wong

kwong@washingtontimes.com

Kristina Wong was a national security reporter for The Washington Times.

Articles by Kristina Wong

**FILE** USS Harry S. Truman. (U.S. Navy)

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.

February 26, 2013
Afghan President Hamid Karzai calls for U.S. special operations forces to stop activity in Wardak province after reports of “harassing, annoying … even murdering innocent people.” (Associated Press)

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.

February 24, 2013
** FILE ** Family members and friends in Norfolk, Va., welcome home the USS Enterprise after its 25th and final deployment, along with the 5,500 sailors and Marines who spent nearly eight months at sea. The Enterprise is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. (Associated Press)

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.

February 22, 2013
**FILE** The F-35 stealth jet. (U.S. Air Force via Associated Press)

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.

February 22, 2013
** FILE ** In this Feb. 13, 2013, file photo, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaks during his last news conference as defense secretary at the Pentagon in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

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.

February 22, 2013
**FILE** Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale listens as Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen testify regarding the Department of Defense fiscal 2012 budget request before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 15, 2011. (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.

February 20, 2013
Allen

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.

February 19, 2013
**FILE** U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos (Associated Press)

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.

February 14, 2013
Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said the Distinguished Warfare Medal is for service members who “are physically removed” from the fight and whose contributions “do not involve acts of valor of physical risk that combat entails.” (Associated Press)

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.

February 13, 2013