Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—August 15, 2014. Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel spoke today via telephone with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Specifically, Secretary Hagel requested clarification regarding the Russian humanitarian convoy. Minister Shoygu “guaranteed”[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–August 14, 2014. REAR ADM. JOHN KIRBY: Hey, everybody. Sorry I’m a little bit late. Just a few points before we get to your questions. As you know, yesterday, we announced that a team of U.S. military personnel accompanied by USAID conducted an assessment on the situation on Mount[Read More…]

Company Ordered to Refund $350,000 to Servicemembers Tricked into Paying Fees for Benefits Available for Free WASHINGTON, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)—August 14, 2014. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) today put an end to a servicemember fee scam run by USA Discounters, Ltd., a company that operates a chain of retail stores near[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—August 13, 2014. The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston, 35, of Houston, Texas, died Aug. 12, in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when his unit was engaged by enemy small-arms fire. Hairston[Read More…]

New Law Removes Unnecessary Hurdles for Veterans Who Rely On the Use of Accessible Parking Spots VILLA PARK–(ENEWSPF)–August 12, 2014.  Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to ensure that veterans with disabilities can utilize accessible parking spaces across Illinois without facing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The Governor was joined at today’s[Read More…]

Sydney, Australia–(ENEWSPF)–August 12, 2014. AUSTRALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER JULIE BISHOP: Ladies and gentlemen, today we have welcomed to Sydney and to AUSMIN, Secretaries John Kerry and Chuck Hagel. And this is the second AUSMIN meeting that the four principals here have participated in. The United States alliance is the most important[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—August 11, 2014. The entire Department of Defense community mourns the loss of Robin Williams. Robin was a gifted actor and comedian, but he was also a true friend and supporter of our troops. From entertaining thousands of service men and women in war zones, to his philanthropy that[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—August 11, 2014. STAFF: Good afternoon. I’d like to introduce Lieutenant General Bill Mayville. He’s the director of operations, J3, at the Joint Staff. He’s here today to give you an update on operations in Iraq. He’ll frame up how we’re working with friends, partners and allies to protect[Read More…]

Sydney, Australia–(ENEWSPF)–August 11, 2014 AUSTRALIAN MINISTER OF DEFENSE DAVID JOHNSTON: (off-mic) discussions and we’ve had a roundtable discussion with some strategic commentators in Australia. Can I say this is the fourth time we’ve met? I’m very pleased that Secretary Hagel is here in Australia. I’m delighted to welcome him. I’m[Read More…]

New Law Offers Gold Star License Plates to Children of Fallen Servicemembers ROCKFORD–(ENEWSPF)–August 9, 2014.  Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to allow the children of fallen servicemembers apply for Gold Star license plates. Today’s action is part of Governor Quinn’s agenda to support Illinois’ military families. “We owe a[Read More…]