SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE–(ENEWSPF)–April 15, 2014.  U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon today joined newly confirmed Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James in a visit to Scott Air Force Base.  Sen. Kirk is the ranking member of the Senate[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 15, 2014. The Department of Defense announced today that it has undertaken a comprehensive review of the military justice system. This year-and-a-half-long effort was ordered by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, on the recommendation of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the DoD general counsel.[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—April 10, 2014. The Navy will christen the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) on April 12, during a ceremony at General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine. The lead ship and class are named in honor of former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Elmo R. “Bud” Zumwalt[Read More…]

Durbin honors victims of Fort Hood shooting, including Illinois native Sgt. Tim Owens Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–April 9, 2014.  Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired a hearing of the Senate’s Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense today on the Department of Defense’s health programs. Following last week’s shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, and[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—April 8, 2014. MODERATOR: Everybody, thank you so much for joining us today. I’d like to especially welcome General Rodriguez from U.S. Africa Command and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs Amanda Dory from the Pentagon. We’re very excited to have both of them here briefing us[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—April 8, 2014. Today, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) led several members of Congress in writing a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies, expressing strong support for the inclusion of $60 million in Defense Production Act transfer authority for the Department of[Read More…]

PENNSYLVANIA—(ENEWSPF)—April 7, 2014. DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHRISTINE H. FOX: Well, good morning. It’s a great pleasure to be with all of you today. Before I launch into my remarks, I really have to start by expressing and my sorrow and sadness for the tragic shootings at Fort Hood last[Read More…]

Tokyo, Japan–(ENEWSPF)–April 6, 2014. STAFF: Let us now start the joint press conference. Minister Onodera and Secretary Hagel will make statements first. First Minister Onodera will make a statement. Minister Onodera, please. MINISTER ITSUNORI ONODERA (through translator): Am I coming through? Now let me make my remarks. Secretary of Defense[Read More…]

HAWAII—(ENEWSPF)—April 3, 2014. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL: Thank you, good morning. The 10 ASEAN defense ministers and I just completed what I believe is an extremely valuable meeting here in Hawaii, one that affirmed the deepening bonds of friendship between our nations, and the growing opportunities that exist for[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 2, 2014.  Today’s shooting was a terrible tragedy for the Fort Hood community, the Department of Defense, and for the nation. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. And my sympathies go out to this strong and resilient community, which has experienced this kind[Read More…]