Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 18, 2013. The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Noor Uthman Muhammed and Ibrahim Othman Ibrahim Idris from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of Sudan. On Feb. 18, 2011, Muhammed pleaded guilty in a military commission to offenses under the Military Commissions[Read More…]

Scheduled to Depart Thursday to Deliver Holiday Cards to Servicemembers; Reminds Families Across Illinois to Honor Our Troops This Holiday Season CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 17, 2013.  Governor Pat Quinn today announced he will be departing Thursday of this week on his annual journey to personally deliver holiday cards to wounded servicemembers. This[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—December 17, 2013. The Department of Defense released today the 2014 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates, which take effect Jan. 1, 2014.  Overall rates will increase an average of five percent this year.  On average, BAH rates for members with dependents will increase approximately $79 per month and[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 17, 2013.  The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Petty Officer 1st Class James L. Smith, 38, of Huffman, Texas, died Dec. 11, in Landstuhl, Germany, from a non-combat related incident. Smith was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 16, 2013.  The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Saad Muhammad Husayn Qahtani and Hamood Abdulla Hamood from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As directed by the president’s Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(EEWSPF)—December 13, 2013. BRIG. GEN. LES KODLICK: Good afternoon, everybody. Actually, good morning. I’m Brigadier General Les Kodlick, director of public affairs for the Air Force. Welcome to the state of the Air Force briefing. It’s my privilege to introduce Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning and[Read More…]

  Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 13, 2013. On Oct. 31, I called on the chief of the National Guard Bureau to work with several states to fully implement Department of Defense policy by providing DoD identification cards to all eligible military spouses, regardless of sexual orientation.  Following consultations between the National Guard[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—December 12, 2013. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL:  Good morning.  By now you have, I think, all seen a statement that I released earlier this morning on the budget deal.  And I know the House is scheduled for a vote later this afternoon around 6 o’clock, and I want[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–December 12, 2013.  The Department of Defense announced today the death a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Rodriguez, 19, of Fairhaven, Mass., died Dec. 11, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine[Read More…]

Manteno–(ENEWSPF)–December 12, 2013.  The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs announced yesterday that following an extensive selection process Lester E. Robertson Jr. of Auburn, Illinois, has been selected to be the Veterans Home Administrator for the Illinois Veterans’ Home – Manteno. His professional experience as an administrator for skilled-care facilities spans[Read More…]