Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—May 2, 2013. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL:  Good afternoon.  Secretary Hammond and I just completed a productive session regarding our two countries’ continued common interests.  I’d like to thank Secretary Hammond for the U.K.’s strong partnership with the United States and his friendship.  In March, I had the[Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–May 2, 2013 – An Afghan and coalition security force killed a Haqqani leader, Sarwar Khan, and one other insurgent during an operation in Zurmat district, Paktiya province, yesterday. Khan, also known as Manzala, planned insurgent operations, provided intelligence reporting to senior leaders, and was involved in kidnapping individuals[Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–May 1, 2013 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and two other insurgents during an operation in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand province, today. The leader oversees improvised explosive device emplacement operations throughout Nahr-e Saraj. He also serves as a weapons facilitator, procuring and distributing[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 30, 2013.  The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that a Navy pilot, missing from the Vietnam War, has been accounted for and will be buried with full military honors along with his crew.  Navy Lt. Dennis W. Peterson of Huntington Park, Calif., was the[Read More…]

Illinois veterans often face highest waiting times in the nation for disability claims processing WASHINGTON, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–April 30, 2013.  U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday joined a bipartisan group of 67 Senators in urging President Obama to take direct action and involvement in ending the current Department[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 30, 2013.    I applaud the first lady and Dr. Biden’s leadership in challenging U.S. businesses to employ America’s veterans and military spouses.  Their announcement today that businesses have hired or trained 290,000 veterans and military spouses over the past 20 months – nearly tripling the goal –[Read More…]

President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dr. Jill Biden Announce that Since President Obama’s Challenge in August 2011, American Businesses Have Hired or Trained 290,000 Veterans and Military Spouses Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 30, 2013.  New announcements today total an additional 435,000 veterans and military spouses hired or[Read More…]

KABUL, Afghanistan–(ENEWSPF)–April 30, 2013 – An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator and one other insurgent during an operation in Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, today. The facilitator is responsible for acquiring and distributing weapons to insurgent forces throughout Pul-e ‘Alam district. He is also involved in[Read More…]

Washington, DC—(ENEWSPF)—April 29, 2013. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL: Good afternoon. Today, I’m honored to welcome Minister Onodera to the Pentagon. We just completed a very productive meeting covering the full range of issues facing the U.S.-Japan alliance, including North Korea’s destabilizing behavior, threats to maritime security, and our shared[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–April 29, 2013 – 11:11 A.M. EDT   MRS. OBAMA:  Good morning.  (Applause.)  Good morning, everyone.  Thanks so much.  (Applause.)  Thank you.  Please, sit, rest.  Because we want you to do a lot of work today, so we don’t want you to wear yourselves out.   It is a[Read More…]