Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 19, 2016.  Early this morning the U.S. military conducted an airstrike in Libya targeting an ISIL training camp near Sabratha and Noureddine Chouchane, a.k.a. “Sabir,” a Tunisian national who was an ISIL senior facilitator in Libya associated with the training camp. In May 2015, Tunisian authorities named Chouchane[Read More…]

The Taliban has taken territory in Khanabad district in the Afghanistan province of Kunduz on the other side of a bridge pictured here in August 2015. Photo: Bethany Matta/IRIN GENEVA–(ENEWSPF)–15 February 2016 – The United Nations reported yesterday that Afghan hostilities in 2015 left more than 3,500 civilians dead, including[Read More…]

WASHINGTON –(ENEWSPF)–February 12, 2016.  Caring for the nation’s Veterans is a shared honor and a shared responsibility, which is why the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) this year is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its partnership with the nation’s medical and health professional schools. Since 1946, VA has worked with[Read More…]

Defense Secretary Ash Carter addresses efforts to accelerate the counter-ISIL operation in Iraq and Syria during a meeting he hosted in Brussels, Feb. 11, 2016. During his trip, Carter also attended a NATO defense ministers meeting. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz BELGIUM–(ENEWSPF)–February 11, 2016 SECRETARY[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 9, 2016.  Today President Barack Obama sent Congress a proposed budget request of $582.7 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund the Department of Defense in Fiscal Year 2017 (FY 2017). The FY 2017 budget of $582.7 billion complies with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, giving the[Read More…]

WASHINGTON –(ENEWSPF)–February 9, 2016.   In his FY 2017 budget, President Obama is proposing $182.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Funding will continue to support the largest transformation in VA history; expand access to timely, high-quality health care and benefits; and advance efforts to end homelessness among[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 8, 2016 PETER COOK:  Afternoon, everyone.  Hope you enjoyed your Super Bowl Sunday. Want to begin by highlighting some important news from north of the border. Today, ahead of the secretary’s meeting of the counter-ISIL coalition in Brussels on Thursday, the government of Canada announced that it is[Read More…]

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–February 5, 2016.  Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) released its 2014 calendar year Suicide Event Report (DoDSER), which details the number of suicide attempts and deaths for U.S. service members. The DoDSER also includes detailed assessments of demographic information, behavioral health history, and deployment history. Data for each[Read More…]

Russia, China and Iran are Closing the Gap on U.S. Military, Leaving Servicemen and Women Vulnerable; S. 2486 Speeds Delivery of Electronic Warfare Tools, Gives Pentagon Flexibility in Tech Development WASHINGTON –(ENEWSPF)–February 4, 2016.  U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today introduced S. 2486, the Electronic Warfare[Read More…]

Washington –(ENEWSPF)–February 4, 2016.   Working together to prevent the closure of lifesaving air facilities in Newport, Oregon and in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today applauded inclusion of language in the final Coast Guard Authorization Act of[Read More…]