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Posts made in: 'Defense Department' (194) Currently Viewing: 181 - 190 of 194

January 25, 2014 at 5:41am

Saturday Morning Joe: 446th deployment, Afghan War out like a lamb, Bill Gates likes the world...

DeLisio Coffee Co. in Fircrest serves a blend of three exotic coffees from India and Brazil, and beer and wine tonight for the Ryan Renfield performance at 7 p.m.

GRAB A CUP & READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 1.25.14 >>>

More than 30 Reserve Airmen from the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron are scheduled to deploy over the weekend in support of operations overseas.    

With no perceptible opposition from the Obama administration, Congress has quietly downscaled Washington's ambitions for the final year of the Afghan war, substantially curtailing development aid and military assistance plans ahead of the U.S. troop pullout.

The French defense minister warned during a visit to the Pentagon Friday that there was a concentration of terrorist groups in southern Libya, and that "there could be an explosion of violence" in the country. 

The U.N. nuclear watchdog agency leader on Friday said he hopes to unveil new steps in a long-stalled investigation into Iran's nuclear program in March.

Dozens of young men are now missing from what is considered Russia's most dangerous region.

U.S. will help with Olympics security if needed, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says.

Deborah Lee James, the 23rd secretary of the Air Force, was ceremoniously sworn in by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon Jan 24.

Staff sergeant earns Silver Star; six comrades also honored for heroism.

The U.S. Air Force is planning to host an industry day to address the growing need for new technologies in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sector, according to the service's top ISR general.

Two Airmen with the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, have both been turning wrenches on jet engines longer than most people in the Air Force have been alive.

Is it a bird? A bug? Or is it a plane? There's more to these cool-looking creatures than meets the eye, as the Earth Unplugged team found out.

Video: Is the world better now than 25 years ago? Bill Gates certainly thinks so

Instead of the Grammys, the Logo cable channel is hyping "The Grannies," a marathon of The Golden Girls' best musical episodes.

Built to Spill cover Bob Dylan's Jokerman, which appears on the upcoming Bob Dylan in the 80s compilation (out March 25).

Ready for a vine compilation?

January 24, 2014 at 7:29am

Friday Morning Joe: Egypt violence, Syria pissed, spy blimp, new U2 song, lava vs. Coke...

Metro Coffee at University of Washington Tacoma serving tasty espresso in a hip, cool cozy environment.

GRAB A CUP & READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 1.24.14 >>>

Explosions apparently targeting Egypt's police force - including its headquarters in Cairo - kill five people and wound around 90.

The White House has given the Defense Department budget guidance through 2019 that calls for more money after 2015 than congressional budget caps allow

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called for a wholesale review of the U.S. nuclear forces in the wake of a series of scandals involving nuclear officers.

The Syrian government delegation threatened to leave on Saturday unless "serious" talks began immediately.

Russia: Snowden can stay.

U.S. officials are developing plans to use a small number of U.S. special operations forces in Jordan to train Iraqi troops as part of a broader effort to help Iraq fight the growing al-Qaida threat within its borders.

A newly released Defense Department inspector general report found that the Pentagon's chief historian engaged in unprofessional conduct, misused government resources and used her public office for personal gain.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command is warning the greater Army community about a new phishing scam where criminals are targeting U.S. Government Travel Card holders.

Military test of blimp-like craft for radar system raises privacy fears.

Army sticks to plan to cut Guard helo fleet.

The U.S. Army is nearing completion on a project to eliminate its dependency on foreign countries for a critical energetic component in artillery and mortar ammunition.

Women leaders serve as role models in the military, whether they realize it or not.

"Wiseguys." "Goodfellas." That's what the federal government called five reputed mobsters indicted yesterday. The alleged heist they got busted for served as inspiration for a famous movie that came out in 1990 - "Goodfellas," directed by Martin Scorsese.

Real lava - 1,000 to 2,000 degrees hot - vs. cans of Coke. Cool!

U2 will make its new single available for free on the day of the Super Bowl.

Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress who was recently cast as Wonder Woman, has signed a three-picture deal with Warner Bros.

If you missed last night's Greatest Event in Television History, it's on adultswim.com.

Read Vanity Fair's new profile of Jimmy Fallon.

TSA screened 638,705,790 passengers in 2013, and as we learned last year, if you look deeply within the possessions of that many people, you're gonna find some weird stuff.

British street artist has made cool GIFs.

MoonPie flavored moonshine on its way.

Enter your pass code, then press #

January 23, 2014 at 7:30am

Thursday Morning Joe: Massive veteran bill, Army World Class Athlete Program, sneaky Schwarzenegger...

Leafblowers, water dish for dogs ... The Spar in Old Town Tacoma cares, and serves tasty espresso all day.

GRAB A CUP & READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 1.23.14 >>>

Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) told reporters Wednesday that he was eyeing overseas contingency operations to pay for most - if not all - of the $30 billion veterans omnibus bill he introduced last week, which includes the repeal of the military retirement benefits cut.

The Pentagon on Wednesday announced new rules that make it easier for troops to request religious exemptions from uniform rules, grooming standards and other military policies.

A military judge has ordered the release of un-aired portions of interviews that CBS and CNN conducted with a woman at the center of a sexual assault case that involved three U.S. Naval Academy football players.

The U.S. government's decision last week to cut funding for the Army's combat vehicle program may dash hopes for production of BAE Systems Plc's so-called green machine.

After two failed attempts to replace the Kiowa Warrior, the U.S. Army has finally succumbed to financial pressure and abandoned plans for a third effort to buy a specialized helicopter optimized for the armed scout role.

Soldiers who serve as instructors in the NCO Education System will be recognized with badges and professional development skill identifiers as a result of the Army's continued efforts to battle sexual assault.

Unmanned robots already have proven their worth on the battlefield, neutralizing improvised explosive devices, and more capable ones are coming in the future.

Despite a shrinking budget, Army aviation will continue to become even more valuable to commanders and soldiers on the ground through its investment in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR, sensors and software.

An overseas intelligence and security command retention staff sergeant has been named active component Headquarters, Department of the Army/Secretary of the Army Career Counselor of the Year.

Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Europe District are engaged in a robust military construction program designed to revitalize dilapidated schoolhouses.

Three soldiers from the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program earned nominations for the U.S. Olympic Luge Team for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

Five Soldiers in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program have been selected for the U.S. Olympic men's bobsled team that will compete at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

All the Air Force Doctrine Documents on the AF e-Publishing website have been rescinded and replaced by the new Air Force doctrine website.

Norway's endless Tolkienesque landscapes of little islands, fjords, and mountains are a pleasure to watch from an F-16 jet fighter.

Arnold Schwarzenegger goes undercover to prank people at Gold's Gym.

Gasp: Captain and Tennille are splitting up!

Quentin Tarantino is furious after one of his movie scripts leaked.

Bill Cosby may return to TV.

Bill Nye is heading to the Creation Museum to do battle against some loony creationists.

Shakespearean actors exactly recreate a battle between commenters on YouTube.

January 21, 2014 at 9:33am

The Pentagon is, like, still using the Blackberry

Dear Pentagon: It's over. Done. Stop tweeting #iheartblackberry. Listen to the guy in Ring B off Corridor 1: "Dudes! OMG! Lose your Blackberry phones! Just got my iPhone 5s and it's hella sick, like a laser on a B-1 Bomber wrapped in bacon delivered by Marcus Luttrell on the backs of angels shaped like drones!"

According to Defensetech.org, the guy in Ring B off Corridor 1 isn't off the mark.

The Pentagon can't break their CrackBerry habit. Once the smartphone of choice, most of the nation and even most federal workers have stopped using BlackBerries as their work phones years ago. But the U.S. military keeps plodding along with the BlackBerry.

Read the full story here.

Filed under: Defense Department, Web/Tech,

January 21, 2014 at 7:24am

Tuesday Morning Joe: Robots could replace Army soldiers, military moving company busted, can growler...

The cool thing about the Starbucks on Steilacoom Boulevard in Lakewood is the baristas' heads glow.

The Army is considering the feasibility of shrinking the size of the brigade combat team from about 4,000 soldiers to 3,000 over the coming years, and replacing the lost soldiers with robots and unmanned platforms.

The United Nations revoked an invitation to Iran to attend a crucial peace conference on Syria in Switzerland, culminating a day of chaotic international diplomacy that included loud U.S. objection to Iran's participation and a threat by the Syrian opposition to boycott the talks.

Read more...

January 17, 2014 at 7:31am

Friday Morning Joe: America's Secret War, NSA overhaul, Air National Guarserve, weather, Mr. Potato Head Homer...

Cosmonaut Coffee serves delicious coffee and awesome stories at 817 Division Ave. in Tacoma, across from Wright Park.

GRAB A CUP & AND READ THE MORINING REPORT FOR 1.17.14 >>>

Obama has presided over a huge surge in special operations, vastly out-pacing Bush.

The US Senate passed a government-wide spending measure that would give the Pentagon nearly $600 billion to buy new weapons, address readiness problems and fight America's wars. The final vote tally was 72-26.

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel huddled with his top military and civilian leaders as the Defense Department puts the finishing touches on its 2015 budget proposal.

President Obama will announce today a major overhaul of a controversial National Security Agency program that collects vast amounts of basic telephone call data on foreigners and Americans.

Its Senate sponsors describe it as a "diplomatic insurance policy" that will help President Obama cut a better nuclear deal with Iran. The White House condemns it as a deal-killer that could put the United States on a path to war.

South Korea rejected North Korean warnings to call off scheduled joint military exercises with the United States and vowed "severe" retaliation to any provocation from Pyongyang.

Members of al-Qaida's branch in Iraq handed out pamphlets urging those in Fallujah to take up arms and back the militants in their weekslong fight against government troops as clashes raged on around the city.

As the U.S. economy gets back on track - unemployment recently fell below 7 percent for the first time in five years - the Pentagon's recruiting commands are bracing for potential challenges.

With the Army drawdown the question arises - what a smaller Army can do and what it can't?

The US Air Force's Total Force Task Force (TF2) is now the Total Force Continuum (TFC), to guide integration of Air National Guard and Reserve units.

Rock mysteriously appears in front of the Mars Opportunity rover.

R.I.P. Professor, Reuben Kincaid and one of the last surviving Munchkins.

The 5 most ridiculous ways studios spoiled their own movies.

Here is your soundtrack today, thanks to Henry Rollins.

Why are today's teens watching so much bad '90s television.

Mr. Potato Head Homer: Let's Play D'oh.

Enjoy Vladimir Putin playing the piano and singing "Blueberry Hill."

January 16, 2014 at 7:45am

Thursday Morning Joe: Gen. Martin Dempsey blamed, shrinking Army, weather, Academy Awards list...

Natasha Weiss pulls delicious espresso from the "Slayer" machine at Paesan Kitchen and Bar next to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Photo credit: Jackie Fender

GRAB A CUP & AND READ THE MORINING REPORT FOR 1.15.14 >>>

The Senate Intelligence Committee singled out Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, of exhibiting poor leadership and insufficient planning in their report on the Sept. 2012 attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

Lt. Gen. James O. Barclay III, Army G-8, says soldier level could drop to 420,000 by 2019.

The head of the UN body tasked with removing and destroying Syria's chemical arsenal says the process has been slowed down by security concerns.

Even in the darkest, deadliest days of Iraq's War, you'd find people still hopeful it would all work out.

Sustainment costs are eating away at Army aviation and new approaches are needed to rein the costs in.

Thirty-four intercontinental ballistic missile launch officers at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., have been implicated in cheating on the ICBM launch officer proficiency test.

Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. John F. Campbell discusses SHARP and Army restructure.

The office of the secretary of defense has directed the US Navy to limit its overall buy of littoral combat ships to a total of 32 ships, foregoing 20 more of the small, fast and controversial warships.

Former US defense secretary Robert Gates said Britain no longer had the complete spectrum of capabilities, meaning its relationship with the US military was shifting.

The nominations for the 86th Academy Awards were announced this morning, and the snubs were as notable as the honors.

Mathematician calculates how to survive the first 30 minutes of a nuclear war.

It's true, the French really don't care if you cheat on your spouse.

Good news! The original Batman series with Adam West is finally coming to DVD!

Soon we'll be able to stream The Simpsons, but of course there's a catch.

Oh, those kooky Japanese!

January 14, 2014 at 7:46am

Tuesday Morning Joe: Defense appropriations bill, Benghazi papers, Arrowhead Brigade, lego album covers...

Metropolitan Market in Tacoma's Proctor District roast its own blend espresso in small batches from 100 percent Arabica beans.

GRAB A CUP & READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 1.14.14 >>>

Congressional appropriators on Monday evening unveiled a massive federal spending bill that includes a full 2014 Pentagon appropriations measure that would provide nearly $93 billion to buy new weapons.

The $571 billion Defense appropriations bill would reverse cuts to retirement pay for medically retired veterans and survivor benefits that passed in last month's budget deal.

The House Armed Services Committee on Monday released hundreds of pages of transcripts of previously classified testimony about the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.

The Enlisted Voluntary Early Separation Program and Enlisted Involuntary Early Separation Program have some important changes that took effect Jan. 1.

A physician who was a former Army Special Forces combat medic designed a fellowship program, which he hopes will improve the survival chances of battlefield casualties.

Decisive action training environment preps Army lieutenants for future operations.

The US capital's politics are a mess, the Pentagon is muddled and observers might be excused for thinking that naval development is stalled, but think again.

Arrowhead Brigade sweeps over National Training Center.

A full-fledged OutKast reunion is on tap for this year, not just at Coachella.

The Newsroom was renewed for a final season.

What does this mean?: Jerry Seinfeld and Jason Alexander were spotted in front of Tom's Restaurant.

Today's list: A roundup of lesser-known vintage video games, like The Goonies II and The Blues Brothers.

No, here's today's list: 10 famous album covers recreated in Lego.

We apologize, here's really today's list: Seven strange but awesome gadgets from CES 2014.

January 13, 2014 at 7:31am

Monday Morning Joe: Stryker Brigade transformation, Iran uranium stockpile, weather, TV series updates...

Sure Corina Bakery at Sixth and Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma bakes delicious pastries, cakes and savory items, but its coffee is also really tasty. Photo credit: Pappi Swarner

GRAB A CUP & READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 1.13.14 >>>

Iran has agreed to start eliminating its stockpile of higher levels of enriched uranium beginning Jan. 20 under an interim deal announced in November.

US Army wants to transform all nine of its Stryker brigades into the heavily armored "double V-hull" (DVH) configuration.

Two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip today, just hours ahead of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's funeral. The projectiles did not appear to have landed in Israel.

Department of Veterans Affairs says more female veterans will suffer from the kinds of injuries that go with being a ground-pounder.

Disabled military retirees will be protected from the reduced COLA.

The Appropriations committees are set to unveil this week how they will cut roughly $25 billion from the Pentagon's budget.

Weapon sales to Iraq have become entangled in sharply escalated political debate after al-Qaida affiliated forces regained partial control of the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi.

The Arctic Passage opens challenges for the mil because it means it has a new ocean to patrol - for the first time since 1846.

The College of William & Mary and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command reaffirmed their partnership to develop internships, research and training opportunities for both William & Mary students and TRADOC Soldiers in the field of national security.

Six15 Technologies is announcing the release of their direct view monitor for military applications called the Standard Mobile Monitor (SMM).

Watch Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's flawless, hilarious Golden Globes monologue.

Fifteen new comics. Fifteen talented creative teams. Fifteen new reasons to open a new line of credit for Image's 2014 barrage of awesome.

Mad Men returns to the tube April 13.

HBO says the upcoming fifth season of Boardwalk Empire will be the series' last.

Christine McVie retired from Fleetwood Mac more than 15 years ago, and now, she's coming back to the band.

Are you ready for some Thrones?

January 11, 2014 at 7:49am

Saturday Morning Joe: Secret Somalia deployment, Lt. Col. Laura Kreitler retires, weather, Girl Scout Cookies...

Frenchy's Cafe in Lakewood serves tasty coffee and delicious crepes.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is leading the push to get Democrats to support sanctions on Iran, putting him at sharp odds with the White House on one of President Obama's top foreign policy priorities.

Fighting between security forces and al-Qaida-linked militants in Iraq's Sunni-dominated Anbar province has killed at least 60 people over the past two weeks.

The U.S. military secretly deployed a small number of trainers and advisers to Somalia in October, the first time regular troops have been stationed in the war-ravaged country since1993, when two helicopters were shot down and 18 Americans killed in the "Black Hawk Down" disaster.

Read more...

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