DefenceTalkThe Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have begun their third year in the lead for security in Afghanistan and the second year in which they have full security responsibility with limited U.S. or coalition support on the battlefield. During the December 1, 2015, to May 31, 2016, reporting period, the ANDSF addressed key […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-releases-report-on-enhancing-security-and-stability-in-afghanistan-67694/

DefenceTalkArmy fans were all aquiver when scores were finally announced at the archery competition during the 2015 Department of Defense Warrior Games here, June 22. Current and veteran Soldiers took home every gold medal, which was up for grabs. Military archers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Special Operations Command and United Kingdom […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-team-gets-all-gold-during-dod-warrior-games-archery-64670/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense, or DoD, employees and their families should be vigilant when guarding personal and work information from expanding cyber-criminal activity, and to know how to recognize scammer tactics, the department’s chief information officer said. Terry A. Halvorsen issued a DoD-wide memorandum March 18 about the growing threat of cyber-crime “phishing” and “spear […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-warns-troops-families-to-be-cyber-crime-smart-63644/

DefenceTalkSpace capability is critical to national security, and the Defense Department is working to make its launch program more competitive and end its longtime use of a Russian rocket engine on the Atlas launch system, the assistant secretary of defense for acquisition said this week. Katrina G. McFarland testified before the House Armed Services Committee’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-works-to-build-competition-into-space-launches-63602/

DefenceTalkToday’s national security landscape challenges the Defense Department with threats ranging from low-tech, lone-wolf terrorists and high-tech peer adversaries to extremist groups that use both approaches, like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency prepares for them all. DARPA Director Dr. Arati Prabhakar spoke here recently with CNN […]https://www.defencetalk.com/21st-century-darpa-tool-could-work-against-isis-63370/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department is seeking novel ideas to shape its future, and officials are looking to industry, small business, academia, start-ups, the public –- anyone, really –- to boost its ability to prevail against adversaries whose access to technology grows daily. The program, called the Long-Range Research and Development Plan, or LRRDP, began with an […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-seeks-novel-ideas-to-shape-its-technological-future-63297/

DefenceTalkAshton Carter was confirmed as secretary defense Thursday, taking on the job of supervising the war against Islamic State jihadists in the final two years of Barack Obama’s presidency. Carter, 60, was approved in a 93-5 vote. An accomplished Pentagon veteran, he will replace Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense. He had previously served as […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ashton-carter-confirmed-as-us-secretary-of-defense-62937/

DefenceTalkThe purpose of operational testing is to assure the Military Services field weapons that work in combat. This purpose has been codified in both USC Title 10 and in the Department of Defense’s (DOD) 5000-series regulations for many years without substantive alteration. Operational testing is intended to occur under “realistic combat conditions” that include operational […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-dod-operational-test-and-evaluation-annual-report-fy-2014-62057/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense announced today the consolidation of some U.S. infrastructure in Europe, including the return of 15 sites to their host nations. These actions, taken as part of the European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process, will save the U.S. government approximately $500 million annually. The DoD also announced the first F-35 basing in Europe […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-announces-european-infrastructure-consolidation-actions-and-f-35-basing-in-europe-61812/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department announced the 2015 military pay and compensation rates for service members Dec. 22, with most service members receiving a 1 percent increase in basic pay. The new rates for basic pay, basic allowance for housing (BAH), basic allowance for subsistence (BAS), and the cost of living allowance (COLA) rates for the contiguous […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-releases-2015-military-pay-compensation-rates-61231/