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Face of Defense

  • Marine Serves Second Afghan Tour

    Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Brandon M. Barton is on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan, yet earlier in his life he’d never thought he would find himself wearing a Marine Corps uniform.

    Story

Science and Technology

Warrior Care

  • Navy Program Helps Vets Cope With Combat Trauma

    The Traumatic and Operational Stress Services clinic at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va., recently opened "Back on Track," a program tailored to helping veterans struggling with mental distress return to full duty after suffering combat trauma.

    Story

Family Matters

  • National Parks Make Great Family Getaways

    The offer of military families to receive a free annual pass to the nation's national parks is good incentive for service members to experience some of the best family bonding vacation spots -- from Yellowstone and Yosemite to the Grand Canyon and Williamsburg.

    Story | RSSFeed

Lead Photos

Photo: NATO HONORS TROOPS

British Prime Minister David Cameron, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, U.S. President Barack Obama and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen observe a NATO color guard before a moment of silence honoring service members killed or wounded in Afghanistan at the NATO Summit in Chicago, May 20, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

News

Top News

Panetta Meets With United Kingdom Counterpart

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta met in Chicago with his counterpart from the United Kingdom, Secretary of State of Defense Philip Hammond. Story | Photos | Special

Summit Reaffirms Collective Security Pledge, Obama Says

A year and a half after the NATO members at their summit in Lisbon, Portugal, pledged bold action to revitalize the future alliance, heads of state and government are reaffirming commitment to their collective defense and security, President Barack Obama said. Story | Photos | Special

Obama: Summit Will Reflect Consensus on Afghanistan

The NATO summit largely will be devoted to ratifying and reflecting broad consensus on long-term support for Afghanistan, President Barack Obama said after a meeting in Chicago with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Story | Photos | Special

NATO Declares Missile Defense System Operational

During its first session at the 25th NATO Summit, the alliance’s senior governing body declared operational the missile defense system it endorsed at its November 2010 summit in Lisbon, Portugal, NATO’s secretary general said. Story | Special

Secretary General Kicks Off NATO Summit in Chicago

NATO’s largest-ever summit opened in Chicago to focus on keeping Afghanistan secure, ensuring NATO’s capability in the 21st century, and enhancing the alliance’s global network of partners, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. Story | Photos | Special

Rotational Deployments to Boost U.S. Asia-Pacific Presence

Welcoming new Marine rotational deployments in Australia and Navy rotations planned for Singapore, the top U.S. Pacific Command officer said he’ll seek similar arrangements, possibly to include the Army, that expand U.S. presence in the region without the need for more permanently based forces. Story

Panetta Praises Troops in Armed Forces Day Message

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today thanked troops and their families for their service in an Armed Forces Day message, in which he also noted the importance of the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago. Story

President Issues Armed Forces Day Proclamation

In a proclamation declaring May 19 Armed Forces Day, President Barack Obama urged all Americans to recognize and honor U.S. military members for their “unparalleled service” in defense of the nation. Story

Summit to Highlight NATO’s Evolving Capabilities

There are three big agenda items and one strategic priority that will occupy center stage at NATO’s May 20-21 summit in Chicago, James J. Townsend Jr., deputy assistant secretary of defense for European and NATO policy, told Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service reporters. Story

NATO General Outlines Summit Topics, Alliance Changes

NATO’s plan for military operations in Afghanistan up to and beyond 2014 will be the top agenda item at the organization’s May 20-21 summit in Chicago, Danish Army Gen. Knud Bartels, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, told American Forces Press Service. Story

Report Depicts China’s Military Progress, Strategic Thinking

The Defense Department’s 2012 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China report details China’s growing military capabilities, and points to areas of cooperation between the United States and China, a senior DOD official told Pentagon reporters. Story | Transcript | Report

Locklear: Pacom’s Priorities Reflect New Strategic Guidance

With clear direction from President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, the new U.S. Pacific Command chief said he’s using the new strategic guidance as a roadmap as he sets priorities and engages with the region. Story

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Military

Commissaries to Carry All-Natural, Organic Beef Products

In response to recent customer concerns, commissary officials have decided to carry only USDA organic and all-natural ground beef products that do not contain pink slime. Story

Pentagon Channel Introduces Movie Night to Programming

The Pentagon Channel has teamed up with the annual GI Film Festival to produce a movie night for its viewers in a two-hour block of feature and short films each week, Scott Howe, the channel’s operations manager, announced. Story

New Book Explores Military Acquisition After World War II

A new book published by the Historical Office of the Secretary of Defense describes changes in military weapons systems acquisition during the 15 years following World War II. Story

Program Offers Paid Training for Unemployed Veterans

Unemployed veterans ages 35 to 60 can apply for up to 12 months of paid training through a new program sponsored by the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs. Story

Service Members, Families Get Free Pass to National Parks

Service members and their families will be able to enter all of America’s national parks free of charge for a year thanks to a Joining Forces initiative that will take effect beginning on Armed Services Day, May 19. Story | Special

Conference Promotes HIV/AIDS Awareness, Prevention

Presentations by subject matter experts, interactive discussions and workshops were among the ways participants shared methods to create and sustain effective military HIV/AIDS prevention programs during the 2012 International Military HIV/AIDS Conference. Story

‘Inclusion’ Helps Asians, Islanders Land High-Level Jobs

As a senior Navy official, Roger Natsuhara says part of his role is to support Asian-Americans and Pacific islanders who want to enter senior government service. Story | Special

Defense Department to Award $54.7 Million to Universities

The Defense Department announced plans to award $54.7 million to academic institutions to support the purchase of state-of-the-art research equipment. The 190 awards are being made under the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program. Story

Motorcycle Safety Remains Top Priority for Defense Leaders

Preventing motorcycle accidents and fatalities remains a top priority for Defense Department leaders, said Joseph Angello, DOD’s director of operational readiness and safety, with training and awareness reducing the number of incidents. Story | Special

USNS Mercy Departs for Humanitarian Mission

Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy left Naval Station San Diego to begin its part in Pacific Partnership 2012, a humanitarian and civic assistance mission to Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia. Story | Blog

Select Service Members Must Pay Dental Premiums Directly

Beginning this month, some National Guard and reserve members will need to pay dental premiums directly rather than through payroll deduction, a senior official of the TRICARE military health plan said. Story

DOD Identifies Army Captain Missing Since Vietnam War

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of Army Capt. Charles R. Barnes, a serviceman missing in action since the Vietnam War have been identified. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery May 2. Story

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Afghanistan

Combined Afghan, Coalition Force Detains Facilitator

A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban facilitator in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. Story

Security Force Seizes Opium Cache

An Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache of opium during a patrol in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. Story

Insurgents Killed in Firefight, Airstrike

While searching for a Haqqani network leader, an Afghan and coalition security force engaged in a firefight and called in a close-air-support strike that killed multiple insurgents in the Jaji district of Afghanistan’s Paktia province. Story

Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader during an operation in Afghanistan’s Helmand province. Story

Combined Force Detains Taliban Facilitator

An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force detained a Taliban facilitator and another insurgent in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. Officials said the facilitator was responsible for supplying weapons, ammunition and equipment to insurgents. Story

ISAF Condemns Taliban Bomb Attack

The International Security Assistance Force condemned a Taliban roadside-bomb attack that killed seven innocent civilians in Helmand province. Story

Security Force Detains Taliban Facilitator

A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban facilitator and another suspected insurgent in the Arghistan district of Kandahar province. Story

Combined Force Detains Multiple Insurgents

Afghan and coalition security forces detain multiple suspected insurgents during an operation to capture a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. Story

Afghans Lead Operation to Capture Taliban Leader

An Afghan-led and coalition supported security force detained a senior Taliban leader in Afghanistan’s Faryab province. The leader organized roadside bombings, suicide attacks and other operations against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said. Story

Afghan-led Security Force Detains Taliban Leader

An Afghan-led security force supported by coalition troops detained a Taliban leader in Kandahar province’s Arghistan district. The leader conducted roadside bombings against Afghan and coalition troops and was responsible for moving explosive devices. Story

Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force detained a Taliban leader and two additional insurgents during an operation in the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province. Story

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About the Secretary

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta addresses sailors stationed aboard the USS Blue Ridge on Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Oct. 26, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey

Photo EssaysMore »

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Special ReportsMore »

The Pentagon ChannelMore »

  • Video Thumbnail: Streaming Live!

    Streaming Live!

    "Serving Those Who Serve" with anytime, anywhere access to military news and information.

  • Video Thumbnail: USS San Diego Commissioning

    USS San Diego Commissioning

    The USS San Diego Commissioning ceremony took place at its port in San Diego.

  • Video Thumbnail: Country artist Luke Bryan puts on free concert for troops

    Country artist Luke Bryan puts on free concert for troops

    Country musician Luke Bryan talks about his love of the military while performing a free concert for servicemembers at the PGA PLAYERS Championship in Florida.

  • Video Thumbnail: Odierno discusses evolving roles of Army's women

    Odierno discusses evolving roles of Army's women

    The role women Soldiers will play in future will change dramatically starting this week.