Defense Dept.

May 14, 2009 -- SAN DIEGO, CA - Standing at the USS Ronald Reagan in San Diego today, with U.S. sailors and their families, Vice President Joe Biden today announced the Defense Department's plan to temporarily expand its Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), with $555 million in Recovery Act funds dedicated to helping military families and DoD civilians who recently sold their homes at a loss.    » read more »

May 12, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts:    » read more »

April 27, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Eric Goosby, Ambassador at Large and Global AIDS Coordinator, Department of State; and Paul N. Stockton, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs), Department of Defense.

President Obama said, "The American people will be well-served by the addition of these skilled and dedicated individuals. They will be valued voices in my administration, and I’m confident they will work to the greatest of their ability as we work to tackle the challenges ahead of us and keep the American people safe. I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years."    » read more »

April 24, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Alejandro Mayorkas, Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security; Robert O. Blake, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, Department of State; Jamie M. Morin, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management, Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense; Thomas R. Lamont, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Department of the Army, Department of Defense; Daniel Benjamin, Coordinator for Counterterrorism, with the rank and status of Ambassador at Large, Department of State; Pearlie S.    » read more »

April 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Christine M. Griffin, Deputy Director of Office of Personnel Management; Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, United States Department of Agriculture; Rajiv Shah, Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, United States Department of Agriculture; Michael Nacht, Assistant Secretary of Defense (Global Strategic Affairs), Department of Defense; Mercedes Márquez, Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Raymond M. Jefferson, Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training, Department of Labor; Robert S.    » read more »

April 14, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key administration posts: Daniel B. Poneman, Deputy Secretary, Department of Energy; Fred P. Hochberg, President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States; Francisco "Frank" J. Sánchez, Under Secretary for International Trade, Department of Commerce; Miriam E. Sapiro, Deputy Trade Representative; Judith A. McHale, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Department of State; Philip J. "P.J." Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Department of State; Bonnie D.    » read more »

Lebanese Contracting Company Also Charged in Conspiracy

April 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—Two Department of Defense (DOD) contractors were charged with conspiracy and bribery relating to their roles involving DOD contracts in Afghanistan, the Department of Justice today announced. A Lebanese contracting company is also charged with participating in the same conspiracy.    » read more »

March 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Barack Obama announced that Jon Wellinghoff, currently serving as Acting Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), will be designated as Chairman.    » read more »

Company to Provide Network and Data Services to Military Installations Around the World

March 10, 2009 -- ASHBURN, Va. -- Verizon Business will provide network and data services at U.S. Department of Defense installations around the world under a new contract awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

Under the Defense Information System Network Transmission Services - Pacific II (DTS-P II) contract, Verizon Business will provide telecommunications services at military installations and other government sites located in the Asia-Pacific region, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America and South America, the Middle East and the United States. The contract term is 10 years, if all options are exercised, and has a maximum value of $2.5 billion.    » read more »

February 26th, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals for key posts at the Department of Defense: Jim Miller, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Policy, and Lt. Gen. Wallace "Chip" Gregson, Jr. (USMC, Ret), Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs.

The White House today also announced that the following individuals will remain serving in their current posts at the Department of Defense: Mike Donley, Secretary of the Air Force; Lt. Gen. James R. Clapper (USAF, Ret), Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence; and Michael G. Vickers, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict and Interdependent Capabilities (SO/LIC&IC).    » read more »

01/28/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Private Grant A. Cotting of Corona:

“Private Grant Cotting was a courageous soldier who dedicated his life to serving his fellow Americans and protecting our country’s freedom. His sacrifice is an inspiration to us all and his bravery will forever be remembered. Maria and I join all Californians in offering our thoughts and prayers to Grant’s family and friends as they mourn this terrible loss.”

Cotting, 19, died January 24 in Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. Cotting was assigned to the 515th Sapper Company, 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, U.S. Army, Fort Leonard Wood, MO.    » read more »

January 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Hassan Saied Keshari and his corporation, Kesh Air International, pleaded guilty this morning in the Southern District of Florida to charges of conspiring to illegally export military and commercial aircraft parts to Iran.

The guilty pleas were announced by Matt Olsen, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security; R. Alexander Acosta, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; Michael Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce; Office of Export Enforcement; Anthony V. Mangione, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Investigations; and Sharon Woods, Director, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service.    » read more »

September 01, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Harris, 36,of Lexington, North Carolina, died Aug. 30 from injuries sustained while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan.

Harris was temporarily forward deployed from his assignment at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Dam Neck, Va.

Source: DoD

September 01, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Steven J. Fitzmorris, 26, of Columbia, Missouri, died on Aug. 25 of wounds suffered from enemy fire while on a dismounted patrol in Adhamiyah, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Source: DoD

September 01, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Spc. Jorge L. Feliz Nieve, 26, of Queens Village, New York, died on Aug. 28 of injuries sustained from a vehicle incident in Mosul, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.

The incident is under investigation.

Source: DoD