President Trump has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie to lead U.S. Central Command, according to an announcement from the Pentagon.
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Key Issues Symantec CTO Navy readiness F-35 software 'pitch day'
Tony Bertuca is chief editor of Inside the Pentagon, the flagship publication of InsideDefense, where he focuses on defense budget and acquisition policy. He previously worked for the Sun-Times News Group in his hometown of Chicago, IL, and at the New Hampshire Union Leader in Manchester, NH. Tony has also served as managing editor of Inside the Army. He has a master's degree in journalism from Boston University.
President Trump has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Kenneth McKenzie to lead U.S. Central Command, according to an announcement from the Pentagon.
The Senate has confirmed Lt. Gen. Mike Murray to lead Army Futures Command, slated to be established in Austin, TX, in the coming year.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-AL) said today he hopes the Senate can pass a "minibus" spending bill this week that includes $675 billion for defense.
The Senate will meet to consider the defense appropriations bill this week, while the Senate Armed Services Committee holds a nomination hearing for several key Pentagon positions. Senior defense officials are also scheduled to speak at various conferences around the Washington area.
The Senate Armed Services Committee is scheduled to hold a nomination hearing Tuesday for several senior Pentagon positions.
The Chinese military is "likely training" for strikes against the United States and its allies, according to a new "special topic" section in the Pentagon's annual report on China's military capabilities.
The Senate has begun consideration of the fiscal year 2019 defense appropriations bill as part of a "minibus" that includes other spending legislation.
The White House "strongly objects" to a measure in the Senate's fiscal year 2019 defense appropriations bill that would add $475 million to procure a second Littoral Combat Ship, as well as host of other provisions, according to a recent statement of administration policy.
The Pentagon is asking Congress to approve a $648 million funding shift to accelerate a developmental Army heads-up display program championed by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' close combat lethality task force, according to a document obtained by Inside Defense.
President Trump says he has "constitutional concerns" with dozens of provisions in the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, including those addressing U.S.-Russian military cooperation, continued stationing of American troops on the Korean Peninsula and the management of several weapon systems.
President Trump today signed into law the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.
President Trump recently announced his intent to nominate Robert McMahon to be assistant secretary of defense for sustainment.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis now supports the creation of a Space Force as a sixth branch of the U.S. military, saying recently that his past opposition was based on having not clearly defined the problem.
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is traveling to South America this week, while the Senate returns to consider the defense spending bill for fiscal year 2019. President Trump is also expected to sign the FY-19 defense authorization bill.
The Pentagon hasn't yet determined the cost to create a new Space Force, but the deputy defense secretary said today he assumes it will require "billions" of dollars in additional resources.
At the behest of President Trump, the Pentagon has begun taking immediate steps to establish a sixth branch of the U.S. military -- a Space Force -- by 2020, though its creation requires congressional authorization, according to a new report provided to Congress.
Trump administration officials said today the government has embarked on a new era in foreign military sales to boost the U.S. defense industry and maintain global influence amid the rise of China and resurgence of Russia.
President Trump will sign the fiscal year 2019 defense authorization bill Monday at Ft. Drum, NY, according to a statement from Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).
The Pentagon is touting its new efforts to reorganize its acquisition and innovation system, but remains without two key administration officials who must be confirmed by the Senate.
The United Kingdom's top defense official today stressed military relations with the United States remain strong thanks partly to robust industrial partnerships and foreign military sales, though he noted that "some" are quick to discount the UK's contributions to global stability.