MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. - The Air Force Culture and Language Center here released its Philippines Expeditionary Culture Field Guide for U.S. military members.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department and Lockheed Martin have reached an agreement in principle to manufacture 32 F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jets, Pentagon Press Secretary George E. Little said.

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Retired U.S. Navy commander Tim Boykin has dedicated his life to not only serving his country but also martial arts.

WASHINGTON - An international hacker is responsible for illegally obtaining 4 million social security numbers from electronically filed state tax returns dating back to 1998, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said during an interview with The Pentagon Channel.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader and a Haqqani facilitator in Logar province.

WASHINGTON - The United States remains in an armed conflict with al-Qaida, but it is important that the fight against the terrorist group is done in a lawful manner that does not compromise American values, Jeh C. Johnson told the Oxford Union in England.

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard signed a pact with Vietnam as part of the State Partnership Program during a Nov. 27 ceremony in Hanoi.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Pentagon Press Secretary George E. Little recognized 12 "best in show" winners in the Arts in Embassies Program during a Pentagon ceremony.

DURHAM, N.C. - In a speech at Duke University in Durham, N.C., Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter outlined new security strategies and challenges that he said will define the nation’s future in a post-war era of fiscal constraint.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, during a Pentagon press briefing, praised the Iron Dome air defense system in protecting Israel against recent rocket attacks fired from the Gaza Strip.

WASHINGTON - At a press conference, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta discussed what he sees as the U.S. military role in Afghanistan after 2014, and also made it clear the U.S. is not arming rebels in Syria.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - After redeploying 33,000 surge forces and their equipment from Afghanistan nine days ahead of the presidentially mandated deadline, U.S. Transportation Command is assessing the lessons learned to improve its processes for ongoing drawdown operations.

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Doctors from San Antonio Military Medical Center saved a young mother’s life using cutting-edge technology historically reserved for infants and young children.

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Peru-born Air Force Senior Airman Jorge Contreras became a U.S. citizen in a New York ceremony broadcast live on NBC’s “Today" show.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a district-level Taliban leader in Kandahar province.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - The Northern Distribution Network that U.S. Transportation Command helped establish to supply U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan laid the foundations for strong U.S. partnerships in Central Asia and Russia and for the region’s long-term economic security, said Air Force Gen. William M. Fraser III, Transcom's commander.

WASHINGTON - The Education Center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial “Wall” will be a place to join the past to the future, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said at the center's groundbreaking ceremony in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department and South Carolina officials are notifying military members and families who paid state income taxes there that they may have been victims of information/identity theft as a result of several recent cyber intrusions.

WASHINGTON - The fiscal 2014 defense budget request will be a chance for the department to adjust funding to support the defense strategic guidance issued in January this year, Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during remarks at the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C.

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - U.S. Army Public Health Command headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., continues to play a significant public health role in the aftermath of the March 11, 2011, Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marine Corps Sgt. Guadalupe Nicks, an assistant postal finance officer at the post office on Camp Lejeune, N.C., is getting ready for the Christmas mailing season by issuing a reminder about U.S. Postal Service deadlines for sending mail and packages to service members stationed overseas.

WASHINGTON - Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia explained how Total Force Fitness, the profession of arms and “bridging the basics” have been the cornerstones of the Defense Department’s overall resilience program.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a local Haqqani leader in the Sabari district of Afghanistan’s Khost province, military officials reported.

WASHINGTON - As the Defense Department continues to assist Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts, department officials are urging Congress to pass the 2013 DOD Authorization Act, Pentagon Press Secretary George E. Little told reporters.

BROOKVILLE, Md. - The phrase, “a dog is man’s best friend” has new meaning for service members undergoing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan-led, coalition-supported security force detained three suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader in the Archi district of Kunduz province.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - U.S. Transportation Command's five-year strategy puts a premium on developing “enterprise-focused professionals” who take pride in their individual contributions and recognize their collective role in propelling the command forward.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - The drive to become a Marine and gain acceptance into the tight-knit community is what inspired Staff Sgt. Monica Paz to enlist.

WASHINGTON - As the Information Age continues to shape modern communication, the Defense Department has revitalized and consolidated the Military OneSource website to better serve military members and their families.

WASHINGTON - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told the Pentagon Channel he is confident Afghan security forces will be able to take full responsibility for Afghanistan’s security by the end of 2014.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - U.S. Transportation Command wants to give military decision makers choices in delivery times and cost, particularly as the United States draws down operations in Afghanistan and the Defense Department faces the tightest budget squeeze in more than a decade.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has yet to forward a recommendation to the White House on how many U.S. troops should remain in Afghanistan after 2014, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban bomb expert in Afghanistan’s Logar province, military officials reported.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - It is an unusual Thursday morning when Army Spc. Sean Locke gets to skip physical training. But every now and then his job with Fort Bragg's assault command post gets in the way.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Afghanistan - Marines shared some holiday spirit in the form of mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and pumpkin pie as they gathered for a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Afghanistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.

WASHINGTON - Sailors want Navy leaders to work on avoiding sequestration and improving deployment rhythms, the Chief of Naval Operations said during an interview from Bahrain.

WASHINGTON - In a Thanksgiving message, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta offers his gratitude to service members and their families.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. will work closely with its NATO allies to determine the best way to respond to a request from Turkey for Patriot missile support, a defense official said.

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany - Airmen assigned to the 606th Air Control Squadron in Spangdahlem, Germany, practiced vital combat skills during a field exercise featuring mock enemy attacks.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during a search for a high-ranking Taliban leader and weapons facilitator in Afghanistan’s Logar province.

WASHINGTON - The new Defense Department space policy, updated to reflect the fast-growing use and sometimes misuse of the space domain, addresses issues of safety, sustainability and security in space for the 21st century and beyond.

WASHINGTON - For the United States and its allies, ending the al-Qaida threat calls for a modified military footprint, close work with partners and continued U.S. involvement in regions of the world where violent extremism has flourished, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said at the Center for a New American Security.

NORFOLK, Va. - Officers and civilians soon will have an additional avenue to pursue professional education, thanks to a nonresident satellite Phase II Joint Professional Military Education course that will launch in January in Tampa, Fla.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department has embarked on a pilot program to help service members obtain civilian professional credentials, the department’s director of training readiness and strategy said.

WASHINGTON - President Obama has called on the nation to honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women in uniform who will be spending Thanksgiving away from their loved ones and far from the comforts of home.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - The new Joint Cyber Center at U.S. Transportation Command is helping protect against persistent cyberattacks while ensuring secure, uninterrupted access to networks that underpin the command’s global mission.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nicholas Patterson, data network specialist and information assurance noncommissioned officer-in-charge for Regimental Combat Team 7 at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, performs two jobs and never skips a beat.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons facilitator in Kandahar province. The arrested facilitator is alleged to have supplied weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices to insurgents throughout the province.

MIAMI - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta commended the lasting accomplishments of the former commander of U.S. Southern Command and welcomed a new, but familiar, officer to lead the combatant command.

WASHINGTON - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff presided at the U.S. Southern Command ceremony during which Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly assumed command from Air Force Gen. Douglas M. Fraser.

PHILADELPHIA - This holiday season, at more than 200 locations in Afghanistan, service members will dine on a feast reminiscent of home, according to a Defense Logistics Agency official.

WASHINGTON - Wherever the USS Delaware goes after she is launched in 2018, a “piece of my heart will go with her,” said Dr. Jill Biden, who will sponsor the Navy’s newest Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.

WASHINGTON - As a cost- and time-saving measure, Defense Department officials have developed an experimental website to help government and industry stay up-to-date on developing projects that support the warfighter.

WASHINGTON - The National Defense University Foundation honored members of U.S. Special Operations Command for their service and sacrifice in the war against terrorism.

WASHINGTON - All four active-duty services and five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their recruiting goals for fiscal 2012, officials announced.

WASHINGTON - In his "Chairman's Corner" blog, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said recent allegations against several senior military officers are not a distraction. "But we are concerned," Dempsey wrote. "We’re committed to learning and adapting. We’re committed to honoring the profession and protecting the nation."

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials are sending a new spouse survey to select active-duty families to assist in determining programs that best suit their needs.

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan - Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Enrique Gallardo donated some of his bone marrow to help a young women he doesn't know battle leukemia.

WASHINGTON - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban suicide attack operative in Kandahar province. The arrested insurgent is suspected of planning and executing suicide attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Kandahar province.

WASHINGTON - The Navy is taking steps to address sexual assault, suicide and other issues affecting its sailors, Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, the chief of naval operations, said at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - With warfighting the central focus of the Navy's mission, the Navy is best when it is out and about, Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of naval operations, said at a National Press Club luncheon in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - A panel of military family members joined journalists, civil servants and decorated service members at the inaugural Hero Summit in Washington, D.C., to discuss the challenges of being a military family member and the ways that American citizens can support them.

WASHINGTON - Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 based at Naval Air Station North Island in California is this year’s winner of the Phoenix Award for field-level maintenance, part of the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards.

SIEM REAP, Cambodia - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta met in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with his counterparts from 10 countries that are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, during his first visit to Cambodia since taking office.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition force in Helmand province arrested several suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban leader who facilitates the transfer of weapons and is involved in ambush attacks targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

WASHINGTON - Dakota Meyer, the Marine Corps’ first living Medal of Honor recipient from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, told members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that hiring veterans is a mutually beneficial practice.

FORT LEE, Va. - Bryce Stanley, an archaeologist at the Regional Archaeological Curation Facility on Fort Lee, Va., spent time last December portraying a Civil War Union soldier in "Lincoln," Steven Spielberg's new film.

WASHINGTON - Hiring veterans is neither an act of charity nor patriotism, but a smart choice, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told business leaders at the start of the fifth annual "Business Steps Up: Hiring Our Heroes" event held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

WASHINGTON - Military veterans and service members discussed their drive to serve the nation and support their comrades during the Urge to Serve panel at the Hero Summit in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - The United States will remain an enduring presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and the nation is increasing its focus there to ensure a peaceful, secure and prosperous future, Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, told an Australian think tank in Canberra.

WASHINGTON - Military families now have greater access to programs designed to assist them with a spectrum of family support matters, said Charles E. Milam, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy.

WASHINGTON - Six Americans who have dedicated considerable time to U.S. service members received the 2012 Spirit of Hope Award in a Pentagon ceremony.

WASHINGTON - A post-raid assessment concluded there is no evidence that the Pakistani government knew the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, said Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, the commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

WASHINGTON - The USO of Metropolitan Washington and the Defense Department recognized 10 chefs and selected the enlisted aide of the year from five nominees during the 2012 Salute to Military Chefs annual event held in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON - Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., President Barack Obama’s nominee to command U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, said he would work to complete a successful security transition there if confirmed and declared U.S. and coalition goals in the country "within reach."

HONOLULU - While the latest Australia-U.S. Ministerial Conference in Perth, Australia, was more concerned with the maintenance of the alliance, the discussions do point to interesting possibilities for the two countries in the future.

BANGKOK - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has ordered a review to determine how the armed forces can better foster a culture of stewardship among senior military officers, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in Bangkok.

BANGKOK - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Thai Defense Minister Sukampol Suwannathat affirmed their nations’ long-term military partnership, updating a vision for the alliance whose most recent statement, in 1962, focused on fighting communism.

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - As Hurricane Sandy bore down on the East Coast more than two weeks ago, Defense Logistics Agency team members increased the intensity of their work.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force in Kandahar province arrested a Taliban leader suspected of distributing bomb components to insurgents and facilitating ambushes and attacks. The security force also detained several other suspected insurgents.

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. - Like his stepbrother, Cuba-born Air Force Senior Airman Osniel Diaz fulfilled his vow to join the U.S. military after he moved to the United States.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta is “disappointed” that an effort to move pending cybersecurity legislation forward failed in the Senate, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

ABOARD A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he retains “absolute confidence” in Marine Gen. John Allen’s ability to command NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

WASHINGTON - Air Force officials discussed the results of a commander-directed investigation into basic military training instructor misconduct and the service’s commitment to correcting those issues by establishing a Military Training Oversight Council.

WASHINGTON - More than 30 companies and organizations joined the Military Spouse Employment Partnership as part of the White House-sponsored Joining Forces effort to help unemployed spouses find jobs.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - As the Defense Department’s “distribution synchronizer,” U.S. Transportation Command looks horizontally across the combatant commands -- rather than vertically, through individual combatant command stovepipes -- to synchronize planning for global distribution operations.

WASHINGTON - The Army Reserve remains an efficient and value-added component of U.S. national security, Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief of the Army Reserve, told members of the Defense Writer’s Group.

ARLINGTON, Va. - For many soldiers, serving in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is an opportunity to experience and perform missions that are truly unique.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons and ammunition facilitator in Kandahar province.

WASHINGTON - Emphasizing that Defense Department leaders must exemplify both professional excellence and sound judgment, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has determined that Army Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, the former U.S. Africa Command commander, must repay improper expense charges and will be allowed to retire at a reduced rank.

PERTH, Australia - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith have agreed to place a space-surveillance radar and a space-surveillance telescope in Australia.

PERTH, Australia - The annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations was very much a “business as usual” conference that checked the state of the alliance and charted the way forward for the two countries.

PERTH, Australia - Agreements reached during the latest meeting of top U.S. and Australian officials will further cooperation between the nations’ military forces and expand capabilities related to the frontier of space.

WASHINGTON - Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter unveiled a proposed new phase of the Defense Department’s “Better Buying Power” initiative that since 2010 has shaped the department’s acquisition arm to “do more without more.”

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Shaping itself for the future as it implements its new five-year strategy, U.S. Transportation Command is maximizing what one of its senior officers calls the ultimate enabler: information technology.

WASHINGTON - Lauding the standup of a new aviation detachment in Poland last week as “a new step in the U.S.-Polish military relationship,” Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis said it exemplifies the two militaries’ growing cooperation, which has extended from combat in Iraq, the Balkans, and Afghanistan to European missile defense.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department agency, announced that representatives from the Associated Builders and Contractors, Coca-Cola Refreshments, McDonald’s Corp., Safeway Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have signed or will sign statements of support for their National Guard and reserve employees in honor of Veterans Day.

COMBAT OUTPOST SHIR GHAZAY, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher Souder volunteered for and is serving on his first deployment to Afghanistan. Souder hopes to deploy once more after his current deployment is finished.

WASHINGTON - A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained an insurgent during a search for a Haqqani network senior leader in Paktia province.

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - The Defense Department inspector general has opened an investigation of Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said in a statement.

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - Amid speculation that he will excuse himself from President Barack Obama’s second-term national security team, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said his immediate goal is to finish the job he began in 2010.

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - The Defense Department’s strategic rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region is a long-term effort that is beginning to show tangible progress, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said.

PERTH, Australia - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has met with the military leaders of America’s three closest allies in the Asia-Pacific region during his current overseas trip.

PERTH, Australia - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is ready to move on to the next step of determining the footprint of U.S. troops based overseas.

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT - The attempted shootdown of an unmanned U.S. Predator aircraft is the latest example of a pattern of disturbing behavior by Iran, and the United States will take “a measured response,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

HONOLULU - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has begun a weeklong visit to three nations in the Asia-Pacific region, his fourth official trip to area that is the focus of a rebalance of time, attention and resources for the Defense Department.

WASHINGTON - As New York and surrounding areas continue to rebound from Superstorm Sandy’s devastation, thousands gathered to watch the 2012 New York City Veterans Day Parade, with Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter serving as an honorary grand marshal.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama laid a flowered wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns in a traditional display of remembrance and gratitude for every service member who has worn the nation’s uniform.

SEOUL, South Korea - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said he has learned a lot during his visit to Korea and will put that information to use when he returns to Washington.

CAMP BONIFAS, South Korea - Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey visited the Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea and got a taste of what life is like on the world’s hottest frontier.

WASHINGTON - As the nation observes the Veterans Day holiday, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has issued a message paying tribute to the men and women who have served the United States in uniform.

YONGSAN GARRISION, South Korea - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff joined with other U.S. and Korean leaders at Yongsan Garrison in South Korea to remember veterans.

WASHINGTON - The Energy Department is providing the Defense Department with additional ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve in response to a request from the state of Connecticut.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department released a detailed timeline of the Pentagon’s response to the September attack in Benghazi, Libya, that left four Americans dead, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stopped at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, on his way to South Korea.

FORT MEADE, Md. - As the nation approaches Veterans Day, observed Nov. 11, two former service members -- one from World War II, the other from the Vietnam War -- were awarded their long-awaited Bronze Star medals in a ceremony at the Defense Information School.

ARLINGTON, Va. - National Guard chaplains are providing support as part of Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery operations.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense is a fully integrated partner in the federal, state, and local response to Hurricane Sandy and the northeaster that swept through the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States, defense officials reported.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - U.S. Transportation Command's new Enterprise Readiness Center is working to keep Transcom's vehicles -- and that of its commercial partners -- busy as wartime operational demands drop off.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani facilitator in Khost province. The facilitator is suspected of coordinating the delivery of weapons, improvised explosive device materials and fighters to insurgent leaders operating throughout western Khost province.

AT SEA, USS Rushmore - Marine Corps Cpl. Pierre K. Justin, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1990, is pleased to have earned his U.S. citizenship.

LAKEHURST, N.J. - State and local authorities, with support from federal agencies, have been working to restore power to residents of the northeastern United States impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON - U.S. officials praised the long-standing relationship with Poland as they celebrated the first full-time U.S. military presence in that nation at Lask Air Base, located about 100 miles southwest of Warsaw. The ten U.S. personnel at Lask will be joined by up to 200 visiting airmen conducting quarterly training rotations.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense is a fully integrated partner in the federal, state, and local response to Hurricane Sandy and is postured to provide more help to civilian authorities, as a result of the northeaster sweeping through the mid-Atlantic area.

WASHINGTON - To strengthen alliances with partners in the Asia-Pacific region, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will prepare for a three-country trip across two continents, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

WASHINGTON - A recent Iranian attack on a U.S. drone occurred over international waters, but the aircraft suffered no damage and returned safely to base, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters.

WASHINGTON - Renewed logistics cooperation agreements between the U.S., New Zealand and Philippine militaries were among the takeaways from the 15th Pacific Commanders Chiefs of Defense Conference in Sydney where participants explored ways to improve collaboration.

WASHINGTON - More than 200 veterans attended a Veterans Day ceremony at the U.S. Postal Service's Hall of Flags at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Veterans comprise about 20 percent of the Postal Service’s workforce.

WASHINGTON - The $110 billion-a-year cyber economy has never been more vulnerable to crime and other threats, and securing the Internet against attacks demands the expertise of government agencies, industry and allies, said Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, U.S. Cyber Command chief and director of the National Security Agency.

WICHITA, Kan. - For the first time in five years, the 184th Intelligence Wing dental office has a traditional Guard dentist, Air Force Maj. Mark Sheils.

FORT MEADE, Md. - The National Security Agency’s National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, Md., recognized Helen Nibouar and Marion Johnson during a ribbon cutting ceremony unveiling a new exhibit entitled, “60 Years of Cryptologic Excellence.”

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader linked to indirect-fire attacks on Afghan and coalition forces in Logar province.

WASHINGTON - Daniele Massey, an algebra teacher at Vilseck High School in Germany, is the Department of Defense Education Activity’s Teacher of the Year.

WASHINGTON - Service members could be downloading applications for government BlackBerrys, iPhones, Androids and other “mobility devices” by early next year, a Pentagon official said.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is a fully integrated partner in the federal, state, and local response to Hurricane Sandy and is postured to provide more support for those facing another major storm coming in from the Atlantic Ocean, defense officials reported.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - With a heritage dating back to the Military Postal Express Service that moved highly classified and sensitive mail abroad during World War I, the Defense Courier Division remains true to its original mission of moving sensitive government documents.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military takes great pride in the centuries-old tradition of supporting the presidential inauguration and recognizing the president as commander in chief, the deputy for inaugural support said.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joined Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos and others to honor the Corps' 237th birthday at a Pentagon ceremony.

WASHINGTON - With the 2012 presidential election concluded, the Defense Department continues to be “squarely focused” on the mission of national defense, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta wrote in a message addressed to the department's military and civilian workforce.

WASHINGTON - “Our men and women in uniform have taught us about strength, duty, devotion, resolve -- cornerstones of a commitment to protect and defend that has kept our country safe for over 200 years,” President Barack Obama said in his proclamation declaring Nov. 11, 2012, as Veterans Day.

WASHINGTON - Service members who are licensed to drive a range of military vehicles now have an advantage gaining a commercial driver’s license, a senior defense official said.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Twenty years is the retirement goal for many young Marines, but one Marine’s time in service nearly doubles that mark.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban attack facilitator during a security operation in Logar province. The detained facilitator is linked to mortar, indirect-fire and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

WASHINGTON - Water, meals and cots along with power restoration equipment continue to flow into New York and New Jersey af the Defense Department's support of Superstorm Stanley rescue and relief continues, Pentagon officials reported.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - As Hurricane Sandy hurtled menacingly toward the New Jersey shore, the staff in U.S. Transportation Command’s sprawling fusion center weren’t resting on their laurels waiting for a call for help.

FORT MEADE, Md. - Fifteen foreign military students are hard at work writing communications plans for their countries as they learn the American approach to becoming military public affairs officers at the Defense Information School.

MONTEREY, Calif. - As the Defense Department’s principal staff member and advisor regarding intelligence-related matters, Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael G. Vickers has a far-reaching view of how important foreign language and culture are to the future of national security.

CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan - Marine Corps Capt. Dustin Kerlin, with Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161, recently enjoyed flying with his brother, Lt. Col. Matthew Kerlin, who's also a Marine Corps pilot, in Afghanistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan - A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani network leader in Logar province. The arrested leader is suspected of being directly involved in the final stages of planning a vehicle-bomb attack targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department is doing all it can to enhance its acquisition process including improving the Pentagon’s buying power and maximizing value, Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department remains fully engaged in the ongoing federal disaster response in the eastern and northeastern United States as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON - Sequestration would have a "devastating result" for both the military and the country if such large cuts were applied indiscriminately, Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, said at the annual Government Contract Management Conference.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Putting in place the most-sweeping strategic planning effort in U.S. Transportation Command’s 25-year history, Air Force Gen. William M. Fraser III, Transcom commander, said his organization is revolutionizing the way the military deploys, sustains and redeploys its forces.

WASHINGTON - America's 398 national parks will offer the public free admission during Veterans Day weekend in honor of those who serve and have served in the U.S. military

NEW YORK - Marines with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in New York via CH-53E helicopters to aid Staten Island residents impacted by Superstorm Sandy.

NEW YORK - Members of the New York National Guard distributed critically needed fuel throughout the New York City area as residents and local authorities continue with cleanup and recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy slammed the East Coast.

NEW YORK - More than 7,000 National Guard members are providing aid to Hurricane Sandy-impacted communities along the East Coast and other areas, including thousands of Guardsmen in New York and New Jersey helping residents get onto their feet after the superstorm destroyed homes and crippled infrastructure.

WASHINGTON - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban senior leader in Kandahar province, military officials reported.

SOUTH CHINA SEA - Marine Corps Capt. Benjamin Leatherbury, a communications officer, was promoted while serving aboard amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard on deployment in the South China Sea.

SHEPHERD FIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, W.Va. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency tapped the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing at Shepherd Air National Guard Base in Martinsburg, W.Va., as a staging area to push out much-needed relief supplies to West Virginia and East Coast residents hit hard by Superstorm Sandy.

NEW YORK - Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are helping to clear debris in storm-stricken Staten Island, N.Y., as part of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense continues to flow forces, capabilities, and logistical supplies to the New York/New Jersey region in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense continues to flow forces, capabilities, and logistical supplies to the New York/New Jersey region in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama convened a briefing at the National Response Coordination Center at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters to receive the latest update on federal efforts to support state and local response and recovery activities for Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON - As part of Operation Home Cooking at the Metropolitan Cooking and Entertaining Show, Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. hailed the strength of military spouses and shared his favorite Spanish rice dish, paella.

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. - Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter received a briefing about ballistic missile readiness capabilities and met with airmen during his visit to Minot Air Force Base, N.D.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama in his weekly address thanked and praised first responders, volunteers and members of federal and nongovernment agencies for their efforts in aiding citizens living along the Eastern Seaboard who were impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

WASHINGTON - Retired Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Deborah, were honored by the United Service Organizations for being staunch advocates for troops and their families.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised the United Service Organizations for its steadfast support of troops and their families at the 2012 USO Gala.

WASHINGTON - The United Service Organizations has earned its reputation for taking care of service members and their families, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said at the 2012 USO Gala.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has directed the Defense Logistics Agency to purchase up to 12 million gallons of unleaded fuel and up to 10 million gallons of diesel fuel for distribution in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy to supplement ongoing private-sector efforts.

WASHINGTON - As part of the governmentwide response and recovery effort for Hurricane Sandy, President Barack Obama declared that the superstorm has created a severe energy supply interruption and directed the U.S. Department of Energy to loan the Department of Defense ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, according to a presidential memorandum and a DOE news release.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced the two recipients of the David Packard award and the recipient of the Better Buying Power Efficiency award.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense remains fully engaged in the ongoing federal disaster response efforts underway in the eastern and northeastern United States as a result of Hurricane Sandy, according to DOD officials.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - Registered military and overseas voters in New York will have additional time to submit a request for an absentee ballot. Due to Hurricane Sandy, the State Board of Elections has extended the deadline for receiving ballot requests by mail or by fax to today, Nov. 2.

WASHINGTON - Two U.S. service members did participate with a CIA team in the mission to rescue Americans in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.

WASHINGTON - Another airlift, this time from Phoenix, will bring more power restoration trucks and equipment to New York and New Jersey, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told Pentagon reporters.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The Federal Emergency Management Agency is using the West Virginia Air National Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing base in Martinsburg, W.Va., as a staging area to push out much-needed storm relief supplies to Mountain State residents hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy.

FORT LEE, Va. - Soldiers from a Fort Lee, Va.-based Army unit are on their way to New York City to help pump water from flooded areas in support of recovery operations in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

NEW YORK - Marines and sailors of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., flew aboard the USS Wasp to provide assistance to New Jersey, New York and Connecticut in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

NOW ZAD - After three years at Oklahoma State University, Michael Sheets took a long, hard look in the mirror and decided he wanted to be a Marine.

WASHINGTON - Defense officials want reservists, Guard members and their family members to know that civilian employer nominations can now be submitted for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award through Jan. 21.

WASHINGTON - The Department of Defense remains fully engaged in the ongoing federal disaster response efforts under way in the eastern and northeastern United States in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, including assisting civilian efforts to restore power and vital mass transit facilities in New York and New Jersey.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - A C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 62nd Airlift Wing departed Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state in support of Superstorm Sandy response operations in the East Coast region. A second C-17 from the base is expected to join the effort.

WASHINGTON - The Afghan government will have a tough time maintaining and operating the infrastructure for its national security forces once international forces leave, according to a report issued by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama praised military families in proclaiming November as Military Family Month, noting that in them, “we see the best our country has to offer. They demonstrate the virtues that have made America great for more than two centuries."

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Coast Guard leaders Vice Adm. Robert C. Parker, Atlantic Area commander, and Rear Adm. Richard T. Gromlich, director of Operational Logistics, conducted an aerial survey of the New Jersey coastline, New York Harbor and Long Island to assess the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy.

WASHINGTON - The Defense Department launched “a significant airlift event” to quickly get power restoration equipment to New York, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Aircraft and crews from 12 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve bases across the nation were mobilized to arrive at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., where they are slated to pick up approximately 10 passengers and 632 short tons of equipment and supplies to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts on the East Coast.

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan - Afghanistan-deployed Marine Corps Cpl. Armando Muniz, a loadmaster, ensures his fellow Marines and other coalition forces get the supplies they need to conduct missions in Helmand province.

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, military officials reported.