Gates: No to direct military involvement in Syria Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he thinks direct U.S. intervention in Syria’s civil war – particularly direct military involvement – would be a mistake. Gates, who served both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, says he oversaw wars that began with quick regime change…

Business Boeing aims to keep building F/A-18 jets through 2020 Boeing could keep building its Super Hornet fighter jet and a modified electronic attack version through 2020, the company said, given prospects for over 200 foreign sales and what it sees as up to 150 more sales to the U.S. Navy. Bombardier says CSeries on…

U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,083 As of May 7, 2013, at least 2,083 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan as a result of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,725 military service members have died in Afghanistan as a result…

News Air Force sidelines 17 nuclear missile officers; commander cites ‘rot’ in system The Air Force stripped an unprecedented 17 officers of their authority to control — and, if necessary, launch — nuclear missiles after a string of unpublicized failings, including a remarkably dim review of their unit’s launch skills. The group’s deputy commander said…

Air Force says spending cuts hit combat aircraft Air Force officials say the across-the-board spending cuts have led the service to cease operations for one third of the bomber and jet fighter force. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Mark Welsh told a Senate committee that nine fighter units and three bomber…

The Defense Department has cooperated fully with Congress and the State Department on the investigation into the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that led to the death of four U.S. citizens, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said May 8. A number of panels on Capitol Hill are examining the incident, which occurred…

News Benghazi witness: US military response could have ‘scared’ off attackers, prevented mortar strike The U.S. military could have prevented one wave of the deadly attack on American personnel in Benghazi if fighter jets had been promptly deployed, a top diplomatic official who was in Benghazi during the Sept. 11 assault told congressional investigators.  …

One German soldier killed, one wounded in Afghanistan The German military says one of its soldiers has been killed and another one wounded in fighting with insurgents in northern Afghanistan. It said May 5 the soldiers were accompanying an Afghan-led military operation in Baghlan province when they came under fire Saturday. It says the troops called…

News Solar-powered plane takes off for cross-country flight The first plane that can fly day and night powered only by the sun May 3 began a transcontinental journey that will reach Washington by mid-June. Solar Impulse, which lifted off from this World War II-era airfield shortly after 6 a.m., PDT, has room for only one…

NASA, Navy sign agreement on carrier landings The Navy will pay NASA nearly $2 million a year to conduct field carrier landing practice at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Using the facility will allow the Navy to stop sending some Norfolk-based squadrons to Jacksonville, Fla. to conduct practice there. NASA announced details…