News Growing concern over U.S. military components made in China The Pentagon is becoming increasingly worried about relying on military components that are made in China. Business U.S. clears GenCorps, Rocketdyne deal after DOD request Aerospace company GenCorp Inc. has been given U.S. antitrust approval to buy rocket engine manufacturer Rocketdyne at the request of…

Putin: Navy in Mediterranean not saber-rattling President Vladimir Putin says Russia will permanently keep a navy squadron in the Mediterranean Sea to protect its interests. Speaking at a June 6 meeting with the military brass, Putin said the move shouldn’t be interpreted as saber-rattling. He said the Mediterranean is a ìstrategically important region, where we…

Business Goldman upgrades defense contractors Defense contractors including F-35 jet maker Lockheed Martin and missile supplier Raytheon were upgraded by Goldman Sachs Group. Airbus building A350 momentum as sales chief criss-crosses globe Airbus SAS is looking to build momentum for the new A350, with its sales chief criss-crossing the globe to chase orders while test…

U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,097 As of June 4, 2013, at least 2,097 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 1,738 military service members have died in Afghanistan as a result…

News White House promises veto of GOP spending plan The White House stepped in June with a veto threat against a House GOP plan to advance a round of 2014 spending bills that would ease sequester-imposed cuts on the Pentagon while forcing even deeper cuts on non-defense programs. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/06/03/white-house-promises-veto-gop-spending-plan/ House panel votes to stop DOD…

News Rejecting Obama’s plea, House GOP defense bill keeps Guantanamo open, restricts transfers Rebuffing President Barack Obama’s latest plea, House Republicans June 3 proposed keeping open the military-run prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by barring the administration from transferring its terror suspects to the United States or a foreign country such as Yemen. Italy’s ruling…

Study recommends F-16 transfer from Alaska base A draft Environmental Impact Study released by the U.S. Air Force recommends moving forward with a proposal to transfer a F-16 fighter jet squadron at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, to Anchorage, Alaska. The Fairbanks Daily New Miner reports the 226-page study was released May 31….

Defense Kansas religion bill urges military to defend ‘Judeo-Christian tradition’ against alleged discrimination Republican lawmakers in Kansas want the state Legislature to call on the U.S. military to aggressively defend the “Judeo-Christian tradition” in the face of alleged discrimination by the Defense Department.   Veterans Shinseki on stopping homelessness: ‘The climb will get steeper’ Veterans…

Hill AFB wins bigger F-22 Raptor assignment The Air Force is throwing more fighter-jet maintenance at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. That could help insulate the base from future national defense budget cuts, and Rep. Rob Bishop said it means 200 more defense jobs for Utah. The Air Force is announcing it will consolidate maintenance…