Thousands of heroes died during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, many while helping others in the chaos around them, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said today during a remembrance service at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Dempsey took the stage with President Barack Obama…

U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,015 As of Oct. 30, 2012, at least 2,015 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 1,680 military service members have died in Afghanistan as a result…

NEWS Obama to nominate John Kerry to be next secretary of State; Radioactive hot spots remain at former research facility’s site; U.S. House approves bill authorizing $633 billion in defense spending;   BUSINESS   GE to buy aviation unit of Italy’s Avio for $4.3 billion; BAE Systems wins £2.5 billion Oman Hawk, Typhoon contract;  …

Italy backs off on military assistance in Mali Italian Premier Mario Monti says Italy is backing off its commitment to assist France’s military campaign against Islamist fighters in Mali because his caretaker government lacks political support on the issue during the run-up to national elections next month. A proposal to send three transport planes and…

NORAD may shed 24-hour alert sites in Virginia, Minnesota NORAD is considering taking two of its 18 Air Force sites off 24-hour alert, saying it will save millions of dollars without compromising its ability to defend against 9/11-style attacks. A Government Accountability Office report released Feb. 28 said the North American Aerospace Defense Command might…

The U.S. Defense Department has delayed an intercontinental ballistic missile test that had been planned for next week at an Air Force base in California amid mounting tensions with North Korea, a senior defense official told The Associated Press. The official said Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel decided to put off the long-planned Minuteman 3 test…

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…

U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,995 As of Sept. 25, 2012, at least 1,995 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 1,657 military service members have died in Afghanistan as a result…

Marines protecting threatened desert tortoises The Marine Corps is hoping to deploy some four-footed recruits in Californiaís Mojave Desert – about 500 threatened desert tortoises. The Los Angeles Times says the hatchlings live in a special 5-acre facility at the Twentynine Palms Marine Base that’s protected from predators by wire and netting. The slow-growing tortoises…

Business Boeing 787 Dreamliner faces review after mishaps Arms makers lament uncertainty, urge clarity to make investments Rolls-Royce hires lawyer Gold for internal ethics review International United Kingdom: MoD £6.6 billion over budget for major weapons projects that are running woefully late British Helmand veterans dispatched to defend Falklands Glock 17 9mm pistols replace Browning…