French President Francois Hollande said May 21 that France won’t necessarily contribute money for Afghanistan’s military, again marking a break with key NATO partners as the alliance moves to hand over security control in the country starting in 2015. In a final news conference at a summit of the Atlantic alliance, the new French leader…

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Boeing delivered a fifth C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defence earlier this month. The UAE accepted delivery of four C-17s in 2011 and has one more airlifter on order for delivery later this year. “It’s amazing to see all that the UAE has…

The Boeing 787 Dream Tour will draw to a close with a seventh leg of international trips. During the tour, a refurbished flight test airplane has demonstrated the Dreamliner’s capabilities to more than 59,000 guests with an estimated 6,000 more to see it during the upcoming stops. May 23, the airplane known as ZA003 will…

Bird strike caused Marine helicopter crash A Marine Corps investigation has found that a bird strike caused a helicopter crash at Camp Pendleton, Calif., last year that killed two Marines. The report, obtained by U-T San Diego, says the AH-1W Cobra attack helicopter collided Sept. 19 with a red-tailed hawk that had a wing span…

Chinese and American officials recognize the importance of good, uninterrupted military-to-military relations, and the commander of U.S. Pacific Command will do what he can to further that goal. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III spoke about his new command and the importance he places in building the U.S. military relationship with China during a recent…

Court shoots down $1.4 million tort judgment against Navy Federal prosecutors say the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated a $1.4 million judgment against the Navy for allegedly disclosing trade secrets on the design of a military craft to a rival. U.S. Attorney Jim Letten says the appellate court ruled May 11 against…

U.S. military deaths in Afghanistan at 1,843 As of May 15, 2012, at least 1,843 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. The AP count is eight less than the Defense Department’s tally. At least…

Pakistan’s military says it has successfully test-fired a short-range missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. A military statement says the Hatf III Ghaznavi with a range of 180 miles was launched May 10 at the conclusion of the annual field training exercise of Army Strategic Force Command. It is the second such test by…