Military

Pentagon will loosen restrictions on women in combat zones

The Pentagon will take a small step and announce today that women will be formally permitted in crucial and dangerous jobs closer to the front lines, but the new rules stop short of officially allowing them to serve in combat.

Pentagon to review report blaming JBER F-22 pilot for crash

In an unusual and perhaps unprecedented move, the inspector general for the U.S. Department of Defense will review an Air Force report that blames Capt. Jeffrey Haney for the fatal 2010 crash of his F-22 fighter north of Anchorage -- even though the jet has been beset by problems and complaints from pilots.

Bill introduced to require F-16 fighters to remain at Eielson

Alaska's two U.S. senators have introduced a bill that would forbid the Air Force from transferring F-16s from Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks.

37 nominated to attend US service academies next year

Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced that she has nominated 37 young Alaskans for appointment to the U.S. military service academies for the class of 2016.

Icebreaker Healy returns to Seattle after 254 days at sea

The Coast Guard cutter Healy is back in Seattle after a 254-day patrol that included clearing a path for a crucial fuel delivery to ice-bound Nome.

Photos: Coast Guard Cutter Healy, tanker Renda reach Nome

Fairbanks officials fear fighter squadron move's impact

Fairbanks leaders fear a proposal to relocate Eielson Air Force Base's F-16 squadron to Anchorage will have a drastic economic impact on the Interior, and expect to see the local community rise up in the same kind of protest that forestalled a base closure seven years ago.

Eielson F-16s to be moved to Anchorage

Eielson F-16s to be moved to Anchorage

The Air Force says it plans to transfer to Anchorage all its F-16 fighter jets based at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, leading to fears that the base could be targeted when the military considers closures or realignments.

2012 ALASKA LEGISLATURE

House passes incentives for veterans to remain in Alaska

Veterans living in Alaska would receive credit toward college or vocational degrees for their service and military training under separate bills approved Friday in the House and Senate.

State attorney warns against repealing school intervention

Ted Stevens portrait to be unveiled at state museum

Senate committee advances bill for health care exchange

US, allies aim to end combat role in Afghanistan next year

The U.S. and its allies will formally change their mission in Afghanistan to training and advising Afghan troops next year, a shift meant to end a combat role after more than a decade of war, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said today.

UAF student follows Wainwright soldiers to Afghanistan

JR Ancheta, a budding photojournalist studying at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, followed the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division of Fort Wainwright in their preparations for deployment to Afghanistan. Right after finals in December, he joined the brigade in Afghanistan for a short time. Now back in Fairbanks, he reported on his experience with words and photos in the campus Sun Star newspaper.

Bill honoring Alaska National Guard with special day passes House

July 30 would be designated at Alaska National Guard Day under a measure that passed the House Monday.

F-35 story shows why it's so hard to cut a federal program

With the economic crash, the F-35 jet fighter is billions over budget and years behind schedule. But few members of Congress are objecting, because axing the fighter would eliminate tens of thousands of jobs in 47 states.

Big-ticket F-22 has never seen battle

Army yet to schedule hearing for MP on espionage charges

The Army's equivalent of a preliminary hearing is anticipated to be scheduled next month for 22-year-old Spc. William Colton Millay of Owensboro, Ky., who officials say transmitted national defense information to someone he believed was a foreign intelligence agent.

Anchorage-based soldier, 22, held on suspicion of spying

Afghanistan killing case leads to questions on military justice

The collapse last week of the prosecution of a Marine for a civilian massacre in Haditha, Iraq -- a striking outcome, even in a military justice system with a mixed record of charging soldiers for war crimes -- has not only outraged Iraqis but stunned some American military law specialists.

Alaska delegation vows to resist base closures

Members of the Alaska delegation and others in Congress are vowing to resist a recommendation from the Pentagon to close military bases around the country.

Alaska politicians pledge to oppose military base cutbacks

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's announcement that the Pentagon will seek new rounds of military base closures drew a swift response from Alaskans who watched a similar process nearly gut Eielson Air Force Base in 2005.

Pentagon outlines budget-cut strategies

Pentagon outlines budget-cut strategies

Pentagon leaders today outlined a plan for absorbing $487 billion in defense cuts over the coming decade by shrinking U.S. ground forces, slowing the purchase of a next-generation stealth fighter and retiring older planes and ships.

Deficit-driven military cuts mean extra risk, Pentagon warns

Worried Somali captors move US hostage after SEAL raid

The high-profile rescue of two hostages by Navy SEALs early Wednesday raises questions about whether the many other Western hostages held in Somalia have a greater chance at release -- or are in greater danger.

Coast Guard rescues two fishing vessel crews

With one fishing boat hard aground and another sinking dozens of miles away, it was a busy morning Wednesday for Kodiak-based helicopter rescue crews, the Coast Guard said.

Daring U.S. commando raid frees hostages from Somali pirates

Navy SEALs swooped into Somalia early today and rescued two aid workers, an American woman and a Danish man, after a shootout with gunmen who had been holding them in a sweltering hideout for months.

PHOTO GALLERY

Maintenance unit set to deploy to Kuwait

A deployment ceremony was held Monday for approximately 130 soldiers from the 98th Maintenance Company, a subordinate unit of the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 2nd Engineer Brigade,who will deploy from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on a 12-month tour of duty in Kuwait. Soldiers in the company repair radios, computers, small arms, generators and air conditioning units and they send teams out to provide maintenance for other units.