News Briefs

One more sign that the American military presence in Iraq is winding down: an Armed Forces Network(AFN) radio station is now off the air. After 8 years broadcasting in Baghdad, AFN-Iraq--better known as Freedom Radio--presented its final morning program on September 23 and now relays a satellite feed of AFN Europe.

Researchers from Argonne National Laboratory have discovered methods to make teensy robots perform an array of tasks on command.

Cybercrime legislation should be technology agnostic to ensure technological advances do not make the laws obsolete, says James A. Baker, deputy attorney general for the U.S. Justice Department. Baker testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a September 7 hearing on updating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to combat emerging cyberthreats.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has unveiled the Digital Transportation Exchange, in which citizens, industry, all levels of government, and other stakeholders are invited to design "a thriving online marketplace for the agile creation of transportation solutions."

A science-based software tool for the iPad allows first responders to learn from models of building damage and other conditions that occur after a disaster. Developed by Sandia National Laboratories, the Standard Unified Modeling, Mapping and Integration Toolkit (SUMMIT) enables firefighters, medics and police officers to visualize damaged buildings.

The U.S. Army has linked military radios and chat systems with cell phones, instant messaging and other commercial products that can facilitate communications among the U.S. military and NATO allies. Using Lync 2010, a Microsoft collaboration product, the capability will enable warfighters in command posts or on patrol to know who is online and the best way to reach them-either by computer, radio, chat or phone.

An agreement between the two largest civilian employers in the Defense Department expands hiring programs for disabled veterans.

The U.S. Defense Department faces many hurdles in its effort to protect and defend government computer networks. According to an unclassified version of a previously issued classified report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), several cyberspace capability gaps exist.

The Pentagon has begun to reassign some organizations within the U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) as part of its planned shutdown as a four-star combatant command later this summer.

The Signal Corps 150th anniversary celebration continues in style as top officials take to the U.S. Army Signal Regiment's Facebook page to send out special birthday wishes.