Pentagon Delays Carrier Deployment over Budget Fight

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Defense Secretary Leon Panetta delays the deployment of the USS Truman to the Persian Gulf over budget concerns, Reuters reports. Here’s the official Pentagon statement. AOL Defense says the Pentagon has “upped the ante” in the fight over sequestration cuts. Panetta warns the nation not to become another failed empire, according to National Defense.

An X-47B UCAS-D unmanned aircraft sits on the deck of the USS Truman during a recent deployment.

Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, tells Defense News that the odds of sequestration happening is much higher than previously thought. The Washington Post says the Office of Management and Budget drops the F word – furloughs. Panetta plans to recommend a 1 percent raise in military salaries, according to CNN. Republicans say no to new taxes (paywall) to avoid sequestration, according to Defense Daily. Government Executive says the GOP prefers to cut the federal workforce. WUSA says the threat of sequestration cuts has left area businesses unable to plan.

The Hill says the Senate Armed Services Committee has delayed its confirmation vote on Chuck Hagel for defense secretary.

The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) will host a no-cost, half-day hot topic training forum on Better Buying Power 2.0 on Tuesday, April 9 at its Fort Belvoir campus. Also, the Navy’s Chief Information Officer updated his guidance (PDF) on Acquisition Information Assurance Strategy (AIAS) to reflect requirements set by the Clinger-Cohen Act.

DoD faces a shortage of cyber experts, Defense News reports.