Thank You
Robert Serge
VVA 17 Member
Blog Master
To all my fellow veterans friends and family my we all remember
From: no-reply@navytimes.com
To: rserge1@outlook.com
Subject: Navy Times Early Bird Brief
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 04:39:07 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. Enlisted women to serve on attack submarines after 2020(Navy Times) With female officers having served in the boomer force for nearly three years, the Navy is aiming for women to make up a significant portion of the ballistic-missile submarine force by 2020, one of the new waypoints in the silent service's historic integration. 2. Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Announce Bids on Danish Fighter Competition; Saab Withdraws (Defense News) Airbus, Boeing and Lockheed Martin have confirmed they have submitted bids to replace the Royal Danish Air Force's aging F-16 combat jet fleet but Saab has withdrawn from the competition. 3. The Shadow Wars of the 21st Century (Retired Army Lt. Gen. David W. Barno in War on the Rocks) 4. Montana Democrat's Thesis Presented Others' Work as His Own (New York Times) Democrats were thrilled when John Walsh of Montana was appointed to the United States Senate in February. A decorated veteran of the Iraq war and former adjutant general of his state's National Guard, Mr. Walsh offered the Democratic Party something it frequently lacks: a seasoned military man. 5. With focus on Ukraine and Gaza, Washington watches other crises simmer (CBS News) More so than ever before, the Obama administration this year has been inundated with global crises. ISRAELI GROUND OPERATIONS IN GAZAPentagon Supports Emergency $225M for Israel's Iron Dome(Defense News) US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel sent a letter to congressional leadership on Tuesday requesting $225 million in additional US funding to accelerate production of Iron Dome missile-defense components to ensure Israel will have adequate stockpiles to protect itself from rockets launched by Hamas militants in Gaza. Kerry meets with Netanyahu amid Israeli anger over ban on U.S. flights (Washington Post) The United States on Wednesday put the most direct pressure yet on its ally Israel to cut short its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza, but Secretary of State John F. Kerry did not get a deal from Israel or the Palestinians to stop the bloodshed. FAA lifts ban on flights to and from Israel (USA Today) The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted its prohibition on U.S. airlines flying into and out of Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. World suspension of Israel flights a 'great victory': Hamas (Agence France-Presse) Hamas said Wednesday that the suspension of international flights to and from Israel over security concerns about Gaza rocket fire was a "great victory." In the fight between Israel and Hamas, Gaza's hospitals are in the middle (Washington Post) As Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip continues, there has been growing anger at Israel Defense Forces (IDF) over some of the buildings that have been targeted or otherwise damaged in the strife. There have been reports that a number of hospitals have been hit, with one incident on Monday causing the deaths of at least four people. For civilians fleeing in Gaza, escape options are few (Los Angeles Times) Ahmed Shaban Derbass' brother and four sisters had escaped the relentless shelling that killed at least 74 people Sunday on the eastern outskirts of Gaza City. A friend offered them the keys to his office in the center of the city, where Israel had instructed civilians to take shelter. Civilians as Human Shields? Gaza War Intensifies Debate (New York Times) Militant rockets can be seen launching from crowded neighborhoods, near apartment buildings, schools and hotels. Hamas fighters have set traps for Israeli soldiers in civilian homes and stored weapons in mosques and schools. Tunnels have been dug beneath private property. INDUSTRYBoeing's Profits Rise, But So Do Concerns(Wall Street Journal) Boeing Co. BA -2.34% is wrestling with problems developing a new military refueling tanker, underscoring the challenges facing its defense business at a time when sales of commercial jets are booming. Lockheed Martin takes Air Force ISR contract (C4ISR & Networks) Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $16.9 million ISR contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory. US defense firms raise profit forecast in tight spending backdrop (Reuters) U.S. weapons makers General Dynamics Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp raised their 2014 profit forecasts as cost cutting allowed them to improve profitability even as defense spending by the U.S. government remained low. Navy shoots for better shipboard anti-air defenses (C4ISR & Networks) Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a task order by the U.S. Navy to engineer and integrate the Ship Self-Defense System Mark 2 (SSDS MK2), a more secure computing hardware backbone designed for anti-air defense of U.S. and coalition partner aircraft carriers and amphibious ships. Lithuania To Acquire New Infantry Fighting Vehicles (Defense News) The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense has announced plans to acquire new infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) to replace the country's M113 armored personnel carriers. 2 more Aegis destroyers set for FY20 (The Yomiuri Shimbun) The government will start building two Aegis-equipped destroyers with the latest missile defense systems starting next fiscal year, in light of the progress seen in missile development by North Korea, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. Britain Still Exporting Arms to Russia (Agence France-Presse) Britain is still exporting arms and military equipment to Russia, according to a parliamentary report released Wednesday just hours after Prime Minister David Cameron rapped France for selling weapons to Moscow. Boeing upgrades French AWACS (C4ISR & Networks) Boeing has finished upgrading the first of four French Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. Piaggio Tests Hammerhead Flight Modes (Aviation Week) Italian business aircraft manufacturer Piaggio Aero has furthered the flight test regime of its medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) derivative of the P.180 Avanti. Details emerge of Vietnam's C295 purchase (IHS Jane's 360) The three C295 transport aircraft that Vietnam has ordered from Airbus Defence and Space (DS) are scheduled to enter service with the Vietnamese air force from 2015, IHS Jane's understands. Peru Acquires Dutch Replenishment Ship (Defense News) The Peruvian government has acquired the Netherlands' fleet replenishment ship HNLMS "Amsterdam," which will be delivered to the South American country in December, a move signaling an effort to boost naval capabilities. Spain confirms cuts to EC135 order (IHS Jane's 360) The Spanish government has finally confirmed the financing package for a reduced order of Airbus EC135 training helicopters for the Spanish Army. Italy's defense ministry sees UAV demo (C4ISR & Networks) AgustaWestland has demonstrated its Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial System / Optionally Piloted Helicopter (RUAS/OPH) to the Italian Ministry of Defense. Russia shows off amphibious UAV concept (IHS Jane's 360) United Instrument Corporation is working on an amphibious unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named Chirok, parent company Rostec State Corporation has disclosed. VETERANSSen. Sanders seeks new VA funding compromise(Military Times) A push by Veterans Affairs Department officials for billions in new funding to hire more doctors may upend congressional efforts for a wide-reaching VA reform package that appeared all but finished just a few weeks ago. Senate committee approves VA nominee (The Hill) The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved President Obama's pick to lead the troubled Veterans Affairs Department, sending his nomination to the full chamber. Vet forgotten, locked inside Orange City VA clinic (WKMG-TV; Orlando) A Marine veteran from Deltona says he's very disappointed in the Veterans Administration after he was locked inside the community clinic in Orange City on Monday. Sen. Harkin: Recruit the disabled for non-combat jobs (Military Times) While veterans' groups are pushing the Senate to expand protections for disabled troops when they travel abroad, lawmakers in the chamber are considering expanding military jobs to disabled individuals at home. CONGRESSOn Capitol Hill, a Cold War Aura Returns(Defense News) It's suddenly 1980-something again on Capitol Hill as a Cold War aura fills the halls of Congress. Republicans Announce Plan to Require a Vote on Iran Nuclear Deal (National Journal) A group of Republican senators wants to require President Obama to come to Congress for approval on any nuclear deal with Iran. U.S. Rep, Scott Perry nominated for brigadier general post (York Dispatch) Pennsylvania might soon have a Congressman who also serves as a brigadier general in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, if Rep. Scott Perry is confirmed for the post in the coming months. 9/11 Commission Chair: Congress Is the Biggest Obstacle to Stopping the Next Terrorist Attack (National Journal) The Department of Homeland Security, the commission, even Congress itself say congressional oversight is out of control. College's recruiting practices draw congressional fire (Military Times) Senators and student veteran leaders are working to dissuade would-be college students from using GI Bill funds to enroll at WyoTech and Heald, criticizing the schools' recent recruiting actions as irresponsible and predatory. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTSequestration Could Hinder Acquisition Reforms, Pentagon Official Says(National Defense) Defense Department leadership has emphasized the importance of defining requirements and starting testing as early as possible, but putting that into practice will be difficult if sequestration goes back into effect in fiscal year 2016, a Pentagon acquisition official said. DOD to provide space for 5,000 more migrant children until next year (Stars & Stripes) The U.S. military will provide housing space for up to an additional 5,000 unaccompanied Central American children who have illegally come across the border, Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren said Wednesday. DOD stresses testing, evaluation improvements (FCW) Although "test and evaluation" is far from the most glamorous piece of the defense acquisition puzzle, Pentagon officials are making the case that it is one of the most important. Study: Military a refuge for those exposed to childhood abuse (Stars & Stripes) Those who have served in the military are more likely to have suffered childhood abuse or to have lived in homes where there was violence than their nonmilitary counterparts, a study says. ARMYArmy: Of 1,100 captains pink-slipped, 48 were in Afghanistan(Stars & Stripes) Of the more than 1,100 Army captains notified last month their military careers would soon end, 87 were deployed worldwide and 48 were serving in Afghanistan at the time, Army officials said Wednesday. Medal of Honor recipient SFC Leroy Petry retires today (Army Times) One soldier's career: Ranger with eight deployments, lost his hand to a grenade while saving his buddies, pinned with the Medal of Honor, met presidents and celebrities, smiling in dress uniform as grand master at parades and speaker at university commencements. Army Hates To Take Guard Apaches, But It 'Must Happen': Under Secretary Carson (Breaking Defense) This hurts us more than it hurts you. That's the essence of the regular Army's message to the National Guard about the Aviation Restructure Initiative (ARI), a controversial cost-cutting plan that - among other things - strips the Guard of all its AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. Pain is on its way for all of us, leader after leader told me, and ARI is the least worst way to allocate it. But can they convince a skeptical Congress? As 212th Fires Brigade re-flags, DIVARTYs begin a come (Army Times) The first step in the Army's revamped artillery organization - one that will look familiar to some senior officers - took place Wednesday at Fort Bliss, Texas, when the 212th Fires Brigade re-flagged to become the 1st Armored Division Artillery. Army Takes Steps to Shore Up Industrial Depots (National Defense) While the Army is shrinking and buying less equipment, it will continue to invest in its industrial depots and recruit foreign customers in a bid to drum up business. Guardsmen will not patrol border to catch illegal immigrants (Army Times) The roughly 1,000 Texas Army and Air National Guard troops being dispatched to the U.S.-Mexico border will not be tasked with apprehending illegal immigrants, said the adjutant general of the Texas National Guard. No deportation for fallen soldier's mom (San Diego Union-Tribune) Federal immigration officials have granted the wish of a fallen San Diego soldier's family to allow her mother to remain in the United States. NAVYNaval Academy welcomes new superintendent(Navy Times) Back in 2010, the secretary of the Navy and the chief of naval operations made a $100 bet with then-Naval Academy superintendent Vice Adm. Mike Miller that he wouldn't survive a second four-year stint back on the yard. Sailor dies after fall from balcony at Norfolk base (Virginian-Pilot) With their ship in port, two sailors stationed aboard the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman splurged on a room at Norfolk Naval Station, taking a break from sleeping in steel racks. Jurors in Jesse Ventura go home without reaching verdict (Minneapolis Star Tribune) The jury in the Jesse Ventura defamation trial in U.S. District Court in St. Paul went home for the day at 4 p.m. Wednesday. AIR FORCEAir Force refocuses on training as wars wind down(USA Today) After more than a dozen years fighting wars against unsophisticated opponents and technology in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Air Force is refocusing its training on tests ripped from the headlines - surface-to-air missiles, chemical weapons and cyber warfare. Germans withholding evidence in AFN murder case pending death penalty decision (Stars & Stripes) German authorities will withhold key evidence in the strangulation death of an AFN broadcaster - including the victim's throat - unless the U.S. military gives assurances it will not seek the death penalty for the airman accused of the murder. Lockdown lifted at Little Rock Air Force Base (Associated Press) Military officials locked down an Arkansas air force base for several hours Wednesday after reporting that a suspicious individual was on the sprawling complex near Little Rock, then reopened the base and said the threat was "no longer credible." Website founder's goal to help male spouses connect (Air Force Times) Spouses are often swept into the hyperactive military lifestyle - PCSing, becoming the primary caregiver, learning the lingo - without a proper "how-to" guide. After years of moving, career changes and much frustration, Chris Pape decided to construct such a guide, primarily for military husbands like himself. MARINE CORPSFew takers in first year of Marine career sabbatical program(Marine Corps Times) The Marine Corps' offer to troops to take three years off from active duty has found few volunteers so far. Viral video shows Marines confronting apparent military faker (Battle Rattle) A video showing two Marines confronting a man dressed as an Army sergeant major is making the rounds on Facebook. Investigation: $3 million Helmand food storage facility never used (Marine Corps Times) The independent agency responsible for oversight of U.S. aid projects in Afghanistan has located another potential boondoggle: a $3 million food storage facility in a violent district of Helmand province that has sat unused and unmaintained since it was completed 14 months ago. Erin Corwin family begins raising funds for reward (Desert Sun) The family and friends of missing Marine wife Erin Corwin have launched an online fundraising campaign in an effort to assist the ongoing search by raising enough money for a cash reward. IRAQAdministration Official: ISIL 'No Longer a Terrorist Group,' Now a 'Full-Blown Army'(Defense News) Obama administration officials made clear Wednesday the White House remains reluctant about launching a new military intervention in Iraq. U.S. Increases Surveillance, Military Advisers in Iraq (Wall Street Journal) The U.S. has increased surveillance efforts and has sent additional military advisers to Iraq to better aid national forces and understand the expanding extremist insurgency there, officials told Congress on Wednesday. Iraq still using barrel bombs on civilian areas, human rights group says (Washington Post) The Iraqi military has killed dozens of civilians and wounded hundreds of others in indiscriminate air strikes since June 6, some of which include the controversial and illegal use of barrel bombs, a human rights organization charged Wednesday. The United States should stop providing weapons to the government in Baghdad "until it complies with international law," the group said. Islamic State crushes and coerces on march towards Baghdad (Reuters) Using its own version of "soft" and "hard" power, the Islamic State is crushing resistance across northern Iraq so successfully that its promise to march on Baghdad may no longer be unrealistic bravado. Iraq: al-Maliki rejects Iran's urging to step down (Associated Press) Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki rejected an attempt by Iran to persuade him to step down, senior Iraqi politicians said Wednesday, underlining his determination to defy even his top ally to push for a third term in office and further exacerbating the country's political crisis. The State Department Really Doesn't Want to Break Up Iraq (National Journal) The solution to the crisis in Iraq is not to break the country up into two or three states, according to a State Department official. The best alternative is to set up a federal system that distributes power to local governments and security forces, allowing for some regional autonomy while keeping the entire country under Baghdad's federal umbrella. Attack on Iraq prisoner convoy kills dozens (Al Jazeera) At least 60 people have died in clashes after suicide bombers and fighters attacked a bus transferring convicts from a prison north of Baghdad, according to Iraqi police. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANDeployments to Afghanistan announced for 3,600(Army Times) Three more units will deploy as part of the rotation of forces in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced Wednesday. In Kabul, vote recount delayed in dispute over what constitutes a fraudulent ballot (Washington Post) Election authorities on Wednesday halted the inspection of about 8 million ballots cast in last month's presidential runoff in Afghanistan, heightening concerns that an already chaotic process to choose the country's new leader could take months to complete. Afghanistan criticizes Pakistan; policeman killed (Associated Press) The Afghan intelligence service accused Pakistan on Wednesday of stoking instability in the country by backing militants who stage attacks in Afghanistan. MIDDLE EASTLife in Capital of a Caliphate: Harsh Rule, but a Level of Order(New York Times) When his factory was bombed in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, the businessman considered two bleak options: to remain at home and risk dying in the next airstrike or flee like hundreds of thousands of others to a refugee camp in Turkey. Islamic Front rejects rival's caliphate, as well as proposed emirate in Syria (Long War Journal) The Islamic Front, a coalition of several leading insurgency groups in Syria, has released a statement rejecting the caliphate announced by its rivals in the Islamic State, an al Qaeda offshoot, in late June. Al Qaida-affiliated Syrian insurgents seize towns from U.S.-backed rebels (McClatchy) Fighters from the Nusra Front, al Qaida's official affiliate in Syria, on Tuesday seized three strategic towns on the border with Turkey in a major blow to U.S.-backed moderate rebels. Losses for Syrian regime rise sharply (Daily Star; Lebanon) Syrian regime forces and allied groups have suffered more than 800 casualties in the last week, a leading anti-regime activist group said Wednesday, amid signs of a "significant" lack of manpower. Local jihadist group pledges allegiance to Islamic State (Jordan Times) A local jihadist group on Wednesday denounced Al Qaeda leaders as illegitimate and pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State (IS). EUROPE2 Ukraine Fighter Jets Shot Down as Fighting Intensifies(New York Times) Two Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jets were shot down on Wednesday in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border. The planes were downed in an area of heavy fighting between government forces and Russian-backed separatists, near where a Malaysia Airlines jet was blown out of the sky on Thursday, killing 298 people and drawing international dismay. Ukraine rebel commander acknowledges fighters had BUK missile (Reuters) A powerful Ukrainian rebel leader has confirmed that pro-Russian separatists had an anti-aircraft missile of the type Washington says was used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and it could have originated in Russia. Buk Missile System Lethal, But Undiscriminating (Aviation Week) With mounting evidence that Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 was shot down by Ukrainian separatist rebels who believed they were engaging a military aircraft, attention is focusing on the Russian-built Almaz-Antey Buk-M1 ground-based air defense system (GBADS) that destroyed the airliner. At a Spanish Border, a Coordinated Scramble (New York Times) More than 1,000 African migrants rushed toward the high fences topped with razor wire. They were met by the Moroccan police, who, with the support of the Spanish military police and a Spanish helicopter, thwarted their plan to scale the fences and enter Europe through this tiny Spanish enclave that clings to northern Morocco. ASIA-PACIFICIndian Navy takes delivery of first anti-submarine corvette(IHS Jane's 360) The Indian Navy has taken delivery of its first Kamorta (Project 28)-class anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh confirmed on 22 July. Vietnam, Singapore look to stronger defense ties (Thanh Nien News) Vietnam and Singapore should deepen defense cooperation to match their strategic partnership, heard the Vietnam - Singapore defense policy dialogue in Hanoi on July 22. Ex-General in Indonesia to Challenge Election Results, Citing Irregularities (New York Times) Prabowo Subianto, the former army general who was declared the loser in Indonesia's emotionally charged presidential election, will appeal the results to the country's Constitutional Court, saying that there were widespread voting irregularities, senior advisers to his campaign said Wednesday. AFRICACentral African Republic factions announce ceasefire(BBC) Rival armed groups in the Central African Republic have signed a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending over a year of religious conflict. Two Bombs Kill About 75 People in Northern Nigeria (Wall Street Journal) Two bombs suspected to be the work of Islamist terrorist group Boko Haram killed about 75 people in northern Nigeria on Wednesday, said the country's government and a witness. Somali musician and MP Saado Ali Warsame shot dead (BBC) Popular Somali musician and member of parliament Saado Ali Warsame has been shot dead by Islamist militants. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISCongress must extend brain rehab program for veterans(Christopher Neiweem in The Hill) Congress is running out of time to extend a critically important program that currently supports our nation's most severely injured veterans. Obama to World: Drop Dead (Daniel Henninger in The wall Street Journal) Asked on "Meet the Press" Sunday whether this was the lowest moment in U.S.-Russia relations since the Cold War, America's robo-Secretary of State John Kerry replied: "We live in an extremely complicated world right now, where everybody is working on 10 different things simultaneously." Well, not everyone. Cut people or change how they're paid (Mackenzie Eaglen in The Hill) When times are tough, many organizations resort to laying off staff. The U.S. military is no different. China Ascendent? (Stephen D. Krasner in the Hoover Institution) When it comes to the international system, realists believe that changing distributions of power are dangerous. | |||||
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