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: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 04:38:19 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. VA reform bills stalled by partisan bickering(Military Times) Plans for a comprehensive Veterans Affairs Department reform bill that appeared all but finished a month ago devolved into partisan bickering and funding fights on Thursday, casting doubt on the future of a deal. 2. LCS to Conduct Test of Norwegian Missile (Defense News) The littoral combat ship USS Coronado will get a chance at an historic LCS first this fall when it launches a surface-to-surface missile in tests off Southern California. 3. How Will This War End? (Retired Army Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik in Army Magazine) The primary metric in war is attaining one's strategic aims. In the post-9/11 war against al Qaeda and its affiliates, who is winning? Both the U.S. and al Qaeda have done a lot of killing, but attrition alone is not decisive. The U.S. is now on its third strategy in this war. This strategy seems as unlikely to attain America's strategic aims as the previous two. 4. Clapper: Terror threat is growing (C4ISR & Networks) A "perfect storm" of factors has weakened the country's ability to prevent and fight terrorism, according to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. 5. House GOP and Some Democrats Preparing to Slam Obama for Bergdahl Swap (National Journal) House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon says his panel will mark up a bipartisan resolution on Tuesday that accuses Obama of disregarding "America's long-standing policy against negotiating with terrorists." ISRAELI GROUND OPERATIONS IN GAZAITV News witnesses aftermath of UN school attack in Gaza(ITV) ITV News has witnessed the aftermath of an attack on a UN school in Gaza, which has left at least 15 people dead and dozens more injured. U.N. chief alarmed as rockets found in Gaza school go missing (Reuters) U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed alarm on Wednesday that 20 rockets found hidden in a United Nations school in the Gaza Strip had gone missing and directed the world body to deploy experts to deal with the situation. Two Palestinians killed in W. Bank clashes with Israeli security forces (Haaretz) Thousands march from Ramallah to Jerusalem, as Israeli forces deploy across Israeli capital on important evening in Muslim calendar. Kerry Proposes Weeklong Halt to Fighting in Gaza Strip (New York Times) Secretary of State John Kerry has proposed a two-stage plan to halt the fighting in the Gaza Strip that would first impose a weeklong truce starting Sunday, an official involved in the negotiations said on Friday. Cease-fire Brokers Grapple With How to Rebuild Gaza (Wall Street Journal) As the U.S. and its allies press for a halt to fighting in Gaza, they face a vexing question: how to rebuild the Palestinian territory and open its borders without posing a threat to Israel's security. INDUSTRYRaytheon Enters New Phase of Next Generation Radar Development(USNI News) Raytheon announced on Wednesday that it has completed a preliminary design review (PDR) for the Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) that will be fitted onto the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. K-MAX RoboCopter Comes Home To Uncertain Future (Breaking Defense) A robot helicopter that can carry three tons of cargo, the Marine Corps K-MAX certainly has the cool factor. But does it have a future? NGA's online exchange facilitates fast acquisition (Federal Times) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is undertaking an initiative to expand industry partnerships and to make critical capabilities speedier to acquire. ATD-X Emerges Among Japanese Fighter Choices (Aviation Week) Japan has rolled out its ATD-X Shinshin fighter technology demonstrator, is considering buying more Lockheed Martin F-35s and will decide within four years whether it will develop its next combat aircraft alone or with a foreign partner. China inaugurates UGV facility (IHS Jane's 360) The China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO Group) has set up in Beijing a facility to develop unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for the People's Liberation Army (PLA). India expects UAV swarm (C4ISR & Networks) Indian officials expect their next generation of UAVs will be swarms of small ones. VETERANSSurvey provides insight into newest generation of combat troops(Military Times) More than half of post-9/11 combat veterans say they have a mental health condition, but three-fourths report they are getting care, according to a new survey of young veterans conducted by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. House narrowly defeats motion agreeing to Senate VA bill (The Hill) The House on Thursday narrowly defeated a Democratic motion to instruct House conferees on the Department of Veterans Affairs overhaul to simply adopt the Senate-passed bill. VA settles 3 more Legionnaires' cases (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) The Department of Veterans Affairs has settled three more claims related to the Legionnaires' disease outbreak in the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System, according to court documents filed on Wednesday. CONGRESSDemocrat threatens to block arms sales to Iraq(The Hill) Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) is threatening to block arms sales to Iraq if the Obama administration does not provide more information about military options in the country. Smaller BAH raises, higher drug co-pays gain steam (Military Update) The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a fiscal 2015 defense money bill that fully supports the Senate Armed Services Committee's earlier embrace of key military compensation curbs sought by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lawmakers Attack Obama Administration's Strategy in Iraq (National Journal) At a heated hearing Thursday with officials from the State and Defense departments, Senate Foreign Relations Committee members took turns poking holes in the U.S. strategy, asking a litany of questions about the administration's assumptions and plans for handling the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. GOP introduces its own Iron Dome bill for Israel (The Hill) Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Republicans would introduce their own legislation to provide emergency funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTPentagon IG Seeks to Raise Awareness of Contractor Whistleblower Rights(National Defense) An employee of a Defense Department contractor or subcontractor may not be discharged, demoted or discriminated against as a reprisal for disclosing suspected fraud or waste. Military Judge severs accused 9/11 plotter from Guantanamo proceeding (Washington Post) A military judge ruled Thursday that one of the five defendants being tried at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for their alleged roles in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks be severed from the proceeding. NGA's online exchange facilitates fast acquisition (C4ISR & Networks) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is undertaking an initiative to expand industry partnerships and to make critical capabilities speedier to acquire. Chuck Hagel: The Best Dressed in President Obama's Cabinet (Intercepts) In a city where the powerful often wear boring, dark-color suits, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel bucks that trend. The Nebraskan can often be found wearing bright-colored socks, slick power ties and casual kicks that have made the man in charge of the world's most powerful military the best dressed in President Obama's cabinet. Military working dogs finding their way home (Military Times) When Marine Sgt. Deano Miller was preparing to return home from a deployment in Afghanistan, he desperately wanted to say goodbye to his best friend. ARMYArmy vice chief Campbell confirmed for ISAF post; Votel goes to SOCOM(Army Times) The Army's vice chief of staff, Gen. John Campbell, was confirmed Wednesday as the next commander for NATO's International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. Army War College to conduct review of Sen. Walsh's paper (USA Today) The U.S. Army War College said Thursday it will convene an academic review board to conduct a formal analysis of Sen. John Walsh's disputed paper, which could result in his master's degree being revoked. Jack Daniel's lounge opens Friday on Army base (Army Times) A handful of Jack Daniel's-branded gathering places draw whiskey drinkers and other patrons in sports arenas, stadiums like Wrigley Field, even in Dubai International Airport. Federal judge denies Jeffrey MacDonald's bid for new trial (Fayetteville Observer) Senior U.S. District Court Judge James C. Fox ruled Thursday that MacDonald's lawyers failed to establish that he shouldn't have been found guilty of the murder of his wife and two daughters. Sgt., staff sgt. promotion list for August announced (Army Times) These soldiers have been selected for promotion to sergeant or staff sergeant in August, the Army has announced. The announcement includes soldiers selected in the Active Guard and Reserve. VIDEO: Newest Medal of Honor recipient closes NYSE with a bang and a whoops (Stars & Stripes) Something unexpected happened when the newest Medal of Honor recipient, former Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts, got to ring the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, two days after being awarded the medal at the White House. Senior NCO promotions announced for August (Army Times) These NCOs have been chosen for promotion in August, the Army announced Thursday: Army announces annual captains list (Army Times) These first lieutenants have been selected for promotion by the annual Army Competitive Category captain board that met in April, the Army announced Thursday: NAVYNavy sees suicide uptick despite prevention efforts(Virginian-Pilot) After a drop in 2013, suicides among Navy sailors have increased sharply so far this year. Truman sailor who fell from balcony is identified (Virginian-Pilot) A sailor who fell to his death from a sixth floor balcony at Norfolk Naval Station has been identified as Airman Morgan Hayman. USS Bremerton will head to namesake to end its service (Kitsap Sun; Bremerton, Wash.) The USS Bremerton will return to its namesake city to be inactivated. AIR FORCEUnaccompanied children could be housed at Maxwell(Air Force Times) Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, is now joining several other military bases as possible locations to house unaccompanied Central American minors, according to the state's governor's office. Henry 'Hank' Hartsfield Jr. dies at 80; space shuttle astronaut (Los Angeles Times) Hartsfield, an Air Force test pilot who joined NASA in 1969 but had to wait 13 years before going into space himself, died July 17 in League City, Texas. He was 80. MH-17 Shoot Down Alters Air Force's Space Equation (DoDBuzz) Russia builds the rocket engines that deliver U.S. military satellites into space under the current contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force. Civilian employees get first round of buyouts under headquarters reduction plan (Air Force Times) The Air Force is encouraging civilians to apply for voluntary early retirement or separation to help the service achieve planned headquarters staff reductions. MARINE CORPSDunford confirmed as 36th commandant of the Marine Corps(Marine Corps Times) It's official: Gen. Joseph "Fighting Joe" Dunford will be the 36th commandant of the Marine Corps. Japanese report: No evidence of Agent Orange in barrels on Okinawa (Stars & Stripes) There is no evidence that dozens of empty chemical drums, unearthed last year on former U.S. military property, contained the toxic defoliant Agent Orange, according to a Japanese government report. Marines file charges against corporal suspected of deserting twice (Marine Corps Times) A Marines suspected of deserting his unit on two occasions has had charges preferred by military authorities. IRAQOfficial: Iraqi request for U.S. airstrikes 'under active consideration'(Military Times) The U.S. is still considering a request from the Iraqi government for airstrikes against Sunni militants in Iraq, a senior State Department official told lawmakers. Gen. Austin expresses concern about Iraq security (Tampa Tribune) After a 24-hour visit to Iraq where he met with senior U.S. officials and Iraqi leaders across the political spectrum, the commander of U.S. Central Command said he is "very concerned about the current security situation" and called for the quick formation of a new government that includes Sunni, Shia and Kurds. Iraq's Kurds want U.S. help to hold off Islamic State extremists (Washington Post) Each day, Kurdish security forces in northern Iraq skirmish with fearsomely armed Islamic State militants along their new, nearly 650-mile border. The Kurds have held their own so far. But without new arms supplies or financial assistance, their fight is unsustainable, a senior Kurdish official said. Iraqi Kurdish oil may finally be freely for sale as the US seems to be dropping its threats (Quartz) The United Leadership, a tanker containing about one million barrels of oil from Iraqi Kurdistan, has been stuck at sea for two months. The ship has been mostly anchored off the Moroccan coast, the victim of legal threats against potential buyers. It is mired in a battle between Kurdistan, intent on parlaying the sale of such oil into independence, and the US and Iraqi governments, which are just as determined to prevent that and keep Iraq whole. Iraq elects new president as attacks kill dozens (Associated Press) Iraqi lawmakers elected a veteran Kurdish politician on Thursday to replace long-serving Jalal Talabani as the country's new president in the latest step toward forming a new government. Doubts grow over Isis 'FGM edict' in Iraq (BBC) Doubts are growing about the authenticity of an edict attributed to the Sunni Islamist group Isis controlling the Iraqi city of Mosul about female genital mutilation (FGM). AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANBillions worth of US Army kit to remain in Afghanistan after withdrawal(IHS Jane's 360) The US Army, owner of the bulk of military equipment in Afghanistan, is expecting to leave about USD5 billion worth of gear behind when it has completed a withdrawal operation at the end of 2016. Pakistani officials, Taliban deny Adnan Rasheed was captured (Long War Journal) The Pakistani military as well as Taliban commanders are now denying reports from two weeks ago that Adnan Rasheed, a top jihadist leader who is based in the tribal areas, was captured during a military raid in South Waziristan. Instead, an al Qaeda "trainer" is said to have been captured. United States could do more to intercept militants, Pakistan says (Washington Post) U.S. forces in Afghanistan and their Afghan allies, have failed to intercept Taliban and other militants fleeing across the border from an ongoing Pakistani military offensive, a senior Pakistani official said Thursday. MIDDLE EASTIran's Caspian frigate undergoing sea trials(IHS Jane's 360) The first frigate to operate in the Caspian Sea is currently undergoing tests and will become operational in the next six months, Iranian media organisations have reported. Islamist Militants Gain in Syria (Wall Street Journal) Islamic State militants launched assaults on Syrian forces across three provinces on Thursday that killed key government figures, including two brigadier generals, said activists and residents, in a rare confrontation between the two sides during the war. Islamic militants seize part of Syrian army base (Associated Press) Fighters from the extremist Islamic State group on Thursday overran part of an army base in northern Syria, which has been under the militants' siege for months, in ferocious battles that killed or wounded dozens on both sides, activists said. EUROPEU.S. says Russia firing artillery across border at Ukrainian military(Reuters) The United States said on Thursday that Russia was firing artillery across the border into Ukraine to target Ukrainian military positions in the conflict against pro-Russian separatists. U.S., Ukraine say Russian shipments of heavy war equipment to separatists grow (McClatchy) Three Ukrainian border guard brigades were said to be close to eating grass to survive, running out of ammunition and food, trapped on the eastern edge of their country between Russian separatists to their west and fire coming in from Russia to their east. Ukrainian requests for EW equipment go unanswered (IHS Jane's 360) Ukrainian requests for more sophisticated electronic warfare (EW) equipment have gone unanswered despite its air losses rising, with the downing of two more Sukhoi Su-25s on 23 July, to 11 fixed-wing aircraft and eight helicopters since April, when these shootdowns began. Obama's Former Man in Moscow Stirs Hornet's Nest on #MH17 Shootdown (Intercepts) When the Obama administration's former top man in Moscow told Defense News that Russian leaders should apologize for the shootdown of an airliner in Ukraine, he was greeted with charges of hypocrisy. OSCE seeking UAV capability for Ukraine mission (IHS Jane's 360) The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is aiming to acquire two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support its activities in Ukraine, it has been revealed. Ukraine 'Disappointed' By French Refusal To Halt Russia Warship Sale (Agence France-Presse) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday he was "very disappointed" by France's decision to go ahead with a deal to sell two warships to Russia, despite international condemnation of Moscow's role in the east Ukraine conflict. ASIA-PACIFICChina builds listening station in Hong Kong(IHS Jane's 360) The existence of a People's Liberation Army (PLA) communications installation atop Hong Kong's tallest mountain - the 957 m-high peak of Tai Mo Shan - recently came to light. Philippine soldiers clash with militants; 5 dead (Associated Press) The Philippine military says soldiers attacked a Muslim militant hideout on southern Basilan island, triggering a clash that killed three Abu Sayyaf members believed to have been involved in the 2011 kidnapping of an American woman and her teenage son. Two government militiamen were killed and two others were wounded. Indonesia commissions first two of three Bung Tomo-class corvettes (IHS Jane's 360) Indonesia's Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro presided over a commissioning ceremony for the Indonesian Navy's (Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) first two of three Bung Tomo-class corvettes at Barrow-in-Furness, UK, on 18 July AFRICABoko Haram consolidates power in northeastern Nigeria(Long War Journal) Just days after Boko Haram raised its flag over Damboa, in northeastern Nigeria's Borno state, suspected gunmen from the terrorist group raided the town on July 22, killing five villagers. France sends soldiers to guard Air Algerie wreck (USA Today) A French military unit has been dispatched to secure the site in Mali where an Air Algerie jetliner with 116 people aboard crashed Thursday in a rainstorm over northern Mali. Gaddafi's spy chief to be tried in Libya (Al Jazeera) Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court have upheld a decision that allows Libyan authorities to put on trial a former Gadaffi intelligence chief over human rights abuses. THE AMERICASFormer Venezuelan Intelligence Chief Arrested in Aruba(New York Times) Officials on the Caribbean resort island of Aruba said Thursday that they had arrested a former Venezuelan intelligence chief at the request of the American authorities, who have accused him of involvement in drug trafficking. Peru orders additional Mi-171Sh helos to combat Shining Path (IHS Jane's 360) Peru is to acquire a further eight Mil Mi-17 'Hip' transport and assault helicopters to complement the 24 ordered in late 2013, regional media disclosed on 24 July. U.S. Considering Refugee Status for Hondurans (New York Times) Hoping to stem the recent surge of migrants at the Southwest border, the Obama administration is considering whether to allow hundreds of minors and young adults from Honduras into the United States without making the dangerous trek through Mexico, according to a draft of the proposal. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISTime for U.S. Forces to Leave South Korea(Army Maj. Christopher Lee) American foreign policy towards the Republic of Korea (hereafter, South Korea) has focused on a substantial amount of military and economic support and is primarily based on the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States and the Republic of Korea (1953). Israel surprised by number, sophistication of Gaza tunnels (Paul Alster in FoxNews) While rockets and mortar fly through the sky in Gaza and southern Israel, the focus of the Jewish state's military is underground, on the warren of tunnels they say allow Hamas operatives to move freely in and out of the Palestinian territory committing acts of terror. Power Shortages Hit Gaza Maternity Ward (Jesse Rosenfeld in The Daily Beast) A makeshift refugee camp around Shifa Hospital is gradually insinuating itself into the maternity ward. Just outside the rooms where convalescing mothers and fragile babies are trying to survive, other people trying to escape the heat and the bombs lie on sweaty mattresses in shaded corners. How An Su-25 Can Shoot Down A Faster, Higher-Flying Aircraft (Bill Sweetman in Aviation Week) Early in Len Deighton's Funeral in Berlin, his nameless British agent (he was Harry Palmer in the movies) confronts his long-time adversary, Colonel Stok. The KGB man goes all sentimental and explains that his plan is to use the defection of a top scientist to fund his own escape and retirement. Shootdown further reveals NATO weakness (Richard Parker in McClatchy) The ongoing crisis in Ukraine has claimed yet another casualty: the NATO alliance. | |||||
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