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, 1 Aug 2014 04:38:01 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. UCLASS Requirements Shifted To Preserve Navy's Next Generation Fighter(USNI News) The striking power and stealth of the U.S. Navy's Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) concept was reduced to protect the role of the service's next-generation of manned fighters, USNI News has learned. 2. Marine Corps responds to Gold Star family's allegations of 'misleading, offensive' information (Marine Corps Times) The Marine Corps responded in part to a 10-page letter from a Gold Star family that accused the Corps of misleading the public about events in the aftermath of their son's death. 3. Five Terrible Alternatives to the F-35 (Daniel Goure in Real Clear Defense) It appears that no bad idea ever truly dies in Washington. Whether it is high marginal tax rates, greater government regulation, or resurrecting terminated defense programs, there is always someone around to advocate for bad ideas. 4. Kidnapping Is A Lucrative Business For Al-Qaida, Documents Show (National Public Radio) A recent report by journalist Rukmini Callimachi details al-Qaida's strategy of kidnapping Europeans and demanding large ransoms - and how those ransoms are a key source of funding for al-Qaida operations. 5. Former senior U.S. defense official cited for ethical lapses, misconduct (Washington Post) The Defense Department's top watchdog cited a former senior official overseeing chemical and biological technology for a variety of ethical lapses and misconduct, including improperly arranging to have people he knew outside the government hired to do work for the Pentagon's Defense Threat Reduction Agency. ISRAELI GROUND OPERATIONS IN GAZAGaza truce unravels within hours(Associated Press) A three-day Gaza cease-fire that began Friday quickly unraveled, with Israel and Hamas accusing each other of violating the truce as four Palestinians were killed in a heavy exchange of fire in the southern town of Rafah. Congress To Take Five-Week Break Without Approving Iron Dome Funds (Defense News) The US Congress will leave town for five weeks without providing hundreds of millions of dollars requested by Israel to replenish its Iron Dome interceptor missiles. Pentagon issues rare criticism of Israeli military after releasing more weapons (Stars & Stripes) In a rare move, the Pentagon criticized the Israeli military Thursday, while proceeding to give its ally more ammunition as it presses its fight against Palestinian militants. Why Islamic State has no sympathy for Hamas (Al-Monitor) Most of today's Salafist jihadist movements have no interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for the time being regarding it as irrelevant. Instead, their call is to engage in intense, bloody confrontations involving bombings, executions, and suicide attacks against governments headed by Muslims and against Muslim civilians. Hamas uses anti-tank weapons against Israeli ground forces (IHS Jane's 360) Man-portable anti-tank weapons are playing a major role in Hamas counterattacks against Israel's ground incursion into Gaza, and have accounted for around 40% of the fatalities experienced by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) during the first ten days of the ground operation. Extensive Hamas Tunnel Network Points to Israeli Intelligence Failure. (Foreign Policy) Israel launched its bloody offensive in Gaza to stop Hamas from lobbing missiles at major cities like Tel Aviv. The biggest challenge to the vaunted Israeli army, though, is coming from the ground, not the air: a sophisticated network of Hamas tunnels that have surprised Israeli security officials, caused a huge number of military fatalities, and struck fear into the hearts of many ordinary Israelis INDUSTRYEU Arms Embargo Against Russia Begins Aug. 1(Defense News) The European Union's embargo on the import and export of arms and related material with Russia, which covers all items on the EU's common military list, will come into force Friday. Whistleblower alerted L-3 to accounting misconduct (Reuters) An employee complaint exposed accounting misconduct at L-3 Communications Holdings Inc, according to people familiar with the matter, prompting the aerospace and defense supplier to fire four people, revise two years of earnings statements and cut its earnings forecast. Airbus eyes Dassault stake sale as profits rise (Financial Times) Airbus said it was considering selling its stake in Dassault Aviation as the European aircraft manufacturer reported a 10 per cent rise in operating profit and gave an upbeat assessment for the commercial jetliner market. New Zealand's New NH90 and A109E Helicopter Fleets (Defense Industry Daily) Airbus Helicopters has finished retrofitting 4 NH90-TTH helicopters, bringing all 8 of New Zealand's machines up to final configuration standard. Swiss IMESS soldier system ready for serial production (IHS Jane's 360) Airbus Defence and Space has completed the development of the Swiss Army's planned new future soldier system and is now ready to enter serial production, the company announced on 30 July. Thales, Finmeccanica to collaborate on Anglo-French UCAV (C4ISR & Networks) hales and Finmeccanica - Selex ES will collaborate on the multifunction sensor suite and the communication sub-system of the Anglo-French unmanned combat air vehicle. UK casts doubt on Harpoon future beyond 2018 (IHS Jane's 360) The UK could remove the GWS60/Harpoon Block 1C anti-ship missile from Royal Navy (RN) service as early as 2018, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has disclosed. Greek defence programmes green lit (IHS Jane's 360) Greece has approved over USD1 billion worth of defence upgrade programmes, with the Parliamentary Committee on Defence Procurement and Contracts signing off on a series of defence projects on 30 July. VETERANS$16.3B VA reform bill passes Senate 91-3; Obama expected to sign(Military Times) The Senate overwhelmingly gave final approval to a $16.3 billion Veterans Affairs reform bill on Thursday night, sending the measure to the White House and giving Congress a legislative victory before the start of its summer break. How 'Choice Card' and $15B will help veterans get care (Military Update) Veterans reading only headlines, hearing only sound bites, might have a few misconceptions about how Congress and the VA plan to use non-VA healthcare providers to ensure more timely and convenient access to care. IG: Services contribute to delays in processing VA claims (Military Times) Veterans wait months longer than necessary to have their veterans disability benefits processed because of delays in how military officials handle service medical records, according to an audit released Thursday by the Defense Department Inspector General. First lady expands effort to end vet homelessness (Associated Press) Michelle Obama said the statistic that the U.S. has more than 58,000 homeless veterans is "a stain on the soul of this nation," as the federal government expands its initiative to provide stable and affordable housing for service members. U.S. social media asks: Who is that woman in black? (Reuters) Raymond Poles told Reuters he is the woman's brother, identifying her as Elizabeth Poles, 56, a U.S. Army veteran, mother of two children and a widow from Motts, Alabama. CONGRESSSen. Reid Wants To Complete NDAA in September; Says Weekend Work Likely(Defense News) US Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid signaled Thursday that the chamber will take up its version of a 2015 Pentagon policy bill in September. Defense Industry Funds Flow to Contenders for Key House Chairmanships (Roll Call) Four of the top five candidates for the chairmanships of the House Armed Services and Intelligence panels have raised considerably more money this election cycle than they did at a similar point in 2012. The same four have also raised much more money from the defense industry than before - in some cases, more than doubling their takes. Congress presses DoD for allotment system reform (Military Times) Lawmakers are stepping up pressure on the Pentagon to improve the paycheck allotment system that allows service members to direct portions of their biweekly pay to certain people or institutions. Lawmakers find billions to save in spy satellite purchases (The Hill) The House Intelligence Committee wants to change the way the government buys spy satellites. National Defense Panel Slams Sequester - But Can It Change Minds? (Breaking Defense) This afternoon, a congressionally chartered panel of prestigious defense experts denounced sequestration as "self-defeating" and a "serious strategic misstep" that "Congress and the President should repeal...immediately." But will it preach to anyone not already in the choir? Sen. Mark Udall Calls for Resignation of CIA Director John Brennan (National Journal) Sen. Mark Udall called for CIA Director John Brennan's resignation Thursday after the spy agency admitted it had improperly hacked into the computers of Senate staffers used during a review of the agency's Bush-era interrogation practices. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTReport: Female troops struggle to get reproductive health care(Military Times) Active-duty women face immense obstacles in accessing sufficient reproductive and sexual health care in the military health system, according to a new report by a Washington, D.C., think tank. McRaven not alone moving into university leadership from outside academia (Houston Chronicle) Adm. William McRaven, who was tapped this week to take the reins of the University of Texas system, has plenty of leadership experience U.S. Family Health Plan too costly, watchdog report says (Military Times) A popular health care program that serves more than 130,000 military family members and retirees is redundant and should be eliminated, the Government Accountability Office says. ARMYArmy announces rollout date for new camo(Army Times) Combat uniforms featuring the service's newest camo pattern will be available for sale starting in the summer of 2015, the Army announced Thursday. Bergdahl to Be Read Rights During Army Questioning (Wall Street Journal) Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the Army sergeant held by extremists in Pakistan for five years, will be read his rights when he is questioned by an Army investigator next week, an Army official said Thursday. Army "VIP culture" led to parachute accident that killed former JBLM officer (Tacoma News Tribune) The former Joint Base Lewis-McChord officer who died in a September accident was not ready to jump with a new kind of parachute when he attempted his first airborne drill in four years, according to an Army investigation obtained by The News Tribune. The Army Is Developing 3D Printers to Make Food (DefenseOne) A mere six months after civilian manufacturer 3D Systems debuted the world's first 3D-printer that prints food at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the U.S. Army is making progress adapting food-printing technology for use by troops on deployment. Soldiers recall Iraq murders, aftermath at Army ethics conference (Army Times) More than eight years ago, then-Pfc. Justin Watt reported members of his platoon who he believed had participated in the 2006 rape and murder of a teenage Iraqi girl in Yusufiyah and the killing of her family. Former Army official guilty in bribery scheme (Associated Press) A former Army contracting official has pleaded guilty to accepting cash and vacations in return for helping businesses get millions in federal contracts. Medal of Honor recipient, POW Sgt. Maj. Jon Robert Cavaiani dies (Army Times) Medal of Honor recipient and prisoner-of-war Army Sgt. Maj. Jon Robert Cavaiani has died at age 70 after a battle with cancer, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. NAVYFuture of US Fast Supply Ships Questioned(Defense News) While lawmakers routinely question the US Navy about aircraft carriers, submarines, cruisers and other warships, it's rare that the lowly combat logistics force comes into the congressional viewfinder. Small Surface Combatant Task Force Submits Findings (Seapower) The officials tapped to study the follow-on surface combatant to follow the littoral combat ship (LCS) program have submitted their findings to Sean J. Stackley, the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. Chiefs list coming next week (Navy Times) The wait is nearly over for more than 16,000 first class petty officers eager to see if they made chief. AIR FORCENumerical EPR scores gone; time-in-grade, service on way out(Air Force Times) Beginning next year, you won't get numerical ratings on your enlisted performance report. Air Force Defends Shielding Nuclear Force From Service Cutbacks (Global Security Newswire) Air Force brass on Wednesday defended their decision to spare nuclear-arms personnel from the force cutbacks happening in other parts of the service. Boy found dead in C-130 may have been seen near other planes (Air Force Times) Investigators are looking into whether the boy found dead Sunday in a C-130J wheel well was seen earlier trying to reach aircraft at an airfield in Bamako, Mali, said Eberhard Bayer, a spokesman for the German prosecutor's office. Welsh Warns of 'Alarmist' Reaction to F-35 Fire (DoDBuzz) The U.S. Air Force's top officer cautioned against an "alarmist" reaction to last month's F-35 engine fire that resulted in a temporary fleet-wide grounding of the fighter jet and delay of its international debut. Up to 40 to be selected for personal, professional sabbaticals (Air Force Times) The Air Force will select up to 20 enlisted airmen and 20 officers to take one- to three-year sabbaticals to start families or pursue other personal or professional ambitions, the service announced Wednesday. MARINE CORPSMarines developing gender-neutral MOS tests as 11 new jobs open to women(Marine Corps Times) The Corps' top general said the service plans to adopt a gender-neutral screening test that would assess Marines' physical qualifications for various military specialties. The plan follows a separate announcement that immediately opened 11 new jobs to female Marines that were previously closed to women. Support builds for Marine jailed in Mexico; mother speaks out (Times-News; Hendersonville, N.C. ) Legal fees are quickly mounting for Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who has been held in a Mexican prison since authorities accused him of trying to cross their border with guns on March 31, and HonorAir is on a mission to help. Priceless Craigslist apartment posting for Camp Lejeune barracks is a must read (Battle Rattle) Marines who are preparing for a permanent change of station to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, might be trolling Craigslist for housing. IRAQHezbollah 'trainer' killed during fighting in northern Iraq(Long War Journal) Hezbollah celebrated the death of a military "trainer" who was killed recently during fighting against the Islamic State in northern Iraq. The Iranian-backed, Lebanon-based terror group has a long history of supporting Shia militias inside Iraq. Fuel-Air Rockets Arrive In Iraq (Aviation Week) Social media images show that Iraq has acquired a new weapon in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) -- the Russian-built TOS-1A multiple launch rocket system. It was reported last year that Russia was supplying such weapons and they appear to have been delivered in recent weeks. Iraqi Kurds Said to Resume Oil Shipments After U.S. Court Injunction (Wall Street Journal) The Kurdistan Regional Government is ramping up its contentious crude oil exports, days after a U.S. court issued a warrant to seize a seaborne cargo of Kurdish oil if its owners try to deliver it in Texas. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANWhat's going wrong with rebuilding Afghanistan? Inspector general has a list.(Christian Science Monitor) The office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, in its latest report on the $104 billion project, takes the Pentagon and Afghanistan government to task for a broad range of questionable policies. Afghan military units continue to struggle with key logistics efforts (IHS Jane's 360) The Afghan National Army (ANA) and contractor Textron are struggling to maintain M1117 Armoured Security Vehicles for the army's Mobile Strike Force (MSF), highlighting deeper logistics and training issues that officials have long warned could plague the nascent force. Pakistan fires 118 rockets in Kunar province (Khaama Press) The Pakistani military fired at least 118 rockets in eastern Kunar province of Afghanistan, local officials said. Pakistani Leader Said Intent on Developing New Nuclear 'Understanding' with India (National Journal) As new peace talks approach, Nawaz Sharif's government eyes a "very comprehensive proposal" with India on easing atomic-arms tensions, says a senior Pakistani official. EUROPEAfter White House Meeting, Lawmakers Say Obama Won't Send Lethal Arms to Ukraine(Defense News) US lawmakers who met Thursday with President Barack Obama said the commander in chief gave them no indication he intends to send arms to Ukraine. Russia May be Deploying Missile Tied to Treaty Violation (Global Security Newswire) A U.S. analyst says Russia may be putting a new type of missile into launch-ready position, despite its link to an intensifying nuclear feud with Washington. Breedlove: NATO must redefine responses to unconventional threats (Stars & Stripes) NATO's top military commander on Thursday said the alliance should redefine its core commitment to defend its members from external aggression by factoring in new and unconventional threats such as cyberwarfare and irregular militia operations. German officer to serve as U.S. Army Europe's chief of staff (Army Times) A German Army brigadier general who recently served with NATO forces in Afghanistan is assuming duties as the chief of staff of U. S. Army Europe, the first time a non-American officer has held that position. Cold Twitter War: Obama's Puppy, Putin's Big Cat (Bloomberg) In the crossfire of sanctions flying over Russia's incursion in Ukraine and the shooting down of a Malaysian airliner, Dmitry Rogozin, Russia's deputy prime minister, has raised the stakes on Twitter. First he threatened to cut off Russia's rocket-engine supply to the U.S. Now he's mocking the American president's sense of machismo. ASIA-PACIFICKerry tries to repair damage in U.S.-India relations(Washington Post) Washington is eager to work with India's newly elected government to become "indispensable partners," Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Thursday during a visit aimed at reinvigorating strained ties. Dalbir Singh Suhag takes over as new Army chief (Times of India) Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag has taken over as the head of the 1.3 million strong Indian Army, succeeding General Bikram Singh. CENTCOM: No base planned for Uzbekistan (Air Force Times) U.S. Central Command is disputing reports in Russian and Uzbek media that the U.S. government is negotiating to open a military base in Afghanistan. South Korean Army Under New Hazing Cloud (Wall Street Journal) The South Korean military's struggle to rein in hazing has resurfaced with details of the death of a soldier in April. Military dominates new Thailand legislature (BBC) Thailand's junta has appointed an interim legislature of 200 people, with most from the security forces. Taiwan gas explosions kill 24; blows car onto roof (USA Today) Underground explosions devastated a district of Taiwan's second-largest city, Kaohsiung, early Friday morning, killing at least 24 people and injuring 271. AFRICALibya Islamic militias declare control of Benghazi(Associated Press) Islamic hard-line militias, including the group accused by the United States in a 2012 attack that killed the ambassador and three other Americans, claimed control of Libya's second largest city, Benghazi, after overrunning army barracks and seizing heavy weapons. South Sudan Talks on Interim Government Delayed (Wall Street Journal) Talks between South Sudan's warring parties about the formation of a transitional government failed to take off this week as aid officials battled to address a worsening humanitarian crisis in oil producing regions from the devastating seven-month conflict. African Leaders and W.H.O. Intensify Effort to Combat Ebola Virus (New York Times) The leaders of West African nations ravaged by the worst known outbreak of the Ebola virus were set to meet on Friday with the head of the World Health Organization to introduce a $100 million plan to deploy hundreds more medical professionals in support of overstretched regional and international health workers. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISMichelle Obama: 'Let's end veteran homelessness'(First Lady Michelle Obama in McClatchy) At the beginning of June, 85 mayors, governors and county officials from across the country - and across the political spectrum - signed on to the Mayors Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness. Today, we're announcing that in the two months since then, 97 more state and local leaders have signed on - meaning that a total of 182 local leaders have pledged to end homelessness among the veterans in their communities by the end of 2015. A Wake Up Call to Washington on Defense (Mackenzie Eaglen in Real Clear Defense) While lawmakers are set to leave for the August recess this week and presume their work in Washington is done for the summer, a bipartisan blue-ribbon commission report out Thursday has a different message and stark warning. What comes after the parallel failures of Bush's and Obama's antithetical foreign policy doctrines? (Ronald Brownstein in National Journal) The iron fist failed. Then the velvet glove failed. Northern Mali Conflict 2012 (Jason Guffey in Small Wars Journal) Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) grew out of Algeria's civil wars beginning in the 1990s, after Arabs returning from the Soviet-Afghan war formed armed groups to overthrow a secular government unable to address the majority of the population's needs. Why a Korean Pullout is a Really Bad Idea (Thomas M. Nichols in War on the Rocks) In a recent article for War on the Rocks, U.S. Army Major Christopher Lee recommended that President Obama pull troops - immediately - from South Korea. Lee based his argument mostly on cost, noting that South Korea was now a wealthy country with an advanced military that should assume the burden of its own security. At the operational level, there might be a case for improved savings. As a strategic matter, however, it is a seriously flawed proposal. | |||||
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