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, 14 Aug 2014 04:36:33 -0600
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
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TODAY'S TOP 51. Iraq evacuation may not require U.S. troops on Mount Sinjar(USA Today) A review by U.S. special operations troops of conditions on Iraq's Mount Sinjar on Wednesday has determined that the conditions of a religious minority seeking refuge there are better than believed and may not require a U.S.-led evacuation, the Pentagon said. 2. IG: Former DARPA head promoted own company, violating rules (Military Times) A former director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency used her influential position to help shine a spotlight on a high-tech research company that she created, actions that the Defense Department Inspector General says violated ethics rules. 3. Why ISIS is More Dangerous than Al-Qaeda (Air Force Col. Clint Hinote in Cicero Magazine) On a hot summer's afternoon last week, I visited the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon. After a day of news dominated by airstrikes in Iraq, I felt this was an appropriate reminder. 4. Inside the Bowe Bergdahl book proposal: Soldier's platoon mates speak out (Yahoo News) While the U.S. Army weighs whether to bring charges against Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was freed earlier this year after spending nearly five years as a Taliban captive in Afghanistan, six of his former platoon mates are shopping proposals for a book and movie that would render their own harsh verdicts. 5. Further Restrictions Lifted for F-35 Test Fleet; Army Awarded Contract (Defense News) The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter test fleet will be able to fly six hours between engine inspections for weapon test and refueling missions, as restrictions on the fifth-generation fighter continue to ease. IRAQU.S. military aircraft operating in northern Iraq(Military Times) U.S. helicopters and MV-22 Ospreys are on the ground in northern Iraq and operating from a secure airfield protected by Kurdish forces, the latest sign of an expanding Iraq mission that now includes about 1,000 U.S. troops, defense officials said Wednesday. 130 more U.S. military advisers arrive in Iraq (USA Today) Another 130 U.S. military advisers are on the ground in Iraq to plan the evacuation of refugees under siege by Islamist militants. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel stressed this is not a combat mission. Mission Creep? U.S. Has Nearly 1,000 Troops in Iraq Now (DefenseOne) The new deployment raises the level of American military personnel in the country to 935, including 250 military advisors already in place, as well as an additional 100 assigned to the U.S. Embassy and the airport in Baghdad. At least 100 aircraft and more than half a dozen ships are also available to assist in the ongoing crisis. Obama administration shows little urgency for stemming Islamic State violence (Washington Post) Senior U.S. officials describe the threat posed by the Islamic State in chilling terms, but have mounted a decidedly modest military campaign to check its advance through northern Iraq. What's in the Boxes of Aid Being Dropped Into Iraq? (National Journal) By now, we've seen images and video of U.S. aircraft delivering food aid to Yazidi refugees trapped on a mountain in northern Iraq, providing relief to the men, women, and children who have run out of food and water there. But what do these hungry refugees see when then they open the packages falling from the sky? Civilians in Iraq To Get Higher Premium Pay (Government Executive) Civilian federal employees working on stabilization efforts in Iraq are eligible to receive higher premium pay through the end of 2014, according to new guidance from the Office of Personnel Management. Iraq Crisis: Hollande Says France Will Ship Weapons to Kurds Within Hours (Wall Street Journal) France will start shipping weapons to Iraq's semiautonomous region of Kurdistan in the coming hours to help its soldiers contain the advance of Islamist insurgents, the office of President Francois Hollande said Wednesday. Exclusive: ISIS's Enemies Ask Pentagon for Drones (The Daily Beast) ISIS has been slowed for the moment. But local fighters in Iraq say if they're going to continue to battle ISIS, they'll need drones and advanced weapons to do it. UK Joins International Effort To Aid Yazidis in Iraq (Defense News) Britain will be part of an international mission to rescue Yazidi refugees stranded in northern Iraq, Prime Minister David Cameron said Wednesday. Iraq Crisis: U.S. and Iran Rush to Aid Kurds (Wall Street Journal) The struggles of the embattled Kurdish Peshmerga to repel Islamist insurgents have put the U.S. and Iran on the same side, with both rushing to reinforce a revered fighting force to defeat a common enemy. U.S. airstrikes helped, but Kurds from Syria turned tide against Islamic State (McClatchy) Victory, they say, has many fathers, and as Kurdish peshmerga militia pushed Islamic State forces from a string of towns near Irbil Sunday and Monday, it was easy to cite two: accurate airstrikes by U.S. aircraft that eliminated artillery positions and convoys and timely deliveries of light arms and ammunition from the CIA. The Yazidis, a People Who Fled (The Atlantic) Last week, tens of thousands of Yazidis fled from the northern Iraqi town of Sinjar into nearby mountains, escaping violence from the Sunni militant group that calls itself the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. U.S.'s Man in Baghdad Key to Political Deal (Wall Street Journal) Brett McGurk played a lead role in the Obama administration's 2010 effort to back Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's bid for a second term, earning him the nickname the "Maliki Whisperer." A letter from Sistani turned the tide against Iraq's leader (Washington Post) The handwritten letter from Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani was personally signed and stamped, and for Iraq's embattled Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, it spelled the end. Maliki Plans to Carry Bid for Power to Iraq Courts (New York Times) Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki said Wednesday that he would press ahead in the Iraqi courts with his increasingly unlikely bid to retain power, and would not turn to the army. INDUSTRYUSAF General: DoD Must Change How it Buys Satellites(Defense News) The Pentagon needs to fundamentally change the way it buys satellites in an effort to lower costs as US defense spending contracts, a top Air Force general said. 5 win contract to develop waveform for small UAVs (C4ISR & Networks) The Idaho National Laboratory has picked five companies for a $1.8 million contract to design a common data link (CDL) for small UAVs. HII delivers composite deckhouse for second Zumwalt-class destroyer (IHS Jane's 360) Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) handed over its second and final composite deckhouse for the US Navy's (USN's) Zumwalt-class destroyer programme on 7 August. AFRL seeks better cyber defense (C4ISR & Networks) The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is seeking better cyber defenses. Draft RfP for new missile defence radar seeks cost estimate for three systems (IHS Jane's 360) The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) released a draft Request for Proposals (RfP) on 8 August for the planned Long-Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) that will provide persistent midcourse ballistic missile defense (BMD) against threats in all phases of flight. U.S. Edges Out Russia To Become India's Largest Military Equipment Vendor (USNI News) In the last three years, the U.S. has surpassed Russia as the number one military vendor to India, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told the Indian parliament on Tuesday. India Talks To Buy French Fighter Jets Still On, Minister Says (Agence France-Presse) India's talks to buy fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation in a 2012 deal worth $12 billion are still underway but are complex, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has said. Bahrain orders latest Kornet ATGW (IHS Jane's 360) Bahrain will be the first user of the Kornet-EM anti-tank guided weapon (ATGW) system, the ITAR-TASS news agency cited Anatoly Isaykin, the director general of the Russian arms export agency Rosoboronexport, as saying on 12 August. Maintaining Canada's CP-140 Aurora Fleet (Defense Industry Daily) The CP-140 Aurora external link is a 'Canadianized' variant of the P-3 Orion aircraft used in the maritime surveillance role by the USA and many other countries. Like their fellow P-3s around the world, however, the Auroras have flown very long hours under very tough conditions. How to keep them flying at an affordable cost? Rheinmetall Denel Munition to establish ammunition development centre (IHS Jane's 360) Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) in South Africa is to set up an ammunition development centre near Cape Town, where it has one of its main plants. The new centre in Somerset West will develop munitions to specific client requirements and conduct research in the wider field of munitions and propellants. VETERANSVets awaiting primary care at VA can now seek private physician(Military Times) Veterans waiting for a primary care appointment at a VA medical facility may now be able to get one at a private physician under a program that allows veterans to seek medical treatment outside the Veterans Affairs Department. Ex-Des Moines doctor cited in West Virginia VA death (Des Moines Register) Christopher Carson says that if he'd known what Dr. Robert Finley III had been accused of in Des Moines, he never would have let the surgeon touch his father at a veterans hospital in West Virginia. US soldier killed in WWII finally being laid to rest (Stars & Stripes) The remains of a U.S. World War II soldier, identified by French scientists earlier this year, are to be interred Wednesday on the 70th anniversary of his death. Iowa candidates make pitch to veterans (The Hill) Iowa Senate hopefuls Rep. Bruce Braley (D) and state Sen. Joni Ernst (R) have released new television ads touting their work on behalf of U.S. service members and veterans. Paralyzed veterans begin six days of Olympic-style competition (Philadelphia Inqurier) The thunderous boom of modified wheelchairs crashing into one another filled a massive hall at the Convention Center on Tuesday, giving a preview of what's to come across the region in the next few days. CONGRESSIn Tight Re-election Race, Rep. Barber Touts A-10 Advocacy in New Campaign Ad(Defense News) An Arizona congressman who has led the fight on Capitol Hill to block plans to retire the A-10 attack plane is touting his victories here in a new campaign ad back home. Rand Paul: No boots on the ground in Iraq without Congress (The Hill) President Obama should seek approval from Congress before ramping up American military involvement in Iraq, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Wednesday. Rogers: US Needs to Step it Up in Iraq (Defense News) The US "has got to step it up" in Iraq to drive out insurgent forces that have created a stronghold in the northern part of the country, a top lawmaker said Wednesday. DEFENSE DEPARTMENTDOD finds problems at root of troops' delayed vehicle shipments(Stars & Stripes) A team of military transportation experts have pinpointed some of the contractor problems that have led to delays in the shipment of personal vehicles and a lot of grumbling from troops, according to the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. Uber Now Has an Executive Advising the Pentagon (Wall Street Journal) Uber's Emil Michael is going back to the Pentagon, just when the Defense Department wants a little more love from Silicon Valley. Universities chase big defense dollars (Politico) Some of the nation's most elite universities are deep into defense lobbying, often hiring Washington-based firms to press Congress and the Pentagon to fund their science projects. ARMYArmy 2-star killed in Afghanistan remembered at Pentagon ceremony(Army Times) Maj. Gen. Harold Greene, the first general officer to be killed on the battlefield since the Vietnam War, was remembered Wednesday as a leader, scholar and family man who cared deeply about soldiers. Sgt. 1st class killed in Afghanistan (Army Times) Sgt. 1st Class Samuel C. Hairston was killed Tuesday in Ghazni, Afghanistan, when his unit took small-arms fire from the enemy, the Defense Department announced Wednesday. Army testers tapped for F-35 program (Army Times) The costliest weapons-system acquisition program in Defense Department history has been in process for more than a decade without any direct Army input. Fort Rucker team takes lead in Army officer's death investigation at Fort Gordon (Augusta Chronicle; Ga.) An autopsy has been performed on an Army officer who was found dead in Fort Gordon's training area, and an investigative team from Fort Rucker, Ala., has taken the lead in the investigation, post officials said Tuesday. Army pulls list of names for CSM, SGM key billets (Army Times) The nominative command sergeant major and sergeant major key billet selection list that was released Aug. 7 has been pulled back by the Army, apparently because some of the selectees did not meet eligibility criteria needed for assignment to the top enlisted positions in one- and two-star general officer commands. NAVYNavy steering wounded toward engineering careers(Virginian-Pilot) Sterling Hammett worked hard to become a Navy explosive ordnance disposal technician and had planned to serve a full 20 years in that role. The Navy Battles for 'E*Warfare' Brand (NextGov) The Navy has trademarked the name "e*WARFARE" and registered to reserve the rights to "E*WARFARE" in a preemptive move to deflect lawyers and fraudsters. Constellation will anchor off Long Beach (San Diego Union-Tribune) The decommissioned aircraft carrier Constellation will anchor off Long Beach on Aug. 18th or 19th, possibly offering the public a final look at a flattop that operated out of San Diego for more than 40 years. Historic home burns at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Virginian-Pilot) Norfolk Naval Shipyard officials hope to restore a historic home that has housed the facility's commanders since the 1800s. It was heavily damaged Tuesday in an early morning fire. AIR FORCEAirman accused in Ramstein sailor's murder will not get death penalty(Air Force Times) The military will not seek the death penalty against an Air Force staff sergeant accused in the December strangling death of a U.S. sailor in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Air Force coaches told to help curb assaults (Associated Press) The superintendent of the Air Force Academy said Wednesday she has told athletic coaches to take a bigger role in preventing sexual assaults, pulling them into the years-long campaign at the school to stem abuse. Another Tuskegee Airman is gone but not forgotten: Lt. Col. Edward P. Drummond of Lakewood (Tacoma News Tribune) Lt. Col Edward P. Drummond, Jr. taught his three children there was nothing in life they couldn't overcome. MARINE CORPSMedal of Honor recipient giving back through charity run(The State in Columbia, S.C.) Retired Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter hopes to turn his new-found fame as a Medal of Honor recipient into something positive for others, and his first foray in that realm is helping publicize the South Carolina version of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk in September. Sleepy Hollow board again denies cop job to Marine vet (Journal News; White Plains, N.Y.) The village Board of Trustees on Tuesday refused to reconsider its controversial decision to deny a decorated Marine a job as a village cop - and rejected a new attempt to hire him. A birthday card to our son, Austin Tice, missing in Syria (McClatchy) On Monday night, we celebrated the 33rd birthday of our son, Austin Tice. Together with those who know him best, we laughed about Austin's childhood misadventures, reflected on his many accomplishments and shared our fondest memories of the most devoted son, brother, uncle and friend any of us could ever ask for. Homecoming for part of the last major Marine command to deploy to Afghanistan (Stars & Stripes) First Lt. Caleb Peterson got back just in time. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTANAfghan Air Force starts breaking up unwanted C-27As(IHS Jane's 360) The scrapping of the Afghan Air Force's (AAF) C-27A medium transport aircraft fleet has begun barely five years after the first two C-27As were delivered. Key Abdullah ally warns of Afghan unrest if vote recount is 'one-sided' (Washington Post) A powerful Afghan governor and former militia leader, who had threatened mass protests in the wake of the disputed presidential runoff in June, warned Wednesday of a "civil uprising" if the ongoing ballot recount proves biased and his candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, is not named the winner. Pakistan Calls Modi's Remarks on Terrorism 'Unfortunate' (New York Times) Pakistan responded swiftly on Wednesday to a tough speech by India's new prime minister, Narendra Modi, that accused Pakistan of conducting a "proxy war" against India. Pakistan called Mr. Modi's remarks "unfortunate" and said it sought good relations with its neighbor. MIDDLE EASTRocket Fire Casts Doubt on Truce in Gaza(New York Times) Palestinian leaders said early Thursday that in the last moments before the midnight expiration of their cease-fire with Israel in Gaza, the two sides had agreed to hold their fire for an additional five days to continue talks about a more durable truce. Israel Outflanks White House in Pressing Gaza Strategy (Wall Street Journal) White House and State Department officials who were leading U.S. efforts to rein in Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip were caught off guard last month when they learned that the Israeli military had been quietly securing supplies of ammunition from the Pentagon without their approval. Despite Heavy Costs, Israel Struggles To Spin Success From Gaza War (Defense News) The latest Israel-Hamas truce expires at midnight on Wednesday and it's still unclear whether Operation Protective Edge, now in its 37th day, will resume with greater intensity or come to an end. Is Hamas' tunnel network still intact? (Al-Monitor) Hamas' military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, demonstrated resilience against the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip in the latest war, and their officials say they still have the military capabilities to continue the fight. Saudi Arabia gives $100 million to U.N. Counterterrorism Center (Washington Post) Saudi Arabia donated $100 million Wednesday to a U.N. body established to coordinate and assist international counter-terrorism efforts and called on other nations to match its support. Mubarak Tells Court He Gave All For Egypt (New York Times) In his first public statement since his ouster in the Arab Spring revolts, former President Hosni Mubarak told a Cairo court on Wednesday that history would vindicate his self-sacrifice as a servant of the people. EUROPERussia to Develop MiG-31 Replacement Starting In 2017(USNI News) Russia is hoping to start developing a replacement for the Mikoyan MiG-31 Foxhound interceptor starting in 2017 according to state media outlet RIA Novosti. Russian Convoy Rolling Again Toward Ukraine (New York Times) A Russian aid convoy destined for rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine resumed its southward journey on Thursday, in apparent defiance of demands by the government in Kiev that the shipment be stopped. Georgia's role as U.S. coalition partner has honed its army, bolstered NATO hopes (Washington Post) When the United States pulled together international coalitions to support its wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, few allies volunteered as quickly and enthusiastically as this small former Soviet state. Germany Puts Curbing Russia Ahead of Commerce (New York Times) Over recent months, something significant has happened in Europe: In the crisis over Ukraine, Germany has assumed leadership not just in its familiar fashion of trying to coax Russia away from belligerence and bluster, but also in standing firm and imposing sanctions on Moscow even if they hurt German business. ASIA-PACIFICDempsey visits Vietnam, most senior officer since war(USA Today) Army Gen. Martin Dempsey landed here Wednesday, the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to visit Vietnam since 1971 when nearly 300,000 U.S. troops continued to fight in the bloody, costly war here. U.S. seeking calmer relationship with China, Kerry says (Washington Post) The United States is not looking for a fight with China over resources, ideology or territory, Secretary of State John F. Kerry insisted Wednesday, despite the growing list of maritime conflicts that pit U.S. allies against an increasingly assertive China. Philippines sets aside USD57 million to arm new frigates (IHS Jane's 360) The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) has set aside PHP2.5 billion (USD57 million) to procure weapon systems and armaments for its two new-build light frigates, according to Patrick Velez, the assistant defence secretary for acquisition, installations, and logistics. AFRICALibya's parliament calls for U.N. aid to quell militia fighting(Reuters) Libya's parliament on Wednesday voted to disband the country's militia brigades and called on the United Nations to protect civilians in an effort to end the worst fighting between armed factions since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Key Libya Oil Port Exports First Shipment in a Year (Wall Street Journal) An oil tanker carrying 670,000 barrels of crude has left Libya's port of Ras Lanuf, the first shipment since it was closed by rebels a year ago, despite warnings this week from the International Energy Agency that the North African country is struggling to find buyers for its oil. Paramount's AHRLAC makes its first flight (IHS Jane's 360) What is being billed as Africa's first wholly designed and built military aircraft, the Paramount Group's Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC), reached a significant milestone with its maiden flight on 7 August. THE AMERICASBrazilian Presidential Candidate Dies in Plane Crash, Upsetting Race(New York Times) The campaign plane of Eduardo Campos, a Brazilian presidential candidate and scion of a resurgent political dynasty, crashed on Wednesday in the port city of Santos, killing him and six others and shaking up an increasingly competitive race in Latin America's largest democracy. Bolivia, Peru Aim to Set Up Radar for Drug Flights (Wall Street Journal) Bolivia and Peru are working on a plan to install radar stations on their border, aiming to use the information to help authorities intercept airplanes smuggling drugs and to possibly shoot them down, if both governments move ahead to set up flight interdiction programs, an official said. Bolivia to fund military through hydrocarbon taxes (IHS Jane's 360) Bolivia's President Evo Morales announced on 8 August that the government is to create a fund to finance the development of the country's military. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSISPentagon fueled Ferguson confrontation: Column(David Mastio and Kelsey Rupp in USA Today) The Pentagon might not have boots on the ground in Ferguson, Mo., where 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot by police on Saturday, but it does have wheels on the street. The Paradox of American Naval Power (Bryan McGrath in War on the Rocks) The U.S. Navy's ability to provide the president with a variety of timely regional response options is its marquee contribution to American military strategy. But has its reliability and readiness become a detriment to the greater strategic ends of readiness to deter and conduct great power war? Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Theory and Practice of Jihad (Gary Anderson in Small Wars Journal) Now that Americans are dropping bombs on the forces of al Baghdadi's Caliphate, it may be appropriate to examine his warfighting style. Hitting ISIS Where It Hurts (Patrick B. Johnston and Benjamin Bahney in The New York Times) When the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria poured out from the eastern deserts of Syria into Iraq's second-largest city last month, it was an image out of the eighth century: bearded Islamist marauders summarily executing unbelievers, pillaging as they went. U.S. has a chance to stop the Islamic State (Former Sen. Joseph Lieberman in The Washington Post) It would be wrong to view President Obama's decision to order airstrikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and to give weapons to Kurdish fighters as a continuation of the war in Iraq. It is more accurate to see it as a mission to prevent a repetition of the war in Afghanistan. Hawks, Doves and Canaries: Women and Conflict (Brenda Oppermann in Small Wars Journal) Insurgents, terrorists, and others fomenting violence represent one end on the spectrum of conflict. Although each of these entities has its own separate aim, they all share a primary motivation: destabilization. Libya's Islamist Counteroffensive (Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Oren Adaki and Nathaniel Barr in War on the Rocks) Through much of June and the first half of July, fighting between the forces of rogue General Khalifa Hifter and Benghazi's Islamist militias had reached an uneasy stalemate that now appears to be broken. | |||||
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