TODAY’S TOP 5
1. Army General in Sexual Assault Case to Plead Guilty to Lesser Charges
(New York Times) The Army general prosecuted in the military’s most closely watched sexual assault case has agreed to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for the dismissal of accusations that he twice forced his longtime mistress into oral sex, threatened to kill her and her family, and performed consensual but “open and notorious sexual acts” with her in a parked car in Germany and on a hotel balcony in Tucson.
2. Navy SEALs board tanker Morning Glory near Cyprus. No one hurt, Pentagon says.
(Washington Post) A team of U.S. Navy SEALs boarded and took control of an oil tanker seized earlier this month by three armed Libyans, the Pentagon announced this morning.
3. Obama Has Made America Look Weak
(Sen. John McCain in The New York Times) Should Russia’s invasion and looming annexation of Crimea be blamed on President Barack Obama? Of course not, just as it should not be blamed on NATO expansion, the Iraq war or Western interventions to stop mass atrocities in the Balkans and Libya. The blame lies squarely with Vladimir V. Putin, an unreconstructed Russian imperialist and K.G.B. apparatchik.
4. Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps Sr. “on the edge of death,” son says
(CBS News) The estranged son of the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church said his father is "on the edge of death."
5. DoD's Extra $26 Billion Fund a 'Long Shot'
(Defense News) The White House has yet to send the US Congress a line-by-line breakdown of its fiscal 2015$56 billion Opportunity, Growth and Security Initiative (OGSI) — of which $26 billion is earmarked for the Pentagon. But Congress’ support for the spending plan tacked onto the new budget request seems unlikely.
EUROPE
EU, U.S. Weigh Russia Sanctions After Crimea Votes To Secede
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) The United States and European Union could announce sanctions against Russia over the disputed referendum in the Ukrainian region of Crimea within hours.
As Ukraine Crisis Unfolds, DoD's Options Are Limited
(Defense News) As the situation in Ukraine continues to worsen, the US and its allies in Europe find themselves with a limited set of options at the same time the Pentagon is trying to plan for potential fallout.
NATO websites hit in cyber attack linked to Crimea tension
(Reuters) Hackers brought down several public NATO websites, the alliance said on Sunday, in what appeared to be the latest escalation in cyberspace over growing tensions over Crimea.
Inhofe: Putting F-22s, Aegis Ships Near Ukraine Would Not Escalate Conflict
(Defense News) A senior Republican senator says his call to surround Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine-occupying forces with America’s most-advanced weapons would not amount to an escalation that could trigger a major conflict.
Pentagon: Russian Reports Of US Drone Intercepted Over Crimea Are False
(International Business Times) U.S. defense officials say reports from Russia that an American MQ-5B drone was intercepted over Crimea and made an emergency landing there are false. Voice of Russia reported on Friday that “an American scout-attack drone was intercepted in the Crimean sky" and made an emergency landing after an electronic attack disrupted its computers.
Russian Threat Re-Energizes Sweden's Push To Join NATO, Boost Spending
(Defense News) Sweden’s government is examining a proposal to boost military spending to defend its own territories and the strategic Baltic Sea area in the face of renewed Russian aggression in Ukraine. There is also a movement among high government officials to re-examine the long-running issue of joining NATO.
INDUSTRY
Fiscal 2014 DDG 51 Destroyer Contract Awards Announced
(Seapower) The Navy has awarded two separate contract modifications to fund one fiscal 2014 DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer under a previously awarded fiscal 2013-2017 multiyear procurement (MYP) contract with Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) and exercise the option for one DDG 51 ship with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) under a previously awarded MYP contract, Naval Sea Systems Command spokesman announced in a March 14 release.
Raytheon Eyes Early SM-3 IIA Builds
(Aviation Week) Raytheon is preparing to submit a bid to the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to build the first batch of SM-3 Block IIA ballistic missile interceptors while gearing up for the first flight test next year.
Northrop Grumman delivers GPS antennas
(C4ISR & Networks) Northrop Grumman has delivered 32 JIB antennas for the third, fourth, fifth and sixth Global Positioning System III satellites.
Russia's Arms Exports Grow
(Wall Street Journal) Russia's arms exports have surged in recent years, vaulting an industry that was in "shambles" after the Cold War ended to now rival the U.S. in terms of size, according to the annual report on global arms transfers issued by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Eurocopter To Establish Permanent Kenyan Base
(Defense News) Eurocopter Southern Africa Ltd. (ESAL) says it plans to establish a permanent base in Kenya to conduct maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) on all Airbus helicopters in Africa and parts of the Middle East, as the company anticipates growing force modernization requirements in sub-Saharan Africa.
Gripen E not reliant on Swiss referendum
(IHS Jane's 360) The Swedish government is fully committed to the Saab Gripen E combat aircraft programme, irrespective of the outcome of a Swiss national referendum on the planned procurement of the type, company officials said on 11 March.
CONGRESS
GOP Control of Senate Could Spawn Tea Party Resurgence, More Defense Cuts
(Defense News) Each time tea party favorites appeared on stage at the recent Conservative Political Action Committee (CPAC) conference, they were met with raucous applause from the audience.
Why Congress May Let Air Force Retire The A-10
(Breaking Defense) Aside from Sen. Kelly Ayotte, the reaction from Capitol Hill to the Air Force plan for retiring the ugly and beloved A-10 has been relatively muted and may remain so. Why would Congress, beloved for going slightly nuts whenever the military tries to retire a ship, aircraft squadron, or anything else that means jobs in their districts or states, not rail against this sweet plane going quietly into the night? They will be replaced at most A-10 bases by F-16s, C-130Js or KC-135s so few or no jobs or money will be lost.
Senators to Obama: Work with us on new Syria strategy
(The Hill) A group of senators on Friday urged President Obama to rework his Syria strategy to change the balance of power on the ground, arguing that was the only way to negotiate a settlement to the civil war.
US Lawmakers Elevate Israel to 'Strategic Partner,' Approve Billions
(Defense News) Israel’s supporters in Congress are pushing legislation to bolster aid, advanced arms, export licensing exemptions and augmented in-country stockpiles of US weapons.
Senator introduces jobs, small business bills to help vets
(Military Times) New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has introduced two bills to help veterans look for jobs and start small businesses.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
US Space Officials Push Smaller Platforms
(Defense News) When assembling its space budget, the US Department of Defense remained focused on heading toward smaller and more survivable platforms, according to a top official.
Uniform Rule May Keep Religious Americans From Military Service
(National Public Radio) Monday, 105 lawmakers from both parties sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, urging him to change a relatively obscure uniform requirement for the U.S. armed forces that some argue infringes on religious beliefs.
Pentagon sending ready-to-eat meals to Ukraine
(Associated Press) U.S. officials say the Pentagon is sending 25,000 cases of military prepackaged meals to Ukraine, in response to a wide-ranging request from that country for some rifles, ammunition, medicine and other supplies for its troops.
US Cyber Moves Beyond Protection
(Defense News) Arguments for boosting US cyber spending over the past couple of years have largely begun with the need to greatly improve the resilience of government networks and ended with a call to grow the cyber force.
Centcom denies claims its computers were hacked
(Tampa Tribune) U.S. Central Command is denying a claim made today by a pro Assad hacking group that it penetrated the command’s computer system.
DISA releases updated portal
(C4ISR & Networks) Version 2.0 of the DoD Enterprise Portal Service (DEPS) has been released by DISA.
ARMY
Ex-soldier convicted in Iraqi man's death released
(The Wichita Eagle) Michael Behenna, 30, was released from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., on Friday morning after serving five years of his 15-year sentence for unpremeditated murder in a combat zone. His father, Scott Behenna, said his son felt great being welcomed by family and friends as he walked out of prison.
Gone phishing: Army uses Thrift Savings Plan in fake e-mail to test cybersecurity awareness
(Washington Post) An ominous e-mail message landed in the inboxes of a small group of U.S. Army employees last month, warning of a security breach in their federal retirement plans and urging them to log in and check their accounts.
Army's newest four-star general takes the helm
(Virginian-Pilot; Norfolk, Va.) The Army’s newest four-star general took the helm of the service’s most prominent Hampton Roads command Friday – a job that comes with big challenges as the Army works to remake itself after more than a decade of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Army folds a JBLM Stryker brigade after eight years and three tours
(Tacoma News Tribune) Staff Sgt. Michael Glass remembers the blunt question he got from a grizzled platoon sergeant when he showed up at what was then called Fort Lewis for his first assignment in the Army.
Bo Callaway dies at age 86
(Ledger-Inquirer; Columbus, Ga.) Callaway Gardens patriarch made major headlines as congressman, candidate for governor, Army secretary and key member of Republican Party.
Army on National Guard cuts: We need a balanced force
(The Hill) Army leadership has a tough sell for lawmakers looking out for their state’s Army National Guard forces: Allow cuts to the National Guard to avoid further cuts from the active-duty side.
Proposed Apache cuts worry former SC Guard leader
(The State; Columbia, S.C.) A Pentagon budget plan to take Army National Guard Apache attack helicopters from America's citizen-soldiers doesn't sit well with the South Carolina general who commanded an Apache battalion and flew the fearsome choppers for 1,500 hours during his 37-year career.
Army PEO-C3T rolling out future network strategy
(C4ISR & Networks) Army officials are outlining plans for network capabilities in the coming years and decades, with a focus on capitalizing on commercial technology and routing high-tech communications to soldiers on the ground.
NAVY
Navy intelligence official indicted in firearm silencer scheme
(Washington Post) A Navy intelligence official at the Pentagon has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly running a murky scheme to illegally manufacture hundreds of unregistered firearm silencers for Navy SEALs.
Carrier Bush's stay in the Med extended amid Ukraine crisis
(Navy Times) The carrier George H.W. Bush will be extended for “several days” in the Mediterranean Sea as the political crisis in Ukraine continues, according to the Defense Department.
Corpsman set off grenade to avoid duties, Navy says
(Virginian-Pilot; Norfolk, Va.) In the moments before the grenade exploded, two Afghan men sat in the back of a medical clinic on a small military base, waiting to see an American medic.
Navy shifting search area for missing Malaysian jet
(Military Times) In the week-old search for the Malaysian Airlines passenger jet that mysteriously disappeared, the U.S. Navy is shifting its search westward and bringing in one of its newest surveillance aircraft to help scan the Indian Ocean.
Midshipman opts for trial by judge in assault case
(Baltimore Sun) A Naval Academy midshipman accused of sexually assaulting a classmate at an off-campus party asked a judge Friday to decide his fate instead of a jury in the trial that's being watched at the Annapolis institution and across the country as a bellwether of how the military handles such cases.
AIR FORCE
AF moves forward on Space Fence
(Air Force Times) The Air Force is pressing ahead with funding and intense supportfrom Congress for the “Space Fence” system to track debris in low-Earth orbit, following delays and cutbacks driven by sequestration.
AFA whiteboard flap prompts Congressional questions, cadet humor
(Colorado Springs Gazette) The Air Force's top two leaders spent nearly as much time answering questions about religious issues at the Air Force Academy as they did about proposed cuts during a Friday hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.
Staff sergeant charged with murder in sailor's death
(Air Force Times) Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean Oliver has been charged with murder and related offenses in connection with the death of a sailor in Germany, according to the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Wearable sensors promise to end needle jabs for blood
(USA Today) The painful stab of the blood draw, unpleasant for adults and upsetting for little kids, could be history if Air Force research into wearable sensors takes wing.
For Air Force Academy freshman, 'Recognition' is a rite of passage (With Video)
(Colorado Springs Gazette) Welcome to "recognition" at the Air Force Academy, a three-day rite of passage for freshmen. Once they've endured it, they'll have earned the right to move from "doolie" to a cadet, earn the coveted "prop and wings" pin for their caps and be awarded a set of privileges, including the right to wear civilian clothing when off-duty.
$10,000 reward for USAF equipment stolen from RAF Lakenheath
(Cambridge News; United Kingdom) THE USAF is offering a reward of $10,000 to anyone with information relating to the theft of military equipment from RAF Lakenheath.
MARINE CORPS
Air wing Marines hone skills in wake of Bastion attack
(Marine Corps Times) Aviation squadron leaders are enlisting the Marine Corps’ law enforcement battalions to help their Marines better prepare to defend an air base following the deadly 2012 attack on Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, which left two Marines dead and six aircraft destroyed.
Family looks for answers in death of 22-year-old Marine from Linden
(Star-Ledger; Newark, N.J.) Hector Gomez was on his way home early March 9 when the 22-year-old Marine was struck from behind on the Garden State Parkway and killed in the ensuing crash, State Police said.
Graham denounces defense cuts during Beaufort campaign stop (With Video)
(The Island Packet; Beaufort, S.C.) Planned defense spending cuts could mean much more than reducing the Marine Corps’ troop size from 190,000 to 182,000, the S.C. Republican told members of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Military Enhancement Committee on Friday. If Congress cannot rein in spending over the next decade, it could mean either Marine Recruit Depot Parris Island or its counterpart in San Diego will close, Graham said.
Navy Fields Modernized M9 ACE to Marines
(Seapower) Marine Corps Systems Command Combat Support Systems (MCSC CSS) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) M9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE) engineers have fielded the first four modernized M9 ACE production units to Marines with the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp Lejeune, N.C., an NWSC PD spokesman said in a March 13 release.
Japan testing drums dug up on Camp Foster for toxins
(Stars and Stripes) The Japan Ministry of Defense said Friday that it is testing for toxic materials among some barrels and pipes recently unearthed by crews working on Camp Foster on Okinawa.
Women Marines celebrate 71 years in Corps
(The Daily News; Jacksonville, N.C.) Female Marines from years past joined those still on active duty from across Eastern North Carolina to honor the 71st anniversary of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve at the Officer’s Club aboard New River Air Station on Friday.
VETERANS
Disabled ex-Air Force sergeant says federal security officers tased him at downtown Portland office
(The Oregonian) A former U.S. Air Force sergeant is suing the federal government and four federal officers for allegedly tasing him several times and striking him in the head and back as he tried to go through security at a downtown Portland office for an appointment.
Clarksville veteran wins silver at Paralympics
(The Leaf Chronicle; Clarksville, Tenn.) Clarksville veteran Heath Calhoun added his first Paralympics medal to an already impressive list of accomplishments Friday in Sochi, Russia.
After ashes found, daughter asks: Who did I bury?
(Associated Press) Dellaina Grundy isn't sure whether any of the cremated remains buried in her father's grave in a veterans cemetery are his, and she doesn't expect to ever know.
Paralyzed Madison combat vet goes 'RoboCop' with bionic suit that lets him stand and walk
(Wisconsin State Journal) Just under three years ago, a powerful bomb blast ripped the earth apart along a remote road in Afghanistan, leaving Army Sgt. Dan Rose paralyzed from the chest down.
Houston's WWII sailor in famous kissing photo dies at 86 (With Video)
(The Houston Chronicle) Glenn Edward McDuffie, the young sailor from Houston who can be seen in one of the most iconic photos from the end of World War II, has died, according to family members.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
Last Line Of Defense Against The Taliban -- Qarqeen
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Gurbandurdy and his village militia live in the Qarqeen District of Afghanistan's Faryab Province. Their village is on the border of Turkmenistan. The enemy to the south, east and west is the Taliban and members of militant groups allied to the Taliban, who are well armed, sufficiently funded, and extending their area of influence in this part of northern Afghanistan.
Wounded warrior returns to Afghan mission (With Video)
(Stars and Stripes) Going back to war terrified 1st Lt. Josh Pitcher. He had lost his left leg from an improvised explosive device in Kandahar province in April 2012.
Pakistan eyes U.S. military equipment in Afghanistan
(Washington Post) The U.S. military may have another option for disposing of $7 billion worth of armored vehicles and other equipment it’s struggling to get rid of now that its war in Afghanistan is ending.
Pakistan militant group takes responsibility for two bombings
(Los Angeles Times) A little-known Islamist militant group took responsibility for twin bombings hundreds of miles apart Friday that killed at least 19 people, wounded dozens and underscored the vulnerability of the Pakistani government's attempt to open peace talks with insurgents.
MIDDLE EAST
US delivers Hellfire missiles, ammunition to Iraq
(Associated Press) The United States delivered 100 Hellfire missiles, along with assault rifles and ammunition to Iraq as part of its anti-terrorism assistance to the country, the U.S. embassy to Iraq said on Sunday.
Iraqi Officer Takes Dark Turn to al Qaeda
(Wall Street Journal) For Iraq, he was a decorated war hero, severely wounded in battle. As an officer for the Iraqi army, Brigadier General Mustafa Al Mashhadani fought against Iran in the 1980s, against Kuwait in the early 1990s, and on his home turf against Americans in 2003.
Syrian military retakes Yabroud, a rebel stronghold
(Los Angeles Times) Syrian forces have overrun a strategic rebel stronghold close to the Lebanese border, the military said Sunday, in the latest battlefield victory for the government of President Bashar Assad.
Lebanon struck by bombing after Syrian government forces seize rebel-held town
(Washington Post) Lebanon was struck by a retaliatory car bombing on Sunday, just hours after its Hezbollah militants helped Syrian army troops seize a key town across the border, highlighting the increasing security risk to Syria’s smaller neighbor.
Obama, Palestinian Leader Will Try to Restart Peace Talks at Meeting
(Wall Street Journal) President Barack Obama will sit down on Monday with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for a meeting the White House hopes will mark the final stretch in restarting peace talks with Israel.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Seoul: N. Korea fires 25 short-range rockets
(USA Today) North Korea fired 25 short-range rockets into the sea off its east coast Sunday in an apparent continuation of protests against ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills, South Korean officials said.
Philippines offers U.S. forces access to military bases
(Reuters) The Philippines has agreed to allow the United States access to its military bases under a new security deal being negotiated by the two allies, amid mounting concern over China's increasing assertiveness in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
As U.S. Looks for Terror Links in Plane Case, Malaysia Rejects Extensive Help
(New York Times) With malicious intent strongly suspected in the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, American intelligence and law enforcement agencies renewed their search over the weekend for any evidence that the plane’s diversion was part of a terrorist plot. But they have found nothing so far, senior officials said, and their efforts have been limited by the Malaysian authorities’ refusal to accept large-scale American assistance.
Analysis: China Backs Manila Into Corner; Limited Options for US
(Defense News) China’s maritime mastery of the South China Sea appears unstoppable. On March 9, Chinese coast guard vessels turned back two Philippine cargo ships attempting to resupply troops based on an eroding WW II-era vessel marooned on the Ayungin Shoal, known as the Renai Shoal to China.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Three Myths About the Defense Budget
(Ben Freeman in Defense One) The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2015 budget request has been savaged by Republicans and even some Democrats. Critics argue it’s “a skeleton defense budget,” that will “dramatically reduce the size of the Army to pre-World War II levels,” and all of this “will embolden America’s foes to take aggressive acts.” All of these critiques have one thing in common: they’re not true. Here’s why.
What Does 'Small Footprint' Really Mean?
(Jonathan Schroden in War on the Rocks) There will be no more large-scale American counterinsurgency operations. At least, that’s what the Obama administration’s Defense Strategic Guidance (DSG) of 2012 anticipates. While it maintains an existing emphasis on countering irregular threats and conserving hard-won skill sets, the DSG articulates a desire to do so not through large-scale counterinsurgency, but by maintaining a persistent, forward presence around the world and leveraging that presence to deter potential adversaries, respond to crises, and build the capacity of partner nations to provide for their own security.
Getting Ukraine Wrong
(John Mearsheimer in the New York Times) President Obama has decided to get tough with Russia by imposing sanctions and increasing support for Ukraine’s new government. This is a big mistake. This response is based on the same faulty logic that helped precipitate the crisis. Instead of resolving the dispute, it will lead to more trouble.
How U.S. Military Power Benefits China
(Stephen Ellis in The Diplomat) Often overlooked in the debates about the possibility of a future struggle between the United States and China in East Asia is the fact that the current U.S. military presence in the region actually serves and supports a number of critical Chinese strategic interests. Beijing actually benefits in a number of ways from U.S. power, suggesting that the contention that China is ultimately seeking to push the United States militarily out of the region may not be as clear cut as is often assumed and asserted.
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