TODAY’S TOP 5
1. President Obama: No U.S. Military Action in Ukraine (With Video)
(KNSD; San Diego) The U.S. will not take military action in the Ukraine crisis, President Barack Obama told NBC 7 San Diego Wednesday.
2. Wyden open to 'doc fix' with war savings
(The Hill) Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is interested in using war savings to pay for an overhaul of Medicare's flawed physician payment system.
3. Opinion: Educational equality for military families is worth fighting for
(Retired Army Maj. Gen. James "Spider" Marks in Military Times) As a nation, we must regularly ask if we are satisfying our commitment to the men and women of America’s armed forces. Frequent debate revolves around military pay, housing and medical attention. But how often do we consider the well-being of American military families, and specifically, our responsibility to provide a quality education to the children of our military men and women?
4. AP source: Army team to begin Libyan training prep
(Associated Press) A small team of soldiers will go into Libya in the coming weeks to begin preparations for a larger U.S. mission to train Libyan troops in Bulgaria, a senior Army official said Wednesday.
5. What Pakistan Knew About Bin Laden
(New York Times) Soon after the Navy SEAL raid on Bin Laden’s house, a Pakistani official told me that the United States had direct evidence that the ISI chief, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, knew of Bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad. The information came from a senior United States official, and I guessed that the Americans had intercepted a phone call of Pasha’s or one about him in the days after the raid.
INDUSTRY
Pentagon Holds Back $231 Million From Lockheed for F-35 Fixes
(Bloomberg) The Pentagon is withholding as much as $231 million from Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT:US) until it completes modifications to F-35 aircraft already delivered, including improved protection against lightning strikes.
Italian Lawmakers Back Cuts to JSF Purchase
(Defense News) Italy’s planned purchase of 90 Joint Strike Fighters (JSFs) was thrown further into doubt on March 19 as members of the Italian parliament signed off a report calling for “significant” cuts to the program and senior government officials ordered a new defense white paper to reassess Italy’s military strategy by year end.
Boeing and Karem named as latest VTOL X-Plane contenders
(IHS Jane's 360) Boeing and Karem have been officially added to the list of companies awarded contracts under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) X-Plane programme, the agency announced on 18 March.
French DM: Cancellation of Carrier Sale to Russia an 'Extreme Measure'
(Defense News) France views its two advanced helicopter carriers sold to Russia as unarmed civilian ships, and it is too early to say whether the €1.2 billion deal (US $1.7 billion) would be canceled in view of the Ukraine crisis, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Wednesday.
Israel's Elbit Systems Q4 profit, revenue drop
(Reuters) Israeli defence electronics firm Elbit Systems reported lower quarterly profit and sales that missed analysts' estimates, reflecting an especially strong year-ago quarter, the company said on Wednesday.
Rheinmetall Reports Earnings Drop, Expects Rebound
(Defense News) Rheinmetall Group has reported that operating results (earnings before interest and taxes) dropped to €213 million (US $296.5 million) in 2013, down €55 million from the previous year. While the Automotive sector grew, the Defence sector dropped to €60 million compared with €85 million in 2012.
CONGRESS
Lawmakers still debating sexual assault case reforms
(Military Times) The Senate finished its work on new military sexual assault reforms two weeks ago, but since then the senators at the heart of the debate have kept pushing to prove they were right. It’s an extension of a yearlong fight both in public and behind Congress’ closed doors, pitting two prominent Democrats against each other.
Dem bill fixes death benefits for fallen soldiers
(The Hill) Rep. Ron Barber (D-Ariz.) on Tuesday introduced legislation that would allow the Defense Department to continue making $100,000 "death gratuity" payments to the families of fallen soldiers, even during a government shutdown.
Lawmaker Raps Pentagon for Shutting Out Commercial Suppliers
(National Defense Magazine) Rep. Derek Kilmer, a Democrat who represents high-tech businesses in Washington state, is again asking the Pentagon to make it easier for commercial companies to win contracts.
Senate Armed Services panel gets a bit more open
(The Hill) Slowly but surely, the Senate Armed Services Committee is putting its annual markup of the Defense authorization bill more into the open.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Report: Social media relevant to background checks
(Military Times) The Defense Department should consider reviewing the social media accounts of applicants as part of background checks for security clearances, according to a recent Pentagon report.
Lawmakers to Hagel: Stop buying Russian-made helicopters
(The Hill) A bipartisan group of five lawmakers are urging Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to stop buying Mi-17 helicopters from Russian arms company Rosoboronexport, in light of Russia’s moves to annex the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea.
Exclusive: Pentagon Withholds Internal Report About Flawed $2.7 Billion Intel Program
(Foreign Policy) The Army has spent years defending a multibillion-dollar intelligence system that critics say costs too much and does too little. A new internal report has found that there's a simple, relatively inexpensive program that could handle many of the same jobs at a fraction of the cost. For the past eight months, though, the Pentagon has kept the report hidden away.
ARMY
Newest Medal of Honor recipients inducted into Hall of Heroes
(Army Times) Twenty-four soldiers who for decades were denied the Medal of Honor because of their race or ethnicity were inducted Wednesday into the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes.
Brig. Gen. Jeff Sinclair to be sentenced Thursday
(Fayetteville Observer) At worst, Sinclair faces 25.5 years in prison for Sinclair's adultery, mistreatment of female officers and inappropriate relationships with them, and other wrongdoing. He also could face dismissal from the Army, a fine and forfeiture of his pay and allowances. But it's not likely he will sentence Sinclair that harshly.
Army pushes for job-specific strength tests
(Army Times) Her heart thumping under 100 pounds of combat gear, medic Pfc. Joaida Cruz scrambled across a clearing, dropped to a watchful crouch — her weapon at the ready — then raced ahead into a kneel, ran again and dropped to the prone position before darting ahead and exiting the field, her face damp with sweat.
Soldier saves child, teen from Chattahoochee River current
(Ledger-Enquirer; Columbus, Ga.) Second Lt. James Lamoreaux's quick actions saved two lives Saturday afternoon.
From Congress To Ivory Tower: New Army War College Commandant
(Breaking Defense) Maj. Gen. William Rapp couldn’t have picked a better time get a ticket out of DC. As the Army’s Chief Legislative Liaison, he’s been the embattled service’s point man presenting its 2015 budget on Capitol Hill, where on top of all the usual budget shenanigans, the National Guard Association of the US is raising calculated hell to stop proposed Guard cuts. But in a few months, before the budget horrors hit their height, that won’t be Rapp’s problem anymore. He’ll be heading to the Army War College in small-town Carlisle, Penn., where Rapp will be the 50th commandant of the largest service’s premier institution for training future generals.
UAV flight hours growing more slowly
(C4ISR & Networks) It took 20 years for Army UAVs to reach 1 million annual flight hours in 2010, but only a few more years to reach 2 million. Reaching the 3 million hour mark may take longer as operational tempo slows, said Army officials at a March 18 media roundtable at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
3-star Army general earns his black belt
(Army Times) The general officer who shepherded the creation of the Army combatives program has earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and he credits the service with introducing him to a discipline that grows leaders and builds confidence and competence.
NAVY
Corpsman earns Silver Star for actions in Afghanistan
(Navy Times) Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (FMF) Zackery Penner became the Navy’s 13th Silver Star recipient in 13 years of war when he received the prestigious award for his selfless bravery under fire at a ceremony Wednesday.
Admiral: Aging subs at Ga. base need replacements
(The Brunswick News) The Navy needs to replace the aging Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, and it needs to do it on schedule, the chief of naval operations said Tuesday during a visit to the base.
Alleged assault victim continues testimony at Naval Academy court-martial
(Baltimore Sun) The court-martial of a Naval Academy midshipman charged with sexually assaulting a fellow student at an off-campus party nearly two years ago continued Wednesday with the conclusion of testimony from the alleged victim.
Accused hijackers will be returned to Libya authorities
(USA Today) The Navy plans to transfer the men to the Libyan navy in international waters before reaching Libyan waters, said a Defense official who asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak publicly about the operation.
Navy bribery scandal figure pleads guilty
(Los Angeles Times) Alex Wisidagama, 40, a resident of Singapore, pleaded guilty in federal court to scheming to defraud the U.S. into overpaying at least $20 million for supplies and services. He faces a maximum 10 years in prison when sentenced.
AIR FORCE
Airmen must re-document dependents for BAH payments
(Air Force Times) Every airman must soon provide documentation for their dependents as part of an Air Force-wide audit readiness effort, the service announced Wednesday.
Hearing to determine if AFN worker charged in death should face court-martial
(Stars and Stripes) The Air Force has scheduled a hearing to determine whether an airman charged with murdering an American Forces Network broadcaster in Germany will face a court-martial.
Mikey Weinstein enraged by evangelical atheists
(Colorado Springs Gazette) It’s no surprise to get a phone call from a fired-up Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and a frequent flyer when it comes to criticizing the Air Force Academy over religious issues.
Missing U.S. service member from Vietnam to be laid to rest
(Flightlines) The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced March 18 that the remains of Army Staff Sgt. Lawrence Woods of Clarksville, Tenn., will be buried as part of group on March 21 at Arlington in a ceremony honoring the servicemen who were lost in an aircraft crash on Oct. 24, 1964.
90 lieutenant colonels, 131 colonels selected for early retirement
(Air Force Times) Ninety lieutenant colonels and 131 colonels were selected for early retirement by the Selective Early Retirement Board that met Dec. 9, according to data provided to Air force Times on Wednesday by the Air Force Personnel Center.
MARINE CORPS
Movement grows to honor fearless Irish immigrant killed while Marine in Vietnam War
(New York Daily News) Lance Cpl. Patrick (Bob) Gallagher, who was killed weeks before he was set to leave Vietnam, was given the Marine Corps' second-highest honor, the Navy Cross. Now, others inspired by his bravery are asking the military to name a ship after him, and issue a posthumous Medal of Honor.
The Marines made a video about their cold weather exercise…and it’s kind of awesome
(Battle Rattle) Why are Marines training in white camouflage parkas in the snow? It’s part of Cold Response 2014, a joint multinational training exercise designed to build allied collaboration and provide experience training in cold-weather conditions.
Father of fallen Marine believes dying Westboro founder should be 'buried in peace'
(Marine Corps Times) Countless military families have been tormented by the Westboro Baptist Church, which pickets service members’ funerals as part of its campaign against gays and lesbians. Now church founder Fred Phelps Sr. is reportedly near death and in hospice care.
See Awesome Behind-the-Scenes Video of a Marine Corps Fly-By Photo Shoot
(The Blaze) The Marine Corps Silent Drill team showcases the precision and professionalism of the Corps, but they don’t typically perform on runways with planes flying just a few feet overhead.
VETERANS
NYC inmate 'baked to death' in cell
(Associated Press) The officials told The Associated Press that the 56-year-old former Marine was on anti-psychotic and anti-seizure medication, which may have made him more vulnerable to heat. He also apparently did not open a small vent in his cell, as other inmates did, to let in cool air.
Children of wounded 'hidden casualties' of war
(San Diego Union-Tribune) Children of seriously wounded combat veterans are “the hidden casualties of war,” according to a study released Wednesday.
Senate bill would provide free treatment to veterans with traumatic brain injury (With Video)
(The Oklahoman) A bill in the Oklahoma Legislature would make hyperbaric oxygen therapy available for free to any Oklahoma veteran who has been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and received a prescription for the treatment. Senate Bill 1604 passed unanimously out of the Senate. It now heads to the House.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
Insurgents kill 11 in attack on Afghan police station
(Los Angeles Times) Suicide bombers attacked a police headquarters in eastern Afghanistan early Thursday, triggering a gun battle that left 10 officers and one civilian dead, officials said.
Watchdog: US may be paying salaries of ‘ghost’ Afghan policemen
(Stars and Stripes) American taxpayers may be the victims of a ‘ghost worker’ scheme in Afghanistan, according to the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, an independent watchdog group created by Congress.
Taliban Bastion Awaits Afghan Vote
(Wall Street Journal) The election campaign is sweeping the Taliban stronghold, fueled by hopes that the April vote could bring better governance after 12 years of rule by President Hamid Karzai, whose brothers have long dominated Kandahar.
MIDDLE EAST
Hakim warns about politicization of Iraqi army
(Al-Monitor) Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), recently put forth his vision for the political situation in Iraq and the accumulated crises. In an interview with Al-Monitor, he said that some crises — such as the Anbar crisis — cannot be solved by security means. He warned about the politicization of the army, and stressed that his electoral bloc possessed the most important card, namely the "credibility" card.
Lockheed reels in foreign military sales to Saudi Arabia, Iraq
(Orlando Sentinel) Lockheed Martin Corp.'s Orlando operations have received two U.S.-sponsored foreign military deals worth a total of almost $50 million to provide weapons systems and support to Iraq and Saudi Arabia, according to Department of Defense figures.
Israeli Strikes on Syrian Army Sites Raise Concern About Entanglement
(New York Times) Israeli airstrikes against several Syrian Army positions across the decades-old cease-fire line in the Golan Heights on Wednesday came as a specific response to a bomb attack against Israeli forces along the frontier a day earlier, according to Israeli officials. But for many here, the unusually sharp exchange signaled the possibility of a broader Israeli slide into regional turmoil.
Kerry phones Netanyahu to complain about insults
(The Hill) Secretary of State John Kerry called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday morning to protest insults the Israeli defense minister directed at the Obama administration this week, the State Department said.
Turkey Blocks Attempt to Unveil Corruption Charges
(Wall Street Journal) Turkey's government moved to block an opposition attempt to unveil charges in a corruption probe at an extraordinary meeting of Parliament Wednesday, drawing rebukes that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking to cover up graft charges 11 days before critical elections.
EUROPE
Ukraine 'preparing withdrawal of troops from Crimea'
(BBC) Ukraine is drawing up plans to withdraw its soldiers and their families from Crimea, Kiev's security chief says.
Biden signals plans for more US military drills in the Baltics
(Stars and Stripes) The U.S. is crafting plans to deploy rotational ground troops and naval forces into the Baltics as part of an effort to bolster the capabilities of regional allies and reassure nations shaken by Russia’s intervention in nearby Ukraine, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said.
NATO chief: Russian aggression is 'wake-up call'
(Associated Press) Russia's advances in Ukraine are the greatest threat to European security since the Cold War, NATO's chief said Wednesday, making clear that military alliance must refocus on risks closer to home after years of fighting in faraway war zones.
Is This the Mastermind Behind Russia’s Crimea Grab?
(The Daily Beast) When, as a response to the Kremlin’s takeover of the Crimea, the White House issued its first list of Russian officials subject to visa restrictions and asset freezes, many in the Moscow elite wondered why Vladislav Surkov made it to the very top of the roster. Or, rather, why now?
Germany Halts Combat Simulator Export to Russia
(Defense News) German government officials on Wednesday halted the planned export of a high-end battle simulation facility to Russia amid the unfolding crisis on the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine.
Croatian MiG overhaul unaffected by Crimean crisis
(IHS Jane's 360) The overhaul and procurement of 12 Croatian Air Force MiG-21 'Fishbed' fighters in Crimea is continuing "without problems", a spokesperson for the Croatian Ministry of Defence (MoD) told IHS Jane's on 13 February.
Report: Sudden Plunge of New UK A330 Caused by Wedged Camera
(Defense News) An incident last month that grounded the British Royal Air Force’s new fleet of A330 tanker transport aircraft was caused when a camera became wedged between the side stick control and the pilot’s armrest, according to a report released by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA).
ASIA-PACIFIC
Australia says debris may be from missing Malaysia Airlines jet
(Los Angeles Times) Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Thursday that two objects that could be wreckage from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 had been seen by satellite off the western coast of Australia.
South Korea, Japan leaders set to meet amid possibly thawing ties: media
(Reuters) South Korea will agree to a summit with Japan and the United States in The Hague next week, when leaders from around the world gather to discuss nuclear security, the Nikkei business daily said on Wednesday, raising hopes of thawing ties between Seoul and Tokyo.
Thailand’s State of Emergency Is Over, But the Crisis Endures
(Time) The colossal anti-government protests that inundated Bangkok have subsided in recent weeks, but vultures continue to circle Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Taiwan Parliament Occupiers Seeking Transparency In China Trade Deal
(Voice of America) Protesters are occupying Taiwan’s parliament for a second full day to block passage of a deal that would liberalize the island’s service trade with China. The aggressive protest is less about the widely supported trade pact than anger over a perceived lack of transparency.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
It’s Time to Award More Medals of Honor for Iraq Vets
(Rep. Duncan Hunter in Defense One) Eleven years ago this week, America’s military began the assault on Saddam Hussein’s forces in Iraq. A coalition led by the United States outmaneuvered and overwhelmed the Iraqi army, breaching the gates of Baghdad in just twenty-one days. The accomplishment was marked by a moment of great symbolism and irony, as a statue of Saddam Hussein in Firdos Square was pulled down with the help of Iraqi civilians and punctuated with celebration.
Transport planes have a hard time finding a new home in the world of Defense, politics
(Walter Pincus in the Washington Post) Closing military bases and consolidating operations to save money are not simple moves. Take the Air Force’s constantly shifting plans to move 10 of the 20 C-130J Super Hercules transport planes. Stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss., the planes are part of the Air Force Reserve 403rd Wing and are used primarily for tactical airlift missions.
War is a Video Game, and We're Losing
(Adam Elkus in War on the Rocks) It is often said that the rise of military robotics and cyber warfare is turning war into a “videogame.” But this thesis—which blames technology for a supposed loss of moral seriousness about war—gets the causation wrong. It isn’t bloodless technology that really makes war videogame-like. Rather, videogames are simple and deterministic in that they mirror the ways a cross-section of national security experts think about war.
Ukraine and Nuclear Proliferation
(Wall Street Journal Editorial) The damage to world order from Vladimir Putin's invasion of Crimea will echo for years, but one of the biggest casualties deserves more attention: the cause of nuclear nonproliferation. One lesson to the world of Russia's cost-free carve-up of Ukraine is that nations that abandon their nuclear arsenals do so at their own peril.
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