Defense News Early Bird Brief

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COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
April 30, 2014 EARLY BIRD BRIEF Get the most comprehensive aggregation of defense news delivered by the world's largest independent newsroom covering military and defense. ADVERTISEMENT	ADVERTISEMENT TODAY’S TOP 5 1. House panel rejects benefits cuts in 2015 defense budget (Military Times) In the first official congressional action on the Pentagon’s proposed 2015 budget, House lawmakers have rejected proposed cuts in housing allowances and commissary funding, as well as an overhaul of the Tricare system that would increase out-of-pocket costs for some beneficiaries. 2. ISIS Insurgents Have Almost Surrounded Baghdad (Vice) In late December 2013, Iraqi security forces stormed a Sunni protest camp in Ramadi, the capital of Iraq’s restive Anbar province. The Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki claimed that the protest camp had become a haven for militants with ties to al Qaeda. 3. The latest plans for the Pentagon's budget present an alternate reality (Gordon Adams in Foreign Policy) Once again, reality has been pushed aside in the defense budget debate. The administration transmitted a budget which, across the board, and especially when it comes to the Defense Department, departs from reality. A deal is a deal, however, so it asks the appropriate amount for defense this year -- $496 billion in FY 2015 -- in keeping with the Murray-Ryan agreement. But then the whole budget logic evaporates into magic and rhetorical excess. 4. Sen. Leahy blocks U.S. aid to Egypt to protest nation’s ‘appalling abuse of justice system’ (Washington Post) The Obama administration’s plan to keep military aid flowing to Egypt ran into significant opposition Tuesday as a key senator blocked the next batch of shipments and other lawmakers criticized the White House for not responding more forcefully to the military-led government’s crackdown on opposition groups. 5. Hagel directs all services to review hairstyle policy (Military Times) Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed all of the services to review their hairstyle policies in response to a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus. INDUSTRY ATK, Orbital To Merge; First Course Of New Last Supper? (Breaking Defense)  In many respects, the merger announced this morning between ATK and Orbital Sciencesappears just a sensible move between two space and defense companies facing a declining demand for rockets and rocket engines. UK's Scout SV PMRS passes base design review milestone (IHS Jane's 360) The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has completed the Base Platform Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Protected Mobility Recce Support (PMRS) variant of the Scout Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme, General Dynamics UK announced on 28 April. Ukraine Reassures Pakistan on Defense Orders (Defense News) Ukraine moved to reassure Pakistan that contracts for defense equipment will be honored despite the fallout stemming from its political instability and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. CONGRESS USAF-Congressional Clash Over Future of A-10 Erupts Again (Defense News) The fate of the A-10 close-air support platform has been the most contentious issue between the Air Force and Congress over the last six months. If comments made Tuesday are any indication, it’s a fight that isn’t going away. Gillibrand questions DOD moves on sexual assault study (The Hill) Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has asked the Defense Department to explain its decision to outsource a potentially crucial survey on sexual assaults to an outside contractor. New Bill Calls for Pentagon Unmanned Systems Office (U.S. Naval Institute) The Department of Defense would be required to establish an office to specifically manage unmanned systems if language proposed in a new Asia-Pacific Region Priority bill holds. House Markup Cuts 1 LCS, Supports 11 Carriers (Defense News) The House Seapower subcommittee markup that was revealed on Tuesday offered at least one surprise — cutting the Navy’s request for three littoral combat ships to only two — but the bill supports the other new ship requests, including two destroyers and two submarines. White House: Veterans health funding too low in House bill (The Hill) The Veterans Affairs spending bill on the House floor this week does not provide enough money for medical care, the White House said in a statement Tuesday. GOP Defense Bill Pushes Back Against Proposed Nuclear-Modernization Delays (Global Security Newswire) House Armed Services Committee Republicans are pushing back against the Obama administration's plans to delay selected efforts to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. House Committee Seeks to Stall UCLASS Program Pending New Pentagon Unmanned Aviation Study (U.S. Naval Institute) The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) seeks to put on hold the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) aircraft program and directs the Pentagon to fund a study for a future carrier-borne unmanned strike aircraft, according to language in the HASC’s Seapower and Projections Forces Committee’s mark of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Bill. HASC Bill 'Fully' Supports Military Cyber Activities (Defense News) A US House Armed Services subcommittee on Tuesday released legislation that would require Pentagon officials to conduct several sweeping reviews of military intelligence programs. Exclusive: New Bill Requires Voice of America to Toe U.S. Line (Foreign Policy) A powerful pair of lawmakers in the House of Representatives have agreed on major legislation to overhaul Voice of America and other government-funded broadcasting outlets that could have implications for the broadcaster's editorial independence, Foreign Policy has learned. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT What Science Says About Gender and PTSD (ARMY Magazine) For a moment, let’s forget that American women were not allowed to serve in combat units until very recently. In all truth, the nature of the conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq has meant that a soldier’s military occupational specialty is less a predictor of combat experience than it was in previous wars. Combine that with the increasing number of women serving in the military and one fact emerges: Female military members have engaged in, and continue to engage in, combat operations. Despite Pentagon spending cap, projects such as Growler jet get another chance at funding (Washington Post) As Congress begins to wade through the Pentagon’s budget this week, deciding what stays and what goes, lawmakers will face a temptation that it has not seen in the past few years: robust wish lists, loaded with all sorts of shiny, new things they supposedly cannot afford to buy. Officers testify about 'mad minute' (USA Today) Troops call it the "mad minute," a short period of intense fire. Overseas military service costing some veterans their LQA (Stars and Stripes) Like hundreds of Defense Department employees overseas, Stephen Fitzgerald is about to lose his housing allowance. ICITE shifts from pilot to planning (C4ISR & Networks) Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn is the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he’s helping to oversee some of the intelligence community’s biggest transformations as agencies seek to capitalize on the best technologies and information-sharing capabilities. One of the foremost efforts is ICITE, the intelligence community’s burgeoning shared IT environment that aims to improve how agencies share mission-critical data among themselves and with partners. ARMY Rondout Valley grad Shawn Farrell, 24, killed in action in Afghanistan (Daily Freeman; Kingston, N.Y.) Heather Stokes heard on a public radio broadcast Monday that two soldiers had been killed over the weekend in the eastern province of Afghanistan, where their Army unit was ambushed. On Monday night, she learned the unthinkable. Heroic JBLM nurse ran 'into hell' on fatal mission to booby-trapped compound (Tacoma News Tribune)  In her last moments of life, Army nurse Capt. Jennifer Moreno heard two orders. 'Motivation' lacking, investigating officer says (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) The investigating officer overseeing the Army's Article 32 preliminary hearing for Sgt. 1st Class Michael Barbera said he heard “very little” prosecution evidence to support premeditated murder charges in the fatal shooting of two Iraqi boys in 2007. Military families will have to use Madigan (Tacoma News Tribune) About 3,000 military family members in Pierce and Thurston counties who get medical care at private hospitals will be compelled to start using clinics affiliated with Madigan Army Medical Center this year. NAVY Campaign targets growing misuse of prescription drugs (Navy Times) The Navy is kicking off a campaign to curb misuse of prescription drugs after concerning trends among sailors since the service began testing for more drugs two years ago. Navy marine mammal worker dies (San Diego Union-Tribune) A 29-year-old government contractor died Monday during a nighttime exercise with the U.S. Navy’s marine mammal program in San Diego Bay. Navy secretary fields questions from the fleet (Stars and Stripes) Deployments are up, the budget is down and retirement benefits will remain untouched. 2 former Navy SEALs dead on ship died of drugs (Associated Press) Seychelles police say a mixture of heroin and alcohol caused the deaths of two former U.S. Navy SEALs. Ex-Navy lingust pleads guilty in secret documents case (Politico) A former Navy contract linguist accused of removing classified documents from a secure space at a base in Bahrain pled guilty Friday to a misdemeanor charge of taking classified documents without authority. AIR FORCE Leaders encourage active-duty airmen to go to reserves (Air Force Times) The Air Force is expanding its efforts to assist airmen transitioning from active duty to the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, but it is not ready to commit to a recommendation to increase its force mix from the current 31 percent reserve components to 42 percent. Charges against Air Force Capt. Aquino dropped by Monterey County DA (KSBW; Salinas, Calif.) Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo announced he is dropping all criminal charges against U.S. Air Force Captain Nicolas Aquino. Review of nuclear force may be model for AF-wide morale study (Air Force Times) Air Force Global Strike Command’s bottom-up review of morale among its missileers and bomber crews could be a model for the rest of the Air Force to review the happiness of its airmen, the top service official said. Air Force Firefighter Accused Of Setting Yuba City Fires, Stabbing Teen Who Caught Him (KOVR; Sacramento) His job is to put out fires, but a Beale Air Force Base firefighter is accused of setting them instead, and trying to kill a 13-year-old boy who allegedly caught him in the act. Cody: Airmen must stand up to sexual assault (Air Force Times) Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody on Monday urged airmen to take a stand against sexual assault. MARINE CORPS Bill for Guam firing range meets resistance (Gannett Washington Bureau) Del. Madeleine Bordallo’s proposal to allow the Navy to restrict access to the Guam National Wildlife Refuge so the Marine Corps could safely operate firing ranges exposed a rift within the Obama administration at a congressional hearing Tuesday. Yucca Valley woman’s family sues government over death (San Bernardino Sun; Calif.) A federal lawsuit has been filed on behalf of the daughter of a woman killed in a highway collision in Joshua Tree involving a Marine who allegedly fell asleep behind the wheel of a military issued Humvee. Marine veteran with Grim Reaper costume acquitted of all charges 1 year after drone protest (With Video) (The Post-Standard; Syracuse, N.Y.) A DeWitt town judge Monday night acquitted a U.S. Marine veteran who wore a Grim reaper costume during a permitted protest last year outside Hancock air base. Dozens, including veterans and Republicans, urge Scott Walker to issue pardon (Wisconsin State Journal) Doug Zwank considers the fate of Eric Pizer and thinks, “That could have been me.” Like Pizer, Zwank is a combat veteran and former corporal in the Marine Corps. And like Pizer, he narrowly escaped death while serving his country overseas. VETERANS Sources: Exchange eyes opening online store to all vets (Military Times) Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials want to expand shopping privileges at the online exchange store to all honorably discharged veterans, sources said. A Mother’s Guilt And A Veteran’s Unexpected Death (WFOR-TV; Miami) Early one morning last year, Mary Zielinski received a call from the VA hospital in Miami telling her that her son was dead. Discovery Channel reality show star trades fire over combat experience (Military Times) In the eye of the storm is Teti, the show’s military expert now filming his second season. And in a bizarre case of reality TV gone wild, among those leveling charges is Teti’s former Army Special Forces teammate and friend — himself a survival show star. AFGHANISTAN Taliban claim they shot down US warplane in eastern Afghanistan (Long War Journal) The Afghan Taliban claimed that their forces hit an US Air Force AC-130 gunship with antiaircraft fire and forced it to land in the eastern province of Logar. Afghanistan Corruption Fostered by U.S., Pentagon Found (Bloomberg) The U.S. government “created an environment that fostered corruption” in Afghanistan by supporting warlords, relying on private trucking contracts and providing billions of dollars in aid, according to a previously undisclosed Pentagon report. Karzai: UK, US still run illegal detention centers (Associated Press) President Hamid Karzai accused British and U.S. forces on Tuesday of continuing to operate "illegal" detention facilities in the country, another volley in the rancorous disagreement between the Afghan leader and his foreign backers over what to do with captured Taliban suspects. MIDDLE EAST Unrest in Iraq Narrows Odds for Maliki Win (New York Times) When a well-known journalist was shot dead at a checkpoint here last month, Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki rushed to the scene. Speaking to a television camera, he promised “blood for blood.” Iraq election holds little hope of change for town scarred by decade of war (The Guardian) As the country prepares to go the polls for the third time since the fall of Saddam Hussein and after its deadliest period in five years, Ghaith Abdul-Ahad finds the people of Buhriz fighting a new wave of insurgents – and for their lives. Iran's president seeks to quiet critics (Washington Post) Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, took to the airwaves twice Tuesday in attempts to quiet critics on all sides of the political spectrum who say he is not fulfilling his campaign promises nearly a year after his unexpected election. Abu Qatada provides jihadists with ideological guidance from a Jordanian prison (Long War Journal) On July 7, 2013, Omar Mohammed Othman, better known as Abu Qatada, was deported from the UK to Jordan to stand trial on terrorism charges. His deportation was the end of a legal fight in the UK that lasted more than a decade. Abu Qatada was first arrested in early 2001, only to be released and detained once again in October 2002. He spent years in British custody before a transfer agreement was finally reached between the two governments last year. Turkish Prime Minister Wants U.S. to Extradite an Activist Imam (Wall Street Journal) Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would formally ask the U.S. to extradite an Islamic cleric he accuses of masterminding a plot to topple his government. EUROPE Baltic nations welcome US trainers as USAREUR mulls sending more (Stars and Stripes) The commander of U.S. Army Europe said Tuesday that he wants to add helicopters and other combat tools to the mix to bolster training with the Baltics and Poland, where the U.S. has sent some 600 paratroops to train and reassure allies wary of a newly aggressive Russia. Kerry: U.S. Taped Moscow’s Calls to Its Ukraine Spies (The Daily Beast) The United States has proof that the Russian government in Moscow is running a network of spies inside eastern Ukraine because the U.S. government has recordings of their conversations, Secretary of State John Kerry said in a closed-door meeting Friday. Russia's Ukraine actions highlight its military limits (USA Today) Russia's military operations in Crimea and on Ukraine's border suggest the country's poorly resourced armed forces have made improvements in recent years but would struggle to extend operations in central Europe and elsewhere, experts say. Pro-Russia Forces Extend Grasp in Ukrainian City of Luhansk (Wall Street Journal) Pro-Russia militants in masks broke down doors and stormed government buildings Tuesday in another area of Ukraine that hugs the Russian border, as the new government in Kiev criticized local police for failing to stem the growing unrest. Shadowy commander is face of insurgency in Ukraine (Associated Press) When shadowy commander Igor Strelkov appeared before the cameras recently in green combat fatigues and a clipped mustache, he did more than reveal the face of the insurgency rocking eastern Ukraine. He strengthened the case that Russia is behind the turmoil. Czech, Slovak Militaries Launch Joint Air Patrols, Eye Arms Procurement (Defense News) Under an agreement signed by the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the countries’ air forces will launch joint air patrols in January. The initiative has been debated for several years, but was recently accelerated by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and related security concerns of the two governments, reported daily Gazeta Wyborcza. AFRICA Tunisia takes fight to militants in mountain hideout (Reuters) Tunisian security forces backed by jets and helicopters have begun a major operation to root out al Qaeda-linked militants from a hideout in the Chaambi mountains bordering Algeria. Gunmen attack Libya's parliament (Al Jazeera) Several people have been wounded when armed men stormed Libya's parliament in the capital, Tripoli, causing lawmakers to postpone the selection of a new prime minister. As Muslims flee Central African Republic fury, fears of radicalization (Christian Science Monitor) Thousands are threatened as Christian-dominated militias take retribution for atrocities blamed on a Muslim-dominated former government. Many worry the mass displacement will further destabilize CAR. Mali PM, northern armed groups prepare for peace talks (Reuters) Mali's new prime minister pledged on Tuesday to revive long-delayed peace talks on the troubled north while armed groups from the region said they would hold a preparatory meeting with Algeria ahead of the negotiations. Kerry: US 'Closely' Examining South Sudan Sanctions (With Video) (Voice of America) Secretary of State John Kerry says the U.S. is considering sanctions on people encouraging unrest in South Sudan, where political and sectarian violence has displaced more than 1 million people. ASIA-PACIFIC US Navy aircraft, ship recalled from search for Malaysia Airlines jet (Stars and Stripes) Two U.S. patrol aircraft and a military support command ship have been recalled from the search for a missing Malaysia Airlines jet, according to Navy officials. Military, Islamists Clash in Philippines, 15 Dead (Voice of America) Philippine officials say at least 15 people have been killed during fighting between government troops and Islamist militants in a remote southern region. China media: US-Philippines military deal (BBC) Media and experts urge Beijing to "remain on alert" in the wake of a new military agreement between Manila and Washington. U.S. Offers Bounty for Chinese Businessman Linked to Iran Missiles (Wall Street Journal) U.S. authorities took aim at a Chinese businessman accused of selling ballistic missile parts to Iran, offering a $5 million bounty for help in securing his arrest and sanctioning eight Chinese trading firms he allegedly operated. North Korea Issues Sexist Tirade Against South Korean Leader (National Public Radio) North Korea isn't exactly known for its light touch: It has referred to its foes as a "rat-like group of bastards," a "shameless political dwarf" and even a "swish of skirt." COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS Better Buying Power 4 Years On: Is It Making a Difference? (Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall in Defense One) I believe the answer is a “qualified yes.” “Yes” because there is significant evidence that the policies and practices embedded in BBP 1.0 and 2.0 are taking hold; “qualified” because there is more than ample opportunity for continued improvement. When then-Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Ash Carter and I started the first iteration of Better Buying Power as part of Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ efficiency initiatives in 2010, we had the common understanding that improvements would be incremental and take time. Save the Carrier, Sink the LCS (Everett Pyatt in Real Clear Defense) Inactivate a carrier, save the littoral combat ship? It sounds crazy, but that is the current budget plan. Inactivate a carrier, save the littoral combat ship? It sounds crazy, but that is the current budget plan. Stryker-Bradley Pairing Is Best Armored Vehicle Solution for US Army (Sen. Rob Portman in Defense News) All of us want our fighting men and women to have the modern equipment they need. The US Army has been planning for decades to replace its 1960s-era troop carriers with a safer, more efficient modern vehicle. Its current approach, the armored multi-purpose vehicle (AMPV), has been spared from the budget ax by Army planners despite devastating cuts in other parts of the service’s modernization plan, including the cancellation of the $30 billion ground combat vehicle, which was to have replaced the Bradley fighting vehicle. ‘F.I.R.E: How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained, and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation’ (Air Force Lt. Col. Dan Ward in Armed Forces Journal) The F in FIRE stands for fast, which says it’s important and good to have a short schedule. It’s about defining a project objective that can be satisfied on a short timeline, not one we know full well will require twenty years to accomplish. The Iraqi Military’s Downward Spiral (Max Boot in Commentary) The best article on Afghanistan that I have read recently is an article about Iraq. Specifically, this article in the Wall Street Journal on the travails of the Iraqi military in facing an insurgency spearheaded by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (as al-Qaeda in Iraq is now called).

Defense News Early Bird Brief

view email as webpage
COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
April 29, 2014 EARLY BIRD BRIEF Get the most comprehensive aggregation of defense news delivered by the world's largest independent newsroom covering military and defense. ADVERTISEMENT	ADVERTISEMENT TODAY’S TOP 5 1. Philippines pact gives US 'pivot' to Asia some military muscle (Christian Science Monitor) The Pentagon’s much-trumpeted strategic “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific – which US officials proclaimed a major shift in American defense policy in 2011 – has often been criticized in the years since as a bold and compelling concept with not much real military muscle behind it.  2. Obama faces questions about ‘secret waiting list’ at Phoenix VA hospital (Washington Post) Answering a question about the matter during a news conference in the Philippines, Obama said he ordered VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to investigate the claims, and he suggested the White House’s calls for increased VA funding reflect his administration’s commitment to former troops. 3. New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Hide From Russian Radar (Bill Sweetman in The Daily Beast) The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter—the jet that the Pentagon is counting on to be the stealthy future of its tactical aircraft—is having all sorts of shortcomings. But the most serious may be that the JSF is not, in fact, stealthy in the eyes of a growing number of Russian and Chinese radars. Nor is it particularly good at jamming enemy radar. Which means the Defense Department is committing hundreds of billions of dollars to a fighter that will need the help of specialized jamming aircraft that protect non-stealthy—“radar-shiny,” as some insiders call them—aircraft today.  4. Navy CIO: Cutting edge not necessarily best (C4ISR & Networks) It’s a common refrain throughout Washington, if not everywhere else: We want cutting edge. The push for the latest and greatest only grows with the snowballing pace of technology, but at least one government leader is bucking the trend.  5. Ending Asia Trip, Obama Defends His Foreign Policy (New York Times) President Obama, stung by criticism of his response to turmoil from Eastern Europe to the Middle East, defended his approach to foreign policy as a slow but steady pursuit of American interests while avoiding military conflict, and he lashed out at those he said reflexively call for the use of force. INDUSTRY US Navy Orders 10 New Submarines for Record $17.6B (Defense News) The US Navy announced a record $17.645 billion contract Monday to build 10 new SSN 774 Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. The order assures prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat and chief subcontractor Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding of submarine orders through 2018. Defense contractors fight for their slice (Politico Pro) Gone are the days of unity when giants like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman banded together in 2012 to fight automatic defense cuts in a campaign called Second to None. Now, with another round of sequestration ahead and an uncertain post-war era looming, contractors are back to skirmishing with one another over every last scrap of the defense budget. Australian Buy Comes at Key Time for F-35 Program (Defense News) When Australia announced it would purchase 58 F-35A joint strike fighters last week, it agreed to the single largest batch of F-35s acquired by an international partner to date — an important milestone for a program that appears headed to smaller domestic buys than planned. Reports: M&A activity in U.S. arms sector rises as revenues drop (Reuters) Mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. weapons industry are starting to edge up after a third year of declining revenues across the sector in 2013, according to two separate reports released on Monday. Consolidation of Top Pentagon Contractors Only a Matter of Time (National Defense Magazine) A projected plunge in Pentagon spending — when sequestration-level budgets return in 2016 — eventually is going to hit the industry hard, to a point where top companies will not be able to continue making profits as they are today, said Linda Hudson, former CEO of Pentagon contractor BAE Systems.  Maiden flight for MC-27J gunship (IHS Jane's 360) The first fully configured Alenia Aermacchi MC-27J Spartan gunship has made its maiden flight from the company's Turin Test Flight Centre, it was announced on 25 April. Airbus unveils IED jammers (C4ISR & Networks) The new jammers combine signals intelligence with IED jamming. "This means that intelligence systems, which detect and evaluate hostile radio traffic, now combine the ability to produce targeted jamming signals for defined frequencies," said an Airbus news release. "Previously, this required dedicated equipment which was not very mobile, and required a lot of power and space." Lahoud: Civil Aerospace Sales Continue To Outstrip Military Side (Defense News)  Sales in French civil aerospace in 2013 not only outweighed the military side, but airliner sales will continue to outpace revenue from fighter jets, UAVs and missiles, said Marwan Lahoud, chairman of a major French industry trade body. Brazilian Navy signs Exocet missile contract (IHS Jane's 360) The Brazilian Navy has signed a BRL60 million (USD27 million) contract with Brazilian Aerospace Avibras to develop a new version of the Exocet AM39 B2 air-to-surface missile produced by European missile house MBDA, officials announced in late April CONGRESS Thornberry, Larsen Offer Different Views on Defense Spending, Russia, China (Defense News) The more US Reps. Mac Thornberry of Texas and Rick Larsen of Washington state spoke Monday, the more clear it became just how far apart the former’s Republican Party and the latter’s Democratic Party stand on national security issues. Forbes vows to keep the USS George Washington (The Hill) Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) said on Monday that lawmakers were not going to allow the USS George Washington aircraft carrier to be cut in 2016 to be cut despite current Pentagon plans to do so. Draft House Language Seeks to Halt Air Force Atlas 5 Launches This Year (Aviation Week) Draft legislation circulating in the U.S House of Representatives would bar the use of Russian rocket technology in launching U.S. Defense Department payloads as early as this year. Obama’s chief of staff pays visit to Boehner (The Hill) Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) met on Monday with White House chief of staff Denis McDonough to discuss the backlog of claims at the Veterans Administration. Senate Drops Bid to Report on Drone Use (New York Times) The Senate has quietly stripped a provision from an intelligence bill that would have required President Obama to make public each year the number of people killed or injured in targeted killing operations in Pakistan and other countries where the United States uses lethal force. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT Check Out This New Wish List for U.S. Special Ops (Time) The U.S. military’s commandos are among the best in the world. But they can always get better. That means faster, lighter, deadlier, cheaper. So that’s why U.S. Special Operations Command issued a formal request for “Advancement of Technologies in Equipment for Use by U.S. Special Operations Forces” on Monday. Takai to leave Pentagon CIO post (C4ISR & Networks) Defense Department CIO Teri Takai is set to step down in the coming days, according to Pentagon officials. SGLI cost hike aims to deepen reserve fund (Military Times) A recently announced increase in the cost of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance of up to $2 per month seems counterintuitive, with fewer active-duty deaths as 13 years of combat wind down. ARMY CSM: 'Disturbing' number of motorcycle incidents among NCOs (Army Times) Multiple motorcycle-safety trends are heading in the wrong direction, and Army officials are stepping up efforts to reverse them by stressing mentorship programs and early leadership involvement — and getting soldiers to know their limits. Magnified view through rifle scope could assess threat posed by Iraqi boys, experts say (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) The scope on the M-4 rifle that Sgt. 1st Class Michael Barbera is accused of using to fatally shoot two Iraqi boys might play a key defense role in the Army's murder case against him, military justice experts say. Soldier dies following training march at Fort Benning (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Fort Benning on Monday identified a National Guards member who died following a training march over the weekend as Pvt. Aurek S. Rardin, 20, of Tennessee. Two Fort Carson sergeants sought on suspicion of selling stolen military equipment (Colorado Springs Gazette) Tyler Milligan and Jodi Coker were booked into the El Paso County jail Friday after a sting operation targeting Milligan's alleged offer to sell night-vision goggles and firearm silencers, affidavits show. Julie Schenecker: Jury selection for soccer mom in murder trial (Christian Science Monitor) Jurors at the trial of a Tampa military wife accused of killing her two teenagers are expected to see many disturbing images and hear hours of troubling evidence. Army Wounded Warrior program celebrates 10 years (Army Times) After Staff Sgt. Jeffery Redman was wounded in Iraq, his doctors said he would never walk again. NAVY Upcoming budget crunch could unravel new deployment plan (Navy Times) Many ships are sailing on cruises far beyond the once-standard six or seven months, and Navy leaders are eager to make these long and often unpredictable deployments the exception. US warship in Lisbon ahead of Mediterranean drill (Associated Press) A U.S. warship is in Lisbon ahead of its participation in a Mediterranean Sea drill focusing on how a NATO ally might be liberated after being occupied by a fictitious invader. U.S. Submarine in Asia Trip as Obama Seeks to Assure Allies (Bloomberg) A U.S. nuclear submarine is making a port call in Singapore as the Navy showcases its ability to operate in shallow coastal waters after questions about the fitness of its Littoral Combat Ship for use in Asia. Aircraft carrier Stennis departs dry dock (Kitsap Sun; Bremerton, Wash.)After nearly 10 months, USS John C. Stennis is back on the water. The Bremerton-based aircraft carrier left dry dock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Friday. It had entered on July 1. Navy Announces Change to Participating Ships during Fleet Week New York (Seapower) The Navy has announced that the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg will not participate in the 2014 Fleet Week New York, according to an April 28 release. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul from Norfolk, Va. will represent the Navy in its place, beginning with the Parade of Ships, May 21. AIR FORCE Divorce and the Air Force: Who stays married and who doesn't (Air Force Times) As of 2013, the divorce rate for enlisted airmen was 4.3 percent and 1.5 percent for officers, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center. The highest divorce rate is among enlisted women, a statistic that has stayed consistent since at least 2001. Midwest Mystery Jets are Actually B-2 Stealth Bombers (U.S. Naval Institute) The mystery jets that were spotted over Amarillo, Texas, and Wichita, Kan. earlier this year are in fact Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bombers on a training sortie, military sources told USNI News on Monday. Airman killed in Arkansas tornadoes (Air Force Times) An airman with the Arkansas Air National Guard was killed in ferocious tornadoes that swept through the state Sunday, the chief of the National Guard Bureau announced on social media. Report: Faulty phones, 'ancient' equipment at missile command (The Hill) Correspondent Lesley Stahl visited the underground ICBM complex surrounding F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo., where she found missileers have trouble hearing what is being said on their phones. Computers there are so “ancient” they use floppy disks, according to the report, broadcast Sunday night. USAF receives first CONECT-upgraded B-52 bomber (IHS Jane's 360) The US Air Force (USAF) has received into service the first of 76 B-52H Stratofortress bombers to go through the Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) digital data suite upgrade. Academy sergeant charged with taking covert women's restroom video (Colorado Springs Gazette) An Air Force Academy sergeant faces up to a year behind bars this week at a court-martial, which will weigh evidence on whether he took a covert video inside a women's restroom and later showed it to female co-worker. Westover to lose 300 jobs under new Pentagon budget cuts (The Republican; Springfield, Mass.) Westover Air Reserve Base will shed 300 jobs and half of the 439th Airlift Wing's C-5 fleet under new budget cuts, Air Force officials announced Monday. MARINE CORPS Corps to see complete overhaul of junior enlisted leadership training (Marine Corps Times) Top Marine Corps leaders are examining the possibility of making weeks-long residential courses for noncommissioned officers mandatory for promotion to the next grade. Probe looks at Marine higher-ups suspected in retaliation against whistleblower The Pentagon inspector general has confirmed to Congress that an investigation is underway into whether Marine Corps higher-ups retaliated against an officer who accused the commandant, Gen. James Amos, of meddling in a prosecution. Reserve to draw down by 1,100 Marines (Marine Corps Times) The Maine Corps Reserve will take its own manpower hit as officials prepare to draw down by 1,100 Marines over three years. Funeral held for NYC inmate who died in hot cell (Associated Press) A mentally ill, homeless former Marine who died in an overheated jail cell more than two months ago was a giving and kind person, his relatives said Friday during a modest family funeral. 80 percent of generator energy wasted, training experiment finds (Marine Corps Times) Operational forces consume far more energy than they need, Marine officials are learning, and the service may resort to billing individual units for the resources that simply go up in smoke. COAST GUARD Critical ratings offer opportunities for advancement (Navy Times) The Coast Guard wants you to help fill its undermanned ratings, or to stay in those ratings if you’re already there — but don’t expect any extra cash. US Cutter Has Stabilizing Effect in Arabian Gulf (Defense News)  Resplendent in white and buff paint, the US Coast Guard cutter Maui stands out as it moves amid the dhows, fishing boats and enormous oil tankers that ply these waters. The color scheme, along with its easily recognized diagonal orange stripe, clearly marks the vessel as American. Guilty verdict in Kodiak Coast Guard double murder (Alaska Dispatch) A jury in Anchorage Friday found James Michael Wells guilty on four counts of murder -- two for killing two co-workers and two more because the victims were employees of the federal government -- and two gun charges. Wells, 62, will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. VETERANS VA Secretary Shinseki’s presence requested for Tampa-area hearing (Tampa Tribune) U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, wants to see VA Secretary Eric Shinseki appear at a committee field hearing he is planning to hold in the Tampa area. Building a D.C. memorial for an endless war bumps into regulations (Washington Times) Veterans of the war on terrorism say they deserve a monument in downtown Washington to recognize their sacrifices, but they are hindered by a rule that says a conflict must be long finished in order to build a memorial, leading some to wonder how to commemorate a “never-ending war.” Paintball teams help vets adjust, relieve stress (The Pantagraph; Bloomington, Ill.)  While Chris Aguayo was serving in the U.S. Army, he witnessed his best friend burn to death in a Humvee. AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN Mystery surrounds move of Afghan ‘torturer in chief’ to U.S. amid allegations of spy agency abuse (Washington Post) In Afghanistan, his presence was enough to cause prisoners to tremble. Hundreds in his organization’s custody were beaten, shocked with electrical currents or subjected to other abuses documented in human rights reports. Some allegedly disappeared. Two ISAF troops killed in Afghanistan attack (Stars and Stripes) Two servicemembers with the International Security Assistance Force were killed in an attack Monday in eastern Afghanistan. Army dog killed in Afghanistan given posthumous medal (BBC) A British Army dog killed alongside her handler in Afghanistan is to be honored with what is called the highest military award for an animal. 2 bombings kill 6 in Pakistan (Associated Press) Two bombings have killed three soldiers and as many seminary students in Pakistan, officials said Monday. MIDDLE EAST Dark days for Baghdad on eve of Iraqi elections (Associated Press) As parliamentary elections are held this week more than two years after the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Baghdad is once again a city gripped by fear and scarred by violence. Many of the city's 7 million residents avoid roads hit by bombings, fearing a deadly repeat. Most shops now close shortly after sunset, and an overnight curfew that begins at midnight remains in force. Militants Pose Threat on Eve of National Elections in Iraq (New York Times) Falluja — and the rest of Anbar Province — perhaps more than any other locale in Iraq, embodies the lengths the United States went to tame a bloody insurgency unleashed by its invasion. But now, much of the region is again beyond the authority of the central government and firmly in the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a jihadist group that is so radical it has broken with Al Qaeda, in part because it insisted on being allowed to indiscriminately kill Shiites. Yemen begins southern offensive against AQAP (Long War Journal) Yemeni media reported yesterday that the country's military is preparing for a new offensive against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula on the heels of the three successful US drone strikes last week that killed over 60 militants from the terrorist organization. DNA test: Remains from airstrike in Yemen not those of al Qaeda bomb-maker (CNN) The remains of a Saudi national killed in airstrikes in Yemen earlier this month are not those of a wanted al Qaeda bomb-maker, according to multiple sources in Saudi Arabia who were briefed on the matter. EUROPE US Clamps Down on Defense Exports to Russia (Defense News) The Obama administration announced Monday that it would be preventing and potentially revoking licenses of high-technology defense items in response to Russia’s activities regarding Ukraine. Russia assures Hagel it won’t invade Ukraine (The Hill) Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu assured Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during a phone call on Monday that Russian forces would not invade Ukraine, according to the Pentagon.  Why Ukraine Has Already Lost The Cyberwar, Too (Defense One) Don’t wait for cyberwar between Ukraine and Russia to break out ahead of the actual shooting. Ukraine already lost that, too. Russia may have unfettered access into the Ukrainian telecommunication systems according to several experts. It’s access that Russia can use to watch Ukrainian opposition leadership, or, in the event of an escalation in the conflict, possibly cut off telecommunications within Ukraine. Disarray in eastern Ukraine as protest is attacked, mayor is shot (Washington Post) With Ukrainian flags flying high and garlands of flowers in their hair, protesters marched through the heart of this city at sundown Monday. ASIA-PACIFIC Obama hails security pact with Philippines, says no threat to China (Reuters) President Barack Obama said a new military pact signed with the Philippines on Monday granting a larger presence for U.S. forces would bolster the Southeast Asian country's maritime security, but was not aimed at countering China's growing military might. Chinese Troops Stage Exercise Near N.Korean Border (Chosun Media; South Korea) The 39th Army, a major Chinese military unit that would be deployed to the Korean Peninsula in a war, carried out an emergency mobilization drill near the North Korean border recently, the official CCTV reported on Saturday. RoCA AH-64E crashes in northern Taiwan (IHS Jane's 360) A Republic of China Army (RoCA) Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter recently delivered from the United States crashed on top of an apartment building in Taoyuan County, northern Taiwan, on 25 April during a routine training mission. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS Top Military Commanders Have Declared Our Biggest Threat, and It's One We're All Ignoring (Tom McKay in PolicyMic) For the U.S. military, climate change isn't just about sad-looking polar bears and declining biodiversity. It's a real challenge that has the potential to seriously destabilize nations and throw entire regions into conflict, potentially escalating into wars that will require new strategies and new technologies to win. How To Fix Our Broken Nuclear Weapons Enterprise; DoD Must Take Over (Bob Butterworth in Breaking Defense) Why is America’s nuclear weapons enterprise — the vast array of national laboratories and other facilities that make, build and maintain our nuclear warheads — so problem-ridden? America's Treaty Allies: Worth Going to War Over? (David Santoro in The National Interest) In a recent essay, Justin Logan asks the fundamental question about U.S. alliance commitments: does the existence of such commitments automatically create an interest worth going to war over for the United States?

Defense News Early Bird Brief

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COMPILED BY THE EDITORS OF DEFENSE NEWS & MILITARY TIMES
April 28, 2014 EARLY BIRD BRIEF Get the most comprehensive aggregation of defense news delivered by the world's largest independent newsroom covering military and defense. ADVERTISEMENT	ADVERTISEMENT TODAY’S TOP 5 1. Poll Shows Low Job Approval for Hagel (Defense News) More leaders in government, industry and academia disapprove of US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s job performance — 44.9 percent — than approve — 36.2 percent, according to a new Defense News Thought-Leader Poll.  2. Polling Data: Low Job Approval for Hagel (Defense News) While Hagel received strong support from self-identified Democrats with 82.6 percent approving, a combination of Republican disapproval at 62.4 percent and those working in industry disapproving at 50.9 percent pushed Hagel into negative territory. Those in the military gave Hagel positive marks at 44/36 percent approval/disapproval, and Defense Department civilians were evenly split at 38.2 percent.  3. Soldier Pay: How Much is Enough? (ARMY Magazine) The 1 percent basic pay raise proposed for soldiers in the 2015 federal budget serves as an example of the bottom line for calculating military salaries. For all the studies of making military pay competitive with private-sector wages and comparable with what soldiers could earn if they weren’t in uniform, the decision about the raise often comes down to a gut call in response to a simple question: How low can you go?  4. AFRICOM looks to outsource search and rescue (IHS Jane's 360) A request for information (RfI) released on 24 April indicates that US military personnel will be deployed to a number of African countries where they were not previously known to operate.  5. U.S., Philippines Sign Defense Pact Amid China Tensions (Bloomberg) The Philippines and the U.S. signed an agreement today that will boost the American troop presence in the Southeast Asian nation, as it seeks to counter China’s assertiveness over territorial disputes.  DEFENSE NEWS WITH VAGO MURADIAN USAF Response to Crimea Crisis Deborah Lee James, U.S. Air Force Secretary, on the Air Force's response to the Ukraine crisis. Retiring the A-10 Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James discusses the service's plan to retire the A-10 due to budget cuts. USAF Personnel Reductions Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James discusses personnel reductions and addressing the nuclear missile culture. Vago's Notebook A Defense News poll shows nearly 4 in 5 surveyed don't believe DOD budget efficencies will materialize. ASIA-PACIFIC EXCLUSIVE: Q and A with President Obama (ABS-CBN News) This is a written interview with President Barack Obama conducted by ABS-CBN News. The White House provided the news organization with Obama's answers to some of its questions on Sunday, prior to the US President's visit to the Philippines. U.S. Beefs Up Military Options for China as Obama Reassures Allies in Asia (Wall Street Journal) he U.S. military has prepared options for a muscular response to any future Chinese provocations in the South and East China seas, ranging from displays of B-2 bomber flights near China to aircraft-carrier exercises near its coastal waters, officials said. With New Radar, Japan Sends Message to China (Defense News)  With a high-profile groundbreaking ceremony for a small radar station on Yonaguni Island, Japan has drawn a line in the sand about its strategic intent to defend its Nansei Shoto (southwestern island chain) against China, effectively telling Beijing to back off. Taiwan to Simulate Chinese Carrier Attack in Upcoming Training Exercise (U.S. Naval Institute) The Taiwanese military will train to repel an attack from China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier and its battle group as part of a planned May exercise, according to local press reports. U.S. Considers Delaying South Korea Wartime Command Handover (Bloomberg) The U.S. said it will consider delaying the handover to South Korea of wartime command of that country’s forces, citing the growing threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea. Multiple North Korean Nuclear Tests May Be in Offing: Sensor Data (Global Security Newswire) The new surveillance photographs reveal "increased movement of vehicles and materials near what are believed to be the entrances to two completed test tunnels" in the southern part of the testing site, said Jack Liu in a Thursday image analysis for 38 North, an expert website that tracks weapon developments in North Korea. South Korea President Accepts PM's Resignation (Voice of America) South Korean President Geun-hye's office says she will accept her prime minister's resignation, but not until the Sewol ferry disaster has been brought under control. India test-fires anti-ballistic missile (Reuters) India successfully test-fired an anti-ballistic missile on Sunday capable of intercepting targets outside the earth's atmosphere, a major step in development of a missile defense system that is available to only a handful of nations. Attack on oil tanker in the Malacca Straits indicates pirates' increased organizational capability (IHS Jane's 360) Armed pirates in the early hours of 22 April attacked the Naniwa Maru No 1, a Singapore-operated oil tanker, near Port Klang, Malaysia, while it was travelling from Singapore to Yangon, Myanmar. INDUSTRY U.S.-Philippines pact could modestly boost American arms sales (Reuters) A new 10-year security pact between the United States and the Philippines could lead to modest increases in U.S. weapons sales in coming years, especially for maritime surveillance equipment, analysts said on Sunday. SpaceX Challenges Sole-Source USAF Award to United Launch Alliance (Defense News) SpaceX has filed a protest against the US Air Force over the service’s decision to award the United Launch Alliance (ULA) a sole-source block buy of 36 launch cores. B-2 software upgrade completes USAF review (IHS Jane's 360) Northrop Grumman has completed a US Air Force (USAF) review of a new software package for the 20-aircraft B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet. 2 Key USAF Radar Awards Coming (Defense News) he US Air Force is set to expand its radar capabilities by awarding a pair of major contracts by early summer. Pentagon Has ‘Bandage’ to Help Contractors Facing Cuts (Bloomberg) The Pentagon office that monitors the defense industry’s financial health is preparing an initiative to help contractors cope with production-line disruptions caused by automatic budget cuts. Official: Human Rights Abuses Now a Factor In US Weapon Export Decisions (Medill News Service) In the wake of the US suspension on arms and defense exports to Russia, a State Department official said Washington’s classified Conventional Arms Transfer Policy has been updated to make clear that the US will not transfer arms, equipment or training to countries that commit genocide, crimes against humanity or violate international humanitarian law. F-35 Stealth Questions Bring Back B-2 Memories (Defense Tech) Boeing’s recent strategy to question the effectiveness of the F-35’s stealth capabilities against the latest air defense radars brings to mind similar questions that were raised about another expensive next generation stealth aircraft about 13 years ago. Russian arms sellers unfazed by US threats (The Hill) The thriving Russian arms trade will remain strong even if members of Congress succeed in ending U.S. and NATO contracts over the conflict in Ukraine, experts say. France, Peru Sign Bilateral Agreement for Airbus Spy Satellite (Aviation Week) Peru's defense ministry has awarded a contract to Airbus Defence and Space for construction and launch of Lima's first Earth observation satellite, according to the French defense ministry. CONGRESS Bills call for recruits to be tested for mental health (Military Times) Two congressional bills calling for mental health screening of all military recruits are drawing more attention following the April 2 shootings at Fort Hood, Texas. Levin: Send Body Armor, Fuel to Ukraine; Sanction Russian Banks (Defense News)  The United States should step up its efforts to assist Ukraine’s military in its standoff with Russia by sending body armor and fuel to Kiev’s forces, says a key US Senate Democrat. State Guard Generals Take Fight To Senate, Push Freeze To Planned Cuts (Breaking Defense) After convening in Washington for briefings on the Army budget and how to implement it, the state-level commanders of the National Guard have instead launched a new offensive against the Army plan to cut their forces, flooding Capitol Hill with letters and PowerPoint slides. Their immediate goal: Get the Senate to introduce counterpart legislation to a House bill that would freeze all changes to the Guard until an independent commission studied the issue. Step two: Get that language in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act. Defense CEOs ante up for Dick Durbin, Jack Reed (Politico) Two senior senators emerging as leaders of a rising bloc of strong-on-defense Democrats have joined forces to rake in tens of thousands of dollars from defense executives. Lobbying fight erupts on food aid shipping (The Hill) A provision tucked inside a Coast Guard reauthorization bill moving through Congress has renewed a lobbying fight that pits international food aid groups against the shipping industry and the AFL-CIO. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DoD report: Many troops who commit suicide have seen doctor (Military Times) Nearly two-thirds of active-duty troops who died by suicide in 2012 were seen by a doctor within three months before taking their own lives, and one-third told someone of their plans, according to a Defense Department report released Friday. Report: Pentagon to destroy $1B in ammunition (USA Today) The Pentagon plans to destroy more than $1 billion worth of ammunition although some of those bullets and missiles could still be used by troops, according to the Pentagon and congressional sources. For transgender service members, honesty can end career (Washington Post) It felt like the pinnacle of his career, working the graveyard shift in a windowless plywood facility in Afghanistan, monitoring a Special Operations mission as it unfolded in real time on grainy video feeds. Can military's satellite links be hacked? Cyber-security firm cites concerns. (Christian Science Monitor) Satellite communications terminals, including those used by the US military, are vulnerable, says IOActive, a cyber-security firm. SATCOM industry officials say the terminals are secure. Coming Soon: Pentagon's Multi-Billion Dollar Health Records Contract (Nextgov) Sometime in the coming months, the Defense Department will bid out its Healthcare Management Systems Modernization contract, an effort so large in monetary size and game-changing scope that it could significantly influence the future of health care in the United States. New rule: Recruits may have to buy U.S.-made athletic shoes (Military Times) The Defense Department issued a new rule Friday that could prohibit boot-camp recruits from using their one-time cash allowance for athletic footwear to buy foreign-made shoes. ARMY US Army Breaking Out the Big New Guns (Defense News) US Army Brig. Gen. David Bassett visited this remote desert artillery range to see something that has become increasingly rare in Army acquisition circles: a major developmental program that looks like it’s going to work. Fort Benning soldier dies after road march (Ledger-Enquirer; Columbus, Ga.) A Fort Benning soldier died early today at St. Francis Hospital in Columbus after he was stricken during a ruck march on the post, authorities said. Gen. McMaster makes Time's '100 most influential' (Army Times) The commanding general of the Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Ga., is listed among pioneers on Time.com’s list, which was announced Thursday after an online poll. Better Nutrition Efforts Fill the Army's Plate (ARMY Magazine) The Army is using education programs, revamped menus, more healthy preparation and presentation in its quest to help soldiers eat better, perform better, feel better and stay healthy longer.  Soldiers lose vacation time in 20 locations (Army Times) Beginning June 1, soldiers deploying for 12 months to certain countries across the globe will have to go without their two-week rest and recuperation leave. West Point works to boost female cadet numbers (Associated Press) West Point wants more women. With female cadets representing less than one in five cadets in the Long Gray Line, the U.S. Military Academy is taking steps to boost the number of women arriving here this summer and beyond. NCOs needed for warrant officer slots (Army Times) The Army is accepting applications from qualified enlisted soldiers of the active and reserve components who want to become food safety warrant officers. NAVY Grief, tears and white doves in Arlington as the Navy and family bid a brave sailor farewell (Washington Post) The little girl in the white dress with sparkling trim sat in the velvet chair, swinging her feet back and forth. She wore white shoes and white tights and had baubles in her hair. Range XO fired for failed performance (Navy Times) The Navy removed the second-in-command of a missile testing range April 25 because of “unsatisfactory performance,” the service said in an April 26 news release. Accused Navy pilot Gregory McWherter resigns as Tailhook Association president (Washington Post) For more than two decades, the Navy has labored to overcome and bury memories of perhaps the worst scandal in its history: the 1991 Tailhook convention, when crowds of drunken aviators sexually battered scores of women during a frenzied Las Vegas party. Mineman dodged sharks, saved shipmates after Guardian grounding (Navy Times) Mineman Third Class (SW) Travis Kirckof was fast asleep in his bunk at 2:20 a.m. on Jan. 17, 2013, when the hull shuddered and the collision alarm sounded, jolting him and 78 shipmates out of bed. Sailors taken by Oso mudslide remembered at Navy services (The Seattle Times) A Navy commander and a chief Navy counselor who perished in the deadly Oso mudslide were memorialized Friday by sailors at Naval Station Everett in a somber service attended by their survivors. Hovercraft's no-officer crew offers challenging career path (Navy Times) They’re big, they’re fast, and they’re commanded — and flown — by chiefs. Navy is pressed to address safety of Red Hill tanks Honolulu Star-Advertiser) Three months after an underground storage tank leaked up to 27,000 gallons of jet fuel, Navy contractors last week began to inspect the tank at Red Hill. AIR FORCE U.S. steps up air adviser work with European, Asian air forces (Air Force Times) A year and a half before Russia’s March annexation of Crimea resurrected Cold War fears in Eastern Europe, U.S. airmen began a series of security cooperation activities with countries across the region. Who's minding the nukes? (60 Minutes) Lesley Stahl gets rare access inside an American nuclear control center and meets the young airmen who watch over some of the world’s deadliest weapons. Airman said to have acted alone in killing of AFN broadcaster (Stars and Stripes) An American airman charged with murdering Petty Officer 2nd Class Dmitry Chepusov has admitted to the killing and says he acted alone, defense attorneys for a soldier charged as his accomplice said Thursday. James: Air Force 'rusty' at force management (Air Force Times) Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James on Friday apologized for bumps in the service’s force management process, and pledged to make the process move more smoothly. Legendary pilot Chuck Yeager battles Fresno law firm in court on Monday (Fresno Bee) Wild, Carter & Tipton, founded in 1893, contends Yeager and his 55-year-old wife, Victoria Scott Yeager, never paid for its services in a number of civil cases and have an unpaid bill of nearly $270,000. Airman acquitted of rape charges, guilty of exposure (San Antonio Express-News) An Air Force photographer was acquitted Friday night of raping a woman on two occasions last year, but jurors weighing his fate found him guilty of exposing himself to a 15-year-old O'Connor High School student. Last F-22s arrive at Tyndall (Air Force Times) With the arrival of the last four F-22s earlier this month, the Air Force’s newest Raptor squadron is operational, and Tyndall Air Force Base is now home to the largest group of the fifth-generation fighter. MARINE CORPS Gunnery sergeant receives Navy Cross for actions in Afghanistan (Marine Corps Times) For repeatedly using his own body to shield other Marines from enemy fire, for dashing across fire-swept ground to recover a Marine shot in the face by an enemy sniper, and for orchestrating a five-hour firefight by coordinating multiple U.S., Afghan and Georgian units across three languages, Gunnery Sgt. Richard A. Jibson became the most recent Marine to earn the Navy Cross. Military jury: Life in prison and dishonorable discharge for Master Sgt. Cosby (With Video) (KHON 2; Honolulu) The jury recommended life in confinement and a dishonorable discharge in the court-martial of Master Sgt. Nathaniel L. Cosby. CNO wants to reward fleet sailors, Marines on long deployments (Marine Corps Times) While Marines are downsizing and transitioning to a more expeditionary posture abroad, the Navy is considering sacrificing a carrier to budget cuts, which is likely to extend deployments for sailors and some Marine squadrons, and may also lead to extended deployments for Marine amphibious units. Fort Myers man receives two Purple Hearts in 44 years (News-Press; Fort Myers, Fla.) While other Southwest Florida sexagenarians were busy sleeping in hammocks, golfing or watching the sunset, Fort Myers' Richard Crawford was climbing into mine-resistant military vehicles in the most dangerous part of the world. Marine Corps Times reporter heads to Afghanistan (Marine Corps Times) Marine Corps Times reporter Hope Hodge Seck will report from Afghanistan over the next three weeks, embedded with Marines in Helmand province. Capt. Ryan Iannelli, U.S. Marine killed in Afghanistan, honored with Home Run Derby, scholarship (Gloucester County Times; N.J.) The East Greenwich native played the game for the township, then for Kingsway High School, where he was captain of the team, and then in college. The love of the game stuck with him for a lifetime and now his family and his alma mater are honoring him by holding a home run derby to raise money for a scholarship in his name. Marines to test out tactical energy harvesting, from knee braces to drones (Marine Corps Times) Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., will soon test new gadgets and gear aimed at harvesting and repurposing waste energy — including a knee brace that could power battery-operated gear. VETERANS Waits for Phoenix VA Appointments Drove Sick to ER, Ex-Employee Says (Wall Street Journal) Waits to see primary-care doctors in the Phoenix VA Health Care System were lengthy enough to force some patients to seek help at the emergency room, according to a former employee whose allegations are part of an investigation by the VA's inspector general. Japanese-American member of Merrill's Marauders dies at 100 (Military Times) Roy Matsumoto, who served with the famed Merrill’s Marauders during World War II and was later inducted into the “Ranger Hall of Fame,” has died at 100, according to his daughter Karen. Citizen-soldiers took divergent paths after Iraq tour that held more trauma than expected (Wisconsin State Journal; Madison) Five years ago, thousands of Wisconsin factory workers, farmers, students, hamburger cooks and accountants were far from their homes, crossing the desert frontier between Kuwait and Iraq on a historic mission to help bring an unpopular war to a close. 84-year-old beats off home invader (The Courier Tribune; Asheboro, N.C.) Bonnie said Neil, a retired long-distance truck driver and former U.S. Air Force MP, came running into the room and never hesitated. AFGHANISTAN Afghanistan helicopter crash 'a tragic accident' (With Video) (BBC) A fatal helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan which killed all five UK personnel on board appears to have been a "tragic accident", the MoD has said. Head of Taliban's military commission resigns due to 'ill health' (Long War Journal) The Taliban announced the resignation of Mullah Adbul Qayoum Zakir in a statement that was released today on Voice of Jihad, the group's official website. Afghan Presidential Candidates Allege Widespread Fraud (Wall Street Journal) The two top vote-getters in Afghanistan's presidential election alleged widespread fraud and other irregularities, with the leader saying he could still emerge as victor without a runoff once all the complaints are adjudicated. Runoff set for June 7 to settle Afghanistan presidential election (Los Angeles Times) The Afghan presidential race is set for a June runoff between former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah and former World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani, according to official results released Saturday. Afghan forces prepare to take lead (San Diego Union-Tribune) Across Afghanistan, monumental transitions like the one involving Marine Lt. Col. Thomas Ziegler are taking place. Ziegler handed over the key to the front gate of his military base at Delaram this month, leaving Afghan national troops solely in charge of securing Nimruz province. Then he and his team of about 100 Marine advisers and supporting personnel — the last coalition forces in Nimruz — withdrew. As war winds down, Afghan Taliban targets foreign civilian workers (Christian Science Monitor) As the withdrawal of US-led NATO troops in Afghanistan approaches, the Taliban and those they’ve recruited are targeting foreign civilian workers like the three American doctors killed this week. IRAQ Iraqi helicopters hit convoy in Syria (Al Jazeera) Iraqi army helicopters has attacked a self-declared jihadist convoy inside eastern Syria as it tried to approach the border, killing at least eight people, an interior ministry spokesman said. Fledgling Iraqi Military Is Outmatched on Battlefield (Wall Street Journal) More than two years after the last U.S. troops left Iraq, as the country prepares for its first post-occupation parliamentary elections on Wednesday, its demoralized, underequipped military is losing the fight against Islamist militants, who are better armed, better trained, and better motivated, according to Iraqi and American generals, politicians and analysts. Iraq's Army, Police Vote For New Parliament (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Some 1 million Iraqi Army and police personnel have started to vote in parliamentary elections, the first nationwide balloting since the withdrawal of U.S. forces in late 2011. MIDDLE EAST Syrian rebels who received first U.S. missiles of war see shipment as ‘an important first step’ (Washington Post) Under the leadership of a young, battle-hardened rebel commander, the men entrusted with the first American missiles to be delivered to the Syrian war are engaged in an ambitious effort to forge a new, professional army. US Official: Iran Must Prove It's Not Building Nuclear Weapon (Defense News)  The United States reiterated its commitment to Arabian Gulf security by stating that any agreement with Iran will be based on “verifiable actions that shows the US and the international community that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.” Iran to target decoy US aircraft carrier in drills (Associated Press)  An Iranian newspaper is reporting that the country's military plans to target a mock-up American aircraft carrier during upcoming war games. Drone War Doesn’t Stop Al-Qaeda’s ‘Obsession’ With Striking U.S. (Time) Experts say Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula remains focused on striking the United States, and targeted attacks by American drones and Yemeni commandos have so far failed to weaken the dangerous group. Egypt court sentences 683 people to death (Al JAzeera) An Egyptian court has sentenced 683 people, including Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie to death. Kuwait, a U.S. ally on Syria, is also the leading funder of extremist rebels (Washington Post) Kuwait, a U.S. ally whose aid to besieged Syrian civilians has been surpassed only by the United States this year, is also the leading source of funding for al-Qaeda-linked terrorists fighting in Syria’s civil war, according to Obama administration officials. EUROPE EUCOM dismisses reports of secret U.S. base in Crimea (Military Times) Military officials in Europe are pushing back against reports the U.S. was conducting humanitarian assistance projects in Crimea as a ruse to establish a military base in the region. Baltics To Hike Budgets, Pursue Permanent NATO Troop Presence (Defense News) With nervous Baltic governments urging the US and NATO to establish a permanent “force presence” in the region, against the backdrop of Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, Lithuania has responded to a NATO call for increased defense spending by promising to double its military budget to more than $800 million by 2020. Obama Says More Sanctions Against Russia Are Coming (New York Times) President Obama, declaring that Russia was continuing to bully and threaten Ukraine, said here on Monday that the United States would impose additional sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, as well as freezing some exports of military technology. Pentagon: Hagel's Russian counterpart won't return his calls (Fox News) Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel cannot get his Russian counterpart to take his calls, the Pentagon said Friday -- amid a new report that the Kremlin has suspended high-level talks with U.S. officials. Hagel takes backseat on Ukraine (The Hill) Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is taking a backseat to other players in the Obama administration when it comes to the crisis in Ukraine.  For Russia, Negatives Seem to Outweigh Positives of an Invasion (New York Times) Thousands of Russian troops are maneuvering along the border, with Russian fighter jets menacing Ukraine’s airspace. Ukrainian leaders have warned that border crossings by any soldiers would be considered an invasion, even while the country pursues military operations against a pro-Russian rebellion in the east. Washington and Moscow hurl ever more heated pronouncements. The first casualties lie in fresh graves. Turkey's Cyber Vulnerability Raises NATO Concerns (Defense News) A flurry of cyberattacks that has deeply embarrassed the Turkish government in recent months has raised concerns among some NATO officials about vulnerabilities in the country’s cyber defenses, diplomats and analysts said. Latvia says Russia trying to use 'provocateurs' in Baltic state (Reuters) Latvia's defence minister said on Friday Russia was trying to stir unrest in the Baltic state by using "specially-trained, professional provocateurs" in the wake of its intervention in Ukraine. UK MoD Might Accelerate Programs to Avoid Election-Related Delays (Defense News) The last time Britain had a general election, the winning Conservative-led coalition held up 17 defense programs approved by the previous Labour administration in the run up to the vote while they conducted a review of the various deals. COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS Soldier on trial because reporter kept digging (Karen Peterson in The Tacoma News Tribune) Carl Prine, investigative reporter for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, learned of a story four years ago in a roundabout way. It turned into a blockbuster — and last week it led to a story in The News Tribune Perfect: Enemy of the Good & Missile Defense (David Trachtenberg in Real Clear Defense) The Obama administration’s latest budget request reflects the lowest level of missile defense funding since the Clinton administration.  Promising missile defense programs have been scrapped, increasing the risk that ballistic missile threats to the United States will outpace our ability to counter them. The Continuing Irrelevance of William Lind (Jim Lacey in the Small Wars Journal) William Lind in a recent article in “The American Conservative” laid out the proposition that after four defeats - Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan - America’s military officer corps is intellectually stagnant. This is utter nonsense.  Build Fast, Effective Acquisition: Avoid The System We’ve Got (Bill Greenwalt in Breaking Defense) The first question Congress and the Pentagon should address as they try to reform the acquisition system is: what has really worked in the past. Did Obama Just Draw Another Red Line in the East China Sea? (Michael Auslin in The Daily Beast) The president promised Tokyo that the U.S. would protect Japan’s sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands—but after Syria and Crimea, Obama’s tough talk may fail to impress Beijing. Be Afraid: China Can't Control North Korea (Gordon Chang in The National Interest) This month in Beijing, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel asked China’s leader Xi Jinping to do more to disarm North Korea. In February, Secretary of State John Kerry, when he was in the Chinese capital, goaded his counterparts on the same topic. President Obama, while meeting Xi in The Hague during the Nuclear Security Summit in March, discussed the denuclearization of the North.