TODAY’S TOP 5
1. VA hospital inquiry widens; Secretary Eric Shinseki urges patience
(Los Angeles Times) VA officials said Thursday that complaints about delays in appointment-making and inadequate treatment date back almost a decade. Federal prosecutors have joined the agency's investigation to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.
2. Air Force to offer 3 years off for airmen to start families
(Air Force Times) The Air Force is planning to launch a pilot program later this year that would allow airmen to temporarily leave the service to start a family and return three years later.
3. No, America Is Not In Retreat
(Usha Sahay in War On The Rocks) It's certainly true that America is changing its role on the world stage. But that's not the same as retreating from that stage altogether. In fact, the opposite is true: by many measures, the Obama administration has increased American engagement with the world.
4. U.S. says Boko Haram now 'top priority'
(Associated Press) The U.S. State Department acknowledged Thursday it could have acted sooner to designate Nigeria's Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization, even though the Nigerian government and many Africa experts opposed the move when it was first considered two years ago.
5. CSM killed in Afghanistan, DoD announces
(Army Times) The senior enlisted soldier for 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment has died from wounds suffered in Afghanistan, the Defense Department announced Thursday.
INDUSTRY
Northrop Found to Overcharge U.S. on Counter-Drug Work
(Bloomberg) Northrop Grumman Corp. (NOC) charged the U.S. Army excessive labor rates for almost six years for more than 300 subcontractor employees working on counter-narcotics programs in Afghanistan and the U.S., according to the Pentagon's inspector general.
Can the Pentagon Save Earth from Space Junk?
(Wall Street Journal) Lockheed Martin and Raytheon are battling for a big contract that doesn't involve foreign armies or terrorists but a less earthly threat.
Defense contractor, 530 jobs leaving San Diego
(San Diego Union Tribune) Over the next two years Pratt and Whitney AeroPower will close its San Diego facility on Ruffin Road, which employs 530 people. The facility is the base for the company's division that manufactures airline auxiliary power units.
ASC aims to bridge 'valley of death'
(IHS Jane's 360) Australia's state-owned ASC aims to bridge a looming gap of work in the country's naval shipbuilding sector by co-operating with foreign partners to supply combat support ships to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Boeing conducted unfair practices against U.S. engineers: labor board
(Reuters) The U.S. National Labor Relations Board said on Thursday that Boeing Co (BA.N) committed unfair labor practices against its unionized engineers near Seattle and in Portland, Oregon, when it photographed and videotaped workplace marches in 2012.
Exelis tests airborne infrared sensor to detect IEDs
(C4ISR & Networks) Exelis has flight-tested a long-wave infrared hyperspectral (LWIR HSI) sensor capable of pointing in multiple directions to identify IEDs, explosive gases and other threats.
CONGRESS
House to consider Defense bill next week
(The Hill) The House will consider the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act next week, setting up potential debates over military sexual assault, base closures and immigration.
Powerful GOP Group Threatens to Sink House NDAA
(Defense News) In a blast memo released Wednesday, Heritage Action - the political arm of the Heritage Foundation think tank - urged GOP members to kill the chamber's 2015 national defense authorization bill if the so-called "ENLIST Act" is attached.
Sens. Graham, Ayotte Won't Use NDAA To Get Benghazi Information
(Defense News) The leading GOP critics of the Obama administration over Benghazi will not use a Pentagon policy bill to get more information about the deadly 2012 attack, which could have put the must-pass bill in jeopardy.
Senate to vote on lawyer who authored drone strike memos
(The Hill) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday filed a motion to advance David Barron, President Obama's nominee to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals, setting up a fight over drone policy.
Interview: Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen
(Defense News) The chairman of the US House Appropriations defense subcommittee made it clear that, after years of failing to pass most annual appropriations bills, he is determined to pass a final defense spending bill.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Sexual harassment, not assault, is focus of new DOD report
(Stars & Stripes) Active duty and National Guard troops reported nearly 1,400 incidents of sexual harassment in 2013, according to a Pentagon report on sexual harassment released Thursday - the department's first overall look at the issue.
Obama at 9/11 museum: Terrorism can't break us
(Associated Press) President Obama praised the new Sept. 11 museum on Thursday as "a sacred place of healing and of hope" that captures both the story and the spirit of heroism and helpfulness that followed the attacks.
At Pentagon, Chinese general warns US on territorial disputes
(Stars & Stripes) The chief of China's military warned Thursday that the United States should stay "objective" concerning China's territorial disputes with its neighbors or risk damaging ties between the two countries.
US-China To Set Up Video Hotline, Talk Of Joint Exercises
(Breaking Defense) During a Chinese general's visit to the Pentagon, there were clear indications that the United States and China are grappling with how to craft a more stable and more intimate set of military-to-military relationships.
Cyber pros, single security architecture among JIE-related priorities
(C4ISR & Networks) Lt. Gen. Mark Bowman, Joint Staff J6, said the US military is vulnerable because it lacks an enterprisewide, single security architecture for DoD networks and a force of cyber professionals to defend those networks.
ARMY
Army announces June officer promotions
(Army Times) The Army announced Thursday the names of Regular Army officers selected for promotion in June.
Petraeus says he doesn't recall MoH file amid 'ton of things' going on in Kabul
(Army Times) Retired Army Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday that as the top commander in Afghanistan in 2010 he had "big, big fish in the fryer," so it should come as no surprise that he does not recall his effort to downgrade a controversial soldier's Medal of Honor packet.
Soldiers may replace civilian guards in Germany
(Stars & Stripes) Soldiers may take over security at Army posts in Germany if a contract to keep civilians at the gates isn't signed in the next two weeks.
Missing Bragg soldier's mom: Suspect led cops to grave
(Army Times) The suspect in the killing of a Fort Bragg soldier led investigators to the woman's grave in thick woods that had never been checked despite repeated foot and aerial searches by hundreds of volunteers, the victim's mother said Thursday.
NAVY
Navy releases April court-martial results
(Navy Times) The Navy released the results of 25 general and special courts-martial decided in April, continuing a policy of transparency that began last year.
Navy helps coastal Africa map a common picture of the sea
(Stars & Stripes) "You need to be able to see what's going on out there in order to respond to it," said Bryon Smith, director of Africa engagement for U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa.
Pigeon remover mistaken for active shooter, locks down Naval Hospital Guam
(Pacific Daily News) The Naval Hospital was on lockdown this morning after what was reported to be an active shooter, but was later found to be U.S. Department of Agriculture workers clearing pigeons in a building slated for demolition.
AIR FORCE
Welsh announces new assignments for 9 generals
(Air Force Times) New jobs for eight one-stars and a two-star.
Area defense firms ready for a shot at $100M Air Force human performance deal
(Dayton Business Journal) The next-generation professional services deal for the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.is $7 million bigger than the current five-year contract.&
MARINE CORPS
Fatal V-22 Crash Tied by Marines to Pressure to Succeed
(Bloomberg) The V-22 Osprey's deadliest accident stemmed partly from "undeniably intense" pressure to show progress for the new tilt-rotor aircraft, according to the U.S. Marine Corps commandant.
Man wanted in Marine's death in Washington state
(Marine Corps Times) Police are looking for a man suspected of having a role in three shootings in one week in Federal Way and Des Moines, including the death of a Marine on leave.
New Blaze Hits Pendleton, But Fallbrook Evacuation Orders End in Tomahawk Fire
(Times of San Diego) The Camp Pendleton Scout reported that facilities in what the Marines call the "43 Area" were evacuated, including a store, gas station, restaurant, recreating center, barber shop and laundromat.
Iconic 'Devil Dog' R. Lee Ermey hosts new military working dog reality show
(Marine Corps Times) Ermey says the first 12-episode season of "Saving Private K-9" will profile the stories of military and law enforcement working dogs and their handlers.
VETERANS
Shinseki vows action after VA investigation completed
(Military Times) Facing growing charges of mismanagement and fraudulent scheduling practices at Veterans Affairs Department medical centers, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said Thursday that he's "mad as hell" about the allegations and promised action, with investigations, discipline and, if needed, firings.
Official Says Prosecutors Are Looking at V.A. Lists
(New York Times) The Department of Veterans Affairs' inspector general is working with federal prosecutors who are trying to determine whether criminal violations occurred at a medical center in Phoenix accused of falsifying data or creating secret waiting lists.
VA investigation results not due until August
(Military Times) The results of a much-anticipated government investigation into charges of scheduling fraud at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System will not be out until August, VA Acting Inspector General Richard Griffin said Thursday.
Labeling program lets veterans promote their agricultural products
(Associated Press) The "Homegrown by Heroes" labeling, created last year by Kentucky, allows consumers and businesses to select products that support U.S. farmer veterans. The initiative is now being expanded nationwide.
Veterans group, government watchdog create VA whistleblower site
(Stars & Stripes) As Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki faced a Senate grilling over alleged abuse and fraud in his agency, a veteran's service organization and a government watchdog group Thursday announced a new website designed to give VA whistleblowers a safe place to vent.
MIDDLE EAST
Yemeni president says country is in 'open war' with al-Qaida
(Associated Press) Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said Thursday that his country is in an "open war" with al-Qaida as one of the country's largest offensive against the terror group in south has been pushing militants out of their strongholds.
Iran Recruiting Afghan Refugees to Fight for Regime in Syria
(Wall Street Journal) Iran has been recruiting thousands of Afghan refugees to fight in Syria, offering $500 a month and Iranian residency to help the Assad regime beat back rebel forces, according to Afghans and Western officials.
Ya'alon: Israel, US Must Use 'All Means' To Block Iran Threat
(Agence France-Presse) Israel's defense minister said Thursday that the Jewish state and its US ally should be prepared to use "all means" to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapons capability.
EUROPE
NATO chief: Europe needs more defense spending
(Associated Press) Anders Fogh Rasmussen told participants in a security conference in Slovakia on Thursday that NATO members that don't spend enough on defense risk being "free-riders."
U.S., allies preparing for 'wider' sanctions against Russia, Britain's Hague says
(Washington Post) The British Foreign Secretary called this week's national-dialogue meeting in Kiev "clearly successful" but said the United States and Europe are continuing preparations for "wider economic and trade sanctions" against Russia if it interferes in Ukraine's May 25 elections.
Workers Take to Streets to Calm Tense Ukrainian City
(New York Times) Thousands of steelworkers fanned out on Thursday through the city of Mariupol, establishing control over the streets and banishing the pro-Kremlin militants, possibly reversing the momentum in eastern Ukraine.
British Pilots Finally Training On Watchkeeper
(Aviation Week) With its long-awaited flight clearances in place, British Army pilots are now able to support troop training with the Thales Watchkeeper unmanned aerial system (UAS).
AFRICA
U.S. eager to help Nigerian search for girls but cautious in sharing intelligence
(Washington Post) Nigerian soldiers charged with countering the "exceptionally brutal" Boko Haram insurgency are outgunned and fearful, and the Pentagon has been reluctant to share intelligence with the Nigerian military because of its own record of brutality,
The Secret US Military Operation Underway in Africa
(Mother Jones) Like many of the operations conducted by the United States military in Africa, little is known about Operation New Normal.
Ghana takes delivery of OTT Hunter light strike vehicles
(IHS Jane's 360) The South African company OTT Technologies has delivered 12 of its Hunter light strike vehicles to the Ghanaian Armed Forces under a ZAR8.75 million (USD850,000) contract, South African defence export documentation has revealed.
ASIA-PACIFIC
New North Korean Helicopter Frigates Spotted
(US-Korea Institute at SAIS) Commercial satellite imagery shows two new North Korean helicopter frigates, the largest surface combatants constructed by the Korean People's Navy (KPN) in 25 years. They appear to be primarily designed to fight South Korea's growing submarine fleet.
Australia Boosts Defense Spending 6.1%
(The Diplomat) The defense budget indicated that the government is trying to fulfill its pledge to boost defense spending to 2 percent of GDP over the next ten years.
Philippines releases photos of Chinese reclamation
(Associated Press) The Philippine government on Thursday released military surveillance photos of Chinese land reclamation on a reef claimed by Manila in the South China Sea that it said showed Beijing violated a regional agreement not to escalate territorial disputes.
Japan Moves to Scale Back Postwar Restrictions on the Use of Military Power
(New York Times) Polls have shown broad opposition in Japan, with many people concerned that the nationalistic Prime Minister could use the proposed changes as a step toward dismantling Japan's postwar Constitution and its rejection of war.
Here's Your Pocket Guide to the South China Sea Tensions
(DefenseOne) Territorial spats over the waters and islands of the South China Sea have roiled relations between China and countries like Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei in recent years,
Why Burma's Top General Is Playing Peacemaker
(Foreign Policy) The leader of Burma's military is leveraging peace talks to position himself for next year's epochal presidential election.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Shinseki should resign from VA
(San Antonio Express-News editorial board) His continued presence will serve as a distraction to ongoing investigations of VA care delays, as various groups and leaders debate whether he should stay or go.
Map: Epidemic of VA Mismanagement
(American Legion) The American Legion demands accountability at every level of the Department of Veterans Affairs after CNN reported that no fewer than 40 veterans died waiting for long-delayed doctor appointments at the Phoenix VA Medical Center.
The Future Of American Power: The Great Pull-Back?
(Michael Noonan in War On The Rocks) We (or at least I) seem to prefer a gradual transition to a more multipolar system that also contains some other great power(s) that we agree with more often than not.
The Intelligence Legitimacy Paradox
(Benjamin Wittes for Lawfare) The more deeply the community surveils infrastructure with which the public engages intimately, the more it will have to establish legitimacy in an ongoing and iterative fashion.
4 Strategic Mistakes in China's Oil Rig Fiasco
(Ha Anh Tuan in Real Clear Defense) In response to China's behavior, Southeast Asian countries are building asymmetrical capabilities to protect their sovereignty against Beijing. They also explicitly welcome the involvement of extra-regional powers, such as the US, Japan, and India, in the management of disputes in the SCS.
Can Europe's Security Watchdog Survive the Crisis in Ukraine?
(Spencer Oliver in Foreign Policy) The OSCE was designed to ensure peace in Europe. Now the conflict in Ukraine is confronting it with perhaps the greatest crisis in its history.
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