By Kevin Baron
Published: September 30, 2010
Earlier this month, the top Air Force intelligence officer, Lt. Gen. David Deptula warned a roomful of generals that the U.S. was losing its lead in air power supremacy, and showed a video that left many in the room wide-eyed and worried.
The video – now available to watch at Stripes Central -- is worth seeing. “Threats to 2010 Air Supremacy” was compiled by the Air Force Intelligence Analysis Agency.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 30, 2010
In one of their last moves before heading into the pre-election recess, House lawmakers last night passed the Veterans Benefits Act of 2010, which includes a host of changes to VA programs and updates concerning the rights of deployed active duty troops. The White House is expected to sing the measure into law in coming days.
The bill is a compromise measure between the House and Senate which encompasses a number of smaller, stand-alone veterans benefits bills. It includes improvements to employment programs, homeless outreach efforts, disabled veterans assistance and research into future medical needs of returning troops. Here's a look at some of the highlights:
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 29, 2010
The authors of the book "The $3 Trillion War" noted in a conference call on Wednesday that when they first released their findings two years ago, the estimates were widely criticized as being too high. Now, the researchers believe they may have been too low.
Joseph Stiglitz, who received the 2000 Nobel Prize for Economics, and Linda Bilmes, a public policy professor at Harvard University, said the number of veterans seeking post-combat medical care and the cost of treating those individuals is about 30 percent higher than they initially estimated. That, combined with increases in the cost of military medical care and the lagging economy, will likely push the true long-term cost of the war over the $4 trillion mark.
By Kevin Baron
Published: September 29, 2010
U.S. and international security and intelligence agencies launched a major cyberwar game this week that tested how a long list of federal agencies and private companies could work together when the digital bombs start dropping.
The event, led by the Department of Homeland Security, is also the first major test for the new National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, in Arlington, Va. DHS says in a fact sheet that the game, which fires 1,500 cyber attacks on critical infrastructures, allows them to test out the National Cyber Incident Response Plan, which they call “a blueprint for cybersecurity incident response.”
By Kevin Baron
Published: September 28, 2010
U.S. military officers strongly support increasing U.S. diplomacy and development spending, according to a new poll released Tuesday by a Washington advocacy group.
If that's not enough to convince anyone, on Tuesday afternoon the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition meeting will back up it up with a heavy-hitting a lineup of Obama administration cabinet members Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah.
By Megan McCloskey
Published: September 28, 2010
A retired Army general spent an hour at a Brookings Institute discussion on warfare yesterday basically asking: WTF?
Four percent of the force does 80 percent of the dying in the current wars and yet the needs of ground warfare - specifically that of small units - doesn't get priority in the DoD machine, Maj. Gen. Robert Scales, former commandant of the Army War College, lamented.
By Jeff Schogol
Published: September 27, 2010
Beings from another world are trying to promote world peace.
That was the main takeaway from a news conference Monday at the National Press Club about UFO activity that featured several former airmen who saw UFOs on or near Air Force bases with nuclear weapons.
“I believe – these gentlemen believe – that this planet is being visited by beings from another world, who, for whatever reason, have taken an interest in the nuclear arms race which began at the end of World War II,” said UFO researcher Robert Hastings, who was at Monday’s news conference.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 27, 2010
Officials at the Federal Voting Assistance Program will launch their biennial absentee voting week reminders, letting overseas troops know that it's already time to start thinking about the November elections.
Troops stationed outside the United States who want to vote in the midterm elections needed to make sure their registration and mailing information was up-to-date months ago. Absentee ballots should be arriving in troops mailboxes shortly, but FVAP officials are warning servicemembers not to wait too long for that paperwork.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 24, 2010
Advocates for a repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" suffered another blow last night when the White House moved to appeal a federal court decision overturning the controversial 1993 law. In a statement, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the Department of Justice appealed the court case "as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged."
Gibbs also insisted that the move does not undermine the president's resolve to do away with the ban on gay troops serving openly in the military. "This filing in no way diminishes the President’s firm commitment to achieve a legislative repeal of DADT – indeed, it clearly shows why Congress must act to end this misguided policy ... The President, along with his Administration, will continue to work with the Senate Leadership to achieve a legislative repeal of DADT as outlined in the (defense authorization bill) this fall."
By Jeff Schogol
Published: September 23, 2010
An increasing number of military spouses and servicemembers are worried about their children’s education in civilian schools, according to a recent survey by Blue Star Families, a non-profit group for military families.
The group conducted surveys in 2009 and 2010 on the key issues facing military families. The percentage of respondents who listed their children’s education as their top concern rose from 3 to 12 percent.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 23, 2010
President Barack Obama's stump speech last night at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's New York fundraiserwas interrupted by a heckler in the crowd chanting "don't ask, don't tell" in apparent frustration with the failed Senate vote earlier this week.
Obama's response? Don't blame us, blame the Republicans.
"A young man back there shouted 'don’t ask, don’t tell.' As President, I have said we’re going to reverse it," he told the crowd of supporters. "I got the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and I got the Secretary of Defense to say that we’re going to reverse it."
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 22, 2010
Yesterday Senate Democrats pushing for a repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" law fell short of the 60 votes needed to move ahead debate on the defense budget bill, putting the future of a repeal in doubt. They hope to bring the issue up again after the November elections, if they can convince at least one Republican to come across the aisle and vote with their caucus.
But the 56-43 vote Tuesday (one Republican Senator was absent) revealed another stumbling block for repeal supporters. To get to 60 votes, they'll need to win back two Democratic senators from Arkansas as well.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 20, 2010
This week could be either a turning point in efforts to repeal the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” law or a dramatic late victory for conservatives opposed to openly gay individuals serving in the military. Both sides should have a better idea which way the momentum is headed starting Tuesday afternoon.
About 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Senate has scheduled a cloture vote on the fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes the “don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal language. Supporters need 60 votes to pass the cloture motion, which is used to limit the time of debate on a bill (thereby getting around any filibuster attempts by opponents).
By Jeff Schogol
Published: September 20, 2010
The average SAT scores for students in Defense Department schools rose in 2010, putting them above the national average for critical reading and writing but below the national average for math, according to the Department of Defense Education Activity.
Between 2009 and 2010, DODEA students’ average scores increased from 505 to 510 on the critical reading section of the test; from 498 to 499 on the math section; and from 492 to 494 on the writing section.
By Kevin Baron
Published: September 20, 2010
Two weeks before the inaugural Warrior Games for disabled servicemembers opened at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., the Marine Corps sent its team ahead to train – and acclimate to the altitude.
“Nobody else did that,” said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics, laughing. “So, we’ve heard from all of the commands and all of the service branches that training has already begun.”
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 20, 2010
Late last week Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, introduced new legislation to extend the age limit to 26 for veterans’ dependents on the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs. About 336,000 individuals currently use the program.
Lawmakers have already introduced legislation to extend Tricare benefits to the dependent children of military members up until age 26, bringing the health care plan in line with new national standards passed in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Under the old rules students could only stay on their parents' medical plan until age 23, but the health care overhaul added three more years.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 16, 2010
Lawmakers and veterans advocates criticized Defense Department officials yesterday for continued questions surrounding personality disorder discharges by the military, a practice critics say allows the military to avoid paying for some war injuries by blaming problems instead on pre-existing medical conditions.
In testimony before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Wednesday, Department officials said the number of personality disorder dismissals has dropped by nearly a third in recent years, thanks to stricter regulation and new requirements for discharges. But the military in fiscal 2009 (the latest data available) still booted more than 2,000 troops for conditions they say were lingering from before their enlistment, a figure that lawmakers said is unsettling.
By Jeff Schogol
Published: September 15, 2010
Fewer than half of the people eligible for retroactive stop-loss compensation have been paid, prompting President Barack Obama to urge eligible veterans, troops and surviving family members to apply for their money before the program ends on Oct. 21.
“Some veterans think this is some sort of gimmick or scam, or it’s some way for the government to call you back to service,” Obama said in a video message released on Wednesday. “Nothing could be further from the truth. As your commander in chief, I am here to tell you that this is no gimmick or trick. You worked hard; you earned this money.”
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 15, 2010
Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta said his head has been spinning since he received a call from the president last week congratulating him for earning the Medal of Honor for his battlefield heroics. "I'm a regular line soldier, so this has been a whole different world for me."
Giunta, who later this year will become the first living soldier from Afghanistan to receive the award, said the media attention and calls from dignitaries has made him excited and proud, but it's also left him "bittersweet" because of the friends he hasn't been able to share the honor with.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 14, 2010
A new Harris Poll released today shows that most Americans believe Iraq is in better shape today than before U.S. troops arrived in 2003, but those surveyed are still divided over whether the war was worth fighting.
In the survey 57 percent of Americans said that Iraq is better off today than it was before the U.S. invasion 7 years ago, compared to 19 percent who believe the country is worse off (another 24 percent said they aren't sure). But when asked if the war was worth fighting, only 49 percent agreed, while 38 percent did not think it was worth the sacrifice.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 14, 2010
Last night officials from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's office confirmed that they'll bring the fiscal 2010 defense authorization bill -- and it's controversial repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" law -- up for a vote next week. Gay rights groups had been pushing for a vote before the election break, worried that a Republican takeover of either chamber in November could sink their hopes of a repeal.
But, now that the vote is set, the question becomes whether those groups can muster enough votes to actually pass the measure allowing gay servicemembers to serve openly in the military. When the House passed identical language back in May, the 234-194 victory came over strong objections from Republicans and some conservative Democrats. The provision barely passed out of the Senate Armed Services Committee, squeaking through with a 16-12 vote.
By Kevin Baron
Published: September 13, 2010
Retiring four-star U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, 56, commander of Strategic Command, on Monday revealed to a small group of reporters his only ambition in life: “I’ve really aspired to nothing, except for one thing,” he said. “The reason I joined the Air Force was to become a United Airlines pilot. I couldn’t figure out any other way to get flying lessons.”
“I failed,” he bemoaned, with a wry smile. Instead, Chilton will have to settle for a career flying the historic U-2 spy plane, the B-52 Stratofortress, F-15s, F-4s….and two space shuttles, orbiting the earth 469 times.
Chilton, the combatant commander in charge of America’s nuclear arsenal and mission, was atop many parlor lists for higher positions in the military. But he seemed quite satisfied at the Air Force Association’s national convention when asked if his retirement was truly voluntary.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 13, 2010
Younger troops have grumbled for years that America trusts them to carry a weapon and fight for freedom overseas, but until age 21 they can't be trusted with a bottle of beer. Now a Georgia lawmaker is looking at changing that.
Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., introduced legislation recently which would allow servicemembers as young as 18 to enjoy alcoholic drinks at restaurants or clubs on any stateside military base. The bill would not allow anyone under 21 to buy carry-out cases of beer from base stores or allow younger troops to keep beer in their barracks.
By Kevin Baron
Published: September 10, 2010
When ABC’s Jake Tapper asked President Barack Obama in Friday’s White House press conference if Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ phone call to book-burning organizer Terry Jones "elevated" what was previously a “fringe” group, Obama responded, “I hardly think we're the ones who elevated this.”
Obama’s implication was that we, the media, did the elevating. The question is: Did the media overhype this story?
By Jeff Schogol
Published: September 10, 2010
The recent introduction of eight adult-themed HBO television series into AFN’s late-night weekend lineup raised even more controversy than expected at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, where because of a time zone issue the often-explicit programming begins airing at the dinner hour.
Because AFN does not have a separate feed for Guantanamo, AFN Spectrum’s weekend lineup of uncensored shows — many of which include profanity, violence and nudity — has aired starting at 5 p.m., six hours earlier than it does in central Europe. Rather than wait for the local cable company to install servers that would allow some programming to be time-delayed, AFN announced Thursday that it will take the controversial shows off the air at Guantanamo until the problem can be addressed.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 10, 2010
Following the White House announcement yesterday that Staff Sgt. Robert Miller would become the third servicemember from Afghanistan to be awared the Medal of Honor, his parents released this statement thanking the military and remembering their son:
We thank God that Rob will receive the recognition and honor he deserves, and for having blessed our family with Rob’s presence. Rob was an energetic, curious, always active child. His sense of adventure and love of country led him to enlist in the US Army in 2003.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 9, 2010
Normally traffic outside the Department of Veteran Affairs headquarters moves at a crawl, but on Thursday morning NASCAR driver Landon Cassill had plenty of room to do a burnout in the Post 9/11 GI Bill-sponsored Chevy and kick up a cloud of smoke, much to the delight of the assembled crowd.
Cassill will drive the car -- whose hood and body is plastered with the Post-9/11 GI Bill logo -- in the Air Guard 400 at Richmond International Speedway Saturday night. VA officials said the goal of the sponsorship is to reach out to more veterans and educate them on the new education benefits, now entering their second full school year.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 9, 2010
Earlier this summer Congress appeared on the cusp of repealing the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" law following a compromise plan approved by both the House and the Senate Armed Services Committee. But further action on the plan has stalled since then, and gay rights groups are now questioning whether Senate Democrats will make the issue a priority before the November elections.
Senators will return to Washington, D.C. for four more weeks of work before heading back home for the final pre-election push. All summer long Senate leadership has said that passing the annual defense authorization bill (which contains the DADT repeal language) would be a top priority upon return. But now, with economic issues at the forefront of many re-election campaigns, officials have not set a date for when a vote on the military bill will happen.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 8, 2010
UPDATED 9/9: In the last week the White House has announced two new Medal of Honor recipients, the 3,447th and 3,448th in the history of the honor. The first will be given to the family of Medal of Honor to Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger, killed in action in Laos 42 years ago. The airman and his crew were overrun by the enemy during a bombing mission there in 1968, and Etchberger was gravely wounded while drawing enemy fire away from a rescue airlift evacuating his wounded comrades. His sons will attend the White House ceremony on Sept. 21.
On Thursday White House officials announced the third posthumous Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan, this one to Army Staff Sgt. Robert Miller for actions in January 2008. While both awards recognize outstanding heroism and courage under fire, the announcements aren't the Medal of Honor news most military watchers were hoping to hear this month.
By Kevin Baron
Published: September 7, 2010
President Barack Obama will participate in September 11 anniversary ceremonies at the Pentagon this Saturday morning, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates will host the service, which begins at 9:30am, eastern, according to Pentagon staff. Gibbs said Vice President Joe Biden will head to New York for the ground zero service, while First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady Laura Bush will meet in Pennsylvania, where United Arilines flight 93 -- now believed headed toward the U.S. Capitol building -- crashed into the ground.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 3, 2010
The Army and Air Force Exchange Service was in the news this week not for what they've done but what they won't do. Today, officials there confirmed they will not carry the new "Medal of Honor" video game because of its realistic depictions of Taliban fighters killing American troops. AAFES commander Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella said the decision came “out of respect to those we serve."
Earlier this week, AAFES officials also confirmed that they will not be showing “The Tillman Story,” a documentary exploring the U.S. government’s cover-up after the death of former NFL football player Pat Tillman, at Reel Time Theaters overseas. Spokesman Judd Anstey said that decision was not based on its controversial nature but instead because other movies would appeal to a larger audience.
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 3, 2010
In an editorial column in Friday's USA Today, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden again asked for all Americans to honor the sacrifice and struggle of military families, this time pushing for individuals and businesses to find ways to lend a hand in their time of need.
"Government can only do so much," the pair wrote. "That's why we're challenging every sector of American society to support and engage our military families. You don't have to come from a military family, have a base in your community, or be an expert in military issues to make a difference. Every American can do something."
By Leo Shane III
Published: September 2, 2010
More unsettling news for veterans still carrying the wounds of war: A new study published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder may have a higher risk of dementia than their well-adjusted peers.
The study, which tracked 10,481 veterans at least 65 years of age, found that 11 percent of veterans struggling with PTSD but without other combat wounds developed dementia, compared to only 4.5 percent of their peers. Among combat wounded veterans 7.2 percent of those with PTSD developed dementia, while only 5.9 percent of their peers did.
By Jeff Schogol
Published: September 1, 2010
The infamous lake of sewage at Kandahar Air Field affectionately known as the “Poo Pond” is set to be replaced in June with a new wastewater treatment plant, said Karl Mahon, a spokesman for NATO.
“The current sewage treatment lagoon, as part of decommissioning, will be emptied and then filled in,” Mahon said in an e-mail. “Currently, there is no plan for use of this area of the site once decommissioning is completed”.
