March 28, 2024

Military Ebola Quarantine Approved

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DefSec Chuck Hagel approved a mandatory 21-day quarantine for all military personnel serving in Ebola stricken areas of West Africa, reports CNN. The quarantine was pushed for by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and creates a separate set of rules for military members than the White House plan for civilian health care workers. Mr. Hagel explained the discrepancy between civilians and the military by saying service members are sent to the Ebola region by him and health workers are going as volunteers.

Pentagon workers could be targeted by ISIS or other terrorists, the building’s internal security agency is warning employees in a new memo, according to Navy Times. The Pentagon Force Protection Agency directed security managers to remind Pentagon employees about how they can avoid standing out to terrorists.

A trade association forecasts that Federal IT spending will grow very slowly over the next five years, with growth on the civilian agency side slightly outpacing that of defense-related agencies, reports FederalTimes. Spending on all IT programs in 2015 is estimated to hit roughly $80 billion, of which $73.7 billion is for unclassified programs.

Israel plans to buy 25 more F-35 stealth fighter jets, bringing its total number on order to about 44, reports Reuters. They bought 19 F-35s for $2.75 billion in 2010, a deal that included options for up to 75 planes. The new order, which requires final approval by an Israeli government panel, would be delivered beginning in 2019. Reuters also reports that Britain reached an agreement in principle to order four more F-35s. The formal contract, part of a plan to purchase 14 fighters over the next five years, will be placed within the coming weeks and jets are due to be delivered mid-2016.

The Pentagon’s decision to lift the ban on women in combat by January 2016, along with its move in recent months to open a number of jobs to female troops previously held only by men, has analysts debating whether women should start registering for the draft, according to The Christian Science Monitor. The Reserve Officers Association of the United States stated, “an inequality exists between men and women between the ages of 18-26 under the Selective Service Act. Women should be treated equally as responsible, competent, contributing members of America’s society.”

The Navy’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye reached initial operational capability, according to C4ISR&Networks. Northrop delivered 15 of the aircraft, with 60 more to go to complete the Navy’s order. The upgraded carrier-based airborne radar aircraft features the more powerful AN/APY-9 radar system, as well as new avionics and a glass cockpit.

China and Iran announced plans for greater maritime cooperation, reports The Washington Post. Although the specifics are undefined, the alliance expands the reach of their warships into faraway seas and new ports of call and, at the same time, gives the US and its preeminent naval power a poke in the eye.

Banks and credit unions that operate on military installations need to provide more information and protection to service members, reports Military Times. Researchers were surprised that these institutions didn’t do more to help their customers, particularly with online disclosures of information such as terms and fees. With the military’s high-mobility lifestyle, troops need to be able to easily access such information online.

The Navy will release an official Navy SEAL smartphone training app that simulates the grueling SEAL and Special Warfare Combat Crewman physical standard test required to enter training, according to Navy Times. The free app takes you through the five-step PST circuit – the swim, pushups, curlups, pullups and the 1.5 mile run, with a timer for each event. No Internet connection is required to complete the series.

The DoD IG recommended “corrective action” against the former director of DoD’s Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy Office, according to Military Times. A report concludes that Philip A. Burdette misused government resources and he is accused of violating federal law and DoD regulations.

iRobot has been awarded a $7.6 million Navy contract for its Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) robots, according to C4ISR&Networks. The contract, issued by the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, calls for iRobot to deliver 46 MTRS systems. Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2015.

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