Japan Keeps Flying Ospreys, Aware of US Restrictions
Japan’s defense chief has no plans to restrict flights of the V-22 Ospreys operated in his country. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara said Japanese and US military officials have closely communicated over technical issues involving the safety of Ospreys.
Chebi: Osprey Restrictions Will Remain Until 2025
House lawmakers questioned Pentagon officials last week about the V-22 Osprey’s safety record. During the hearing Wednesday, VADM Carl Chebi, head of US Naval Air Systems Command, said the aircraft will remain under safety restrictions until 2025.
US Flag Code: Not a Law, an Honor
The US Flag Code is not legally enforceable, but adherence to it is considered a sign of patriotism and respect. The code formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the US flag, and also gives specific instructions on how the US flag is not to be used. Some guidelines ahead of Flag Day, June 14, 2024.
Defense Budget Boosts Funds for New Tech, Innovation
US House lawmakers want to allocate more than $1.3 billion for the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, part of a continued push by Congress to develop commercial technology at a faster pace.
Handful of D-Day Vets Attend 80-Year Anniversary
The June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France was unprecedented in scale and audacity, using the largest-ever armada of ships, troops, planes and vehicles to punch a hole in Adolf Hitler’s defenses in western Europe and change the course of World War II. Don’t forget what we did, say the handful of living veterans of D-Day, now mostly centenarians. “They probably wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t be successful,” says WWII bomber Bill Wall, 101.
Key GOP Sen. Wants $55B Increase in Defense Spending
Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released a plan calling for an additional $55 billion above the fiscal 2025 defense spending caps imposed under last year’s debt ceiling deal.
Lost 52 Finds Another Lost Sub: USS Harder
The Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed the location of the USS Harden with the help of Tiburon Subsea CEO Tim Taylor and the Lost 52 project, a group that works to find and memorialize the 52 US submarines lost during World War II. In addition to Harder, the group has located fellow fallen subs Grayback, Stickleback, R-12, S-26, S-28, and Grunion.
Vets Can Prepare Own Online Memorials
VA planners expect to expand the Veterans Legacy Memorial platform by the end of the year. The project allows living veterans to prepare their own tribute pages with personal information about their time in the service and allows family members to update online memorials of deceased vets.
Nat’l Cemeteries Open Dawn to Dusk Memorial Weekend
The 155 national cemeteries managed by Veterans Affairs will be open from dawn to dusk throughout Memorial Day weekend, and more than 130 will hold ceremonies to mark the day of remembrance for those who died in service to the US. The VA invites all veterans, family members, survivors and the public to the ceremonies honoring heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Restrictions Limit How Ospreys Can Operate
Despite the V-22 Ospreys being given the OK to fly again, there are still restrictions that limit the tiltrotor aircraft’s ability to operate.
