March 28, 2024

Atwa, Wanted for Role in 1985 Hijacking That Killed Local Sailor, Dies

Hijacking

Ali Atwa, a senior Hezbollah operative who was on the FBI’s most wanted list for his role in in the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847 that led to the death of a US Navy diver Robert D. Stethem of Waldorf, MD.

OPM Outlines Discipline Policy for Unvaccinated Federal Employees

Federal agencies have received guidance from the Office of Personnel Management outlining the discipline process for employees who refuse to be vaccinated. Employees must get the vaccine by Nov. 8 to comply with the federal mandate. Disciplinary action could begin the next day.

Navy Gets First Block III Super Hornets

Super Hornets

Boeing delivered the first two Block III F/A-18 Super Hornets to the US Navy this month. The first of 78 new Super Hornets was ferried to Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 at Naval Air Station Pax River for continued developmental testing.

House OKs Its Version of Defense Budget

Shutdown

The US House has approved its version of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, and also gave the OK to open an independent investigation of US failures in Afghanistan, require women to register for the draft, and change how the military prosecutes sex assault.

Space Is Being Littered With Orbital Debris

satellite - artist impression

DeAnna Burt, vice commander of Space Force Space Operations Command, says there needs to be a way to clean up “space junk.” Speaking at the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference, she said, “We need to pick up debris — we need trash trucks. We need things to go make debris go away.” NASA says that more than 27,000 pieces of orbital debris are being tracked by DoD.

For the CH-53K, a Real-World, Heavy-Lift Mission

CH-53K

A Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion completed its first official fleet mission. The heavy-lift helicopter recovered another helicopter from a mountain ridge. “Heavy lift is a unique and invaluable mission for the Marine Corps. Horsepower is our weapon system and the CH-53K is armed to the teeth,” said the VMX-1 officer in charge.

2 COVID Cases Close Leonardtown Library

vaccines COVID

The St. Mary’s County Library in Leonardtown will be closed until September 9 after two employees tested positive for COVID this week. The Lexington Park and Charlotte Hall branches of the library remain open.

US Ramping Up Evacuation Efforts

Evacuation Efforts

Biden faces global pressure to extend Afghanistan evacuation efforts as Taliban warns: extending the deadline means “extending the occupation … [which] will provoke a reaction.”

Lex Park Health Hub Will Be Test & Vaccine Site

COVID Testing

The St. Mary’s County Health Department will offer COVID-19 testing at the new Behavioral Health Hub on Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. Additionally, COVID vaccinations also will be available at the Hub beginning Sept. 1, 2021.

Back-to-School Vaccine Clinics Set

Vaccination Clinics

The St. Mary’s County Health Department will offer free back-to-school vaccine clinics for children up to age 18 who live in St. Mary’s. Three clinics will be held at Spring Ridge Middle School.