March 19, 2024

Debt Ceiling Standoff: What’s at Stake for the Military?

Debt Ceiling

Military leaders and some economists are sounding the alarm warning that the US defaulting on its debt would have severe consequences for national security, military personnel, and the communities where military installations are located.

Reports of Abuse, Neglect Surface at Vets Home

Vets Home

Maryland lawmakers and advocates are concerned about reports of neglect and abuse of residents at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, a disclosure that led the state to cancel its contract with HMR Maryland, the company that has managed the facility since 2002.

Navy Has New Ship Rules for Dealing With COVID

Rules

The US Navy now has new rules on how to continue operating in the midst of a global pandemic. The services says these plans and strategy are based on the scientific and operational lessons gained in the past seven months.

FEMA Asks for DoD Medical Help in TX and CA

About 740 military personnel were dispatched to Texas and California after the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested DoD assistance in tamping down the coronavirus pandemic. Soldiers are being dispatched from the Army’s Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces from the 627th Hospital Center out of Fort Carson, CO.

US Expected to Have Large Presence at Paris Air Show

Paris Air Show

The US is expected to have the largest international presence at the Paris Air Show that kicked off Monday. More than 2,400 companies from 49 countries will be exhibiting at the show.

White House Objects to 2nd LCS in 2019

LCS littoral combat ships

As the Senate takes up the 2019 Defense Appropriations Bill, the White House has made clear it does not approve of a provision that calls for two littoral combat ships in 2019, one more than the Navy asked for in its budget.

Global Fleet of F-35 Jets Grows

F-35 jets

F-35 jets are already in 12 nations, are set to dominate the Western fighter market for decades to come.

DoD Steps Up Efforts to Retain Technical Edge

cyber threats

The Pentagon is stepping up new efforts to rapidly integrate more commercial technology in DoD areas such as data infrastructure and management, cybersecurity, and machine learning. Deputy DefSec Patrick Shanahan says retaining a technical edge is paramount.

Budget Caps Good for Spending Discipline

Not all bad, experts say: statutory budget caps keep the brake on defense spending.

Semper Fi, But Not With A Smart Phone

Cellphone

Smart phone technology is great, but not when you’re hiding from the enemy on a battlefield.