Threat of a Government Shutdown Looms
Congress has two weeks to avoid a government shutdown. Both chambers are nowhere near a government spending agreement for fiscal 2025.
More US Warships Move to Middle East
The US concentrates firepower in the Middle East to deter attacks that could lead to all-out war with Israel., positioning about 18 warships including two aircraft carriers in the region as well as an Air Force F-22 Raptor squadron and a guided-missile submarine lurking nearby.
With Walz Pick, Next VP Likely a Veteran
Both of the major party presidential candidates have selected a veteran for a running mate. VP Kamala Harris selected MN Gov. Tim Walz, a 24-year veteran of the Nebraska and Minnesota Army National Guards. Former President Donald Trump selected JD Vance, a former Marine corporal who served as a combat correspondent from 2003 to 2007, deploying to Iraq for six months in late 2005.
House OKs Its Version of Defense Budget
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.
STEM Education Deficit Threatens US
The Pentagon’s highly respected annual report on the US defense and manufacturing industrial base targets a STEM education deficit threatening to weaken the nation’s competitive advantage in everything cutting edge.
COVID Vaccines Arriving at Hundreds of Locations
GEN Gustave Perna, Operation Warp Speed COO, says the first round of COVID-19 vaccines should start arriving at sites across the nation as early as today, Dec. 13.
A Look Inside Pax’s Anechoic Chamber
The Naval Air Systems Command at NAS Pax River is continuing its work on the Next Generation Jammer-Low Band pod for the EA-18G Growler. Get a quick peek inside the anechoic chamber, where testing for the prototype system was conducted.
Chincoteague Pony Swim Canceled by Coronavirus
Along with so much else, the coronavirus had forced the cancelling of the 95th Chincoteague Pony Swim, for the first time since World War II.
MD Opens Elective Medical Procedures, Beaches & More
MD Gov. Larry Hogan cited some good trends in lifting restriction on elective medical procedures and expanding outdoor activities under stay-at-home orders. But MD schools will remain closed through the school year.
DoD Paring Down F-35’s Technical Issues
The Defense Department is slowly whittling down the number of F-35 technical problems with the fighter jet program’s most serious issues decreasing from 13 to seven during the past year.
