Hegseth Sworn-In as New DefSec
Pete Hegseth was confirmed as defense secretary Friday night after a 51-50 vote, reports The Washington Post. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the vote to break the Senate’s 50-50 vote.
Trump Team Wants Probe of Afghanistan Withdrawal
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is considering creating a commission to investigate the 2021 US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. A list is being compiled of current and former military officers who were directly involved in the withdrawal, and possible court-martials are being studied.
Who’s on Trump’s List for DefSec?
Who will be the next US secretary of defense? Familiar names being floated include Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL). Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was on the list and then off in a matter of days.
Election Day Is Finally Here. Vote Nov. 5!
The presidential election season is nearing its end. Voters will head to the polls bringing an end to the barrage of misinformation, disinformation, ads, and campaign promises that have inundated our TVs, text messages, mail, and social media accounts. Millions have already voted nationwide. Millions more will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5. Get out and vote.
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.
Uptick in Attacks on US Troops in Middle East
As the US continues to move its assets around the Middle East to support Israel in its war against Hamas, the number of attacks on US troops nearby has increased.
Service Academies Exempt in Affirmative Action Ruling
Military service academies are exempt from the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action that effectively ends that policy at the country’s colleges and universities.
MD Won’t Send Guard to Southern Border
A growing list of Republican leaders are sending their state National Guard soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the US border with Mexico. Gov. Wes Moore (D) said last week that “Maryland’s not doing that. Right now, what Maryland is doing — Maryland is focusing on public safety here. Maryland is focusing on our schools here. Maryland is focusing on the myriad of challenges and the myriad of opportunities that we have here in the state of Maryland … .”
CH-53K Moving Toward Entry Into Service
The US Marine Corps’ CH-53K King Stallion program is preparing for its first deployment in 2025. The heavy lift helicopter recently also recently went through its second set of sea trials. The Corps continues to execute the transition from the CH-53E to the CH-53K and is on schedule to declare full operational capability in FY2029.
Retrofit Ordered for F-35 Fleet Worldwide
The F-35 Joint Program Office has ordered that all F-35 jets should be retrofitted with a fix intended to solve a potential engine vibration problem. This includes a global retrofit, not just for US aircraft.
