Iran’s latest attempts to bring its nuclear power plants online reads something like a Tom Clancy novel. Parts are coming in from a defiant Russia. A key scientist – a specialist in nuclear isotope separation – was killed today by bomb-wielding motorcyclists. And more than 30,000 computers in the system were crippled late last week by a computer worm called Stuxnet, which experts say was calibrated to destroy uranium-enrichment centrifuges by sending them spinning out of control. Iran blames everything on the West and Israel. No one has taken responsibility for any of the attacks. But everyone should play close…
Author Lance Bacon
Lance Bacon
A Navy brat who spent eight years in the Marines (two years aboard the carrier Independence). Worked in journalism in Eastern North Carolina through the latter part of the 90s, then became editor of Air Force Times in 2000. Stayed there five years, then took a break to finish some school. Now back in the game with Navy Times.
Katherine Miller, who quit West Point in August, said she would come back in the Army – if “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed. The admitted lesbian told the Associated Press that she left the U.S. Military Academy to fight the policy and because she couldn’t keep lying about her sexuality. Miller, who is now attending Yale University, said the end of DADT would help the military by opening it up to more qualified candidates. At the time of her departure, Miller was the ninth-ranked Cadet in her class of 1,157, and boasted a grade point average of 3.829. She…
The Army is one step closer to launching its Individual Carbine Competition. On Wednesday, service leaders at Picatinny Arsenal invited competitors to sign up for a familiarization shoot and compatibility check. The familiarization shoot will provide competitors 10,080 rounds (six cases) of M855A1 Enhanced Performance Rounds, aka “Green Ammo.” Though it will be offered only in 5.56 mm, the competition is open to any caliber. But chances are, if the weapon isn’t 5.56 mm or 7.62 mm, you can count it out. The M320 Grenade Launcher and M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System will also be on hand so industry can…
Frank Buckles turned 109 in February. And he is spending this Veteran’s Day fighting an injustice nearly 100 years in the making. Buckles, the nation’s last living World War I vet, said today that he wants Congress to create a memorial that honors the 5 million Americans who served in the First Great War. More than 116,000 were killed and another 205,000 wounded. Anyone with a better-than-average knowledge of Washington D.C. knows a memorial already exists. But look at it next to the World War II memorial, and see if you think the earlier vets got the shaft:
The Army Warrior Transition Command took feedback from nearly 1,900 wounded, ill and injured soldiers and veterans to build 30 pages of a comprehensive benefits and informational resource for more than 16,000 wounded, ill and injured soldiers and veterans. Check it out here.
It is good to see that the 111th Congress is focused not only on the debacle at Arlington National Cemetery, but on the proper respect due to all deceased veterans. Dozens of bills have been introduced that would affect burial benefits and national cemeteries. They include:
The Government Accountability Office gave the M-ATV high reviews in a report released to Congress Nov. 5. The GAO said M-ATV acquisition was successful on a number of fronts, adding that manufacturer Oshkosh Defense “has consistently delivered vehicles well ahead of schedule.” The report said no major issues have been identified and the vehicles appear to be performing well in their operational environments, though its ability to adjust to an evolving enemy was questioned.
As we draw near Veteran’s Day, Outside the Wire honors all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. It has been an especially difficult year in Afghanistan, where there has been a 5-percent increase in deaths (326) and a 33-percent increase in injuries (3,179) from fiscal 2009, according to Congressional Research Service’s annual report, “Afghanistan Casualties: Military Forces and Civilians.” This brings the total hostile and non-hostile fatalities to 1,298. Of the 8,394 troops wounded in action, 4,103 returned to duty within 72 hours, according to the report. The U.S. military has the highest number of casualties by far. Britain has…
HBO will air “Wartorn:1861-2010,” on Veterans Day (Nov. 11). It is worth watching. The Army has given unprecedented access to the piece, which focuses on the emotional wounds and combat stress suffered by American soldiers. The piece runs the gamut from Gen. George Patton (in)famously slapping a soldier hospitalized with “nervous exhaustion” to current Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli saying soldiers with these invisible wounds need to be removed from the battlefield with the same urgency as a soldier who has lost a limb. The documentary, hosted by James Gandolfini, captures the way in which many troops who…
The Army is investing $91 million to restore 552 Bradley Fighting Vehicles to pre-combat condition and add some survivability enhancements. You can read about the plans here. BAE Systems will replace old and damaged components. It has plenty of experience. The company has refurbished more than 3,390 vehicles since 2007. The Army is getting all it can out of the Bradley fighting vehicles, which are expected to be replaced by the forthcoming Ground Combat Vehicle. The service dropped $387 million in recent years to refurbish the fleet. In addition, General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products on July 8 was awarded…
