Following Russia's buildup of troops near its border with the the Ukraine, the U.S. is considering deploying Army forces to Poland. According to The Associated Press, a Western official said the U.S. could send approximately 150 servicemembers for military exercises to take place in Poland and Estonia over the next few weeks. Poland and the U.S. are expected to announce the deployment of an American Army company next week.
U.S. intends to increase presence in Europe
The official – who requested anonymity – estimated that the ground exercises in Poland and Estonia will last about two weeks. He also suggested that these activities will occur on a rotating basis and that the U.S. will consider deploying troops to other regions of Eastern Europe.
Additionally, John Kirby, the Pentagon's press secretary, stated Friday that the U.S. is planning initiatives for improving air, ground and maritime readiness in Europe.
"Some of those activities will be pursued bilaterally with individual NATO nations. Some will be pursued through the alliance itself," Kirby said, as quoted by the AP.
Defense leaders meet to discuss military cooperation
Poland's defense minister, Tamasz Siemoniak, stated that military planners are currently working out the details of a deployment strategy, The Washington Post reported. He met with U.S. defense secretary Chuck Hagel Thursday to discuss methods of bolstering military-to-military collaboration, which would include increased cooperation in special forces, air defense and cyberdefense. Siemoniak noted that the ultimate goal is to enable a long-term improvement in the defense postures of Europe and the U.S.
"The idea until recently was that there were no more threats in Europe and no need for a U.S. presence in Europe any more," Siemoniak told The Washington Post. "Events show that what is needed is a re-pivot, and that Europe was safe and secure because America was in Europe."
While some European countries have previously cut back on defense spending, Siemoniak insisted that defense ministers from these nations expressed support for reversing this trend during a recent meeting. However, the decision to increase defense spending is contingent upon the agreement of their national leaders.
Siemoniak expects that the strongest incentives for European nations to boost their defense budgets will be Russian President Vladimir Putin's dishonesty regarding Russian actions in Crimea and his explanation of a new doctrine that would allow his nation to intervene in any country home to Russian-speaking populations.
Earlier this month, Army Maj. Yancy Baer and six other individuals embarked on a 320-mile cycling journey, enduring intense heat and rain as they traveled through the former battlegrounds of central Vietnam. For Baer, the outcome of this endeavor was undoubtedly worth the effort he put in. According to McClatchy DC, the cyclists raised $170,000 in personal donations and corporate sponsorships to help Vietnam veterans who want to return to the country pay for their trips.
Veterans of different wars journey through Vietnam
"If it wasn't for Vietnam vets standing up and lobbying for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, I truly believe we wouldn't have the care or the warm homecoming that most of us have experienced," Baer told McClatchy DC. "It's a shame their generation didn't support them the same way."
The Army major recalled being greeted by veterans upon coming home in 2009 to undergo a leg amputation. Baer was incredibly grateful for their support, and his cycling journey is his way of returning the favor. He was joined by three other wounded Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans.
Two of the cyclists, Army Sgt. 1st Class David Lau and Capt. Chris Rosebrock, had served together in Afghanistan. The journey coincided with the day a suicide bomb blast injured them and killed 20 others two years ago. For Rosebrock, the trip offered a unique perspective of the Vietnam War and helped him gain a greater appreciation for the American soldiers' service.
John O'Connell, the one Vietnam vet on the expedition, became inspired to revisit Vietnam after working with younger veterans. The journey traversed areas where he fought in 1969, which brought back memories of his Marine Corps teammates – both those who are still alive and those who never came home. When the cyclists reached a site where some of O'Connell's men died in action, the veteran led the group in a prayer.
"It was like a final farewell," O'Connell said to McClatchy DC. "I'm going away grateful for having come back to Vietnam, and I am grateful for having come back with guys like these."
Operation Comfort to fund 25 Vietnam trips
The cyclists raised money on behalf of Operation Comfort, an organization dedicated to showing tangible forms of appreciation for wounded servicemembers. The group helps patients at veteran medical facilities in San Antonio, Texas recover quickly and completely. Thanks to the cyclists' fundraising efforts, Operation Comfort will be able to finance at least 25 Vietnam veterans' trips back to the country next year.
The U.S. military took a major step forward in the ongoing reduction of its presence in Afghanistan April 8, when the last American forces that remained in Nimroz left the province. According to a Marine Corps news release, U.S. Security Force Assistance Advisor Team 4-215 will entrust the Afghan National Army soldiers of the 4th Brigade, 215th corps to maintain order in the region.
4th Brigade demonstrates ability to function on its own
Leaders of the American team expressed confidence that the ANA group will be successful in overseeing the security of Nimroz's people without assistance from the U.S. military.
"We've seen the entire ANA develop at an unbelievable rate, in spite of substantial challenges," said SFAAT 4-215 Lt. Col. Zeigler, according to a Marines Corps news release. "Undoubtedly, they will need to make adjustments to account for reduced coalition support, and will most likely not operate exactly as we've envisioned, but this is precisely the next critical step in their evolution. I believe they will emerge leaner, meaner and more effective than they are now. I look forward to watching them succeed."
SFAAT 4-215 had been training the 4th Brigade in areas of intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance. The ANA group's security contributed to the success of the recent Afghan national elections, in which approximately 7 million citizens voted. For the SFAAT, this was sufficient evidence of the 4th Brigade's readiness to operate as an independent unit.
Nimroz's American troops will leave behind just several buildings and structures, which hold equipment such as generators and water tanks that will be passed on to the ANA soldiers. Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to finish construction of a base for the 4th Brigade by October.
The future of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan
SFAAT 4-215's departure from Nimroz leaves Helmand as the sole Afghanistan province with an American military presence. In comparison to the turbulent Helmand, Nimroz has been a relatively quiet region requiring minimal support from the Marines, Military Times reported.
The news source also noted that military authorities have stated that in the near future, operations in Regional Command-South – which consists of Nimroz and Helmand – will shift focus toward training, advisory and assistance efforts. Currently, about 4,500 Marines remain in the area, but officials with International Security Assistance Force have stated the intention to reduce U.S. military presence in Afghanistan by more than 30 percent by late October.
The U.S. Navy has released a new environmental impact report that calls for the placement of firing ranges on Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, according to Stars and Stripes. Initially, officials had considered placing the ranges along Route 15 in the country's Pagat coastal area, a region cherished for its indigenous graves and archeological sites. The report also advised extending the construction process from seven years to 13 to reduce the relocation's impact on Guam's citizens and infrastructure.
A plan that garners unanimous support
The Navy's latest recommendation seems to be beneficial for all parties involved.
For the U.S., moving to Anderson Air Force Base would circumvent the need to acquire 688 acres of non-federal land, which was part of the original plan. Additionally, the Navy's report could encourage the relocation of 4,700 Marines and their families from Okinawa, Japan to Guam. Compared to Okinawa, Guam has fewer people and lower demand for power and potable water, the draft's authors noted. Finally, stretching out the construction of the new base to 13 years is expected to improve the plan's feasibility and reduce the military's footprint.
Meanwhile, the relocation of American troops to Guam would serve to mitigate tensions in Japan. According to The Associated Press, Okinawa hosts more than half of the U.S. servicemen stationed in Japan, much to the ire of local citizens. The move to the Andersen base would be a major step in the realignment of troops in the Pacific, which is why Japan has agreed to pay $2.8 billion of the estimated $8.6 billion required for the Guam redevelopment, Stars and Stripes noted.
The revised plan should come as good news to many Guamanian people who staunchly opposed the Navy's intention to move to Pagat. For Guam officials, the Navy's new recommendation indicates a sign of cooperation between the U.S. military and Guam's residents.
"The administration is pleased," said Mark Calvo, director of the Government of Guam Military Buildup Office, as quoted by Stars and Stripes. "Our concerns were heard, and they're adapting. This is a major milestone in moving forward with the relocation of Marines to Guam."
Where the construction plan stands
According to Calvo, the public will have 60 days to address any concerns about the Navy's proposal, and a final environmental impact statement will be drafted about a year later. Construction of the Andersen base is contingent upon Congress' willingness to unfreeze funding for the relocation.
The U.S. Navy has deployed multiple helicopters and the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship, to assist in the search for survivors of a sunken South Korean ferry. CNN reported that at least 179 passengers have been rescued, but authorities estimate that 287 people are trapped inside the ship. While it is uncertain whether any of the missing individuals are still alive, authorities are operating under the belief that there are survivors that have yet to be found.
Navy joins an already extensive search effort
The ferry began to sink April 16 near Jindo, an island off the southwestern coast of South Korea. More than 450 people, many of whom were elementary school students, were on the ship as it traveled from Incheon, South Korea toward Jeju Island. Already, approximately 170 ships and 512 divers are involved with the search effort.
According to Stars and Stripes, Lt. Arlo Abrahamson, spokesman for the commander of Naval Forces Korea, said two MH-60 helicopters are searching an area 6 to 17 miles from the site of the incident. This endeavor was requested by the South Korean commander leading the search effort. Initially, two Navy helicopters carrying lifeboats were sent to the disaster site but were later recalled.
The Bonhomme Richard's call to action
Just prior to joining the search effort, the Bonhomme Richard had been performing routine operations in a region west of the Korean peninsula. The ship's commanding officer Capt. Joey Tynch wrote that his team received a call for assistance around noon on Wednesday. The Bonhomme Richard promptly redirected its course and headed toward the disaster site at full speed.
"When we were alerted to the accident, we immediately diverted to the scene to render assistance," said Capt. Heidi C. Agle, according to a Navy news release. "However, the efficiency of the Korean response eclipsed the immediate need for our assets. We are standing by to provide support as requested by the on-scene commander."
Stars and Stripes noted that the search could become more difficult due to high currents and inclement weather conditions. Nonetheless, the Bonhomme Richard appears to be well-prepared to assist the rescue effort. About 3,000 sailors and Marines are aboard the ship, and the vessel is equipped with MV-22 Osprey aircraft, MH-60 helicopters and small boats designed to conduct search operations.
Selflessness is one of the defining shared qualities among servicemembers. Upon joining the military, an individual makes a commitment to serve his or her country – an inherently unselfish act. During his service in Afghanistan, Kyle J. White, a former Army sergeant, exemplified selflessness in his efforts to save his teammates' lives while risking his own to do so. His gallantry will be formally recognized May 13, when President Barack Obama will award him the Medal of Honor.
Sgt. White's display of altruism
On November 9, 2007, White's team of U.S. and Afghan National Army soldiers was ambushed by a Taliban group in Aranas, Afghanistan, according to Stars and Stripes. His team was at a significant disadvantage – the enemy force outnumbered them and was more heavily armed.
White recounted the incident to ARNEWS, stating that, "There was one shot, you know, down into the valley, and then it was two shots, and then it was full-automatic fire and rocket-propelled grenades … it was coming from multiple directions."
After an RPG explosion knocked him unconscious, White woke up to find that 10 members of his 14-person team were missing. They had been forced to find cover from enemy fire by sliding down a nearby cliff. Meanwhile, White realized that Spc. Kain Schilling – one of the four soldiers remaining on top – had been shot in the upper right arm. The two men found cover under a tree, and White applied a tourniquet to Schilling's wound to stop the bleeding. When Schilling was shot in the leg shortly afterwards, White came to his rescue again, using a belt as a makeshift tourniquet to wrap around Schilling's leg.
White also made valiant efforts to save the lives of Sgt. Phillip Bocks and 1st Lt. Matthew C. Ferrara, but unfortunately, both men succumbed to their injuries. Today, the surviving team members commemorate their sacrifices by wearing a stainless steel wristband with their names engraved on it.
White boasts an impressive resume
According to a White House news release, White will become the seventh living recipient of the Medal of Honor for service in Afghanistan or Iraq. The award will add to his already impressive list of accolades, which includes the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
The U.S. military is in a state of high alert following an episode of heavy gunfire at an airport in eastern Ukraine. The Washington Times reported that the Ukranian government had deployed army troops to the airport in an effort to reclaim control from pro-Russian militants. According to the news source, the mayor of Kramatorsk stated that the Ukranian military has occupied the airport and is blocking its entrance.
U.S. military supports Ukraine's efforts
The U.S. has responded by providing tacit support to Ukranian troops, The Associated Press reported. White House spokesman Jay Carney explained that this is not the preferred plan of action, but it is crucial that the Ukranian government responds to the situation in order to maintain law and order. The AP noted that the U.S. will continue to back diplomatic and economic measures to mitigate tension in eastern Europe.
According to The AP, Russian state television indicated that as many as 11 people had been killed in the standoff at the Ukranian airport. Much of the gunfire seemed to have been warning shots.
Kiev is in the midst of carrying out an "anti-terrorist operation" against pro-Russian separatists, The Washington Times stated. Ukraine's interim president Oleksander Turchinov asserted that the military plan is intended as a means of protection and will occur in a gradual manner.
"It will be conducted step by step, responsibly, cautiously," Turchinov said, as quoted by The Washington Times. "The aim of these actions is to protect the citizens of Ukraine, to stop terror, to stop criminality, to stop attempts to tear Ukraine to pieces."
Airport incident causes international worry
The incident has raised concern that the Russian government could cut off Kiev's access to gas supplies, which would disrupt gas service to the European Union. On Tuesday, German energy company RWE began delivering to Ukraine, indicating a reversal of the standard east-west flow through a single European pipeline. Despite this conspicuous change, Russian exporter Gazprom has promised to act as a reliable supplier to the EU.
Gunfire at the airport occurred in the immediate wake of an alarming incident in which a Russian fighter jet made close-range passes near the USS Donald Cook over the Black Sea. According to The Washington Times, President Barack Obama spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday – a day before the airport standoff – and both leaders agreed to do everything possible to prevent violent conflicts.
During a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal Barrett gave a testimony that was met with vehement criticism from many Marines and their family members. According to Military.com., Barrett told Congress that Marines would accept a relatively low pay raise as long as they were offered better equipment and training.
Sgt. Maj. Barrett's testimony creates controversy
"Marines don't run around [asking] about compensation, benefits, retirement modernization. That's not on their minds," Barrett said at the hearing, as quoted by Military.com. "As I walk around to talk to the thousands [in] audiences, they want to know into whose neck do we put a boot next. They want to know about what new equipment are we getting."
Perhaps the most controversial of Barrett's stances was that reduced pay would foster better spending habits and, thus, "raise discipline."
Barrett's comments were made in light of the Pentagon's fiscal 2015 budget proposal, which stipulates a 1 percent pay raise for Marines. Given the rate of inflation, this raise would actually equate to a cut.
Barrett wrote an open letter to all Marines to clarify statements made during his testimony, as he felt that his message had been misconstrued by members of the press. He insisted that if the growth of compensation and benefit entitlements is not slowed down, the Marine Corps will not have enough capital to invest in combat capabilities and family care programs, both of which Barrett identified as highly important.
A mixed range of reactions
Responses to Barrett's testimony have varied from reproachful to supportive. Military.com noted that some individuals asserted the conviction that Pentagon leaders should receive a pay cut before reducing servicemembers' compensation.
Meanwhile, Duncan Hunter, a Republican congressman from California, penned a letter to Barrett to assure the sergeant that his remarks were not construed to mean that the Marine Corps will require less funding. Joe Kasper, a spokesman for Hunter, explained that the congressman interpreted Barrett's words as an explanation of Marines' capability to respond to incidents with versatility and levelheadedness.
"What we heard, what Rep. Hunter heard [Barrett say], is that Marines are some of the best at adapting and performing to the situation. They'll do it with discipline and precision," Kasper said, according to Military.com.
Kasper also posited the belief that Barrett was pressured to speak in approval of the 1 percent pay raise, and some of the sergeant's comments did not accurately convey his intended message.
Edward Lychik is not the type of person to let adversity stifle his ambitions. With the help of a prosthetic leg, the 23-year-old former Army combat engineer will run the Boston Marathon April 21.
A tale of perseverance
After being shot by a recoilless rifle during his service in Afghanistan, Lychik's leg was amputated at the hip socket, The News Tribune reported. Doctors informed him that, in the best case scenario, he would be able to walk again using crutches. Lychik rejected this verdict and proceeded to consult his physical therapist, Alicia White, about running again.
At first, White and Lychik's prosthetist, Bob Kuenzi, were noncommittal toward the veteran's dream. After the seventh time Lychik insisted that he wanted to run again, White finally spoke with Kuenzi about this possibility.
"I never said, 'No, you can't,' but there was nothing I could find anywhere that indicated it could be done with his level of amputation," Kuenzi told The News Tribune. "I told him to walk first, then we'd work on it."
Just a few months after this conversation, Lychik was walking again. The next step was to design a leg suited for running. Lychik and Kuenzi toyed with various prototypes before developing an effective solution – a prosthetic leg secured by a belt around the veteran's waist.
Once this prosthesis was created, it did not take long for Lychik to completely defy his doctors' expectations. According to MyFoxHouston, he took to the track mere days after his first fitting and soon ran an impressive 8-minute mile. To Kuenzi's astonishment, Lychik announced that he wanted to participate in the 12-mile, 28-obstacle Tough Mudder event. He finished the competition with his Wounded Warrior team and began to consider running a full marathon.
Lychik shares his story with young students
In addition to pursuing the personal goal of finishing the Boston Marathon, Lychik intends to share his incredible story with elementary school students.
"This leg is a tool for me to inspire others," Lynch told The News Tribune. "If I can do things on one leg, what can you accomplish with two? The leg isn't a burden, it might be a gift. My life is just beginning."
The veteran's first speech last week was a huge success. He developed an instant rapport with students at Maplewood Elementary School in Puyallup, Wash., and even did pushups with four of the kids.
Lychik's ambitions appear to be limitless. In addition to expanding his speech campaign to other schools, he is thinking of running a 100-mile ultramarathon.
Amid escalating tension between the U.S. and Russia, a Russian fighter jet made 12 low-level, close-range passes near the USS Donald Cook, the Pentagon announced. According to Stars and Stripes, the U.S. destroyer was in international waters in the western Black Sea when the incident occurred. The Cook was patrolling the region following Russia's annexation of Crimea last month.
Russian pilots challenge the USS Cook
Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters that a Russian Su-24 aircraft ignored multiple queries and warnings from the Cook. He noted that there was also a second Russian jet that stayed at a high altitude during the event. Given that there were two planes involved, Warren dismissed the possibility that the pilots were acting aggressively on their own accord.
A U.S. navy official who wished to remain anonymous told Stars and Stripes that the low-flying jet came as close as 1,000 yards of the Cook while at an altitude of just 500 feet. However, Warren stated that the aircraft never flew directly over the American vessel.
Throughout the incident's 90-minute duration, the Cook was never in any significant danger, Warren said. The two Russian jets appeared to be unarmed, and Warren asserted that the U.S. ship "is more than capable of defending itself." Nonetheless, he condemned the pilots' behavior and pointed out that this is not the only recent sign of Russian disobedience.
"We've seen the Russians conduct themselves unprofessionally and in violation of international norms in Ukraine now for several months," Warren said. "These continued acts of provocation and unprofessionalism do nothing to help de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, which is what we've called on the Russians to do."
He also stated that the pilots' actions disregarded previous agreements pertaining to the professional interaction between Russian and U.S. militaries.
The U.S. reaction to the Cook incident
According to Military.com., White House press secretary Jay Carney noted that President Barack Obama was expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the Cook incident and warn of stricter economic sanctions if Russia refuses to scale back its estimated 40,000 troops stationed on Ukraine's border.
Meanwhile, Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove is scheduled to confer with NATO officials and provide options for strengthening the defenses of alliance members in Eastern Europe. Military.com reported that Breedlove could recommend deploying additional U.S. troops to the area and conducting more military exercises.