Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters in Fort Stewart, Georgia, will deploy to Afghanistan in November for a one-year tour, officials announced Tuesday, Oct. 28. The purpose of their deployment is to take on their role as U.S. Forces Afghanistan National Security Element.
Although NATO's International Security Assistance Force Mission will end on Dec. 31, 10,000 U.S. troops – including this new deployment – will stay in Afghanistan to implement the Resolute Support mission, reported Military Times. As Afghani authorities increase their capabilities over the next year, U.S. forces will transition power to them and reduce their presence in the country significantly.
"The Resolute Support mission will focus on training, advising and assisting at higher echelons. We look forward to joining the team in Afghanistan and doing our part to ensure the [Afghan National Security Forces] are left a more capable force, and to solidify the incredible gains of those who have served and sacrificed before us," Maj. Gen. Mike Murray, 3rd Infantry Division commander, said in a statement.
Military Times noted that this mission will also have a liaison in Kuwait and a supportive element in Qatar.
The Army has begun isolating servicemembers arriving at U.S. military bases upon returning from West Africa.
According to Military Times, 12 soldiers were ordered to remain isolated for 21 days – the Ebola incubation period – at the U.S. Army's base in Vicenza, Italy, after they arrived from Liberia, though none of them were visibly ill. While current Defense Department standards do not require soldiers without symptoms to be quarantined, this could represent a step toward a stricter, more cautious policy, noted the source.
A group of 75 more servicemembers will be arriving in Italy within the next week and they will all be ordered to undergo the same isolation procedure. According to Military Times, they will be monitored closely by a medical team, but will have plenty of access to food and recreational activities.
This added safety precaution comes after an American doctor living in New York City tested positive for the virus after being home from Africa for a few days. According to NBC News, he declined voluntary quarantine, increasing the risk of exposing the virus to other people.
Currently, there are 700 troops in West Africa working to eradicate the Ebola outbreak – a number that will soon reach 4,000 as more soldiers deploy to assist with the mission, noted Military Times. Though they are not treating infected people, being in the central zone of the epidemic puts them at some risk of catching the illness.
After 13 years, the Marine Corps officially transferred their last base in Afghanistan to the nation's National Army Troops.
According to Military Times, a ceremony was held to hand over the U.S. base, Camp Leatherneck, as well as the British airfield, Camp Bastion, to the Afghani military. NBC News reported that the flags of both the U.S. and U.K. were lowered and folded to represent the countries' departures.
The base is located in Afghanistan's Helmand region, which includes the Marjah and Sangin districts, noted Military Times. The area experienced many of the war's 458 Marine casualties.
According to NBC News, the Marines' reason for vacating the base has not yet been revealed for safety purposes. It also remains unknown how Afghan police and military will use the U.S. site.
While they plan to use Bastion as an aviation center mainly for travel to Kabul, Camp Leatherneck's new purpose is still under evaluation. It measures 1,600 acres and holds $230 million worth of U.S. military equipment and buildings, reported Military Times. NBC News speculated that the large base will remain a central location for local officials to continue the fight against the region's Taliban insurgency.
Sgt. Daniel Vasselian was killed in Afghanistan on Dec. 23, 2013, by enemy fire. During a ceremony in Abington, Massachusetts, on Oct. 13, his family was given the Bronze Star award he earned for the heroism displayed during his time serving as a Marine.
According to Marine Corps Times, the 27-year-old was a squad leader with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines when he was shot and killed during a security patrol. When small enemy fire erupted, Vasselian led his troops in pursuit of the source. He was shot while protecting the other soldiers in his unit.
Prior to his death, he displayed leadership and bravery during his participation in Operation Nightmare III, a heliborne raid mission. Even under heavy enemy machine gun fire, Vasselian was able to delegate important commands. Under his direction, troops were not only able to fire back at opposing forces but were also able to find protective cover, reported Marine Corps Times.
The award citation also mentions two other heliborne missions in addition to 10 combat patrols during which Vasselian displayed outstanding leadership. Marine Corps Times noted that the servicemember was originally set to receive a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, but upon reevaluation of his actions his honor was upgraded to that of the Bronze Star award.
A press release issued by the Marine Corps noted that the medal was given to Vasselian's wife and parents during a memorial ceremony in his hometown.
A new motorcycle training course is currently under development for members of the Marine Corps. According to Military Times, the new training will focus primarily on inexperienced drivers.
The new course is being developed by the Marine Corps' Safety Division and leaders from Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, and various other organizations.
The training will be called "REST," which stands for Riders Essential Skills Training. Safety is the essential concern of course organizers – this new initiative hopes to reduce the amount of Marine injuries and deaths caused by motorcycle use, noted the source. Monthly Marine Corps safety reports often cite motorcycle accidents as a large cause of serious wounds and even deaths.
Military Times reported that some of the key areas the lessons will touch upon include braking, cornering, tire contact and traction, personal protective equipment and hazard avoidance.
"The course is intended to function as an independent source for Marines to gain the skills required to function as safe, competent riders," stated a Marine Corps press release.
Current Marine Corps motorcycle rules require riders to take courses throughout their time using the bikes. According to Military Times, the branch is still unsure how they will incorporate REST into these pre existing lessons.
The Army is testing super-repellent uniforms developed by internal researchers in collaboration with UltraTech International to see if they can stand up to harsh conditions. According to Military Times, they have created a material they describe as "omniphobic," meaning that it will resist stains, stickiness and even odor. The product has been named Ultra-Ever Shield.
Soldiers tested army combat uniforms made from the innovative fabric in Fort Riley, Kansas. Troops were clothed in the ACUs through gun skills training, weapon cleaning, an obstacle course, vehicle maintenance and a 4-mile march. At the end of the rigorous tests and 10 washes, the uniforms remained in excellent shape.
Liquid beaded nicely on the new fabric instead of being absorbed due to a carbon-flourine coating that reduces surface tension. This is important for keeping servicemembers dry and resisting toxic chemicals that could be dangerous if soaked up.
According to Military Times, these uniforms provide environmental benefits as well. Current ACUs contain chemicals deemed unsafe by the Environmental Protection Agency. The new material has no additional cost and is in accordance with the EPA's eco-friendly standards.
The new suits will reduce odor as well, noted the source. They contain an antimicrobial element that would keep them fairly fresh between washings – making them an excellent option for troops who are located in rural areas.
Researchers are unsure when Ultra-Ever Shield will be fully incorporated into Army ACUs, as further research needs to be completed. Tests will be conducted to see how the fabric performs when faced with other elements, such as fire and insects, noted Military Times.
Other uses for the material are expected to include civilian clothing, rain gear, diapers and even money, noted UltraTech.
On Oct. 17, Gen. Joe Dunford will officially be in control of the Marine Corps as the 36th commandant following a ceremony. The inaugural event will take place at Marine Barracks Washington.
According to Marine Corps Times, the ceremony will be formal and include remarks from high-ranking officials and a performance by "The President's Own" Marine Band.
Dunford is also known by the nickname Fighting Joe, which he earned serving in Iraq in 2003, when he was in charge of Regimental Combat Team-5. He was also listed as No. 8 in Fortune magazine's list of 50 greatest world leaders. A former Marine commandant told the magazine that Dunford "is probably the most complete warrior-statesman wearing a uniform today."
Dunford is familiar with his new position – he recently spent two years as assistant commandant. He was also the commander of International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, leading both U.S. and allied troops, reported Marine Corps Times.
He will be replacing Gen. Jim Amos, who has spent the past 42 years in the Marine Corps and was the first Marine Corps aviator to become commandant. He held the position for four years, and will be entering retirement, noted the source.
As a part of the Soldier Enhancement Program, Army members will be involved in testing potential new gear in both Hawaii and Alaska.
According to Military Times, this program is in place to help test the quality of readily available gear instead of developing new gear, saving the service time and money.
As winter approaches, servicemembers will be examining the efficiency of cold-weather gear in Alaska. Items like stoves, tentage, gloves and sleep systems will be put to the test in the freezing temperatures. According to a statement made by Col. Tim Wallace, head of the SEP, at the Association of the United States Army's annual exposition, the military branch is in dire need of quality cold-weather items. He described the Army's current inventory as "very old."
The tropical climate tests will include trying out water purification systems, uniforms made from fast-drying material, uniforms with fewer pockets and a variety of new lightweight boot designs. These new products are being tested for troops who may deploy to humid, jungle regions such as Southeast Asia, noted the source. These trials, which will be done in Hawaii, are expected to begin January 2015.
As the Ebola epidemic in Liberia continues to spread, the Department of Defense extended the speculated time U.S. servicemembers will spend helping in Liberia from six months to one year. They have also increased the number of troops from 3,000 to 4,000, noted Military Times.
While the highly contagious disease has been rampant in West Africa since the summer, measures are being taken to eliminate the risk of American soldiers contracting the virus. Although the troops will be housed in tent cities, their food and water will be tightly monitored. Military Times reported that, as of now, U.S. servicemembers will not be in direct contact with Ebola patients, but will be working to construct health facilities and help existing medical workers. The source noted that U.S. officials are open to changing the roles of these soldiers as the situation evolves.
According to Politico, a select few Americans who are trained in chemical and biological warfare will be interacting with the virus in controlled lab settings. These troops will be in charge of diagnosing patients whose symptoms also resemble malaria or the flu in order to expedite necessary isolation and treatment. The source noted that if a servicemember does contract the disease, he or she will be taken home to be quarantined and treated in an American hospital.
After their son, Lance Cpl. Donald Hogan, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009, Jim and Carla Hogan found comfort in his friends from 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment.
According to Military Times, the couple wanted to give back to the soldiers who showed them kindness as they dealt with grief. When they asked what they could possibly send overseas to show their gratitude, the answer was overwhelming – socks, socks and more socks. Soldiers are required to purchase their own socks before deployment, and after being overseas for a while they tend to run low on their supply.
After personally buying a number of socks for these servicemembers, the Hogans founded Socks for Heroes, a nonprofit dedicated to their cause, noted the source. Since the couple began this initiative, they have helped send over 330,000 pairs of socks overseas to two Marine Infantry Battalions, many Marine Support Units and Army Units.
According to the organization's Facebook page, the group partners with retailers to cheaply provide large amounts of black and brown socks to soldiers. Socks for Heroes is located out of San Clemente, California, and is always looking for volunteers and donations.