While serving in Iraq in 2004, Army Capt. Stephen Machuga experienced a number of supply drops that, while sent with the best intentions, did very little to stir up excitement among his fellow troops. According to Marine Corps Times, the soldiers often received tattered old library books that would be used for little more than target practice.
After venting about the issue to a friend in the video gaming industry, Machuga and his colleagues were greeted with what seemed like far too many copies of slightly dated but good-quality games. As soon as the soldiers started playing, however, it was clear that they would need more, reported Marine Corps Times.
Six years later, Machuga founded Operation Supply Drop, an organization committed to bringing fun to servicemembers stationed all over the world. The group takes requests from units and delivers to them in order of how severe their situation is. The more rural and dangerous a deployment is, the faster those servicemembers will receive a drop from Machuga and his team. Marine Corps Times noted that these soldiers are the ones who need a fun distraction the most, and are often the last to receive special packages because of their remote locations.
OSD also started offering the service to allied troops and quickly received requests from soldiers in the Australian, New Zealand and British armed forces.
Marine Corps Times noted that a typical package sent by OSD contains one gaming console, two to four controllers, a few headsets and a selection of around 15 games. The organization reported that so far it has helped distribute over $1 million worth of video games to troops located all around the world.
"It's hard to describe just how much of a difference one box of video games can make. It was essential," Air Force F-16 pilot Maj. Brian Gerwe told Marine Corps Times after receiving a drop from the organization.
Two female South Korean soldiers have become the first women to earn the U.S. Army's Expert Infantrymen Badge.
According to USA Today, the badge is given to servicemembers who display a complete mastering of critical infantry tasks. Soldiers undergo a rigorous five-day exam where they are assessed on more than 30 elements including marching, fitness and navigation. Typically, the rigorous exam only has a pass rate of 8-10 percent due to its extreme difficulty.
The exam was open to American infantrymen in addition to members of the Republic of Korea's infantry and soldiers in the Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army, noted Army Times. While U.S. women are ineligible to join the infantry, Korean women are allowed to serve in this military occupational specialty. While in the past U.S. women soldiers have successfully completed the test, they were not able to receive the honor due to their non-infantry status.
Army Times reported that the female badge recipients, Staff Sgts. Kim Min Kyoung and Kwon Min Zy, trained since June to prepare for the test, studying both U.S. and Korean military skills. In addition to actively serving Korea, they took the time to learn U.S. Army weapon systems by watching videos. They also adopted rigorous fitness routines, noted the source.
The servicemembers earned the opportunity to compete after successfully finishing a similar evaluation implemented by the Korean armed forces. The two women encourage the U.S. to be open to the idea of female infantry members.
"Female soldiers are capable of doing the missions successfully in the ROK army, so she thinks that it's OK for the U.S. Army to allow women in the infantry. By looking at her example, women are as capable as males," a translator told Army Times on behalf of Zy.
First responders in the Twin Cities are implementing increased security practices following the recent increase in U.S. cases.
According to the Star Tribune, all emergency medical services in the region are now equipped with infectious-disease kits that specialize in stopping the spread of bodily fluids. They have also started screening for Ebola risk at the start of every medical emergency, asking callers about fevers, symptoms and international travel history. If any of these answers point to a possible risk of Ebola, a small crew wearing appropriate hazardous materials is dispatched to assess the situation.
The Sun Herald noted that the region is familiar with infectious diseases. First responders in the area deal with tuberculosis, Lassa fever, Middle East respiratory syndrome and SARS on a regular basis, and are well-versed in procedures that prevent the spread of contagious viruses.
The Star Tribune reported that although these practices have been fully implemented, they have been rather quiet about the new protocols, as to avoid inducing unnecessary panic. Officials stress that Ebola preparations are simply a precaution and that there has not yet been a real threat to the region.
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.
A tugboat operator sailing off the coast of Miami called officials after seeing people holding onto debris in the water.
Local authorities immediately called in the area's fire and Coast Guard crews for backup, reported CBS Miami. According to the source, the original call cited three people clutching debris, but when help arrived it turned out to be nine people in severe condition. They were Cuban migrants attempting to make their way to Florida.
A helicopter pulled the people out of the water. After a medical evaluation, three of the rescued were immediately taken to local hospitals, noted Fox News Latino. According to CBS Miami, the people had been stranded in the water on a small raft for 10 days before it fell apart on Sunday, Oct. 26. Some of the original passengers are still missing.
According to CBS Miami, the Coast Guard crews acted swiftly and effectively to help the struggling people.
Lieutenant Eric Lowd of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue told CBS, "We train all the time for this and practice for safety and rescues and this went well. It feels good to be part of this and I hope they have a fruitful life."
The 39th Marine Corps Marathon was held on Sunday, Oct. 26, in Washington, D.C. Runners from all over the world assembled to experience the physical challenge – a challenge meant to symbolize the obstacles experienced by Marines every day.
According to Military Times, over 30,000 people signed up to participate in the marathon as well as the 10 kilometer race. This number included 8,000 servicemembers, 3,700 of which were active duty. The Marine Corps specifically was represented by 3,200 runners.
The first-place winner was Uganda native and active duty U.S. Army specialist in the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, Samuel Kosgei. He completed the race with a time of 2:22. The female champion was also a servicemember – Army 2nd Lt. Meghan Curran. Military Times reported that when she started to slow down around mile 20, she joined up with a group of Marines that inspired her to pull through.
Marine Col. David Maxwell was a proud spectator at the event.
"It takes courage to sign up in the first place, facing the physical and mental challenges that you will endure. As Marines, we know full well what it means to face a challenge and overcome it," he told Military Times about the symbolic importance of the race.
According to information released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the U.S. sold $34.2 billion worth of military equipment to allies during 2014.
One of the major sales made by the government included an $11 billion deal with Qatar where the nation acquired 500 Javelin anti-tank missiles and 24 Apache helicopters. Singapore bought $2.4 billion worth of F-16s, while the United Arab Emirates spent $2.5 billion on 4,500 mine-resistant, ambushed-protected vehicles. Saudi Arabia also spent $2 billion to update its airborne warning and control systems, reported Military Times.
The U.S. also struck a deal with Iraq for $790 million worth of various combat materials, from missiles to aircrafts, which will help the country fight the terrorist group known as the Islamic State.
These sales showed an increase from last year's numbers, which came in at $30 billion. Military Times noted that the U.S. had record-breaking sales in 2012 at $69.1 billion dollars due to a nearly $30 billion aircraft sale to Saudi Arabia.
Increased foreign military sales are part of a defense initiative to equip allied nations with the ability to proactively defend themselves and not rely entirely on U.S. aid, reported the source.
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.