Jan. 21 Joint Base Lewis-McChord Daily News Clips
Local/Pacific Region
WWW. Army.mil
JBLM reopens Clover Creek beneath new airfield bridge
(Key words): United States Army Corps of Engineers project managers, engineers and civil contractors redirected Clover Creek beneath the new McChord Field airfield bridge on Joint Base Lewis-McChord Jan. 12 to 14. During the construction of the airfield bridge, Clover Creek was diverted using pumps and dewatering wells to drain and dry the construction site.https://www.army.mil/article/242551/jblm_reopens_clover_creek_beneath_new_airfield_bridge
National
Business Insider
Michael Flynn's brother was present on a call discussing the military response to the Capitol siege, despite the Army denying it for days: WaPo
(Key words): The US Army falsely denied that Michael Flynn's brother was present during a meeting regarding the military response to the Jan. 6 Capitol siege, The Washington Post reported Wednesday. Lt. Gen. Charles Flynn, deputy chief of staff for operations for the US Army and brother of disgraced ex-national security advisor Michael Flynn, confirmed to The Post that he was involved on a call with Capitol Police and Washington, DC, officials discussing the possibility of dispatching the National Guard.https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-flynns-brother-involved-in-military-response-to-capitol-siege-2021-1
The Associated Press
FBI locates stolen California National Guard Humvee
(Key words): A military Humvee stolen from a National Guard facility in a Los Angeles suburb was found Wednesday morning, the FBI said. A search continues for the person or persons who stole the armored vehicle last Friday from the National Guard Armory in the city of Bell, the bureau said. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/01/20/fbi-locates-stolen-california-national-guard-humvee/
Army Times
Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, a strong proponent of modernization, steps down
(Key words): Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy stepped down Wednesday as the new Biden administration took charge, bringing to an end the three-and-a-half years McCarthy has served as either the highest or second-highest ranking civilian within the Department of the Army. McCarthy’s tenure was marked by ambitious modernization initiatives as the Army orients away from nearly two decades of counter-insurgency conflict and toward competition with other global powers. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2021/01/20/army-secretary-ryan-mccarthy-a-strong-proponent-of-modernization-steps-down/
Pentagon & Congress
Biden inaugurated commander in chief amid heavy military presence at Capitol
(Key words): With thousands of armed National Guard troops patrolling nearby, former Vice President Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th commander in chief on Wednesday in a Capitol Hill ceremony stripped of most of its pageantry by security concerns and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In his first speech as president, Biden vowed to unify the country and combat internal threats that imperiled his own presidency earlier in the month. https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2021/01/20/biden-inaugurated-commander-in-chief-amid-heavy-military-presence-at-capitol/
Defense News
Austin pledges to protect civilian leadership at Pentagon
(Key words): “The best military officers are those who understand the importance of civilian control, and Lloyd was one of those,” Panetta said. “I am absolutely confident that Lloyd Austin will follow in” the tradition of civilian control. For his part, Austin used his opening remarks to stress he will uphold civilian control “as intended.” “I intend to surround myself with and empower experienced, capable civilians who will enable healthy civil-military relations, grounded in meaningful oversight,” he said. https://www.defensenews.com/smr/transition/2021/01/19/austin-uses-hearing-to-push-back-on-civ-mil-concerns/
Stars and Stripes
Veteran sues retailers after finding image of him in Afghanistan for sale on posters
(Key words): Army veteran Nicholas Giovannelli is suing to stop several companies from “exploiting his image for profit” after he found them selling posters featuring photos of him taken in Afghanistan many years ago. Giovannelli deployed twice and was medically discharged five years ago after suffering a traumatic brain injury and other wounds, his lawyer Craig D. Tobin said during a video press conference last week to announce the Chicago district court lawsuit. https://www.stripes.com/news/us/veteran-sues-retailers-after-finding-image-of-him-in-afghanistan-for-sale-on-posters-1.659171
The Associated Press
Marine vet among 3 militia members charged with plotting Capitol breach
(Key words): Federal authorities presented new details on Tuesday about three self-described members of a paramilitary group who are the first to be charged with plotting the attack on the U.S. Capitol. The FBI said a Virginia man, Thomas Edward Caldwell, appeared to be a leader of the effort. Caldwell and a man and woman from Ohio were all charged with conspiracy and other federal counts, the first of more than 125 people arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 assault to be charged with conspiracy. https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2021/01/20/marine-vet-among-3-militia-members-charged-with-plotting-capitol-breach/
Space News
Former U.S. Air Force secretary Heather Wilson joins Maxar’s board of directors
(Key words): Former secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson has joined the board of directors of Maxar Technologies, the company announced Jan. 19. Wilson currently is president of the University of Texas El Paso. She was the Air Force’s top civilian from May 2017 through May 2019 and previously was a congresswoman representing New Mexico. https://spacenews.com/former-u-s-air-force-secretary-heather-wilson-joins-maxar-board-of-directors/
Newsweek
China Calls U.S. Uighur 'Genocide' Designation 'Piece of Wastepaper'
(Key words): China dismissed outgoing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's labeling of China's treatment of its minority Uighur population as "genocide," describing the designation as a "piece of wastepaper." Pompeo said in a Tuesday tweet that he had "determined" that China "is committing genocide and crimes against humanity" against Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim minority group located mainly in the nation's in Xinjiang province. https://www.newsweek.com/china-calls-us-uighur-genocide-designation-piece-wastepaper-1563077
International
Reuters
UAE signs deal with U.S. to buy 50 F-35 jets and up to 18 drones: sources
(Key words): The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with the United States to purchase 50 F-35 jets and up to 18 armed drones, people familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday. Although the UAE and the United States were working to ink a deal before President Joseph Biden took office on Wednesday, the new president has said he will re-examine the agreements. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-emirates-f35/uae-signs-deal-with-u-s-to-buy-50-f-35-jets-and-up-to-18-drones-sources-idUSKBN29P2AO
Stars and Stripes
Tokyo's coronavirus numbers trend downward as US military reports 48 new cases in Japan
(Key words): The number of new coronavirus cases reported daily in Japan’s capital city continued a descent Wednesday from a peak reached this month, while U.S. military commands in the country announced 48 fresh infections as of 6 p.m. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government recorded 1,274 individuals with the coronavirus, according to public broadcaster NHK. While still high, that’s nearly 1,200 fewer new infections than the 2,447 recorded Jan. 7, according to metro government data. https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/tokyo-s-coronavirus-numbers-trend-downward-as-us-military-reports-48-new-cases-in-japan-1.659149
The Associated Press
Macron calls on Biden for greater US military involvement
(Key words): French President Emmanuel Macron hoped on Tuesday that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will show a greater military commitment to fight against Islamic extremists in several theaters of conflict and especially in the Middle East. Macron, who made his New Year’s speech to the French military in Brest, in western France, said “I am certain that in the coming weeks, the new administration (Biden) will need to make key decisions that will mark a greater commitment and awareness in the fight against terrorism” in Syria and Iraq.https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/01/20/macron-calls-on-biden-for-greater-us-military-involvement/
U.S. News
Delay in Pfizer Vaccine Shipments Frustrate Europe, Canada
(Key words): Frustration is mounting from Europe to North America over reduced shipments of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine while the U.S. pharmaceutical company increases production capacity at its Belgian plant. Governments say it is costing critical time during the early stages of the rollout to care homes and hospital personnel. Italy has threatened legal action. The leader of Canada's most populous province said Pfizer's chief executive should be chased “with a firecracker." https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-01-20/delay-in-pfizer-vaccine-shipments-frustrate-europe-canada