July 16 Joint Base Lewis-McChord Daily News Clips
Local/Regional/ Pacific/Middle East:
593RD News
Commander of 593RD ESC Promotetd to Brigadier General
(Key word): On July 12, 2024, in the company of family, friends, and colleagues, former Col. Kevin Cotman was promoted to brigadier general during his thirtieth year in Army service at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wa. A native of Hampton, Va., now Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Cotman was commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps in 1994 through the United States Military Academy West Point and currently commands the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command. "The best thing about this promotion is I can continue serving with the great soldiers in this great Army." Cotman said during his remarks. "I pledge this day that I will use this rank for good. I will strive to make a difference, and I will continue to care for our soldiers." https://www.dvidshub.net/news/476106/commander-593d-esc-promoted-brigadier-general
I Corps News
Embodying Faith and the Donning of the I Corps Chaplain’s Stole
(Key words): “His prayers have buoyed myself, my family, and this Corps no matter where he’s been,” said the commanding general of America’s First Corps, Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson. “I’m thankful for you and I’m so thankful to have you back here.” The incoming Col. J.P. Smith II, the newly appointed commanding chaplain for America’s First Corps, assumes the duties of the Corps’ chaplain on July 12, 2024. Smith is arriving at I Corps as the former U.S. Army Japan, Camp Zama command chaplain. He holds three master’s degrees and a Ph.D. and has held eight different chaplain positions since he was commissioned as an Army chaplain in 2005. https://www.army.mil/article/278036/embodying_faith_and_the_donning_of_the_i_corps_chaplains_stole
The Associated Press
After last-ditch effort, the Gaza pier aid mission is coming to an end
(Key words): After one final attempt to re-anchor the pier on Wednesday, the mission to deliver aid to Gaza through a temporary pier manned by U.S. Army and Navy personnel is coming to an end, the Pentagon announced Thursday. The news comes less than two months after the mission began. The operation is estimated to have cost $270 million and left three U.S. service members injured in the process. The announcement came after troops attempted to re-anchor the pier and failed “due to technical and weather-related issues,” Pentagon spokesman Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-navy/2024/07/11/after-last-ditch-effort-the-gaza-pier-aid-mission-is-coming-to-an-end/
Marine Times
Marine Corps bases in Japan ramp up sobriety checks after incidents
(Key words): The Marine Corps announced sobriety checks at its Pacific installations following a pair of alleged offenses by U.S. troops stationed in Japan. Marine bases on Okinawa, Japan, on July 12 and 13 had “100% outbound personnel and vehicle inspections along with increased inbound vehicle inspections,” a statement by Marine Corps Installations Pacific said. “Ensure you have your ID, Tier Card and liberty buddy (as applicable), and driver’s license on hand, and be prepared for sobriety tests,” it continued. https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2024/07/15/marine-corps-bases-in-japan-ramp-up-sobriety-checks-after-incidents/
Stars and Stripes
Biden nominates one of Austin’s top military advisers to lead US Army Pacific
(Key words): President Joe Biden has nominated a lieutenant general with a history of command in the region to become the next leader of U.S. Army Pacific. Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, Austin’s senior military assistant, would take over at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, when Gen. Charles Flynn’s tenure ends there. Flynn took command on June 4, 2021, from Gen. Paul LaCamera, who now leads U.S. Forces Korea. Clark, who would also pick up a fourth star, must be confirmed by the Senate. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2024-07-15/army-pacific-commander-nomination-14490298.html
National:
*Army Times
After attempted Trump assassination, veteran groups urge calm
(Key words): Nineteen veterans groups on Monday condemned the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump and urged Americans to keep violence out of politics. The groups released a joint statement in which they said all Americans had the responsibility of “lowering the temperature” in today’s political discourse and insisted that “we all have more in common than not.” https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/07/15/after-attempted-trump-assassination-veteran-groups-urge-calm/
*The Washington Post
Pentagon confronts Gold Star divide among grieving military families
(Key words): First Lt. Daniel Weiss was a 25-year-old Army Ranger preparing for his fourth combat deployment to Afghanistan when he died by suicide at his Tacoma, Wash., apartment in 2012. There were difficult days after that, recalled his father, Andy. But what proved both surprising and hurtful, he said, were efforts to ensure his son’s death was viewed differently than those of fellow service members who had been killed in action. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/07/15/gold-star-family-pentagon-biden-military/
Air Force Times
One-third of US military could be robotic by 2039: Milley
(Key words): The 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff believes growing artificial intelligence and unmanned technology could lead to robotic military forces in the future. “Ten to fifteen years from now, my guess is a third, maybe 25% to a third of the U.S. military will be robotic,” said retired Army Gen. Mark Milley at an Axios event Thursday launching the publication’s Future of Defense newsletter. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2024/07/14/one-third-of-us-military-could-be-robotic-by-2039-milley/
Health Care
Looking for a mental health provider? Tricare’s directory may not help
(Key words): The vast majority of listings for behavioral health providers in Tricare’s online directories may be inaccurate, hampering military families’ access to mental health care, government auditors said in a report published Monday. The Government Accountability Office concluded that around 8 in 10 of those listings could be incorrect after posing as Tricare beneficiaries on hundreds of covert calls to providers. https://www.armytimes.com/pay-benefits/military-benefits/health-care/2024/07/11/looking-for-a-mental-health-provider-tricares-directory-may-not-help/
Pentagon News
Pentagon to accept deliveries of Lockheed F-35s after yearlong pause
(Key words): The head of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program has approved a plan to accept the newest jets with a partial version of its latest software, paving the way for deliveries to resume after a year-long pause. Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt, the F-35 program executive officer, on July 3 decided to move forward with the plan to accept jets with a “truncated” version of its Technology Refresh 3, or TR-3, software, the Joint Program Office said in an email. This decision was made after consulting with the military services, pilots, maintainers, industry, and the executive steering board that oversees the F-35, the JPO said. https://www.airforcetimes.com/air/2024/07/11/pentagon-to-accept-deliveries-of-lockheed-f-35s-after-year-long-pause/
Observation Post
Meal, Ready-to-Bulk? Pentagon urged to add creatine to MREs
(Key words): A provision included in the House version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act is calling for the addition of a popular muscle-building supplement to the military’s traditional Meal, Ready-to-Eat rations. The House Armed Services Committee called for the Pentagon to add creatine to MREs in a committee report accompanying the NDAA, sweeping legislation that Congress must pass annually to determine defense spending. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/07/11/meal-ready-to-bulk-pentagon-urged-to-add-creatine-to-mres/
International:
Newsweek
Zelensky issues stark warning over F-16s
(Key words): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the number of F-16 fighter jets his country will receive from allies this year won't be sufficient to counter Russia's air force. "The decision to transfer F-16s to Ukraine was strategic, but their number was not strategic," Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday. Ukraine's NATO allies have started transferring U.S.-manufactured F-16s to Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week, announcing that the fighter jets would be "flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer to make sure that Ukraine can continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/zelensky-issues-stark-warning-over-f-16s/ar-BB1q1mWx?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=4326207f765d4647a0db696ae9eb03d6&ei=33
BBC
NI photographer caught in Russian ambush in Ukraine
(Key words): A Belfast conflict photographer has spoken of his experience in a Russian ambush whilst reporting on the war in Ukraine. Conall Kearney had been commissioned by Ukrainian government funded United24 to join a unit on what was intended to be a simple reconnaissance mission along the frontline. The attack in May this year lasted 14 hours with Mr. Kearney sustaining numerous injuries. Speaking to BBC News NI, he said his is "lucky to be alive". https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ni-photographer-caught-in-russian-ambush-in-ukraine/ar-BB1pZreT?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=b5c16e64e90c41ac9c8c38cb5560a7db&ei=81
ABC News
8 civilians wounded in coordinated suicide attacks near military facility in Pakistan
(Key words): A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle and at least one of his accomplices exploded his vest near the outer wall of a military facility in northwestern Pakistan early Monday, wounding eight civilians and damaging nearby homes, a local police official said. Tahir Khan said security forces quickly responded to the “coordinated attack” and foiled an attempt by the insurgents to enter the sprawling military facility in the city of Bannu which mainly houses offices of the military and homes of security forces. He also said army helicopters and ground forces were still reaching the area to track more militants. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/8-civilians-wounded-2-coordinated-suicide-attacks-military-111944333
Army Times
Armenia launches military drills with US amid souring ties with Russia
(Key words): Armenia on Monday launched joint military drills with the United States, a move that reflects its leader’s efforts to forge closer ties with the U.S. and other Western allies as the country’s relations with old ally Russia sour. The “Eagle Partner” war games are aimed at increasing the interoperability of units participating in international peacekeeping missions, according to Armenia’s Defense Minister Suren Papikyan. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/07/15/armenia-launches-military-drills-with-us-amid-souring-ties-with-russia/
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