Coming Soon! Killer Mini-Drones

Posted in September 29th, 2008

by darkblue in Air Force, Military, tech and gear

It may look like a futuristic arcade game, but it’s a scene from an official Air Force animated video: Bad guys of indiscernible origin being shadowed, from a careful distance, by small robotic drones designed to resemble birds and insects….More

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Three Czech soldiers wounded in Afghanistan

Posted in September 29th, 2008

by darkblue in Afghanistan, Coalition Forces, Czech Armed Forces, Logar province

Logar, Afghanistan/Prague, Sept 22 (CTK) - Three Czech soldiers from the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) were injured in a missile attack against their base in the Logar province in Afghanistan during the night, Czech chief of staff Vlastimil Picek announced Monday.

“Three missiles were shot at the Shank base where the Czech soldiers from the PRT were located,” Picek said in a press release.

One missile fell into the base where it injured the three soldiers.

Two of them were taken by air to the U.S. field hospital at the Bagram base with medium injuries.

Their further transport to the Czech Republic will depend on their health condition.

The third soldier who suffered light injuries is treated at the Shank base.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek told journalists after a cabinet meeting Monday that the condition of the wounded soldiers was stabilised. He said they would be evacuated to the Czech Republic in the next days, probably through the American Ramstein base in Germany.

Another two Czech soldiers have died in Afghanistan this year.

On Saturday, Topolanek awarded the Karel Kramar medal for heroism to them in memoriam and to another three soldiers who were wounded in Afghanistan.

The Czech PRT, whose civilian members are protected by soldiers, helps reconstruct hospitals, schools as well as roads and bridges and repair the only functional dam in the province south of Kabul. The team is also to support agriculture in the locality.

This story is from the Czech News Agency (?TK).

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Veterans Report

Posted in September 17th, 2008

by darkblue in Military, Veterans corner, pay + benefits

Saving Money Tips for Military Families
With everything costing more, here are some tips that can help you keep your hard-earned dollars. More

Deal of the Week: Apple Member Purchase Program
Apple and Military.com have teamed to include you in a special program. Now you can save up to 17% off on select Apple and third party products. More

Monthly Benefits Video News Magazine
The Pentagon Channel features a monthly video news magazine designed to inform veterans and their families about the services and benefits they have earned. More

$100 off Teacher Certification
Celebrate Back to School by becoming a teacher. ABCTE’s goal is to recruit 300 new teachers this September to help address teacher shortages nationwide. More

5 Recession Proof Industries
Job searching has become a bit of challenge in today’s uncertain economic climate. Kiplinger magazine found five “recession-proof” industries that provide job security. More

Featured Job: Truck Drivers - Paid CDL
Truck Driver Training. Put your future in gear with a P.A.M. Transport career. More

America’s Student-GI Day
The Career College Association (CCA), Military.com, and Imagine America Foundation are proud to announce that it will host America’s Student-GI Day. More

DoD Buzz: NO Tanker RFP Til Next Admin
The DoD Buzz Online Defense and Acquisition Journal posted an article on the status of the Tanker RFP. More

Host or Attend a Military Garage Sale
Military.com Classifieds connects the military community with local garage sales. You can search for local sales or host your own. More

Earn Quick Cash thru Military.com Classifieds
Need extra cash? It’s easy to sell furniture, strollers, sports equipment and more through our free classifieds. More

Register for SpouseBuzz Live in San Antonio
All Military Spouses are invited to attend SpouseBUZZ Live on October 18th in San Antonio, TX. More

State Veteran Benefits
Veterans pursuing their educational goals are usually eligible for “educational assistance for students” in most states. More

Real Military Transition Stories
Transitioning back to civilian life can be challenge in many ways. Military.com has launched a special section of the site where members post their stories, tips and advice on their transition. More

Award for Massachusetts Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded grants grant totaling nearly $670,000 for improvements at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, Mass. More

Award for New Washington State Home
The VA has awarded a contract worth $32.7 million for construction of a new nursing home on the grounds of the Department’s American Lake VA Medical Center in Tacoma. More

Grant for Missouri Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a grant worth $638,872 for improvements at the Missouri state veterans home in Cape Girardeau. More

VA Award for Maine Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a grant of up to $404,000 to renovate an Alzheimer’s wing at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough. More

Grant for Wisconsin Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a grant worth $976,702 for improvements to the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove. More

Hurricane Emergency Information
Veterans and family members impacted by the hurricanes can get information about VA services at our Emergency Information page, which also includes toll-free phone information. More

Medallions Available for Headstones
Veterans who passed away on or after Nov. 1, 1990 can now request a medallion or other device to be placed on the deceased’s headstone or grave marker to signify their status as a veteran. More

Corporate Mentorship Program Assists Vets
American Corporate Partners pairs returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan with mentors from the corporate world. More

VA Award for Ohio Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a grant of up to $552,000 for roof improvements at the state veterans home in Sandusky. More

VA to Expand Indiana Outpatient Clinic
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced plans to replace its Adam Benjamin, Jr. VA Outpatient Clinic in Crown Point, Ind. More

Two New Cemeteries for Florida
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded two contracts totaling $8.2 million for construction of national cemeteries in Sarasota and Jacksonville, Fla. More

VA Clarifies Voter Registration Policy
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clarified its policy on assisting veterans’ voter registration activities. More

Heroes at Home Wish Registry
Sears created the Heroes at Home Wish Registry program so that the American public can help make a military family’s wishes come true during the holiday season. More

Grant for North Carolina Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has awarded a grant of $2 million and approving a land transfer for the North Carolina Veterans Home in Salisbury. More

VA Award for Minnesota Veterans Home
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded a grant of up to $723,000 for a dementia unit at the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Luverne. More

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Military.com news

Posted in September 17th, 2008

by darkblue in Military news

Bye-bye, Baghdad; Petraeus Heads to US

Gen. David Petraeus, who presided over Iraq’s pullback from the brink of all-out civil war, relinquished his command today to Gen. Ray Odierno under a cascade of official thank-yous. Petraeus is returning to the United States to head U.S. Central Command, responsible for all American forces in the Middle East.
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Jihadist Forum Publishes Propaganda Fabrication About Purported Al-Qaeda Attack on U.S.

Posted in September 17th, 2008

by darkblue in MEMRI

On September 11, 2008, the Islamist website Al-Hesbah posted a purported “exclusive interview with an Al-Qaeda mujahid.” In the interview, conducted by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Al-Yaqin Media Center, the unnamed mujahid states that an attack on Europe and America is imminent, and that Al-Qaeda has operatives in Europe and the U.S. waiting only for bin Laden’s signal to act. It should be noted that although Al-Hesbah often posts authentic statements by Al-Qaeda operatives, MEMRI asserts that this entire interview seems to be fabrications intended for propaganda purposes on the anniversary of September 11.

TO VIEW THE FULL REPORT, VISIT http://www.memriiwmp.org/content/en/report.htm?report=2856 .

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DoD Announces Afghanistan Force Rotation

Posted in September 17th, 2008

by darkblue in 10th Mountain, Afghanistan, Deployment news, Marines, Military, Military news

The Department of Defense announced today the deployment of two additional units to Afghanistan. A Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that could have up to approximately 2,000 Marines will deploy to Afghanistan in November 2008 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The MAGTF is composed of a headquarters and ground combat, aviation and logistics elements from units across the Marine Corps. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, from Ft. Drum, N.Y., will deploy approximately 3,700 soldiers to Afghanistan in January 2009 to increase the capabilities of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). These units were previously scheduled to deploy to Iraq.

Upon the recommendation of commanders on the ground, the Secretary of Defense approved this request, which will increase the level of forces and military capability for NATO-ISAF and aid in the training and development of the Afghan National Security Forces.

The United States continues to be NATO-ISAF’s largest troop contributor, and remains committed to leading the offensive in counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, training and equipping the Afghan national security forces and assisting with reconstruction. Force levels in Afghanistan are conditions-based and will be determined in consultation with the Afghan government and NATO.

DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments. For additional information on the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, contact Marine Corps Public Affairs at (703) 614-4309. For additional information on 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

On the Web: http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/

Media Contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public Contact: http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/comment.html or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1

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Military.com news

Posted in September 17th, 2008

by darkblue in Military news

Military Units Rush to Aid Ike Victims

Air Force units carried out 27 search and rescue missions on Sunday as part of unified federal, state and local rescue efforts responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike. Meanwhile the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau headed from Norfolk, Va., to hard-hit Galveston, Texas.
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No Further Troop Reductions in Iraq

Posted in September 17th, 2008

by darkblue in Deployment news, Military

President Bush announced that the United States will make no further troop reductions in Iraq this year. The plan calls for delaying additional draw downs until late January or early February — after the Bush administration has left office. At that point, up to 7,500 of the approximately 146,000 troops in Iraq could be withdrawn, depending on conditions on the ground there. The reduction would coincide with new deployments to Afghanistan.

Defense officials described the recommendation as a compromise between those who believed that security gains in Iraq remained too tenuous to contemplate further withdrawals now, and those who proposed continuing the reductions that began last spring.

General David H. Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, adopted a cautious approach in an assessment he presented last week to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Petraeus cited several areas of ongoing concern, including the postponement of provincial elections initially scheduled for this month, the disputed status of the northern city of Kirkuk, lingering ethno-sectarian conflicts, and questions surrounding the future of a local security force known as the Sons of Iraq. There was also the factor of “a new commander coming in.”

Petraeus and Odierno also considered the rising violence in Afghanistan as well as the overall strain on the U.S. military from the two conflicts. Under the proposal Gates and Mullen gave Bush, at least one additional Army combat brigade — a total of about 3,500 troops — would be sent to Afghanistan, and a Marine battalion due to depart there by the end of the year would not be replaced.

Under a bilateral security agreement being negotiated with the Iraqi government, U.S. combat troops would cease regular patrols in Iraqi cities and withdraw to bases by mid-2009, with a complete combat withdrawal from the country by some point during 2011.

Bush’s term ends in January. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has advocated pulling all U.S. combat forces out of Iraq within 16 months of the new president taking office. GOP presidential nominee John McCain has said he would rely on the advice of U.S. military commanders to determine the timing and pace of troop reductions. Both candidates have said more troops are needed in Afghanistan.

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US missile strike kills al-Qa’ida boss

Posted in September 17th, 2008

by darkblue in Afghanistan, Military news, Terrorism

Al-Qaida’s newly appointed chief in Pakistan, Abu Haris, has been
killed in a US missile strike in the country’s tribal areas, according
to reports last night.

http://tinyurl.com/6h7gkv

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Military.com news

Posted in September 10th, 2008

by darkblue in Military news

Woodward: Secret Ops Cut Iraq Violence

The drop in violence in Iraq was due in large part to a special program the U.S. military used to kill terrorists, and not merely the troop surge, says Washington Post journalist and author Bob Woodward. “I would somewhat compare it to the Manhattan Project in World War II,” he said.
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