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☆ Putin has 'both eyes' on a strategic island belonging to new NATO member Sweden, army commander says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewRussian President Vladimir Putin is targeting a strategic Swedish island that offers mastery over the Baltic Sea, the commander-in-chief of Sweden's army warned this week. Putin's goal is to gain control of the Baltic Sea," Micael Bydén told German news outlets, according to Politico's translation of his remarks. Sweden joined NATO in early March, and the alliance is now the dominant force in the Baltic Sea, thanks in large part to its control of Gotland. Advertisement"If Russia takes control and seals off the Baltic Sea, it would have an enormous impact on our lives — in Sweden and all other countries bordering the Baltic Sea," Bydén said. Swedish military officials watch a Swedish C-130H take off from a non-traditional runway on Gotland Island on October 23, 2021.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Micael Bydén, Bydén, Patrik Orcutt, Ulf Kristersson Organizations: Service, Business, NATO, Nordic, Russia's Ministry of Defence, Moscow Times, US Army, Politico, Sweden's, Financial Times, Gotland Regiment, US Locations: Swedish, Baltic, Gotland, Putin's, Sweden, Russian, Kaliningrad, It's, Rhode, Russia, Bydén, Moscow, Lithuania, Finland, Latvia, Ukraine

Multiple fatalities and some injuries have been reported in the small city of Greenfield, Iowa – about 50 miles southwest of Des Moines – after a tornado carved a devastating path through the community Tuesday evening, Iowa State Patrol spokesperson Sgt. “There is basically nothing left,” Clel Baudler, a former Iowa state representative who lives a half mile from Greenfield, told CNN on Tuesday. Power outages across Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois left nearly 200,000 homes and businesses in the dark as of Tuesday night, according to PowerOutage.us. A few tornadoes could strike from Texas to Arkansas, but hail and powerful winds are possible anywhere along the storms’ path. Heaps of rubble blanket Greenfield, Iowa, after a tornado touched down Tuesday.

Persons: Alex Dinkla, Dinkla, Clel, Kim Reynolds, Charlie Neibergall, Valerie Warrior, KCCI, “, ”, “ They’ll, CNN’s Jessica Jordan, Sara Smart, Amy Simonson Organizations: CNN, Midwest, Des Moines, Iowa State Patrol, Storm Prediction Center Locations: Iowa, Greenfield , Iowa, Des, Greenfield, Iowa , Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas, Vermont, Ohio, Great, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Dallas, Fort Worth, Nashville, St, Louis, Memphis, Cleveland, Tulsa, Columbus, Iowa , Minnesota , Wisconsin, Western Iowa, Prescott, Adams County, Montgomery County

☆ An Iowa Town Is Devastated by a Tornado
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( The New York Times | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Powerful storms and at least one tornado ripped through Iowa on Tuesday, killing multiple people and leaving a path of destroyed homes, mangled cars and downed trees. Greenfield, a city of about 2,000 people roughly 50 miles southwest of Des Moines, was hit hardest. A tornado “devastated a good portion of this town and community,” Sgt. Alex Dinkla of the Iowa State Patrol said Tuesday evening. Damaging winds and heavy rains affected other areas across the state, and multiple tornadoes were reported in southwest Iowa, as well as several north of Des Moines.

Persons: Sgt, Alex Dinkla Organizations: Iowa State Patrol Locations: Iowa, Greenfield, Des Moines

☆ How the US Army refined its battle-tested, controversial M4 Carbine for modern combat
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Kris Osborn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The PIP for the M4 was a far-reaching initiative to upgrade the Army's entire current inventory of M4 rifles into higher-tech, durable, and more lethal M4A1 weapons. Brooks Carroll shoots an M4A1 Carbine semi automatic rifle during a competition at Fort Carson, Colorado. Over the years, the Army has made more than 90 performance "Engineering Change Proposals" to the M4 Carbine since its introduction. Shaina JupiterFor many years, the Army upgraded and improved its M4, with some plans never passing the conceptual phase. These previous considerations, which were performed under a program called the M4A1+ effort, were analyzed by Army developers and then shelved.

Persons: —, Brooks Carroll, Woodlyne Escarne, Maven, Juan B, Joel Manzano, 19FortyFive Organizations: Service, Business, Army, Refining, M4, Fort Carson , Colorado . US, 19FortyFive, Camp Santiago, Training, US Army National Guard, Spc, US Marine Corps Locations: Fort Carson , Colorado, Salinas , Puerto Rico, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia

The Joint Program Office declined to comment to Military.com regarding the restriction. A spokesperson for the Marine Corps could not provide details on the restriction but said efforts are underway to return the aircraft to full operations. Pedro Caballero, a spokesperson for the Marine Corps, told Military.com when asked whether the restrictions applied to its roughly 350 Ospreys, the vast majority of the military's fleet. US Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys take off at Port Darwin in Australia. An MV-22B Osprey conducts an external lift with US Marines during helicopter support team training at Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, California.

Persons: —, Military.com, Beth Teach, Cpl, Juan Torres, Capt, Pedro Caballero, Caballero, Colton Martin Lt, Rebecca Heyse, Amelia Kang, Brian Taylor, Taylor, Juan Paz Taylor Organizations: Service, Force, Marine Corps, Ospreys, Business, Navy, Naval Air Forces, Office, Naval Air Systems Command, Royal Australian Air Force Base, US Marine Corps, Corps, Port Darwin, Air Force Special Operations Command, Greyhound, House Armed Services, US Marines, Marine Corps Air, Services, Aviation, Air Force, Marines, Program Office, Marine, US Air National Guard, Staff Locations: Japan, Port, Australia, Miramar , California, Darwin, Washington ,, Lemonnier, Djibouti

☆ Extreme weather blunts the US military's technological edge
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewMore extreme weather is scrambling the high-tech systems that have given the US military its edge. For example, severe weather can degrade navigation systems such as GPS and sensors on precision-guided munitions. Heavy rain ground aircraft and drones, intense heat exhausts troops, dust storms gum up tank engines, and storms damage ships at sea. The problem is that tactical units on the front lines, or in remote areas, often lack the connectivity to receive weather reports. "NOAA [the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration], the private sector and universities are actively working to improve global weather models," Regens said.

Persons: —, James Regens, Napoleon, Jason Serrit, Regens, Michael Peck Organizations: Service, Business, Royal United Services Institute, Waterloo, Staff, US Air Force, Antiphon Solutions, North America, Pentagon, NOAA, National Oceanic, Administration, Defense, Foreign Policy, Rutgers Univ, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: British, Iran, Iraqi, California, Oklahoma, Europe, NATO, Forbes

☆ I'm a US Army jumpmaster in the frozen Arctic, and the coldest jump I've ever made was -50 degrees Fahrenheit
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Micah Symmonds, a US Army jumpmaster in the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska. There's a reason why so many people choose to be in an airborne division for their entire career. Especially being in the 11th Airborne Division, we have a very unique geographical position, so we're able to reach a lot of places in the Indo-Pacific region. And then becoming a jumpmaster, you're a leader in that organization, you really need to show the want and drive. On each jump, you're generally exiting from both parachute doors of an aircraft, and each door will have a jumpmaster.

Persons: Micah Symmonds, It's, I've, Keon Horton, Natalie Doan, They've, Molly Treece, there's, it's Organizations: Service, US Army, 11th Airborne Division, Business, 11th Airborne, U.S . Army, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Pacific Multinational Readiness, Donnelly Training, U.S, Army, U.S . Army 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, . Air Force, Boeing, Delta Junction Locations: Alaska, Guam, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Kuwait, jumpmaster, balaclava, Japan, Delta, AK

☆ The IDF accidentally killed 5 of its own soldiers in latest 'friendly fire' incident in Gaza, officer says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-18 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewIsraeli tank fire accidentally killed five Israel Defense Forces soldiers earlier this week, a military spokesperson said on Thursday. "There was an incident of friendly fire — five soldiers were killed," Shoshani said, adding that the incident was "under review," according to The New York Times. Gilad Aryeh Boim, one of the five soldiers killed in the friendly fire incident on Wednesday. In December, the IDF also said that it had accidentally killed three Israeli hostages after troops "mistakenly identified" them as threats. AdvertisementThe Marine Corps told Business Insider that The War Zone report had been accurately contextualized but declined to provide additional information.

Persons: —, Nadav Shoshani, Shoshani, Gilad Aryeh Boim, Amir Levy, Simon Diggins, Michael Pruden, Guy Prives, Pruden Organizations: Service, Israel Defense Forces, The New York Times, Business, IDF's Paratroopers Brigade, IDF, Haaretz, Getty, Israeli Air Force, US, Corps Locations: Gaza, Israel, British

1s ’63 ’70 10 TAYLOR SWIFT 5 ’24 ’06 10 THE BEATLES 5 ’63 ’70 10 TAYLOR SWIFT 5 ’24 ’06 10 THE BEATLES 5 ’63 ’70 10 TAYLOR SWIFT ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ (2012) 5 ’24 ’06 10 THE BEATLES 5 ’63 ’70 10 TAYLOR SWIFT ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ (2012) 5 ’24 ’06 10 THE BEATLES 5 ’63 ’70 10 TAYLOR SWIFT 5 ’24 ’06 Two bar charts: one for the Beatles, one for Taylor Swift. 30 15 5 MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS 30 ‘Thriller’ 15 5 MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS 30 ‘Thriller’ 15 ‘Fearless’ ‘1989’ 5 MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS 30 15 5 Not yet certified MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS 30 15 5 Not yet certified MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS 30 30 million 15 15 million 5 MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES 30 30 million 15 15 million 5 MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES 30 30 million 15 15 million ‘1989’ 5 MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES 30 30 million 15 15 million ‘1989’ ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ 5 MICHAEL JACKSON PLATINUM CERTIFICATIONS TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES A grid of 10 Michael Jackson albums covers transitions into charts depicting Michael Jackson’s and Taylor Swift’s album sales. 15 million 10 5 BRITNEY SPEARS ALBUM SALES TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES ‘... Baby One More Time’ 15 million 10 5 BRITNEY SPEARS ALBUM SALES TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES ‘1989’ 15 million 10 5 BRITNEY SPEARS ALBUM SALES TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES Two side-by-side charts depict album sales for Britney Spears and Taylor Swift. 1s ’82 ’12 TAYLOR SWIFT 10 5 ’06 ’24 10 5 ’82 ’12 TAYLOR SWIFT 10 5 ’06 ’24 10 5 ’82 ’12 TAYLOR SWIFT 10 5 ’06 ’24 10 ‘Vogue’ (1990) 5 ’82 ’12 TAYLOR SWIFT 10 5 ’06 ’24 10 ‘This Used To Be My Playground’(1992) 5 ’82 ’12 TAYLOR SWIFT 10 5 ’06 ’24 10 5 ’82 ’12 10 5 ’06 ’24 10 ‘Music’ (2000) 5 ’82 ’12 TAYLOR SWIFT 10 5 ’06 ’24 10 5 ’82 ’12 TAYLOR SWIFT 10 5 ’06 ’24 Two charts show Billboard top hits for Madonna and Swift, over the course of their respective careers. 15 million 10 5 BEYONCE ALBUM SALES TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES 15 million ‘I Am ... Sasha Fierce’ 10 5 BEYONCE ALBUM SALES TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES 15 million 10 5 BEYONCE ALBUM SALES TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES 15 million ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ 10 ‘Cowboy Carter’ 5 BEYONCE ALBUM SALES TAYLOR SWIFT ALBUM SALES Two side-by-side charts depict album sales for Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, respectively.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, ”, Swift, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Drake, Billy Joel, Britney Spears, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Kareem, Brady, Marino, Harry Potter, TAYLOR, TAYLOR SWIFT, Swift’s, didn’t, Max Martin, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, McCartney, George Harrison, “, Taylor, Jackson, MICHAEL JACKSON, ’, Michael Jackson’s, …, “ Ben ”, —, Jackson’s, Micheal Jackson, It’s, she’s, Department ”, Spears, BRITNEY SPEARS, Spears’s, Madonna, Dick Tracy ”, Evita, I’m, David O, “ Ray, Bob Dylan, John, Springsteen, Elton John Farewell, Bruce Springsteen Springsteen, Elton John’s, Bruce Springsteen’s Springsteen, Madonna’s, it’s, Beyoncé, Georg Solti, Quincy Jones, It's, Madonna didn’t, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Sinatra, — Beyoncé, Sasha Fierce, Carter ’, Carter ”, Cowboy Carter, DRAKE, Kendrick Lamar, they’re, gunning, she’ll Organizations: Poets Department, MetLife, Beatles, “, Marvel, Billboard, TAYLOR SWIFT, U.S, Swift, MTV, Recording Industry Association of America, Department, Vogue, Veterans Touring, Drake, Beyoncé, Beyoncé’s Locations: New Jersey, U.S, Kobe, ”, “, pigtails, Amsterdam, Texas

☆ This year's biggest air battles are showing the US what it could need most in a missile war with China
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Jake Epstein | Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, FileThe war has shown how effective air defenses can be at denying air superiority, protecting key areas, and threatening high-value aircraft, as well as the costs when capabilities are degraded. Ukraine's air defenses, like its Soviet-era S-300s and US-supplied Patriots, have defeated enemy missile and drone strikes, hindered Russian air operations, and shot down numerous fighter-bombers and other Russian planes. "Ukraine and NATO might reduce risks with a two-prong strategy of strengthening air defenses and boosting infrastructure resilience." Needing more interceptors for the PacificFrom the fights this year, the US can see how it'll need to employ air defenses in a potential showdown with China. Running out of air defenses before the enemy runs out of air threats spells trouble.

Persons: —, Bradley Martin, Evgeniy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Firefighters, Archer Macy, Martin, Shaan Shaikh, We've, Amir Cohen TPX, Shaikh, it's, Andy Wong, Thomas Shugart, Shugart, Joshua Smoot, Heath Collins, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Macy, Mark Wright Organizations: Service, Business, US Navy, Ukraine, AP, Patriots, Institute for, Emergency, Ministry, RAND Corporation, NATO, Western, Central Command, Combat, Navy, RAND, Patriot, US, Missile Defense, Center for Strategic, International Studies, REUTERS, China, Pentagon, Defense, Center, New, Air Force, 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, US Air Force, Aegis, Missile Defense Agency, Former Navy, CSIS, Pacific Missile, AP Air Locations: China, Ukraine, Israel, Navy, Russia, Congress, Avdiivka, Kharkiv, Russian, Kyiv, NATO, Yemen, Gulf of Aden, Iran, Red, Screengrab, French, Ashdod, South Korea, Japan, Guam, Beijing, New American, Gen, Kauai, Hawaii

☆ US Air Force's F-22 Raptors lost to German Eurofighters in mock dogfights, but the verdict on the superior jet isn't as simple
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Alex Hollings | Sandboxx News | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +29 min

German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets fly during a media day. Piroschka van de Wouw/ReutersDespite their generational differences, the F-22 Raptor and Eurofighter Typhoon actually have a number of things in common. A German air force Eurofighter Typhoon taxis toward the runway at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska before departing for a combat-training mission, June 11, 2012. So what's the verdict between the F-22 Raptor and Eurofighter Typhoon? A composite image showing a German air force Eurofighter Typhoon jet and a US Air Force F-22 Raptor.

Persons: …, Valerie R, David Cenciotti's, Piroschka van de Wouw, it's, Randy Gordon, Sam Eckholm, doesn't, Rich Wells, Thomas Wiegold, John P, Michael Holzworth, It's, Marc Gruene, haven't, Gruene, isn't, Jens Stoltenberg, Bernd Wüstneck, Eurofighters, Chris Jung, That's, Eric Wicklund, Erich Hartmann, He's, Alex Muller, Andreas Pfeiffer, who's, Thomas Bergeson, Wade Tolliver, we're, Dirk Smith, Mike, Bertie Simmonds, Micheal Jordan, Chesty Puller Organizations: Service, EA, German Eurofighter Typhoons, Business, Eurofighter, Spangdahlem Air Base, US Air Force, Tactical Air Force, America's Raptors, BFM, Germany's Eurofighter, Farnborough, Air, Germany's, German Air Force Eurofighter, Reuters, Typhoon, MIT, RAF, Breaking Defense, AIM, Air Force, Staff, Raptors, Eielson Air Force Base, Tech, Germany's Air Force, Combat Aircraft, TVC, Raptor, NATO, Tactical Air, Getty, Typhoons, Seoul International Aerospace, Defense, Eurofighters, 4th, US Navy, KC, Red Flag, Navy SEAL, ISIS, Qaeda, Flag, FS, Eurofighter Typhoon Locations: Germany, Alaska, Red, Estonia, Vietnam, Flag Alaska, gun's, American

☆ Florida authorities identify remains found on Crescent Beach nearly 40 years ago
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( Sara Smart | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Nearly 40 years ago, human remains were found on a beach in St. Johns County, Florida. The manner of death was determined to be a homicide, the sheriff’s office said. St. Johns County Sheriff's OfficeThe case went cold over the years and the remains were left unidentified. With the help of advanced technology at the lab, potential relatives of the victim were identified, the sheriff’s office said. St. Johns County is located on the northeast coast of Florida.

Persons: Mary Alice Pultz, John Thomas Fugitt, Gene Tolbert, Fugitt, Tommy, Billy Joe Wallace, “, Mary Alice’s, ” Tolbert, Pultz, Norman Jenkins, ” Jenkins Organizations: CNN, Johns County Sheriff’s, Crescent, Facebook, Police Locations: St, Johns County , Florida, Rockville , Maryland, Johns County, Crescent Beach, Maryland, Texas, Florida

☆ The US military isn't ready for the coming drone war
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

The Department of Defense is working on initiatives to face the drone threat, but the US military doesn't yet appear ready to confront this ever-evolving challenge, especially on the scale seen in Ukraine. AdvertisementA US military MQ-9 Reaper drone waits for take-off at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan on March 9, 2018. US military leaders have repeatedly stressed there's no silver bullet to defeat small drones in battle. Shellie HallStudents there spend several weeks learning how to identify, engage, and defeat small drones. The drone threat draws certain parallels to fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, where hidden bombs posed a tremendous threat.

Persons: GENYA SAVILOV, Mick Ryan, hasn't, you've, Franz J, Marty, Samuel Bendett, Paul Scharre, that's, Mike Parent, Mark Schauer, Parent, Paul Butcher, Cpl, Doug Bush, Amber Osei, Moseph Sauda, doesn't, Sauda, America's, Bram Janssen, Scharre, Justin Bronk, Jack Watling, Ryan Organizations: Business, Troops, of Defense, Department of Defense, Getty, Australian Army, Islamic State, Kandahar Air Base, Defense Ministry, Karabakh . Defense Ministry, Azerbaijan, AP, Pentagon, US Army, Aircraft Systems, Solutions, 71st Jaeger Brigade, US Army Yuma, Technology, Army, sUAS University, US Marine Corps, Force, Central Command, Shellie, National Training Center, US Army Air Defense Artillery, Center, New, New American Security, Base, London's Royal United Services Institute Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Ukraine, prowling, Jordan, Chasiv Yar, Donetsk, AFP, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Nagorno, Karabakh, Avdiivka, Yuma, East, Oklahoma's Fort Sill, California, Fort Sill, China, Luhansk Region, Europe, Iran, New American, Iraq, Washington, Bagram, Kabul, Australian

☆ Russia's jamming of American weapons in Ukraine is showing the US what it needs to be ready for in a future fight
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Chris Panella | Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Russia's electronic warfare has repeatedly foiled American precision weapons in Ukraine. Those could include different weapons, specific countermeasures, and the targeting of enemy jamming systems. Any fixes developed to effectively counter the challenge posed by electronic warfare won't just benefit Ukraine. Electronic warfare is a broad term that includes a variety of inexpensive options. Felicia JagdattEfforts to adapt precision weapons to the threat is just one facet of a multi-layered solution, Withington said.

Persons: —, Antonio Aguto, They'll, Mark Cancian, Denis Abramov, Thomas Withington, That's, JDAMs, Withington, Daniel Patt, Harry S, Cancian, it's, Doug Bush, that's, Bush, Felicia Jagdatt Organizations: Service, Systems, Attack Munitions, Security, Marine, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Business, DoD, Russian Defense Ministry, Royal United Services Institute, Getty, Hudson Institute, Truman, US, Intelligence, US Air Force, Army, US Army Locations: Ukraine, Moscow, Russian, Russia, China, Withington, Bliss, Texas

☆ What Items an Army Artillery Soldier Brings to Battle
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Yuli Aylat | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

We got an inside look at how new United States Army field artillery soldiers are trained at the Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Jeremiah Driscoll, a cannon crew member instructor, walked us through 41 essential items an artillery soldier would bring on a mission. While some of Driscoll's gear is used by other units in the US Army, he showcased artillery-specific items like the M2 collimator and the fire-control computer.

Persons: Jeremiah Driscoll Organizations: United States Army, Field Artillery School, Staff, US Army Locations: Fort Sill , Oklahoma

☆ 2 Skiers Die and 1 Is Rescued After Avalanche in Utah
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Jesus Jiménez | More About Jesus Jiménez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Three skiers who had been skiing for hours through the backcountry near Lone Peak in Utah on Thursday were engulfed by an avalanche that ultimately killed two of them, the authorities said. One person survived and was rescued by helicopter, while search-and-rescue crews looked for the two others after the avalanche was reported near the peak, southeast of Salt Lake City, Sgt. The two skiers were found dead in the afternoon by search-and-rescue crews, Sheriff Rosie Rivera of Salt Lake County said at a news conference. The names of the skiers were not released, but Sheriff Rivera said they were both men, one a 23-year-old and the other 32. One of the skiers was from the Salt Lake City area and the other was from out of state.

Persons: Rosie Rivera, Sheriff Rivera Organizations: Unified Police Department, Greater Locations: Lone, Utah, Salt Lake City, Greater Salt Lake, Salt Lake County

☆ Congressmen demand answers after CNN report contradicts Pentagon investigations into deadly Kabul airport attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The reporting included a video obtained by CNN captured by a Marine’s GoPro camera that had not been seen publicly in full before. Much of the controversy about the Pentagon’s two investigations into the attack has focused on gunfire in the aftermath of the blast. “Lastly, why do journalists have this video footage and the Department does not? The recent discovery of new video released by CNN directly contradicts and exposes outright lies from our recent briefing last month from CENTCOM officials,” the Gold Star families said in a statement they sent to CNN. Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images/FileThe evidence also suggests the Pentagon may have more video footage than it has acknowledged in public.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin “, –, ”, Mike Waltz, Darrell Issa, Tim Burchett, Brian Mast, Rich McCormick, Keith Self, Cory Mills, Chris Smith –, Sayed Ahmadi, Ahmadi, “, ” James Adams, Hamid, Jared Schmitz, Humberto Sanchez, Taylor Hoover, Nicole Gee, Kareem Nikoui, Hunter Lopez, Rylee McCollum –, Biden, Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM, I’m, Haroon Sabawoon, Rob Lodewick, ” Lodewick Organizations: CNN —, Defense, CNN, Pentagon, House Foreign Affairs, Command, Marines, House Foreign Affairs Committee, Department, Gold Star, Department of Defense, Biden Administration, “, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Army, DoD, Service Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, US

☆ US Marines debuted a new amphibious combat vehicle, which was previously pulled out of the water after multiple rollovers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Drew F. Lawrence | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US Marines' new amphibious combat vehicle made its first overseas deployment in the Philippines. AdvertisementThe Marine Corps ' new amphibious combat vehicle, or ACV, debuted in the Philippines as part of its first overseas deployment after more than a year-and-a-half of limited operations. AdvertisementA US Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicle splashes off the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during Exercise Balikatan 24 in Palawan, Philippines. AdvertisementUS Marine Corps amphibious combat vehicles conduct a towing exercise during Exercise Balikatan 24 in Palawan, Philippines. That vehicle, called the amphibious assault vehicle, or AAV, had been used since the 1970s.

Persons: —, ACVs, Col, Sean Dynan, Lance Cpl, Peyton Kahle, Matthew Bylski, Chris Mahoney, Boxer, Military.com Organizations: US Marines, Service, Corps, Marines, Pacific, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Corps, US Marine Corps, . Locations: Philippines, Philippine, South, Camp Pendleton , California, Palawan, Oyster Bay, USS Somerset, San Diego

☆ Russia Will Keep U.S. Soldier in Custody for Months, Local Media Reports
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Anatoly Kurmanaev | More About Anatoly Kurmanaev | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

An American soldier detained in Russia last week will remain in jail until at least July while the authorities investigate theft charges against him, the Russian news media reported on Tuesday, citing local court officials. The soldier was detained in the port city of Vladivostok in the east of Russia on Thursday, a spokeswoman for the local court told the Russian business newspaper Kommersant. His detention came to light on Monday, when the U.S. State and Defense Departments said that he was being held. An American military official identified him as Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, 34, an Army sergeant in the process of returning home to Texas after being stationed in South Korea.

Persons: Gordon Black Organizations: Kommersant, U.S . State, Defense, American Locations: American, Russia, Vladivostok, Texas, South Korea

A U.S. Army soldier has been detained by Russian authorities in the port city Vladivostok on charges of criminal misconduct, the State and Defense Departments said on Monday, adding what is likely to be another complication in the contentious relationship between Moscow and Washington. A military official identified the soldier as Staff Sgt. He was apprehended on May 2, and Russia notified the State Department of the soldier’s “criminal detention” in accordance with international agreements between the two nations. “The Army notified his family, and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the soldier in Russia,” Cynthia O. Smith, an Army spokeswoman, said in a statement. A State Department official reiterated the U.S. government’s warning for Americans not to travel to Russia.

Persons: Gordon Black, ” Cynthia O, Smith, Sergeant Black Organizations: U.S . Army, State and Defense, State Department of, Army, U.S . Department of State, State Department, NBC News Locations: Vladivostok, Moscow, Washington, Fort Cavazos, Texas, South Korea, Russia

☆ Air National Guard leaders say proposal to move units to Space Force poses 'existential threat' to US national security
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Thomas Novelly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The US Air National Guard rebuke a proposal to shift space mission units to the Space Force. "Our internal survey indicates about 70% of our personnel would retrain or retire rather than join the Space Force," Air Force Col. Michael Griesbaum, commander of the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Wing, told reporters Friday. Airmen from the Colorado Air National Guard load equipment onto a C-17 Globemaster before departing for temporary duty in Washington, DC. AdvertisementBut Air National Guard leaders have expressed concern, saying it would set a clear precedent for other services to potentially take more resources from the National Guard model. "If LP 480 is successful, it will open the door to a wholesale harvesting of National Guard resources, both from the Air National Guard and the Army National Guard to the regular components."

Persons: —, Michael Griesbaum, Chance Johnson, Military.com, Air Force Frank Kendall, Alex Wong, Frank Kendall, We've, Kendall, Griesbaum, Jason Carr, Robert Brown, Jacob Hancock Kendall, Michael Bruno Organizations: US Air National Guard, Space Force, Guardsmen, Service, Air National Guard, Hawaii Air National Guards, Air Force, Space Force Guardians, " Air Force, Alaska Air National, Airmen, Colorado Air National Guard, Tech, National Governors Association, United States Space Force, Rayburn House, Capitol, Getty Images Air Force, Army Guard, National Guard, Army National Guard, United States Space Command, Space Development, Air National Guardsmen, Air Force Staff, Colorado Air National, 233rd Space Group, Department of, National Guardsmen, Florida Air National Guard, Cape Canaveral Space Force, Guard, Brig, Colorado National Guard Locations: Alaska , Colorado, United States, Washington , DC, Niagara Falls , New York, Alaska , California , Colorado , Florida, Hawaii , New York, Ohio, Florida

☆ China has a lot more missiles — with US warships and bases in its sights
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +18 min

American warships and bases in the Pacific are within reach of an increasingly worrying threat, a missile force unlike anything the US has faced in combat. With these missiles, China is signaling that it could attack US bases and ships in the region with little to no warning, Clark said. TK Department of DefenseThere's a lot more to the Chinese Rocket Force than these weapons, though. AdvertisementThat said, the US and its allies can't afford to assume the Rocket Force won't be ready should conflict come. In other words, how the US prepares itself and adapts to the Chinese Rocket Force gives it the best shot at avoiding a fight altogether.

Persons: China's, Andersen, Thomas Shugart, Bryan Clark, John Aquilino, Kevin Frayer, Harry Harris, Harris, Clark, Shugart, Gerald R, Kendall Warner, Byrd, US Defense Department Harris, Robert Peters, Peters, Ronald Reagan, Andrea Rosembert, Cpl, Ryan Little, Charles Flynn, I'm, Flynn, it's, Andy Wong Organizations: Business, Army Rocket Force, Pentagon, China's Rocket Force, Department of Defense TK Department of Defense, Center, New, New American Security, US Navy, PLA, Hudson Institute, Pacific Command, People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, Eastern Theater Command, People's Liberation Army PLA, Getty, Rocket Force, Liberation, TK Department of Defense, Chinese Rocket Force, US Defense Department, Ford, Virginian, Tribune, Service, Japan, Self, Defense Force, Misawa Air Base, Pacific, US, Defense, Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense, Army, Heritage Foundation, Aegis, Guam, Area, Ronald, Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense, Department of Defense, US Air Force, Marine Corps, Andersen Air Force Base, Marine, Combat, US Army Pacific, Stealth, Force, Military Locations: Beijing, China, American, Guam, South, Washington, Japan, New American, People's Republic of China, South Korea, Taiwan, South China, AFP, U.S, Marshall, Pearl, Pacific, PLARF, Tiananmen

☆ Army National Guard hasn't paid out enlistment bonuses to thousands of soldiers, alarming House lawmakers
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Steve Beynon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

House lawmakers criticized the National Guard over enlistment bonuses owed to more than 13,000 soldiers. AdvertisementA bipartisan group of House lawmakers is demanding answers from the Army National Guard on its plans to pay delinquent enlistment bonuses to the thousands of soldiers who are owed. A US soldier with the Oklahoma National Guard stands watch along a perimeter fence near the US Capitol in Washington, DC. US Army National Guard photo by Sgt. AdvertisementThe backlog was particularly inflamed by two 10-month outages of the Army National Guard Incentive Management System, or GIMS, which manages bonuses.

Persons: —, Daniel Hokanson, Ruben Gallego, Mike Waltz, Trent Kelly, they're, Thomas Alvarez, It's, isn't, Anthony Jones, Kelly, Hanna Smith Organizations: National Guard, Service, Army National Guard, Guard's, Democrat, Florida Republican, Republican, Guard, Idaho National Guard, Operation Spartan, US, Oklahoma National Guard, US Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau, US Army, Air National Guardsmen, Civil Disturbance Unit, Capitol Police, US Air National Guard, Staff, Army National Guard Incentive Management Locations: Arizona, Florida, Mississippi, Asia, Washington , DC

☆ The Army Sees Mortars as Safe. Troops Report Signs of Brain Injury.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Dave Philipps | More About Dave Philipps | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

After firing about 10,000 mortar rounds during four years of training, one soldier who joined the Army with near-perfect scores on the military aptitude test was struggling to read or do basic math. Another soldier started having unexplained fits in which his internal sense of time would suddenly come unmoored, sending everything around him whirling in fast-forward. “Guys are getting destroyed,” said Sergeant Devaul, who has fired mortars in the Missouri National Guard for more than 10 years. “Heads pounding, not being able to think straight or walk straight. They say you are just dehydrated, drink water.”

Persons: Michael Devaul, ’, ”, Sergeant Devaul Organizations: Army, Missouri National Guard

☆ I'm a sniper in the US Army, and Hollywood doesn't show you the hardest part of my job
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Phillip Cho, a US Army sniper in the 11th Airborne Division based in Alaska. At sniper training, we focus on things like range estimation, target detection, and precision marksmanship, the last of which is the most heavily portrayed aspect in Hollywood movies. For me, the easiest part is probably shooting because I was already a good shot before I became a sniper. AdvertisementIn Week 3 of U.S. Army Sniper School, 35 students participate in the ghillie wash, which is designed to test the strength and durability of the suits as well as weather them. The MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle sights view a target on the range at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Oct. 22, 2023.

Persons: —, Phillip Cho, It's, Carrillo, you'd, Patrick A, Albright, Cho, Staff Sergeant Phillip Cho, I've, Michael Schwenk Organizations: Service, US Army, 11th Airborne Division, Business, Spc, U.S . Army Sniper School, Army, Maneuver, Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs, Staff, Winchester, Base McGuire, Dix, U.S . Army National Guard Locations: Alaska, Hohenfels, Germany, U.S, Lakehurst , New Jersey

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