Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 9, 2013



Shutdown Denies Death and Burial Benefits to Families of 4 Dead Soldiers -- New York Times

WASHINGTON — The families of four soldiers killed in Afghanistan last weekend will not receive death benefits or the money to pay for their funerals because of the government shutdown.

The bodies of Sgt. Patrick C. Hawkins, 25; Pfc. Cody J. Patterson, 24; Sgt. Joseph M. Peters, 24; and First Lt. Jennifer M. Moreno, 25, will arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday. The four soldiers were killed Sunday in the Zhari district of Kandahar Province when enemy forces attacked their unit with explosives.

But if their families want to meet the plane, they will have to pay their own way to Delaware.

Under the shutdown, Carl Woog, a Defense Department spokesman, said on Tuesday, “the Department of Defense does not currently have the authority to pay death gratuities and other key benefits for the survivors of service members killed in action.”

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Military foundation steps up to cover 'disgusting' delay in payments for families of fallen -- NBC

Congress moves to reinstate military’s death gratuity amid shutdown -- Stars and Stripes

Taiwan military says China able to invade by 2020 -- Defence Talk/AFP

IAF drone plunges into the sea -- Times of Isarel

Turkey Sledgehammer trial: Key coup sentences upheld -- BBC

Pakistan Deal for Chinese J-10 Fighters Uncertain -- Defense News

Pakistan’s Oversized Submarine Ambitions -- Andrew Detsch, The Diplomat

Australia: Happy Birthday Navy! -- The Strategist

Russian Navy to receive first Mistral-class vessel late next year -- Naval Technology

Russian Defense Ministry to Order 32 Shipborne Helicopters in 2014 – Official -- RIA Novosti

Russia to Up Nuclear Weapons Spending 50% by 2016 -- RIA Novosti

Russia Adds Kalashnikov Concern to ‘Strategic’ List -- RIA Novosti

Lavrov: Afghanistan Not Ready for NATO Forces Pullout -- RIA Novosti

U.S. Support for Japan's Military Growth Worries Neighbors -- Chosun Ilbo

U.S. to cut some military aid to Egypt after coup, turmoil -- CNN

Obama administration says building an army a top goal in Somalia -- The Hill

Pentagon Builds Aegis Ashore MD Sites in Romania -- DoD Buzz

Using new counterterror guidelines, US forces backed off in Somalia raid -- Stars and Stripes/Washington Post

Syrian extremists 'aspire' to attack Western targets, says British spy chief -- The Hill

Unsatisfied with answers on A-10, senator keeps James hold in place -- Air Force Times

Fleet of air cushions vital to safeguarding island chain -- Stars and Stripes

Robot Shoots ‘Em Up: Army Assesses Northrop’s MADSS -- Breaking Defense

CIA joins Pentagon in recalling workers -- McClatchy News

NSA wages secret war against encryption -- Washington Times

MI5: Snowden leaks caused 'greatest damage to western security in history' -- The Telegraph

Navy leaders reassure sailors about sequestration, shutdown -- Stars and Stripes

DoD Acquisitions Staff Are Back to Work, They Just Can't Buy Anything -- Defense One

Catholic priests booted from bases as shutdown trickles to military -- Washington Times

2 Army Rangers among 4 killed in Afghanistan IED attack; 1 awarded Bronze Star -- AP

Broken Military Justice -- New York Times editorial

The Geopolitics of Port Calls -- James R. Holmes, The Diplomat

No comments: