US Marine Attacked Because He is White

Mississippi police are investigating a reported aggravated assault at a West Point restaurant that resulted in one man’s life-threatening injuries Saturday.

Ralph Weems IV, a 32-year-old marine who served in Iraq, was reportedly in fair condition at the North Mississippi Medical Center Sunday, though one of his relatives said he was in a medically induced coma, according to nola.com.

"They're going to try and wake him up tomorrow and see what damage was done," relative Bradley Barnes told the Associated Press.

Genie Causey, a hospital spokeswoman, reportedly declined to comment further on Weems’ condition.

Ralph Weems IV

David Knighten, Weems’ friend, said he was with Weems at the time of the alleged attack. The two reportedly went to a Waffle House together earlier in the evening, where Weems got into a fight with other men. Knighten said that he was warned by a man outside the restaurant that he should not go in because he was white, and locals were angry about the fatal shooting of unarmed teenager Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Missouri.

The incident in Ferguson spurred riots and protests in the town and the ongoing conflict has received national attention. Despite the warning, police said they are not sure if the attack could be considered more than an assault.

"This does not appear to be a hate crime," said Police Chief Tim Brinkley in a press release. "We are investigating this as an aggravated assault. It's very early in this investigation but thus far the evidence and statements suggest that a verbal altercation turned physical and somebody got hurt."

The argument Weems engaged in ultimately brought police to the restaurant at about 1 a.m., according to a press release reported by WCBI-TV.

Weems and Knighten then left the scene and went to another restaurant, Huddle House, before they headed home. Knighten said he thinks they were followed by about 20 people, who allegedly surrounded and attacked Knighten after a security guard tried to kick everyone out of the restaurant.  

Knighten said he was also injured and suffered broken facial bones and cuts in the allegedly racially charged fight.

"I do remember racial slurs being yelled from the crowd," he said.

Police were called but did not arrive until after Knighten had sustained serious injuries and the crowd left.

-Courtez McMillian, 22, was arrested on Monday evening. He is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center and will be charged with aggravated assault in connection with this incident. - See more at: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/mississippi-police-investigate-reported-aggravated-assault-restaurant#sthash.MzkaYGCl.dpuf

USS America Tours South America, Prepares for JSF

The Navy’s new big-deck America-class amphibious assault ship is making its way around South America as part of a mission to connect with allies in the southern hemisphere and prepare the ship for the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
The USS America, the first in a series of 11 planned America class amphibs for the Navy, is configured with more deck space than previous ships of its kind in order to accommodate a range of aircraft — including MV-22 Ospreys and the F-35B Short-Take-Off-and-Landing Joint Strike Fighter.
“The Navy and the Marine Corps will have to work out the conops (concepts of operation) of how we are going to use the Joint Strike Fighter. The ship will not only be able to deliver the capability of the Joint Strike Fighter but will also be able to provide a response capability. This ship is going to surprise a lot of people with its ability to bring forward aviation assets,” Capt. Robert Hall, USS America’s Commanding Officer, told Military​.com in an interview while aboard the ship.
The Navy is currently making a series of modifications to the USS Wasp, an amphib test ship, in order to better prepare amphibs to accommodate the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter. The modifications are in part designed to allow the ship’s deck to better withstand the heat generated by the F-35B’s vertical landing and take-off, Navy officials said.
“The JSF will be on the USS America for the first deployment. There are still some modifications that need to be done to the ship once we go to our post-shakedown availability. They are being worked through on the USS Wasp which is a test ship right now. The lessons learned are being applied to our ship,” Hall said.
The USS America will receive the same flight deck modifications currently being installed on the USS Wasp, said Lt. Kurt Larson, spokesman for Naval Sea Systems Command.
“The flight deck modifications entail adding intercostal structural members underneath flight deck landing spots numbers seven and nine. With the added structure, these two landing spots will provide the capability to perform closely timed cyclic flight operations with the F-35B without overstressing the flight deck,” Larson said.
The modifications are also planned for all other America and WASP-class ships in future availabilities, he added.
Hall said some of the modifications may involve re-adjusting some of the ship’s antennas in order to allow for a clear flight path for the JSF.
This flight deck modification is planned for incorporation onto the USS AMERICA in 2015 and 2016. The USS America will be commissioned in San Francisco in October of this year, Hall added.
The ship is currently transiting around off the coast of South America, conducting joint training exercises with a host of key allies such as Colombia, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Chile and Peru, Hall explained.
“This is as close to a deployment as I’ve ever been on, with the four Osprey and three H-60s that we have along with the special purpose MAGTF (Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force),” he added.
The integrated training exercises involve security and communications operations with different countries as well as medical asset coordination and mission planning activities, Hall said.
The ship’s MV-22 Ospreys have been flying into allied countries to pick up and deliver distinguished visitors to the ship, he explained.
“We’re getting our crew familiar with the ship through hands on training. The Ospreys are giving us a great opportunity to learn the flight deck and learn the hangar. Most of my crew is on their first mission,” Hall explained. “This is a brand new crew which is pulling together. They have been performing as a solid team, going above and beyond. My hat is off to their dedication and motivation they have been working very hard.”

Motovational Bombing Video

Post by Shaun Hanlon.

Wanted: Next-Gen Armored Vehicles With Less Armor

The Pentagon wants next-generation armored vehicles that are more mobile, maneuverable and survivable, but without more armor.

In September, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will host a proposer’s day to give potential contractors a more clear idea of what the Defense Department wants in its Ground X-Vehicle Technologies program.

“GXV-T’s goal is not just to improve or replace one particular vehicle— it’s about breaking the ‘more armor’ paradigm and revolutionizing protection for all armored fighting vehicles,” Kevin Massey, DARPA program manager, said in an Aug. 18 press release.

Historically, militaries and industry have responded to improved or more lethal attacks on its armored vehicles by adding more armor. But armor piercing weapons technology has pretty much taken the day in that competition, advancing faster than industry’s ability to come up with armor to withstand penetration, Massey said.

The more heavily armored vehicles do increase the chances of crew survivability. The Congressional Research Service, citing DoD figures in 2009, said the casualty rate for troops in an MRAP is 6 percent. For the M-1 Abrams, it’s about 15 percent and for the up-armored HMMWV – the Humvee – it’s 22 percent.
But the additional armor and weight – some MRAPs will weigh up to 24 tons – has meant significant increases in vehicle mass and cost. And that increased mass has meant sacrificing maneuverability on the battlefield, where threat environments change. Larger vehicles are limited to roads, demand more logistical support and are more expensive to design, develop, field and replace, the DARPA release said.
As a result, the U.S. military is looking for so-called “disruptive” innovations – technologies that change everything – to ensure survivability of crew and vehicle in the next generation of armored fighting vehicles, DARPA says.
The agency is looking for technologies that could be developed in 24 months and incorporated into a broad range of ground, tactical and support vehicles following the successful completion of the program.
Massey said the GXV-T program was inspired by X-plane programs that have been instrumental in improving aircraft capabilities over the past six decades.
“We plan to pursue groundbreaking fundamental research and development to help make future armored fighting vehicles significantly more mobile, effective, safe and affordable,” Massey said.

US Marine General Has Been Training his MARINES to KILL ISIS

An influential retired US general has called on Barack Obama to order the destruction the militant group responsible for murdering American journalist James Foley amid conflicting views in the administration on how to respond to the atrocity.

As Obama’s foreign policy team debates expanding its renewed air war in Iraq after the killing of Foley by the Islamic State (Isis), John Allen, a retired marine general who commanded the Afghanistan war from 2011 to 2013, urged Obama to “move quickly to pressure its entire ‘nervous system’, break it up, and destroy its pieces.”

Allen’s argument, presented in an op-ed for the DefenseOne website, echoes remarks by secretary of state John Kerry and comes amid internal dispute in the Obama administration over the future course of its two-week air war in Iraq. Much diplomatic effort is said to be spent broadening and hardening a region-wide effort against Isis, something Allen endorsed, with Turkey and Qatar being a particular near-term focus for Kerry.

The debate is said to be fluid. At present, a US official anticipated more continuity than change in future military operations against Isis, but said: “It may ultimately evolve.”

On Wednesday, six new airstrikes continued to hit Isis positions near the Mosul Dam, three days after Obama declared that it was no longer under Isis control. Nearly two-thirds of the 90 US strikes since 8 August have taken place near the critical dam.

In a grisly video produced by Foley’s captors, his killer says Foley’s death came as revenge for US airstrikes in Iraq. Soon after the video was released, the US confirmed that it had recently mounted a failed rescue bid for Foley. Elite US military forces secretly invaded Syria earlier this summer in a mission that involved dozens of special operations forces from all US military services, including the 160th special operations aviation regiment.

US forces flew into Syria in defiance of air defence batteries that senior military officials have described as highly threatening to pilots. Modified Black Hawk helicopters were involved, and “armed fixed-wing aircraft and drones” provided cover to forces on the ground, said an administration official. No hostages were found at the targeted location.

It emerged on Thursday that Foley’s family received a message from Foley’s captors on 13 August, warning them that he would be killed. They passed the message on to the US government, which helped with a response. Phil Balboni, chief executive of GlobalPost, the Boston-based online news publication that had published work by Foley, told Reuters: “It was an appeal for mercy. It was a statement that Jim was an innocent journalist,” and that he respected the people of Syria, where he was held.

Foley’s family and friends hoped the militants were bluffing and wanted a ransom, he said. The group had last year demanded a ransom of $132m for his rescue, Balboni said.

Wary of overcommitment to a new Iraq war, the Obama administration has sent mixed signals about how far it is willing to go against Isis. Kerry, who has been hawkish against Isis, said the jihadist organization “must be destroyed/will be crushed”, a goal beyond the one Obama has thus far set.

Allen proposed attacking Isis in Syria as well as Iraq “across its entire depth”, an option the Pentagon has studied after the group overran Iraq’s second largest city in June but is yet to implement.

In an interview on Thursday with National Public Radio, one of Obama’s closest advisers opened the door for attacking Isis in Syria, which would represent a significant expansion of a bombing effort whose missions have slowly evolved.

“We would not restrict ourselves by geographic boundaries,” said Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser. “We haven’t made decisions to take additional actions at this time.”

Rhodes indicated that the administration believes that the incoming government of Haider al-Abadi in Baghdad will aid US efforts in assembling and deepening an anti-Isis coalition. Rejecting a recent suggestion, Rhodes ruled out a rapprochement with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to confront a mutual foe.

Writing for the DefenseOne website, Allen conspicuously praised Obama, who is wary of expansive promises made by the military. He did not propose a return to ground combat, but urged a “focused advise and assist” mission to bolster Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers and non-jihadist Syrian rebels, a commitment that would require a reintroduction of significantly more US military advisers.

Obama has ruled out US ground combat, preferring to rely on proxies, something his critics have not challenged, with memories of a bloody US occupation still fresh. The US official said working through vetted Syrian opposition groups and Iraqi and Kurdish forces “will continue to be the foundation of the US approach going forward”.

Though entire divisions of the Iraqi army fled from Isis in June, “they’ve shown a lot more capability in the last two weeks than in the previous two months,” the official said.

At the State Department, officials said the US is pressuring Qatar and Turkey to help cut off flows of financing and foreign fighters to Isis, even as they cautioned that they did not see evidence of either government supporting the extremist group officially.

“We are working with governments in the region where we believe there are private citizens funding [Isis] to get them to clamp down even further to cut off those sources of funding,” said spokeswoman Marie Harf.

“We need to attack [Isis] on a variety of fronts, one of which is the bombs that the Pentagon folks are dropping on them right now. One of them is not letting them have access to resources.”

Kerry also spoke directly to the Qatari foreign minister on Wednesday, during which Foley’s death was “likely” to have come up, according to US officials, although the call was primarily about Gaza.

Asked whether Qatar, Turkey or Saudi Arabia – another alleged source of funding – were “fully on board”, Harf responded: ”Well, look, we’re talking to them every day about what more we can all do. We know there’s more that needs to be done. We know this is a long-term fight, and we know it’s a tough one. So we’re having those conversations.”

Allen said Foley’s killing “embodies” the threat from Isis, which he called “an entity beyond the pale of humanity”. The US official said Allen’s article “serves a purpose in helping explain to the American people how dire it is”.

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A Message to ISIS from a US Marine Veteran

A Marine Corps veteran sent an unmistakable message this week, via social media, to the “cowardly” Islamic State terrorists in the Middle East:  ”You attack us and there will be no mercy. We will bring the righteous hand of God down upon you and crush you. ”

The powerful post has gone viral and was reportedly written by Nick Powers, identified as a Marine vet who served in Iraq by American Live Wire, in response to the beheading of American journalist James Foley.

“To all you ignorant Islamic extremist f**ks. As I sit here constantly hearing and watching you execute innocent men, women and children in the Middle East I chuckle. Why do I chuckle you may ask? Well let me explain something to you cowardice fools who think you are so tough behind all your propaganda videos. You are scaring a population that doesn’t know how to fight, you’re bullying the weak. You say Islam is the religion of peace,but since when does terrorizing the innocent and beheading men, women and children constitute peace? WTF? But keep in mind, what did Saddam’s troops do when we came rolling into town? They surrendered, twice… So all your empty threats of coming to America and raising your flag over the White House amuse me more than any of you sick, sadistic bastards could ever imagine or comprehend. In 2012 there was about 21.2 million veterans in the United States. Do you understand what that means? Let me break it down for you. That means there are literally millions of disgruntled, dysfunctional, pissed off veterans who have been dealing with years of abuse from their government stabbing them in the backs and having to watch their friends die because you Islamic extremist idiots can’t seem to act like normal human beings and stop terrorism and the violence. It’s one thing to take over an Islamic state, but if my memory serves me correctly, I’m pretty sure we plowed through Fallujah in 4 days. Better yet, it took us about month to control your entire country. At this point, with 13+ years of war under our belts, how long do you think it would take us to do it all over again? I’ll let you draw your own conclusions on that one. Do you really think you stand a chance on US soil? Do you really think it would be smart to poke that bear? Remember, never bite the hand that feeds you. Remember we are armed to the teeth in the US and I can promise you this… the Geneva Conventions will not apply to you. You attack us and there will be no mercy. We will bring the righteous hand of God down upon you and crush you. The ball is in your court now ISIS. We are more than ready to arrange your so called “meeting” with your 72 virgins and send you to your “prophet” Mohamed.”

- Nick Powers

UPDATE: To all who read this and assume this is against all Muslims, I am sorry you are too blind to read, this isn’t against Muslims in general. If you feel otherwise I suggest you look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself one question, am I an extremist? You say Islam is the religion of peace, since when does terrorizing the innocent (beheading women and children, wtf?) mean peace? This is directed at all extremist, if this offends/makes you angry or think I am racist you are are probably an extremist…

Pizza Hutt Kicked Out A USMC Veteran for Wearing a USMC Jacket

You’ll Be Outraged After You Find Out Why This Fast Food Chain Kicked Out A Veteran


Recently, a former Marine was thrown out of a Pizza Hut in Wisconsin for wearing a jacket that had U.S. Marine Corps patches on it.

According to a Facebook post by a user calling himself Rick Libertas Semper, a popular pizza chain refused to serve him because he was wearing four patches signifying his service as a U.S. Marine. According to his profile, he lives in Green Bay, Wis.

“I decided to go to Pizza Hut for their lunch buffet after work and was approached by the manager who came to tell me that for the safety of the patrons and staff they do not allow people in the restaurant wearing gang colors,” he wrote.

Of course, according to his account, the only ‘gang’ his colors represent is the Marine Corps.

“I was wearing my black leather jacket that has 4 patches and the back of the jacket is embroidered,” he recalled. “One patch says USMC, the other patch says Marine Combat Veteran, the 3rd patch is the unit patch for 3rd Marines 3rd Batallion and there is a patch of the US flag on it.”

The back of his jacket, he explained, is covered by an embroidered USMC emblem.

“I pointed out that these are not gang colors but represent one of the branches of our military,” he wrote, explaining he is a veteran and has “earned the right to wear them.”

The manager, however, reportedly “said he can’t be expected to know” the difference between patches “so they just don’t allow any of them in the restaurant.”

The veteran recounted his experience as evidence that the “world is full of idiots,” though he recognized the incident was isolated and doesn’t necessarily represent the views of all Pizza Hut franchises.

In a response to his initial post, he wrote that he believes it was just a case of a “young manager trying to look like he was in control.”

Nevertheless, reports of companies treating veterans with disrespect continue to surface across the nation. Making matters worse, our government is not only shrinking our active military ranks; it is providing fewer and fewer resources for those returning with physical and mental needs.

Another Hero lost. R.I.P - Rob Richards - USMC Scout Sniper

One of four U.S. Marines controversially filmed urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters in 2011 has reportedly been found dead in his North Carolina home.

Marine Cpl. Robert Richards, 28, who was a medically retired combat veteran and revered sniper, was found dead Wednesday night, his attorney, Guy Womack, told the Washington Post. He said his death does not appear to be a suicide.

Richards, along with the three other Marines, made international news after video capturing them urinating on the corpses was anonymously posted to YouTube in January 2012.

HANDOUT/REUTERSThe controversial video led to Richards being reduced from a sergeant to a corporal after a plea deal in 2013. Despite international anger over the act, one Marine said he'd do it again.

The act led to Richards being reduced from a sergeant to a corporal after a plea deal in 2013.

As he told Marine Corps Times in an interview last year, it was the video's unauthorized release that really stung.

"It was really devastating and we didn't know that it'd get in the hands of a traitor in my opinion. Not a traitor but a coward as well that would potentially try to destroy us and the Maine Corps by releasing it selfishly," he said.

 

OK Marines - Libo Brief

Libo brief: Alright Marines, it's that time of year again. Hang up the greens, pull out the deserts and roll those sleeves - or get your chucks ready if you're as fortunate as we are to work in the National Capital Region. "dont run w/ sharp objects" - "look both ways before you cross the street"  - "attach your BFA before playin w/ ur rifle"  and my fav of all time."do not beat your wife" Enjoy your weekend. Ooh-Rah

USMC’s First F-35s Arrive at Eglin

The Joint Strike Fighter schoolhouse at Eglin Air Force Base, Fl., recieved its first two F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variants of the JSF today. The two jets — the Marines’ first two production model F-35s — are the seventh and eighth JSFs to be sent to Eglin since last summer. No word on how long they’ll stay on the ground now that they’ve arrived. Remember, the Eglin jets have yet to be cleared to begin any sort of training flights so they’re being used as maintenance trainers.
Here’s Lockheed’s announcement on the latest delivery:

The first two Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] production model F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Marine Corps today. The two jets are now assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Fighter/Attack Training Squadron 501 residing with the host 33^rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla.
The aircraft, known as BF-6 and BF-8, flew separately arriving at 3:13 p.m. and 4:39 p.m. CST respectively after their approximate 90-minute ferry flights from Fort Worth, Texas. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Joseph Bachmann piloted BF-6 while U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matt Taylor flew BF-8. Both 5^th Generation fighter s will be used for pilot and maintainer training at the new F-35 Integrated Training Center.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era of advanced capabilities for the U.S. Marine Corps,” said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program executive vice president and general manager. “The F-35B’s versatility, as demonstrated onboard the USS WASP (LHD-1) last fall, will revolutionize our nation’s expeditionary combat power in all threat environments by allowing operations from major bases, damaged airstrips, remote locations and a wide range of air-capable ships. This aircraft will give our warfighters the ability to accomplish their mission, wherever and whenever duty calls.”
F-35 STOVLs met many critical milestones in 2011. In October, F-35Bs conducted their first set of ship trials, known as Developmental Test 1, 20 miles off the coast of Wallops Island, Va. During the 19-day testing period, BF-2 and BF-4 conducted 72 vertical landings and short takeoffs, accomplishing all test milestones during the mission. For the year, F-35Bs accomplished 333 System Development and Demonstration test flights and 268 vertical landings.
BF-6 and BF-8 are the first two F-35 deliveries to the Department of Defense in 2012 and the seventh and eighth F-35 aircraft delivered to Eglin AFB since July 2011. Previously, six U.S. Air Force F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jets were delivered to the base.

Click through the jump to watch a video of the first F-35B arriving at Eglin.

Navy Designs New Amphib

The Navy is evaluating designs, costs and specifications for a new class of amphibious assault ships designed to replace the current fleet of cargo-carrying LSD 41/49 dock landing ships, service officials said.
The existing fleet of dock landing ships, which function in a key cargo-carrying capacity as part of an amphibious ready group, will be nearing the end of their expected 40-year life span in coming years, said Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert Walsh, director of the Navy’s expeditionary warfare division.
“It is not often you replace a ship class,” he said.
Slated to be procured in 2020 and enter service by 2026, the new LXR amphib will need to function with more autonomy than its predecessor and be able to conduct what’s called disaggregated operations apart from an amphibious ready group.
The LXR will need more aviation, command and control and medical technologies compared to existing LSDs, Walsh explained.
“The LSD’s we’re replacing were meant to be the trucks – heavy cargo capability for the [amphibious ready group]. It has a landing platform but it doesn’t have a hangar and an aviation deck,” he said. “Due to the concept of operations we are under today, it needs independent capability. It needs to have aviation capability and be able to go somewhere and take helos with it. It needs an aviation detachment and be able to do the maintenance.”
The Navy used to be able to deploy up to five ARGs at one time, however the fleet is no longer the size it used to be in the 1980s and the service is working on a strategy to get by with fewer ARGs and  as few as 33 amphibs overall.  As a result, the Navy needs more ships that have the technological ability to operate independently of an ARG if need be.
“When it comes to amphib forces, quantity does matter.  We’ve got to have the numbers to be able to do the things we want to be able to do. We are trying to recapitalize the LSD force,” Walsh said.
The Navy is working on its initial capabilities document for the LXR and recently finished an Analysis of Alternatives, or AoA, wherein service engineers, experts and acquisition professional explore options for the ship.
Results of the AoA determined that the Navy is considering basing the construction and design upon the existing LPD 17 amphibious transport dock hull – or designing and entirely new ship altogether.
Walsh explained that the AoA wound up reducing the alternatives or options for the LXR from eleven different options down to two options.
Designed to serve alongside 400 sailor-strong LDS dock landing ships in the ARG, the amphibious transport docks, or LPD 17s, carry up to 700 sailors and have a higher degree of aviation and command and control technologies for independent operations, Walsh explained.
The new LXR will need to have the command and control and aviation technology to operate independently while still remaining true to its cargo-carrying mission and be less expensive than an LPD 17.
The 684-foot long LPD 17s can hit speeds of 22 knots and carry four CH-46 Sea Knights or two MV-22 Osprey aircraft. The LSD also travels around 20 knots, however, it is only 609-feet long and not equipped to house aircraft.
Both the LPD 17 and the LSDs have well-decks for amphibious operations along with the ability to launch Landing Craft Air Cushions, or LCACs. The LPD 17 weighs close to 25,000 tons and the LSD is only 16,000 tons. The Whidbey Island class of LSDs can carry and launch up to four LCACs.
The new ship now in development, the LXR, will likely wind up drawing upon elements of both of these amphibious assault ships as the Navy seeks to maximize the performance of the ship while keeping its cost well below $2 billion, the approximate cost of an LPD 17.
“The LPD 17 is just too high-end cost wise when you are looking at replacing the LSD class. We’re working with industry to look at lowering costs for the ship,” Walsh explained.
The Navy has recently awarded two “design for affordability” contracts to two shipbuilders, Huntington Ingalls Industries and National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, or NASSCO. The contracts are aimed at exploring design specifications and technologies best suited for the LXR with a mind to lowering costs while maximizing technical capability, Walsh explained.
Walsh said the Navy is integrating the requirements work with cost analysis in order to ensure that cost goals are not compromised by growing requirements.

Drones Join Fighter Jets in Striking Targets in Iraq

The U.S. military has turned to drones to help launch airstrikes against Islamic militants in northern Iraq.
The Defense Department acknowledged early on that aerial drones, known as remotely piloted aircraft in military speak, would be part of the effort to gather intelligence on and, if necessary, bomb militants with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the al-Qaeda inspired Islamic group that controls much of the northern part of the country.
President Obama last week cited as reasons for authorizing the airstrikes in the country the group’s advances in the northern Kurdistan region. Militants had reportedly overwhelmed Kurdish fighters and threatened to attack U.S. military and diplomatic personnel in Irbil in the northeast and Yazidi minorities on Mount Sinjar in the northwest.
On Friday, a drone officially identified as an MQ-1 Predator armed with Hellfire missiles struck a mortar position near Irbil and killed several militants. On Saturday, a mix of fighter and drone aircraft destroyed military combat vehicles, including armored personnel carriers and an armed truck. (Ironically, some of the damaged vehicles were reportedly American-made Humvees the militants had captured from Iraqi forces.)
We’re interested in learning more about how the manned and unmanned aircraft are apparently working in tandem to conduct the strikes — and where they’re based. The Navy has released photographs of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets flying from the USS George H.W. Bush in the Persian Gulf to conduct operations in Iraq. But what about the drones, as well as the C-17 and C-130 cargo aircraft that airdropped food and water to the stranded civilians?
We’re also curious why the military seems to be using the MQ-1 Predator — the workhorse of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — rather than the bigger MQ-9 Reaper, which can loiter over an area for longer periods of time, carry more payload and, over the next few decades, is slated to replace the Predator in the Air Force’s drone inventory. (Perhaps all the Reapers are being used in Afghanistan?)
Both unmanned aircraft are made by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., which last month unveiled an enhanced drone cockpit station for operators.

Bound by Honor, These Marines Will Show You What Brotherhood Really Means

This video is not for everybody. These Marines from the same unit, 3rd Bn 5th Marines, share their stories through video taken while on deployment together, and after they returned home. The video is about 48 minutes long, but it will keep your attention with its honesty throughout. For those who have been there, no explanation is needed; for those that have not been there, no explanation is possible.

Marine Corps to Cut Special Duty Assignment Pay, While Giving Billions to Other Countries

A pay cut is coming for Marines who plan to work as drill instructors, security guards, or in other special duty assignments. That's because the Marine Corps is slated to slash Special Duty Assignment Pay (SDAP) starting Oct. 1.

According to a Marine Corps news release, the move was made to help the Corps save $35 million over the next five years.

Marine Corps compensation chief 1st Lt. John Krahling said making the decision to cut SDAP wasn't made in haste:

“We spent significant time evaluating all relevant factors before making a final decision on the changes. As the Department of Defense and Marine Corps move into a more resource-constrained environment, we must fully evaluate each of our programs by weighing total costs and benefits of the current programs.”

Marines currently working as embassy guards, drill instructors, recruiters, and on other special duty assignments don't have to worry - the pay cut will only affect Marines who begin serving special duty after Oct. 1.

But Stars and Stripes reports Marines who become subject to the pay cuts...

...will be placed at lower SDAP levels than their predecessors. However, some servicemembers impacted by the reductions will later be bumped up one SDAP tier after serving 12 months in their new billets, depending on their assignment.

SDAP provides enlisted servicemembers with extra compensation for taking on duties that are "extremely difficult or carry an unusual degree of responsibility," according to the Defense Department. The money is intended to attract high-quality troops to fill key billets.

SDAP currently ranges from $75 to $450 per month, according to the following pay scale:

Level 1: $75
Level 2: $150
Level 3: $225
Level 4: $300
Level 5: $375
Level 6: $450

But, the U.S. gives billions of dollars in foreign aid to world's richest countries

The U.S. is providing hundreds of millions of dollars of foreign aid to some of the world's richest countries.

The Congressional Research Service released the report last month which shows that in 2010 the U.S. handed out a total of $1.4bn to 16 foreign countries that held at least $10bn in Treasury securities.

Four countries in the world's top 10 richest received foreign aid last year with China receiving $27.2m, India $126.6m, Brazil $25m, and Russia $71.5m.

Around the world: Barack Obama on the Great Wall of China. Last year China received $27.2m in foreign aid from the U.S.

Mexico also received $316.7m and Egypt $255.7m.

And yet despite the massive outgoings in foreign aid, the receiving countries hold trillions of dollars in U.S. Treasury bonds.

Concerned: Senator Coburn said the policy was 'dangerous'

China is the largest holder with $1.1trillion as of March, according to the Treasury Department.

Brazil held $193.5bn, Russia $127.8bn, India $39.8bn, Mexico $28.1bn and Egypt had $15.3bn.

Foreign aid is earmarked for causes including HIV/AIDs prevention, combating weapons of mass destruction, fighting tuberculosis, and counter-terrorism efforts.

The news has caused grave concern, with Senator Tom Coburn, R-Okla, who requested the report seen by Fox News, calling the policy 'dangerous'.

In a written statement Senator Coburn said: 'Borrowing money from countries who receive our aid is dangerous for both the donor and recipient.

Mexico angered at Texas moving troops to border

A full month after tens of thousands of illegal alien minors flooded across the Texas-Mexico border, an American leader finally made a move to bolster the seemingly overwhelmed U.S. Border Patrol agents in south Texas. As covered by Fox News Latino on July 22, 2014, the Mexican Foreign Relations Secretariat released a written statement to the press expressing their “concern” over upwards of 1,000 troops ordered to the border.
Texas Governor Rick Perry waited in vain for well over 4 weeks for the administration of Barack Obama to federalize National Guard troops to send to the border area. The Commander-in-Chief of the Texas Guard eventually ordered upwards of 1,000 Lone Star troops to ostensibly perform support duties for the already overwhelmed Border Patrol agents assigned to the 1,200 miles stretch between the Gulf Coast and El Paso.
With more than a few yanqui eyebrows raised, the Mexican government deemed it necessary to chime in the deployment of American troops on American soil, "Attention to the immigration phenomenon must be paid from a long-term regional perspective and based on the principles of good neighborliness and shared responsibility."
In the meantime, the recent illegal arrivals are often carrying a research lab’s worth of diseases, the American media is effectively looking the other way as a plethora of sicknesses flood into the United States. The Slate news portal reported on July 3, 2014 that unlike legal immigrants, the latest wave of illegal immigrants are not being screened for “sexually transmitted diseases, active tuberculosis, new strains of influenza, leprosy, cholera, and plague.” On the contrary, diseases and infestations such as lice, drug-resistant tuberculosis, scabies, dengue fever, measles and chickenpox are running rampant in the spur of the moment cramped housing conditions mandated by the federal government.
It is also being reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires all legal immigrants to provide proof of vaccination for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, haemophilus strains, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, meningococcus, chicken pox, pneumonia, and seasonal flu. None of which that even slightly resembles any kind of records check is happening to test the latest batch of those entering the country illegally.