Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines June 22, 2021

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June 22, 2021

 

Senators grill Navy leaders on budget to deter China as US destroyer sails through Taiwan Strait One issue was the Navy 2022 budget proposed canceling the previously planned construction of a second destroyer, meaning only one of the ships used to patrol contentious waterways, protect aircraft carriers and strike down enemy missiles is included in the new budget. READ MORE

Fort Carson soldiers train to counter small drones ahead of CENTCOM deployment While U.S. forces deployed to Central Command have trained for years to disable small unmanned aerial systems, or sUAS, the Army’s 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson last month became the first to undergo home station counter-sUAS training before a CENTCOM deployment, the service said in a statement last week. READ MORE

National Guard readiness will suffer if funds for Capitol security are not restored, Army secretary says Aviation and ground vehicle readiness at Guard units across the country will be affected if the money is not returned, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said during a budget hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s subpanel for defense. READ MORE   Coast Guard chief to address accountability issues at House hearing The commandant of the Coast Guard is set to testify Wednesday for the first time about how the service is addressing harassment, bullying and retaliation after a series of damning congressional and inspector general reports.  READ MORE   VA secretary vows to increase focus on veteran housing project in LA  Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough delivered an opening address Monday for the annual meeting of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. READ MORE

Yokosuka-based officer fell asleep at the wheel before fatal car crash, indictment says Lt. Ridge Hanneman Alkonis, 33, a weapons officer aboard the destroyer USS Benfold, had fallen asleep at the wheel before crashing his car into parked vehicles and pedestrians at a soba restaurant’s parking lot. READ MORE   ‘Finally back to normal’: Bars, nightclubs no longer off-limits to Yokosuka sailors under new coronavirus rules Restrictions for most sailors in Japan remain in place for high-risk areas, such as certain parts of central Tokyo. READ MORE   EU digital coronavirus vaccination certificate is available to Americans, officials say Vaccinated Defense Department personnel and other Americans living in Germany can obtain free digital coronavirus vaccination certificates and use them to travel in the European Union, where new cases are falling and many countries are reopening for visitors. READ MORE   The rising cost of being in the National Guard: Reservists and guardsmen are twice as likely to be hungry as other American groups Hunger among Guard members and reservists is more than double the national rate, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from mid-April through early June. They report more food insecurity than nearly any other group, regardless of household income, education, age or race. READ MORE   Militias in Afghanistan’s north are taking up the fight against the Taliban President Ashraf Ghani, scheduled to visit Washington on Friday to meet with President Joe Biden amid growing concerns here about the withdrawal of U.S. forces, has endorsed the sudden call to arms by former ethnic rival groups in hopes of stemming the Taliban onslaught and calming public panic. READ MORE   US Navy ships close to getting interceptors that could stop an ICBM The Pentagon’s No. 2 official has ordered 11 missile interceptors transferred from research and development for possible deployment on Navy ships in the Pacific or European regions after a test in November indicated they could stop an intercontinental ballistic missile. READ MORE

 

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