Friday Morning Joe: Ukrainian helicopters down, Benghazi update, Soldier for Life goes live, 50 awesome albums ...

By Northwest Military News Team on May 2, 2014

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Pro-Russian rebels shot down two Ukrainian helicopters today, killing two crew.

NATO official: Russia undermining global security.

U.S. military personnel knew early on that the Benghazi attack was a "hostile action" and not a protest gone awry, according to a retired general who served at U.S. Africa Command's headquarters in Germany during the attack.

How the Iraq War crippled U.S. military power.

House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Rep. Adam Smith of Washington urged his colleagues to embrace some of the Obama administration's proposed weapon program cuts, arguing the savings will allow the military to buy new platforms and remain ready for war.

American and Gulf Cooperation Council air defense commanders are still calling for development of an integrated missile defense system in the region as Iran reveals a new series of ballistic missile tests.

NATO leaders plan to push European countries to increase defense spending at September's meeting of alliance members in Wales.

A House Armed Services subcommittee passed its markup of its part of the annual defense bill that would - among many other things - freeze some funding for the Army's Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Program.

Pentagon officials unveiled a new sexual assault prevention strategy that directs the services to review alcohol policies after the military saw the number of sexual assault reports increase 50 percent last year.

Commissary case lot sales are returning.

Experiment grows new muscle in men's injured legs.

VA budget bill bonuses for senior executives.

Nine U.S. Army Air Forces airmen who were interned at the Wauwillermoos Camp in Switzerland seven decades ago finally were honored with the Prisoner of War Medal.

The Army's "Soldier for Life" website is designed to be a new online home for retired Soldiers.

An all-female team of four students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute recently developed a design to make the Army-issued rucksack hip belt more comfortable for female soldiers

A full-auto dart blaster that is a science-fueled dream play gun.

Watch a trailer for the new Elliott Smith documentary.

After domestic dispute, Paul Simon and Edie Brickell released a new duet.

Cool: New footage of Kim Deal and Kelley Deal playing "Gigantic" and "Cannonball."

List: 50 albums you may not know (but need to).

Finally Star Wars Vans.

Don't sweat it, Courtney. You're only human. ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. Laura Gauna