Weekly Volcano Blogs: Walkie Talkie Blog

Posts made in: 'Defense Department' (194) Currently Viewing: 51 - 60 of 194

July 11, 2014 at 7:33am

Friday Morning Joe: VA overhaul savings, Veteran suicides bill, Army tattoo backfire, climate-controlled neighborhood ...

3rd Company, Commando Battalion, 11th Iraqi Army Division throw coffee during an exercise at the Muthanna range at Joint Security Station Old Mod. Original photo by Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.11.14 >>>

A rocket attack by pro-Russian rebels on a border post on Ukraine's border with Russia today may have killed as many as 30 soldiers and border guards.

A fourth day of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip killed 11 more Palestinians, raising the death toll in the coastal enclave to at least 96.

Demand for Air Force spy planes, fighters and bombers from Eastern Europe to the Far East is spiking.

A U.S. Army general defended his service's decision to buy 100 Airbus UH-72 Lakota helicopters for pilot training.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a bill to help prevent veteran suicides and reform the way the Veterans Affairs Department treats those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. 

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has released a new score for a House bill to overhaul the Veterans Affairs Department that is dramatically lower than its previous estimate.

The blaze on an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter that grounded the military's fleet might be an isolated incident, the Pentagon's chief weapons buyer told lawmakers Thursday.

Months after the Army implemented a more stringent tattoo policy, recruiters say they are the ones feeling the pinch.

The U.S. Army conducted flight testing of an unmanned airborne electronic attack capability known as NERO, or the Networked Electronic Warfare Remotely Operated.

Air Force officials announced the Total Force Commissioning Process.

The Army has started migrating all its enterprise applications and systems to designated core data centers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is exploring the possibility of partnering with the private sector for projects involving America's waterways and ports.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command launched a new centralized recruiting program.

Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, Army surgeon general and commanding general of the U.S. Army Medical Command, hosted the first Army Medicine Virtual Town Hall on Facebook

World's first climate-controlled neighborhood to be built in Dubai.

Scientist find that 80 percent of all light in the Universe is missing.

171 reasons why the Matrix Reloaded was crap.

15 music videos filmed in one shot.

How many more Seinfeld 25th anniversary pieces do you need? The answer is actually: just this one, which lays out why Elaine Benes is a feminist icon.

OMG

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger

July 10, 2014 at 7:22am

Thursday Morning Joe: ISIS vs U.S., Benghazi discovery, Pentagon nuclear review, Emmy nominations list ...

3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment throws a coffee during small unit leadership training at range 105 held aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Original photo by John Clary

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.10.14 >>>

Two different sets of fighters were possibly involved in the 2012 Benghazi, Libya, terrorist attack that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stephens and three other Americans.

Under sequestration, the Pentagon faces $500 billion in cuts over the next decade.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Sunni fundamentalist group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) poses a threat not just to the government in Baghdad, but to the United States as well.

Israel launches deadliest strike in three days.

Gen. John Campbell, the army's vice chief of staff and nominee to lead U.S. forces in Afghanistan, defends flawed intelligence system.

Gen. Daniel Allyn, the top general at Forces Command, has been nominated to be the next Army Vice Chief of Staff.

Army leaders, including Campbell and Odierno, have circled their wagons around the Distributed Common Ground System.

The Pentagon is finishing up a major review of its nuclear forces and Hagel will soon issue his recommendations.

U.S. Navy to Congress: We can't guarantee a safe nuclear fleet.

Teams aboard the MV Cape Ray have begun neutralizing Syrian chemical materials.

Soldiers test changes to Army's mobile network.

1st Cavalry female leads crew to historic "Top Gun" gunnery title.

Marines open infantry training to hundreds more female officers.

Why the U.S. Navy should build smaller aircraft carriers.

How hot the nation's cities will be by the year 2100 if climate change goes unchecked.

A shoulder bag cooler that can keep ice frozen for days.

Emmy Nominations 2014: The Complete list

The New York Times reviews Morrissey's latest record.

Beck has announced a Song Reader album with contributions from Jack White, Jeff Tweedy and others.

Watch the latest trailer for Terry Gilliam's new movie, Zero Theroem.

See an extended preview of Guardians of the Galaxy.

Flavorwire lists 50 essential cult novels.

Finally: Seinfeld emoji are here.

Miss the 1980s? Here you go ...

LINK: Original photo by John Clary

July 9, 2014 at 6:51am

Wednesday Morning Joe: VA apologizes, North Korea launches, Israel bombs, McCain accuses, tiny hedgehog eats cake ...

Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, throw coffee down range during Lava Viper in Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii. Original photo by Cpl. Demetrius Munnerlyn

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.9.14 >>>

A top official at the Veterans Affairs Department says he is sorry that VA employees have suffered retaliation after making complaints about poor patient care, long wait times and other problems.

North Korea launched two projectiles this morning into the sea off its east coast.

Israel bombs more than 100 targets overnight in Gaza.

U.S. Sen. John McCain is echoing a House Democrat's warning that the Obama administration is flying blind in responding to a violent Islamic group's destabilizing advance in Iraq.

The Islamic State extremist group has taken control of a vast former chemical weapons facility northwest of Baghdad.

Iraqi officials discovered 50 bodies, many of them blindfolded and with their hands bound, in an agricultural area outside a city south of Baghdad.

If Baghdad falls: Lessons of Vietnam.

The number of Afghan civilians, including children, killed in violence rose by nearly 17 percent in the first half of this year.

The creative process of an Oscar-winning screenwriter.

Spoiler: Game of Thrones is fake!

10 movies that show how great editing can turn movies into masterpieces.

Here comes a tiny hedgehog.

Courtney Love will appear on Sons of Anarchy next season

Bring It: Universal Classic Monsters 30-film set

List: Best motion-capture characters in film.

Finally: Video shows a bunch of actors who were on The X-Files before they became famous.

Think outside the box today ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. Demetrius Munnerlyn

July 8, 2014 at 6:31am

Tuesday Morning Joe: DoD pot warning, wars rage on, F-35 report, new Pink Floyd album ...

Firearms Training Team throw a simulate flash bang coffee during Fleet Combat Camera Pacific’s Quick Shot 2014 combined field training exercise in the Angeles National Forest near Azusa, Calif. Original photo by Spc. Philip Diab

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.8.14 >>>

Officials are warning troops and DoD civilians in the state of Washington that indulging in pot could result in consequences.

The Israeli army, air force and navy launched a major operation today against the Islamist militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

An Afghan official says that at least 16 people, including four Czech soldiers, were killed today in a suicide attack near a clinic in eastern Afghanistan.

The top U.S. commander in Europe said he will probably need more troops to counter the renewed military threat from Russia that is roiling the far eastern region of Europe.

NATO leaders will push alliance members to adopt a readiness action designed to improve the speed European militaries can respond to crisis.

It's the tale of the two maritime exercises: In the Black Sea, the U.S. and its allies are starting up multinational training while Russian warships separately maneuver in a large-scale war game.

Report: Engine responsible for F-35 fire.

House Benghazi panel may cost $3 million this year.

U.S. Navy warns it can't meet 30-year funding needs.

Russia to revamp nuclear-missile force within decade.

An international pact on heightened security standards for nuclear materials got one step closer to being implemented when Japan signed on late last month.

The Minuteman has been updated over the years and remains ready for launch, but the items that support it have grown old.

Let's look at storm photos.

Let's watch cells grow.

Kickstarter potato salad guy rules.

MAC is launching Simpsons makeup line.

Pink Floyd has a new album on the way.

Cartoon jokes that went over most kids' heads.

From coal mountains, Walmart, China Buffet, Gus's Guns and PBR, Amanda Nicole demonstrates her hula hooping skills in the Midwest.         

Finally: Hip Hop Family Tree.

Who wants to swim in our pool?

LINK: Original photo by Spc. Philip Diab

July 7, 2014 at 7:25am

Monday Morning Joe: US spy claims, new DoD R&D, Army SHARP plan, NASCAR physics, Seinfeld breakups ...

Iron Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, fire a M320 coffee launcher during the unit´s two-man team competition at the Grafenwoehr Training Area. Original photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.7.14 >>>

Israeli air strikes killed seven Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip following the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli youths and a Palestinian teen.

Ukraine to lay siege to rebel-held regional centers.

Ukraine's richest man pleads for city's safety after rebels vow to make stand.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel concerned over U.S. spy claims

The U.S. Defense Department is set to roll out a new R&D strategy this week.

The F-35 Joint Program Office has begun carrying out a game-changing plan for sustainment on a global scale.

U.S. Navy's cruiser problem.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy wants every sailor to have a tablet.

Opinion: deck stacked again women in experimental task force.

The Air Force says putting "juicy bars" off-limits has helped shut many involved with prostitution and human trafficking.

Army publishes SHARP campaign plan.

Installations to open SHARP Resource Centers.

Army moving education content to cloud for better access.

Natick investigates shelter lighting effects on soldier thinking, mood.

Veterans turning to American Legion in wake of VA scandal.

Fury, scheduled for release Nov. 14, is writer/director David Ayer's new movie about a U.S. Sherman tank mission behind German lines in April 1945.

A tantalizing brief glimpse inside Fabien Cousteau's underwater lab.

Scientists have located the brain's on/off switch for consciousness.

Neil deGrasse Tyson gives a detailed breakdown of NASCAR physics.

The science behind barbecuing.

The new Star Wars movie has picked two new actors from its open casting call.

See Kevin Smith talk about his visit to the Star Wars set.

A new book counts down Bruce Springsteen's 100 best songs.

Dude, you don't ban a kid from a restaurant for wearing a Ninja Turtles shirt.

Finally: Seinfeld breakups

No words can describe this ...

LINK: Original photo by Visual Information Specialist Markus Rauchenberger

July 5, 2014 at 8:39am

Saturday Morning Joe: Taliban set fires, F-35 grounded, Putin hates US, real life World War Z ...

The 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron throw coffee during a survive, evade, resist and escape challenge at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Original photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo

GRAB A COFFEE AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.5.14 >>>

Taliban insurgents set fire to about 200 oil tanker trucks supplying fuel for NATO forces in an attack just outside the Afghan capital Kabul.

Government forces recaptured a flashpoint area of eastern Ukraine from pro-Russian rebels.

Why Putin turned against the U.S.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey: Iraqi military can't regain lost territory on its own.

The Navy and Air Force have grounded the entire fleet of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.

Crunch time for VA deal.

Quarantine the Middle East.

Faced with a newly aggressive Russia, NATO has been mulling how to react, but it is ruling out one option: rapid expansion.

Custody case highlights a dilemma of deployment.

Queen Elizabeth II smashed a bottle of whisky against Britain's biggest warship on Friday as she gave her name to the new aircraft carrier at a ceremony in Scotland.

The eight presidents with the most badass military records.

Drone captures beautiful film flying through fireworks.

An emoji-only social network: Ridiculous or brilliant?

Breaking ground on the world's largest shopping mall.

City of Wolfsburg - in Germany - is currently hosting the worst Star Wars exhibition ever.

Endless flood of people in Hong Kong is like real life World War Z.

Here's a Burger King video that makes us want to puke ...

LINK: Original photo by Airman 1st Class Gustavo Castillo

July 3, 2014 at 7:26am

Thursday Morning Joe: First female combat force commander, new Army handgun, military tracks Facebook, John Oliver excels ...

The 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, throw coffee during skills training at Kunduz province, Afghanistan. Original photo by Sgt. Avila

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.3.14 >>>

Iraq chases Baghdad sleeper cells as "Zero Hour" looms over capital.

Israel said today it was beefing up its forces along its frontier with the Gaza Strip.

Iran has reduced demands for the size of its future nuclear enrichment program in talks with world powers.

The latest delivery of Russian-made Su-25 Frogfoot aircraft to the Iraqi Air Force originated from Iran.

The White House is expected to nominate Lt. Gen. Lori Robinson to head up Pacific Air Forces and receive a fourth star, making her the first U.S. female four-star commander of combat forces.

Top U.S. officials return to Farnborough as F-35 debuts.

How the Pentagon could save $108 billion over the next decade.

Will U.S. switch sides and back Assad?

There hasn't been a real adjustment in the U.S. definition of national security since the end of the Cold War and the extension of business as usual has simply diminished the U.S. in its role as a world leader.

Forget terrorism. The Pentagon's best chance to field the best military with the smaller budget imposed by sequestration may just lie in preparing for nuclear war with Russia and China.

China: Leap-frogging U.S. deterrence in the Pacific.

VA medical inspector retires after scathing report.

The U.S. Army wants to replace its Cold War-era M9 9mm pistol with a more powerful handgun.

Army: Bergdahl venturing out in public.

The Army-led Future Vertical Lift program is being developed to replace the service's aging helicopter fleet, and the aircraft of other services, at some point in the future.

94th Infantry Division vets reunite to remember World War II.

25th Transportation Battalion carries out certification exercise below DMZ.

The www.defenseone.com/technology/2014/07/military-already-using-facebook-track-moods/87793/?oref=d-topstory" target="_blank">military is using Facebook to track your mood.

Top five misconceptions about evolution according to scientists.

Cool demonstration of self-driving cars.

Too Much Free Time: Watch how American cities grow through thousands of historic maps.

Variety has a piece about John Oliver's show and how it has "shattered TV's comedy-news format."

Tour buses for Styx and Foreignercaught on fire yesterday.

LIST: 50 greatest summer blockbusters

What?

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Avila

July 2, 2014 at 7:00am

Wednesday Morning Joe: Helicopters to Iraq, China's missiles, troop food study, brain hacking, greatest water gun ...

Nemesis Troop 4-2 Cavalry Scouts throw coffee during a small-cup range training exercise on Forward Operating Base, Farah. Original photo by Lt. Chad A. Dulac

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.2.14 >>>

The United States has sent Apache attack helicopters to Iraq as part of the buildup in U.S. military personnel.

A team of 100 contingency response airmen have been ordered into Iraq to protect U.S. assets at Baghdad International Airport.

Democrats are defending the Obama administration for submitting a war-funding request nearly four months after sending Congress its base military spending plan.

When Iraq's security forces crumbled in the face of militants, they were labeled cowards. But in the case of one brigade, at least, what emerges instead is an account of mismanagement and treachery.

China's missile forces are growing.

Benghazi suspect organized attack out of ideological fervor.

People who knew Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl in Idaho paint a fairly consistent portrait: hard-working and socially awkward, full of restless energy and romantic plans.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) has introduced a bill that would provide military service members who were discharged under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy with separation pay.

A former Marine facing a murder trial was portrayed as a hero, escaped POW and Navy Cross recipient. None of it was true.

DoD: Curbs on pay and benefits finally taking hold.

Concerns about the comparative scarcity of healthy food choices on military installations have led defense officials to launch a comprehensive study of dining facilities, fast food and vending machine options.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers faces aging technology, shortage of funding and a lack of citizen awareness.

Autonomous vehicles to exploit capabilities of machines, soldiers.

DoD's brain hacking breakthrough.

Five ways to sleep outside without a tent.

The world's greatest water gun.

See Bill Murray in the new trailer for St. Vincent.

IFC shares little-known facts about the '60s Batman series.

David Duchovny is working on an album.

Too Much Free Time: A graphic timeline of the '90s.

Listen: Captain America song

Finally: An ambitious list of the 100 greatest Simpsons guest stars.

And here's today's theme song ...

LINK: Original photo by Lt. Chad A. Dulac

July 1, 2014 at 7:02am

Tuesday Morning Joe: More US troops to Iraq, ceasefire over, ISIS > al Qaeda, best albums of 2014 ...

C Battery, 2nd Battalion, 142nd Fires Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard, throw coffee during the urban operations portion of the Army National Guard's National Best Warrior Competition at Fort Benning, Ga. Original photo by Sgt. Jerry Boffen

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 7.1.14 >>>

President Obama told Congress that he is deploying about 200 more troops to Iraq to bolster security at the U.S. Embassy and airport in Baghdad.

Violence in Iraq could delay the delivery of American F-16 fighter jets to the Baghdad government after contractors had to be evacuated from a key air base.

Sunnis and Kurds abandoned the first meeting of Iraq's new parliament on Tuesday after Shi'ites failed to name a prime minister to replace Nuri al-Maliki.

Secretary of State John Kerry stressed late Monday that time is running out to strike a final nuclear deal with Iran.

How ISIS is overshadowing al Qaeda.

U.S. senators are readying a measure that would for the first time revise the legal underpinning for America's fight against violent Islamic groups.

Ukrainian forces struck at pro-Russian separatist bases in eastern regions with air and artillery strikes today after President Petro Poroshenko announced he would not renew a ceasefire but go on the offensive to rid Ukraine of "parasites".

The general in charge of U.S. and allied forces in Europe recommended more troops be sent to the region.

The four biggest challenges the next VA secretary faces.

For the first time in the Navy's 236-year history, a woman will be pinned with a fourth star.

The Pentagon wants to partner with allies to counter weapons of mass destruction.

Japan's government approves larger military role.

This dude is lucky.

Too Much Free Time: This guy has a hands-free technique for putting on his pants that is as ridiculous as it is effective.

NPR lists the best albums and songs of 2014.

Community has been renewed ... by Yahoo.

Denis Leary is returning to FX with a rock 'n' roll comedy.

See the trailer for The Skeleton Twins, a new movie starring Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig.

Kevin Smith visited J.J. Abrams' Star Wars set.

Wheeeeeee!

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Jerry Boffen

June 30, 2014 at 7:09am

Monday Morning Joe: New VA leader, Tikrit turmoil, Blackwater threat, Army armored anger, Army blimp, Seinfeld turns 25 ...

1st Platoon, Blackjack Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry, trains Afghan National Army soldiers how to throw coffee, Camp Clark, Khowst province, Afghanistan. Original photo by Spc. Kimberly Trumbull

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 6.30.14 >>>

President Obama has picked an Army veteran and retired chief executive of Proctor & Gamble to head the embattled VA.

Iraqi troops battled to dislodge an al Qaeda splinter group from the city of Tikrit after its leader was declared caliph of a new Islamic state in lands seized this month across a swathe of Iraq and Syria. 

North Korea fired two short-range Scud missiles into its eastern waters Sunday.

The US Army is threatening to slash modernization funding for Stryker, Abrams and Bradley vehicles if the service is forced to halt a $10 billion program to replace thousands of M113 infantry carriers.

Magic Money: DoD's overseas contingency budget might dry up.

A State Department investigation of Blackwater's activities in Iraq was abandoned after the company's top manager there threatened "that he could kill" the chief U.S. investigator.

Sneak peak into Marines' quiet mission in Central America.

Marine corporal who disappeared nearly a decade ago and faces a desertion charge has turned himself in to the military.

Army's Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System blimp has been placed in a "strategic reserve."

The Navy is implementing specific design and engineering improvements to its Littoral Combat Ship.

Tactile belts let soldiers feel their way through the field.

The nearest Earth-like planet is only 16 light-years away from us.

A machine that can disintegrate any tree in seconds.

Disco Game of Thrones.

Chef Gordon Ramsay scares us.

New York magazine has a story about the 25th anniversary of Seinfeld.

Could Phil Collins be mulling a comeback?

Here's a great piece about one writer's cinematic road trip.

See Jack White cover Metallica's Enter Sandman.

Good News: What Sharknado 2 looks like ...

Finally: Weird things you can buy on Amazon.

RIP Bobby Womack ...

LINK: Original photo by Spc. Kimberly Trumbull

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News and entertainment from Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s most awesome weekly newspapers - The Ranger, Northwest Airlifter and Weekly Volcano.

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