GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 3.25.2014 >>>

Aboard a guided-missile destroyer docked at the world's largest naval base, a sailor was fatally shot and security forces killed the lone suspect late Monday.

Pres. Obama to call for end to N.S.A.'s bulk data collection.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Republicans may have helped Russia annex Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, delivering a surprisingly sharp attack just before lawmakers advanced a bill authorizing sweeping U.S. sanctions on Russia and $1 billion in loan guarantees to Ukraine. 

Two lawmakers have introduced a bill that would eliminate the $100,000 cap on payments to wounded warriors for multiple, severe injuries under the Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program.

North Korea warned it would take new nuclear "measures" if the United States did not end its alleged provocations toward Pyongyang.

Government Accountability Office predicts F-35 software troubles may drive annual costs up to $15 billion.

The Republic of Korea has officially selected the F-35 as its next-generation fighter.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert says he doesn't see a great need for the Navy to go through another round of base closures.

Abolishing nuclear weapons would make the world more violent and, paradoxically, more prone to nuclear warfare.

The Navy is on the verge of eliminating tobacco sales on all its bases and ships.

The Navy has published a thorough breakdown of what it needs for future surface operations in the Arctic, from new doctrine to platform assessments and an updated cold-weather handbook for sailors.

Lt. Gen. Robert Ferrell, U.S. Army chief information officer/G-6, outlined priorities for network modernization as the Army plans for Force 2025.

Changes at AAFES aimed at improved shopping experience.

White Sands Missile Range hosted about 6,200 participants during this year's 25th annual Bataan Memorial Death March.

Five questions on special ops and scotch with Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Lumpkin.

Hello nightmares: Crabster crab robot scuttles out of Korean lab.

Listen: Hear a new Chrissie Hynde song; hear a new Afghan Whigs song; the Pixies plan to release a new album.

Finally: Star Trek beer is here.

Here come the Sentinels!

"This is a great event to introduce the culinary art schools, high schools and the individuals in the community to the Washington National Guard and what we do for our entity," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Frank Gibson. "We are a small group of people that do a big job when it comes to feeding our soldiers."

The Washington Army National Guard's (WAARNG) Fiscal Year (FY) 14 Food Service Menu Board review and approval event was held in the 66th Aviation building at Joint Base Lewis-Mcchord this weekend. The purpose of the event was to select the FY14 menu option for the WAARNG throughout the year and specifically during drill weekends.

This event gave dozens of vendors the opportunity to showcase their food, as well as giving service members the opportunity to try the meals that they will be enjoying for the next year.

"This is a chance to see what's available in the marketplace, to get menu ideas and get to experience a lot of different flavors," said Dale Holland of Coastal Marketing Consultants, Inc. "Knowledge is powerful and if they don't know about it, how can they broaden their food knowledge."

>>> A food demonstration showed the proper way to prepare ahi as well as how to conduct large prep for large fish orders. Photo credit: Gary Lott

Along with a plethora of available food selection items such as bacon pancakes, fresh salads and freshly-sliced roast beef, food demonstrations were held, including deconstructing meat, bulk fish prepping, omelet cooking and dessert making.

>>> Culinary students from Heritage High School in Vancouver explain their craft before Washington National Guard judges. One school will be selected to provide menu options for drilling servicemembers in fiscal year 2014. Photo by Gary Lott

A WAARNG Culinary Competition also was held during the weekend. Students from the Northwest Culinary Institute, Steilacoom High School, Heritage High School, Bates Technical College's culinary arts program and the Art Institute of Seattle had two hours to prepare their competing dishes for judging command staff members, who score based on appearance, taste and enhancements.

>>> Students from Bates Technical College Culinary School cooked for the Washington Army National Guard over the weekend. Photo credit: Gary Lott

The food was the star of the show, but that didn't stop the WAARNG from still taking some time to connect with the youth. 1st Lt. Chris Herring (168th) took the high school students on a tour of the flight line on JBLM. 

"It's important to show the kids the many opportunities of the Guard," said Herring.  "They did a great job feeding us so we figured we'd show them a little of what we do."

>>> The Washington Army National Guard dissected many at JBLM over the weekend. Photo credit: Gary Lott

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 3.24.14 >>>

Ukraine evacuated its troops from Crimea, as Russians stormed a marine base. 

A deepening crisis in Ukraine has sharpened the defense policy of NATO member states in Eastern Europe, with the Estonia prime minister calling for higher military spending and Poland seeking early orders for missile defense and drones.

Russia might have got a head start on its takeover of Crimea by evading U.S. eavesdropping.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul says the post-Cold War era has ended in Europe as a result of Russia's unanticipated aggression.

Please come back, Bob Gates.

Global leaders gather in The Hague today for what could be the penultimate installment of President Obama's biennial confabs on preventing nuclear terrorism.

Think the Pentagon isn't serious about Asia? Think again.

President Obama has ordered a sharp increase in U.S. Special Operations forces deployed to Uganda and sent U.S. military aircraft there for the first time in the ongoing effort to hunt down warlord Joseph Kony across a broad swath of central Africa.

On Capitol Hill, a return to pet military projects.

President Obama's FY2015 budget further reduces missile defense funding, exacerbating a troubling, five-year pattern.

Before recently deploying to Afghanistan, a U.S. Army brigade warned the service's own intelligence center that the battlefield intelligence system doesn't work.

Despite a squeeze on investment accounts, the Pentagon's fiscal 2015 budget strategy prioritizes funding for the stealthy F-35 - but at what cost, some in industry ask.

The military has begun employing 3-D printing to make spare parts and components, but the Army is already exploring the next generation, 4-D printing.

The 82nd Airborne Division today will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the deadly Green Ramp accident that killed 24 paratroopers.

Student veterans seeking associate and bachelor's degrees under the GI Bill have slightly better graduation rates than their nonveteran peers.

No one has come out unscathed after the first four days of March Madness.

Netflix generates a massive amount of data consumption - around a third of traffic online during peak hours.

New York magazine has a great portfolio of musicians who helped shape New York, including Thurston Moore, Debbie Harry and Cyndi Lauper.

Actor James Rebhorn, who plays Carrie's dad on the Showtime drama Homeland, has died.

List: Amazon shares 100 Books to Read in A Lifetime.

Check out 13 ice cream "secrets" from Ben & Jerry's.

Finally: Comics truck

Say goodbye to winter...

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 3.22.14 >>>

Russian troops have surrounded a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea and issued an ultimatum to forces inside to surrender.

Would America go to war with Russia?

Boeing's new refueling tanker program will cost $1.1 billion more than initially planned.

The Defense Department has spent $2.6 million to date in the expanding international search effort to find missing Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.

When you scrutinize the size and composition of the cuts that sequestration has imposed on the government, it isn't clear the law really improves the nation's fiscal health. Here are four reasons why.

The Pentagon's share of the White House's $56 billion Opportunity, Growth and Security Initiative requests more than double the procurement money previously disclosed in budget documents earlier this month.

The United States is puzzling over how to block cruise missiles that theoretically could be launched from the Gulf of Mexico, even after throwing some of its most advanced technologies at the problem.

In the run-up to Russia's paramilitary invasion of Crimea, U.S. intelligence saw Vladimir Putin's saboteurs and mercenaries coming, and not stopping at Crimea either.

On policy allowing women into combat, Marines prepared to seek exceptions.

Tank Goodness: Armor programs will recover despite GVC kill, sequester.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded contracts to four companies to design a vertical take-off and landing aircraft that is much faster than a helicopter but retains excellent hover capability.

The Air Force is surging ahead with work to extend the service life of its fleet of F-16 fighter jets despite recent budget cuts.

Shooters from around the world will compete in the 2014 U.S. Army Special Operations Command International Sniper Competition beginning Monday.

The founder of Occupy Wall Street wants the President of the United States to resign and appoint her boss, Google's Chairman Eric Schmidt, to a new post, CEO of America.

Cool: The largest and most definitive collection of time-travel stories ever assembled.

Kim Deal may no longer be part of the Pixies, but she's still making music and released this pulsating new single/video this week.

A day in the life of Sarah Silverman.

These special effects will blow your mind, and your brain.

Watching these dogs confused by a magic trick is hilariously cute.

This video is so insane we had to stop watching it.

Then there's this...

Gen. Paul Selva, Air Mobility Command commander, announced the 2013 AMC Outstanding Airmen of the Year during a command-wide video teleconference at Scott Air Force Base today. Master Sgt. Marc R. Sellers, of the 62nd Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base Lewis McChord, was named Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

The 2013 AMC Outstanding Airmen of the Year are:

Junior Enlisted Airman of the Year:

Senior Airman Leanne M. Murray, 87th Air Base Wing, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

Noncommissioned Officer of the Year:

Tech. Sgt. Toyre L. Hudson, 6th Medical Operations Squadron, MacDill AFB, Fla.

Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year:

Master Sgt. Marc R. Sellers, 62nd Maintenance Squadron, JB Lewis-McChord, Wash.

First Sergeant of the Year:

Master Sgt. Richard W. McCorkle, 319th Security Forces Squadron, Grand Forks, AFB, N.D.

Honor Guard Member of the Year:

Senior Airman Jacob Coburn, 89th Communications Squadron, JB Andrews, Md.

Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year:

Master Sgt. Gary Knight, 87th Force Support Squadron, JB MDL, N.J.

Honor Guard Team of the Year:

87th Air Base Wing, JB MDL, N.J.

First Sergeant Council of the Year:

87th Air Base Wing, JB MDL, N.J.

With the exception of Honor Guard Team and First Sergeant Council of the Year, all winners identified above will now compete for the Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) is ready to deploy to Afghanistan.

"We are competent, committed to the mission and persons of character," said Col. Paul Mele, the brigade's commander during a deployment ceremony held this morning at Soldiers Field House.

"Why we go to Afghanistan is to support our partners who are still there on the ground," Mele continued.

"They will call for protection, supplies, to carry the wounded and to destroy those who will harm them. We are the right aviation solution for them."

The 16th CAB is scheduled for a nine-month deployment in support of the International Security Assistance Force mission in Afghanistan.

The brigade's approximately 1,500 soldiers will provide reconnaissance, close combat attack, troop lift and logistical movement support to Regional Command-South. 

This is the first deployment to Afghanistan in the brigade's history. Earlier deployments include tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

>>> Spc. Patrick Kirchgessner holds the colors of the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade prior to their casing for deployment to Afghanistan. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

For the past two years, the brigade has been preparing for this deployment, with training conducted at the National Training Center in California, High Altitude Mountainous Environment Training in Idaho and home station training.

The unit will be the first in the Army to deploy equipped with the upgraded AH-64E Apache "Guardian" attack helicopter.

"You are on a historic journey," Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell, commander, 7th Infantry Division, said.

"You are a brigade prepared to go to war."

>>> Lt. Col. John Davis and Command Sgt. Maj. Curtin Stapleton case the 1st Battalion, 229th Aviation Regiment's colors during the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade's Deployment Ceremony. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 3.21.14 >>>

Military under fire after sex assault rulings.

Russia's military maneuvers in Crimea have left U.S. analysts questioning what sort of threat the former Cold War military giant's forces, platforms and weaponry currently present.

U.S. President Barack Obama threatened sanctions against Moscow's defense sector.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is quietly seeking a foothold in Latin America.

Crazy Talk: Iran is building a nonworking mock-up of an American nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that U.S. officials say may be intended to be blown up for propaganda value.

U.S. Navy needs more ships.

Another legislative proposal has been introduced to ward off cuts in commissary funding - at least until the commission that is studying all military compensation completes its work.

Lt. Gen. Joseph E. Martz, a top architect for the Army budget, says training takes top priority in budget decisions.

VA-DoD common records system may still be possible.

The Army Reserve is taking a step toward embedding master fitness trainers into its units.

The vexing question of how to honor drone pilots and cyberwarriors is prompting a Pentagon-level review of the entire military awards system.

Roomscan automatically generates floorplans by simply tapping your phone on every wall.

14 radical skyscrapers that are more than just buildings.

Spoiler Alert: Clues about the storyline for Star Trek 3.

Here's a peek at Jaime's golden hand on Game of Thrones.

Indiewire talks to Jello Biafra in light of his appearance on Portlandia.

List: Best Muppet movie cameos.

Finally: 30 Iconic Music Artists Recreated in Lego.

Let's watch a badass in slow motion.

The four military police officers snaked down a darkened hallway before stopping in front of room 203.

"JBLM Military Police! Come out with your hands up!"

Silence.

The four then quickly opened the door and decisively entered the room.

A man with a gun appeared.

Shots were exchanged; the shooter went down.

While one MP kept his weapon trained on the downed man, another MP cautiously approached the downed man, kicked his gun away and began putting handcuffs on him.

The two other MPs checked several other rooms.

"We're good," one MP called out as he and his partner finished checking a closet.  "We'll call for medics for the guy down."

The four MPs had been told that shots had been fired.  Their task was to locate and stop the threat.

They accomplished the mission.

>>> Lt. Rayvaun Smith, directorate of Emergency Services, briefed soldiers, who played the role of "bad guys and gals," before a training scenario. Photo credit: J.M. Simspon

This active shooter scenario conducted at the closed Heartwood Elementary School at McChord Field was designed to add a sense of realism and raise the level of difficulty for the 42nd Military Police Brigade soldiers taking part in the training.

The two-day training conducted at the school is a part of the larger Protector Professional Police Course, a month-long series of learning events coordinated by the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

>>> Moving through dark rooms looking for "shooters" during a training exercise confronted soldiers in the 42^nd Military Police Brigade. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

"Soldiers learn what to do and what not to do," commented Lt. Rayvaun Smith, an officer attached to Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Directorate of Emergency Services.

"These soldiers are great to work with; they are willing to learn and remember."

One of the key points that Smith continually stressed to the young soldiers was the need to talk to each other as they worked.

"Communication is key," he said repeatedly when he stopped training to make a point. "Talk to one another, and make sure that you always work as a team."

In a quiet, professional and clear manner, Smith took the time to talk through the challenges each training scenario presented.

"Can you tell where I am?" he asked as he walked down a dark hallway and turned off his flashlight.

"No," came back the answer.

"By turning your flashlight on and off like this, you don't give the bad guys an idea as to where you are," Smith pointed out.

Heads nodded; the lesson had been learned.

"This has been outstanding training, the instructor is very good," 2nd Lt. Erin Hilt said. 

"Understanding urban ops and how to move systematically is great for us to know in keeping this community safe."

>>> Soldiers from the 42nd Military Police Brigade subdue a "shooter" during a Protector Professional Police Course, a month-long training exercise. Photo credit: J.M. Simspon

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 3.20.14 >>>

Taliban fighters killed at least 11 people and wounded 22 in a suicide bomb attack and gunbattle at a police station in Afghanistan's eastern Jalalabad city today.

Al Qaeda calls for car bombs across America.

Watchdog: U.S. may be paying salaries of "ghost" Afghan policemen.

Pentagon's wish list is all about buildings, training and aircraft.

A judge on Wednesday allowed former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's defamation lawsuit against the widow of slain "American Sniper" author Chris Kyle to go to trial.

Commentary: Rethinking the QDR

What Pakistan knew about Bin Laden.

Lawmakers to Hagel: Stop buying Russian-made helicopters.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) is interested in using war savings to pay for an overhaul of Medicare's flawed physician payment system.

From Congress to ivory tower: new Army War College commandant.

"Live synthetic": Army's next generation of simulation.

Some of the latest work at Benét Labs transcends all fielded mortar systems in the U.S. inventory, from 60-mm to 81-mm to 120-mm mortars.

From '1984' to 2025: Army, industry focus on next-generation network.

By Dec. 31, every Airman will be required to provide their servicing finance office with documentation for all dependents as part of Air Force audit readiness efforts.

More than 50 years after the fact, the Indian government's official account of what happened in 1962 that led to a humiliating defeat against China over disputed border territories remains classified.

Here's the simplest explanation about the Big Bang discovery in the news.

If you're interested in seeing your very own browser history all piled up, head right on over to Iconic History.

Tequila is the answer to many of life's problems-and now, a sweetener made from the stuff might just be the answer to our diabetes and obesity pandemics, too.

Matthew Weiner talks to The Atlantic about the inspirations behind and end of Mad Men

NBC has renewed Grimm as well as The Blacklist, Parks and Rec and other shows.

What, now there could be Game of Thrones movies, too?

Christopher Walken Dance Now

Another week, another airfield seizure drill. You could use a free appetizer.

FITZ In the Morning from 100.7 The Wolf will be at Steel Creek American Whiskey Co. tonight, dishing out concert tickets, an autographed guitar and other giveaways during the downtown Tacoma restaurant's happy hour. If you're a member of the military or family member, show your military ID and receive a free appetizer during FITZ's visit. Steel Creek thanks you for your service.