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Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sherrill Votes to Pass Bipartisan NDAA to Strengthen National Security and Protect Service Members

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), former Navy helicopter pilot and member of the House Armed Services Committee, secured over $20 million in additional funds for Picatinny Arsenal programs and the New Jersey innovation economy in a mark-up of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

    The NDAA is critical legislation that Congress authors each year to establish defense priorities, make organizational shifts to military posture, and provide direction on how military funding can be spent.

    “One of my chief responsibilities is to craft national defense legislation that strengthens our fighting forces across the globe, bolsters the New Jersey economy by investing in Picatinny Arsenal, and expands protections for our service members and their families. With Pete Hegseth, the most incompetent Secretary of Defense in history, leading our armed forces, it’s more important than ever that we pass commonsense legislation that invests in our fighting forces and the men and women who have stepped up to serve our country. 

    “I ensured that Picatinny Arsenal continues to have the resources it needs to keep our soldiers safe across the world, bolster our New Jersey economy, and support the Ukrainian fight against Russian oppression. I continued my fight to ensure that our servicewomen and military families have access to abortion care, no matter where they are stationed; I stood up to protect women in combat roles across our armed forces; and I advocated to expand year-long contraception prescriptions for all active duty service members and families. I fought to strengthen guardrails to provide additional congressional oversight if the President or the Secretary of Defense tries to unilaterally relocate troops and protect the National Guard from being politicized. And I successfully included an amendment in the bill to reverse the Trump Administration’s attempt to legalize racial segregation in our armed forces.

    “Our service members and their families make incredible sacrifices to protect the rights, freedoms, and democracy we hold dear. There is far too much at stake right now to allow political fights and partisan gamesmanship to endanger our national security and weaken our fighting forces,” said Mikie Sherrill. 

    Rep. Sherrill championed a pilot program for remote blood pressure monitoring for pregnant and postpartum women, successfully included an amendment that would expand access to apprenticeship training for service members transitioning to civilian life, and improve training and resources for firefighters serving on military installations.

    She spoke up against Republican attempts to strip women from combat roles, highlighted Pete Hegseth’s dangerous use of Signal, and defended U.S. funding for our ally, Ukraine.

    The NDAA also includes provisions that will strengthen Picatinny Arsenal, one of the largest employers in NJ-11, and support the critical work conducted there. Rep. Sherrill championed additional funding for Picatinny programs, including:
     

    • Scalable Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (CsUAS) Munition delivered Air Defense payloads
    • Tier 1 Blast Over Pressure Reduction Technologies
    • Low Cost Armaments-based Counter Drone / Counter Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (CsUAS) Protection
    • Critical Energetic Materials and Manufacturing Industrial Base Supply Chain Technology 
       

    Rep. Sherrill offered and successfully secured inclusion of 12 amendments to the NDAA, including:
     

    • Requiring TRICARE to cover up to twelve-month supplies of contraception for service members and their families;
      • This amendment expands on Rep. Sherrill’s effort to require private insurance to allow patients to receive a full year’s supply of birth control instead of the typical three month supply.
    • Requiring DoD contractors to certify that they do not have segregated facilities
      • This amendment comes in response to the Trump Administration reversing a policy that required Department of Defense contractors to have nonsegregated facilities.
    • Establishing a pilot program to utilize remote monitoring of blood pressure for at-risk pregnant and postpartum military women;
    • Expanding bereavement leave to include service members and the spouse of the service member who experience the loss of a pregnancy or stillbirth;
    • Increasing the participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) positions in the Armed Forces;
    • Increasing access to registered apprenticeships in the Skillbridge program for service members transitioning to civilian careers;
    • Requiring the Department of Defense to conduct a study on the training and equipment of Firefighter Rapid Intervention Teams on military facilities.
    • Prohibiting the Trump administration from eliminating US military bases in Europe to protect our NATO allies. 

    Rep. Sherrill is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the Navy for almost 10 years as a helicopter pilot and Russian policy officer. As a Russian policy officer, she worked on the implementation of our nuclear treaty obligations and oversaw the relationship between the U.S. Navy and Russian Federation Navy. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Tactical Air and Land Forces (TAL) and Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems (CITI) Subcommittees.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Rep. Sherrill Introduces NDAA Amendment to Ensure Reproductive Rights for Servicewomen in the Military

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    Washington, D.C. — Tonight, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced an amendment to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would repeal the longstanding federal ban on abortion care in the military health system. The amendment strikes Section 1093 of Title X, which prohibits the Department of Defense from providing abortion services in most cases.

    Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, approximately 40% of women in uniform are now stationed in states that ban or severely restrict abortion access. Even the narrow “exceptions” permitted under current law have proven unworkable in practice, putting the lives and health of servicewomen at risk.

    Thousands of active-duty servicewomen seek abortion care each year, according to a 2023 RAND report. Yet under current law, military doctors and facilities are prohibited from providing that care, even when it’s medically necessary for their health — forcing women to turn to informal support systems or delay treatment.

    The amendment seeks to restore full reproductive health care access for all military personnel and their families, regardless of where they are stationed.

    Click here to watch Sherrill’s full remarks.

    Full remarks, as delivered:

    “Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. 

    Today, across the country, women’s reproductive freedoms are under attack. After the Supreme Court’s MAGA majority overturned Roe, nineteen states now outright ban or severely restrict abortion access. 

    My daughters now have less freedoms than I did while growing up. It is unthinkable to me that so many of our servicewomen are already serving with less rights than I had while in the Navy and being stationed in states like Texas or Florida without basic access to reproductive care. 

    The fact that our military treatment facilities are only allowed to provide abortions in extremely limited circumstances is unacceptable and puts the health and wellbeing of our service members and their families at risk.

    The decision to get an abortion is deeply personal and should be made by a woman and her doctor, not by politicians.

    Our service members expect that they will receive the best possible health care. But our military healthcare providers can’t even give them an abortion when their health is at risk.

    And we know that “exceptions” to abortion bans don’t work. We see horrific stories on the news about women who were denied care that they were SUPPOSED TO receive under an exception, often ending with the mother nearly losing her life.

    We have more than 100,000 active-duty service members stationed in Texas. We’ve heard stories of a young woman, who died after experiencing a tragic miscarriage at 17-weeks. After being faced with this devastating loss, her doctors delayed medically necessary and lifesaving care because of the state’s abortion ban. She died as a result of an infection she developed because that care was delayed, leaving behind a young daughter.

    In Georgia, another young woman experienced a rare complication with medication abortion where her body did not expel all of the fetal tissue. When she sought out medical care, she waited 20 hours before doctors were able to operate because of the state’s abortion ban. While she waited, her infection spread and her organs began to fail. Amber’s care came too late and she died as a result of the infection leaving behind a six year old son.

    We ask our servicewomen to put their lives on the line for this country. They shouldn’t have to risk their lives giving birth. 

    But the fact remains that a woman should never need a so-called exception to get an abortion and it shouldn’t need to be an emergency before she can get care. It should be available, a decision a woman gets to make over her own body and her own life. 

    My amendment would repeal the draconian ban on abortions within the military health system, allowing our servicewomen and military families to have the freedom of access and the freedom to choose.  

    Thank you and I yield back.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Rep. Sherrill Backs Amendment to Hold Hegseth Accountable for SignalGate and Mishandling Classified Info

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — During the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) spoke in strong support of an amendment that would hold the Pentagon accountable for reviewing and certifying secure protocols for transmitting classified information.

    The amendment comes in direct response to multiple reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared classified operational details — including the timing and aircraft involved in U.S. airstrikes — over unsecured Signal chats with personal contacts, including his wife, brother, personal attorney, and a reporter. 

    Click here to watch Rep. Sherrill’s full remarks.

    Full remarks, as delivered:
    “You know, I think it’s very concerning to hear from the other side of the aisle that there isn’t a focus on accountability, that there shouldn’t be any accountability. And I will tell you, especially when it comes to national security, that can never be the case. I learned early how to properly handle classified information when I was a teenager at the Naval Academy.

    I used that knowledge again as I was a Russian policy officer in the Navy. So I’ll start with the obvious. If Secretary Hegseth believed a word he said about turning our military into a meritocracy, he would have sent in his resignation weeks ago. His decision to send strike plans in multiple unsecured Signal chats to his wife, to his brother, to his personal attorney and to a reporter could have killed American service members. And he did so while at least one Signal chat member was in the Kremlin.

    Accountability matters, but I’m not surprised by his complete disregard for national security and for the safety of our men and women in uniform, because from his views on women in combat to his willingness to bend the knee to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, we knew exactly who Trump was picking.

    That’s why I strongly opposed his nomination from the very beginning. But I will say that I am surprised by some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle in this room, because every single individual in this room knows that the information shared on Signal was classified. Any member of the House Armed Services Committee knows without a doubt that the timing, schedule, and composition of operations are absolutely classified.

    Every individual in this room knows that Hegseth’s use of Signal could have gotten American service members killed. So even if you haven’t served in uniform, you know how to handle classified information by virtue of sitting on this very committee. We host any hearing with classified information into secure rooms without our phones and without messaging apps like Signal, which is why I think it’s a dereliction of duty that the majority on this committee has refused to hold any sort of investigative hearing into Hegseth’s behavior.

    Nearly every Republican in this room has sat back and watched, or even worse, defended Pete Hegseth’s behavior. So I encourage us to rectify that now, as we hold the Department of Defense accountable for protecting our national security and our service members’ lives, which is why I urge you to support this amendment and I yield back.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Rep. Sherrill Defends Picatinny Workers, Slams Trump’s Civil Service Cuts as a Threat to National Security

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) is pushing back against the Trump administration’s latest plan to gut the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce, warning that proposed civil service cuts would undermine national security and devastate North Jersey’s economy surrounding Picatinny Arsenal.

    At today’s House Armed Services Committee markup of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Sherrill spoke in defense of the engineers, scientists, and support staff at Picatinny — calling them critical to U.S. military readiness and innovation. Sherrill underscored the national security risks of outsourcing their work to private contractors and weakening the institutional knowledge that makes facilities like Picatinny a cornerstone of American defense.

    Click here to watch Rep. Sherrill’s full remarks.

    Full remarks, as delivered:

    “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

    I speak today in strong support for my colleagues’ amendment that enshrines certain protections for our DoD civilians into law which I think is completely necessary given the work of this committee to try to manage and mitigate the complete incompetence coming from the Secretary of Defense and this administration when it comes to DoD related matters. 

    The Trump administration’s slash to the civil service is not just an attack on government workers – it’s a direct threat to our national security and to the economic stability of communities like mine in New Jersey. 

    At Picatinny Arsenal we have engineers, scientists, and support staff who are building the future of our national defense; developing the weapon systems our service members rely on to stay safe and to succeed. 

    Picatinny is a vital hub for U.S. military innovation, especially in advanced munitions and armaments that keep our troops safe and mission ready. Cutting civil service roles here directly weakens our military’s ability to develop, test, and deliver cutting edge weaponry. 

    Many of our civil servants have had years of specialized training in metallurgy, physics, and chemistry, some of it at the post-grad level at the Picatinny Armaments School that I’m working to get accredited and which has graduated 41 Masters Degree recipients and two PHDs. So in delivering these cuts we will harm and weaken our military’s ability to develop, test, and deliver  cutting edge weaponry not just today but for years to come. 

    Slashing civil service positions risk shifting critical expertise to private contractors, driving up costs and reducing institutional knowledge within the government.  Maintaining a robust civil service at Picatinny ensures that the U.S. retains strategic control over weapons development and innovation. 

    Cutting civil service jobs at Picatinny Arsenal is not just an attack on New Jersey workers, it’s an attack on our national security.  And as someone who has served our country, I know we need to strengthen not weaken our defense capabilities.  I will fight to protect every job and every innovation effort at Picatinny, because America’s security depends on it. 

    Thank you and I yield back.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Rep. Sherrill Slams Hegseth’s Unilateral Freezes on Ukraine Aid, Backs Amendment to Prevent Future Delays

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — As Secretary Hegseth’s reckless mismanagement of the Pentagon continues to endanger American allies and undermine global stability, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) is standing in the breach. During the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Sherrill argued in support of an amendment that would prohibit the Department of Defense from halting aid to Ukraine without explicit approval from the President.

    The amendment comes in response to two known incidents in which Secretary Hegseth froze critical military assistance to Ukraine — without any directive from President Trump or coordination with national security officials. These freezes, both later reversed by the White House, caused serious delays in weapons and support bound for Ukrainian forces defending against Russian aggression.

    Click here to watch Sherrill’s full remarks.

    Full remarks, as delivered:

    “Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    I want to express my strong support for Rep. Moulton’s amendment today.

    The Pentagon has frozen the delivery of aid to Ukraine three times since President Trump’s inauguration. Two of those times, Secretary Hegseth froze the aid without even gaining the approval of President Trump.

    According to news reports, the first time Secretary Hegseth froze the aid was less than two weeks into the Trump administration when he apparently misunderstood President Trump’s directions in a National Security Council meeting and believed that DoD was supposed to halt all delivery of aid to Ukraine.

    While this decision was reversed by the White House only a few days later, Secretary Hegseth’s poor decision cost millions of taxpayer dollars and delayed the delivery of vital aid.

    Last month, I asked Secretary Hegseth about this early freeze in aid to Ukraine when he testified before this committee. Secretary Hegseth unsurprisingly refused to provide an actual response to my questions about why he ordered that first freeze to aid.

    Then just a few weeks ago, we learned again that he ordered the freeze of vital military assistance to Ukraine. Again he apparently didn’t coordinate with the White House or State Department before making his order. And once again Secretary Hegseth’s decision was overruled by President Trump.

    His poor judgement and mismanagement of the Pentagon has twice now led to the freeze of military assistance to Ukraine. This committee needs to make sure that these deadly pauses don’t happen again.

    President Trump himself has apparently come around to the idea and announced that he would once again be sending significant defense equipment to Ukraine. After serving at CINCUSNAVEUR and as a Russian policy officer in the Navy, I know first hand how dangerous a threat Vladimir Putin is to Ukraine, Europe and the US. Ukrainian soldiers fighting and dying on the front lines against Russia don’t have time to wait for the delivery of artillery and munitions. They need that aid today.

    Thank you and I yield back.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Joint Agriculture Chairmen’s Ag Issues Summit Announced for August 21, 2025

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (July 16, 2025) —State Senator Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and State Representative Robert Dickey (R–Musella), Chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, will host the annual Joint Ag Issues Summit on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in Perry, Georgia.

    The summit will bring together lawmakers, industry leaders, and members of Georgia’s farming community to discuss the top issues impacting the state’s number one industry. The event will feature key policy updates and a forward-looking agenda focused on protecting Georgia’s agricultural future.

    “This summit is about making sure farmers have a seat at the table as we shape policy at the State Capitol,” said Sen. Russ Goodman. “Chairman Dickey and I are both farmers ourselves. We know what’s at stake, and we’re committed to listening, learning, and leading on the issues that matter most to Georgia agriculture.”

    “As farmers, we know firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing Georgia’s agriculture industry,” said Rep. Dickey. “The Ag Issues Summit is a vital chance for us to come together – farmers, lawmakers and industry leaders – to listen, learn and plan for the future of our state’s number one industry. I’m proud to help lead this effort as we work to strengthen and protect Georgia’s agriculture industry for the generations to come.”

    The Summit will convene in the Miller Murphy Howard Building at 401 Larry Walker Pkwy, Perry, Georgia 31069. Registration will begin at 9:00 A.M., and the official program will start at 9:30 A.M. Coffee and lunch will be provided. A detailed agenda will be released in the weeks ahead.

    Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Friday, August 8, either online here or by emailing Rachel.Whitted@senate.ga.gov.

    # # # #
    Sen. Russ Goodman serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. He represents Senate District 8 which includes Atkinson, Clinch, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes and Pierce Counties and a large portion of Ware County. He may be reached at 404.656.7454 or at     russ.goodman@senate.ga.gov

    Representative Robert Dickey represents the citizens of District 134, which includes Crawford and Upson counties, as well as portions of Lamar and Peach counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011 and currently serves as Chairman of the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Banks and Banking, Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, Higher Education, Natural Resources and Environment and Ways and Means committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

    For all media inquiries, reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson on the Trump Administration’s Destruction of Emergency Food Aid

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    “As a father, a son, and as someone who has seen hunger’s impact up close, I am appalled and heartbroken by the Trump administration’s decision to destroy nearly 500 metric tons of life-saving emergency food rather than deliver it to starving children and families across the globe.

    This food, worth more than $800,000, had the power to nourish 1.5 million children for a week. Instead, it will be incinerated at a further cost of $130,000 to U.S. taxpayers. Only bureaucratic delays and callous indifference stood between these meals and the children for whom they were intended.

    While over 66,000 tons of emergency food sits unused in warehouses worldwide, children are dying from hunger that humanitarian programs could alleviate. Just recently, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, six children lost their lives after vital nutrition programs were shuttered due to a freeze in U.S. aid. We cannot accept this senseless waste when the United States has long been a beacon of hope and compassion for the world’s most vulnerable.

    The destruction of this food is not just a loss of resources; it is a tragic failure of moral leadership. I call on my colleagues in Congress, and all Americans, to join me in demanding greater accountability and urgent action so that American aid feeds the hungry, not the flames of waste. People’s lives depend on it, our humanity demands it.”

    Contact: 
    Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson 
    1641 Longworth House Office Building 
    Washington, DC 20515 
    (202) 225-4372

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. fast-tracks recruitment of international doctors as U.S. campaign delivers results

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    In just two months, B.C. has received almost 780 job applications from qualified health professionals across the United States, reflecting strong momentum from the Province’s co-ordinated U.S. recruitment campaign.

    Building on this success, new strategies are underway to further attract internationally trained doctors.

    “When we began recruiting in the U.S. in March, we were confident it would yield strong results, and this success confirms that British Columbia’s universal health-care system and vibrant communities continue to stand out,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “With the support of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C., we’re now making it easier than ever for internationally trained doctors to bring their skills to our province.”

    Since the campaign began, more than 2,250 doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals have signed up for webinars and expressed interest in working in B.C. This includes 827 physicians, 851 nurses, 254 nurse practitioners and 256 allied health professionals.

    To further improve recruitment, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. (CPSBC) implemented bylaw changes on July 7, 2025, that benefit doctors trained outside of Canada. Since then, CPSBC has received 29 registration applications from U.S. doctors.

    “CPSBC is always looking to evolve its bylaws, processes and procedures as health-care needs evolve,” said Dr. Patrick Rowe, CPSBC registrar and CEO. “These bylaw amendments are part of our work with government to find opportunities that will help British Columbians receive more accessible and timely care.”

    The bylaw changes implemented by CPSBC are:

    • U.S.-trained doctors can now become fully licensed in B.C., without the need for further assessment, examination or training if they hold certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties, American Board of Family Medicine or the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. It means that U.S.-trained and certified doctors can often be registered in a matter of weeks.
    • Doctors trained outside of Canada and the U.S. who are applying for registration and licensure in B.C. are no longer required to hold the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada. This change saves applicants approximately $1,500, which is the cost of the Medical Council of Canada Qualify Examination Part 1, and shortens the licensing process by several weeks.

    Additionally, CPSBC is doing public consultations on a proposed bylaw change to further streamline the registration and licensure process for certain specialties from jurisdictions where training is recognized and approved by the Canadian national certification bodies, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

    Internationally trained physicians wishing to practise in B.C. would have a direct pathway to full licensure if they completed a minimum of two years of accredited postgraduate training in family medicine in the U.S., Australia, United Kingdom or Ireland, or if they have completed postgraduate training and received a completion of training certificate and certification in certain specialties from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom or Ireland.

    Quotes:

    Dr. Avi Kopstick, Canadian doctor in Texas who will move to Kelowna soon –

    “I am joining the team at Kelowna General Hospital in mid-August. I have taken the decision to relocate, together with my husband and my two Maine coons, Rummy and Bella, because I’m drawn by B.C.’s values-driven health-care system and the opportunity to help expand local access to higher levels of care.”

    Dr. Kyle McIver, Canadian doctor previously based in Massachusetts who is now practising in Terrace –

    “Originally from Ontario, I fell in love with B.C. on a ski trip to Whistler at 10 years old. I did medical school in Ireland, my residency in Kelowna and Fort St. John, and then my return of service in Terrace. I went to Massachusetts to be closer to my wife who was doing her residency as an obstetrician gynecologist. With hopes and dreams we moved back to B.C. to raise our family in the place we wanted to be. We are involved with our community, we love our jobs and happy to help our colleagues from the U.S. make the jump.”

    Dr. Adam Hoverman, a U.S. East Coast doctor now practising in Nanaimo –

    “I chose to move from the U.S. to practise family medicine in B.C. as I can see the future of health care being born here, with improvement science and co-production of health and social care at the core of a system with the spirit, energy, optimism and cultural humility needed to improve. It is deeply inspiring and joyful to work in a system that values asking and meaningfully answering the question, ‘What matters to you?’ ”

    Dismus Irungu, Los Angeles nurse now practising in Vancouver –

    “I was drawn to B.C. mainly by the technologically advanced Blusson Spinal Cord Centre at Vancouver General Hospital, where I now work in Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. It’s one of the best in North America. The team is cohesive and supportive, and I go home from work each day feeling very fulfilled. When I calculated my costs, I am now able to save more and keep more money in my bank account than before my move. The transition was seamless and with this beautiful B.C. scenery, it has been a really great lifestyle choice.”

    Quick Facts:

    • The changes to the bylaws follow similar changes recently adopted in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
    • Between May and June 2025, B.C. has received nearly 780 job applications spanning all health regions: 181 for Interior Health, 154 for Fraser Health, 121 for Vancouver Coastal Health, 112 for Island Health, 70 for Providence Health Care, 66 for Provincial Health Services Authority and 63 for Northern Health (some applicants may have applied to more than one health authority).
    • The Province is taking a Team B.C. approach to recruiting health-care workers from the U.S., and is working in collaboration with health authorities, regulatory colleges and other partners.
    • The Province launched a targeted U.S. marketing campaign on June 2, 2025, in Washington, Oregon and select cities in California.

    Learn More:

    To learn about B.C.’s measures to attract doctors, nurses and other health professionals from the U.S., visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025HLTH0013-000194

    To learn more about health career opportunities in B.C., visit: https://bchealthcareers.ca/

    To learn more about B.C.’s actions to strengthen health care, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/health-care/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor, Small Business Administration sign new agreement to support domestic manufacturing

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Small Business Administration today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support American manufacturing. The agreement, which will enhance collaboration and data-sharing across key programs, is designed to cultivate a pipeline of skilled workers to support domestic producers – 98 percent of whom are small businesses. The agreement aligns directly with President Trump’s ongoing efforts to restore American industry and jobs.

    “Under President Trump’s leadership, this Administration is working tirelessly to restore America as the world’s manufacturing superpower – securing trillions in investments and bringing hundreds of thousands of jobs back home. I am thrilled to partner with Administrator Loeffler to usher in a new Golden Age of American manufacturing,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Through this agreement, the Department of Labor will collaborate with the Small Business Administration to help ensure America’s workforce is ready to seize these opportunities by expanding Registered Apprenticeships and other hands-on training programs that will benefit both small and large manufacturers.”

    “Thanks to President Trump’s commitment to restoring American industrial dominance, this Administration is already bringing back jobs, economic independence, and national security,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “The vast majority of U.S. manufacturers are small businesses, and I’ve heard firsthand walking factory floors with business leaders that they are spring-loaded for growth with the America First agenda. I’m excited to work alongside Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to cultivate a pipeline of skilled workers and capital to support their growth in a powerful new era of Made in America.”

    Under the agreement, the agencies will expand data-sharing and coordination on programs such as the department’s Registered Apprenticeship Program and the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. The Small Business Administration will likewise offer cross-agency training on loan programs to support manufacturing, including the 7a and 504 loan programs. This collaboration will streamline interagency cooperation and awareness while maximizing resource delivery to domestic manufacturers and workers.

    Read Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Labor and Small Business Administration.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New England administratively arrests alleged child predator, Guatemalan national recently charged with attempting to solicit a minor for commercial sex

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    PROVIDENCE, R.I. — ICE New England administratively arrested an illegally present Guatemalan national who had recently been charged and released on bond in the State of Rhode Island for allegedly engaging a minor for the purpose of sex.

    Josue Santiago Perez Gomez, 29, was taken into ICE custody on July 12, one day after he was arrested by local authorities in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, on charges of patronizing a minor for commercial sex, indecent solicitation of a child, and procurement of sexual conduct for a fee.

    “This individual’s administrative arrest underscores HSI New England’s commitment to targeted enforcement that works to identify individuals seeking to cause harm to our communities, including and especially children,” said HSI New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol. “HSI will continue to work with our partners to enforce laws that uphold national security and the safety and wellbeing of our neighborhoods.”

    Upon his release from criminal custody, ICE HSI and ERO personnel administratively arrested Perez Gomez, who was illegally present in the U.S. after having entered the country at an unknown time without inspection.

    Perez Gomez remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: Agencies Issue Joint Proposal to Rescind 2023 Community Reinvestment Act Final Rule

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    CategoriesBusiness, Commerce, MIL-OSI, United States Federal Government, United States Government, United States of America, US Commerce, US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC, US Federal Government, US Insurance Sector, USA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Archiving for Justice, Truth, and Memory: Unpacking the Baggage of What Went Before

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Justice, truth, and memory lie at the heart of what it means for a society to rebuild after suffering from genocide and mass atrocity.  Justice that holds perpetrators accountable and attempts to repair the harm that was done to victims and their communities.  Truth that establishes the facts of what occurred.  Memory that is a faithful reflection of that truth.  These are the tools we use to stabilize, heal, and rehabilitate a post-atrocity society.  All require the courage to deal with, rather than ignore, a past legacy of massive human rights abuses.

    Achieving justice, truth, and memory does not happen quickly or come easily.  To deal with the past is to open a wound that may be more comfortably, at least in the short term, left ignored.  Long term, however, to let the wound fester is to invite the recurrence of another, perhaps even more grievous, conflict-laden future.

    This is precisely why UConn’s internationally recognized International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Digital Archives are such a rich and important resource.  Established by the United Nations in 1993, the ICTY was the first international war crimes court of its kind since Nuremberg, and it focused extensively on investigating the atrocities committed during the Yugoslav Wars of 1992-95.  The ICTY Digital Archives – the result of an ongoing collaboration between Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs, the UConn Libraries, the Connecticut Digital Archive, and individual scholars, witnesses, and others involved in the tribunal – seek to make the work of the tribunal accessible to researchers, educators, students, and others.

    Under the leadership of Predrag Dojčinović, who formerly worked for the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICTY, and Aida Gradaščević, a graduate of UConn’s master’s program in human rights, a team of UConn student researchers have helped curate ten unique and diverse collections related to documents, translations, photographs, expert reports, records, and other materials from the ICTY.

    For Dojčinović, the ICTY Digital Archive “stands as a powerful and enduring monument to justice, truth, and remembrance, a meticulously curated legacy uniting victims’ voices, expert insights, and judicial records into an unassailable historical testament. By opening this profound repository to the world, we affirm that justice transcends the courtroom: it lives in public memory, breathes through open dialogue, and endures in our shared commitment to truth, accountability, and reconciliation.”

    Srebrenica Memorial Cemetery, July 11, 2007, James Waller

    The newest addition to UConn’s ICTY Digital Archives, the Srebrenica Genocide Archives Collection, is particularly timely as July 2025 marks 30 years since the genocide in Srebrenica occurred.  Standing as the gravest crime committed on European soil since the Second World War, over 8,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslims) men and boys, despite the presence of United Nations peacekeepers, were systematically murdered by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995.  The bodies of the victims – three generations of males, including some as young as 10 years of age – were then dumped into mass graves or thrown into the Drina River.  To conceal the extent of the massacre, Bosnian Serbs later scattered the remains of many of the victims in secondary or tertiary mass graves.  To date, the remains of nearly 1,000 of the Srebrenica victims have yet to be found.

    Alongside official court materials, the Srebrenica Genocide Archives Collection includes a wider range of sources: scholarly articles, books, films, podcasts, images, and other media that continue to tell the story of Srebrenica and trace its enduring impact three decades later.  The collection is designed to evolve over time, growing through continued research and contributions to ensure that the memory of Srebrenica remains active, accessible, and instructive for generations to come.  This collection is particularly crucial as denial of the Srebrenica genocide, along with glorification of convicted war criminals, remains painfully prevalent in Serb political and social discourse throughout the region.

    In reflecting on the events he survived in the former Yugoslavia, the late poet Goran Simic captured the importance of projects like the ICTY Digital Archives: “Dealing with the past will not be easy, but it is essential.  Dealing with our own past by bringing closure and offering justice for all, perpetrators and victims, is the only right way.  This path will not remove crimes from history.  It will not repair souls that have been torn apart.  But it will offer them the option to move on, and future generations will be able to live without the baggage of what went before.”

    James Waller, Professor of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages & Dodd Chair in Human Rights Practice at the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, UConn

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Archiving for Justice, Truth, and Memory: Unpacking the Baggage of What Went Before

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Justice, truth, and memory lie at the heart of what it means for a society to rebuild after suffering from genocide and mass atrocity.  Justice that holds perpetrators accountable and attempts to repair the harm that was done to victims and their communities.  Truth that establishes the facts of what occurred.  Memory that is a faithful reflection of that truth.  These are the tools we use to stabilize, heal, and rehabilitate a post-atrocity society.  All require the courage to deal with, rather than ignore, a past legacy of massive human rights abuses.

    Achieving justice, truth, and memory does not happen quickly or come easily.  To deal with the past is to open a wound that may be more comfortably, at least in the short term, left ignored.  Long term, however, to let the wound fester is to invite the recurrence of another, perhaps even more grievous, conflict-laden future.

    This is precisely why UConn’s internationally recognized International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Digital Archives are such a rich and important resource.  Established by the United Nations in 1993, the ICTY was the first international war crimes court of its kind since Nuremberg, and it focused extensively on investigating the atrocities committed during the Yugoslav Wars of 1992-95.  The ICTY Digital Archives – the result of an ongoing collaboration between Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs, the UConn Libraries, the Connecticut Digital Archive, and individual scholars, witnesses, and others involved in the tribunal – seek to make the work of the tribunal accessible to researchers, educators, students, and others.

    Under the leadership of Predrag Dojčinović, who formerly worked for the Office of the Prosecutor at the ICTY, and Aida Gradaščević, a graduate of UConn’s master’s program in human rights, a team of UConn student researchers have helped curate ten unique and diverse collections related to documents, translations, photographs, expert reports, records, and other materials from the ICTY.

    For Dojčinović, the ICTY Digital Archive “stands as a powerful and enduring monument to justice, truth, and remembrance, a meticulously curated legacy uniting victims’ voices, expert insights, and judicial records into an unassailable historical testament. By opening this profound repository to the world, we affirm that justice transcends the courtroom: it lives in public memory, breathes through open dialogue, and endures in our shared commitment to truth, accountability, and reconciliation.”

    Srebrenica Memorial Cemetery, July 11, 2007, James Waller

    The newest addition to UConn’s ICTY Digital Archives, the Srebrenica Genocide Archives Collection, is particularly timely as July 2025 marks 30 years since the genocide in Srebrenica occurred.  Standing as the gravest crime committed on European soil since the Second World War, over 8,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslims) men and boys, despite the presence of United Nations peacekeepers, were systematically murdered by Bosnian Serb forces in July 1995.  The bodies of the victims – three generations of males, including some as young as 10 years of age – were then dumped into mass graves or thrown into the Drina River.  To conceal the extent of the massacre, Bosnian Serbs later scattered the remains of many of the victims in secondary or tertiary mass graves.  To date, the remains of nearly 1,000 of the Srebrenica victims have yet to be found.

    Alongside official court materials, the Srebrenica Genocide Archives Collection includes a wider range of sources: scholarly articles, books, films, podcasts, images, and other media that continue to tell the story of Srebrenica and trace its enduring impact three decades later.  The collection is designed to evolve over time, growing through continued research and contributions to ensure that the memory of Srebrenica remains active, accessible, and instructive for generations to come.  This collection is particularly crucial as denial of the Srebrenica genocide, along with glorification of convicted war criminals, remains painfully prevalent in Serb political and social discourse throughout the region.

    In reflecting on the events he survived in the former Yugoslavia, the late poet Goran Simic captured the importance of projects like the ICTY Digital Archives: “Dealing with the past will not be easy, but it is essential.  Dealing with our own past by bringing closure and offering justice for all, perpetrators and victims, is the only right way.  This path will not remove crimes from history.  It will not repair souls that have been torn apart.  But it will offer them the option to move on, and future generations will be able to live without the baggage of what went before.”

    James Waller, Professor of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages & Dodd Chair in Human Rights Practice at the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, UConn

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Hacktivist group responsible for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure in Europe taken down

    Source: Eurojust

    NoName057(16) has professed support for the Russian Federation since the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine. Since the start of the war, it has executed multiple DDoS attacks against critical infrastructure during high-level (political) events. The group has also exhibited anti-NATO and anti-U.S. sentiment. During a DDoS attack, a website or online service is flooded with traffic, overloading its capacity and thus making it unavailable. The hacktivist group has executed 14 attacks in Germany, some of them lasting multiple days and affecting around 230 organisations including arms factories, power suppliers and government organisations. Attacks were also executed across Europe during the European elections. In Sweden, authorities and bank websites were targeted, while in Switzerland multiple attacks were carried out during a video message given by the Ukrainian President to the Joint Parliament in June 2023, and during the Peace Summit for Ukraine in June 2024. Most recently, the Netherlands was targeted during the NATO Summit at the end of June.

    To execute their attacks, the group recruited supporters through a messaging service. It is estimated that the hackers were able to mobilise around 4000 users who supported their operations by downloading malware that made it possible for them to participate in the DDoS attacks. The group also built its own botnet using hundreds of servers around the world that increased the attack load, causing more damage.

    Coordination of the many international partners was crucial for the success of the operation. Through Eurojust, authorities were able to coordinate their findings and plan an action day to target the hacktivist group. The Agency ensured that multiple European Investigation Orders and Mutual Legal Assistance processes were executed. During the action day on 15 July, Eurojust coordinated any last-minute judicial requests that were needed during the operation.

    Europol facilitated the information exchange, supported the coordination of the operational activities and provided extended operational analytical support, as well as crypto tracing and forensic support during the lent of the investigation, and coordinated the prevention and awareness raising campaign, released to unidentified yet offenders via messaging apps and social media channels. During the action day, Europol set-up a Command Post at Europol’s headquarters and made available a Virtual Command post for online connection with the in-person Command.

    The investigation culminated in an action day on 15 July where actions targeting the group took place in eight countries. Authorities were able to disrupt of over 100 servers worldwide. Searches took place in Germany, Latvia, Spain, Italy, Czechia, Poland and France to gather evidence for the investigation. Additionally, authorities informed the group and 1100 supporters and 17 administrators about the measures taken and the criminal liability they bear for their actions. Seven international arrest warrants have been issued. Germany issued six warrants which are directed inter alia against suspects living in the Russian Federation. Two suspects are accused of being the main instigators responsible for the activities of NoName057(16). Photos and descriptions of some of the suspects can be found on the websites of Europol and Interpol.

    The following authorities were involved in the actions:

    • Czechia: District Prosecutor’s Office of Prague 5; Police, National Counterterrorism, Extremism and Cybercrime Agency (NCTEKK)
    • Estonia: Estonian Police and Border Guard Board
    • Germany: Prosecutor General’s Office Frankfurt am Main – Cyber Crime Centre; Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
    • Finland: Prosecution District of Southern Finland; National Bureau of Investigation – Cybercrime Investigation Unit
    • France: Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office – National Jurisdiction against Organised Crime (JUNALCO) ; National Cyber Unit of the Gendarmerie nationale
    • Latvia: State Police of Latvia – International Cooperation Department & Cybercrime Enforcement Department
    • Lithuania: Prosecutor General’s Office of Lithuania; Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau
    • Netherlands: Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Netherlands and Police of the Netherlands
    • Spain: Investigative Central Court nr. 1 Audiencia Nacional; Audiencia Nacional Prosecutor´s Offices; National Police; Guardia Civil
    • Sweden: Polisen
    • Switzerland: Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland; Federal Office of Police fedpol
    • United States: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S., Royal Thai Navies Forge Stronger Bonds Through Secure CENTRIX Communications During CARAT Thailand 2025

    Source: United States Navy

    SATTAHIP, Thailand — In the Indo-Pacific, effective and secure communication forms the bedrock of strong alliances. This critical principle is at the forefront of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2025, where U.S. Navy personnel and their Royal Thai Navy (RTN) counterparts conducted subject matter expert exchanges on the Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIX)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: 317th AW showcases combat readiness in major AMC inspection

    Source: United States Airforce

    The 317th Airlift Wing completed the initial phase of its first-ever Combat Readiness Inspection, evaluated by Air Mobility Command at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

    The CRI measured the wing’s ability to rapidly deploy combat-ready forces in contested, degraded and operationally limited environments, directly supporting Air Force and Department of Defense objectives.

    “Our wing’s number one priority is ‘mission execution upon notification’,” said Col. Justin Diehl, 317th AW commander. “317th Airmen continuously train to rapidly respond with precision to the most complex operating environments in the world, and this inspection offered another opportunity to validate their timelines.”

    The inspection began with a mock 24-hour deployment notification. Airmen received scenario-based intelligence, a briefing from leadership and guidance on deployment expectations.

    “When given a sudden notification to deploy, our team has the necessary skills to move out and lead at scale,” said Chief Master Sgt. Martin Castillo, 317th AW command chief. “This gives the wing the ability to execute the commander’s intent instantly.”

    A loadmaster assigned to the 39th Airlift Squadron configures cargo rollers inside a C-130J Super Hercules during a Combat Readiness Inspection at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, July 1, 2025. The inspection evaluated the 317th Airlift Wing’s ability to rapidly generate and deploy combat-ready airpower in support of global mobility operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adrien Tran)
    Airman 1st Class Christian Sanchez, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance journeyman, checks an entry authorization list during a Combat Readiness Inspection at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, July 1, 2025. The 317th Airlift Wing was evaluated by Air Mobility Command during its first graded CRI. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adrien Tran)
    Airmen assigned to the 317th Airlift Wing observe activity from the side hatch of a C-130J Super Hercules during a Combat Readiness Inspection at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, July 1, 2025. The Air Mobility Command inspection tested the wing’s ability to rapidly deploy mission-ready Airmen and equipment under realistic, time-constrained scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Adrien Tran)

    Throughout the CRI, AMC inspectors general and wing inspection team members evaluated the 317th AW’s execution of deployment operations. Airmen were tasked to rapidly generate aircraft, process cargo and mission plan while also completing the associated administrative and medical requirements.

    “The key to success in this CRI is our ‘we’re going’ mindset,” Castillo said. “Our Airmen understand that our culture is rooted in being prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice to execute high-end operations around the world.”

    Upon receiving the CRI deployment order, Airmen staged pallets and equipment for transport, loaded C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and prepared aircrews for maximum endurance operations, ensuring the 317th AW performed mission execution upon notification.

    “Our Airmen consistently meet and exceed our expectations,” Diehl said. “They think and move fast, maintaining the precision required to respond to global operations in contested environments. The CRI was another opportunity to highlight the effort they put in every day.”

    The 317th AW used the CRI to prepare to participate in the Air Force’s Department Level Exercise, an initiative designed to demonstrate the service’s readiness for complex, large-scale military operations.

    “This wing operates at the leading edge,” Diehl said. “Through the CRI, our Airmen demonstrated their ability through their advanced training to solve challenges in an increasingly complex global environment.

    The completion of the initial phase of the CRI underscores the 317th AW’s ability to generate and employ combat-ready airpower at a moment’s notice. The milestone reinforces the wing’s ‘we’re going’ mindset and highlights its vital role in delivering rapid global mobility and ensuring U.S. and coalition forces can respond to known and emerging threats decisively and effectively.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: USNS Comfort Arrives in Dominican Republic for CP25

    Source: United States Navy

    PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic – The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) arrived in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic for the fourth mission stop of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25), July 15, 2025.

    16 July 2025

    From Petty Officer 2nd Class Alfredo Marron – U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

    “It is an honor and a privilege to leave our footprint in the Dominican Republic,” said Capt. Grace Key, commanding officer, Medical Treatment Facility aboard Comfort. “From the medical site and community relations, to the repairs the Seabees will make to the facilities, we will strengthen our partnership with the people of the Dominican Republic.”

    Comfort and Dominican medical professionals will work side-by-side to provide medical care to the community of Puerto Plata. By working together and exchanging knowledge, the Dominican Republic and partners in the region can maintain regional stability as a team and work collectively in the event of natural disasters, medical catastrophes, or regional conflict.

    “Throughout Continuing Promise, the clinical staff and personnel have welcomed us with open arms at every port visit,” said Lt. j.g. Althea Caraballo, the Puerto Plata medical site assistant officer in charge. “I am excited to be in Dominican Republic and very inspired by our partnerships and the opportunity to expand our professional and cultural horizons.”

    Medical care during the Dominican Republic mission stop will be provided at Polideportivo, Puerto Plata and will include services in adult medicine, pediatrics, dental, optometry, women’s health, dermatology, cardiology, physical therapy, nutrition, preventative medicine, radiology, and pharmacy.

    “This mission is a valuable opportunity to deepen cooperation between the United States and the Dominican Republic, particularly in the areas of security and humanitarian assistance,” said Lt. Col. Lowell D. Krusinger, senior defense official/defense attaché, U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo. “We’re proud to see U.S. and Dominican medical professionals working shoulder to shoulder aboard the USNS Comfort, including seven Dominican providers who are lending their expertise to benefit communities across six countries on the ship’s tour.”

    Additionally, Comfort’s medical personnel will conduct subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) with Dominican health professionals, to include tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) and round tables on preventative medicine, nutrition, and wound care. U.S. Army veterinarians embarked aboard Comfort from the 248th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support will conduct a dairy farming SMEE and K-9 tactical causality combat care.

    This visit marks the sixth Continuing Promise visits the Dominican Republic and the fifth visit from Comfort. The last time Comfort visited the Dominican Republic was during Continuing Promise 2022, where the medical team treated 4,435 patients at sites in Santo Domingo and Azua, as well as conducted 87 surgeries aboard Comfort.

    “I am excited to be here as we bring the same service offered to other countries to my home country,” said Dominican Republic 1st Lt. Luiz Rameriez, doctor of obstetrics and gynecology embarked aboard Comfort. “I am excited for the U.S. service members to tour our facilities and to see how we can improve and impact the overall health of the population.”

    The CP25 mission in Dominican Republic also includes a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) SMEE and a table-top exercise with local responders. Sailors aboard Comfort will also support the region through a variety of community relations events to include a beach clean-up and performances from the U.S. Fleet Forces band “Unchartered Waters.”

    “This mission is a blessing, there are people not as fortunate to receive advanced medical care and we are able to provide it while we are here,” said Hospitalman Joseclaudia Garcia, a food service associate assigned to Comfort with Dominican heritage. “The Dominican people will really feel very appreciated that we get to share these engagements with them. I am very excited my fellow service members will get to experience my culture first hand!”

    CP25 marks the 16th mission to the region since 2007 and the eighth aboard Comfort. The mission will foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-federal entities, and international organizations.

    U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

    Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet news and photos, visit facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT, https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil/, X – @ NAVSOUS4THFLT, and https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-naval-forces-southern-command-u-s-4th-fleet

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar joined by Thousands of Minnesotans on AARP Telephone Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joined AARP Minnesota State Director Cathy McLeer on a telephone town hall with thousands of AARP members in Minnesota to discuss barriers to accessing Social Security, Medicaid, food assistance and affordable prescription drugs.

    “I just believe that when you are retired, you should be able to live with dignity. When you have a health care issue after working your whole life, you should be able to get proper health care. And of course, you should be able to get your Social Security and be able to have phones be answered when you call,” said Klobuchar.

    “AARP is in your corner, fighting for issues that matter to you, including protecting that hard earned Social Security and achieving some common sense solutions that will help Minnesota unpaid family caregivers both save time and money and, of course, protect seniors’ access to health care and long term care,” said Cathy McLeer, State Director of AARP Minnesota.

    Klobuchar noted that the passage of her Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act demonstrated how progress on these bipartisan policies is still possible, and outlined how to strengthen social security.

    “That should give you some hope that good things do happen. They happen when people stand up, regardless of political ideology. And that’s what we need to do right now on Social Security. I have supported more funding for the Social Security Administration to reduce wait times. And to ensure Social Security solvency indefinitely… I have called for allowing for the Social Security tax to be assessed on people making over $400,000 a year,” said Klobuchar. “We can do all this. It just means that the most wealthy among us – they have to pay a little more in taxes that they can afford.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Introduces Dr. Brian Christine of Mountain Brook in Senate HELP Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced Dr. Brian Christine during his nomination hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP). President Trump nominated Dr. Christine of Mountain Brook, Alabama to be Assistant Secretary for Health at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). During their exchange, Sen. Tuberville and Dr. Christine discussed the importance of the Make America Health Again movement, along with Dr. Christine’s goals for improving rural healthcare.

    Read excerpts from their exchange below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you very much. It’s an honor to introduce my friend and constituent, Dr. Brian Christine. Also thrilled to welcome today his wife, Helena, and sister, Kathleen. Thank you for being here.

    Dr. Christine is a board-certified urologic surgeon with nearly 30 years of clinical experience serving patients in Birmingham, Alabama. A recognized medical expert, Dr. Christine is known for teaching and demonstrating advanced surgical techniques, both nationally and internationally. Born in West Germany to a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and the grandson of Italian immigrants, he will bring a lifelong dedication to service, resilience, and American values to this role. Dr. Christine attended college in Georgia, what’s going on here? And earned his medical degree from Emory University. He later moved to Birmingham for his residency and has since dedicated his career to caring for the men and women of Alabama. Beyond the operating room, he has supported local law enforcement by volunteering as a trauma surgeon with tactical police units. If confirmed, Dr. Christine will oversee critical public health programs, regional health offices and U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps where he has pledged to accept a commission and lead with a Main Street medicine approach. 

    His top priorities include addressing chronic disease such as diabetes, hypertension, pediatric obesity, mental health, and the nation’s physician shortage crisis. He is particularly focused on expanding access to primary care and improving health in rural and underserved communities.

    With deep medical expertise, leadership experience, and a clear vision for reform, he is well equipped to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health, and I hope my federal colleagues will support his nomination – Dr. Christine.”

    DR. CHRISTINE: “Senator Tuberville, thank you so much for your kind words. Thank you also for the service that you’ve rendered to our nation here in the U.S. Senate and the service you have and will render to our home state of Alabama.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Christine, in my lifetime, I’ve never seen the deterioration of an institution like we have in the trust of the American people after COVID. How are you gonna try to put that back together? Because we desperately need some help in getting a positive attitude towards our hospitals and our doctors back to the American people.”

    DR. CHRISTINE: “Yes, Senator Tuberville, number one, thank you so much for being here. Again, thank you for your introduction. Thank you for meeting with me before today’s hearing. I’m truly appreciative. The loss of trust that we have seen in our healthcare institutions and the healthcare policies emanating from this city are the worst that I’ve seen in over three decades of practice. People feel that during the pandemic particularly they were led astray, some people feel they were lied to. We have to work to restore that trust. Secretary Kennedy is 100% committed to doing that, as is President Trump.

    In my career as a surgeon, I’ve had to earn the trust of my patients, allowing me to operate on them, literally take their life within my hands. I believe I have the ability to communicate to patients and now hopefully to the American public at large and approach them and give them a sense that what I’m saying, what I’m telling is truly for the good of the country [and] comes from a position of honesty and transparency. I’ve had to do that for over 30 years as a surgeon and as a physician. I truly believe I can bring that skillset to the office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. The American people are tired of being lied to about their food, the ingredients, things that we’re now finding out that are detrimental to our health. And up here, you know, we seem to overlook all that, but we need to start looking out for the American people. How do you plan to help the Secretary with that?”

    DR. CHRISTINE: “Well, we know that Secretary Kennedy is absolutely committed to the Make America Healthy Again agenda to remove toxins from our foods, to make sure that all have access to clean water, that we focus on not just treating chronic disease, but finding out what causes chronic disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and work to not only cure those diseases, but really prevent and eliminate those diseases. Secretary Kennedy is always wanting to approach things from the foundation of science. He truly believes in that. I agree with the Secretary on all of those things. I intend to support him. I intend to work diligently if I have the privilege of being confirmed. To support him in that quest to make Americans healthier than they’ve ever been.” […]

    TUBERVILLE: “Dr. Christine, rural America. We got problems getting healthcare. Our state is 60% rural in Alabama. Most of the south is rural. How do we handle that problem?”

    DR. CHRISTINE: “Yes, Senator. [I think] one of the things you’re speaking about are healthcare deserts – those areas where men, women and their children don’t have ready access to primary care services such as pediatrics or gynecologic services or family practice. We have to find ways to bridge those gaps. I think that absolutely telehealth can help provide a bridge to these individuals. We’ll see what AI brings in the future. But again, technology can help bridge this gap. We absolutely must encourage and must increase the number of primary care physicians, family practitioners, pediatricians, gynecologists and opticians and primary care nurses […] to help bridge this gap as well. Now that takes a while to spin that up. But in the interim, we have to find ways to bridge the gaps. We do have to use technology. I believe that I, as Assistant Secretary for Health, one of the things that I intend to do, if I’m privileged to be in that position, will be to be a true evangelist to really go out and encourage young men and women who are in medical school and nursing school to serve in these areas. Young men and women getting into healthcare, they want a mission. Wanna help them understand that that mission to serve our brothers and sisters in rural America and healthcare deserts is truly noble and is worthwhile.”

    TUBERVILLE: “And one thing we need to sell to in rural hospitals is loyalty to the people in these communities to go to these rural hospitals so we can save them. It’s not just that they’re not being served. It’s just we have to have loyalty in those areas. Thank you.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Estes Op-ed Celebrates Historic Legislation to Restore Foundational Values and Support Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

    U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) published an op-ed in the Daily Wire on why the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act is the most pro-family, pro-life piece of legislation in American history. 

    “The Big Beautiful Bill Act is unquestionably one of the most pivotal pieces of tax legislation to ever be passed into law,” wrote Rep. Estes. “It will get the United States back on track, lower taxes for everyday Americans and lay the groundwork for economic prosperity in the country. But embedded in the wonky tax policy is a reflection of a larger American desire to return to the foundational values that made our country great. It’s a statement that the commitment to life and family is still a pillar of this nation.”

    Read the op-ed here or below.

    How the Big Beautiful Bill Will Help Make Big Beautiful Families

    Most of the conversation about the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act has rightly focused on the bill’s pro-growth economic reforms. But something that deserves more attention is the fact that the bill is the most pro-life and pro-family piece of legislation signed into law in decades.

    For years, the federal government has been funneling Medicaid funds to Planned Parenthood, skirting the Hyde Amendment and Congress’ intent. That is both wrong and a betrayal of taxpayers. Medicaid, a program meant to help protect and preserve life, should not be used to end it.

    The Big Beautiful Bill directly addresses this issue by prohibiting Medicaid funding from being directed to Planned Parenthood through Fiscal Year 2026, and allowing Congress essential time to permanently enshrine this in law. This comes on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling that states can block Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood.

    The urgency of protecting life is underscored by recent data. In Kansas, birth rates have dropped to just 11.7 per 1,000 people, the lowest in more than a century. This mirrors a nationwide trend: in 2022, our birth rates hit a historic low of 1.67 births per woman, indicating that American families are simply not having enough children.

    For the United States to maintain economic and societal stability, experts assert that our country should have a birth rate of 2.1 births per woman. The long-term consequences of missing this marker are serious, from a shrinking workforce to a weakened social safety net. 

    Republicans in Congress addressed this issue in the Big Beautiful Bill Act by making meaningful adjustments to support American families. The legislation enhances and adjusts for inflation the Child Tax Credit (CTC), raising it to $2,200 per child and indexing it to inflation. The law also boosts the adoption tax credit by ensuring it will be partially refundable for up to $5,000 and similarly indexed for inflation. These provisions are significant victories for life, for children yet to be born and for families across America. 

    The law also supports families through newly-established Trump Accounts, which set up American children for success, providing a financial “welcome” of $1,000 to every newborn American citizen. Similar to a Health Savings Account or 529 education savings plan, Trump Accounts empower parents to make tax-free contributions over time that can eventually be used by the child for education, housing, health care or any other qualifying expense to jumpstart their entrance into adulthood. It also allows churches, charities and employers to contribute up to $5,000 a year to the accounts.

    As the former Kansas State Treasurer, I have a deep appreciation for programs that empower families to take control of their finances and build financial stability for their families’ well-being. The Trump Accounts encourage early and consistent saving, establishing the foundation for hardworking families and everyday Americans to develop generational wealth. 

    In addition, the Big Beautiful Bill Act increases the Employer-Provided Childcare Credit so that working families can afford quality early education while continuing to participate in the workforce. It also makes permanent Paid Family and Medical Leave so that families have a lifeline if the breadwinner becomes ill or in the case of a family emergency.

    The Big Beautiful Bill Act is unquestionably one of the most pivotal pieces of tax legislation to ever be passed into law. It will get the United States back on track, lower taxes for everyday Americans and lay the groundwork for economic prosperity in the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Scott Perry Leads GOP Effort to Save Pennsylvania’s Chocolate

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

    Congressman Scott Perry Leads GOP Effort to Save Pennsylvania’s Chocolate

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cranial Drill Recall: Integra LifeSciences Recalls Codman Disposable Perforators Due to Risk of Device Disassembly

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    This recall involves removing certain devices from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it.
    Affected Product

    Product Name
    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)

    Codman Disposable Perforator 14 mm
    10381780513599

    Codman Craniotomy Kit Containing Disposable Perforator 14 mm, Cranio-blade, Wire Pass Drill
    10381780513629

    Lot/Serial Numbers: Full List of Affected Lots
    What to Do:

    Stop using and immediately quarantine all affected products.
    Review inventory and identify affected lot numbers using the provided lot list.

    On April 11, 2025, Integra LifeSciences sent all affected customers an Urgent Medical Device Recall Notification recommending the following actions:

    Stop using and quarantine all affected product immediately.
    Review your inventory and identify impacted lot numbers.
    Complete and return the appropriate Acknowledgement Form to Integra via email at FCA3@integralife.com or fax to 1-609-750-4220.
    Notify all appropriate clinical or distribution staff.
    Return affected product after receiving a Return Material Authorization (RMA). Credit will be provided for returned affected lots.

    Reason for Recall
    Integra LifeSciences is recalling specific Codman Disposable Perforators and Craniotomy Kits due to an inadequate ultrasonic weld (a “proud weld”) on the outer sleeve of the device. This weld defect may cause the perforator to disassemble before, during, or after use in craniotomy procedures. In some cases, the device may fail to disengage, preventing the device from stopping immediately.
    The use of affected product may cause serious adverse health consequences, including damage to the dura, bleeding, brain injury, extended surgery, irreversible brain damage, and death.
    There have been 10 reported injuries including those from procedural delay, device becoming lodged in the patient’s skull during use, difficulty removing device fragments, bleeding, dural injury, and cerebral injury. There have been no reports of death.
    Device Use
    Codman Disposable Perforators are single-use surgical tools used in neurosurgical procedures to drill access holes into the skull. They are designed to automatically disengage once drilling is complete.
    Contact Information
    Customers in the U.S. with questions about this recall should contact Integra LifeSciences at 1-800-654-2873.
    Additional FDA Resources (listed in order of most to least recent):
    FDA’s Enforcement Report:

    Medical Device Recall Database:

    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from manufacturing through distribution to patient use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified, and problems potentially corrected more quickly. 

    How do I report a problem? 
    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. 

    Content current as of:
    07/16/2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Software Catalog Puts Agency Solutions at Innovators’ Fingertips

    Source: NASA

    NASA’s latest open Software Catalog, released Wednesday, offers more than 1,200 downloadable codes developed by agency engineers that could enable faster solutions to energize the space economy and stimulate American ingenuity. The catalog is part of NASA’s effort to place advanced technologies, including agency software, into the hands of businesses, researchers, and entrepreneurs to foster economic growth and innovation.
    Agency developers will provide more information about the Software Catalog, the only repository of its kind in the federal government, during NASA’s summer software webinar series beginning Tuesday, July 22.
    “NASA has droves of talented experts creating software to automate elements of agency missions,” said Dan Lockney, program executive, Technology Transfer at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The resulting efficiency benefits humankind, and its public value increases exponentially when the agency provides access to those software programs for companies, enabling them to save time and money, improve commercial offerings, and build their businesses.”
    The four webinars accompanying this year’s NASA Software Catalog feature developers of popular programs for mission planning, systems design, propulsion analysis, and more, each consisting of a presentation followed by a live question-and-answer session.
    Programs offered in NASA’s 2025-2026 Software Catalog are grouped into 15 categories that may be useful for organizations working with spacecraft and aircraft. For example, the Vehicle Management category includes a tool for designing satellite constellations and a software library for minimizing public safety risks around expendable launch vehicles. The Aeronautics section includes several programs that are widely used by industry for creating, modifying, and analyzing aircraft designs.
    Although the categories have specific themes, the codes are meant to be useful to various innovators. Companies can use aircraft programs NASA wrote to design cars, trucks, and countless other products. The catalog’s Business Systems and Project Management section includes software for estimating project costs, building and assessing complex schedules, and uncovering root causes of mishaps. Other popular programs support 3D rendering for simulation and virtual reality, bring hyper-accuracy to GPS tracking, and analyze electrical power system architectures.
    NASA released its first Software Catalog more than a decade ago in 2013, and since then, the agency’s annual rate of software downloads has skyrocketed, reaching up to 5,722 downloads in a single year.
    The Software Catalog is a product of NASA’s Technology Transfer program, managed by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. NASA routinely makes improvements to the Software Catalog website, ensuring the process is fast and easy. Access restrictions apply to some software that may be limited to use by U.S. citizens or for U.S. government purposes only.
    View and learn more about NASA’s Software Catalog by visiting:
    https://software.nasa.gov
    -end-
    Jasmine HopkinsHeadquarters, Washington321-432-4624jasmine.s.hopkins@nasa.gov   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Aurora Australis

    Source: NASA

    The aurora australis arcs above a partly cloudy Indian Ocean in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 269 miles above in between Australia and Antarctica on June 12, 2025.
    Astronauts aboard the space station take photos using handheld digital cameras, usually through windows in the station’s cupola, for Crew Earth Observations. Crew members have produced hundreds of thousands of images of the Moon and Earth’s land, oceans, and atmosphere.
    Image credit: NASA/Nichole Ayers

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Sees Key Progress on Starlab Commercial Space Station

    Source: NASA

    As NASA continues its transition toward a commercial low Earth orbit marketplace, an agency-supported commercial space station, Starlab, recently completed five development and design milestones. Starlab’s planned design consists of a service module and a habitat that will be launched to orbit on a single flight.
    The milestones, part of a NASA Space Act Agreement awarded in 2021, focused on reviews of Starlab’s preliminary design and safety, as well as spacecraft mockup and procurement plans. Each milestone provides NASA insight into the company’s development progress.
    “As we work toward the future of low Earth orbit, these milestones demonstrate Starlab’s dedication to building a commercial space station that can support human life and advance scientific research,” said Angela Hart, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “Both the insight shared by Starlab and the expertise shared by NASA are critical to future mission success.”
    Starlab recently completed a preliminary design and safety review of its station’s architecture and systems. The company now will begin detailed design and hardware development, culminating in a critical design review later this year. Critical design reviews are an important step in a station’s development, assessing design maturity before proceeding with fabrication and assembly.

    Starlab also has begun construction of a full-scale, high-fidelity mockup of the station. The mockup, which will be housed in the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at NASA Johnson, will be used for human-in-the-loop testing, during which participants perform day-in-the-life walkthroughs and evaluate the interior design, crew training, procedure development, hardware checks, and in-flight issue resolution.
    In addition, Starlab completed reviews of the system design architecture, procurement plan, and Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft docking system design. In 2023, Northrop Grumman teamed up with Starlab to provide cargo logistics services and engineering consultation to support the commercial space station. These reviews included design configuration updates of solar arrays, docking ports, crew quarters, and more.
    NASA supports the design and development of multiple commercial space stations through funded and unfunded agreements. Following the design and development phase, NASA plans to procure services from one or more companies as part of its strategy to become one of many customers for low Earth orbit stations.
    Learn more about commercial space stations at:
    www.nasa.gov/commercialspacestations

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Citizen Science and Your Career: Stories of Exoplanet Watch Volunteers

    Source: NASA

    Doing NASA Science brings many rewards. But can taking part in NASA citizen science help your career? To find out, we asked participants in NASA’s Exoplanet Watch project about their experiences. In this project, amateur astronomers work together with professionals to track planets around other stars.
    First, we heard from professional software programmers. Right away, one of them told us about getting a new job through connections made in the project.
    “I decided to create the exoplanet plugin, [for citizen science] since it was quite a lot of manual work to check which transits were available for your location. The exoplanet plugin and its users got me in contact with the Stellar group… Through this group, I got into contact with a company called OurSky and started working for them… the point is, I created a couple of plugins for free and eventually got a job at an awesome company.”
    Another participant talked about honing their skills and growing their confidence through Exoplanet Watch.
    “There were a few years when I wasn’t actively coding. However, Exoplanet Watch rekindled that spark…. Participating in Exoplanet Watch even gave me the confidence to prepare again for a technical interview at Meta—despite having been thoroughly defeated the first time I tried.”
    Teachers and teaching faculty told us how Exoplanet Watch gives them the ability to better convey what scientific research is all about – and how the project motivates students! 
    “Exoplanet Watch makes it easy for undergraduate students to gain experience in data science and Python, which are absolutely necessary for graduate school and many industry jobs.”
    “Experience with this collaborative work is a vital piece of the workforce development of our students who are seeking advanced STEM-related careers or ongoing education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) fields after graduation… Exoplanet Watch, in this way, is directly training NASA’s STEM workforce of tomorrow by allowing CUNY (The City University of New York) students to achieve the science goals that would otherwise be much more difficult without its resources.”
    One aspiring academic shared how her participation on the science team side of the project has given her research and mentorship experience that strengthens her resume. 
    “I ended up joining the EpW team to contribute my expertise in stellar variability… My involvement with Exoplanet Watch has provided me with invaluable experience in mentoring a broad range of astronomy enthusiasts and working in a collaborative environment with people from around the world. … Being able to train others, interact in a team environment, and work independently are all critical skills in any work environment, but these specific experiences have also been incredibly valuable towards building my portfolio as I search for faculty positions around the USA.”
    There are no guarantees, of course. What you get out of NASA citizen science depends on what you put in. But there is certainly magic to be found in the Exoplanet Watch project.  As one student said:
    “Help will always be found at Hogwarts, to those who need it.” Exoplanet Watch was definitely Hogwarts for me in my career as an astronomer!”
    For more information about NASA and your career, check out NASA’s Surprisingly STEM series highlighting exciting and unexpected jobs at NASA, or come to NASA Career Day, a virtual event for students and educators. Participants must register by September 4, 2025. The interactive platform will be open from September 15-19, with live panels and events taking place on September 18.

    Exoplanet Watch volunteer Bryan Martin
    Credit: Bryan Martin

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ejection Mechanism Design for the SPEED Test Architecture

    Source: NASA

    The The Stratospheric Projectile Entry Experiment on Dynamics (SPEED), a two-stage stratospheric drop test architecture, is currently under development to bridge the state-of-the-art gap that many NASA flagship missions require to reduce system risk and enable more optimized designs via margin reduction. To do this, a two-stage vehicle will drop from a high-altitude balloon and use the first stage (an LV-Haack cone aeroshell) to accelerate the sub-scale test model to supersonic conditions. The onboard avionics will then release the test model into freestream flow at the proper altitude in Earth’s atmosphere for dynamic Mach scaling to the full-scale flight trajectory. SPEED leverages low-cost methods of manufacturing such as 3D printing and laser/water-jet cutting to enable 8 or more two-stage vehicles to be dropped in a single test, making the science-to-dollar density much higher than any current ground-test facility NASA has at its disposal. The goal is to develop a robust ejection system that can reliably introduce the test models into supersonic flow with a tight variance on initial condition perturbation. The separation system must be capable of handling a range of initial angle-of-attacks, keep the test model secure in the first stage during take-off and descent, and eject the test model in such a way that it does not linger behind the first stage and be affected by the resulting wake. As current ejection system designs are conceptual, complex, and untested, NASA is looking for alternative ideas that can be incorporated into the design of their next iteration of SPEED flight vehicles to increase system reliability. We are challenging the public to design innovative concepts for a separation mechanism that can be used to assess NASA and commercial reentry vehicle stability.
    Award: $7,000 in total prizes
    Open Date: July 14, 2025
    Close Date: September 8, 2025
    For more information, visit: https://grabcad.com/challenges/ejection-mechanism-design-for-the-speed-test-architecture

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Funds Early Career Employee Research

    Source: NASA

    Sylvie Crowell, a materials researcher at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, has received a NASA Early Career Initiative (ECI) award for a research proposal titled “Lunar Dust Reduction through Electrostatic Adhesion Mitigation (L-DREAM).” The research focuses on developing a passive lunar dust mitigation coating for solar cells and thermal control surfaces. 
    Operated under the NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate, the award will fund Crowell’s research in fiscal year 2026, beginning Oct. 1, 2025.  
    NASA’s ECI is a unique opportunity for the best and brightest of NASA’s early career researchers to lead hands-on technology development projects. The initiative aims to invigorate NASA’s technological base and best practices by partnering early career NASA leaders with external innovators. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Glenn Experts Join Baseball Fans in Omaha

    Source: NASA

    Thousands of baseball fans travel across the country annually to watch teams compete in Omaha, Nebraska, during the NCAA Men’s College World Series in June. This year, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland swung for the fences to celebrate the city’s Diamond Anniversary of hosting the event and to highlight the intersections of sports and STEM.  

    As part of a larger outreach program across the region, NASA Glenn, the only NASA center in the Midwest, continues to meet audiences where they are to make space relatable to all.  
    “We brought NASA to Omaha during the College World Series to connect with a broader audience through one of the country’s most celebrated sporting events,” said NASA Glenn Public Engagement Specialist Heather Brown, who led the event. “Our goal was to spark curiosity, inspire the next generation, and demonstrate how science and exploration intersect with everyday passions — like baseball.” 

    Situated next to the Kiewit Luminarium on the Lewis and Clark Landing of Omaha’s RiverFront, NASA Glenn engaged fans with Artemis-themed displays, interactive kiosks, a Space Launch System inflatable rocket, and the 53-foot Journey to Tomorrow traveling exhibit. In addition, Omaha-born NASA Flight Director Brandon Lloyd greeted visitors and participated in an event at the Branched Oak Observatory, where a large crowd of space enthusiasts asked questions and learned more about NASA’s missions.  
    “This was an incredible opportunity to tell NASA’s story and showcase our work in a setting that was already energized and ready to engage,” Brown said. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Glenn Announces 2025 Drop Tower Challenge Winners 

    Source: NASA

    Nineteen teams of students from across the nation in grades 8-12 worked for months in classrooms, labs, basements, and garages for the opportunity to test their projects at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This spring, the teams’ hard work was put to the test in the 2.2 Second Drop Tower facility at NASA Glenn.  
    The “2025 Drop Tower Challenge: Paddle Wheel” invited teams to design and build paddle wheels that rotate in water during free fall. The wheels could not rotate by mechanical means. A better understanding of fluid behavior in microgravity could improve spacecraft systems for cooling, life support, and propellants.

    Based on test performance, analyses, reports, the students’ approach to the challenge, and more, the following teams have been identified as the winners:  

    First Place: Arth Murarka, Umar Khan, Ishaan Joshi, Alden Al-Mehdi, Rohnin Qureshi, and Omy Gokul (advised by David Dutton), Bellarmine College Preparatory, San Jose, California  

    Second Place: Emma Lai, Keaton Dean, and Oliver Lai (advised by Stephen Lai), Houston, Texas  

    Third Place: Chloe Benner, Ananya Bhatt, and Surabhi Gupta (advised by SueEllen Thomas), Pennridge High School, Perkasie, Pennsylvania 

    “We’re impressed with the variety of designs students submitted for testing in Glenn’s drop tower,” said Nancy Hall, co-lead for the 2025 Drop Tower Challenge. “The teams showed significant creativity and background research through their paddle wheel designs and analysis of results.”  
    Students from Bellarmine College Preparatory shared how they navigated through the process to earn first place. Using NASA guidelines and resources available to assist students with the challenge, the team submitted a research proposal, including two 3D designs. Learning their team was selected, they reviewed feedback from the NASA staff and set to work.  

    To start, students stressed that they conducted a large amount of research and testing of materials to use in their paddle wheels before deciding on the final design.  
    “I learned that something doesn’t need to be super expensive or complex to work,” said student Umar Khan. “We found that white board sheets or packing peanuts — just household items — can be effective [in the design].”  
    Student Arth Murarka added, “Our original design looks a lot different from the final.” 
    Bellarmine staff member and team advisor David Dutton helped the students get organized in the beginning of the process, but said they worked independently through much of the project.  

    Once the design was finalized, the team shipped their hardware to NASA Glenn. NASA technicians then tested how the paddle wheels performed in the drop tower, which is used for microgravity experiments.
    Students said they studied concepts including capillary physics and fluid dynamics. They also learned how to write a research paper, which they said they will appreciate in the future.  
    The team dedicated a lot of time to the project, meeting daily and on weekends. 
    “We learned a lot of useful skills and had a lot of fun,” Murarka said. “It was definitely worth it.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –