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Category: Military Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:

    On January 30, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen held an introductory call to discuss the U.S.-Japan Alliance, the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

    Minister Nakatani congratulated the Secretary on his appointment and reaffirmed his desire to work together to advance Alliance priorities.  The two officials reiterated the importance of deepening defense cooperation to strengthen deterrence and to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.  

    The two officials reaffirmed their commitment to advance ongoing work to modernize Alliance command and control and expand bilateral presence in Japan’s Southwest Islands.  Both the Secretary and the Minister agreed to remain in close contact on areas of mutual security interest.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: Former PNG army commander Jerry Singirok pays tribute to Sir Julius Chan

    By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent

    The former Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) commander who defied a government decision to send mercenaries to Bougainville during the civil war in the late 1990s has paid tribute to Sir Julius Chan, prime minister at the time.

    Retired Major-General Jerry Singirok, who effectively ended the Bougainville War and caused Sir Julius to step aside as Prime Minister in 1997, expressed his condolences, saying he had the highest respect for Sir Julius — who died on Thursday aged 85 — for upholding the constitution when the people demanded it.

    “Today, I mourn with his family, the people of New Ireland and the nation for his loss. We are for ever grateful for such a selfless servant as Sir Julius Chan,” he said.

    Retired Major-General Jerry Singirok . . . “We are for ever grateful for such a selfless servant as Sir Julius Chan.” Image: PNG Post-Courier

    As a captain, Jerry Singirok had served on the PNGDF’s first-ever overseas combat deployment in Vanuatu to quell an independence rebellion.

    The decision to send PNGDF forces to Vanuatu was made when Sir Julius was prime minister in 1980.

    Seventeen years later, again under Sir Julius’ leadership, the 38-year-old Singirok was elevated to be the PNGDF commander as the government struggled to put an end to the decade-long Bougainville War.

    Sandline affair
    In late 1996, the Sir Julius-led government signed a secret US$38 million deal with Sandline International, a UK-based mercenary company.

    Under the arrangement, 44 British, South African and Australian mercenaries supported by the PNGDF, would be sent in to Bougainville to end the conflict.

    Singirok disagreed with the decision, disarmed and arrested the mercenaries during the night of 16 March 1997, and with the backing of the army he called for Sir Julius to step aside as prime minster. Sir Julius’ defiance triggered violent protests.

    “Yes, I disagreed with him and opposed the use of mercenaries on Bougainville and the nation mobilised and expelled Sandline mercenaries,” he said.

    “But it did not once dampen my respect for him.”

    Under immense public pressure, Sir Julius stepped aside.

    Throughout the period of unrest, Singirok maintained that the military operation called “Opareisen Rausim Kwik” (Tok Pisin for “Get rid of them quickly”), was aimed at expelling mercenaries and was not a coup against the government.

    His book about the so-called Sandline affair, A Matter of Conscience, was published in 2023.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Condemn DoD Decision To End Policy Allowing U.S. Service Members To Access Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    January 31, 2025

    HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 17 of their Senate colleagues in releasing the following statement on the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) rescission of a policy that allowed service members to get reimbursed for travel and transportation for non-covered reproductive care. A memo that updates the Joint Travel Regulations to rescind this policy was issued earlier this week.
    “This decision strips away service members’ ability to access the reproductive care they need, which is nothing short of abhorrent. It runs contrary to a core goal of the Department of Defense – to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our service members so that our force remains ready at all times to protect Americans and keep this nation safe.
    “U.S. service members have no control over where they are stationed and what state laws may govern their bodies. The policy that the Department of Defense took away from our servicewomen and military families provided them the ability to travel to another state to seek out the care they need. Rescinding that does nothing to enhance military readiness.
    “At a time when we are already facing military recruitment and retention challenges, we should do all we can to assure those who answer the call to serve America that we will do everything in our power to support them and their families. Instead, this extreme action does the opposite and sends a message to servicewomen—who make up more than 17 percent of our military’s active duty—that they are not as valuable as their male counterparts.
    “We will do everything in our power to mitigate the impact that this extreme decision will have on members of our military and ensure their health and safety comes first.”
    The statement was led by U.S. Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and also joined by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Angus King (I-Maine), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arizona Couple Pleads Guilty to $1.2B Health Care Fraud

    Source: US State of California

    An Arizona couple pleaded guilty for causing over $1.2 billion of false and fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare and other health insurance programs for expensive, medically unnecessary wound grafts that were applied to elderly and terminally ill patients.

    According to court documents, Alexandra Gehrke, 39, and her husband, Jeffrey King, 46, both of Phoenix, conspired with others to orchestrate the massive scheme. Gehrke ran two companies, Apex Medical LLC and Viking Medical Consultants LLC, that contracted with medically untrained “sales representatives” to locate elderly patients, including hospice patients, who had wounds at any stage and order amniotic wound grafts from a specific graft distributor. Gehrke instructed and financially incentivized the sales representatives to order grafts only in sizes 4×6 centimeters or larger, even if the wound was much smaller, to maximize health insurance reimbursement. Gehrke, through companies she owned and controlled, received over $279 million in illegal kickbacks from the distributor of the grafts in exchange for the orders. Gehrke in turn paid the sales representatives tens of millions of dollars in unlawful kickbacks. Gehrke then referred the patients to a company co-owned by King, which contracted with nurse practitioners to apply the grafts. King’s company fraudulently billed Medicare, TRICARE (the health care program for U.S. service members and their families), CHAMPVA (the health care program for spouses and children of permanently disabled veterans), and commercial insurance plans for the grafts. Gehrke and King, who had no medical training, directed the nurse practitioners to suspend their own medical judgment and apply all grafts ordered by the sales representatives, even when medically unreasonable and unnecessary, which resulted in the application of grafts to infected wounds, wounds that had already healed, and wounds that were not responding to the grafts.

    From November 2022 through May 2024, Gehrke, King, and others, through companies they owned, operated, and controlled, submitted $1,212,005,778 in false and fraudulent claims to health insurance plans. This included over $960 million in false and fraudulent claims to the federal health care programs — Medicare, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA. The federal and private health care insurers paid $614,990,420 based on the false and fraudulent claims.

    In their plea agreements, Gehrke and King agreed to pay restitution in the amounts of $614,990,420 and $605,690,110, respectively. They also agreed collectively to forfeit over $410 million in funds that they obtained from the fraud. To date, the government has seized nearly $100 million in assets that Gehrke and King accumulated from the scheme, including bank account balances exceeding $68 million, four luxury vehicles valued over $980,000, $22 million of life insurance annuities, and jewelry and precious metals.

    Gehrke pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2024, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. King pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona; Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office; Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Director Kelly Mayo of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); and Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) South Central Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI, HHS-OIG, DCIS, and VA-OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Shane Butland of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Departs Thailand

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    GULF OF THAILAND  –  

    The U.S. relationship with Thailand is one of the oldest in the Indo-Pacific region. The countries have shared friendly and diplomatic relations for over 190 years. Thailand is one of five treaty allies of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific Region and continues to be a longstanding security partner and leader in Southeast Asia.

    “We are incredibly grateful to Thailand for hosting the Carrier Strike Group ONE team,” said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE. “Port visits like this are a testament to the vital importance of the U.S.-Thailand Alliance and Partnership that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. We have shared history, shared interests, and common values that will continue to unite us for the good of both of our countries.”

    The U.S. remains committed to the Kingdom of Thailand, promoting military-to-military relations, as well as advancing interoperability and coordination with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to promote regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

    “Thank you, Rear Admiral Michael Wosje and the captains and crew of the USS Carl Vinson and other ships of Carrier Strike Group ONE, for your visit to Thailand! Your time here reinforced the excellent relations between Thailand and the United States and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. We look forward to future visits,” said U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Robert F. Godec.

    During their stay in Thailand, the nearly 7,500 Sailors from Carrier Strike Group ONE participated in cultural exchanges, community relations events, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored tours to enhance cultural understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

    “I know I can speak for all of the Carl Vinson crew when I say how grateful we are to the people of Laem Chabang and Pattaya City for welcoming our Sailors with such kindness and hospitality,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). “This port visit allowed our Sailors the opportunity to recharge and prepare to approach the next stretch of our time at sea maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are committed to the U.S.-Thai friendship and look forward to future opportunities that strengthen this bond.”

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group ONE and Destroyer Squadron one, Carrier Air Wing Two, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Carrier Air Wing Two is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks.

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    For more news from Carrier Strike Group ONE and Carl Vinson visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN70

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: January 31st, 2025 Heinrich, Sheehy Introduce Bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the bipartisan Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 to strengthen the aerial wildfire suppression fleet and better combat the year-round threat of catastrophic wildfire.
    “I have worked for years to expand the operations of Very Large Air Tankers that have proven absolutely essential to firefighters battling large wildfires in New Mexico, Los Angeles, and across the West. This includes securing more than $15 million to upgrade the Cibola National Forest Air Tanker Base in Albuquerque so that it can support and refuel the most effective firefighting planes that make the most difference for firefighters on the ground by dropping larger loads of fire retardant on blazes,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Sheehy on this bipartisan legislation that will help aerial wildfire firefighting contractors continue purchasing excess equipment from the military to support their heavy aircraft. I will never stop fighting to deliver the resources New Mexico needs to effectively respond to wildfires.”
    “As a former Navy SEAL and the only aerial firefighter in the Senate, I understand government’s most solemn duty is to keep the American people safe. Combatting the threat of catastrophic wildfires is a year-round mission, and we must ensure our aerial wildfire suppression fleet has the resources needed to protect our communities. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to help our brave first responders fight wildfires better, faster, and stronger by streamlining wildland firefighting efforts and removing outdated bureaucratic obstacles to getting the job done,” said Sheehy.
    The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996 to reauthorize the sale of excess aircraft and parts by the Department of Defense for wildfire suppression. The bill will help the U.S. better suppress wildfires year-round by facilitating the acquisition of military excess aircraft, sold at fair market value, for the aerial wildfire suppression fleet. Additionally, the sale of parts will help the U.S. maintain its existing aerial firefighting aircraft fleet.
    The bill reauthorizes the Secretary of Defense’s authority to sell excess Department of Defense aircraft and aircraft parts, which are acceptable for commercial sale, to persons or entities that contract with the government for the delivery of fire retardant or water by air to suppress wildfires, as long as the aircraft and parts are used only for wildfire suppression. The initial authority expired in 2005 and was reauthorized from 2012 to 2017 before lapsing again.
    Read more on the bill here.
    Heinrich’s Support for Aerial Firefighting
    Heinrich has long worked to expand and improve aerial firefighting operations in New Mexico to more effectively fight wildfires. In 2022, Heinrich secured more than $15 million to upgrade the Cibola National Forest Air Tanker Base at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. Those upgrades were completed in 2024 – a major milestone that makes it possible to support and refuel Very Large Air Tanker planes that can drop large volumes of fire retardant on blazes.
    In an op-ed published in the Albuquerque Journal, Col. Mike Power, Kirtland Air Force Base Installation Commander, highlighted the importance of these newly completed upgrades at the Cibola National Forest Air Tanker Base that will help the U.S. Forest Service fight wildfires in New Mexico more efficiently and effectively.  one of only two bases in the United States with that capability.
    “This base upgrade, where now up to 30 Forest Service professionals work to lead the fight against wildfires, includes the larger ramp space for a stronger, more efficient capability to fight wildfires in New Mexico year-round. It now also houses a retardant tank farm,” said Col. Power in the op-ed. “What does that mean to the average New Mexican? It means 75,000 gallons of retardant available at one time, and cuts response time to a fire in half. Ours is one of only two bases in the United States with that capability.”
    Heinrich’s Continued Leadership on Wildfire Recovery
    Heinrich remains focused on delivering the resources New Mexico needs to effectively respond to wildfires and prevent future devastating blazes by restoring the health and resilience of our forests and watersheds.
    Heinrich is keeping up the effort to do right by the New Mexico families whose lives were upended by the 2022 Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. As communities continue to rebuild, Heinrich will keep working to deliver for every person impacted by that fire and the floods that followed.
    Heinrich, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) successfully secured an additional $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire within the Continuing Resolution that Congress passed in December.
    The Continuing Resolution also extended the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office to March 14, 2025. The lawmakers are continuing to call for the passage of their Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation they introduced last year to extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office through the end of 2027.
    The New Mexico Congressional Delegation has now secured a total of $5.45 billion in federal resources to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild since the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire.
    In November, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández announced that President Biden’s disaster supplemental request included transfer authority for $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández also sent a letter urging the FEMA Director of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office and the FEMA Director of the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office to address concerns from New Mexicans about the process for receiving compensationfrom the Claims Office and help families get the relief and compensation needed to recover.
    Additional information on Heinrich’s leadership on Hermit’’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Response and Recovery can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Arizona Couple Pleads Guilty to $1.2B Health Care Fraud

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    An Arizona couple pleaded guilty for causing over $1.2 billion of false and fraudulent claims to be submitted to Medicare and other health insurance programs for expensive, medically unnecessary wound grafts that were applied to elderly and terminally ill patients.

    According to court documents, Alexandra Gehrke, 39, and her husband, Jeffrey King, 46, both of Phoenix, conspired with others to orchestrate the massive scheme. Gehrke ran two companies, Apex Medical LLC and Viking Medical Consultants LLC, that contracted with medically untrained “sales representatives” to locate elderly patients, including hospice patients, who had wounds at any stage and order amniotic wound grafts from a specific graft distributor. Gehrke instructed and financially incentivized the sales representatives to order grafts only in sizes 4×6 centimeters or larger, even if the wound was much smaller, to maximize health insurance reimbursement. Gehrke, through companies she owned and controlled, received over $279 million in illegal kickbacks from the distributor of the grafts in exchange for the orders. Gehrke in turn paid the sales representatives tens of millions of dollars in unlawful kickbacks. Gehrke then referred the patients to a company co-owned by King, which contracted with nurse practitioners to apply the grafts. King’s company fraudulently billed Medicare, TRICARE (the health care program for U.S. service members and their families), CHAMPVA (the health care program for spouses and children of permanently disabled veterans), and commercial insurance plans for the grafts. Gehrke and King, who had no medical training, directed the nurse practitioners to suspend their own medical judgment and apply all grafts ordered by the sales representatives, even when medically unreasonable and unnecessary, which resulted in the application of grafts to infected wounds, wounds that had already healed, and wounds that were not responding to the grafts.

    From November 2022 through May 2024, Gehrke, King, and others, through companies they owned, operated, and controlled, submitted $1,212,005,778 in false and fraudulent claims to health insurance plans. This included over $960 million in false and fraudulent claims to the federal health care programs — Medicare, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA. The federal and private health care insurers paid $614,990,420 based on the false and fraudulent claims.

    In their plea agreements, Gehrke and King agreed to pay restitution in the amounts of $614,990,420 and $605,690,110, respectively. They also agreed collectively to forfeit over $410 million in funds that they obtained from the fraud. To date, the government has seized nearly $100 million in assets that Gehrke and King accumulated from the scheme, including bank account balances exceeding $68 million, four luxury vehicles valued over $980,000, $22 million of life insurance annuities, and jewelry and precious metals.

    Gehrke pleaded guilty on Oct. 24, 2024, to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 11 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. King pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino for the District of Arizona; Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke of the FBI Atlanta Field Office; Deputy Inspector General Christian J. Schrank of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); Director Kelly Mayo of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); and Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG) South Central Field Office made the announcement.

    The FBI, HHS-OIG, DCIS, and VA-OIG investigated the case.

    Trial Attorney Shane Butland of the National Rapid Response Strike Force of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Williams for the District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Army Secretary Nominee Commits to Defending Active Duty Force, Advancing “Iron Dome” Missile Defense Initiative

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    01.31.25
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), yesterday received commitments from Daniel Driscoll, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Army, to support President Trump’s “Peace Through Strength” policies and kill any proposal that would dramatically cut the Army’s active duty force. In his questioning during Driscoll’s confirmation hearing, Sen. Sullivan noted that the Obama administration cut more than 35,000 active duty troop in its second term, with detrimental consequences to military readiness. At the time, Sullivan and his congressional delegation colleagues successfully fought off attempts by the Obama administration to eliminate the 5,000-soldier 4-25 Infantry Brigade Combat Team (ABN) at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER), which became the cornerstone of the current 11th Airborne Division in Alaska.
    Driscoll, an Army veteran, committed to working with the Senator on implementing President Trump’s “Iron Dome” executive order and Sen. Sullivan’s forthcoming legislation to build a multi-layered missile defense system protecting the entire country. Driscoll also committed to coming up to Alaska and meeting with Alaska’s soldiers, including members of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Ft. Greely.
    [embedded content]
    DAN SULLIVAN: Ten years ago, I was in this position. I was a brand-new U.S. senator. I’d been here for a month, and the Obama administration announced as part of its gutting of our U.S. military that they were going to cut 40,000 active duty Army troops, including the 4-25 at JBER in Alaska, the only airborne brigade combat team in the entire Indo-Pacific. Strategic national security suicide, in my view. I was a brand new senator. I fought that with everything I had. I put a hold on the chief of staff for the Army’s confirmation. I put a hold on the secretary of the Army’s confirmation for several weeks, until we got the Army to see the light. Okay. Obama ended up cutting 35,000 troops, and he kept the 4-25 in Alaska, 5,000 Airborne Army troopers, which became the cornerstone of the 11th Airborne Division as we built up the Army in Alaska. Are you aware that the Army now has two active duty airborne divisions?
    DAN DRISCOLL: I am, Senator.
    DS: The 82nd, which we all love, but the 11th Airborne Division, which is in Alaska, the Arctic Angels. You aware of that?
    DD: I am, Senator.
    DS: Great. Imagine my surprise. There’s been some articles, recent articles in the paper saying certain leaders in policy roles in the Trump Pentagon have had past ideas in the debate about shifting resources to the Indo-Pacific, which I support, but past ideas on how we can do that. One was a report, an idea from a report from 2021 that would deactivate four Stryker brigade combat teams, six infantry brigade combat teams, two National Guard aviation brigades. More than 10 percent of the Army’s active duty combat power. If this idea ever saw its head in the Pentagon from a non-Senate confirmed DAS, I need your commitment to me and this committee right now that you would kill it.
    DD: Senator, I commit, if confirmed, to fight as hard as I can for the Army. As I said to your colleague, the Army is at its lowest staffing since World War II.
    DS: Right. And do you think cutting 12 brigade combat teams worth of combat power is a good idea?
    DD: Without knowing the specifics, senator…
    DS: Well, come on. I need your answer to say no. Do you think cutting 12 brigade combat—this is Obama 2.0, right? Do you think cutting 12 brigade combat teams from the Army would implement President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s policies of peace through strength?
    DD: No.
    DS: No it wouldn’t. Do you think it would deter XI Jinping and Vladimir Putin if this idea—and maybe this idea has been discarded by this DAS who’s there right now—cutting 12 brigade combat teams would help with deterrence?
    DD: No.
    DS: I don’t think so either. Well, thank you on that because it was very disturbing when I read that. I’m glad you agree with me that we’re not doing Obama 2.0. We’re doing Reagan and Trump 1 2.0. Peace through strength, and ideas of gutting the Army’s active duty force—that’s what I fought when I came here. If there’s anyone who’s trying to do that, we’ll fight it. I’ll fight it. Okay. Let me go to another question. In addition to the 11th  Airborne Division in Alaska, we have the 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Fort Greely. A lot of people don’t know this, but the cornerstone of missile defense for America is in Alaska, and it’s led by the U.S. Army. The President put out his Iron Dome executive order recently for layered missile defense. I fully support that. Will you work with me and this committee, Senator Cramer. We’re going to be introducing legislation to bolster what the President’s trying to do. But a lot of it will involve the Army. A lot of people don’t know that. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion at Fort Greely, they like to call themselves the “300 protecting the 300 million,” because they protect the whole country. Will you commit to working with this committee and me on bolstering our missile defenses, particularly as it relates to Fort Greely and our brave soldiers, who are doing a great job defending our nation, and come to Alaska with me to see them and the 11th Airborne Division?
    DD: It would be an honor, Senator. As we talked about in your office, I was stationed with 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York.
    DS: Where there’s no mountains.
    DD: When you get there, you assume the 10th Mountain Division would have mountains around. I think the highest elevation on the entire base is 50 feet. So I would be honored, Senator.
    DS: Great. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Apollo to Present at the 2025 UBS Financial Services Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Apollo (NYSE: APO) today announced that Martin Kelly, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the UBS Financial Services Conference on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 9:40 am ET.

    A live webcast of the event will be available on Apollo’s Investor Relations website at ir.apollo.com. For those unable to join live, a replay will be available shortly after the event.

    About Apollo

    Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade credit to private equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of September 30, 2024, Apollo had approximately $733 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com.

    Contacts

    Noah Gunn
    Global Head of Investor Relations
    Apollo Global Management, Inc.
    (212) 822-0540
    IR@apollo.com

    Joanna Rose
    Global Head of Corporate Communications
    Apollo Global Management, Inc.
    (212) 822-0491
    Communications@apollo.com

    The MIL Network –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: Army Corps Issues More than $10 Million Contract to Complete Southern Embankment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    01.31.25

    Corps Issues Last Major Contract to Finish Federal Portion of Fargo-Moorhead Region’s Flood Protection Project

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a more than $10 million contract to construct Reach SE-5, the last of 7 reaches required to complete the 21-mile long Southern Embankment.

    • This reach, which is located in Minnesota, will include reconstructing portions of 180th Avenue, its intersection with Highway 75 and the Wolverton Creek crossing.
    • The funding is made available under the $437 million Army Corps’ award that Hoeven secured in 2022.
    • This comes as the last major Corps contract being awarded for the Fargo-Moorhead region’s flood protection project, marking a major milestone as the federal portion of the project nears completion.

    “Awarding this final contract to complete the Southern Embankment is achieving a major milestone in protecting the entire Fargo-Moorhead region against the threat of flooding,” said Hoeven. “Numerous efforts have to be tied together in order to make this permanent flood protection a reality. That’s why it was critical that we not only secure full federal funding now to provide certainty over the long-term, but also advance this as the Corps’ first major P3 project. This approach, which is serving as model for Army Corps projects across the country, provided the flexibility needed to build the various aspects of the project concurrently.”

    Today’s milestone follows Hoeven’s efforts to:

    • Pass 16 acts of Congress, including:
      • 9 legislative provisions, such as the project authorization in 2014 and a new construction start authorization in 2016.
    • 7 separate appropriations to fund the project’s construction.
    • Fully fund the $750 million federal cost share.
      • Prior to this, Hoeven helped renegotiate the Project Partnership Agreement to increase the federal funding commitment from $450 million.
    • Advance this as the first major Army Corps project to utilize the public-private partnership (P3) split-delivery model and a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan.
    • Coordinate efforts across four federal agencies.
    • Provide funding and flexibility to concurrently raise I-29 and begin excavating the Red River Control Structure to keep the project on schedule.
    • Resolve the easement issue on lands purchased with Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding, allowing the project to use an alternative route.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Diplomacy key to ending crisis in eastern DR Congo: UN peacekeeping chief

    Source: United Nations 4

    31 January 2025 Peace and Security

    The head of UN Peace Operations has underscored the need for continued diplomatic efforts to end the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and avert the potential for wider conflict. 

    Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed journalists at UN Headquarters on Friday, as the M23 rebel group and Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) continued their march toward the city of Bukavu, having taken control of the provincial capital, Goma, earlier this week.

    “We are concerned not only as far as the eastern DRC is concerned, but if you look at the past, this has the potential of triggering a wider regional conflict,” he said.

    “Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that all diplomatic efforts should be geared towards avoiding this and bringing about a cessation of hostilities.”

    Protection a priority

    Mr. Lacroix was speaking as the M23 were some 60 kilometres north of Bukavu and “seem to be moving quite fast.” 

    He provided an update on Goma, where the situation remains tense and volatile but calm is gradually being restored.  Water and electricity are also up and running, though unexploded ordnance continue to present “a very serious obstacle to freedom of movement”.

    The UN has a peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known by the French acronym MONUSCO, and several of its bases have been re-supplied which he said is critical as a “significant number” of people are also sheltering in these locations.

    “The priority of the mission remains the protection of its personnel, assets, and, of course, the many civilians sheltering within its premises – civilians and disarmed combatants. All are being protected by MONUSCO in accordance with international humanitarian law,” he said.

    He reported that the bases “are under significant pressure” when it comes to providing water rations, sanitation and other support to those inside.  

    Political engagement ongoing

    Meanwhile, the MONUSCO leadership is increasing political engagement with the Congolese authorities. The Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of the mission, Bintou Keita, has held discussions with top officials, including the Prime Minister and the leaders of the army and police.

    A joint Government-MONUSCO group has been established to coordinate on various issues, including in the security, human rights, humanitarian and communications spheres, as well as the legal status of the territories under the control of the M23 and the RDF.

    Mr. Lacroix highlighted the “florescence” of diplomatic activities in response to the crisis, which includes two UN Security Council meetings, a summit by the East African Community (EAC), another by the Southern African bloc SADC, and a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council. 

    The European Union, along with the United Kingdom, the United States and others, have also weighed in.

    “Up to now, this has not resulted in cessation of hostilities,” he remarked, noting that “the M23 and the RDF are currently progressing towards the south, towards Bukavu, and that is of course a matter of concern.”

    Respect UN premises

    The peacekeeping chief emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and civilians, including those sheltering in MONUSCO bases, and respect for UN premises which are inviolable.

    “We cannot stress this enough in the current circumstances where MONUSCO bases are under stress, but also in some cases they have been under threat,” he said.

    He stated that “diplomatic engagement and activities need to continue” towards the ultimate objective of ending the violence. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Collects More than $4M in Civil and Criminal Actions Plus Nearly $2M in Forfeited Assets in Fiscal Year 2024

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    TULSA, Okla. – U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced today that the Northern District of Oklahoma (NDOK) collected $4,029,804.93 in criminal and civil actions in Fiscal Year 2024. Of this amount, $2,572,450.48 was collected in criminal actions, and $1,457,354.45 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, the NDOK worked with partner agencies and divisions to collect $1,726,442 in asset forfeiture actions in FY 2024.

    “The Asset Recovery Unit and Asset Forfeiture teams consist of federal prosecutors, investigators, and professional support staff. In 2024, they collected more than $4 million on behalf of victims and collected nearly $2 million in assets, said U.S. Attorney, Clint Johnson. “Both teams diligently work to recover court ordered restitution to victims and process court ordered forfeiture. This funding not only impacts the Crime Victims Fund, but also goes towards law enforcement programs.”   

    Examples of Asset Recovery…
    In March 2024, the Northern District recovered $106,994.94 in U.S. v. Shane Hannaford, 21-CR-111. A veteran of the U.S. Marines, Hannaford devised a fraudulent investment scheme, defrauding fellow veterans he had served with in Iraq. Hannaford pled guilty to Bank Fraud, and the Court ordered him to pay $806,607.14 in restitution to his victims. The Northern District captured a significant payment towards restitution by intercepting proceeds from Hannaford’s sale of his home.

    In September 2024, the Northern District recovered $287,521.53 in U.S. v. Keven Ellis Partin, 19-CR-121. Partin pled guilty to Offering or Paying Healthcare Kickbacks. The Court ordered him to pay $338,805 in restitution to Department of Labor, TRICARE, Department of Veteran Affairs, and Medicare. Through liens and other enforcement tools, the Northern District recovered full restitution for these federal agencies.

    In May 2024, the Northern District of Oklahoma recovered $62,000 in U.S. v. Leslie Ellen Mansfield, 23-CR-170. Mansfield, an attorney, oversaw special needs trust accounts for intellectually challenged adults. Mansfield pled guilty to Bank Fraud, and the Court ordered her to pay $137,240.95 in restitution. The Northern District recovered full restitution for the living victims.

    Examples of Asset Forfeiture…
    In March 2024, the Northern District recovered $35,000 in U.S. v. Jesus Salazar-Lares, et al., 22-CR-339. In Aug. 2024, Salazar-Lares and others, traveled from Chicago to Tulsa and delivered more than 10 pounds of methamphetamine.  Salazar-Lares pled guilty to distribution of methamphetamine. The court authorized the seizure of $35,000 in cash.

    In April 2024, the Northern District recovered $84,788.42 in U.S. v. Melvin Brown, 22-CR-419. From July 2020 through May 2021, Brown conspired with others to distribute cocaine. Romero pled guilty to drug conspiracy. The court authorized the seizure of Romero’s bank account that had approximately $84,788.42.

    In June 2024, the Northern District recovered $620,000 in U.S. v. Jose Romero, et al., 22-CR-339. From Oct. 2019 through Oct. 2022, Romero conducted financial transactions with funds received through drug trafficking. Romero pled guilty to 18 counts of money laundering. The court authorized the forfeiture of $20,297 in cash, 18 vehicles, one firearm, approximately $50,076.31 from seized bank accounts, and four real estate properties.

    The U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, along with the department’s litigating divisions, are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the U.S. and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims. The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss. While restitution is paid to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the department’s Crime Victims Fund, which distributes the funds collected to federal and state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

    Forfeited assets deposited into the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Extradition Hearing for Alleged Exxon Linked Hacker Underscores Big Oil’s War to Avoid Accountability

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    WASHINGTON, DC (January 31, 2025) — In response to ongoing legal developments regarding the Department of Justice’s effort to extradite an alleged hacker linked to cyberattacks against climate organizations including Greenpeace USA, Greenpeace USA Deputy Climate Program Director, John Noël said:

    “The latest bombshell revelations in the hack-for-hire case expose a brazen attack on democracy. Defense documents submitted to the court now allegedly link the DCI Group—a lobbying firm hired by Exxon—to a covert hacking operation aimed at undermining climate advocacy organizations, campaigners, journalists and derailing momentum for climate liability lawsuits by stealing private communications.

    “This apparent corporate espionage scandal is staggering—millions of dollars, international intelligence firms, shadowy hackers, and apparently Big Oil at its center. As one of the key suspects faces extradition to the U.S., even more revelations could still emerge. Those responsible must be fully pursued to expose the depths of this scheme and deliver justice.

    “Big Oil is escalating its playbook of manipulation and intimidation—deploying hacking schemes, SLAPP lawsuits, and a tidal wave of disinformation—to silence demands for accountability and climate justice. The fossil fuel industry’s relentless attempts to suppress the truth and crush legal efforts to hold them responsible must not be allowed to stall or derail the urgent fight for a livable future for working families everywhere.”

    Contact: Gigi Singh, Communications Manager at Greenpeace USA
    (+1)  631-404-9977, [email protected]  

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz Underscores Urgent Need for Uninterrupted, Strategically Critical, Life-Saving Foreign Aid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON — At yesterday’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the “Malign Influence of the People’s Republic of China at Home and Abroad: Recommendations for Policy Makers,” U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) underscored the importance of U.S. leadership and global engagement in advancing American interests. Using the Philippines and Papua New Guinea as examples, Schatz asked witnesses to lay out the dire consequences of U.S. disengagement, as well as the opportunities it would create for the PRC.

    Prior to his questioning, Schatz, who also serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, addressed the chaos caused by the Trump Administration’s recent foreign aid funding freeze, stating, “We really just, on a nonpartisan basis, have to keep the pressure on the State Department to effectuate the Secretary’s policy because right now there’s a ton of confusion, and these are faraway places, and the original stop work orders are still being observed in some places and not in others. The furloughs are in some places being undone and not in others, and this is not some policy question anymore. It’s a question of executing what the Secretary has asked. So I just ask that we continue to put pressure on a bipartisan basis and just to understand the urgency of the moment. Four days ago, I asked now how bad is this, and they said ‘babies dying by the weekend’ and so this is not the kind of thing that we can get back to on Monday. We all have to exert pressure and make sure that the State Department gets this right, and I’m talking about in the next 24 hours.”

    Having recently discussed strengthening security and economic ties with the Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, Schatz asked, “I want to just start with the Philippines. As you know, they’re one of our closest allies. We have economic assistance arrangements, we have life-saving support that we provide, and of course we have a security partnership that’s lasted generations. If you were a senior CCP official, how would you view this freeze in foreign aid coming from the United States?”

    Peter Mattis, President of the Jamestown Foundation, replied, “I would be looking to exploit the opportunity that is there. And over the years the political fluctuations in the Philippines have offered those opportunities. They’ve disrupted the relationship. They’ve disrupted partnership, and anything from Beijing’s perspective, or if I were… a senior official in the United Front Work Department, I would be doing everything I can to exploit whatever chaos is there in the U.S.-Philippine relationship.”

    Schatz then pivoted to the subject of Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country rich in natural resources, saying, “It’s at risk of becoming a foothold for PRC military expansion. But right now it has the highest HIV incidence in the Pacific, and it’s rising. It also has a lot of unexploded ordinance, and last year the Department of Defense signed an $864 million defense bill deal with Port Morrisby, so it seems to me that the Philippines is one question: we have a bilateral relationship that spans generations and is sturdy, like under Duterte less sturdy, but still solid even when we have a president who is an unreliable partner, but in places like PNG where to use… the domestic equivalent they’re sort of swing states they’re open for business… to being aligned with China, to being aligned with the United States, to playing both sides against the middle. I’m particularly concerned about smaller countries for whom a withholding of economic or military or life-saving support is not something they can sort of weather, and so I’m wondering if you can talk about PNG in particular.”

    Dr. Melanie Hart, Senior Director of Global China Hub at Atlantic Council, answered, “Basically we’ve given Beijing a blank check and kneecapped the United States and the entire global pro-democracy movement. If you want to talk about PNG and their need for medicine, there is very clear pattern that, during the COVID crisis, Beijing forced nations around the world… to carry out its political edicts in exchange for COVID vaccines. I have no doubt that Beijing is already showing up in capitals where the United States is pulling back and saying here is your HIV medicine and guess what: here’s the three things you need to do for me today to get it.”

    Schatz was recently named the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, which appropriates billions of dollars in funding for the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other critical agencies and programs that provide humanitarian aid, global health support, and economic and security assistance, among other things to those in need around the world.

    Video of Senator Schatz’s full exchange at today’s hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Introduces the Achieving Choice in Education (ACE) Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has introduced the Achieving Choice in Education (ACE) Act to bolster educational choices for American families. This bill addresses growing concerns among parents about the ideological influences in public education and the economic barriers to alternative schooling options. Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) is a co-sponsor. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) has introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.

    “It is the fundamental right of parents to choose the educational path that is most suitable for their children,” said Sen. Lee. “The ACE Act ensures that our tax system reflects this principle and provides real support to those seeking alternatives to public schooling.”

    “As a father of three children who were homeschooled, I know that kids benefit from an education that is uniquely suited to their needs,” said Sen. Budd. “I’m proud to cosponsor the ACE Act, which will give more parents the option to choose the education that is best for their children.”

    “Across the country, and especially in Southwest Missouri, school choice is already benefitting many of our nation’s young children.” said Rep. Burlison. “Through 529 education saving accounts, families are freed from the arbitrary link between where they live and which school their child can attend.”

    Sen. Lee’s legislation builds upon a provision of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and enhances federal tax incentives for the enactment of state-level school choice legislation.

    Key provisions of the ACE Act include:

    • Doubling the allowable level of tax-exempt 529 account distributions for qualified educational expenses to $20,000 per taxable year.
    • Gift tax exclusions up to $20,000 per year for contributions to 529 accounts.
    • Adjusted federal tax exemption on municipal bonds based on state school choice laws, incentivizing states to adopt such measures. 

    Under the ACE Act, states with no qualifying school choice laws will see the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds for local projects, such as new school construction, revoked. States that adopt school choice laws will benefit from a 50% tax exemption on bond interest income, while states fully embracing school choice will enjoy a complete tax exemption.

    ENDORSEMENTS

    “American families deserve the best education options available without financial barriers to access them. Expanding school choice provides students with an opportunity to break out of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ education system. The Achieving Choice in Education Act would incentivize states to give more American families the flexibility to educate their children according to their needs and values.” -Heritage Action for America

    “Over the past several years, a growing number of parents have realized that the one-size-fits-all model provided by public schools doesn’t meet their family’s needs – be it because of concerns over quality, safety, or values. American students deserve to find educational options that work for them, and we are grateful that Sen. Lee’s ACE Act will make that path easier for families around the country.” -Parents Defending Education Action

    “A family’s income level shouldn’t determine whether or not a child gets a good education. Instead of having their tax dollars go straight to the public schools, families should be allowed to spend their money on the education system that they’re actually using. The ACE Act uses Congress’s powerful purse strings to encourage states to be more school-choice friendly. It is common sense policy that is good for kids, good for families, and good for the future of America. We are thankful for Sen. Lee’s leadership on this issue.” -Penny Nance, President and CEO of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee

    “On behalf of Association of Christian Schools International, our 2,500 member schools, and the thousands of families who can enjoy high quality, Christian education as a result of school choice, we thank Senator Lee for his leadership in introducing the ACE Act. Over 20 years of research has found that students who exercise school choice have dramatically better educational outcomes. By encouraging school choice at the state level, more students will be empowered to access the education that best suits their needs and be set up for a lifetime of success.” -P. George Tryfiates, Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International

    “HSLDA Action supports the ACE act because it will help homeschool families pay for their children’s education. By increasing the contribution limits, and expanding 529s for homeschool use, parents will be able to save more of their own money for educational purposes in a tax advantaged way. This furthers opportunities for homeschoolers and opens the door to enable more parents to educate their children at home.” -Home School Legal Defense Association Action

    “A good education is the foundation of the American Dream. And every child—no matter their background or zip code—deserves the chance to learn and grow in an environment that is steeped in learning and free from radical ideology. Senator Lee’s ACE Act would be a monumental win for parents across the country who want the opportunity and financial freedom to give their kids the education that will set them up for success.” -Tarren Bragdon, President and CEO of the Foundation for Government Accountability.

    For bill text, click HERE.
    For a one-pager, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Hyderabad demonstrates Large Area Additive Manufacturing System

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 31 JAN 2025 6:06PM by PIB Delhi

    A groundbreaking breakthrough has been achieved in DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Hyderabad in the area of Large Area Additive Manufacturing (LAAM) System. The collaborative efforts between IIT Hyderabad, DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad and industry partners have significantly contributed to the achievement for overall growth of additive manufacturing in the country. The application demonstration of the LAAM System is based on Powder based Directed Energy Deposition technology for Fabrication of Rocket Components.

    The indigenously designed machine has a build volume of 1m x 1m x 3m, which makes it one of the largest metal additive manufacturing machines in India. The process is based on Laser and Blown-Powder based Direct Energy Deposition technology and employs dual heads for thermal balancing and speed.

    Recently, a significant milestone has been achieved in the fabrication of a component that is one meter in height, bringing it into the large size league in the process of creating large-sized components using additive manufacturing.

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated DIA-CoE, IIT Hyderabad for the design and development and demonstration of LAAM System. This will open up new possibilities for large-scale production of metal parts, paving the way for growth and innovation in the area of additive manufacturing in the country, he said.

    *****

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2098098) Visitor Counter : 87

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Department of Army identifies two of three Army Soldiers involved in Helicopter Crash

    Source: United States Army

    1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
    2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

    WASHINGTON — A United States Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crashed at approximately 9 p.m. while performing a training mission near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Jan. 29. There was a three-person crew on board the helicopter. The UH-60 helicopter from the 12th Aviation Battalion, Davison Army Airfield, Fort Belvoir, Va., collided in midair with an American Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 regional jet Flight 5342 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA, NTSB and the United States Army are investigating. The NTSB will lead the investigation. We are working with local officials and will provide any additional information once it becomes available.

    Staff Sgt. Ryan Austin O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Georgia, is believed to be deceased pending positive identification.

    The remains of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, have not yet been recovered, therefore is duty status-whereabouts unknown (DUSTWUN).

    At the request of the family, the name of the third Soldier will not be released at this time. That pilot is also DUSTWUN.

    “Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends impacted during this tragedy, and we will support them through this difficult time. Our top priority is to assist in the recovery efforts, while fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other investigative agencies to determine the cause of this tragic incident,” said Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, commander Joint Task Force – National Capital Region/ U.S. Army Military District of Washington.

    Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eaves, served in the U.S. Navy from August 2007 to September 2017, then transitioned to a UH-60 pilot for the regular Army from September 2017 to present day. His awards include Army Commendation Medal x3, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal x3, Navy “E” Ribbon x2, Navy Good Conduct Medal x3, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon and Army Aviator Badge.

    Staff Sgt. O’Hara served as a UH-60 helicopter repairer (15T) in the regular Army from July 2014 to present day. He successfully deployed to Afghanistan from March 2017 to August 2017. His awards include Army Commendation Medal w/C Device, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal x4, Army Good Conduct Medal x3, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Aviation Badge and Senior Aviation Badge.

    For more information regarding Chief Warrant Officer 2 Eaves and Staff Sgt. O’Hara, members of the media may contact the Military District of Washington Public Affairs Office at usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.mediadesk-omb@army.mil.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Air Force kicks-off roadshow, prepares Airmen for ‘Units of Action’ implementation

    Source: United States Air Force

    Air Force senior leaders conducted one of their first stops of a recently launched roadshow at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Jan. 24, 2025, to prepare Airmen as the service transitions into Combat Wings, Air Base Wings and Institutional Wings as part of the ongoing U.S. Air Force Re-Optimization. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Activities of Secretary-General in Lebanon, 16-19 January

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, on 16 January.  Upon arrival he was met by the caretaker Foreign Minister of Lebanon, Abdallah Bou Habib.

    On Friday, the Secretary-General flew by helicopter from Beirut to Naqoura to visit UNIFIL — the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon — to express his gratitude for the courage and determination of the UN peacekeepers who have been working in very challenging circumstances.

    During his time on the ground, the Secretary-General visited a number of UNIFIL positions, including one that had been under Israeli attack in 2024.

    In remarks to the assembled leadership of the UN mission, the Secretary-General told them that they are not just on the Blue Line of Lebanon, they are on the front line of peace, and that the UNIFIL mission is the most challenging environment for peacekeepers anywhere.  He added that their contributions have been crucial in supporting the restoration of stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line.

    The continued occupation by the Israel Defense Forces inside the UNIFIL area operations and the conduct of military operations in Lebanese territory are violations of resolution 1701 (2006) and pose continued risk to your safety and security, Guterres told the peacekeepers.  He also noted that blue helmets had uncovered over a 100 weapons caches belonging to Hizbullah or other armed groups since 27 November 2024.

    The Secretary-General also said that strong support for, and closer coordination with, the Lebanese Armed Forces will be fundamental in supporting an enduring cessation of hostilities and realizing the ultimate goal of resolution 1701 (2006).  (See Press Release SG/SM/22525.)

    The Secretary-General returned to Beirut later in the afternoon where he met with France President Emmanuel Macron of France who was also on a visit to Beirut.

    In the evening, upon his return to Beirut, the Secretary-General, along with the UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the UNIFIL Force Commander, General Aroldo Lázaro, attended a working dinner hosted by the caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati.

    On Saturday, the Secretary-General spent the day in Beirut where he met with President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Designate Nawaf Salam and the Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri.

    The Secretary-General held a press conference late on Saturday afternoon.

    He returned to New York on Sunday, 19 January.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Releases Statement Following Pentagon’s Reversal of Illegal and Immoral Abortion Travel Policy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released the following statement regarding the Pentagon’s reversal of its illegal and immoral taxpayer-funded abortion travel policy:

    “For the past two years, I have been sounding the alarm about the Pentagon’s illegal and immoral practice of using taxpayer dollars to fund abortions. I took a lot of heat when I stood alone for nearly a year in holding senior Pentagon promotions over this—but as of today, it was all worth it. The Biden administration treated taxpayers like their own personal Piggy bank that they could use to bankroll their woke agenda. President Trump and Secretary Hegseth affirmed today what I’ve been fighting for since I got to Washington: zero taxpayer dollars should go towards abortions. Under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s leadership, the Pentagon will once again be focused on lethality, not pushing a political agenda. Thank God common sense has been restored to our military under President Trump’s leadership.”

    BACKGROUND:

    For 11 months in 2023, Senator Tuberville imposed a blanket hold on senior military promotions over the Biden administration’s illegal taxpayer-funded abortion related travel policy. Following threats from Senator Schumer in December 2023 to change Senate rules, Sen. Tuberville narrowed the holds to 4-star generals, releasing the other nominees for promotion. Senator Tuberville vowed to continue fighting against the policy and to always defend taxpayers and the unborn.

    MORE:

    Tuberville: I will never stop fighting to defend taxpayers and the unborn

    What They Are Saying: Conservative Leaders Thank Tuberville

    Pentagon Continues to Stonewall Truth about Illegal Taxpayer-Funded Abortion-Related Travel Policy

    Tuberville Forces Floor Vote on Military Nominations

    Tuberville Again Defends Life and the Constitution

    Tuberville Speaks with Secretary of Defense, Reiterates Hold on Nominations

    Tuberville Blasts DoD’s Extreme New Abortion Policy, Holds Nominees on the Senate Floor

    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 –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: President’s Cabinet

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    Q: Why does the nation’s chief executive have a team of advisors known as the President’s Cabinet?

    A: During the Constitutional Convention in 1787, delegates hashed out how to organize the executive branch and whether the president would act independently or collaborate with a council of ministers. One proposal suggested a council comprised of the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Ultimately, the delegates vested theexecutive power in a single person: the President of the United States. However, they also included constitutional guardrails unique to our system of checks and balances, granting the power of “advise and consent” to the Senate on appointments and treaties. So, while the president’s “Cabinet” is not spelled out in the Constitution, Article II, Section 2, clause 1 authorizes the president “may require the Opinion … of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Officers.” In other words, the president has the power to surround himself with a team of people to carry out the laws of the land.

    President George Washington created the first Cabinet and nominated four individuals for Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of State, Secretary of War and Attorney General. Washington met regularly with his Cabinet to discuss core functions of the new federal government: money supply, diplomacy, defense, enforcement of laws and administration of justice. His successors followed this precedent to surround themselves with trusted advisors to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” The Cabinet has expanded over the years, most recently with creation of the Department of Homeland Security post-9/11. Today, the Cabinet includes the Vice President and heads of 15 executive departments, including the U.S. Attorney General; Secretaries of Agriculture; Commerce; Defense; Education; Energy; Health and Human Services; Homeland Security; Housing and Urban Development; Interior; Labor; State; Treasury; Transportation; and, Veterans Affairs. Also serving in Cabinet-level positions are the Administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency and Small Business Administration; Directors of the Central Intelligence Agency; National Intelligence; and, Office of Management and Budget; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; and the U.S. Trade Representative. Since the 113th Congress, Cabinet nominees are confirmed by a simple majority in the U.S. Senate. If approved, nominees are sworn in before beginning their duties.

    Q: What is the Senate’s role in the confirmation process?

    A: The Constitution gives the president and the Senate shared authority to make appointments to high-level positions in the federal government, including the federal judiciary and the president’s Cabinet. History shows the Senate extends deference to presidents selecting advisors to help them carry out the operations of the executive branch of government. In the 19th century, the Senate revised its rules to require the referral of nominations to the appropriate committees. A century later, Senate committees held public hearings and questioned nominees in person. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 119th Congress, I’ve led confirmation hearings for President Trump’s nominees to serve as the Attorney General and the Director of the FBI. From my assignments on the Senate Agriculture, Finance and Budget Committees, I’ve participated in confirmation hearings for the Secretaries of Agriculture, Treasury, Health and Human Services and Director of the Office of Management and Budget. It’s my policy to wait until after these hearings conclude to make my final decision on the nomination. The Senate’s “advise and consent” authority is one tool to keep check on the executive branch and has factored into the rejection or withdrawl of Cabinet nominees for centuries. At the same time, the Senate has a compelling interest not to impede the continuity of government from one administration to the next. It’s critical to the functioning of government to have these high-level officials in place. For Presidents Clinton, Bush and Obama, 84 percent of Cabinet secretaries nominated before Inauguration Day received quick Senate approval, an average of 2.4 days. After passing background checks, answering questions in writing, in private meetings and under the Senate microscope in public confirmation hearings and being referred favorably by the committees of jurisdiction, the president’s nominees deserve a timely vote in the U.S. Senate. The devastating collision on Jan. 29 over the Potomac River – the worst aviation crash in America in a quarter century – underscores the urgency to get the president’s team in place.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy Reserve Public Affairs Summit: Training to be the Strategic Advantage and Enabling Effective Communication in the Indo-Pacific Region

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  –  

    Forty Sailors from six Navy public affairs reserve units supporting Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) attended a reserve public affairs summit Jan. 9 to 11, 2025, focused on rapidly developing and sustaining their warfighting readiness skills.

    The summit supported Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Navigation Plan 2024, which directs the Navy to be more ready for the possibility of sustained high-end conflict with the People’s Republic of China by 2027.

    Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, underscored the critical role of public affairs in his approach at the operational level of war – to deny, defend, and dominate. When speaking to the group of professional communicators, Koehler emphasized that effects within the information environment are considered at the start of the planning cycle.

    During the training, reserve Sailors received briefings on honing their communications skills to deliver a key strategic advantage in the Pacific. This effort aligns with Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore’s strategic guidance for the Reserve Force – to put more ready players on the field as the Navy Reserve integrates with the Navy Total Force to deter, defend and, if necessary, defeat our adversaries.

    According to Vice Adm. Lacore, the global security environment demands our urgent preparations and readiness to respond to the call, when needed, by posturing the Reserve Force for warfighting by accelerating the pace of organizational development and strengthening our warfighters to be ready on day one.

    Leaders from COMPACFLT, to include Koehler and Rear Adm. Eric Ruttenberg, Reserve deputy COMPACFLT, as well as those from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, discussed how public affairs missions within the information environment enable strategic and operational success and reinforced the importance of engaging in truthful communication activities to counter adversaries’ increasing use of misinformation.

    Rear Adm. John Robinson, Navy Vice Chief of Information, highlighted the importance of the CNO’s “Project 33” initiative, which prioritizes operational readiness including a key target of fighting from maritime operations centers, or MOCs.

    Capt. Rebecca Rebarich, USINDOPACOM director of Public Affairs and Outreach, echoed Koehler’s message on integrating information forces into maritime planning. She stressed the vital role USINDOPACOM places on the information domain, ensuring warfighters are prepared to support fleet operations in the event of a high-intensity conflict with a peer competitor.

    With increased tensions and escalating threats in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Navy needs to make accurate assessments and share information in real time. For Sailors in public affairs, being warfighting-ready requires a commitment to developing and sustaining world-class public affairs capabilities to support operations across the Indo-Pacific.

    “Being able to witness firsthand how reservists contribute to the warfighting effort was certainly a highlight of the training,” said Lt. j.g. Justin Truong, assigned to Navy Public Affairs Support Element West. “It was critical to see how reservists integrate with our active-duty counterparts to provide strategic depth.”

    Attendees included many junior public affairs officers and mass communication specialists. The summit gave them a first look at the mobilization training location and requirements.

    “Ultimately, our goal was for Sailors to walk away with a renewed confidence that the U.S. Navy, of which they are an integral part of, is capable and ready to address emerging threats in the INDOPACOM region,” said Capt. Christopher Lopez, commanding officer, Reserve COMPACFLT Public Affairs, “and leave with a sense of pride knowing that the reserve public affairs community remains an indispensable part of America’s warfighting Navy.”

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Office of the Public Guardian appoints non-executive Board Chair

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    • English
    • Cymraeg

    Alison Sansome appointed as non-executive Board Chair for the Office of the Public Guardian.

    Alison Sansome has been appointed as the new non-executive Board Chair for the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). In her role, Alison will lead the Board, facilitating Board meetings and helping to inform decision making, using her knowledge and expertise to provide independent scrutiny and constructive advice.  

    Non-executives are senior external figures who provide independent advice, support, and challenge to government departments on policy implementation, operational delivery, and strategic direction. 

    The non-executive Board Chair has regular meetings with the Chief Executive to reflect on the organisation’s direction and the board’s role in supporting and challenging the executive team. Alison has extensive board, committee and tribunal experience in a range of sectors including justice, health, defence, emergency services and information technology. She currently holds a number of roles in a non-executive portfolio, including Vice Chair of the Fire Standards Board and Board Member for the Office of Legal Complaints. Alison also previously held several Senior Civil Service roles in the Ministry of Defence. 

    On Alison’s appointment, Public Guardian and Chief Executive Amy Holmes, said: 

    “We’re delighted to have Alison join the OPG Board. Alison has a wealth of knowledge and experience, including time within the Civil Service. Her expertise is welcomed by the Board and will be key in creating positive impact for our customers.”

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    Updates to this page

    Published 31 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Air Force Wargaming Institute hosts tabletop exercise for the Department Level Exercise series 2025

    Source: United States Air Force

    Headline: Air Force Wargaming Institute hosts tabletop exercise for the Department Level Exercise series 2025

    The Department Level Exercise series, part of the DAF’s Reoptimization for GPC, is the integration of several disparate major command exercises, intended to synchronize and evolve operations to deter competitor aggression where able, and to defeat threats to national security when necessary.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Departs Thailand

    Source: United States Navy

    The U.S. relationship with Thailand is one of the oldest in the Indo-Pacific region. The countries have shared friendly and diplomatic relations for over 190 years. Thailand is one of five treaty allies of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific Region and continues to be a longstanding security partner and leader in Southeast Asia.

    “We are incredibly grateful to Thailand for hosting the Carrier Strike Group ONE team,” said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE. “Port visits like this are a testament to the vital importance of the U.S.-Thailand Alliance and Partnership that contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. We have shared history, shared interests, and common values that will continue to unite us for the good of both of our countries.”

    The U.S. remains committed to the Kingdom of Thailand, promoting military-to-military relations, as well as advancing interoperability and coordination with the Royal Thai Armed Forces, to promote regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

    “Thank you, Rear Admiral Michael Wosje and the captains and crew of the USS Carl Vinson and other ships of Carrier Strike Group ONE, for your visit to Thailand! Your time here reinforced the excellent relations between Thailand and the United States and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. We look forward to future visits,” said U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, Robert F. Godec.

    During their stay in Thailand, the nearly 7,500 Sailors from Carrier Strike Group ONE participated in cultural exchanges, community relations events, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored tours to enhance cultural understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

    “I know I can speak for all of the Carl Vinson crew when I say how grateful we are to the people of Laem Chabang and Pattaya City for welcoming our Sailors with such kindness and hospitality,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). “This port visit allowed our Sailors the opportunity to recharge and prepare to approach the next stretch of our time at sea maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are committed to the U.S.-Thai friendship and look forward to future opportunities that strengthen this bond.”

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group ONE and Destroyer Squadron one, Carrier Air Wing Two, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Carrier Air Wing Two is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks.

    The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    For more news from Carrier Strike Group ONE and Carl Vinson visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN70

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Naval District Washington Prepares for Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025

    Source: United States Navy

    Naval Support Activity (NSA) Washington, NSA Bethesda, NSA Annapolis, NSA South Potomac, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, will participate in the yearly, two-part anti-terrorism and force protection exercise designed to test the effectiveness of the installations readiness and training programs.

    “Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025 is an important exercise that ensures our security forces are at peak readiness to respond to evolving threats,” said Rob Shaffer, Security Director Naval District Washington. “We train the way we fight, and this exercise allows us to refine our procedures, strengthen our decision-making, and enhance coordination with partner agencies, ultimately protecting our most valuable asset – our people.”

    During the first week of February 3 – 7, emergency responders on Navy installations will engage in Citadel Shield. Throughout the week, the field training will focus on the installation level with various scenarios such as an active shooter, unauthorized base access, suspicious packages, and unmanned aerial surveillance.

    “The Navy is committed to being a good neighbor, and the safety of our personnel and the surrounding community is our top priority,” said Shaffer. “While Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2025 may lead to increased activity around our installations, we are working to minimize disruptions. This exercise reinforces the importance of a proactive force protection mindset for all Navy personnel, ensuring we are ready to respond to any potential threat while also allowing our Sailors to hone their skills and maintain the highest level of readiness.”

    The second week of February (the 10th through the 14th) is the Solid Curtain portion of the exercise, which will focus on various national-level scenarios. During this week, base force protection conditions or FPCON levels will change daily with training evolutions. Some scenarios may cause irregular traffic patterns or gate hours on the installations.

    Installation personnel can obtain essential notifications during CS/SC25 by registering for the Wide Area Alert Network (WAAN). Personnel should also familiarize themselves with their command or tenant command anti-terrorism plan to know what to expect during the exercise.

    Register for the WAAN at https://ndw.cnic.navy.mil/waan/

    To keep up with all things NDW, follow our socials at https://www.facebook.com/NavDistWash, https://www.instagram.com/navdistwash/

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Air Force Wargaming Institute hosts tabletop exercise for the Department Level Exercise series 2025

    Source: United States Air Force

    The Department Level Exercise series, part of the DAF’s Reoptimization for GPC, is the integration of several disparate major command exercises, intended to synchronize and evolve operations to deter competitor aggression where able, and to defeat threats to national security when necessary.

    MIL Security OSI –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Announces Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    January 31, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced his subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress.

    “President Trump’s re-election provides a historic opportunity to get our country back on track,” said Ricketts. “On these subcommittees, I’ll work to unleash American energy, extend the Trump tax cuts, and restore American strength on the world stage.”

    Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

    • Member, Subcommittee on Economic Policy
    • Member, Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection
    • Member, Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance

    Environment and Public Works Committee

    • Chairman, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water
    • Member, Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure
    • Member, Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate, and Nuclear Innovation and Safety

    Foreign Affairs Committee

    • Chairman, Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy
    • Member, Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
    • Member, Subcommittee on State Department and USAID Management, International Operations and Bilateral International Development

    BACKGROUND

    U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs is responsible for matters related to banks and banking, price controls, deposit insurance, foreign trade promotion, export promotion and controls, and federal monetary policy. It has jurisdiction over financial exchanges, markets, and derivates, financial aid to commerce and industry, issuance of redemption of notes, and currency and coinage issues. Additionally, the Committee is responsible for public and private housing, urban development, mass transit, and government contracts. This includes oversight of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Export-Import Bank, and the Federal Housing Administration.

    U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is responsible for legislation and oversight of the natural and built environment and for studying matters concerning environmental protection and resource conservation and utilization. This includes oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations is instrumental in developing, influencing, and overseeing U.S. foreign policy. The Committee considers, debates, and reports important treaties and legislation involving everything from foreign aid to arms sales to international organizations like the United Nations. It overseas the U.S. State Department and holds jurisdiction over all diplomatic nominations, including the U.S. Secretary of State. Ricketts will be the second highest ranking Republican on the Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s Call With Republic of Korea Acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:

    On January 30, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth held an introductory call with the Republic of Korea (ROK)’s Acting Minister of National Defense Kim Seon-ho. The Acting Minister congratulated the Secretary on his appointment and the two leaders discussed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and the strength of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.  Secretary Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending the ROK under President Trump’s leadership and both leaders also reiterated their shared focus on maintaining a strong combined U.S.-ROK defense posture. Both the Secretary and the Minister agreed to remain in close contact moving forward.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Announces Class of 2029 Service Academy Nominations

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Rep. Simpson Announces Class of 2029 Service Academy Nominations

    Washington, January 31, 2025

    WASHINGTON— Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson announced the nomination of 26 Idaho students to United States Military Academies. Every year, Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five service academies. After the candidates receive their nominations, the Academies will evaluate the students’ applications and make the final decision on admittance.
    “Our nation’s military academies provide students with an excellent opportunity to serve our country while pursuing a higher education,” said Rep. Simpson. “It is one of my great honors every year to nominate Idaho students to have this experience and become the next generation of military leaders. Our servicemembers make significant sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and I applaud these students who yearn to defend our way of life.”
    Rep. Simpson’s 2025 Academy Nominations are below:
    United States Air Force Academy

    Max Agres, Pocatello
    Niclas Bischoff-Jones, Boise
    Marcus Breen, Boise
    Abigail Coleman, Idaho Falls
    Kendo Gunter, Boise
    Sihu Hwang, Boise
    Grady Klinger, Stanley
    Elizabeth Miller, Boise
    William Principi, Boise
    Kenneth Safe, Boise
    Anthony Sanchez, Idaho Falls
    Ella Shaughnessy, Hailey
    Ches Lee Webb, Ririe
    Gillian Weber, Fairfield

    United States Military Academy

    Max Agres, Pocatello
    Benjamin Baker, Boise
    Jacob Bryan, Ammon
    Axel Byrum, Boise
    Lillian Drysdale, Idaho Falls
    Modoc Earley, Montpelier
    Sihu Hwang, Boise
    Hayden Johnson, Boise
    William Principi, Boise
    Kenneth Safe, Boise
    Ella Shaughnessy, Hailey
    Cole States, Boise
    Roman Stonhill, Ammon
    Charles Tobler, Boise
    Ches Lee Webb, Ririe

    United States Naval Academy
     

    Paul Anderson, Boise
    Benjamin Baker, Boise
    Jackson Balsmeier, Idaho Falls
    Niclas Bischoff-Jones, Boise
    Marcus Breen, Boise
    Alexis Danes, Boise
    Sihu Hwang, Boise
    Hayden Johnson, Boise
    William Principi, Boise
    Kenneth Safe, Boise
    Sanchez, Anthony, Idaho Falls
    Ella Shaughnessy, Hailey
    Cole States, Boise
    Roman Stonhill, Ammon
    Ches Les Webb, Ririe
    Gillian Weber, Fairfield

    United States Merchant Marine Academy

    Sihu Hwang, Boise
    William Principi, Boise
    Kenneth Safe, Boise
    Roman Stonhill, Ammon

    MIL OSI USA News –

    February 1, 2025
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