Source: United States Spaceforce
A new wave of upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcons arrived at Osan Air Base, South Korea. The arrival of the F-16s marked a significant step forward in modernizing the 51st Fighter Wing aircrafts and strengthening the U.S. Air Force’s regional combat readiness.
Source: United States Department of Defense
This week in the Defense Department, plans to support the American drone industry are underway, the National Farm Security Action Plan will safeguard farmlands and land around military bases, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Pentagon.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
(NEW YORK, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) today issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision to strike down a plea deal that would have allowed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-defendants to avoid the death penalty:
“I applaud today’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals to rightly reject an outrageous plea deal that would have allowed the 9/11 mastermind and his accomplices to escape the death penalty. This ruling confirms what we’ve been saying all along: the Biden Administration never should have considered such a deal in the first place.
The American people have waited more than two decades for justice. The families who lost loved ones, along with the first responders who continue to suffer, deserve full accountability for those who orchestrated the deadliest terrorist attack on our nation’s soil. It is time to move forward by setting a trial date and pursuing the death penalty to ensure these terrorists are finally held fully accountable for their crimes.”
In 2024, Malliotakis was joined by 9/11 Families & First Responders Call for Justice to be Served Against 9/11 Terrorists.
In 2023, Malliotakis joined Texas Senator Ted Cruz in writing to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urging the Department of Defense to scrap any possibility for a plea dealwith 9/11 terrorists that takes the death penalty off the table.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Solitron Devices, Inc. (OTC Pink: SODI) (“Solitron” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce fiscal 2026 first quarter results.
FISCAL 2026 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS –
Revenue continued to be down in the first quarter, similar to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, due to the lag time between receipt of orders and production/fulfillment of those orders. As previously noted in our last press release, we expected lower revenues in this quarter and anticipate sales to pick up at the end of the fiscal second quarter, before reaching a steadier level in the fiscal third quarter.
On a positive note, the Company’s backlog remains at record levels. Backlog increased from $18.11 million at the beginning of the fiscal year to $18.26 million at the end of fiscal 2026 first quarter.
During the quarter we invested $1.65 million for 6.4% of the units in CBE LLC (“CBE”). CBE purchased a 25% interest in CrossingBridge Advisors (“CrossingBridge”), a subsidiary of ENDI Corp., for $25.9 million. CBE will be entitled to a royalty equal to approximately 14.9% of the revenue of CrossingBridge, which equated to an initial “cap” rate based on CrossingBridge’s revenue run rate as of December 31, 2024, of approximately 11.7%. Solitron’s royalty share will be just under 6.4% of CBE’s. CrossingBridge reported that its assets under management were $4.0 billion as of June 30, 2025, versus $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2024.
By law, certain U.S. Department of Defense officials and other executive branch agency officials are required to submit reports to Congress describing defense and intelligence-related priorities that were not included in the President’s annual budget request. These reports, known as unfunded priorities lists (UPLs), identify certain programs, activities, or mission requirements for which appropriations were not requested, along with the funding amounts that may be necessary to resource them. In the recent unfunded priorities list it has been reported that the U.S. Air Force requested an increase in AMRAAM production from 1,200 annually to 2,400 annually by 2028. AMRAAM is the largest defense program that Solitron supplies to. While the request is positive news, any increase requires Congressional approval, and there are no assurances that approval will happen. We continue to see increased interest in new product development, including silicon carbide. We have developed various prototypes for testing by potential customers and continue to be optimistic about creating additional revenue sources.
We continue to see increased interest in new product development, including silicon carbide. We have developed various prototypes for testing by potential customers and continue to be optimistic about creating additional revenue sources.
| SOLITRON DEVICES, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2025, AND MAY 31, 2024 (in thousands except for share and per share amounts) |
||||||||
| For The Three Months Ended | For The Three Months Ended | |||||||
| May 31, 2025 | May 31, 2024 | |||||||
| unaudited | unaudited | |||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,700 | $ | 3,967 | ||||
| Cost of sales | 2,310 | 2,292 | ||||||
| Gross profit | 390 | 1,675 | ||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 768 | 883 | ||||||
| Operating income | (378 | ) | 792 | |||||
| Other income (loss) | ||||||||
| Interest income | – | 5 | ||||||
| Interest expense | (74 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||
| Dividend income | 41 | 16 | ||||||
| Realized gain (loss) on investments | 81 | 11 | ||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (127 | ) | 27 | |||||
| Total other income (loss) | (79 | ) | 9 | |||||
| Net income (loss) before income tax | (457 | ) | 801 | |||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | 121 | (212 | ) | |||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | (336 | ) | $ | 589 | |||
| Net income (loss) per common share – basic and diluted | $ | (0.16 | ) | $ | 0.28 | |||
| Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted | 2,082,553 | 2,083,436 | ||||||
| SOLITRON DEVICES, INC. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 31, 2025, AND FEBRUARY 28, 2025 (in thousands, except for share and per share amounts) |
||||||||
| May 31, 2025 |
February 28, 2025 |
|||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,570 | $ | 4,099 | ||||
| Marketable securities | 659 | 919 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable | 1,750 | 2,129 | ||||||
| Inventories, net | 3,591 | 3,440 | ||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 212 | 132 | ||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 8,782 | 10,719 | ||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 8,532 | 8,635 | ||||||
| Intangible assets | 2,852 | 2,905 | ||||||
| Deferred tax asset | 1,743 | 1,622 | ||||||
| Long-term investment | 1,650 | – | ||||||
| Other assets | 428 | 555 | ||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 23,987 | $ | 24,436 | ||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 732 | $ | 439 | ||||
| Customer deposits | 119 | 118 | ||||||
| Accrued contingent consideration, current | 598 | 570 | ||||||
| Mortgage loan, current portion | 155 | 152 | ||||||
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 857 | 846 | ||||||
| TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | 2,461 | 2,125 | ||||||
| Accrued contingent consideration, non-current | 254 | 663 | ||||||
| Mortgage loan, net of current portion | 3,725 | 3,765 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 6,440 | 6,553 | ||||||
| STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 500,000 shares, none issued | – | – | ||||||
| Common stock, $.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000 shares, 2,082,553 shares outstanding, net of 487,827 treasury shares at May 31, 2025 and 2,082,553 shares outstanding, net of 487,827 treasury shares at February 28, 2025, respectively | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,834 | 1,834 | ||||||
| Retained earnings | 17,104 | 17,440 | ||||||
| Less treasury stock | (1,412 | ) | (1,412 | ) | ||||
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | 17,547 | 17,883 | ||||||
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | $ | 23,987 | $ | 24,436 | ||||
The unaudited financial information disclosed in this press release for the three months ended May 31, 2025, is based on management’s review of operations for that period and the information available to the Company as of the date of this press release. The Company’s results included herein have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, the Company’s management. The Company’s independent auditors have audited the Company’s results for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025. The financial results presented herein should not be considered a substitute for the information filed or to be filed with the SEC in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the respective periods once such reports become available.
About Solitron Devices, Inc.
Solitron Devices, Inc., a Delaware corporation, designs, develops, manufactures, and markets solid state semiconductor components and related devices primarily for the military and aerospace markets. The Company manufactures a large variety of bipolar and metal oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) power transistors, power and control hybrids, junction and power MOS field effect transistors (“Power MOSFETS”), and other related products. Most of the Company’s products are custom made pursuant to contracts with customers whose end products are sold to the United States government. Other products, such as Joint Army/Navy (“JAN”) transistors, diodes, and Standard Military Drawings voltage regulators, are sold as standard or catalog items.
Effective September 1, 2023, Solitron closed its acquisition of Micro Engineering Inc. (MEI) based in Apopka, Florida. MEI specializes in solving design layout and manufacturing challenges while maximizing efficiency and keeping flexibility to meet unique customer needs. Since 1980 the MEI team has been dedicated to overcoming obstacles to provide cost efficient and rapid results. MEI specializes in low to mid volume projects that require engineering dedication, quality systems and efficient manufacturing.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future performance of Solitron Devices, Inc. that involve risks and uncertainties that could materially affect actual results, including statements regarding the Company’s expectations regarding future performance and trends, including production levels, government spending, backlog and delivery timelines, new product development, our efforts and performance following our acquisition of MEI, and potential future revenue and trends with respect thereto from each of the foregoing. Factors that could cause actual results to vary from current expectations and forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties arising from potential adverse developments or changes in government budgetary spending and policy including with respect to the war in Ukraine, which may among other factors be affected by the possibility of reduced government spending on programs in which we participate, inflation, elevated interest rates, adverse trends in the economy and the possibility of a recession the likelihood of which appears to have increased based on recent economic data, the possibility that management’s estimates and assumptions regarding bookings, sales and other metrics prove to be incorrect; the timing and size of orders from our clients, our delivery schedules and our liquidity and cash position; our ability to make the appropriate adjustments to our cost structure; our ability to properly account for inventory in the future; the demand for our products and potential loss of, or reduction of business from, substantial clients our dependence on government contracts, which are subject to termination, price renegotiations and regulatory compliance and which may among other factors be adversely affected by the factors described elsewhere herein, our ability to continue to integrate MEI in an efficient and effective manner, and the possibility that such acquisition or any other acquisition or strategic transaction we may pursue does not yield the results or benefits desired or anticipated. Descriptions of other risk factors and uncertainties are contained in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025.
Tim Eriksen
Chief Executive Officer
(561) 848-4311
Corporate@solitrondevices.com
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
July 11, 2025
Executive Summary of Senate FY26 NDAA (Website)
Washington, D.C. — During the Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA) this week, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, secured key wins, including on right to repair, transparency on the removal of top military officials, troop health and safety, boosting competition among defense contractors, improved housing protections for American troops, and education. All were secured with bipartisan support in the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Senator Warren secured the following provisions in SASC’s version of the FY26 NDAA:
Right to Repair
“It’s common sense for members of the military to be able to fix their own weapons. Senator Sheehy and I fought hard to secure this provision that will improve military readiness and save taxpayers billions of dollars. It’s about time we stand up to Pentagon contractors that are squeezing every last cent from us at the expense of our national security,” said Senator Warren.
In January, Senator Warren secured Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s support for taking on costly right to repair restrictions. She has also questioned defense contractors directly for their opposition to right to repair reform and introduced separate bicameral legislation to require contractors to provide repair materials in a timely and reasonable manner.
Promoting Transparency
“Secretary Hegseth’s attack on independent legal advisors doesn’t make anyone safer. I’m fighting to rein in this abuse of power and ensure transparency from this administration,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren, along with several of her SASC colleagues, sent a letter to Secretary Hegseth earlier this year raising concerns about how his firings of these top military lawyers would damage public trust and the apolitical foundation of the military legal system. In a March 2025 hearing, Senator Warren also highlighted, and a Trump defense nominee agreed with, the importance of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, whom American troops rely on for legal advice and Senator Lindsey Graham has praised as “the conscience of the military.”
Service Member Health and Safety
“I’ve heard so many stories of service members suffering from the devastating effects of blast overpressure – cases of depression, suicide, and seizures. I led historic, bipartisan reforms in last year’s NDAA and will keep pushing DoD to do more,” said Senator Warren. “I’ve been fighting on this issue for years, and a long-term study on exposure would help us better ensure troops get the care and support they deserve.”
For over seven years, Senator Warren has led efforts to measure blast exposure and develop protocols that protect our military. She’s introduced bipartisan legislation to track service members’ exposure to and mitigate the effects of blast overpressure. She’s also hosted a hearing and a forum to highlight service members’ and veterans’ experiences with getting care for these injuries. In last year’s NDAA, Senator Warren secured historic reforms to improve access to care after exposure to blast overpressure and mitigate exposure risks.
Senator Warren has also highlighted the need for transparency around military accidents, the crash that killed Staff Sergeant Jacob Galliher– a young father from Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Increasing Competition
“Increasing competition for our military’s AI and cloud computing programs creates better tools, saves money, and protects our national security. I’ll keep fighting to protect our military from being ripped off while keeping our markets fair and our information secure,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren has urged the Defense Department to ensure its AI contracting processes will protect government data, save taxpayer funds, and promote competition. She’s also introduced bipartisan legislation to help rein in Big Tech companies and prevent them from cutting out competitors in the AI and cloud computing markets when it comes to defense contracting.
Drug Supply Chains and Health Care
“The DoD’s overreliance on overseas manufacturers gives our adversaries the power to restrict our access to the critical drugs we need to treat our men and women in uniform,” said Senator Warren. “Congress can save lives and save money by strengthening our domestic pharmaceutical supply to ensure we have access to the medicines necessary to treat service members in the field.”
“One of the nation’s biggest drug middlemen may be ripping off our military to boost its profits–and trying to hide this information from Congress. My provision ensures Congress has the information we need to hold contractors accountable for price-gouging on the backs of our servicemembers and taxpayers,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren has long sounded the alarm on the danger of overly relying on foreign pharmaceutical manufacturers, for both the military and civilians. She has led bipartisan oversight and urged the Defense Department to reform acquisition rules to give preference to American-made products. She has also filed legislation to end the country’s reliance on foreign countries for critical drugs and a bipartisan bill to study the impacts of foreign investment in the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. Senator Warren has also called for audits into pharmacy benefit managers that price gouge the military.
Military Housing and Childcare
“Military families deserve safe, affordable housing. Congress must investigate the potential use of rent-setting algorithms used to price gouge military families and ban abusive landlords’ use of NDAs meant to keep military tenants quiet,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren has been a leader in raising concerns about problems with privatized military housing and led the push to protect military families. She has led oversight into landlords’ use of algorithmic pricing tools like RealPage to hike rents on servicemembers. She has also introduced legislation to address private military housing landlords’ use of NDAs and unsafe housing conditions. At an April 2025 hearing, Senator Warren secured a commitment from a Trump defense nominee to hold military housing contractors accountable, if needed.
Education
“Service members put their lives on the line for this country, so there’s no excuse for our government to fall short of its promises to them. Helping service members afford quality education is how our country recruits and maintains a fighting force,” said Senator Warren.
Senator Warren has been a leading voice in fighting for strong education benefits for service members and families, fighting to restore benefits to veterans cheated by for-profit colleges and pushing the Defense Department to release data on the Postsecondary Education Complaint System (PECS), a centralized database to track complaints against schools who participate in tuition assistance programs. At an April 2025 hearing, she pressed military leaders on the impact of the Defense Department’s shortcomings on education benefits.
The House Armed Services Committee will convene to mark up its version of the NDAA next week.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
July 11, 2025
Warren: “The choice will belong to our military to make the right economic decision to purchase and then the right economic decisions down the line on how to repair it.”
Sheehy: “We’re at a point where we’ll have systems that are not ready for missions overseas in war zones, on ships, at forward-deployed bases, and we can’t conduct basic repairs to those systems.”
Full Interview (YouTube)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), who are both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sat down with CBS’s Caitlin Huey-Burns to highlight their Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025, which would require contractors to provide the Department of Defense access to technical data and materials the military needs to repair and maintain its own equipment. This legislation aims to reduce government spending, promote competition, and improve military readiness. Portions of the bill are included in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act of 2026.
Watch the interview here and read the full transcript below:
CBS News: Why Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tim Sheehy are teaming up to tame Pentagon spending
July 10, 2025
Caitlin Huey-Burns: Why can’t the military fix its own equipment?
Senator Elizabeth Warren: You want to go first, Tim?
Senator Tim Sheehy: Well, we’ve had decades of bureaucratic sclerosis that have created a really broken system that’s rife with perverse incentives. It’s also rife with requirements that aren’t always grounded in what the warfighter actually needs, and a huge focus on process over outcome. We’re at a point where we’ll have systems that are not ready for missions overseas in war zones, on ships, at forward-deployed bases, and we can’t conduct basic repairs to those systems. And I think we’re at a point now where we’ve seen multiple theaters of war, from Iraq to Afghanistan to Israel to Ukraine. We’re understanding the limits of this current defense acquisition paradigm, and it’s about time we fix it. So, it’s not one thing that happened. It’s an accumulation of 30 years of bureaucracy that’s kind of led to where we’re at now.
Senator Warren: And I would just add to what Senator Sheehy says here by pointing out that the defense contractors have figured out they get two bites at every apple this way. So, they sell you the initial product, whether it’s an oven on a submarine or it’s a fancy piece of warfighting equipment—that’s one—and they negotiate a price for that, but they hold back in the fine print. You can’t fix it yourself. So, when the safety clip breaks, when you get sand down in the equipment, and you need to mess with it some more, the answer is, too often, because of what’s in that contract that the military says to our service member, don’t touch that thing. You’ve got to retire, in effect, the piece of equipment, hold it over there, call a contractor, have the contractor fly in from a long, long way away, charge us for flying in, take the delay and charge us whatever they want to charge us to come in and fix that thing. That has turned out to be a very profitable model for some of the defense contractors. And what our bill says is no more, no more. The Defense Department, going forward, if our bill is signed into law, it basically says, here’s the deal: you negotiate the price to buy the thing, and if the thing breaks, we may fix it ourselves. We may go to another small business, a startup, some guy who set up shop to be able to fix just that kind of thing. Or we may come back to the manufacturer. But the choice will belong to our military to make the right economic decision to purchase and then the right economic decisions down the line on how to repair it.
Caitlin Huey-Burns: What about the argument, though, that the contractor knows the equipment better than anyone else has the ability to fix it better than anyone? Why shouldn’t they be allowed to be the ones?
Senator Warren: Let them compete. They want to offer. They want to say, “Hey, we can fix that.” You know what? I’ll bet if that happened, that the price of fixing it would go down, if there were competition—that is, if other little guys were in there saying, “Hey, we can fix this.” Or, let’s face it, the servicemember, himself or herself, who actually also knows this stuff. Let’s have that open competition. That’s what we need here on the military side, and frankly, it’s what we need throughout the country, whether we’re talking about cars or tractors or telephones, or anything else. But we’re starting here.
Caitlin Huey-Burns: So, you’re saying—you’re not saying that the contractor won’t be able to fix the equipment, they just can’t have a monopoly in it?
Senator Warren: That’s right, that they negotiated up front in fine print when nobody was looking and nobody was pricing it in. That’s where they’re making off like bandits.
Caitlin Huey-Burns: And Senator Sheehy, you approach this issue as a former seal officer. What kind of impact—Senator Warren talked about the financial aspects of this. What kind of impact has this had on the battlefield, on training, on our soldiers out there? What does it mean for military readiness?
Senator Sheehy: Less. Less readiness, to put it bluntly. We’ve had less readiness as a result of this. Now, our acquisition paradigm was really designed in the 1950s and 60s and hasn’t really changed since then. And in fairness to the Pentagon individuals and the contractors together, much of that’s been on us. We have not forced an upgrade to our DFARS, defense acquisition regulations, that govern the entire federal acquisition environment. We have not forced them to upgrade those, and it’s about time we do, because the systems simply were not as complicated. Software. Software is becoming one of the core pieces of functional equipment that we have.
Caitlin Huey-Burns: You two come from very different parties. You’re a very conservative Republican. You’re a very progressive Democrat. How is it that you two found this common ground? How is it that you guys came together on this piece of legislation?
Senator Sheehy: Well, I was making the rounds as a freshman who’s never served in any political office before, when I got here, I said, the first thing I do is I’m trying to meet with every single member I can, on both parties, and just introduce myself and get some advice and wisdom. And in our first meeting, you know, we just—she said, “Well, what do you want to do when you’re here?” And I listed the handful of things I wanted to focus on. One of them was defense acquisition reform. And I kind of went on my riff about how frustrated I was.
Caitlin Huey-Burns: Your eyes light up.
Senator Warren: I did.
Senator Sheehy: She popped up like an aerobics video, like, “That, we’re going to do it.” And we dug into it.
Caitlin Huey-Burns: “That’s my language.”
Senator Warren: Exactly, I said, “Another nerd, we can do this. We can do this.” But it is, there are these places that this isn’t political. This is about doing what is right.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) encouraged the Trump Administration to provide detailed guidance for claimants to access the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program following its expansion and extension by Congress. In letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Senators Crapo and Luján highlighted the need to implement guidance quickly and efficiently for the expanded RECA program as the current extension of RECA expires in just over two years.
“After decades of advocacy, communities harmed by radiation exposure are set to finally receive long-overdue recognition and compensation. This achievement marks a significant step toward providing some justice to families who have waited far too long,” the Senators wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi. “After decades of struggle, we ask that the Department of Justice move swiftly to issue guidance for claimants to access the program.”
“As you know, the current extension of the program expires in just over two years. This means time is limited to fulfill the promise of this expansion and ensure every eligible uranium miner and onsite participant receives compensation,” the Senators wrote to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “We urge the Department of Labor to act swiftly and efficiently in developing and posting guidance to implement the expanded RECA and Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) programs.”
Crapo is a longtime Senate proponent of expanding the RECA program. In 2022, Crapo was successful in securing an extension of the RECA program for two years, allowing more individuals more time to apply for compensation. In July 2023, the U.S. Senate passed, by a vote of 61-37, an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen RECA. The program would have been expanded to include Idaho victims. Later, in December, the amendment was stripped from the conference report of the NDAA. The program expired June 7, 2024.
The full text of the letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi is available here.
The full text of the letter to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is available here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Ranking Member of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower, applauded committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes key provisions Kaine secured to advance U.S. national security, support servicemembers and their families, boost Virginia’s defense industry, and strengthen relations with allies and partners:
“I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to pass out of committee this year’s defense authorization bill. The bill includes several provisions I secured to strengthen our national security, support Virginia’s military installations and defense community, invest in our nation’s shipbuilding programs, and most importantly, improve quality of life among servicemembers and their families. I’m especially glad the bill includes a provision I pushed for to require Defense Department aircraft that operate near commercial airports to have broadcast positioning technology following the deadly collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a regional commercial jet that took 67 lives in January. I urge the full Senate to take it up as soon as possible.”
Kaine successfully secured the following provisions:
Pay Raises, Allowances, and Workforce Recruitment:
Shipbuilding Investments:
Aviation Safety: Requires that all aircraft of the Department of Defense that operate near commercial airports be equipped with broadcast positioning technology. Requires that the Department of Defense improve how it shares aviation safety data with the Federal Aviation Administration. This comes in response to the January 29, 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) that took the lives of 67 people.
Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command: Requires a report on the Army’s proposed plan to integrate Army Futures Command and Training and Doctrine Command.
Military Construction: Authorizes $993,660,000 for military construction (MILCON) in Virginia.
Military Housing:
Health Care:
Military Families:
European Security, NATO, and Ukraine:
Australia-U.K-U.S. (AUKUS) Partnership: Directs further collaboration between the AUKUS countries on IT infrastructure and directs the DoD to provide an update on who it has assigned to be the senior civilian defense official to lead the U.S. work on this agreement and continue the updates required by the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA.
Taiwan: Authorizes funding for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative and directs the Department of Defense to engage with Taiwan to develop a joint program to codevelop and coproduce uncrewed and counter-uncrewed capabilities.
U.S. Posture in Indo-Pacific:
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems:
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
Secures provisions for the 557th Weather Wing, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, secured key provisions for Nebraska, America’s service members, and Offutt Air Force Base in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I understand the critical role Offutt Air Force Base plays in keeping our nation safe. That’s why I fought to secure authorization for investments in U.S. Strategic Command, the 557th Weather Wing and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency—all located right here at Offutt. The brave men and women who serve at Offutt deserve the resources and tools they need to succeed and keep our people and nation safe. I’m pleased to champion these efforts in Congress,” Fischer said.
Fischer secured authorization for critical investments for U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) at Offutt Air Force Base:
Fischer secured several provisions aimed at improving America’s nuclear deterrence, supporting service members, and improving Offutt Air Force Base operations:
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, secured key provisions aimed at improving service member quality of life, strengthening America’s nuclear deterrent, and protecting defense spectrum in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation passed out of the committee on Wednesday and now awaits consideration on the Senate floor.
“During this time of global unrest – where we see Iran edging closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon, China accelerating its military buildup in the Indo-Pacific, and Russia continuing its war against Ukraine – it is more important than ever that we invest in our service members, protect defense spectrum, drive innovation, and strengthen our missile defense systems. I’m proud the FY 2026 NDAA meets this moment with key provisions I pushed for to modernize our nuclear deterrent and strengthen our national defense,” Fischer said.
Key Provisions Secured by Fischer in the FY 2026 NDAA:
Taking Care of Our Service Members:
Modernizing Our Nuclear Deterrent:
Protecting Defense Spectrum:
Enhancing Strategic Preparedness:
Divesting From Our Adversaries:
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee, joined by Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) Dean of the Texas Congressional Delegation, and Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) the only meteorologist serving in Congress, today led a forceful letter to federal agencies calling for immediate action following the catastrophic flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, that claimed over 100 lives. The letter — sent to President Donald J. Trump, NOAA leadership, and the US Army Corps of Engineers — demands an urgent review of staffing shortages, stalled forecasting improvements, and insufficient flood preparedness that contributed to the disaster.
The lawmakers point to dangerous gaps in public warning coordination and a 15% reduction in National Weather Service (NWS) staffing since January as critical failures that must be addressed before the next extreme weather event. Accurate weather forecasts are not enough. It is imperative that these warnings are adequately communicated to members of the public and in a way that prompts the appropriate lifesaving action by emergency managers, first responders, and the public at-large.
“This flood was not just a natural disaster but a failure of foresight and leadership,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “A changing climate is rewriting the rules of weather, and our federal agencies must keep pace. The American people deserve a weather warning system that does more than sound the alarm. It must be fully staffed and ready to act to ensure that everyone in harms way receives it. This letter is a demand for accountability, but more importantly, it’s a demand for lives to be protected anywhere severe weather strikes.”
“As Texans in my state are faced with much pain and uncertainty, we cannot wait to ask the hard questions,” said Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). “Effective oversight saves lives. That is why we need a full account of the ways in which the Trump administration’s recent actions have undermined the federal response, both before and after this catastrophe. Learning from these failures and recognizing that weather intensification driven by climate change increasingly endangers lives will help prevent more tragedies.”
“As someone who has reported on dangerous floods for my neighbors as a meteorologist in my local community, I know how critical it is for NWS meteorologists, local media, and emergency management coordinators to work together seamlessly and quickly to share urgent warnings,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17). “The deadly toll of the flash floods that hit Texas last week beg the question of what went wrong with the warning systems in place and what more could have been done to prevent this tragedy. The Trump Administration’s cuts to NOAA and the NWS are already having a real impact on the accuracy of our nation’s weather forecasting, creating cause for major concern. That is why I am calling on President Trump, NOAA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a full-scale investigation into what went wrong and what can be done to prevent catastrophes like this in the future.”
This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives in recent years: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021, 45 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024. These events are not anomalies — they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future.
Kaptur, Doggett, and Sorensen request a response within 30 days and underscore that federal weather services must not be the weak link in the nation’s climate resilience.
A full copy of the letter can be found by clicking here or reading below:
July 11, 2025
|
Honorable Donald J. Trump 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW |
Laura Grimm Washington, DC 20230 |
|
Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr. 441 G St NW Washington DC, 20314 |
Dear Mr. President, Ms. Grimm, and General Graham:
We write with deep concern about the recent flooding in Kerr County, Texas, by both the severity of this event and the structural shortcomings at the federal, state, and local levels that contributed to the tragic loss of life. On July 4, 2025, Kerr County was struck by a flash flood of devastating impact. The Guadalupe River rose by more than 20 feet in less than two hours,[1] engulfing homes and campsites, and leaving over a hundred dead in its wake.[2] This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021,[3] 45 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024.[4] These events are not anomalies—they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future.
Atmospheric scientists have long warned that warmer air holds more water vapor and thus latent energy produces heavier rainfall. In 1989, the Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, James Hansen, wrote presciently that “the greenhouse effect enhances both ends of the hydrologic cycle…, there is an increased frequency of extreme wet situations, as well as increased drought. Model results are shown to imply that increased greenhouse warming will lead to more intense thunderstorms, that is, deeper thunderstorms with greater rainfall.”[5]
While the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast may have been accurate, accurate weather forecasts are not enough. It is imperative that these warnings are adequately communicated to members of the public and in a way that prompts the appropriate lifesaving action by emergency managers, first responders, and the public at-large. We are concerned that there seems to have been a breakdown at this stage starting with the first flash flood watches issued on Thursday afternoon.
Following a series of catastrophic tornadoes in the spring of 2011 that culminated in the worst tornado in a generation in Joplin, Missouri, NWS acknowledged that accurate forecasts were not enough to protect life and property, and thereby elevated the importance of properly communicating to the public about life-threatening weather events. As a result, NWS developed the Weather Ready Nation initiative to ensure that Americans knew how to appropriately respond to dangerous weather conditions when alerted by NWS or the private weather enterprise. In support of this effort, Congress codified the position of Warning Coordination Meteorologist in every weather forecast office (WFO) around the country in the 2017 Weather Act.
While staffing across NWS has long been a bipartisan concern, the staffing reductions mandated by the Department of Government Efficiency has greatly magnified the issue, with NWS losing nearly 15% of its staff nationwide since January. The forecast accuracy and timeliness during this event in Texas was a testament to the dedication of the local NWS staff who flexed their schedules to ensure adequate coverage during such a high-impact event. That is not a sustainable solution, nor is it reliable enough for the increasing incidence of dangerous weather events.
In particular, the loss of the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the San Antonio weather forecast office (WFO) and the reduced number of forecasters put the people of Texas at risk. Lacking a full staff complement requires the team to focus only on issuing the forecasts and warnings. Outreach and coordination, a key responsibility of the Warning Coordination Meteorologist, do not occur. Also, we understand that the funding supporting travel to the community for outreach and coordination, including meeting with emergency managers and elected officials, has been suspended. Having the Warning Coordination Meteorologist position and the vacancies filled may have been critical to saving more lives by connecting with as many local community leaders as possible in the hours between the 1 a.m. NWS warning and 4 a.m. when the most dangerous conditions began impacting residents.[6]
Given these concerns, we intend to work quickly to enact the Weather Staffing Improvement Act, which will streamline the hiring of federal weather forecasters. Meanwhile, we request that NWS expedites the backfilling of vacancies at all WFOs and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Further, we request that, despite proposed cuts to programs in the fiscal year 2026 budget request, no other reductions in funding or staffing occur without the explicit direction of Congress to programs that support precipitation prediction and decision support or the improvement of those services, including, but not limited to the work of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
NWS Director Ken Graham has also laid out strategic priorities to transform NWS’ staffing models and organizational effectiveness, known as “Ken’s 10”.[7] We applaud his thoughtful proposals, though we urge NOAA to provide more detailed information for Congress to consider prior to wholesale implementation. Further, we urge that any adoption and implementation be done in a measured way so as to prevent any failures in the current system during the transition.
We ask that your agencies please provide the following information:
Across America, we are entering a perilous new era of extreme precipitation. The science is clear: a warming world means heavier rains, more frequent flash floods, and rising stakes. Failure to learn from this disaster will only exacerbate future risk. Now is the moment to prioritize investments—restoring NOAA staffing and accelerating research and coordinating flood preparedness across the Federal Government. We respectfully ask for your prompt attention and response within 30 days to ensure federal weather infrastructure is not the weak link in our national resilience. We further request a quick response to the July 8, 2025 letter from Rep. Doggett, the Dean of the Texas Congressional Delegation.
Sincerely,
# # #
Source: US State of Missouri
JULY 11, 2025
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced four appointments to various boards and filled one county vacancy.
Nelson Dinsmore, of Meadville, was appointed as the Linn County Presiding Commissioner.
Mr. Dinsmore is the co-owner and general manager of Butterfield & Associates Grain, Inc, and is a Missouri Certified Crop Advisor. Dinsmore, born and raised in Linn County, remains active in his community, having served on the Meadville Board of Alderman and the Meadville R-IV School Board. Dinsmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science & Agronomy from Missouri Western State University.
Heather Hall, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.
Ms. Hall previously served as Kansas City Missouri’s 1st District Councilwoman, where she advocated for the men and women of the Kansas City Police Department. She also previously served on the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners. Hall has been highly involved in several organizations in the Kansas City community, including Veterans Community Project and Variety KC. Hall earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Kansas State University.
Jim Martin, of Perryville, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Mr. Martin is a United States Army veteran and retired instructor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. Martin currently serves as president and director at River TREE Partnership in Perryville, working in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. He previously served as board president for the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield. Martin earned a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University.
Ken McClure, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Mr. McClure previously served as the Mayor of the City of Springfield. Prior to his service to the city, McClure was the vice president for administrative and information services at Missouri State University. McClure, a veteran, has served in multiple levels of city and state government, including service at the City Utilities of Springfield, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and as Chief of Staff for Governor Matt Blunt. McClure earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.
Dr. Thomas Prater, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force.
Dr. Prater is a physician and partner at Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center in Springfield. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Zone 2 Councilman on the Springfield City Council. He was also a member of the Springfield R-12 Board of Education from 1998 to 2014. Dr. Prater is an active member of the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
###
Source: US State of Missouri
JULY 11, 2025
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced four appointments to various boards and filled one county vacancy.
Nelson Dinsmore, of Meadville, was appointed as the Linn County Presiding Commissioner.
Mr. Dinsmore is the co-owner and general manager of Butterfield & Associates Grain, Inc, and is a Missouri Certified Crop Advisor. Dinsmore, born and raised in Linn County, remains active in his community, having served on the Meadville Board of Alderman and the Meadville R-IV School Board. Dinsmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science & Agronomy from Missouri Western State University.
Heather Hall, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.
Ms. Hall previously served as Kansas City Missouri’s 1st District Councilwoman, where she advocated for the men and women of the Kansas City Police Department. She also previously served on the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners. Hall has been highly involved in several organizations in the Kansas City community, including Veterans Community Project and Variety KC. Hall earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Kansas State University.
Jim Martin, of Perryville, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Mr. Martin is a United States Army veteran and retired instructor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. Martin currently serves as president and director at River TREE Partnership in Perryville, working in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. He previously served as board president for the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield. Martin earned a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University.
Ken McClure, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Mr. McClure previously served as the Mayor of the City of Springfield. Prior to his service to the city, McClure was the vice president for administrative and information services at Missouri State University. McClure, a veteran, has served in multiple levels of city and state government, including service at the City Utilities of Springfield, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and as Chief of Staff for Governor Matt Blunt. McClure earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.
Dr. Thomas Prater, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force.
Dr. Prater is a physician and partner at Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center in Springfield. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Zone 2 Councilman on the Springfield City Council. He was also a member of the Springfield R-12 Board of Education from 1998 to 2014. Dr. Prater is an active member of the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
###
Source: US State of Missouri
JULY 11, 2025
Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced four appointments to various boards and filled one county vacancy.
Nelson Dinsmore, of Meadville, was appointed as the Linn County Presiding Commissioner.
Mr. Dinsmore is the co-owner and general manager of Butterfield & Associates Grain, Inc, and is a Missouri Certified Crop Advisor. Dinsmore, born and raised in Linn County, remains active in his community, having served on the Meadville Board of Alderman and the Meadville R-IV School Board. Dinsmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science & Agronomy from Missouri Western State University.
Heather Hall, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.
Ms. Hall previously served as Kansas City Missouri’s 1st District Councilwoman, where she advocated for the men and women of the Kansas City Police Department. She also previously served on the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners. Hall has been highly involved in several organizations in the Kansas City community, including Veterans Community Project and Variety KC. Hall earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Kansas State University.
Jim Martin, of Perryville, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Mr. Martin is a United States Army veteran and retired instructor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. Martin currently serves as president and director at River TREE Partnership in Perryville, working in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. He previously served as board president for the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield. Martin earned a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University.
Ken McClure, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Mr. McClure previously served as the Mayor of the City of Springfield. Prior to his service to the city, McClure was the vice president for administrative and information services at Missouri State University. McClure, a veteran, has served in multiple levels of city and state government, including service at the City Utilities of Springfield, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and as Chief of Staff for Governor Matt Blunt. McClure earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.
Dr. Thomas Prater, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force.
Dr. Prater is a physician and partner at Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center in Springfield. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Zone 2 Councilman on the Springfield City Council. He was also a member of the Springfield R-12 Board of Education from 1998 to 2014. Dr. Prater is an active member of the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Washington, DC — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), joined by Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) and Congressman Eric Sorenson (IL-17), today led a forceful letter to federal agencies calling for immediate action following the catastrophic flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, that claimed over 100 lives. The letter — sent to President Donald J. Trump, NOAA leadership, and the US Army Corps of Engineers — demands an urgent review of staffing shortages, stalled forecasting improvements, and insufficient flood preparedness that contributed to the disaster.
The lawmakers point to dangerous gaps in public warning coordination and a 15% reduction in National Weather Service (NWS) staffing since January as critical failures that must be addressed before the next extreme weather event. Accurate weather forecasts are not enough. It is imperative that these warnings are adequately communicated to members of the public and in a way that prompts the appropriate lifesaving action by emergency managers, first responders, and the public at-large.
“This flood was not just a natural disaster but a failure of foresight and leadership,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “A changing climate is rewriting the rules of weather, and our federal agencies must keep pace. The American people deserve a weather warning system that does more than sound the alarm. It must be fully staffed and ready to act to ensure that everyone in harms way receives it. This letter is a demand for accountability, but more importantly, it’s a demand for lives to be protected anywhere severe weather strikes.”
“As Texans in my state are faced with much pain and uncertainty, we cannot wait to ask the hard questions,” said Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). “Effective oversight saves lives. That is why we need a full account of the ways in which the Trump administration’s recent actions have undermined the federal response, both before and after this catastrophe. Learning from these failures and recognizing that weather intensification driven by climate change increasingly endangers lives will help prevent more tragedies.”
“As someone who has reported on dangerous floods for my neighbors as a meteorologist in my local community, I know how critical it is for NWS meteorologists, local media, and emergency management coordinators to work together seamlessly and quickly to share urgent warnings,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17). “The deadly toll of the flash floods that hit Texas last week beg the question of what went wrong with the warning systems in place and what more could have been done to prevent this tragedy. The Trump Administration’s cuts to NOAA and the NWS are already having a real impact on the accuracy of our nation’s weather forecasting, creating cause for major concern. That is why I am calling on President Trump, NOAA, and the Army Corps of Engineers to undertake a full-scale investigation into what went wrong and what can be done to prevent catastrophes like this in the future.”
This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives in recent years: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021, 45 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024. These events are not anomalies — they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future.
Kaptur, Doggett, and Sorenson request a response within 30 days and underscore that federal weather services must not be the weak link in the nation’s climate resilience.
A full copy of the letter can be found by clicking here or reading below:
July 11, 2025
|
Honorable Donald J. Trump 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW |
Laura Grimm Washington, DC 20230 |
|
Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr. 441 G St NW Washington DC, 20314 |
Dear Mr. President, Ms. Grimm, and General Graham:
We write with deep concern about the recent flooding in Kerr County, Texas, by both the severity of this event and the structural shortcomings at the federal, state, and local levels that contributed to the tragic loss of life. On July 4, 2025, Kerr County was struck by a flash flood of devastating impact. The Guadalupe River rose by more than 20 feet in less than two hours,[1] engulfing homes and campsites, and leaving over a hundred dead in its wake.[2] This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives: 46 lives in the greater New York City area in September 2021,[3] 45 lives in Kentucky in July 2022, 20 lives in Tennessee in August 2021, and 250 lives across the Southeast in September 2024.[4] These events are not anomalies—they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future.
Atmospheric scientists have long warned that warmer air holds more water vapor and thus latent energy produces heavier rainfall. In 1989, the Director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, James Hansen, wrote presciently that “the greenhouse effect enhances both ends of the hydrologic cycle…, there is an increased frequency of extreme wet situations, as well as increased drought. Model results are shown to imply that increased greenhouse warming will lead to more intense thunderstorms, that is, deeper thunderstorms with greater rainfall.”[5]
While the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast may have been accurate, accurate weather forecasts are not enough. It is imperative that these warnings are adequately communicated to members of the public and in a way that prompts the appropriate lifesaving action by emergency managers, first responders, and the public at-large. We are concerned that there seems to have been a breakdown at this stage starting with the first flash flood watches issued on Thursday afternoon.
Following a series of catastrophic tornadoes in the spring of 2011 that culminated in the worst tornado in a generation in Joplin, Missouri, NWS acknowledged that accurate forecasts were not enough to protect life and property, and thereby elevated the importance of properly communicating to the public about life-threatening weather events. As a result, NWS developed the Weather Ready Nation initiative to ensure that Americans knew how to appropriately respond to dangerous weather conditions when alerted by NWS or the private weather enterprise. In support of this effort, Congress codified the position of Warning Coordination Meteorologist in every weather forecast office (WFO) around the country in the 2017 Weather Act.
While staffing across NWS has long been a bipartisan concern, the staffing reductions mandated by the Department of Government Efficiency has greatly magnified the issue, with NWS losing nearly 15% of its staff nationwide since January. The forecast accuracy and timeliness during this event in Texas was a testament to the dedication of the local NWS staff who flexed their schedules to ensure adequate coverage during such a high-impact event. That is not a sustainable solution, nor is it reliable enough for the increasing incidence of dangerous weather events.
In particular, the loss of the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the San Antonio weather forecast office (WFO) and the reduced number of forecasters put the people of Texas at risk. Lacking a full staff complement requires the team to focus only on issuing the forecasts and warnings. Outreach and coordination, a key responsibility of the Warning Coordination Meteorologist, do not occur. Also, we understand that the funding supporting travel to the community for outreach and coordination, including meeting with emergency managers and elected officials, has been suspended. Having the Warning Coordination Meteorologist position and the vacancies filled may have been critical to saving more lives by connecting with as many local community leaders as possible in the hours between the 1 a.m. NWS warning and 4 a.m. when the most dangerous conditions began impacting residents.[6]
Given these concerns, we intend to work quickly to enact the Weather Staffing Improvement Act, which will streamline the hiring of federal weather forecasters. Meanwhile, we request that NWS expedites the backfilling of vacancies at all WFOs and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Further, we request that, despite proposed cuts to programs in the fiscal year 2026 budget request, no other reductions in funding or staffing occur without the explicit direction of Congress to programs that support precipitation prediction and decision support or the improvement of those services, including, but not limited to the work of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
NWS Director Ken Graham has also laid out strategic priorities to transform NWS’ staffing models and organizational effectiveness, known as “Ken’s 10”.[7] We applaud his thoughtful proposals, though we urge NOAA to provide more detailed information for Congress to consider prior to wholesale implementation. Further, we urge that any adoption and implementation be done in a measured way so as to prevent any failures in the current system during the transition.
We ask that your agencies please provide the following information:
Across America, we are entering a perilous new era of extreme precipitation. The science is clear: a warming world means heavier rains, more frequent flash floods, and rising stakes. Failure to learn from this disaster will only exacerbate future risk. Now is the moment to prioritize investments—restoring NOAA staffing and accelerating research and coordinating flood preparedness across the Federal Government. We respectfully ask for your prompt attention and response within 30 days to ensure federal weather infrastructure is not the weak link in our national resilience. We further request a quick response to the July 8, 2025 letter from Rep. Doggett, the Dean of the Texas Congressional Delegation.
Sincerely,
# # #
Source: United States Air Force
Headline: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation
The 805th Combat Training Squadron completed a major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4-13, 2025.
Source: United States Air Force
Headline: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation
The 805th Combat Training Squadron completed a major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4-13, 2025.
Source: United States Air Force
Headline: Air Force Battle Lab advances the kill chain with AI, C2 Innovation
The 805th Combat Training Squadron completed a major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4-13, 2025.
Source: United States Spaceforce
The 805th Combat Training Squadron, or Shadow Operations Center-Nellis, completed another major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence, and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force and command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4 – 13, 2025.
Source: Government of Canada News
July 11, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is deploying approximately 600 personnel to participate in the largest-ever iteration of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 25 (Ex TS25) from July 13 to August 4, 2025. This exercise will take place in and around Australia and for the first time, in Papua New Guinea.
Hosted biennially by Australia, Exercise TALISMAN SABRE brings together over 30,000 military personnel from 19 nations for advanced multinational training. This year’s iteration will feature large-scale warfighting exercises, including firepower demonstrations, tactical sustainment rehearsals, and joint operations across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains.
Ex TS25 marks Canada’s largest single deployment of military personnel to the Indo-Pacific region since the launch of Operation HORIZON. It will also be the first major exercise to involve a broad spectrum of Canadian Armed Forces capabilities deployed together, drawing on personnel and assets from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Canadian Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM), 3 Canadian Space Division (3 CSD), and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).
The CAF’s contribution includes His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec, which will conduct live-fire naval exercises, and RCAF assets providing both strategic and tactical airlift. Together, these forces will demonstrate the CAF’s readiness to conduct integrated and expeditionary operations alongside key partners.
Participation in Ex TS25 strengthens Canada’s defence cooperation with the Australian Defence Force and advances the priorities set out in the Joint Statement on Strengthening the Canada–Australia Defence Relationship. This deployment sends a clear signal: Canada is deepening its commitment to collective security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
As global threats evolve, Canada will continue stepping up by investing in strong partnerships and demonstrating its capacity to contribute meaningfully to peace and security around the world.
Source: United States Air Force
The 805th Combat Training Squadron completed a major experiment of 2025, advancing key priorities in human-machine teaming, data convergence and emerging technologies to sharpen U.S. Air Force command and control capabilities, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., June 4-13, 2025.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on people working in the country’s film industry to create more fine cinematic works that reflect the spirit of the times and express the people’s aspirations.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a recent reply letter to eight veteran Chinese film artists, including 97-year-old famed actress Tian Hua.
In his reply, Xi said that reading the letter from the artists reminded him of the classic films they had participated, which are widely known and cherished by the public.
Xi expressed the hope that the artists would continue to set an example in upholding virtue and pursuing artistic excellence.
He encouraged them to inspire the broader film community to strengthen cultural confidence, stay rooted in real life, and make new contributions to the prosperity of arts and the building of a culturally strong nation.
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US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
***Click here for audio.***
BISMARCK, N.D. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) advanced the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation, which makes major investments in North Dakota’s contribution to national security and military readiness, will now head to the Senate floor for consideration.
Among other provisions, this year’s NDAA codifies support for President Trump’s Golden Dome architecture, recognizes the importance of robust and timely mental health care for military personnel and their families by addressing staffing shortfalls at military medical treatment facilities, and improves the process for service members transitioning to civilian life.
“Well, advancing the [National] Defense Authorization Act out of the Armed Services Committee really is an important first step to fulfilling our Constitutional duty by providing for the common defense,” said Cramer, chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Senate Defense Modernization Caucus. “Whether it’s investing in Grand Forks’ intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, modernizing our nuclear triad in Minot, or really upgrading the radar at Cavalier Space Force Station, the bill solidifies the crucial role that North Dakota plays in protecting our homeland. I really appreciate Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Reed for their leadership, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass the bill on the Senate floor, hopefully very soon.”
Cramer has consistently used his seat on SASC to strengthen North Dakota-based defense missions and military communities. The SASC FY26 NDAA authorizes multiple projects across North Dakota:
Cavalier Space Force Station (SFS)
This year’s NDAA provides $22 million for the modernization of the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) at Cavalier SFS. The single-faced, multi-function, UHF-Band, and phased-array radar system tracks over half of all earth-orbiting objects. Modernizing PARCS improves detection of intercontinental and sea-launched missile threats, while improving space domain awareness capabilities.
Cavalier SFS will play a central role in the Golden Dome initiative. President Trump’s vision for a layered missile defense shield for America calls for the modernization and expansion of U.S. missile defense capabilities across all domains to protect the homeland against ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missiles, and drone threats. Cramer and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced the bicameral Ground and Orbital Launched Defeat of Emergent Nuclear Destruction and Other Missile Engagements (GOLDEN DOME) Act, a sweeping legislative initiative which complements President Trump’s executive order directing the implementation of a next-generation missile defense shield for the nation.
Grand Forks
The bill includes investments in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities at Grand Forks Air Force Base and maintains the base’s inventory requirements of RQ-4 Global Hawks. Further, the FY26 NDAA will provide:
$277 million for Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. According to SDA, Tranche 3 satellites will “accelerate the capability to provide global, persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and identification of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.”
$17 million for the development of corrosion resistant coatings produced by Technology Applications Group (TAG) in Grand Forks. TAG is a leader in magnesium surface protection and inventor of the Tanite anodize coating.
Minot
The year’s NDAA secures $2 billion for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. The Sentinel ICBM, which will replace 50-year-old Minuteman IIIs, is a key component of the nation’s nuclear deterrence. This is in addition to the $2.5 billion investment included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which was signed into law on July 4. The NDAA requires the ICBM count to be no less than 400 to adequately deter nuclear aggression abroad.
Additionally, the legislation encourages the U.S. Air Force to establish wing-level additive manufacturing facilities to better support conventional and nuclear long-range strike platforms. The initiative improves readiness while decreasing cost and time of repair.
Fargo
North Dakota’s “Happy Hooligans” in Fargo operate MQ-9 Reapers, which are central to the state’s growing role in operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The NDAA establishes a formal combat identifier to recognize the participation of RPA crew members who conduct operations in direct support of combat missions. This identification would enable the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to administer benefits and services which account for combat-related service.
Cramer and U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Combat Action Recognition and Evaluation (CARE) for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Crews Act which ensures provides RPA crew members with the recognition and access to services they deserve.
North Dakota National Guard (NDNG)
The SASC-passed version of the legislation authorizes $5 million for the planning and design of an Armory in Jamestown. The planned project is a top priority of the NDNG.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday chaired the first Governing Council Meeting of the National Cadet Corps Alumni Association (NCCAA) at South Block, New Delhi. Addressing the delegation, the Defence Minister described the NCC as “a platform that presents an ideal for the youth of the country.”
He termed former NCC cadets as strong pillars of India who are contributing to the nation’s development across diverse fields — not passively, but as active drivers of change.
“We need to include the guidance of our former cadets to accelerate the goal of national development,” he said, expressing confidence that the NCCAA will provide new energy and direction to the NCC.
Singh also exhorted the NCC to spread the values and qualities of its cadets to a larger section of the population under the spirit of NCC Plus.
“NCC instills these values in the youth who are associated with it. Our effort should be to ensure that these values reach even those who could not join the NCC,” the Defence Minister said.
He further highlighted that the NCCAA can play an active role in nation-building efforts through programmes such as Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, Swachhta Abhiyan, and various community development and social service schemes, which have the potential to impact a large segment of the population.
Lauding the NCC for its significant contribution to the all-round development of the youth, he said, “In the true spirit of its motto ‘Unity & Discipline,’ the NCC has always been committed to national unity and nation-building. It has helped lakhs of youth, including students from remote areas, to become disciplined and motivated.”
The NCCAA is a flagship association of NCC alumni, aimed at carrying forward the work of the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation by bringing together former and current cadets under one umbrella and enhancing their participation in the nation-building process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first registered member of the association, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is the second.
The meeting was attended by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Department of Education) Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Department of Youth Affairs) Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence Dipti Mohil Chawla, DGNCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, Joint Secretary (Training) Dr. Pawan Kumar Sharma, CEO LD Remedial World Bala Saraswathy Nair, and Secretary, NCCAA Col Gagan Sharma.
—IANS
Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)
Washington, D.C. – 7/10/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, introduced the Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act, bipartisan legislation that will expedite arms sales to U.S. partners that have normalized relations with Israel and are actively working with the United States to counter Iran and its terrorist proxies.
Specifically, it would narrow the timeline for congressional consideration after arms sales are accepted, while maintaining existing eligibility criteria for arms sales themselves. This is the same preferential treatment that our NATO allies receive.
Chairman Lawler is joined in introducing the bill by Representatives Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Ryan Zinke (MT-01), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), Bryan Steil (WI-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Buddy Carter (GA-01), Jeff Crank (CO-05), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Brad Finstad (MN-01), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08), David Kustoff (TN-08), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Michael McCaul (TX-10), Mark Messmer (IN-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), John Rose (TN-06), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Joe Wilson (SC-02).
“As Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, I am committed to strengthening our relationships with regional partners and putting our ally Israel in the best position possible to do the same. There is no question that fostering deeper security relationships is key here,” said Chairman Lawler. “This legislation will do just that by providing greater benefits to our Abraham Accords and counterterrorism partners. It represents a key step toward implementation of the Abraham Accords and turning shared diplomatic commitments into real-world cooperation. Lastly, it sends a strong message to adversaries: the United States and its allies will not allow Iran’s proxies to destabilize the region unchecked.”
“The Abraham Accords have been a historic model for peace between Israel and its neighbors, and we should be doing everything we can to expand it and bring more states into the fold,” said Congressman Moskowitz. “This commonsense bill builds on the progress of the Abraham Accords to incentivize others to normalize relations with Israel and cooperate against the threat of Iran and Iranian proxies, safeguarding our ally Israel’s very right to exist in the process,” said Congressman Moskowitz.
“There are too many bureaucratic barriers that prevent us from assisting our closest allies in global security. This bill strengthens the ties forged by the Abraham Accords by ensuring our partners have expedited access to the tools they need to stand against Iran and its terrorist proxies. Israel is one of our closest and most vital allies, and peace through strength is the only way to secure the region and protect American interests. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to build on the success of the Abraham Accords and combat terrorism abroad,” said Chairman Ryan Zinke of the House Foreign Affairs Foreign Military Sales Taskforce.
“The Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act strengthens Israel’s qualitative military edge and ensures that our allies have the tools they need to confront shared threats head-on,” said Congressman Davis. “Congress must send a clear message to Iran and its proxies: America stands firmly with Israel and with those who choose peace and stability over terror. Israel’s security is non-negotiable and the United States will never waver in defending our closest ally in the Middle East.”
“The Abraham Accords marked a major step toward peace in the Middle East, countering Iran’s influence and supporting our most important regional ally, Israel. The Abraham Accords Defense Against Terror Act builds on this historic agreement by encouraging the normalization of relations with Israel, combating Iran and its terrorist proxies, and strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base,” said Congressman Steil.
Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.
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Full text of the bill can be found HERE.
Source: United States Navy
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) officially kicks off with the arrival of the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, led by Rear Admiral Todd F. Cimicata, U.S. Pacific Fleet Executive Agent for Pacific Partnership, and the mission commander, U.S. Navy Captain Mark B. Stefanik.
Source: United States Army
The upcoming inaugural LANDEURO conference, set for July 16-17 at the Rhein Main Congress Centre in Wiesbaden, Germany, will be a forum to address the future of global security. The conference features keynote speeches from distinguished leaders, such as: Radmila Šekerinska, NATO Deputy Secretary General; Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe and Africa; and Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrainian Minister of Digital Transformation. The event will gather international defense leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss critical security challenges and innovations. Eight panels and seven Warrior’s Corners will provide military, academic, and industry viewpoints on the challenges confronting America and its allies and partners.
“We are re-establishing deterrence to counter Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine through transformation and innovation, with U.S. Army Europe and Africa serving as a crucial proving ground for future warfighting lethality,” said Donahue. “Simultaneously, we are empowering our allies to invest further in their own defense capabilities, bolstering collective security, and forging a more robust partnership.”
In the panel titled “World War Next: The Interconnected Global Threat,” moderated by Heino Klinck from Klinck Global, experts including Vice Admiral Dianne Turton from Australia and Lieutenant General Pasi Välimäki from Finland will discuss the multifaceted threats facing the U.S., NATO, and Indo-Pacific allies. The panel will examine the interconnectedness of the European and Indo-Pacific theaters, and how threats from one can bleed into the other.
“Magazine Depth Wins Wars: The Future of NATO’s Arsenal” is another pivotal session moderated by Melanie M. Marlowe from CSIS. This panel, featuring retired General Ed Daly and Major General Bo Dyess, will explore enhancing NATO’s production capabilities to improve ammunition supply, interoperability, and responsiveness. Discussions will center around practical solutions for increasing global defense preparedness in a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
Highlighting recent military adaptations, the panel “Ukrainian Lessons in Rapid Adaptation” will examine how Ukraine’s efficient feedback loops, responsive production, and system upgrades offer valuable insights for multinational defense cooperation. Moderated by Dr. John Nagl, panelists including Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard, commanding general of Security Assistance Group – Ukraine, will discuss some of the many lessons being learned from the war in Ukraine.
“Defending the Skies: Today’s Capabilities, Tomorrow’s Edge,” moderated by Louis Bergeron from Govini, will address air defense modernization. Brigadier General Curtis King of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and other experts will analyze current challenges in air and missile defense, emphasizing future interoperability and innovation strategies necessary to counter sophisticated, multi-layered threats.
“Breaking the Kill Chain: Multi-Domain Operations Against A2AD,” featuring insights from Brigadier General Steven Carpenter, commanding general of 56th Artillery Command, will delve into integrated operations combining joint fires and effects, cyber capabilities, and electronic warfare. Moderated by Dr. JP Clark, this panel aims to identify effective strategies to neutralize enemy defenses rapidly during critical early phases of conflict.
“Ukrainian Innovation at the Speed of Relevance,” led by Francis Dearnley of the Telegraph, will highlight cutting-edge developments in unmanned and cost-effective defense platforms. Panelists such as Ray Fitzgerald from Sierra Nevada Company will discuss leveraging transatlantic industrial capabilities to ensure military readiness and adaptability.
The session “FMS at the Speed of War: Reforming Foreign Military Sales for Global Readiness” moderated by retired Major General Peter Fuller, will analyze improvements to U.S. and European foreign military sales processes. The panel seeks to identify reforms necessary for accelerating equipment deliveries and enhancing the preparedness of NATO Allies and partner nations.
Lastly, “Updating the Arsenal of Democracy: Co-Production with Allies,” moderated by Heidi Grant, will explore collaborative production opportunities between the U.S., NATO, and partner nations. This session emphasizes the importance of joint manufacturing initiatives for critical defense systems, promoting sustainable global security through shared innovation and resources.
LANDEURO 2025 will provide a crucial forum to discuss and align global defense strategies, emphasizing cooperation, innovation, and readiness to effectively respond to complex international threats. To learn more information and how to attend LANDEURO, click here. For LANDEURO coverage and livestreams , click here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, while chairing a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed the role of Americans serving their country through government and the threat of foreign adversaries. Ricketts highlighted the Committee’s record pace in advancing 43 of President Trump’s nominees to the Senate floor.
“It’s vital for our foreign policy that we have confirmed ambassadors in positions of importance,” said Ricketts. “This is something I’ve heard consistently as I visit with partners and allies around the world… Disappointingly, though, many of these nominees aren’t yet confirmed. This hurts our ability to advance our interests at a time when we are competing for influence with adversaries like Communist China. We cannot afford to let partisanship get in the way of what’s best for our country.”
Ricketts spoke on the role of agriculture in American domestic and foreign policy.
“Nebraska is the nation’s fifth largest agricultural exporter, with nearly $8 billion in ag exports last year, the third highest total on record,” said Ricketts. “Simply put, when Nebraska agriculture thrives, so does my state. Nebraska’s impact just isn’t domestic, though it’s global. In western Nebraska, cooperatives package and ship dry edible beans used in the World Food Program humanitarian operations, delivering American grown products to save lives in some of the world’s hardest hit regions.”
Ricketts also discussed the vital importance of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.
“Singapore is one of our more vital partners in the Indo-Pacific,” said Ricketts. “On the security front, it supports rotational US military deployments that enable our patrols throughout the region and hosts thousands of American sailors, airman, and their families. Singapore is a significant buyer and user of US defense technologies. It’s also a hub for maritime trade and financial services, a gateway for over 6,000 American businesses operating in Asia, and a leader in emerging technologies. Oftentimes, an American company’s first step into the Indo-Pacific is in Singapore. I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister Wong, Foreign Minister Balakrishnan, and Defense Minister Chan at the Shangri-La dialogue, and I can confirm Singapore’s desire to not only maintain our strong partnership, but to build upon it.”
Click here to watch more.
The hearing considered the nominations of Anjani Sinha, to be Ambassador to the Republic of Singapore; Jeffrey Bartos, to be Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations for U.N. Management and Reform and as an Alternate Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations; Lynda Blanchard, to be U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture; Kimberly Guilfoyle, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Greece; and Jennifer Locetta, to be Alternate Representative of the United States of America for Special Political Affairs in and the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Source: United States Air Force
Headline: Around the Air Force: Department Level Exercise, Aeromedical Readiness, Recruiting Exceeds Goals
In this week’s look Around the Air Force, a DLE kicks off in multiple locations across the U.S. States and Indo-Pacific, a TAES exercise tests patient movement capabilities in contested environments, and the Air Force exceeds annual recruiting goals with its strongest DEP in the past decade.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) joined Secretary of the Army, Daniel Driscoll, and other senior military and elected leaders to tour the Rock Island Arsenal amid concerns that hundreds of jobs may be cut. During the visit, Congressman Sorensen highlighted the work of the men and women at the Arsenal who do critical jobs to safeguard our national security.
“It was an honor to have the Army Secretary come visit the Rock Island Arsenal so early into his tenure to come see with his own eyes the amazing work the men and women at the Arsenal do to protect our national security,” said Congressman Sorensen. “The visit was another opportunity for me to share the serious concerns I have with job cuts at the Arsenal directly with Secretary. I will always fight for the people who work at the Arsenal who help power our regional economy, ensure our military’s readiness, and keep Americans safe at home and abroad.”
During the visit, the Congressman had a chance to meet with leadership from First Army, the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, in addition to Army Sustainment Command and Joint Munitions Command, which is being merged by Army leadership. Also participating in the visit were Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Lieutenant General Christopher Mohan, the acting Commander of Army Materiel Command.
Since joining the House Armed Services Committee this Congress, Congressman Sorensen has been pushing the Army to pause it’s plans to cut hundreds of jobs at the Arsenal. In April, he joined regional leaders in sending a letter to Army leaders demanding answers and transparency around proposed jobs cuts the Arsenal. Earlier this month, he confronted Army Secretary Driscoll about jobs cuts at the Arsenal during a House Armed Services Committee hearing.