Stars and Stripes

Midlevel officers weigh risk, reward of criticizing Army leadership

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A lieutenant colonel who first saw war in the Persian Gulf in 1991 comes home from his latest combat deployment disillusioned, convinced that American troops are dying for naught. He buries himself in his notes over Christmas, reflecting on what he’s seen and where his duty lies. He has a family and a career to think about, but he is seized with a conviction that he must speak out.

Backlar a bit of everything for Menwith Hill

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

If there’s one trait that DODDS-Europe requires of its athletes, it’s adaptability. And when it comes to adaptability, no one can top Menwith Hill junior Schuyler Backlar.

It was a long journey back for Edgren's Jen Black

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Her body went one way. Her right leg went the other. A telltale pop and Jen Black crumpled to the floor, knowing her right knee had been seriously damaged.

Pieces of Atsugi aircraft fall off in midair, one strikes vehicle

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A piece from an EA-6 Prowler at Naval Air Facility Atsugi fell out of the sky and struck a moving vehicle, but no injuries were reported Wednesday, Navy officials said.

Airman to learn his fate Thursday in Okinawa murder case

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Curtis Eccleston, pictured above, was murdered a year ago. A military judge is expected to decide Thursday whether a Kadena airman will ever have a chance at parole while serving a life sentence for Eccleston's murder.

US, Japan continuing with plans to move Marines to Guam

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. and Japan said Wednesday that they will continue with plans to move Marine Corps forces off Okinawa, despite a looming impasse over the relocation of the Futenma air station.

Operational commander: Despite perception, Afghan forces will be 'good enough'

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Afghan troops might seem relatively incompetent to the U.S. servicemembers fighting alongside them, the operational commander of NATO troops in Afghanistan acknowledged Wednesday at the Pentagon.

US, Japan agree on new plan to move Okinawa Marines to Guam

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 23:43:00 -0500

The U.S. and Japan will announce a new agreement today on the relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Free-trade pact would help US-South Korean alliance, Sharp says