Stars and Stripes

Evidence points to soldier in fatal crash

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Faced with such evidence as blood and hair found on the damaged front end of a car he drove Nov. 7, a U.S. soldier has admitted he may have been involved in a fatal hit-and-run, his Japanese lawyer said.

Navy details impact of Guam move

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It's 8,600 Marines, not 8,000, moving to Guam. That doesn't count the estimated 9,000 sailors and Marines expected to visit the island for an average of two months each year.

German police investigate highway shootings

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

German police are investigating hundreds of incidents in the past 16 months in which gunshots were fired at vehicles on German autobahns.

Calls for 14th murder count in Fort Hood case

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The already high-profile military trial of Army psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan could become yet more complex and politically charged if he faces a 14th murder count.

Web library offers troops downrange more books

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Army in Europe is bringing its library collections to deployed troops using a host of online services. The program allows troops to browse Army library collections, download videos, check out books and get them delivered by mail, according to Stacy Graham, the Army's Europe Region librarian.

Stop-loss application process hits snag, delays extra pay

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Carleton King says the Army still owes him $500 for each of the 18 months he was stop-lossed from November 2007 to May 2009. Right now, he is getting by on $400 a week in unemployment benefits as he looks for work with police departments in the Washington, D.C., area.

6th Fleet gets new skipper

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

NAPLES, Italy � Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. assumed command of the U.S. Navy 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, from Vice Adm. Bruce W. Clingan on Wednesday, according to a Navy news release...

USO to focus on women

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

For years, the United Service Organizations has been sending care packages filled with items such as DVDs, phone cards, beef jerky and playing cards. But now, some of the boxes will contain items specifically for women in the war zones

Army unit to return to region of deadly battle

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment is heading back to the same region where it took part in the Army's deadliest battle in Afghanistan.

In Golestan, changing mission could mean troops must move on

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

When U.S. Marines first entered this stark, scenic valley nearly two years ago, their mission was to build up local security forces and eliminate the Taliban resistance. Marine commanders are wondering: Now that they have been committed to Golestan for the past two years, how can they just leave?

Nine hurt as military plane makes emergency landing in Mali

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A military aircraft carrying U.S. Africa Command personnel was forced to make an emergency landing Thursday in Mali, causing non-life-threatening injuries to the nine people aboard the cargo plane, AFRICOM reported Friday.

As separation rates plummet, military getting more selective

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Fewer servicemembers are retiring or leaving the military than at any time in the past five years, according to Defense Department data.

Iraq sentences militia leader to death

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

An Iraqi court on Thursday sentenced the Sunni leader of a government-allied paramilitary group to death for murder and kidnapping in a case that highlighted tensions over the treatment of former insurgents who turned against al-Qaida.

Pacific briefs: USO, Skype to provide Thanksgiving calls home

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

United Service Organizations and Skype will connect over the Thanksgiving holiday to offer overseas servicemembers video-telephone calls to families back home. Times and dates for the M...

No butts about it: DOD wants you to quit

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Military health workers were full of gimmicks for the 2009 Great American Smokeout, an American Cancer Society campaign supported by bases around the world. It aims to get people to stop using tobacco for at least 24 hours.

Hooah! Postal service to speed up for soldiers in Afghanistan

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The U.S. Army is spending $500,000 to launch HooahMail, a service starting Dec. 1 in which family and friends can send letters electronically to anyone serving in Afghanistan.

Gates orders full-spectrum Pentagon review of Fort Hood massacre

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The Pentagon will conduct a department-wide review in the aftermath of the Fort Hood shooting, taking a broad look at the mental health of the force as well as at procedures for sharing intelligence and assessing personnel performance.

South Koreans line Seoul streets to welcome, protest Obama

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

SEOUL � Thousands of South Koreans lined downtown streets Thursday to give President Barack Obama a rock-star-worthy welcome, complete with signs, flags and chants in support for the ongoing al...

Obama says North Korea must alter behavior

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

SEOUL, South Korea � President Barack Obama said Thursday that North Korea must "break the pattern" of provocative actions and return to international talks if it hopes to get economic aid and ...

At Osan, Obama talks about deployments

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

President Barack Obama drew repeated cheers and applause during a speech to U.S troops at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Thursday � except when he mentioned that some may deploy once again to a war zone.

Army may separate short-term soldiers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Soldiers who chose not to re-enlist or extend when their units are getting ready to deploy downrange will be getting out of the Army a little earlier than they planned, according to Army guidance released this week.

Guam lawmaker announces submarine swap

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The USS Oklahoma City, a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, will move to Guam next year and replace the USS City of Corpus Christi, according to a news release from Guam's congresswoman, U.S. Rep. Madeleine Bordallo.

Military in Europe addressing swine flu

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Military doctors and commanders have taken to the airwaves and have held town hall meetings to address concerns and questions about the swine flu and the vaccine to treat the illness.

Army tests wallpaperlike material that could keep out blast debris

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EDT

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany � One idea the Army is testing to safeguard its soldiers is a wallpaperlike material that protects building occupants from blasts. The material is called X-Flex an...