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Army staff sergeant’s family to accept posthumous Medal of Honor on Wednesday for his dive onto “living grenade”
Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes
Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes

“He saved my life and the life of several others,” former Army Sgt. Sand Aijo said Tuesday at the Pentagon, recalling Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins’ act nearly 12 years ago. “I would not be here today without him.”

Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff, at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing on readiness of U.S. forces, Feb. 14, 2018 on Capitol Hill. Officials announced Tuesday, March 26, 2019, that McConville will become the Army’s next chief of staff.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes
Gen. James C. McConville, U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff, at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing on readiness of U.S. forces, Feb. 14, 2018 on Capitol Hill. Officials announced Tuesday, March 26, 2019, that McConville will become the Army’s next chief of staff.<br>Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes

James McConville, the Army’s No. 2 general, nominated as service’s next chief of staff

The White House has nominated Army Gen. James McConville to become the service’s next chief of staff, officials announced Tuesday during an Association of the United States Army event.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. During his testimony, Wilkie said he recommended the Justice Department not pursue a court ruling that could extend benefits to Vietnam veterans who served on ships offshore during the war.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie testifies before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. During his testimony, Wilkie said he recommended the Justice Department not pursue a court ruling that could extend benefits to Vietnam veterans who served on ships offshore during the war.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes

VA secretary recommends DOJ not challenge ruling on ‘blue water’ benefits

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie recommended the Justice Department not contest a federal court ruling that could extend benefits to Vietnam veterans who served on ships offshore during the war, he announced Tuesday.

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes
Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes

Shanahan: New review of 2017 Niger attack underway

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan told House lawmakers Tuesday that a new review into the deadly October 2017 ambush in Niger that left four American soldiers dead is underway.


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The beginnings of Blackwater and how it forever changed US policy

Blackwater. Even though the name hasn’t been in official use for almost a decade, it remains synonymous with private military contracting.

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The Army's Criminal Investigation Division is investigating an accusation of sexual abuse involving two minors — both Army dependents — suspected to have occurred last week at Burger King on the Vogelweh complex in Kaiserslautern, Germany.<br>
The Army's Criminal Investigation Division is investigating an accusation of sexual abuse involving two minors — both Army dependents — suspected to have occurred last week at Burger King on the Vogelweh complex in Kaiserslautern, Germany.<br>

Possible sexual crime involving minors at Vogelweh Burger King under investigation

Both the suspect and the reputed victim — who was transported to and received care at a local hospital — are minors and Army dependents, officials said.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes

Combat readiness of Army brigades improving but hasn’t reached service’s goal, Milley says

More than half of the Army’s brigade combat teams have achieved top levels of preparedness to fight a major ground war, the service’s top general said Tuesday, noting only three brigades were considered fully prepared to fight in 2015.

Sailors wearing red or yellow stripes stand in formation during the commissioning ceremony of the USS South Dakota on Feb. 2, 2019.<br>Steven Hoskins/U.S.Navy
Sailors wearing red or yellow stripes stand in formation during the commissioning ceremony of the USS South Dakota on Feb. 2, 2019.<br>Steven Hoskins/U.S.Navy

Gold for all: Navy ending use of red ‘misconduct’ uniform stripes

Starting June 1, all sailors over the 12-year service mark will be authorized to wear gold chevrons on their dress and service uniforms, a stark contrast to the red stripe worn by some senior enlisted sailors as a visible sign of misconduct.

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Matternet CEO Andreas Raptopoulos walks next to an operator carrying a drone used for delivery of medical specimens after a flight at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 26, 2019. Matternet and UPS partnered with the hospital to start commercial flights of medical samples across the WakeMed campus. <br>Jonathan Drew/AP

Hospital using drones to fly blood samples between buildings

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Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, March 26, 2019. The junta-appointed Election Commission announced the results of 350 constituency races but said full vote counts, which are needed to allocate 150 other seats in the House of Representatives, won't be available until Friday after apparent counting problems. <br>Sakchai Lalit/AP

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A member of North Korea's embassy tells reporters not to take pictures of the diplomatic building in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. <br>Bernat Armangue/AP

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A Yemeni man inspects a destroyed petrol station after it was targeted by Saudi-led airstrikes on the outskirts of Sanaa in May 2018. <br>Hani Al-Ansi, DPA, Zuma Press/TNS

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An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 sits grounded at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, March 23, 2019. <br>Mulugeta Ayene/AP

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Matternet CEO Andreas Raptopoulos walks next to an operator carrying a drone used for delivery of medical specimens after a flight at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 26, 2019. Matternet and UPS partnered with the hospital to start commercial flights of medical samples across the WakeMed campus. <br>Jonathan Drew/AP

Hospital using drones to fly blood samples between buildings

"This is a turning point, and it's an historic moment because this is the first FAA-sanctioned use of a (drone) for routine revenue-generating flights," Bala Ganesh, vice president of UPS' advanced technology group, said.

See more U.S. news
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives at the government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, March 26, 2019. The junta-appointed Election Commission announced the results of 350 constituency races but said full vote counts, which are needed to allocate 150 other seats in the House of Representatives, won't be available until Friday after apparent counting problems. <br>Sakchai Lalit/AP

Thai parties jostle for power after 1st election since coup

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A member of North Korea's embassy tells reporters not to take pictures of the diplomatic building in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. <br>Bernat Armangue/AP

Spain court: American among suspects in North Korea embassy raid; FBI was offered stolen data

The Feb. 22 attack, including a bold escape from the embassy with the assailants carrying away computers and data after having shackled and gagged the delegation’s staff, has been claimed online by a group whose self-declared mission is to help defectors of the North Korea.

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A Yemeni man inspects a destroyed petrol station after it was targeted by Saudi-led airstrikes on the outskirts of Sanaa in May 2018. <br>Hani Al-Ansi, DPA, Zuma Press/TNS

Save The Children: 7 killed in airstrike near Yemen hospital

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An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 sits grounded at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Saturday, March 23, 2019. <br>Mulugeta Ayene/AP

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Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes
Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes

Army staff sergeant’s family to accept posthumous Medal of Honor on Wednesday for his dive onto “living grenade”

“He saved my life and the life of several others,” former Army Sgt. Sand Aijo said Tuesday at the Pentagon, recalling Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins’ act nearly 12 years ago. “I would not be here today without him.”

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A pair of long-range, ground-based interceptors launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in the first-ever salvo engagement test of a threat-representative ICBM target, Monday, March 25, 2019.<br>Courtesy of Missile Defense Agen
A pair of long-range, ground-based interceptors launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in the first-ever salvo engagement test of a threat-representative ICBM target, Monday, March 25, 2019.<br>Courtesy of Missile Defense Agen

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ICBM destroyed during ‘milestone’ missile-test achievement

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Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes
Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes

Army staff sergeant’s family to accept posthumous Medal of Honor on Wednesday for his dive onto “living grenade”

“He saved my life and the life of several others,” former Army Sgt. Sand Aijo said Tuesday at the Pentagon, recalling Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins’ act nearly 12 years ago. “I would not be here today without him.”

See more Army news
On October 12, 2000, suicide terrorists exploded a small boat alongside the USS Cole as it was refueling in the Yemeni port of Aden.<br>FBI
On October 12, 2000, suicide terrorists exploded a small boat alongside the USS Cole as it was refueling in the Yemeni port of Aden.<br>FBI

Supreme Court tosses $315 million award in USS Cole lawsuit

The justices ruled 8-1 that notice of the lawsuit should have been mailed to Sudan’s foreign ministry in the country’s capital, Khartoum. The notice instead was mailed to Sudan’s embassy in Washington.

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A Marine configures a robot during a Marine Maker Innovation Boot Camp at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, on March 15, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes
A Marine configures a robot during a Marine Maker Innovation Boot Camp at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, on March 15, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

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James J. Coleman Jr, at a 2012 ceremony at which he was the Coast Guard recipient of the Spirit of Hope award.<br>Patrick Kelley/U.S. Coast Guard
James J. Coleman Jr, at a 2012 ceremony at which he was the Coast Guard recipient of the Spirit of Hope award.<br>Patrick Kelley/U.S. Coast Guard

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A pair of long-range, ground-based interceptors launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in the first-ever salvo engagement test of a threat-representative ICBM target, Monday, March 25, 2019.<br>Courtesy of Missile Defense Agen
A pair of long-range, ground-based interceptors launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., in the first-ever salvo engagement test of a threat-representative ICBM target, Monday, March 25, 2019.<br>Courtesy of Missile Defense Agen

video

ICBM destroyed during ‘milestone’ missile-test achievement

Space-, ground- and sea-based sensors provided real-time target acquisition and tracking data to a command-and-control center during the test. The interceptors were then launched beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, where they destroyed the target.

See more Air Force news
Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes
Jack Atkins, right, laughs with his grandson Trevor Oliver as he recalls his fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2007. Oliver will accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his father on Wednesday. <br>Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes

Army staff sergeant’s family to accept posthumous Medal of Honor on Wednesday for his dive onto “living grenade”

“He saved my life and the life of several others,” former Army Sgt. Sand Aijo said Tuesday at the Pentagon, recalling Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins’ act nearly 12 years ago. “I would not be here today without him.”

See more Army news
On October 12, 2000, suicide terrorists exploded a small boat alongside the USS Cole as it was refueling in the Yemeni port of Aden.<br>FBI
On October 12, 2000, suicide terrorists exploded a small boat alongside the USS Cole as it was refueling in the Yemeni port of Aden.<br>FBI

Supreme Court tosses $315 million award in USS Cole lawsuit

The justices ruled 8-1 that notice of the lawsuit should have been mailed to Sudan’s foreign ministry in the country’s capital, Khartoum. The notice instead was mailed to Sudan’s embassy in Washington.

See more Navy news
A Marine configures a robot during a Marine Maker Innovation Boot Camp at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, on March 15, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes
A Marine configures a robot during a Marine Maker Innovation Boot Camp at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Japan, on March 15, 2019.<br>Carlos Vazquez/Stars and Stripes

Technology boot camp aims to upgrade Okinawa-based Marines’ problem-solving skills

Building upon technology already at their fingertips, Marines gathered at Okinawa’s first-ever Marine Maker Innovation Boot Camp this month to learn how they can put robotics, 3D printing and other tools to work on the battlefield.

See more Marine Corps news
James J. Coleman Jr, at a 2012 ceremony at which he was the Coast Guard recipient of the Spirit of Hope award.<br>Patrick Kelley/U.S. Coast Guard
James J. Coleman Jr, at a 2012 ceremony at which he was the Coast Guard recipient of the Spirit of Hope award.<br>Patrick Kelley/U.S. Coast Guard

James J. Coleman Jr., philanthropist and key player in Coast Guard Museum project, dies at 77

Besides purchasing Union Station in New London, Conn. for $3 million in 2015 to help facilitate construction of the the proposed National Coast Guard Museum, James J. Coleman Jr. is remembered for the part he played in designing and fundraising for the museum since the late ‘90s.

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Opening day start still considered honor in age of analytics

Granting an opening day start to a particular pitcher because of his status rather than his statistics is something of a remnant of a bygone era.

Sports

Opening day start still considered honor in age of analytics

Granting an opening day start to a particular pitcher because of his status rather than his statistics is something of a remnant of a bygone era.