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John Vandiver

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and President Donald Trump at the White House, Thursday, May 17, 2018.<br>NATO
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and President Donald Trump at the White House, Thursday, May 17, 2018.<br>NATO

Trump: NATO members short on defense spending to be 'dealt with'

President Donald Trump has issued a new warning to Germany and other NATO allies that they would be “dealt with” if they fail to comply with an alliance agreement to boost defense spending for their militaries.

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Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, U.S. Africa Command's chief of staff, left, stands with Col. Richard Gulley during Gulley's his retirement ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on June 30, 2017. Gulley, along with numerous other reservists, says he was unfairly targeted by Army investigators over housing benefits.<br>
Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier, U.S. Africa Command's chief of staff, left, stands with Col. Richard Gulley during Gulley's his retirement ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, on June 30, 2017. Gulley, along with numerous other reservists, says he was unfairly targeted by Army investigators over housing benefits.<br>

‘Why was I arrested at all?’: Reservists investigated for using Army-provided housing allowance fight to clear names

Reservists who have been snared in a dispute with the Army over their right to certain living allowances say they are victims of an investigative process in Europe that has run amok.

Red, a new restaurant in Stuttgart, Germany, serves food from a kitchen staff that includes members of the local migrant community.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes
Red, a new restaurant in Stuttgart, Germany, serves food from a kitchen staff that includes members of the local migrant community.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes

Stuttgart sandwich eatery boosts migrant community

For years, it was a cafe. Then it was a pasta bar. Now it’s Red — Enjoy Refugees Best Kitchen. In January, the restaurant near Killesberg Park in Stuttgart’s north side opened for business with members of the local migrant community helping to staff the kitchen.

German Bundeswehr soldiers drive Leopard 2 tanks at Grafenwoehr Training Area in December 2011. German defense ministry documents, obtained by the German newspaper Die Welt, revealed that a brigade slated to deploy on a NATO mission only has nine of 44 Leopard 2 tanks working.<br>U.S. Army
German Bundeswehr soldiers drive Leopard 2 tanks at Grafenwoehr Training Area in December 2011. German defense ministry documents, obtained by the German newspaper Die Welt, revealed that a brigade slated to deploy on a NATO mission only has nine of 44 Leopard 2 tanks working.<br>U.S. Army

ANALYSIS

As Germany prepares for NATO crisis-response role, its military readiness is ‘abysmal’

Security experts say Germany's military is too weak to meet its obligations to its allies as it prepares to assume command of NATO’s crisis response force next year. None of its submarines are operational, only four of its 128 Eurofighter jets are combat-ready and the army is short on tanks and armored vehicles needed for NATO missions.

Soldiers stand in formation during a deployment ceremony for an Army Reserve battalion in 2016. The Army, after doling out housing allowances to a group of reservists deployed to Germany, said they were not entitled to the allowances. <br>U.S. Army
Soldiers stand in formation during a deployment ceremony for an Army Reserve battalion in 2016. The Army, after doling out housing allowances to a group of reservists deployed to Germany, said they were not entitled to the allowances. <br>U.S. Army

Reservists say Army denied housing benefits, garnished wages and launched unfair criminal probes. Now they're suing.

Army reservists deployed to Europe were wrongly denied housing allowance payments, subjected to humiliating criminal investigations and forced into debt by the service after the Army “willfully disregarded” its own policies to refuse benefits owed, according to a federal court complaint.

From left, Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Wash.; Sgt. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio and Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Ga. All four were killed in Niger, when a joint patrol of American and Niger forces was ambushed on Oct. 4, 2017, by militants believed linked to the Islamic State group. <br>
From left, Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Wash.; Sgt. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio and Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Ga. All four were killed in Niger, when a joint patrol of American and Niger forces was ambushed on Oct. 4, 2017, by militants believed linked to the Islamic State group. <br>

Pentagon: Systemic problems led to deadly Niger ambush

No single failure was to blame for a botched Special Forces mission in Niger that led to the deaths of four U.S. troops at the hands of Islamic State-aligned militants, according to a Pentagon investigation.

Two KC-135 Stratotankers sit on the runway at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, before a mission, Dec. 6, 2016. U.S. military aircraft flying over Djibouti are being targeted by high-powered lasers launched from an area near China's military base in the east African country, according to the Federal Aviation Agency.<br>1st Combat Camera Squadron
Two KC-135 Stratotankers sit on the runway at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, before a mission, Dec. 6, 2016. U.S. military aircraft flying over Djibouti are being targeted by high-powered lasers launched from an area near China's military base in the east African country, according to the Federal Aviation Agency.<br>1st Combat Camera Squadron

US lodges complaint after pilots in Djibouti are targeted with lasers near Chinese base

On Thursday, the FAA issued a warning advising military aircraft to exercise “extreme caution” when transiting the area. The FAA has issued repeated warnings since April 14 to pilots in the area.

Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves talks to fellow officers after a live-fire demonstration at the Saber Guardian exercise near Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Gonsalves' May 1 retirement from the Army comes six months after an Inspector General's probe determined the commander violated an Army policy that requires treating others with ''dignity and respect.''<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes
Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves talks to fellow officers after a live-fire demonstration at the Saber Guardian exercise near Cincu, Romania, July 15, 2017. Gonsalves' May 1 retirement from the Army comes six months after an Inspector General's probe determined the commander violated an Army policy that requires treating others with ''dignity and respect.''<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes

General retires 6 months after IG chastised his behavior toward congressional staffer

The IG determined that Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves, during meetings at his headquarters in Fort Carson, Colo., was dismissive of a female congressional aide, calling the staffer “sweetheart” at one point during the Oct. 2016 meeting.

A Russian Su-27 flies near Alaska in 2013. Russia's military spending fell for the first time since 1998, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.<br>Jason Robertson/U.S. Air Force
A Russian Su-27 flies near Alaska in 2013. Russia's military spending fell for the first time since 1998, according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.<br>Jason Robertson/U.S. Air Force

China, Iran military spending up; Russian spending down for first time since 1998

Russia’s military spending fell for the first time since 1998, dropping by $13.9 billion. The drop comes after four years of economic sanctions in response to Moscow’s 2014 intervention in Ukraine.

A P-8A Poseidon participates in a photo exercise during Exercise Dynamic Manta 2017 over the Mediterranean Sea in March 2017. A Russian fighter flew within 20 feet of a Poseidon over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. <br> Ford Williams/U.S. Navy
A P-8A Poseidon participates in a photo exercise during Exercise Dynamic Manta 2017 over the Mediterranean Sea in March 2017. A Russian fighter flew within 20 feet of a Poseidon over the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. <br> Ford Williams/U.S. Navy

Report: Russian jet passes within 20 feet of Navy plane over the Baltic Sea

A Russian fighter flew within 20 feet of a Navy reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea in a maneuver deemed safe but unprofessional by the U.S. military, CNN reported Wednesday.

A soldier demonstrates how to use the Javelin antitank missile system as a delegation of Ukrainian military officials observes at at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany on May 9, 2017. The U.S. has delivered antitank missiles to Ukraine, the first shipment of lethal aid to the country.<br>Kayla Christopher/U.S. Army
A soldier demonstrates how to use the Javelin antitank missile system as a delegation of Ukrainian military officials observes at at Hohenfels Training Area, Germany on May 9, 2017. The U.S. has delivered antitank missiles to Ukraine, the first shipment of lethal aid to the country.<br>Kayla Christopher/U.S. Army

Ukrainian troops to train on US anti-tank weapons for fight against separatists

Ukrainian troops will begin training this week on advanced U.S. anti-tank weaponry aimed at boosting Kiev’s long-running fight against Russian-backed separatists, officials said Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo before the start of the foreign ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday, April 27, 2018. <br>Courtesy of NATO
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo before the start of the foreign ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday, April 27, 2018. <br>Courtesy of NATO

Pompeo expected to call on Germany to hike defense budget at his first NATO meeting

Newly confirmed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived Friday at NATO headquarters in Brussels on his first foreign visit to deliver a tough message to key ally Germany over its failure to boost defense spending.

From left, Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Wash.; Sgt. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio and Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Ga. All four were killed in Niger, when a joint patrol of American and Niger forces was ambushed on Oct. 4, 2017, by militants believed linked to the Islamic State group. <br>
From left, Staff Sgt. Bryan C. Black, 35, of Puyallup, Wash.; Sgt. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla.; Staff Sgt. Jeremiah W. Johnson, 39, of Springboro, Ohio and Staff Sgt. Dustin M. Wright, 29, of Lyons, Ga. All four were killed in Niger, when a joint patrol of American and Niger forces was ambushed on Oct. 4, 2017, by militants believed linked to the Islamic State group. <br>

Report: Culture of risk-taking, complacency were factors in Niger ambush deaths

A culture of excessive risk-taking, poor training and complacency were factors in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers killed in an October ambush in the West African country of Niger, a Pentagon investigation has determined.

U.S. soldiers participate in a weapons training exercise in the Panzer Range Complex, Boeblingen, Germany, Feb. 9, 2016. U.S.forces will do less shooting here and the Army and local government will fund a new soundproofing system to reduce noise at the range.<br>Jason Johnston/U.S. Army
U.S. soldiers participate in a weapons training exercise in the Panzer Range Complex, Boeblingen, Germany, Feb. 9, 2016. U.S.forces will do less shooting here and the Army and local government will fund a new soundproofing system to reduce noise at the range.<br>Jason Johnston/U.S. Army

Army, German town strike long-awaited deal on weapons range noise near Stuttgart

U.S. Special Operations Forces will scale back some of their high-intensity training here as part of a deal with local government officials to reduce the crackle of gunfire in an area where locals have grown frustrated with the noise.

Troops patrol the perimeter of a Nigerien air base in Agadez, part of which is under the exclusive control of U.S. forces. The site will be a hub for American surveillance operations in the region.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes
Troops patrol the perimeter of a Nigerien air base in Agadez, part of which is under the exclusive control of U.S. forces. The site will be a hub for American surveillance operations in the region.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes

Special operators say African terror groups a future threat to US, if not right now

The runway under construction in Agadez, Niger, stretching more than a mile in the southern Sahara Desert, is both the Air Force’s biggest building project ever and the newest sign of a growing American military campaign against extremists in West Africa.

Airmen work in the unmanned aerial device apron in Agadez, Niger, where drones will be parked when they are not in operation.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes
Airmen work in the unmanned aerial device apron in Agadez, Niger, where drones will be parked when they are not in operation.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes

‘Building a base from nothing’: $110 million U.S. project in Niger will house drones

The U.S. Air Force is nearing completion of a $110 million project in the Saharan desert town of Agadez, Niger, known as Air Base 201. And even the locals seem to think the Americans are going to be around for some time to come.

U.S. Special Forces provide guidance to Niger troops during Flintlock 2018. The two-week war game, which ended Friday, was intended to boost combat capabilities of eight African nations taking part in the drills.<br>Special Operations Command Africa
U.S. Special Forces provide guidance to Niger troops during Flintlock 2018. The two-week war game, which ended Friday, was intended to boost combat capabilities of eight African nations taking part in the drills.<br>Special Operations Command Africa

Special operations soldiers shift training emphasis to help Africans fight terror groups

The Nigerien troops, 250 miles from their higher headquarters in Agadez, were at first reluctant at first to call their commanders with information about the unfolding battle simulation.

Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks, leader of Special Operations Command Africa, left, reviews local troops in formation during a visit Thursday to Flintlock 2018 headquarters in Agadez, Niger. Flintlock, which ended Friday, is the largest U.S. special operations exercise in Africa and comes at a time when commanders are worried that extremist groups in the region are gaining momentum.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes
Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks, leader of Special Operations Command Africa, left, reviews local troops in formation during a visit Thursday to Flintlock 2018 headquarters in Agadez, Niger. Flintlock, which ended Friday, is the largest U.S. special operations exercise in Africa and comes at a time when commanders are worried that extremist groups in the region are gaining momentum.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes

US Special Operations soldiers, African partners wrap up Flintlock exercise

U.S. special operations troops ended their largest training mission in West Africa on Friday, as part of a bid to better train local soldiers for the fight against terror groups.

Staff Sgt. Kyle, a U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha communications sergeant in 3rd Special Forces Group, uses rock drills to explain small unit tactics to Senegalese soldiers during Flintlock 2018 in Tahoua, Niger, April 12, 2018. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, integrated military and law enforcement exercise.<br>Kulani Lakanaria/U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Kyle, a U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha communications sergeant in 3rd Special Forces Group, uses rock drills to explain small unit tactics to Senegalese soldiers during Flintlock 2018 in Tahoua, Niger, April 12, 2018. Flintlock is an annual, African-led, integrated military and law enforcement exercise.<br>Kulani Lakanaria/U.S. Army

US special operators train with partner nations in West Africa amid terror threats

Flintlock 2018, Special Operations Command Africa’s largest military exercise, is focused on the fight against a wide range of terrorist groups operating in the region.

Chadian Special Forces soldiers receive basic rifle marksmanship and sniper training at a live-fire range March 6, 2017, in Massaguet, Chad as part of Flintlock 17. A U.S. senator is pushing to get the Army to assign one of the service's new Security Forces Assistance Brigades to AFRICOM, which doesn't have any assigned forces.<br>Derek Hamilton/U.S. Army
Chadian Special Forces soldiers receive basic rifle marksmanship and sniper training at a live-fire range March 6, 2017, in Massaguet, Chad as part of Flintlock 17. A U.S. senator is pushing to get the Army to assign one of the service's new Security Forces Assistance Brigades to AFRICOM, which doesn't have any assigned forces.<br>Derek Hamilton/U.S. Army

Senate leader wants a new Army advisory brigade for Africa

A key U.S. senator is pressing the Army to set aside one of its new Security Forces Assistant Brigades for missions in Africa, which are now being carried out by a mix of rotating units.

A U.S. Army Special Forces weapons sergeant observes a Niger Army soldier during marksmanship training as part of Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, Feb. 28, 2017.<br>Christopher Klutts/U.S. Army
A U.S. Army Special Forces weapons sergeant observes a Niger Army soldier during marksmanship training as part of Exercise Flintlock 2017 in Diffa, Niger, Feb. 28, 2017.<br>Christopher Klutts/U.S. Army

US special operations troops launch war games in Niger with partner forces

The focus of the two-week Flintlock 2018, which involves eight African and 12 western countries, is the day-to-day threats faced by local forces on the ground, according to the top U.S. commander of special operations troops in Africa.

U.S. Marines fast-rope from a CH-53E Super Stallion during helicopter rope suspension technique training near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2017. U.S. air operations in Djibouti remain grounded Friday after two Marine Corps aircraft were involved in crashes earlier this week.<br>Devan Gowans/U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marines fast-rope from a CH-53E Super Stallion during helicopter rope suspension technique training near Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 7, 2017. U.S. air operations in Djibouti remain grounded Friday after two Marine Corps aircraft were involved in crashes earlier this week.<br>Devan Gowans/U.S. Marine Corps

US military flights still suspended in Djibouti, but operations in Africa continue

U.S. air operations in Djibouti remain suspended Friday after two Marine Corps aircraft were involved in crashes earlier this week, but the pause hasn’t put a stop to air strikes in neighboring Somalia, U.S. Africa Command said.

U.S. Marines participate in an exercise at Arta Beach, Djibouti, on Dec. 21, 2017. All U.S. military flights in Djibouti have been grounded and a major military exercise suspended, U.S. Central Command announced on Thursday, April 5, 2018, after two recent accidents in Djibouti.<br> Jessica Y. Lucio/U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Marines participate in an exercise at Arta Beach, Djibouti, on Dec. 21, 2017. All U.S. military flights in Djibouti have been grounded and a major military exercise suspended, U.S. Central Command announced on Thursday, April 5, 2018, after two recent accidents in Djibouti.<br> Jessica Y. Lucio/U.S. Marine Corps

US military flights grounded in Djibouti, exercise canceled following crashes

All U.S. military flights in Djibouti have been grounded and a major military exercise canceled after two recent accidents in the east African country, the U.S. military said Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr., U.S. Africa Command chief of staff, has been chosen to be the next commanding general of U.S. Army Africa at Vicenza, Italy.<br>U.S. AFRICOM
Maj. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr., U.S. Africa Command chief of staff, has been chosen to be the next commanding general of U.S. Army Africa at Vicenza, Italy.<br>U.S. AFRICOM

Army picks new commander for Africa mission

The U.S. Army has tapped Maj. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr. to serve as the next head of U.S. Army Africa, where he will oversee efforts to train indigenous forces for counterterrorism fights on the continent. Cloutier will arrive after a period of tumult for U.S. Army Africa headquarters.

Rows of Bradley Fighting Vehicles sit in orderly lines at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany in June, 2017. The U.S. Army said Thursday it expects to hold onto the facility until at least 2021 given the base's key role in stockpiling thousands of pieces of equipment for the military?s beefed up Europe mission.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes
Rows of Bradley Fighting Vehicles sit in orderly lines at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany in June, 2017. The U.S. Army said Thursday it expects to hold onto the facility until at least 2021 given the base's key role in stockpiling thousands of pieces of equipment for the military?s beefed up Europe mission.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes

Army expects to keep Mannheim barracks to back expanded Europe mission

The U.S. Army will probably hold on to Mannheim’s Coleman Barracks until at least 2021 because of the base’s key role in stockpiling equipment for the military’s beefed-up Europe mission.

President Donald Trump speaks to servicemembers at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in November 2017. The leaders of the three Baltic states are expected to press President Donald Trump Tuesday for more U.S. military support to defend NATO’s borders with Russia, where some allies are concerned about Moscow’s military advantage.<br>Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes
President Donald Trump speaks to servicemembers at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in November 2017. The leaders of the three Baltic states are expected to press President Donald Trump Tuesday for more U.S. military support to defend NATO’s borders with Russia, where some allies are concerned about Moscow’s military advantage.<br>Aaron Kidd/Stars and Stripes

Baltic leaders to push Trump for more military aid

The leaders of the three Baltic states are expected to press President Donald Trump on Tuesday for more U.S. military support to defend NATO’s borders with Russia, where some allies are concerned about Moscow’s military advantage.

Col. Richard Wholey, commander of the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Collins uncase the unit's colors during a ceremony at Bismark Kaserne in Ansbach, Germany, Tuesday, March 27, 2018.<br>Ed Duvall/U.S. Army
Col. Richard Wholey, commander of the 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Collins uncase the unit's colors during a ceremony at Bismark Kaserne in Ansbach, Germany, Tuesday, March 27, 2018.<br>Ed Duvall/U.S. Army

Army air defense brigade back in Europe in a post-Cold War first

A U.S.-based air defense artillery brigade has formally begun its mission in Germany, marking the first deployment of such a unit to Europe since the post-Cold War drawdown.

Bears are the biggest of the animals at the Wildlife Park in Tripsdrill, Germany, which features about 40 types of animals in a natural setting.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes
Bears are the biggest of the animals at the Wildlife Park in Tripsdrill, Germany, which features about 40 types of animals in a natural setting.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes

Deer friends await at the Wildlife Park in Tripsdrill, Germany

If you arrive before the horde, the deer will greet you like friendly neighborhood pooches. At the Wildlife Park in Tripsdrill, Germany, there are about 40 types of animals. There are caged wolves, lynx and bears, whose daily feedings are a top attraction.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg talks about the alliance's further decisions following the use of a nerve agent in Salisbury at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 27, 2018.<br>NATO
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg talks about the alliance's further decisions following the use of a nerve agent in Salisbury at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday, March 27, 2018.<br>NATO

NATO expels Russian diplomats in response to UK attack

NATO will expel seven Russian diplomats and reduce the maximum size of Moscow’s permanent mission to the alliance in response to the nerve agent attack this month in the United Kingdom, the alliance announced Tuesday.

The English-language Gulf Daily News reported on Saturday that U.S. forces were leaving Qatar and moving to Saudi Arabia. The U.S. military rejected reports that it was preparing to abandon bases in Qatar and Turkey, issuing a flurry of Twitter postings Sunday that said the reports were false.<br>
The English-language Gulf Daily News reported on Saturday that U.S. forces were leaving Qatar and moving to Saudi Arabia. The U.S. military rejected reports that it was preparing to abandon bases in Qatar and Turkey, issuing a flurry of Twitter postings Sunday that said the reports were false.<br>

Pentagon: Reports of US leaving Incirlik, Al-Udeid false

The U.S. military denied news reports that it was preparing to abandon bases in Qatar and Turkey after issuing a flurry of Twitter posts from multiple commands Sunday.

An AV-8B Harrier II with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit lands on the USS Wasp in 2016 after conducting air strikes against Islamic State group targets in Sirte, Libya. On Saturday, the U.S. military launched its first strike against Al-Qaida in Libya as operations expand beyond ISIS fighters that have been the primary targets in the past.<br>
An AV-8B Harrier II with 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit lands on the USS Wasp in 2016 after conducting air strikes against Islamic State group targets in Sirte, Libya. On Saturday, the U.S. military launched its first strike against Al-Qaida in Libya as operations expand beyond ISIS fighters that have been the primary targets in the past.<br>

In a first, AFRICOM strikes al-Qaida in Libya as fight expands beyond ISIS

The U.S. military has launched its first airstrike against al-Qaida in Libya as operations expand beyond targeting the Islamic State group.

Houses line a street in Weilerbach, Germany, in February 2018. U.S. Army Europe has quietly introduced rules that put tighter restrictions on how its civilian workforce can use housing allowances for personally owned homes.<br>Jennifer Svan/Stars and Stripes
Houses line a street in Weilerbach, Germany, in February 2018. U.S. Army Europe has quietly introduced rules that put tighter restrictions on how its civilian workforce can use housing allowances for personally owned homes.<br>Jennifer Svan/Stars and Stripes

US Army Europe civilians face new restrictions on housing allowances

U.S. Army Europe has quietly introduced rules that put tighter restrictions on how its civilian workforce can use housing allowances for personally owned homes, reducing the amounts of some payments and imposing a new commuting distance limit.

A U.S. Marine demonstrates an alert posture to members of the Ghanaian Revenue Authority Customs Division and Ghana Immigration Services during weapons handling instruction in Kpetoe, Ghana, March 22, 2017. The U.S. wants to update its status of forces agreement with Ghana, but there are no plans to establish an American-run military base there, U.S. officials said.<br>Monica Witt/U.S. Marine Corps
A U.S. Marine demonstrates an alert posture to members of the Ghanaian Revenue Authority Customs Division and Ghana Immigration Services during weapons handling instruction in Kpetoe, Ghana, March 22, 2017. The U.S. wants to update its status of forces agreement with Ghana, but there are no plans to establish an American-run military base there, U.S. officials said.<br>Monica Witt/U.S. Marine Corps

US seeks expanded military agreement with Ghana, quashes talk of a new AFRICOM base

The U.S. is seeking an agreement that will allow more visiting troops as training programs and missions in the country expand, according to the U.S. embassy in Ghana.

Members of the British army's Falcon Squadron, Royal Tank Regiment prepare to head to Salisbury, England, Friday, March 9, 2018.<br>
Members of the British army's Falcon Squadron, Royal Tank Regiment prepare to head to Salisbury, England, Friday, March 9, 2018.<br>

NATO expresses support for UK after suspected Russian nerve gas attack

NATO’s top official said Thursday that "there has to be consequences" for a nerve agent attack in the United Kingdom. But, for now, NATO’s support of its ally is largely political and symbolic.

Russian submarines such as the Tula are increasingly active in the North Atlantic.<br>Courtesy of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Russian submarines such as the Tula are increasingly active in the North Atlantic.<br>Courtesy of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Russian submarine activity at post-Cold War high

Russia submarine activity is at its highest levels since the 1980s as Moscow continues to invest heavily in its maritime capabilities, the top military commander in Europe said Thursday.

Nigerien soldiers receive a class in countering roadside bombs as part of an exercise with U.S. troops in Diffa, Niger, Feb. 28, 2017. U.S. Africa Command disclosed Thursday that Nigerien and U.S. special operations forces killed 11 Islamic State militants during a firefight in December.<br>Kulani Lakanaria/U.S. Army
Nigerien soldiers receive a class in countering roadside bombs as part of an exercise with U.S. troops in Diffa, Niger, Feb. 28, 2017. U.S. Africa Command disclosed Thursday that Nigerien and U.S. special operations forces killed 11 Islamic State militants during a firefight in December.<br>Kulani Lakanaria/U.S. Army

US, Nigerien troops kill 11 ISIS militants in previously undisclosed mission

U.S. Africa Command confirmed Thursday that U.S. troops and Niger government forces were on a Dec. 6 mission when they came under fire from “a formation of violent extremists.”