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John Vandiver

<br>TNS
<br>TNS

Trump warns Europe he will free ISIS fighters if allies won’t prosecute them

Comments come as global leaders wrap up three days of security talks in Munich, where the conflict in Syria was among the agenda items.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, welcomes United States Vice President Mike Pence, left, for a bilateral meeting during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. <br>Matthias Schrader/AP
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, welcomes United States Vice President Mike Pence, left, for a bilateral meeting during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019. <br>Matthias Schrader/AP

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Pence calls on allies to end dealings with Iran, increase defense spending

At the Munich Security Conference, remarks from Vice President Mike Pence credited allies for stepping up their investments but demanded that all 29 NATO members hit a 2024 deadline to meet agreed-upon spending targets. He also noted that “the time has come for our European partners to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal."

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan in a news conference on Feb. 14, 2019. On Friday, in Munich, Shanahan said he wants coalition members to expand support in fight against the Islamic State.<br>NATO
Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan in a news conference on Feb. 14, 2019. On Friday, in Munich, Shanahan said he wants coalition members to expand support in fight against the Islamic State.<br>NATO

Shanahan calls for larger anti-ISIS coalition at start of Munich talks

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said Friday he wants coalition members in the fight against the Islamic State group to step up their support even as the U.S. prepares to pull out of northern Syria.

U.S. acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan, right, talks to his United Kingdom counterpart Gavin Williamson at the NATO defense ministerial meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Feb. 14, 2019.<br>Courtesy of NATO
U.S. acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan, right, talks to his United Kingdom counterpart Gavin Williamson at the NATO defense ministerial meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Feb. 14, 2019.<br>Courtesy of NATO

Shanahan calls on Europe to make public case for more defense spending

Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan said leaders in Europe must galvanize public support for more military spending, saying that recent increases in investment aren’t enough for the threats NATO now faces.

American rotational soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division salute during the national anthem at a welcoming ceremony for them in Zagan, Poland. The U.S.plans to deploy more troops to Poland, the U.S. ambassador to the country, Georgette Mosbacher, said Wednesday.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes
American rotational soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division salute during the national anthem at a welcoming ceremony for them in Zagan, Poland. The U.S.plans to deploy more troops to Poland, the U.S. ambassador to the country, Georgette Mosbacher, said Wednesday.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes

US prepares for larger military presence in Poland

The U.S. will deploy hundreds more troops to Poland in a push to further boost its military presence in a region where the Pentagon already has thousands of servicemembers conducting operations, America’s top diplomat in the country said.

An Army civilian who fought off home invaders with a kitchen knife during an attempted robbery in Landstuhl, Germany, says he was fighting for his life and his family’s lives.<br>Courtesy of the German police
An Army civilian who fought off home invaders with a kitchen knife during an attempted robbery in Landstuhl, Germany, says he was fighting for his life and his family’s lives.<br>Courtesy of the German police

Army civilian in Landstuhl says he 'fought like hell' during home invasion that left one intruder dead

The former Air Force major, who now works as an Army civilian employee, is being investigated by German prosecutors over whether he used excessive force in the fight.

Army civilian in Landstuhl says he ‘fought like hell’ during home invasion

HED: Army civilian in Landstuhl says he ‘fought like hell’ during home invasion

Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, the U.S. permanent representative to NATO, during a news briefing in October 2018 in Brussels.<br>Courtesy U.S. Mission to NATO
Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, the U.S. permanent representative to NATO, during a news briefing in October 2018 in Brussels.<br>Courtesy U.S. Mission to NATO

A new US base in Poland wouldn't mean troop cuts in Germany, US ambassador says

If the United States moves forward with a plan to set up a new military base in Poland, American forces won’t be pulled out of Germany to man the mission, the U.S. ambassador to NATO said Tuesday.

<br>Getty Images/iStockphoto
<br>Getty Images/iStockphoto

Army civilian in Germany faces investigation after fatally stabbing home invader

An Army civilian who fought off home invaders with a kitchen knife during an attempted robbery is facing an investigation into whether he acted in self-defense when he fatally stabbed one of the perpetrators, German authorities said Tuesday.

An Army civilian who fought off home invaders with a kitchen knife during an attempted robbery in Landstuhl Sunday evening is under investigation into whether he acted in self-defense when he fatally stabbed one of the perpetrators, German authorities said Tuesday.<br>
An Army civilian who fought off home invaders with a kitchen knife during an attempted robbery in Landstuhl Sunday evening is under investigation into whether he acted in self-defense when he fatally stabbed one of the perpetrators, German authorities said Tuesday.<br>

Army civilian in Landstuhl fends off home invaders with knife, German police say

Police said that four suspects attempted to force their way into the American’s home in Landstuhl, a community with a large U.S. military population.

A drone pilot operates an MQ-1 Predator during a training mission at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.<br>Nadine Y. Barclay/U.S. Air Force
A drone pilot operates an MQ-1 Predator during a training mission at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.<br>Nadine Y. Barclay/U.S. Air Force

Promotion rates improving for Air Force drone pilots, GAO says

Air Force fighter pilots continue to be promoted at higher rates than their counterparts who control drones, but the gap is closing as the demand for remotely piloted aircraft increases, a government watchdog said in a new report.

<br>Stars and Stripes
<br>Stars and Stripes

Effectiveness of US airstrikes in Somalia questioned by AFRICOM commander

AFRICOM has picked up the pace of its airstrikes in Somalia, going from 35 in 2017 to 47 last year. The command's top leader says that won't be enough to defeat the Islamic militants operating in the country.

A U.S. Army Stryker is guided across the Macedonian border by a Macedonian soldier at the Deve Bair border station in 2017. Macedonia was formally invited Wednesday to join NATO.<br>Nicholas Vidro/U.S. Army
A U.S. Army Stryker is guided across the Macedonian border by a Macedonian soldier at the Deve Bair border station in 2017. Macedonia was formally invited Wednesday to join NATO.<br>Nicholas Vidro/U.S. Army

NATO paves way for Macedonia’s membership after country changes name

Macedonia was formally invited Wednesday to join NATO and could become the alliance’s 30th member by year’s end, after recently resolving a long running dispute with neighboring Greece.

Soldiers modeling the proposed "pinks and greens" daily service uniform pose in their overcoats at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia during the Army-Navy Game in December 2017. <br>Ron Lee/U.S. Army photo
Soldiers modeling the proposed "pinks and greens" daily service uniform pose in their overcoats at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia during the Army-Navy Game in December 2017. <br>Ron Lee/U.S. Army photo

New retro-style Army Greens to hit the streets this year in phased rollout

The Army could begin issuing the first batch of its retro-style service uniforms this month in a push to get recruiters onto the streets of “hometown America” in the new duds, the Army’s top enlisted soldier said Monday.

The vehicle inspection point in Stuttgart, Germany. A new U.S. Army Europe policy means that drivers of vehicles more than 10 years old can now register cars every two years instead of annually.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes
The vehicle inspection point in Stuttgart, Germany. A new U.S. Army Europe policy means that drivers of vehicles more than 10 years old can now register cars every two years instead of annually.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes

USAREUR allows longer registrations for older cars

A new U.S. Army Europe policy means that owners of vehicles more than 10 years old can now register their cars every two years instead of annually.

Two suspects were taken into custody by German police after firing blanks near Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019.<br>File photo
Two suspects were taken into custody by German police after firing blanks near Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019.<br>File photo

Two Germans cause alarm after shooting blanks near Army base

Two German men were taken into custody Sunday after police swarmed near U.S. Army Europe’s Clay Kaserne headquarters in Wiesbaden in response to sounds of gun fire in the vicinity of the base.

President Donald Trump, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk with other leaders during a NATO meeting in Brussels, May 25, 2017. Germany has missed the Dec. 31 deadline for submitting a spending plans to NATO.<br>COURTESY OF NATO
President Donald Trump, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk with other leaders during a NATO meeting in Brussels, May 25, 2017. Germany has missed the Dec. 31 deadline for submitting a spending plans to NATO.<br>COURTESY OF NATO

Germany misses key NATO defense spending deadline

Germany has missed a deadline for reporting to NATO how it will increase defense expenditures, failing to deliver on a key priority for the Trump administration.

Sgt. Kristian Myrick, 23rd Infantry Regiment, meets his 3-month-old daughter, Amelia, at a welcome home ceremony at Fort Carson, Colo., Jan. 15, 2019. Army fathers now have twice as much paternity leave available.<br>Marcus McKinney/U.S. Army
Sgt. Kristian Myrick, 23rd Infantry Regiment, meets his 3-month-old daughter, Amelia, at a welcome home ceremony at Fort Carson, Colo., Jan. 15, 2019. Army fathers now have twice as much paternity leave available.<br>Marcus McKinney/U.S. Army

Army adds time off for new dads, flexibility for new moms

The new policy means that parental leave time will go from 10 to 21 days for fathers or mothers in cases where they are the secondary caregiver of a newborn.

A Russian 9M728 cruise missile container, left on the truck at center, stands next to a 9M723 short-range ballistic missile. The U.S. says Russia’s new 9M729 ground-launched missile violates the INF treaty. A U.S. deadline for compliance with the treaty expires Saturday.<br>Courtesy Russian Ministry of Defense
A Russian 9M728 cruise missile container, left on the truck at center, stands next to a 9M723 short-range ballistic missile. The U.S. says Russia’s new 9M729 ground-launched missile violates the INF treaty. A U.S. deadline for compliance with the treaty expires Saturday.<br>Courtesy Russian Ministry of Defense

US, allies brace for end of Cold War-era nuclear deal

A U.S. deadline for Russia to come into compliance with a key nuclear treaty will expire Saturday, sparking concerns of a looming arms race as allies brace for the end of a Cold War-era accord.

A United Arab Emirates air force F-16 Desert Falcon approaches a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling over Iraq Dec. 9, 2016. The Pentagon has announced it will audit refueling missions in the Africa and Central Command theaters following a report showing that U.S. missions to refuel U.A.E. and Saudi Arabian aircraft had not been properly accounted for.<br>Courtesy of Matthew Fredericks/U.S. Air Force
A United Arab Emirates air force F-16 Desert Falcon approaches a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker for aerial refueling over Iraq Dec. 9, 2016. The Pentagon has announced it will audit refueling missions in the Africa and Central Command theaters following a report showing that U.S. missions to refuel U.A.E. and Saudi Arabian aircraft had not been properly accounted for.<br>Courtesy of Matthew Fredericks/U.S. Air Force

Investigators to audit CENTCOM, AFRICOM over fuel payments

The upcoming Inspector General probe follows revelations about accounting errors that resulted in failures to properly bill Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for refueling missions that supported the Saudi-led coalition in fighting in Yemen.

Doughnuts sit out at the U.S. Air Force 52nd Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in 2014. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease saw a 12-fold increase in the military from 2000 to 2017, according to a recent military medical report.<br>
Doughnuts sit out at the U.S. Air Force 52nd Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in 2014. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease saw a 12-fold increase in the military from 2000 to 2017, according to a recent military medical report.<br>

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease way up among servicemembers

Between 2000 and 2017, the military experienced a 12-fold increase in the number of troops diagnosed with a disease linked to obesity that can result in cirrhosis of the liver, according to a new health report.

A soldier with the 10th Special Forces Group gets a meal at the unit's dining facility at Panzer Kaserne, which began offering free meals Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, to members of the Stuttgart military community not getting paid because of the government shutdown.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes
A soldier with the 10th Special Forces Group gets a meal at the unit's dining facility at Panzer Kaserne, which began offering free meals Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, to members of the Stuttgart military community not getting paid because of the government shutdown.<br>John Vandiver/Stars and Stripes

Special Forces chow hall feeding unpaid civilians, Coast Guard for free

The dining facility run by Green Berets began offering free meals Friday to members of the Stuttgart military community who are not getting paid because of the government shutdown.

A version of the Combat Unmanned Aerial Systems Mobile Integrated Capabilities (CMIC) Stryker, is tested in Grafenwoehr, Germany,in March 2017.<br>Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes
A version of the Combat Unmanned Aerial Systems Mobile Integrated Capabilities (CMIC) Stryker, is tested in Grafenwoehr, Germany,in March 2017.<br>Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes

Army’s big plans for new weapons at risk of waste, watchdog report says

The Army should avoid relying on unproven technology, a practice that has crippled past innovation and wasted billions on failed weapons systems, a government watchdog said.

Cpl. Keith Brumlow, right, and Pfc. Nicholas Davenport, left, of the 1st Armored Division, go through close-quarter combat training with members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps at Firebase Melody in Baghdad in March 2004.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes
Cpl. Keith Brumlow, right, and Pfc. Nicholas Davenport, left, of the 1st Armored Division, go through close-quarter combat training with members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps at Firebase Melody in Baghdad in March 2004.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes

Army history highlights failures in Iraq War

While fighting in Iraq, the Army failed to grasp the significance of the country’s sectarian divisions and “tended to penalize” its own innovative leaders, according the service’s long-awaited history of the war that claimed over 4,000 servicemembers’ lives.

President Donald Trump walks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the opening of the NATO summit at the organization's headquarters in Brussels in July 2018.<br>Courtesy of NATO
President Donald Trump walks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the opening of the NATO summit at the organization's headquarters in Brussels in July 2018.<br>Courtesy of NATO

Senators want legislation to block Trump over feared NATO pullout

A bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced legislation Thursday that seeks to prohibit President Donald Trump from quitting the NATO alliance amid fresh concerns about the president’s commitment to the 70-year-old military pact.

American soldiers speed toward their objective in a Stryker during Exercise Saber Junction in Hohenfels, Germany, in 2017. Gen. Mark Milley, the Army’s chief of staff, said Wednesday a push is under way to send more units to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Ca. and the similar center in Hohenfels. <br>Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes
American soldiers speed toward their objective in a Stryker during Exercise Saber Junction in Hohenfels, Germany, in 2017. Gen. Mark Milley, the Army’s chief of staff, said Wednesday a push is under way to send more units to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Ca. and the similar center in Hohenfels. <br>Martin Egnash/Stars and Stripes

Army plans to ramp up rotations to US, Germany combat centers

The Army is planning to boost the pace of rotations to its combat training centers in the United States and Germany, going from 20 this year to 32 in 2020 as the service emphasizes higher end combat skills.

The Pentagon is again in budget analyst crosshairs as the Defense Department budget accounts for almost half of U.S. discretionary spending.<br>Andy Dunaway/U.S. Air Force
The Pentagon is again in budget analyst crosshairs as the Defense Department budget accounts for almost half of U.S. discretionary spending.<br>Andy Dunaway/U.S. Air Force

Capping troop pay, higher Tricare fees among theoretical options for reducing deficit in report

Congressional budget analysts have 121 ideas for reducing the ballooning U.S. deficit, and 16 of them target Pentagon programs, ranging from long-term pay caps for servicemembers and higher Tricare premiums to spending less on weapons systems.

The Army is testing new combat boots in a push to better compete with the more comfortable commercial brands favored by many soldiers for their lightness. Here, a soldier from the 1-114th Infantry Regiment stands in the mud holding 7.62mm ammunition during training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 6, 2018.<br>Matt Hecht/U.S. Army
The Army is testing new combat boots in a push to better compete with the more comfortable commercial brands favored by many soldiers for their lightness. Here, a soldier from the 1-114th Infantry Regiment stands in the mud holding 7.62mm ammunition during training on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 6, 2018.<br>Matt Hecht/U.S. Army

Army looks to give its old combat boot the boot

The Army is testing new combat boots that are lighter and have more flexible leather. If any of the prototypes are chosen, it would be the first significant change to the service's basic boots in years.

U.S. Air Force personnel unload equipment from a C-17 Globemaster III for use during the transport of Rwandan soldiers in Bangui, Central African Republic in 2014 in support of an African Union effort to quell violence. Now, Russia is getting more involved in the country, where there is discussion about a possible Russian base. <br>Tom Byrd/U.S. Army
U.S. Air Force personnel unload equipment from a C-17 Globemaster III for use during the transport of Rwandan soldiers in Bangui, Central African Republic in 2014 in support of an African Union effort to quell violence. Now, Russia is getting more involved in the country, where there is discussion about a possible Russian base. <br>Tom Byrd/U.S. Army

Russian base in central Africa on the table while US refocuses its strategy

Russian troops are already active in the Central African Republic, where they train local forces in combat techniques as part of an agreement reached in 2018. The next step could be a military base, Russian state media reported.

A new law in Stuttgart, which also applies to servicemembers, bans older diesel cars within city limits.<br>John Vandiver/ Stars and Stripes
A new law in Stuttgart, which also applies to servicemembers, bans older diesel cars within city limits.<br>John Vandiver/ Stars and Stripes

Troops driving older diesel cars may want to sell as Stuttgart ban takes effect

Drivers of diesel vehicles in the Stuttgart military community may want to consider selling their cars to troops in other parts of Germany as a new environmental law barring many of them takes effect in the city.

Army paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division rest during jungle warfare school in Gabon on June 16, 2016. The military in Gabon attempted an apparent coup on Jan. 7, 2019. A small contingent of U.S. servicemembers are in the country amid concerns of violence in neighboring Congo following an election there.<br>Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes
Army paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division rest during jungle warfare school in Gabon on June 16, 2016. The military in Gabon attempted an apparent coup on Jan. 7, 2019. A small contingent of U.S. servicemembers are in the country amid concerns of violence in neighboring Congo following an election there.<br>Brian Ferguson/Stars and Stripes

US troops in Gabon remain focused on Congo despite local coup attempt

A coup attempt in the central African nation hasn’t yet changed the mission of U.S. troops deployed there last week in response to potential violence in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, U.S. Africa Command said Monday.

Marine Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, speaks with U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto at the Mogadishu airport Nov. 27, 2018. During his visit, Waldhauser also met with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. The Pentagon denied Monday that there is a plan to reduce its mission in Somalia and cease airstrikes against militants in the country. <br>Nick Scott/U.S. Navy
Marine Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, commander of U.S. Africa Command, speaks with U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Donald Yamamoto at the Mogadishu airport Nov. 27, 2018. During his visit, Waldhauser also met with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. The Pentagon denied Monday that there is a plan to reduce its mission in Somalia and cease airstrikes against militants in the country. <br>Nick Scott/U.S. Navy

Somalia combat operations to continue despite reports, Pentagon says

The Pentagon denied reports of a looming drawdown in Somalia, saying there is no plan to cut back the mission in a country where U.S. Africa Command continues to carry out airstrikes.

Retired Marine Maj. Fred Galvin speaks during a briefing on Capitol Hill in February 2017. Galvin was the commander of a Marine Corps special operations unit in Afghanistan and was accused of firing indiscriminately after a car bomb attack on March 4, 2007. Galvin was exonerated and now has been recommended for a higher rank in retirement, with back pay.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes
Retired Marine Maj. Fred Galvin speaks during a briefing on Capitol Hill in February 2017. Galvin was the commander of a Marine Corps special operations unit in Afghanistan and was accused of firing indiscriminately after a car bomb attack on March 4, 2007. Galvin was exonerated and now has been recommended for a higher rank in retirement, with back pay.<br>Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes

Marine deemed falsely accused of war crimes is recommended for higher retired rank

A retired Marine Corps officer whose career was damaged after his unit was falsely accused in 2007 of war crimes in Afghanistan should have his rank elevated and be awarded back pay for damages, a Navy board has determined.

Tourists and Muscovites stroll across Red Square, with St. Basil's Cathedral on the left and the Kremlin with the Spassky tower at right. U.S. European Command confirmed that a directive still stands that advises military personnel to refrain from all non-business travel to Russia unless it is for a family emergency.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes
Tourists and Muscovites stroll across Red Square, with St. Basil's Cathedral on the left and the Kremlin with the Spassky tower at right. U.S. European Command confirmed that a directive still stands that advises military personnel to refrain from all non-business travel to Russia unless it is for a family emergency.<br>Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes

Servicemember advisory to avoid Russia travel remains in effect following Marine veteran’s arrest

U.S. troops are advised not to travel to Russia, where a Marine Corps veteran accused of spying has been detained by authorities and where security services have a history of harassing American military personnel visiting on vacation.

An Air Force C-130 Hercules taxis on the Joint Multinational Readiness Center's short takeoff and landing strip during an exercise at the Hohenfels training area, Germany, June 16, 2016. A recent Defense Department Inspector General report said that poor oversight has caused delays in U.S. European Command's "base in a box" plan.<br>Lloyd Villanueva/U.S. Army
An Air Force C-130 Hercules taxis on the Joint Multinational Readiness Center's short takeoff and landing strip during an exercise at the Hohenfels training area, Germany, June 16, 2016. A recent Defense Department Inspector General report said that poor oversight has caused delays in U.S. European Command's "base in a box" plan.<br>Lloyd Villanueva/U.S. Army

Air Force ‘base in a box’ plan delayed because of poor management, IG says

A plan to stand up 24 mobile air base kits — part of a $797 million program to bolster American air power in Europe — has been hampered by vague deadlines and insufficient oversight, according to an IG report.

German and Lithuanian soldiers participate in Engineer Thunder in 2017. Germany recently announced it wants to beef up its military with foreign citizens. <br>Jane Schmidt/ Bundeswehr
German and Lithuanian soldiers participate in Engineer Thunder in 2017. Germany recently announced it wants to beef up its military with foreign citizens. <br>Jane Schmidt/ Bundeswehr

Germany wants Poles, Italians and Romanians to beef up its military

The German military, plagued by a shortage of recruits, is considering accepting foreign citizens to help fill out the ranks, the country’s top soldier said Thursday.