Sea Breeze 2020 Exercise Aims to Deter Russia
More than 2,000 troops from eight countries took part in training exercise Sea Breeze 2020 in the Black Sea region. “Conducting operations in the Black Sea ensures stability throughout the region,” said the US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa commander.
House Curbs Presidential Deployment Powers
The House defense bill strips Confederate base names and curbs a president’s powers in troop deployments, reports Defense News, passing with a veto-proof majority and a strong bipartisan vote.
Century-Old Briggs & Stratton Files Bankruptcy
Small engine manufacturer Briggs & Stratton Corp., founded in Milwaukee in 1908, has filed for bankruptcy protection. Briggs was the world’s largest manufacturer of small gasoline engines; it has sold more than 125 million.
US Conducts Operations in South China Sea for 2nd Time in 2 Weeks
The US Navy again has two carrier strike groups — USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan — conducting operations in the South China Sea. Rhetoric is heating up in the region, where Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam are challenging China’s claim to about 90% of the sea. The Navy notes that the carrier operations are unrelated to current events.
Gilday Gets First-Hand Look at Ship’s Fire Damage
Chief of Naval Operations ADM Michael Gilday was in San Diego over the weekend to inspect the USS Bonhomme Richard and push for answers in the wake of the fire that gutted the ship. “The damage is extensive,” the admiral said at a news briefing after walking through the ship.
FEMA Asks for DoD Medical Help in TX and CA
About 740 military personnel were dispatched to Texas and California after the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested DoD assistance in tamping down the coronavirus pandemic. Soldiers are being dispatched from the Army’s Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces from the 627th Hospital Center out of Fort Carson, CO.
DoD Uses COVID Funds for Small-Drone Contracts
DoD’s innovation arm has issued $13.4 million in small-drone support contracts using COVID-19 funds, awarding contracts to five companies to help with “situational awareness, improve human-machine teaming, and provide engineering support.”
Fire on Navy Ship Under Investigation
Officials are investigating a fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard on Sunday that injured a dozen sailors and several civilians. The fire is believed to have stated in a cargo hold on the ship docked at Naval Base San Diego.
Navy Has Its 1st Black Female Fighter Pilot
Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle is the Navy’s first-known Black female TACAIR pilot. She will receive her Wings of Gold later this month.
Stop Buying F-35 Parts From Turkey
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging the Pentagon to more quickly stop buying F-35 fighter jet components from Turkey. DoD’s plans to buy parts from Turkey into 2022 undercuts US pressure on the country over its purchase of the Russian S-400 Triumf air defense system, they write.
