It is hard to believe now, but in 1941, the United States had only been in one war outside North America. Since the anarchists of the early 20th century were history, terrorism was almost unherad of. So, lawmakers displayed rare foresight when they passed the Defense Base Act. Although there were virtually no overseas private military contractors at the time, …
The formerly sleepy and isolated Pacific outpost has become a potential forward operating base in a future conflict with China. So, the DoD feels the island’s largest airbase must be up to the challenge. Much of the work includes hangers and other air installations designed to service drones, tankers, and other long-range aircraft. One such facility, a Tanker General Purpose …
An Al-Shabaab attack killed two contractors and an Army specialist and destroyed six aircraft in a daring raid on the Manda Bay Army base in Kenya. About a dozen militants stormed the sleepy airbase, taking Americans by surprise. Most personnel huddled together in tents, anxiously waiting out the hours-long firefight. The three people killed was the largest number of fatalities …
Three years after longtime Afghanistan NATO commander John Nicholson said the conflict was a “stalemate,” America’s longest war might be closer to ending than it has ever been. An RIV (reduction-in-violence) agreement is already in place. This pact, which is basically a limited cease-fire, has largely held. As a result, negotiators felt it was time to take the next step. …
Researchers at Purdue University believe oxygen saturation will help Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury victims from Syria and elsewhere recover more quickly from their wounds. 15 veterans will receive treatment for a year at a Jeffersonville, Indiana hospital. The study includes multiple MRIs and 40 hours in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has been …
The massive cost might have been even higher, had it not been for the use of contractors in the war-torn country of Iraq. The Pentagon’s base budget has increased significantly since the war began. Additionally, the DoD has received about $900 billion in “overseas contingency” and “emergency” funding. The $2 trillion figure also includes interest costs. The government has not …
When police officers clamoring for better pay and working conditions clashed with soldiers in the capital of Port au Prince, one person was killed and several others were injured. Police officers said they were upset about the distribution of resources. “No money for police officers but enough money for Carnival,” they shouted. The government called in army units to suppress …
Government forces and their Russian allies recently dislodged U.S.-backed rebels from a strategic town they have held since 2012. The victory is just the latest one in a series of triumphs for Bashar Assad. The northwestern town of Maaret al-Numan sits on the main highway between Damascus and Aleppo. While rebels occupied Maaret al-Numan, they could significantly inhibit the movement …
The last time the comedian/activist Jon Stewart was on Capitol Hill, Congress authorized additional compensation for 9/11 survivors. Will his latest efforts yield the same results? Stewart’s advocacy began with a burn pit public service announcement in September 2019. “You deserve more than the country’s gratitude for your service,” he intoned into the camera. “You deserve full medical benefits to …
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved extended clinical trials for 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder treatments. MDMA, which is also known as Molly or Ecstasy, is a common party drug. Could this treatment, if successful, be available for contractors who were injured in Afghanistan? MDMA is still not legal for medicinal purposes, but the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic …
A year ago, the federal government made some big changes to the Veterans Administration appeals process. For the most part, veterans must navigate this complex system on their own. Fortunately, contractors who were injured in Haiti and elsewhere have a better option. The 2017 Appeals Modernization Act gave disabled veterans three new options when pursuing their claims. Higher-Level Review allows …
Two major Taliban attacks near the Tajikistan border in late January 2020 illustrate the ongoing problems in this war-torn country. Taliban fighters simultaneously attacked several security checkpoints around Dasht-e Archi in the northern province of Kunduz. Afghan casualties numbered 13 KIAs, 12m WIAs, and three MIAs. Taliban warriors stormed the checkpoints at midnight, and fighting continued for several hours. After …
