Credit Card Now

WASHINGTON, April 26 (UPI) — U.S. war planners said the upcoming summer will be a busy one for combat aviation brigades deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser told delegates at the Army Aviation Association of America conference in Texas that slow drawdowns from Iraq and an ongoing surge in Afghanistan made U.S. combat aviation brigades very busy.

Deployments to Afghanistan, meanwhile, are difficult on brigade pilots and maintenance crews because of the tough flying conditions.

“We’re going into our toughest time this summer,” he said.

U.S. war planners, Schloesser added, have plans for unit rotations through 2015, Defense News reports.

The U.S. Army has four combat aviation brigades in Iraq and Afghanistan total, though there are plans to increase the number in Afghanistan from one to at least three.

Read more…

Tags: Summer

SAN DIEGO, April 26 (UPI) — The USS Freedom, the first littoral combat ship for the U.S. Navy, returned to home port in San Diego following its maiden voyage.

Freedom deployed to the waters of three countries in the U.S. 4th Fleet and U.S. 3rd Fleet Areas of Responsibility, returning unscathed to its port in San Diego.

“Freedom’s homecoming, after a successful maiden deployment, is a significant milestone for the surface Navy and the future of surface warfare,” said Navy Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific.

Freedom during the three-week deployment at sea made drug seizures, recovering more than 5 tons of cocaine.

It also conducted its first-strike operations with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, carrying out high-speed operations, surface gunnery events and other missions, the U.S. Navy said.

The keel for the USS Freedom was laid in Wisconsin five years ago.

Read more…

Tags: Home Port, Port, Uss Freedom

WASHINGTON, April 26 (UPI) — Members of the World Bank in Washington agreed to raise its operating capital by $5.1 billion and increase voting power among developing nations.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said World Bank President Robert Zoellick made “a strong and compelling case” for the United Stated to increase its contribution to the bank by $586 million over the next five years, The New York Times reported Monday.

“For every dollar the United States contributes to paid-in capital for the World Bank, $26 worth of assistance is delivered,” Geithner said.

Zoellick, former U.S. trade representative and the deputy secretary of state under President George W. Bush, said, “As the developing countries gain more shares, they have to pay for them. Part of the good story here is a burden-sharing story.”

Developing countries are expected to contribute $1.6 billion to the $5.1 billion capital increase.

Read more…

Tags: Capital, World Bank

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 26 (UPI) — The U.S. Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System is ready to enter the design phase, developer Northrop Grumman announced.

Northrop Grumman announced that it completed the design review for the defense system, IBCS, paving the way for the design phase of the program.

“The IBCS program is critical to the Army,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco, program executive officer, missiles and space, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.”It will serve as the backbone for Army air and missile defense.”

IBCS will provide the U.S.

Read more…

Tags: Design Phase, Phase

BRASíLIA, Brazil, April 26 (UPI) — U.S. and British forces wound down a semiannual naval event that saw Western allies training for multi-warfare exercises, the U.S. Navy announced.

The U.S. Navy alongside its allies from Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom wrapped up Exercise Joint Warrior 10-1 with a visit to the Brazilian navy frigate Independencia.

The semiannual event sees multinational forces training together for joint operations, the U.S. Navy said.

“One of the biggest challenges today is our complete integration in a multinational force,” said Cmdr. Eduardo A. Wieland, Independencia’s commanding officer.

Exercise Joint Warrior 10-1 promotes the interests of the U.S.

Read more…

Tags: Naval, Wrap Naval