Veterans News & Updates

On Tuesday, the Army made an official announcement that close-combat forces have started receiving the Next-Generation Integrated Head Protection System (NG-IHPS), their newest combat helmet. In 2018, the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) was announced to replace the Advanced Combat Helmet and Enhanced Combat Helmet. This new helmet, which is 40% lighter, claims to provide troops "increased ballistic and fragmentation protection" without sacrificing protection. As stated by Army Times, the first shipment of NG-IHPS units was distributed to over 2,000 troops from the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division on Monday. For complete protection from small-arms fire, the previous IHPS required an extra two-pound ballistic appliqué in addition to the three pounds it already weighed, which provided further protection against pistol bullets and fragmentation. That supposedly greater protection without the added weight is what the NG-IHPS is all about. In a news statement issued on Tuesday, the NG-IHPS was characterized as "world-leading rifle threat protection" by Maj. Matthew Nulk, the assistant program manager of the Program Executive Office Soldier's Head Protection Team. The Head Protection Team's senior engineer, Alex de Groot, credited the NG-IHPS's superior protection to its fabrication using lightweight polyethylene rather than the stiff Kevlar material. Unlike Kevlar, which shatters upon impact, polyethylene distributes the force. For troops in mounted formations, the NG-IHPS offers a redesigned retention and suspension system, a cover for the helmet, and a night-vision bracket that may be attached to a mandible protector. It also includes hearing protection. According to de Groot, the NG-IHPS provides better protection since the night-vision device bracket and boltless retention system install without affecting the helmet's integrity. The night-vision bracket of the helmet may be attached to high-tech heads-up displays such as the Integrated Visual Augmentation System and the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular, both of which are set to be extensively used by the Army in the near future. Soldier Protective Equipment product manager Lt. Col. Ken Elgort praised the NG-IHPS as a game-changer in protective gear, shielding soldiers from modern dangers while paving the way for future device integration. But how well the NG-IHPS does in battle is still up in the air. There has to be "additional testing" to determine how well the NG-IHPS protects against penetration threats and how it compares to earlier helmets, according to the Pentagon's top weapons tester in the fiscal 2023 evaluation. The NG-IHPS is scheduled to be distributed to other close-combat units over the following three years after being equipped with the 82nd Airborne's 2nd and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams this quarter. Source Link: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/02/14/army-fielding-next-gen-combat-helmet-promises-added-protection-without-extra-weight.html

Eight members of the Air Force Special Operations Command lost their lives in a tragic accident off the coast of Japan. In response, the United States military has taken a bold step by grounding all of its Osprey V-22 helicopters. A recent assessment indicated a material failure, suggesting a possible defect in the aircraft itself, rather than human error as the cause of the disaster. As a result, the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have made the unusual decision to ground hundreds of Osprey aircraft. Japan also acted swiftly, grounding 14 Ospreys in a show of seriousness that reflected the gravity of the situation and the safety concerns expressed over the hybrid aircraft. Air Force Special Operations Command Commander Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind ordered the standdown in an effort to reduce potential dangers while the inquiry was underway. "Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap, but the underlying cause of the failure is unknown at this time," according to the command. All Osprey aircraft under the control of the Marine Corps and the Navy were grounded simultaneously by Naval Air Systems Command. The length of time the grounding will last is dependent on the results of the inquiry and the suggestions made to guarantee the safe restart of the fleet's operations. The Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that was built in the United States. It can take off and land like a helicopter and reach greater flying speeds. However, its unusual design has drawn criticism and has been involved in many deadly accidents in its brief history of service. The latest disaster has redirected focus back to the Osprey's safety record, as investigators work to piece together what seems to be an ongoing technical problem with the clutch that has dogged the program for more than 10 years. Concerns have also surfaced over whether or not Osprey components are manufactured in accordance with safety standards. The Marines still hadn't found the reason of the deadly 2022 Osprey accident, but in August they said the clutch had failed. The study report said that such mishaps "are impossible to prevent" without upgrades to the software of the flight control system, the material strength of the drivetrain components, and rigorous inspection standards. The Osprey is still one of the most youthful planes in the military's inventory; it didn't enter service until 2007 after decades of testing. Osprey mishaps have been associated with more than 50 personnel fatalities, including 20 casualties in four crashes in the last 20 months alone. As a result, the safety record of the aircraft has been under growing criticism. Notably, three Marines lost their lives in an Osprey mishap in August in Australia; the inquiry into that tragedy is currently underway. The growing number of mishaps highlights how critical it is to resolve safety issues related to the Osprey and make thorough changes to avoid other catastrophes. The military has grounded all Osprey aircraft in an effort to prioritize safety and resolve any possible material defects that might jeopardize the integrity of this special and vital plane as they await the findings of the accident investigation in Japan. Reference is taken from the following link: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/12/06/us-military-grounds-entire-fleet-of-osprey-aircraft-following-deadly-crash-off-coast-of-japan.html

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) quickly reversed his stance on military confirmations, allowing almost 400 senior military officers to get their long-awaited promotions. Despite months of waiting and anguish, Tuberville was unable to accomplish his aim of changing the Pentagon's abortion policy with the relocation. Despite the nominations of four-star generals and admirals, Tuberville said on Tuesday afternoon that he was releasing his procedural grip on confirmations to military positions. The officers whose promotions had been rejected by Tuberville were promptly approved by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). "I hope no one does this again," Schumer said while speaking on the Senate floor. "And I hope they learn the lesson Sen. Tuberville did, and that is: He held out for many, many months, hurt our national security, caused discombobulation to so many military families who have been so dedicated to our country, and didn't get anything that he wanted." At least twelve officers are still in the dark as a result of Tuberville's decision, but most of those whose promotions were held up by his hold may now proceed. Tuberville admitted defeat and said, "We've still got a bad policy. We tried to stand up for the taxpayers of this country." To put pressure on the Pentagon to change its policy of paying for military personnel’s travel and leave so they may have abortions, Tuberville put a stop to all nominations for general and flag officer positions at the end of February. Although the hold did not block confirmation by the Senate, it required separate roll-call votes for every candidate, which considerably slowed down the process of military promotions. Even though Democrats, Republicans, Pentagon officials, and military families all voiced their disapproval, Tuberville's grip continued for months, eventually expanding to include more than 450 officers. The change of heart occurred when it became clear that a sufficient number of Republican colleagues would back a Democratic initiative to sidestep Tuberville. The block on four-star nominations is still in place, but generals and admirals with one, two, or three stars may now be promoted under fast-track Senate processes, according to Tuberville. His reasoning for maintaining the four-star status quo was that they "need to be vetted just like everybody else." Although they were pleased with Tuberville's decision, the Pentagon persisted in requesting that he expedite the confirmation of candidates with four stars. There have been significant delays in the nominations of individuals to key positions within the military, including vice chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force, as well as commanders of important commands such as Northern Command, Cyber Command, Space Command, Pacific Fleet, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Combat Command. Senior leaders with experience are crucial in these roles, according to Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder. The news came as a relief to military families who had been waiting anxiously for their husbands' promotions. In a statement, Secure Families Initiative executive director Sarah Streyder lauded the "everyday military family members who stood up and said, 'Enough!' when a single senator decided to bully our community." By temporarily altering Senate rules, Democrats intended to circumvent Tuberville's hold before the month ended. With this move, we hoped to approve most nominations with a simple majority vote, with the exception of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and combatant commanders. Given that candidates who are not confirmed by the end of the year will have to be renominated, the clock is ticking on the impasse. Republican Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan had already spoken with Tuberville over the holds, during which he highlighted the possible ramifications of postponed confirmations. Many distinguished military leaders could rethink their dedications, Sullivan warned, if the process were to begin again. To sum up, Sen. Tuberville's long-running impasse has now ended with the Senate's ratification of military promotions. Even if hundreds of officers may now advance in their careers, the continued holdup for a few important nominations highlights the difficulties military families encounter and the wider consequences for national security. Source Link: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/12/05/tuberville-blockade-crumbles-allowing-hundreds-of-military-officers-be-promoted-senate.html