Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

	Watchdog warns Trump administration of risks to Afghanistan reconstruction Less than two weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, the watchdog for U.S. reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan delivered a searing indictment of the lack of progress in the two years since NATO ended its combat mission and assumed a new advisory role designed to get the country strong enough to stand on its own.   Trump announces VA undersecretary as his choice to lead department In a move that goes against his vow to completely overhaul the Department of Veterans Affairs, President-elect Donald Trump chose Dr. David Shulkin, current VA under secretary for health, to lead the department.   US Commander: Islamic State truck bombs losing impact in battle for Mosul Truck bombs, the Islamic State group’s signature battlefield tactic, have become less effective on the advancing Iraqi security forces as they slowly wrest Mosul from the terrorist group, a top U.S. commander said Wednesday.   Field mechanics help Army chug to Poland As part of the Iron Brigade’s push from Fort Carson to bases across NATO’s eastern flank, mechanics are working overtime to keep the many convoys going, a key cog in one of the largest U.S. troop mobilizations in Europe since the end of the Cold War.   Air Force keeps tools at the ready by putting them under wraps The 100th Maintenance Squadron at RAF Mildenhall has developed a simple money-saving procedure to prevent the corrosion of spare tools by coating them in candy-colored plastic.   Admiral: Navy shifting from carrier-based strategy to a fleet of ‘distributed lethality’ The Navy must adapt to stay ahead of rapidly improving anti-ship weapons that could one day keep an American fleet from sailing to the aid of an ally, the top commander of U.S. surface warships saidTuesday.   Navy clears appellate judge accused of lying while prosecutor The Navy has cleared a top judge accused in an ethics complaint of lying in his previous job as prosecutor in a high-profile sexual assault case.   Camp Pendleton gets ready to mark 75th anniversary The base was established in 1942 to train Marines for combat in World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the base in honor of World War I Maj. Gen. Joseph H. Pendleton.   DODEA students trumpeting the wonders of jazz at annual seminar With a wave of his hand, Darmon Meader silenced the band and the toe-tapping from the seated musicians in jeans and sneakers.   Tillerson stands firm on NATO, backs Russia dialogue Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, saidWednesday during his Senate confirmation hearing that the United States should stand firm against Russia but could use new dialogue to ease an increasingly hostile relationship.   Lawsuit: Jewelers knew con men were ripping off young sailors, did nothing "This case is largely motivated with the interest of protecting future military members from being made a part of this scam or others like it," said attorney Todd Gaynor, who declined to comment further.