Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

March 1, 2017     Townsend: No major US force buildup needed to fight Islamic State in Iraq, Syria The American general leading the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria signaled Wednesday that the United States is unlikely to drastically alter its strategy to defeat the terrorist organization under President Donald Trump.   Trump touts increased military spending but some lawmakers call for more In his first address to Congress, President Donald Trump on Tuesday touted his plans to build up the military with more spending, a promise he has pursued since his campaign.   Veterans groups warn against unlimited choice for health care Speaking to House and Senate veterans’ affairs committees, the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars on Wednesdaywarned against the Department of Veterans Affairs excessively outsourcing medical treatment to the private sector.   Taliban suicide bombers target Kabul security forces in fatal attacks Suicide bombers struck Afghan security forces in separate attacks in the capital on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens, officials said.   US general: Russian warplanes accidentally bombed US-backed rebels in Syria Russian and Syrian regime warplanes bombed U.S.-backed militia fighters in small villages near al-Bab, a northern Syrian city recently recaptured from the Islamic State group, the top U.S. commander in Iraq and Syria said Wednesday.   Osan combat drills include air sorties, ground operations The 51st Fighter Wing is leading more than 5,000 servicemembers in combat drills this week at Osan Air Base.   Questions hover over Army drone’s 630-mile odyssey across western US Mystery shrouds the rogue flight of an Army unmanned surveillance aircraft that was launched from southern Arizona on Jan. 31, flew hundreds of miles independent from human control and was found Feb. 9, broken apart in a tree outside Denver.   Trump claims tough talk on NATO member spending is paying off President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his demand that NATO members increase their defense spending but also said his months of tough talk directed at allies was beginning to pay off.   Navy begins large humanitarian mission in Indian, Pacific oceans The Navy is joining several allies in offering humanitarian assistance in South Asia and the Western Pacific during the 12th-annual Pacific Partnership mission.   Kaiserslautern child care hit by federal hiring freeze Families seeking on-base child care in the Kaiserslautern area — home to the largest U.S. military community overseas — soon may feel the pinch of the federal civilian hiring freeze.