Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

March 9, 2017     Votel: More conventional forces could be used to stabilize Syria The general in charge of U.S. Central Command said Thursdaythat more conventional military forces might be needed in Syria in the future for stability operations.   Hundreds of Afghans become army officers, vow to fight militants Newly minted Afghan army officers vowed on Thursday to fight and defeat the militants launching terrorist attacks across the country.   NATO forces harmonize the big guns When two or more allied armies work together, synchronization is crucial if artillery is to have a maximum impact and if catastrophic friendly fire is to be avoided. That’s the focus of Exercise Dynamic Front, an exercise which began Feb. 26 and concluded Thursdayinvolving more than 1,300 soldiers from nine NATO nations.   Hundreds of Marines, Army Rangers deploy to Syria in the fight against Islamic State About 400 Marines and Army Rangers have deployed to Syria to assist in the fight against the Islamic State group as local forces prepare to retake the terrorist stronghold of Raqqa, U.S. defense officials said Thursday.   Iraqis drink up as life returns to liberated Mosul Life is trickling back into this northern Iraq town that was cleared of Islamic State fighters in November, and so is the alcohol.   Military Update | VA plans to test several new ways to limit Choice plan costs Shulkin last month said he would ask Congress to scrap driving distance (of more than 40 miles) and appointment wait times (of more than 30 days) for determining eligibility to use Choice. But without new screening criteria, VA health costs could soar by as much as $1 trillion over the next decade, congressional auditors have estimated.   Army touts added airpower for Europe mission The Fort Drum, N.Y.-based 10th Combat Aviation Brigade took control of the Army’s aviation mission in Europe Thursday, heading a headquarters here that will be responsible for deploying Chinooks, Black Hawks and Apache attack helicopters along NATO’s eastern flank.   After online photo scandal, female Marines unite to start a campaign of support A new site called "Female Marines United campaign" wants to raise money to support women service members after hundreds of nude photos of female marines were posted to a secret Facebook group called "Marines United."   Report: Army brass, led by future JCS head Dempsey, gave amorous general a pass The Army inspector general was unsparing: The two-star general had an inappropriate relationship with a woman and lied to investigators about it, made his staff buy sexy clothing for her, subjected his underlings to racist and sexist emails and allowed himself to be photographed with another woman licking the medals on his formal dress uniform.   General says no bad decisions in Yemen raid, probe is over The top U.S. commander for the Middle East says he's completed an exhaustive review of the Yemen raid that killed a Navy SEAL, and has concluded there were no lapses in judgment or decision making surrounding the military operation.   Deported US vets in Mexico hope for return under Trump government After manning a machine gun on a combat helicopter during the liberation of Kuwait, Marine veteran Antonio Romo came back to the United States traumatized by the death and carnage he saw. He says he turned to alcohol and narcotics to try to quiet the nightmares. With addiction, he fell into dealing, and was arrested for selling cocaine. And after serving time in prison, Romo was deported.