Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

June 23, 2017     Okinawans recall horrors of war, call for lasting peace during Battle of Okinawa remembrance Sunao Oshiro was only 11 when the Battle of Okinawa came to his tiny home island of Ie Shima, which lies just off the coast of Okinawa’s main island. He was huddled in a cave with his parents and four younger brothers when a bomb landed on the island, killing his entire family and 48 village residents.   Obama's secret struggle to punish Russia for Putin's election assault Early last August, an envelope with extraordinary handling restrictions arrived at the White House. Sent by courier from the CIA, it carried "eyes only" instructions that its contents be shown to just four people: President Barack Obama and three senior aides.   Yokota maintainers get new leader as base transitions to Super Hercs Maj. David Mueller has assumed command of Yokota’s 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as the base’s aging fleet of C-130H cargo planes are replaced by newer J models.   North Korea says it is 'biggest victim' in death of American student The North's official Korean Central News Agency denied that North Korea cruelly treated or tortured Otto Warmbier and accused the United States and South Korea of a smear campaign that insulted what it called its "humanitarian" treatment of him.   As Russia launches missiles into Syria, US faces strategic dilemma Russia launched a flurry of cruise missiles into Syria Friday, targeting Islamic State fighters with a strike that also demonstrates Moscow’s ability to use its muscle to advance the interests of a Syrian government hostile to U.S.-backed militias.   How Canada's small military produced deadly, record-breaking snipers Despite its small size, Canada is known for producing well-trained, highly skilled soldiers, who have long fought alongside American and British counterparts in major world conflicts, including the current fight against Islamic State militants.   Navy names lead investigator in USS Fitzgerald collision that killed 7 sailors Rear Adm. Brian Fort will lead a Navy investigation into the collision that killed seven USS Fitzgerald sailors off the Japanese coast, a 7th Fleet statement said Friday.   Military heads want transgender enlistment hold Military chiefs will seek a six-month delay before letting transgender people enlist in their services, officials said Friday. After meetings this week, the service leaders hammered out an agreement that rejected Army and Air Force requests for a two-year wait and reflected broader concerns that a longer delay would trigger criticism on Capitol Hill.   EUCOM releases photos of close encounter between Russian jet, Air Force plane U.S. European Command released a series of photos Friday that captured the close encounter earlier this week between a Russian fighter and a U.S. Air Force surveillance plane flying over the Baltic Sea.   Iwakuni mayor announces support for relocating Navy carrier air wing from Atsugi Citing the threat from North Korea, a Japanese mayor says he supports a bilateral agreement that will relocate the bulk of a Navy carrier air wing to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, an Iwakuni City official said Friday.   Trump signs law to make VA more accountable for vets' care President Donald Trump signed a bill into law Friday that will make it easier for the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire employees, part of a push to overhaul an agency that is struggling to serve millions of military vets.   Senators ask military to review report on Yemen torture Two senior U.S. senators are asking Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to investigate reports that U.S. military interrogators worked with forces from the United Arab Emirates accused of torturing detainees in Yemen.