Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

June 28, 2017     Study: Basing soldiers in Europe, South Korea would be cheaper than rotations The downsizing of the Army overseas has cost more money than expected because of a reliance on expensive rotational forces when forward-based units can perform the same roles more cheaply, according to a new U.S. Army War College report.   Senate committee moves to speed up yearslong VA appeals process The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Wednesday unanimously passed on voice vote a bill that aims to speed up the process of getting veterans their earned benefits – a task that now takes between three and six years on average if a veteran is forced to appeal a benefits claim that is denied.   F-35 unreliability risks strain on Pentagon budget, tester says Costs to operate and support Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-35 will balloon unless the deteriorating reliability of the Pentagon's costliest program improves, according to an assessment from the Defense Department's own testing office.   Summit between US, South Korean presidents a chance to ‘open the aperture’ South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in and US President Donald Trump will meet for the first time at a summit Thursday in Washington. The novice leaders face potential disagreements over issues such as North Korea policy, trade and the stalled deployment of a U.S. anti-missile battery.   Senate bill aims to end 'unintended burden' on wounded vets accessing Tricare A bill was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday to end a practice that inadvertently penalizes some medically retired servicemembers by forcing them to pay higher Medicare rates in order to maintain their Tricare health coverage.   Shiloh sailor who spurred 3-day search released from confinement A USS Shiloh sailor who was presumed lost at sea only to be found a week later in the ship’s engine room has been freed from the brig while awaiting court-martial.   Black Jack combat brigade takes over on the Korean Peninsula A new combat brigade took point on the heavily militarized Korean Peninsula on Wednesday.   Soldier accused of killing PTSD dog pleads to lesser offenses A charge of cruelty to animals filed against a Fort Bragg soldier accused of shooting an emotional support dog was dismissed in North Carolina.   Mattis: No additional Syria chemical weapons activity seen The U.S. has seen no additional activity to indicate a chemical attack is imminent in Syria since the White House threatened President Bashar Assad with retaliation if any further steps were taken, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday.   NATO set for defense spending increases as Trump seeks even more NATO allies are expected to boost defense spending in 2017 by 4.3 percent, marking the third consecutive year expenditures will rise for an alliance under pressure from the Trump administration to invest even more in their militaries.   US committed to Europe force extension through 2020, Mattis says The United States will extend its forward presence of forces in eastern Europe through 2020, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday, continuing a commitment to the Continent’s security that was declared 70 years ago this month.   Saudis shrug off arms sale freeze, convinced Qatar will bend Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir has a plan for U.S.-Saudi relations if Qatar does not give into the other Gulf states' strong demands: Hope that Qatar gives in anyway.