Stars and Stripes Daily Headlines

July 13, 2017     ‘Iron Soldiers’ take command of Inherent Resolve land component The 1st Armored Division on Wednesday assumed command of the multinational land component of the U.S.-led anti-Islamic State coalition from the 1st Infantry Division, which had led it since November.   Humvee disaster brings charges, reprimand The 173rd Airborne Brigade soldier charged in connection with the spectacular destruction last year of three Humvees that slipped free from their parachutes during a drop is not a parachute rigger. He is a Germany-based scout who’d been assigned to assist the brigade’s Italy-based parachute riggers during the exercise, authorities said.   Air Force’s largest combat wing welcomes new commander on Okinawa Brig. Gen. Case Cunningham, who was recently promoted to brigadier general, took command of the 18th Wing — also known as the Shoguns. The force he leads includes nearly 18,000 Americans and more than 4,000 Japanese employees and contractors.   Japanese missile-defense unit to train at Yokota, local media say A Japanese Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile interceptor will deploy next month to the headquarters of U.S. Forces Japan and the 5th Air Force in Tokyo, Japanese media reports say.   Senators begin negotiations on new VA Choice Program Members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee gained feedback this week about three draft proposals to reform how and when veterans seek private-sector health care, setting the stage for negotiations between Democrats and Republicans on what might be the biggest task for the committee this year.   It could take more than a decade to clear Mosul of unexploded munitions, booby traps After nine months of vicious street-to-street fighting to drive the Islamic State out of Mosul, it could take many years more to fully remove explosives and other munitions from what was once one of Iraq's most populous cities, U.S. State Department officials said.   Thunderbirds, rare US military aircraft slated for British air show Residents of Great Britain were greeted with a rare sight in the skyMonday from flyovers of the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds over popular sights like RAF Duxford, Stonehenge and Loch Ness.   USS John Finn to be commissioned Saturday The USS John Finn, built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, has arrived at Pearl Harbor and will be commissionedon Saturday, according to the U.S. Navy.   Expanded ‘forever’ GI Bill poised for quick action in Congress House lawmakers will introduce legislation Thursday to secure college aid for reservists and reimburse veterans whose schools unexpectedly close, as well as do away with a 15-year time limit for veterans to use education benefits – changes that together create the largest expansion of veterans’ education benefits since the Post-9/11 GI Bill was created nearly a decade ago.   Navy warns of health risk from smoke produced by Mount Vesuvius wildfires Navy hospital officials issued an advisory saying the Mount Vesuvius wildfires’ heavy smoke could pose a health risk, especially to children, the elderly and those with respiratory problems.   Americans to lead Bastille Day parade in Paris U.S. troops will for the first time lead France’s annual Bastille Day military parade in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into WWI, U.S. European Command officials saidWednesday.   Verdict expected this month for civilian worker charged in Misawa hotel assault  A verdict is expected later this month for an Army contractor facing assault and weapons charges stemming from a “physical altercation” at Misawa Air Base, Japan.