B-2s Take Part in Exercises
By Harold Hutchison

In a sign of increasing tensions, B-2 Spirits have taken part in exercises on the Korean peninsula. The bombers are one of the most valuable assets in the American military arsenal, with only 21 having been built.

The B-2, which halted production in 1995, has seen combat over Serbia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The bomber not only carries precision-guided bombs, but it also carries nuclear weapons. The bombers flew the round trip from Whiteman Air Force Base, in Missouri.

Korean War Ace Laid to Rest
By Harold Hutchison

Korean War Ace Boots Blesse was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on 22 March. Blesse, who had ten kills during the Korean War, died on 31 October, 2012.

Blesse was a Distinguished Service Cross recipient, although the medal was not awarded until 1998 for actions taken on 8 September, 1952. Blesse was buried near his father, a brigadier general, in Arlington.

USS John C. Stennis Leaves Fifth Fleet
By Harold Hutchison

The United States is down to one carrier to not only support Operation Enduring Freedom and keep an eye on Iran. This is due to the departure of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) from the region.

The carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), which was slated to deploy, instead remains in Norfolk due to the sequester. The only carrier in the region is USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

Video by Coast Guard District 11

“Amazing Race” Episode Featured Propaganda
By Harold Hutchison

Sunday evening, viewers of “The Amazing Race” were treated to a message before the episode apologizing to America’s veterans. The apology comes after a week of controversy surrounding an episode that took place in Hanoi.

During the 17 March episode in Hanoi, race participants had to stop at a route marker set at a memorial centered on a B-52 downed during the Vietnam War. The leg of the race also featured a Vietnamese propaganda show.

Here is the full text of the statement CBS placed before the 24 March episode:

Representatives Demand Answers on Ammo Purchases
By Harold Hutchison

Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano refused to answer questions about reported purchases of ammunition by her department. The questions have come from Representative Leonard Lance (R-NJ) and Timothy Huelskamp (R-KS), and center on a stockpile of 1.6 billion rounds, most of them for 9mm and .40 S&W pistols.

U.S., Japan, Prepare Plans to Defend Senkaku Islands
By Harold Hutchison

Aggressive actions by the Chinese Communists have lead the United States and Japan to make plans to defend – or recapture – a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea in the event of a ChiCom invasion

“Training Incident” Results in Fatalities
By Harold Hutchison

An explosion at Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada has left seven Marines dead. The accident came during a training mission involving members of the II Marine Expeditionary Force.

According to a report from FoxNews.com, the deaths came when a 60mm mortar round exploded during the training.

-Article by Mike Kupari

Over the last several years, there has been a push across the services to give troops on the ground flame retardant uniforms. Often, these uniforms are described as providing protection from IEDs, but that's not exactly true. An Improvised Explosive Device is still just an explosive. Many IEDs have utilized conventional ordnance as the main charge, and even homemade explosives don't necessarily produce big fireballs. You're not any more likely to be set on fire by an IED than you are by a land mine, artillery shell, or any other explosive device.