The United Nation’s top legal advisor says the Somali Transitional Federal Government is not in favor of having specialized courts in other countries try Somali piracy suspects. Patricia O’Brien told the U.N. Security Council Somalia says it prefers such a court be established in Somalia and is willing to work with the United Nations toward an agreement on a location for it.

The United Nations has been exploring the idea of a specialized court to handle piracy suspects for some time. Various proposals include having the court established in Somalia or the region.

A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two armed insurgents during a security search targeting a Taliban leader in Alingar District, Laghman province yesterday.

Reports indicate the leader is finalizing preparations for an imminent attack in the district. The leader, who supports both Taliban and Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin networks, has previously been involved in attacks against the Afghan national army.

Once you get past the humor of “ballistic underwear,” the threat it helps mitigate is real and the protection is necessary.

The new ballistic underwear to better protect against life-altering injuries is here and has already become a standard in proper protective equipment for almost every unit when they go outside any forward operating base in Afghanistan.

Six CH-53E Super Stallions chopped through the early morning air, June 5. Moving swiftly under the cover of darkness, they transported their passengers to an uncertain objective where Marines have rarely gone before.

The Marines of 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and partnered soldiers from the 1st Tolay, 2nd Kandak, Afghan National Army, were inserted at two landing zones on the outskirts of Ghughori Baba to carry out Operation Maneuver One.

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- Every day there are Airmen here supporting combat airlift missions for Operation Enduring Freedom through the use of the C-130 Hercules.

The C-130s at Bagram Airfield are deployed with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, which is part of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. Its Air Force fact sheet states, "Basic and specialized versions of the (C-130) perform a diverse number of roles, including airlift (and airdrop) support ...and aeromedical missions."

To do such a wide variety of missions, flexibility is important.

A House of Representatives amendment that supports bringing home the remains of U.S. Navy heroes from Libya has no counterpart in the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2012.

While the Senate Armed Services Committee chose not to address the issue, the House passed an amendment (H.R. 1497) on May 26, directing the Secretary of Defense to take whatever steps necessary to "exhume and transfer the remains of certain deceased members of the Armed Forces buried in Tripoli, Libya...."

ISSA SAYS MELSON SHOULD GO
Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA) has called for Acting BATFE Director Kenneth Melson's resignation.
http://www.sofmag.com/melson-should-lose-job-says-issa

Video by NATO Channel

‘Melson should go’ says Issa as pressure builds

Kenneth Melson, acting director of the embattled Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives should step down.

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/melson-should-go-says-issa...

Article by Dave Workman