Stars and Stripes
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Stars and Stripes provides independent news and information to the U.S. military community from reporters and bureaus located around the world.
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Royce Williams, a 100-year-old Korean War veteran involved in a secretive dogfight with seven Russian fighter planes more than 70 years ago, would be eligible for the Medal of Honor upon the passage of the latest NDAA.
Bill would allow Medal of Honor consideration for Navy pilot who downed 4 Soviet fighter jets during Korean War
Royce Williams, who was in a secretive dogfight with Russian fighter planes, would be eligible for the Medal of Honor upon the passage of the NDAA.
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:32 AM
Royce Williams, a 100-year-old Korean War veteran involved in a secretive dogfight with seven Russian fighter planes more than 70 years ago, would be eligible for the Medal of Honor upon the passage of the latest NDAA.
How can the Pentagon reduce child care waitlists on U.S. military bases? It starts with better pay, benefits and schedules for employees at child care centers, according to research from the Rand Corp.
How can the Pentagon reduce child care waitlists? Better pay, benefits and schedules for workers, report says
Military base child care centers continue to grapple with an employee turnover rate as high as 50% after one year, according to Rand Corp. research.
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:01 AM
How can the Pentagon reduce child care waitlists on U.S. military bases? It starts with better pay, benefits and schedules for employees at child care centers, according to research from the Rand Corp.
Japanese officials lodged a complaint Tuesday that part of a U.S. military parachute was found at a children's activity center in western Tokyo, a second recent parachute mishap that came days after an American paratrooper made an unplanned landing in the city outside Yokota Air Base.
Second US military parachute mishap in western Tokyo spurs more official complaints
Japanese officials protested that part of a U.S. military parachute was found at a children’s activity center in western Tokyo.
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Japanese officials lodged a complaint Tuesday that part of a U.S. military parachute was found at a children's activity center in western Tokyo, a second recent parachute mishap that came days after an American paratrooper made an unplanned landing in the city outside Yokota Air Base.
The Marine Corps "will not be deterred" as it integrates new weapons and refines its island defense strategy alongside Japan to counter any military crisis in the Indo-Pacific region, the Marines' top general on Okinawa said Tuesday. (from @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social)
Marines on Okinawa will ‘not be deterred’ as they refine defense of island chain, general says
The Marine Corps is integrating new weapons and refining its island defense strategy alongside Japan to counter any military crisis in the Indo-Pacific region, the Marines’ top general on Okinawa said...
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:49 AM
The Marine Corps "will not be deterred" as it integrates new weapons and refines its island defense strategy alongside Japan to counter any military crisis in the Indo-Pacific region, the Marines' top general on Okinawa said Tuesday. (from @brianmcelhiney.bsky.social)
South Korea scrambled fighters Tuesday to meet nine Russian and Chinese military aircraft that approached the country's Air Defense Identification Zone, according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
South Korean fighters scramble to meet Russian, Chinese aircraft on patrol in air defense zone
Nine Russian and Chinese aircraft entered and exited the South Korean Air Defense Identification Zone, causing South Korea to scramble fighters.
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:41 AM
South Korea scrambled fighters Tuesday to meet nine Russian and Chinese military aircraft that approached the country's Air Defense Identification Zone, according to the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told congressional leaders Tuesday that he was still weighing whether to release the full video of an attack on an alleged drug boat that killed two survivors, even as he faced intensifying demands from Congress for disclosure.
Hegseth tells congressional leaders he is weighing release of boat strike video
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told congressional leaders Tuesday that he was still weighing whether to release the full video of an attack on an alleged drug boat that killed two survivors, even as he faced intensifying demands from Congress for disclosure.
The U.S. Navy has successfully recovered a fighter jet and a helicopter that crashed into the South China Sea in October while operating off the USS Nimitz.
Navy recovers fighter jet, helicopter that crashed into South China Sea
A sunken F/A-18F Super Hornet and a MH-60R Sea Hawk that crashed off the USS Nimitz in back-to-back incidents have been recovered.
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:29 AM
The U.S. Navy has successfully recovered a fighter jet and a helicopter that crashed into the South China Sea in October while operating off the USS Nimitz.
The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls pulled into Da Nang, Vietnam, this week for the U.S. Navy's first visit to the city in two years, according to the service. (from @alexmwilson.bsky.social)
Amphibious assault ship, cruiser make Navy’s first visit to Vietnamese city in 2 years
The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli arrived for a Da Nang port call alongside the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls.
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:54 AM
The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli and the guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls pulled into Da Nang, Vietnam, this week for the U.S. Navy's first visit to the city in two years, according to the service. (from @alexmwilson.bsky.social)
The first phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is nearly complete, after a two-month process plagued by delays and finger-pointing. Now, the key players are set to move into a far more complicated second phase, which could reshape the Middle East.
Trump’s ceasefire plan for Israel-Hamas war faces pitfalls as it moves into new phase
www.stripes.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:12 AM
The first phase of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is nearly complete, after a two-month process plagued by delays and finger-pointing. Now, the key players are set to move into a far more complicated second phase, which could reshape the Middle East.
Maj. Blaine McGraw, an Army OB-GYN, was charged Tuesday with more than 50 counts of secretly recording dozens of women he saw as patients at Fort Hood's Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.
Army charges Fort Hood OB-GYN with crimes against 44 women
Maj. Blaine McGraw has been charged on 61 total counts, including more than 50 of secretly recording dozens of women he saw as patients at Fort Hood.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Maj. Blaine McGraw, an Army OB-GYN, was charged Tuesday with more than 50 counts of secretly recording dozens of women he saw as patients at Fort Hood's Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.
✨Season’s Greetings from Stars and Stripes!✨
Celebrate the season with independent journalism you can trust. For a limited time, enjoy 50% off a full year of Digital Access — and stay connected to the stories that matter all year long.
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Celebrate the season with independent journalism you can trust. For a limited time, enjoy 50% off a full year of Digital Access — and stay connected to the stories that matter all year long.
Stay informed. Stay connected.
🔗 stripes.com?view=select&...
December 9, 2025 at 11:07 PM
✨Season’s Greetings from Stars and Stripes!✨
Celebrate the season with independent journalism you can trust. For a limited time, enjoy 50% off a full year of Digital Access — and stay connected to the stories that matter all year long.
Stay informed. Stay connected.
🔗 stripes.com?view=select&...
Celebrate the season with independent journalism you can trust. For a limited time, enjoy 50% off a full year of Digital Access — and stay connected to the stories that matter all year long.
Stay informed. Stay connected.
🔗 stripes.com?view=select&...
Eighty years after a traffic accident in postwar Germany fatally injured Gen. George S. Patton Jr., a small group, including his granddaughter, gathered Tuesday at the crash site to reflect on the World War II icon’s legacy.
Story coming tomorrow.
Story coming tomorrow.
December 9, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Eighty years after a traffic accident in postwar Germany fatally injured Gen. George S. Patton Jr., a small group, including his granddaughter, gathered Tuesday at the crash site to reflect on the World War II icon’s legacy.
Story coming tomorrow.
Story coming tomorrow.
Two U.S. F-18 fighter jets flying in tandem entered Venezuelan airspace around noon Tuesday, circling over the Gulf of Venezuela in the latest show of force against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
In defiant flyover, US F-18 fighter jets enter Venezuelan airspace for 40 minutes
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Two U.S. F-18 fighter jets flying in tandem entered Venezuelan airspace around noon Tuesday, circling over the Gulf of Venezuela in the latest show of force against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
The U.S. Navy admiral who is retiring early from command of the campaign to destroy vessels allegedly carrying drugs near Venezuela spoke to key lawmakers as Congress seeks more answers on President Donald Trump’s mission.
Admiral overseeing boat strikes, who is retiring as head of Southern Command, meets with senators
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The U.S. Navy admiral who is retiring early from command of the campaign to destroy vessels allegedly carrying drugs near Venezuela spoke to key lawmakers as Congress seeks more answers on President Donald Trump’s mission.
Two former U.S. Navy captains who admitted taking bribes as part of the “Fat Leonard” corruption scandal have lost their bids to have their felony convictions vacated in the wake of prosecutorial misconduct that tainted the late stages of the long-running case.
Judge rules against 2 Navy captains seeking reduced charges in ‘Fat Leonard’ corruption case
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Two former U.S. Navy captains who admitted taking bribes as part of the “Fat Leonard” corruption scandal have lost their bids to have their felony convictions vacated in the wake of prosecutorial misconduct that tainted the late stages of the long-running case.
The proposed 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes language that blocks the most recent attempt to gauge whether the grocery industry is interested and able to operate the Defense Department’s stateside stores.
Proposed defense bill blocks plan to privatize commissaries
The proposed 2026 NDAA includes language that blocks an attempt to gauge whether the grocery industry can operate the DOD’s stateside stores.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The proposed 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes language that blocks the most recent attempt to gauge whether the grocery industry is interested and able to operate the Defense Department’s stateside stores.
The U.S. Coast Guard has seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine off the west coast of North America since early August as part of Operation Pacific Viper.
Coast Guard has seized 150,000 pounds of cocaine in Pacific Ocean since summer
The U.S. Coast Guard has seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine off the west coast of North America since early August.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:14 PM
The U.S. Coast Guard has seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine off the west coast of North America since early August as part of Operation Pacific Viper.
The compromise National Defense Authorization Act includes requirements and restrictions for military training flights operating in Washington airspace, but stops short of mandating National Transportation Safety Board recommendations included in a bipartisan Senate measure.
NDAA makes exceptions on DC military flight restrictions
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
The compromise National Defense Authorization Act includes requirements and restrictions for military training flights operating in Washington airspace, but stops short of mandating National Transportation Safety Board recommendations included in a bipartisan Senate measure.
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan, injuring 23 people and triggering a tsunami in Pacific coast communities, officials said. Authorities warned of possible aftershocks and an increased risk of a megaquake.
Magnitude 7.5 quake in northern Japan injures 23 people and triggers a 2-foot tsunami
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:46 PM
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan, injuring 23 people and triggering a tsunami in Pacific coast communities, officials said. Authorities warned of possible aftershocks and an increased risk of a megaquake.
A defense policy bill expected to be voted on this week does not include provisions that would have ensured the military’s ability to purchase the technical data, parts and information needed to repair its own equipment.
Congress removes provisions in policy bill that would have allowed military to repair its own equipment
The NDAA does not include the Right to Repair Act, requiring contractors to provide technical data for troops to repair equipment in the field.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
A defense policy bill expected to be voted on this week does not include provisions that would have ensured the military’s ability to purchase the technical data, parts and information needed to repair its own equipment.
Dogs Inc’s newly expanded program is the first to allow a Gold Star family member with a qualifying disability to receive a highly trained service dog to help cope with anxiety, PTSD and other daily challenges.
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
December 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Dogs Inc’s newly expanded program is the first to allow a Gold Star family member with a qualifying disability to receive a highly trained service dog to help cope with anxiety, PTSD and other daily challenges.
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Read more:
www.stripes.com/theaters/us/... #Flashes
Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange have a higher risk of developing a rare blood cancer that develops slowly over decades, according to a new study that for the first time links myelodysplastic syndrome to widespread use of the herbicide.
Agent Orange linked to rare blood cancer that develops over decades
Without medical evidence that affirms a connection between Agent Orange and myelodysplastic syndrome, patients have struggled to qualify for benefits.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Vietnam War veterans exposed to Agent Orange have a higher risk of developing a rare blood cancer that develops slowly over decades, according to a new study that for the first time links myelodysplastic syndrome to widespread use of the herbicide.
SPORTS | Results for DODEA-Europe basketball teams in action Dec. 9.
Catch up on what you missed:
Catch up on what you missed:
Pacific Scoreboard: Dec. 9, 2025
Results for DODEA-Europe basketball teams in action Dec. 9.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:52 PM
SPORTS | Results for DODEA-Europe basketball teams in action Dec. 9.
Catch up on what you missed:
Catch up on what you missed:
SPORTS | Basketball and wrestling summaries for DODEA-Europe teams in action Dec. 5-6.
Check out what you missed:
Check out what you missed:
Europe Scoreboard: Dec. 6, 2025
Basketball summaries for DODEA-Europe teams in action Dec. 5-6.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
SPORTS | Basketball and wrestling summaries for DODEA-Europe teams in action Dec. 5-6.
Check out what you missed:
Check out what you missed:
KTOWN NOW | Several offices and services on Army bases in the Kaiserslautern area will close early Friday.
Learn more:
Learn more:
Army shuttle services, transportation offices shutting down early Friday
Services across the garrison will pause at 11:30 a.m., affecting driver testing, household goods processing and more, officials said.
www.stripes.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:06 PM
KTOWN NOW | Several offices and services on Army bases in the Kaiserslautern area will close early Friday.
Learn more:
Learn more: