Blog Post

Daily News Brief 03.05.12
Posted by Jacob Worrell on March 5 2012

Here are some of today's top stories and happenings at IAVA.  Prefer to receive real-time updates about major stories and legislation that IAVA is tracking? Follow us on Twitter @IAVAPressRoom and click here to get the News Brief delivered to your inbox every morning.

MUST READS

1) Gunmen kill over 2 dozen police officers in shooting spree in western Iraq

At least twenty Iraqi police officers were gunned down in the city of Haditha early Monday morning in a brazen attack on the Sunni population. The gunmen disguised themselves as paramilitary units complete with military hardware and emergency police vehicles. Evidence suggests the attack is linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq, but no group has yet claimed responsibility.

2) Veterans, VA split over mental health expansion

Some lawmakers and advocates are accusing the Department of Veterans Affairs of failing to meet the obligations of a law passed two years ago. The law calls on VA to establish a network of peer counselors and provide better access to mental health care for members of the National Guard and reserve. Rather than create entirely new programs, VA has met its obligations by expanding existing programs.

3) Hitting the Slopes to Recover From the Wounds of War

Eight wounded soldiers of Iraq and Afghanistan hit the slopes in Whitefish, Montana for the fourth annual Wounded Warrior Projects winter event. Adaptive sports like snowboarding and skiing are not only great for physical rehab, they also help wounded warriors rebuild confidence and a sense of purpose after shattering war wounds.

AFGHANISTAN

• The CIA may be given control of all special operations troops in Afghanistan after 2014, according to anonymous Pentagon sources.
• Afghan and American officials continue to disagree over a timeline for transferring control of detention centers, and the post-2014 partnership is reported to be endangered.

IRAQ

• At least twenty police officers were killed by masked gunmen in the city of Haditha early Monday morning.
• Al Qaeda in Iraq is mounting a comeback, according to analysts and intelligence officials.

MILITARY AFFAIRS

• Approximately 250 soldiers in the Indiana National Guard have been activated for tornado relief operations.
• Defense Secretary Panetta promised that the White House dinner for Iraq vets is the beginning, not the end, of tributes.
• The parents of a fallen soldier have sued two dating websites for using a photograph of their son without permission.

NEW GREATEST GENERATION

• Lynn “Buck” Compton, a World War II veteran featured in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, has died at age 90.
• A volunteer program to welcome home returning service members at Dallas/Fort Worth international airport is ending after eight years.
• A female Army officer and mother of two is credited with galvanizing opposition to a conservative talk radio host’s attack on government funded contraception.

INSIDE WASHINGTON

• On Friday, Congress received the Department of Defense’s new plan to cut costs bystreamlining administration and management within the military health system.
• Fourteen senators are recommending the government trademark "GI Bill" to thwart the deceptive marketing techniques of for-profit colleges.

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