ACAN Frank McVey works on his computer in the Iwo Jima’s enlisted quarters on Wednesday. The amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, along with members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit were en route to Haiti to help with Hurricane Matthew relief efforts. Daniel Woolfolk/ Military Times Staff | Military Times >>

Today’s Top Stories

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today announced that he has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to improve the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), a 24-hour, toll-free hotline that veterans across the country can call to speak to a responder trained in crisis management. | ABC10 >>

U.S. Representatives Trent Franks (R-AZ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Martha McSally (R-AZ), David Schweikert (R-AZ) and Matt Salmon (R-AZ) joined together in expressing their support for the Care Veterans Deserve Act, companion legislation to a bill championed by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in the Senate. | Prescott eNews >>

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suicide prevention coordinators (SPCs) have a challenging but rewarding job: they help to identify veterans in crisis and get them the support they need to transition to healthy, productive lives. | Midland Daily News >>

Iraq and Afghanistan

Outgunned and surrounded by Taliban fighters in a chronic combat zone of southern Afghanistan, the police officers and soldiers thought they had negotiated passage to safety. They had walked into a trap. | The New York Times >>

An ugly public feud between two key U.S. allies in the fight against the Islamic State will not affect plans for recapturing a key city from the group, a Pentagon spokesman said Wednesday. | The Washington Post >>

Taliban militants ambushed and killed around 100 Afghan police and soldiers earlier this week as they tried to retreat, the heaviest losses suffered by government forces during months of fierce clashes near the capital of southern Helmand province. | Reuters >>

Military Affairs

The world’s most powerful naval force — the United States Navy — was born from very humble beginnings. Oct. 13 is the Navy’s 241st birthday, and it’s a chance for all Americans to pay tribute to a hardworking branch of America’s military that is always ready to answer the call of duty. | Fox News >>

Aboard the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima – This ship loaded with supplies arrived off the Haitian coast around noon Wednesday and immediately launched relief flights into the country’s southern region, moving food and necessities to the country’s most affected areas. | The Navy Times >>

The Navy retaliated for missiles fired at its ships off the coast of Yemen in recent days by destroying three radar sites in rebel-held territory, the Pentagon announced late Wednesday. | USA Today >>

#VetsRising

As the veteran climbed the dirt hill on his mountain bike, pumping his legs and ignoring the burning in his quads, his teammates yelled words of encouragement. The heat and humidity beat down on him but he was in his homeland, Puerto Rico, and he wasn’t going to let this 50-kilometer race through mud and hills defeat him. He’d been through worse. | Defense.gov >>

West Springfield’s iconic war memorial on the town green is getting an upgrade. West Springfield veterans and volunteers from Home Depot worked all day to improve the site and replacing half a dozen flag poles. | WWLP.com >>

A group of wounded servicemen and women will have the opportunity of a lifetime this weekend. On Saturday, 10 armed forces veterans and five sponsors will go skydiving at the Skydive Suffolk facility. | Suffolk News Herald >>