Latest news with #USArmy
Straits Times
32 minutes ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar: Satellite images
Between June 5 and 19, nearly all of the aircraft visible at the Al Udeid base are no longer anywhere in plain sight. PHOTO: AFP US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar: Satellite images WASHINGTON - Dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, satellite images show - a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes, as Washington weighs whether to intervene in Tehran's conflict with Israel. Between June 5 and 19, nearly all of the aircraft visible at the Al Udeid base are no longer anywhere in plain sight, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analysed by AFP. Nearly 40 military aircraft - including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft - were parked on the tarmac on June 5. In an image taken on June 19, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced on June 19 that access to the base would be limited 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities', and urged personnel to 'exercise increased vigilance'. The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. The Islamic republic could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mr Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defence researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at Al Udeid would be 'extremely vulnerable' given its 'close proximity' to Iran. Mr Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft 'non-mission capable'. 'You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment,' he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. The US military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refueling planes - KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes - travelled from the United States to Europe from June 15-18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
France 24
an hour ago
- Politics
- France 24
US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar: satellite images
Between June 5 and 19, nearly all of the aircraft visible at the Al Udeid base are no longer anywhere in plain sight, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by AFP. Nearly 40 military aircraft -- including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft -- were parked on the tarmac on June 5. In an image taken on June 19, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced Thursday that access to the base would be limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities," and urged personnel to "exercise increased vigilance." The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. The Islamic republic could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at Al Udeid would be "extremely vulnerable" given its "close proximity" to Iran. Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft "non-mission capable." "You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment," he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. The US military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refueling planes -- KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes -- traveled from the United States to Europe from June 15-18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
It Is The Best Of Times, It Is The Worst Of Times, For Pakistan
Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir's June 18 White House lunch hosted by US President Donald Trump offered plenty of hors d'oeuvres that we Indians need to munch and digest at leisure. The visiting Pakistani dignitary is also scheduled to meet the Secretaries of State and Defence before concluding his five-day visit, which has been shrouded in secrecy and frequent redefinition of its agenda and objectives. He was first said to be invited to attend the US Army's 250th anniversary, which he did not eventually attend. Chances are that its real agenda is to set the terms of engagement to enable Pakistan to resume, all over again, America's usual 'Dirty Work', albeit this time for a new objective: affecting a regime change in neighbouring Iran. Last-minute offer of an unprecedented White House lunch and the host's expression of effusive love for Pakistan and its Field Marshal are tell-tale signs that the two sides have agreed to pursue a comprehensive joint strategy on Iran, deemed important enough in Washington to risk riling New Delhi, at least in the short run. A Strange Turn Over the past two months, there have been many other straws in the air indicating the tailwinds for America's ties with Pakistan. While Trump and his team condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22, they were deafeningly silent on Pakistan's culpability. While US Vice President JD Vance said on May 8 that the ongoing India-Pak hostilities were 'none of our business', two days later, Trump peremptorily took credit for effecting a ceasefire between the belligerents 'at the verge of a nuclear war' (he has repeated this claim despite India's stubborn denials). Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Gen Munir, the Chief of the Pakistani armed forces, ostensibly to discuss the ceasefire. A billion-dollar IMF (International Monetary Fund) bailout package for Pakistan was approved within hours of the May 10 ceasefire, ignoring New Delhi's strong reservations. In his June 10 House Committee testimony, the US Centcom Chief described Pakistan as 'a phenomenal partner' in counter-terrorism. While many of these American pronouncements were accompanied by balancing remarks for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, these only show a reversion to the India-Pakistan re-hyphenation. What's Behind These Words? It does not take a genius to guess the broad likely contours of the deal are being stealthily negotiated (while pretending that the Field Marshal was miffed at being forced to cool his heels in a hotel) before the White House lunch. Trump's White House is currently fixated on Iran. Pakistan, with a 909-km-long border with that country, is most probably being offered an opportunity to become a 'Frontline State' in return for the usual handsome rewards. For economically tattered and politically unstable Pakistan, this gratuitous offer is manna from heaven that it is in no condition to refuse. The ever-guileful Islamabad, however, is certain to drive a hard bargain: a long-term strategic partnership placing Islamabad near the fulcrum of the post-crisis Gulf security architecture with accompanying financial, military bailout and re-hyphenation with India. In return, Pakistan would be expected to render help in reshaping Iran in several ways: in the short term, to provide a staging post for the American forces to operate in Iran to defang the latter's nuclear programme, and, over the long run, depending on the outcome of the Tehran regime change project, collaborate by seeding and sustaining an insurrection and/or keeping the Mullah regime off balance. Pakistan's staging role would be preferable to both Washington and the Gulf Arabs, who although host many American military bases, are loath to be subject to Iran's threatened wrath. Not The First Time Indeed, Rawalpindi GHQ has been the Pentagon's useful and profitable minion many times before. During the Cold War, military-run Pakistan was among the early opt-ins as a lynchpin to South West Asia's Western security architecture through SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) and CENTO (Central Treaty Organization) against Communism. Islamabad was rewarded with Patton Tanks and Sabre jets, which were unabashedly used against India in the 1965 and 1971 conflicts. Entry of the Soviet Union's Red Army into Afghanistan in 1979 was the second such opportunity, which made Pakistan a 'Front Line State' for the West. Gen Zia ul Haq's dictatorship, then an international pariah for the execution of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was quickly rehabilitated and made a staging post for a not-so-secret campaign by the US and some Gulf states to train and equip the Mujahideen fighters to bleed the invaders till the Russians finally withdrew in 1989. Pakistan not only milked the aid pipeline but also got F-16s and other military hardware. Even more importantly, Americans turned a blind eye to its covert nuclear weapon programme under the infamous Dr AQ Khan, as Islamabad was deemed too important an ally to worry about such trifling matters as nuclear proliferation to Libya, Iran and North Korea. The Afghanistan Saga Once the Mujahideen took over Afghanistan in 1992, the US quickly lost interest in Pakistan, much to the latter's chagrin. But soon thereafter, September 11 happened, giving Islamabad a third such opportunity to help the Pentagon stage an invasion to dislodge the same Islamic militants it helped bring to power less than a decade ago. Americans rediscovered, at their peril, the Pakistani duplicity in helping them but also nurturing Afghanistan-based 'Taliban', al-Qaeda and other jihadists. This epoch lasted two decades, during which, once again, Pakistan was the base as well as a conduit for the massive US deployments in Afghanistan. By this time, Pakistanis had mastered the art of being perfidiously transactional towards Americans. Their gains during two decades of US involvement in Afghanistan are put at nearly $50 billion. Islamabad pretended to support the American campaign against the Afghan Taliban but also secretly sustained the latter, to eventually gleefully claim a victory when the Taliban Emirate was re-established in Afghanistan in August 2022 as the US troops left the country. The US spent over $2.3 trillion and suffered over 2,400 dead soldiers while chasing al-Qaeda all over the country, when all the while, its supremo, Osama bin Laden, was holed up in a safe house near a large Pakistani cantonment apparently under ISI protection, until the US special forces got him in 2011. 'Project Iran' Isn't Easy The proposed Iran project faces considerable odds. Firstly, the six-day-old Israeli Operation, 'Rising Lions', aimed at obliterating Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, is not yet in its decisive stage, and despite staggering losses, the Islamic Republic, a system with staying power, is still standing and retaliating against Israel, whose capacity to wage a protracted war of attrition against a country ten times more populous over a thousand kilometres away is not infinite. Secondly, Iran is ten times more populous to be a scaled-up model of the past US-Pakistani schemes for Afghanistan. Thirdly, the Shia-majority Iran is socially very different from the Sunni-majority Pakistan to allow a natural soft landing. Pakistan becoming an American cat's paw could even unravel the former's delicate Shia-Sunni divisions. Relevant to note that Shia constitute around 15% of Pakistan's population and are sympathetic to Iran's Islamic Revolution. Socially, too, the sparsely populated common border is restive with mutual insurgencies: from the Balochistan Liberation Army in Pakistan to Jaish al-Adl, Sunni militants trying to secede from Iran. Their activities could complicate any calculus. Further, unlike Afghanistan, Iran is not a landlocked country dependent on access to the sea via Pakistan. A Bit Awkward For Both Trump And Pakistan Last, but not least, there is hardly any ethnic or political love lost between Iranians and Pakistanis. Historically, Iranians have mostly looked westwards, and the contacts with the East have been few and far between. The total bilateral trade in 2024 was estimated to be only $2.4 billion. Moreover, on several occasions in the past, Pakistan sought to mediate in Iran's disputes with the West and the Gulf Arab states. But nothing came out of these gratuitous efforts, mainly because the Tehran power elite suspected glib-talking Pakistanis of being insincere and biased. A case in point was earlier this week, when an Iranian General cited Pakistani assurance to nuke Israel in case it used nuclear weapons against Iran, only to have the Pakistani defence minister flatly deny the same. Rawalpindi GHQ's alacrity for working for the American regional agenda in past has had blowbacks for Pakistan's internal fabric, such as instability and insecurity due to illegal immigration, terrorism, gunrunning, rentier economy, and the army's political dominance to the detriment of democracy. The proposed collaboration on the Iran project this time is likely to invoke even more daunting specifics. Firstly, while Pakistan has always lived by its wits, this time, it faces the unpredictable, transactionalist Donald Trump, a dealmaker with a penchant for sudden surprises (ask Zelensky). Secondly, while anti-Communism and the Afghanistan conundrum had a national consensus in Pakistan, alignment against Iran can be very different, as it has the potential to split the society. In the same vein, an open collaboration with Israel and the US running amok against Iran is unlikely to make Islamabad popular in the Islamic Ummah. Thirdly, Pakistan's lurch from China to the US may lack elegance and credibility. There would be blowbacks for the Trump presidency, too, from a direct invasion of Iran with Pakistani connivance, such as a loss of credibility about 'not starting endless wars abroad', alienation of the over 5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the country, and loss of political synergy built with India. What Does India Need? A Nimbler Diplomacy What are the important takeaways for India from this slippery saga? Firstly, it attests to the correctness of our quest for 'strategic autonomy' in the long run. Secondly, it exposes our naivety in putting inordinate faith in the Trump presidency, which has adopted a cynical 'run-with-the-hare-and-hunt-with-the-hounds' geopolitical approach anchored to short-term transactions and permanent narcissism. While we may not be a direct victim of Trumpian vicissitudes on China, Pakistan, Iran sanctions, or Ukraine, we suffer considerable collateral damage and have shown the right stiff upper lip needed to manage his whims. It also calls for a reassessment of our strategic options in a notoriously dynamic world where predictive diplomacy is needed abroad instead of harping on age-old shared values. While there is no need to be as unprincipled as Pakistan, our diplomacy needs to be nimbler and less abrasive or prescriptive. We also need to consider the wisdom of the old Americanism: 'You fool me once, shame on you; You fool me again, shame on me.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
35 Active And Retired US Soldiers Are Revealing Their Brutally Honest Thoughts On Trump's Parade, And I'm Kinda Shocked By Their Replies
By now, you're probably aware that on Saturday, the Trump administration held a festival and parade for the Army's 250th anniversary — an event that also coincided with Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The celebration featured 6,600 troops, 150 military vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft. While the official cost was not disclosed, the Army estimated the event's expenses to fall between $25 million and $45 million. From the No Kings protests held across the country on the same day, to many critics voicing their thoughts on the event online, there's been no shortage of opinion on the whole affair. Because the parade was ultimately to be in service of the Army, we asked military members, both active and retired, to share what they thought of the day. Hundreds of US military members and veterans chimed in — here's what they had to say: 1."Former US Army here, '82–'86. Trump is the greatest threat this nation has ever faced." —edgycat84 2."Marine vet, '07–'16. It is disgraceful that Trump used the military to boost his little ego. A man who has never lifted a finger to help anyone in his life just wasted millions of dollars to have his own little parade. I would have taken a third non-judicial punishment (NJP) for refusing to march in that parade with a smile on my face." —surprisedturtle814 3."Horrid. Embarrassing. Complete waste of money." —Anonymous 63-year-old US Army veteran 4."Disabled veteran here. I work with homeless veterans providing substance abuse and mental health assistance. I come from a long line of veterans, enlisted and officers in all four branches, and my kid is currently serving in the National Guard. That parade the orange fool put on was a disgrace. He is a draft dodger, a criminal, a racist, and a sexist pariah." "That was NOT put on as a celebration for the Army's birthday, and anyone who tricks themselves into believing that is choosing delusion. This is not the America that I or any family member sacrificed and fought for. It's disheartening that my kid has to serve under this abomination of a 'commander in chief.' By the way, I was proudly at the #NoKings protest that day." —Anonymous 42-year-old US Navy veteran 5."I am a retired senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) with just over 20 years of service. This parade should never have happened. This was a vanity show for Trump. We are not North Korea, China, or Russia. We generally have national parades at the conclusion of major victories (though that is not always the case) and not at the whim of a 'dear leader.' Right now, our soldiers need the barracks renovated. I have a son serving in the Army right now, and he tells me about the serious shortcomings of the dining facilities." "Some days, there are no facilities open at all, and single soldiers who live in the barracks now have to go to the fast-food joints on post or off. This would have been unspeakable in my day. I think of all that money wasted on this parade that could have gone to fixing just these two basic issues. Not to mention the time these soldiers had to spend away from their duty stations and their families just to placate someone who has never served and actively avoided military service. He also called those who fell in battle 'suckers' and 'losers.' It's disgusting and disrespectful to kowtow to his selfish behavior." —Anonymous 62-year-old US Army veteran 6."Being a 25-year Navy veteran, I'm shocked and disgusted by the blatant waste of taxpayers' money. Where is the rest of our so-called government?" —goldenpear9732 7."Air Force vet here, and I am constantly reminded that our oaths are to the Constitution, not the president. It is, in fact, our duty to refuse orders that go against it." –JadeFishes 8."I served 22 years and had to march in parades for Veterans Day. In those instances, it was meaningful because the crowd was there to thank us for our service. When we showed up, we were treated well, and the crowd appreciated us showing up. NO POLITICAL PURPOSE AT ALL. Had this president EVER served or at the very least shown respect to veterans like John McCain and medal of honor recipients, maybe it wouldn't piss us vets off." "But here we are, marching for a person who has been more disrespectful to veterans than any other president in the history of this country. Far worse, disregarding the Constitution, we swear an oath to 'protect and defend against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic.' And to say it's for the Army's birthday and not his birthday is a farce. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May and recognizes the collective strength and contributions of all five branches. That would make more sense." —Anonymous 44-year-old US Air Force veteran 9."Marine Afghanistan veteran, '06–'13. As I have stated before, if it were really 'about the troops,' the Marines should be having their birthday parade around Nov. 10, [the United States Marine Corps birthday]. But we won't, because everything he has done since announcing he'd run 10 years ago has been about no one but him. He's a selfish, arrogant, stupid embarrassment of a commander in chief. That f**kface doesn't know shit about sacrifice. Duty. Honor. Integrity. If you think he ever gave a shit about veterans, your head has been up your ass." —jmoney1217 10."I am very hurt by all the negative comments. Who cares that it's the orange man's birthday? That was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am currently serving in the Army close enough to DC that I would've gone. I didn't because my police officer husband got called into work to deal with the protests, and I didn't feel safe taking my toddler to the area. I am so upset that I missed out on that celebration because people are upset." —heroiclight396 Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public 11."I feel for those soldiers who were caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, it's their duty to obey orders. On the other hand, they fully knew they were there to pump up the ego of the tiny man who has nothing but disdain for them, and is on the record for calling their fallen brothers 'losers.'" —Anonymous US Navy member 12."This week has been tough for me, as a Guard member from the 1990s. I never deployed overseas, but was activated a half dozen times to help my fellow New Yorkers during times of need, and I was one of the first ones deployed for the TWA 800 crash. Seeing fellow National Guardsmen sent into California, and then made to throw a vanity birthday parade for somebody who did everything he could to avoid ever wearing a uniform? It just plain hurts me to my core to see somebody who's insulted soldiers so openly just continue to use them like this for his self-promotion and vanity." —Anonymous 49-year-old US Army National Guard veteran 13."Having a convicted felon as commander in chief holding a parade of self aggrandizement is beyond dishonoring veterans and active duty service men and women…it's vanity porn." —zeke1967 14."I would NEVER be a part of anything this administration does. I am so glad that I got out of the military at the beginning of the first Trump administration. This is not what the Army stands for. Nothing this administration does is for freedom of any kind. It's all driven by selfish billionaire interest." —Anonymous 37-year-old US Army veteran 15."It's a disgraceful attempt to boost a wannabe authoritarian's ego. I'd much rather see my tax dollars go toward programs that help existing military, disabled veterans, and their families." —Anonymous 59-year-old US Navy veteran 16."I am a former Naval officer of 10 years and a Gulf War veteran. I don't care what party is in office, our service members are not trained monkeys to perform for someone's ego trip. I'm also insulted every time I see a politician rendering a salute when they are not veterans. This is especially true when the president is a draft dodger. The money spent on the ego trip should have been sent to the Veterans Administration and active duty welfare programs." —Anonymous 58-year-old US Navy veteran Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them 17."Dumbest thing ever. We have so many homeless vets and the VA is facing major cuts." "I had something growing on my arm a few years ago and went to the VA to get it checked out. After multiple tests. Nothing. A doctor pulled me aside and gave me the info for another doctor not associated with the VA. Turns out it was a rare form of skin cancer. Had surgery to remove it, and skin grafts were done. I was finally cancer-free after a few months. After all this, I get a call from the VA asking if I ever found out what was happening with the growth. I don't blame them 'cause they have no funding. This money could've been used for better." —Anonymous US Marine veteran 18."As a veteran, I've marched in parades before, proudly. Never have I marched in one to honor someone who openly disrespects me (the military and veterans), and wasted so much money on such a massive ego trip, which was ultimately a flop. Maybe some of those soldiers were proud to march, but it did not appear that way. No 'nine to the front and six to the rear' in sight. They were just walking." —ginnyjensen 19."As an Air Force veteran (9+ years active duty), I considered it a privilege to serve President Reagan in any direct capacity. My heavy-lift helicopter unit in West Germany supported his visits to the European Economic Summits in the '80s. And we were extremely proud to support him in any way, not just because he was the commander in chief, but because he respected all service members and their sacrifices for our country. While we never participated in any kind of parade, we knew he cared about us." "I can completely understand the lack of enthusiasm from the participants in Trump's 'birthday parade,' as he has shown not only a lack of respect for the military in general, but also disdain and contempt for veterans. To get respect (from the military), you must show (to the military) respect. Donald Trump respects no one. And nothing. He got what he deserved: humiliation." —crunchyowl271 20."I thought it was a fantastic, heartfelt tribute to the US Army on their 250th birthday. After being a Vietnam area vet, being in uniform during the polarized '70s, and being disrespected by my friends and just people on the street, seeing this type of recognition and support for the military helped me heal old wounds. I see no politics here. Can't we just respect those who serve without always 'picking sides'?" —Anonymous 67-year-old US Navy Veteran 21."We do not have to have a parade to celebrate our military might. We do that every time we show up on the battlefield to defend our rights and our freedoms." —lazyking123 22."Definitely was embarrassed by the whole affair. Poor attendance, poor parade, and very unimpressive to all the watchers. I was at the 2015 Beijing parade celebrating the end of WWII and saw a well-organized, precision review of infantry and mechanized performers. Not like what I saw Saturday." —Anonymous 99-year-old US Army Veteran 23."It is absolutely disgusting for a man whose rich daddy protected him from the draft to throw himself a military birthday parade. It really underscores the complete lack of respect he has already shown to armed services members, current and former. That money would have been much better served by programs for veterans and active duty members. It's like these MAGAts I see who have military or police stickers on their cars or emblems on their shirts who have never served a day and likely never will." "They speak racial and LGBTQ hatred, and consider themselves to be patriots. They're more like parrots! The pledge of allegiance literally has the words, 'Liberty and Justice for ALL,' not just those whose skin color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity you agree with. I took an oath to the Constitution; Trump constantly violates it. He needs to be impeached! I'm glad that there was such a poor turnout for his pathetic parade, while there were massive turnouts for the No Kings protests." —Anonymous 53-year-old US Army veteran 24."I didn't see the parade live, but saw the highlights on the news and other media outlets. I felt worse for my fellow service members than anything else. People who support this type of nonsense don't realize that places like North Korea can do their synchronous march because they are NOT in the field war-gaming and preparing to defend the nation at a moment's notice. You don't become the world's best fighting force by doing drills and marching all day, every day." "This was a waste of OUR taxpayer funds and a waste of the time the soldiers could have used sharpening their war-fighting skills. This is what we get, though, when we have someone like Corporal Bone-Spurs and Captain Oblivious at the helm of our military. Give me Sleepy Joe over Sloppy Don any day! At least Ol' Joe did not waste our tax money on this type of nonsense. One thing I am thankful for is that this spectacle and debacle did not besmirch my beloved Corps." —Anonymous 52-year-old US Marine veteran 25."I served when our adversary was the Soviet Union. After hearing his praise of Vladimir Putin, I think that our present adversary may be Donald Trump." —Anonymous 80-year-old US Air Force veteran 26."I was an Army photographer, discharged general, upgraded to honorable six months after discharge, and covered countless ceremonies, training events, and missions. Honestly, most ceremonies I'd cover, I'd have to weed out photos because people would like to flip the photographer off; mostly fun, or being disgruntled, but no active duty likes marching, especially if it's humid. It's not a lack of discipline or a political statement; it's just boring, and on a Saturday to celebrate the Army's birthday, there are more fun ways of doing that." "Only thing I'd say, which doesn't surprise me, is that our higher-ups actually went along with it. Pull their service records. They probably have a silver star for literally showing up for deployment, while some enlisted soldier had to save their entire platoon while being shot multiple times, then dying of their wounds to have their family get the silver star six years after their death. Those soldiers showed discipline and honor, just not to bad leaders." —savoryscissors501 27."It was the 250th anniversary of the US Army's founding, and I'm reflecting on the dedication and service of its members. While parades weren't my favorite part of my time in uniform, I understand their significance. It's important to look beyond political divides and truly appreciate the commitment of the men and women who serve in our military." —Anonymous 46-year-old US Army veteran 28."I believe that it was a great idea to honor the Army with a parade to celebrate 250 years of service to our country. However, to honor a birthday for one of the worst leaders that this country has ever had at the same ceremony was a disgrace to all past and present service members. I served 22 years in the USAF and retired now. I am grateful that I do not have to serve under the current president, who clearly does not understand democracy and wants to turn this country into a monarchy so he can be a king." —chillporcupine906 29."Fourteen-year Army veteran here. I thought having a military parade in the same vein as the ones dictators hold in their honor was absolutely disgusting. Honoring a draft-dodging wannabe king is a dishonor to all who have served honorably and are still serving. Amidst all of the firings of veterans in the name of 'government efficiency' is a slap to the faces of all that have lost their livelihoods." —icylatte763 30."I served 24 years in the USAF. During that, I had four tours in Southeast Asia. I flew (flight engineer) 867 combat missions during those four tours. I do not think I can ever explain my utter disgust for Donald Trump. It appears he sees everything through a prism that seems to multiply everything he sees. If a group of 100 people attends one of his rallies, his mind sees 10,000 people. He relishes being in the spotlight. I will never accept his disdain/disrespect for the US military, be it active duty, retired, or former military personnel." "Having said that, unless the Democrats or the Republicans promote and endorse a centrist candidate for president, we will be saddled with the likes of Herr Trump, JD Vance, Rep. Mike Johnson, and any of the MAGA crowd. As long as the Democrats support progressive policies and candidates, they will never take back control of Congress and the presidency." —edgycadet757 31."I was drafted into the Army in April 1966 and landed in Vietnam in December. I eventually served in the Infantry as an NCO (non-commissioned officer). While in Vietnam, I had to march in a parade in Saigon for the Vietnamese president. No one in the unit was happy about that, but we knew we had to do that. I served in an honor guard unit upon my return to the United States. We felt honored to help families through their grief, but marching in parades or for dignitaries was a chore." "Trump's 'parade' was an embarrassment and totally unnecessary money that could have been spent on salary increases for the troops." —Anonymous, 79-year-old US Army veteran 32."I loved it. It's sad to see people getting caught up in anti-Trumpism. It'd be nice if people would respect the country that gives them freedom, along with the very few who serve." —dizzysalt785 33."Former Marine, Vietnam vet. I think it was a total waste of money and our military's time to feed his ego. I also note his habit of the big 'pout' in meetings if he doesn't get his way. He really has no business being in the White House. We need an adult there, not a man-child." —youngcloud79 34."I'm a second-generation career soldier and retiree. Pops served 26 years, fought in Korea and Vietnam, while I served 22 years. I am most definitely proud of my service and the US Army; however, most soldiers who aren't assigned to the 'Old Guard' do not relish drill and ceremonies and, given a choice, would rather do almost anything else." "They showed up but were not very enthusiastic unless riding on a vehicle. Contrary to popular belief, we rarely march unless it's a school setting or just before the order for double time at PT (physical training). The pretense was honorific, but the POTUS just wanted a parade for show. Sad and unnecessary!!!" —glitteryeggplant955 lastly: "This president has shown a complete lack of respect for our military — deceased, retired, veteran, and active duty. His purging of the general ranks early in this term in his presidency showed that he has no regard for the professional military; he only wants persons who will be loyal to him rather than loyal to the Constitution that they swore to protect and defend." "Now, he is using the Army as props to satisfy his ego and need to feel powerful. It's a shameless/shameful display of narcissism that has no bounds. His actions make the US appear weak rather than strong, and he becomes more of an embarrassment to our country day by day." —Anonymous 66-year-old US Air Force veteran you're a US military member or a veteran, how has serving under President Trump felt different compared to other administrations? Let us know in the comments or by using this anonymous form. 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Iraqi News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq among key US military bases in Middle East amid rising tensions
Washington – The United States has thousands of troops deployed on bases across the Middle East, a region in which Washington's forces have carried out repeated military operations in recent decades. Israel launched an unprecedented air campaign against Iran last week, and US President Donald Trump has said he is weighing whether to join Israel in the fight. US involvement in the conflict would likely result in attacks by Tehran on American troops in the region, who were already targeted by Iran-aligned forces in the course of the Israel-Hamas war. Below, AFP examines countries with major concentrations of US forces in the Middle East, which falls under the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM). – Bahrain – The tiny Gulf kingdom hosts an installation known as Naval Support Activity Bahrain, where the US Navy's Fifth Fleet and US Naval Forces Central Command headquarters are based. Bahrain's deep-water port can accommodate the largest US military vessels, such as aircraft carriers, and the US Navy has used the base in the country since 1948, when the facility was operated by Britain's Royal Navy. Several US ships have their home port in Bahrain, including four anti-mine vessels and two logistical support ships. The US Coast Guard also has vessels in the country, including six fast response cutters. – Iraq – The United States has troops at various installations in Iraq, including Al-Asad and Arbil air bases. The Iraqi government is a close ally of Iran, but also a strategic partner of Tehran's arch-foe the United States. There are some 2,500 US troops in Iraq as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State jihadist group. Baghdad and Washington have agreed on a timetable for the gradual withdrawal of the coalition's forces from the country. US forces in Iraq and Syria were repeatedly targeted by pro-Iran militants following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, but responded with heavy strikes on Tehran-linked targets, and the attacks largely subsided. – Kuwait – Kuwait has several US bases, including Camp Arifjan, the location of the forward headquarters for the US Army component of CENTCOM. The US Army also has stocks of prepositioned materiel in the country. Ali al-Salem Air Base hosts the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, the 'primary airlift hub and gateway for delivering combat power to joint and coalition forces' in the region. Additionally, the United States has drones including MQ-9 Reapers in Kuwait. – Qatar – Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar includes the forward components of CENTCOM, as well as of its air forces and special operation forces in the region. It also hosts rotating combat aircraft, as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which includes 'airlift, aerial refueling intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation assets.' – Syria – The United States has for years maintained troop presences at a series of installations in Syria as part of international efforts against the Islamic State group, which rose out of the country's civil war to overrun large parts of Syria and neighboring Iraq. The Pentagon announced in April that it would roughly halve the number of its forces in the country to less than 1,000 in the coming months as part of a 'consolidation' of US troops in the country. – United Arab Emirates – Al Dahfra Air Base in the UAE hosts the US 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, a force that is composed of 10 squadrons of aircraft and also includes drones such as MQ-9 Reapers. Combat aircraft have rotated through Al Dhafra, which also hosts the Gulf Air Warfare Center for air and missile defense training.
