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Author: TriSec    Date: 11/21/2017 10:58:01

Good Morning.

We'll start today with the latest issue garnering headlines around the country. Sexual Assault has suddenly been in the news, as all manner of celebrity and media have been accused of these crimes in recent weeks.

The military is not immune, but it seems that reporting these crimes is apparently not on anyone's radar. No doubt covered up by the recent revelations around well-known politicians is this little tidbit from Fort Bragg.



RALEIGH, N.C. — A summary released by the Department of Defense shows reports of sexual assault from Fort Bragg increased by 28 percent in 2016 over the year before.

The summary says Fort Bragg received 146 reports of sexual assault in 2016 compared to 114 reports in 2015.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that the summary notes that the location of the assault and the location of the report don't necessarily coincide.

Camp Lejeune had 169 reports of sexual assault in 2016, compared to 164 the year before.

At Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, the number of reports dropped, from 49 in 2015 to 27 in 2016. Seymour Johnson Air Force Base had 13 reports in 2016, unchanged from the previous year.


I wonder what it is that makes military victims somehow less deserving of media attention than civilians?

Moving on, we'll note briefly something that often goes hand-in-hand with sexual abuse...that would be our friend, alcohol. You're probably aware of the long backlash from the Island of Okinawa against the now 72-year presence of the United States Military. In recent years, more demands have been made for the complete withdrawal of troops from that island. Of course, we want to stay to keep an eye on North Korea (allegedly). Things like this are not uncommon, and of course, they don't help matters any.


Less than a day after a 61-year-old Japanese citizen was killed when a Marine collided with his car in Okinawa, U.S. Forces Japan announced that it was cutting off local liberty for all troops in the region and prohibiting the consumption of alcohol until further notice.

The deadly crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time Sunday in Naha, Okinawa. According to Associated Press reports, a Marine driving a truck collided with a smaller truck at an intersection, killing the Japanese driver. The AP reported the Marine, who came away with slight injuries, had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit at the time of the incident.

Military officials have not identified the service member or publicly identified the individual as a Marine.

The commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, released a statement saying that Marine officials were still gathering the facts and would work with Japanese authorities to investigate the causes of the accident.

"I would like to convey my deepest regret and sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Okinawan man who died as a result of this accident," Nicholson said. " ... You have my promise that I will rigorously work to determine the cause of the incident, and take every possible step to keep this from happening again."

In the meantime, off-base privileges for troops in Okinawa had been suspended until further notice.

"Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen must return to quarters and cease consuming alcohol effective immediately. Alcohol consumption and alcohol sales stop for all US Forces until further notice," an announcement from III MEF officials, posted to the command's official Facebook page Sunday, read. "Off base liberty is NOT permitted in Okinawa."

Troops with authorized leave are now required to leave Okinawa to take it.



Heading into Thanksgiving this weekend, we simply can't ignore SkyPenis.

https://www.metro.us/sites/default/files/styles/mystyle/public/main/articles/2017/11/17/navy-sky-penis-4.jpg


The aircrew has since been grounded.


An air crew who used their US Navy warplane to draw a penis in the sky above the town of Okanogan, Washington, this week have been grounded, the US Navy said on Friday.

An electronic warfare plane from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in western Washington state created sky writings in the shape of male genitals in the skies over the rural community on Thursday.

Many residents spotted the contrails in the clear blue skies above the central Washington town of 2,500 people. Witnesses took photos and placed them on social media platforms, where they were widely viewed.

“The actions of this aircrew are wholly unacceptable and antithetical to Navy core values” said a statement issued on Friday by NAS Whidbey Island.

“We have grounded the aircrew and are conducting a thorough investigation,” the statement said, “and we will hold those responsible accountable for their actions.”

“The Navy apologizes for this irresponsible and immature act, and anyone who was offended by this unacceptable action,” the statement said.

Vice admiral Mike Shoemaker, the commander of Naval Air Forces, said in a statement: “Sophomoric and immature antics of a sexual nature have no place in Naval aviation today.”


But...coupled with our first story today, maybe it's not so funny after all.


 
 

41 comments (Latest Comment: 11/21/2017 20:59:32 by Raine)
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