One of the largest studies to date concluded that burn pits could cause serious health problems, mostly respiratory problems, for millions of veterans. The study looked at the records of 459,381 military veterans receiving health care from the Veterans Administration to determine the health effects of exposure to burn pits. Longer deployment to military bases with open burn pits was …
Three Heads are Better Than One?
To stem the rising tide of jihadist violence, three West African nations, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso will be conducting joint action against these groups. The military regimes in the three countries have become increasingly close allies in recent months. Last September, they formed a mutual defense pact known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), withdrawing from an international …
Life Getting More Difficult for Contractors in Iraq
The government’s close (some would say overbearing) regulation of private affairs continues. A homosexual relationship in Iraq is now punishable by up to fifteen years in prison. Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, the acting parliamentary speaker, said the new legislation was aimed at “protecting the moral fabric” of society. “There is no place for homosexuality in Iraq, the land of prophets, pure imams, …
Transport Aircraft Flies from Texas to Guam
Two crews took shifts during a marathon 26-hour flight, which, according to the mission commander, is just a “stepping stone” in the development of long-range air travel. The C-130J was equipped to handle the demands of the journey. External fuel tanks, affixed beneath its wings, provided an additional 17,000 pounds of fuel, effectively extending its flight time by approximately four …
The Five Kinds of PTSD
For many years, doctors believed that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder randomly affected some people who went through extremely stressful situations. Although the latest science has clearly debunked that idea, many doctors still cling to the old ways. Extreme stress causes a chemical imbalance in the brain, much like a loud noise, like an explosive blast, causes a traumatic brain injury, …