World

June 19, 2012

News Briefs – June 19, 2012

U.S. officials worry over Egypt’s military’s moves

U.S. Defense Department officials say they will continue to urge Egypt’s military council to transfer power to the new, democratically elected government, and are hopeful it will happen.

Pentagon press secretary George Little says the department is deeply concerned about the move by Egypt’s military to issue an interim constitution just as polls closed June 17 that gives the generals sweeping authority to keep control of the government.

Little says Egyptian leaders are aware of U.S. worries. Egypt’s ruling military council pledged Monday to hand over power to the new civilian authorities by the end of the month.

Navy Capt. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said there have been some changes in military activities with the U.S. as Egypt goes through this political transition, but “the core of the relationship remains.” AP

 

Boeing lauds tornado recovery by key supplier

Top executives from the Boeing are in Wichita, Kansas, to celebrate the tornado recovery efforts by parts supplier Spirit AeroSystems.

Kent Fisher is the vice president of supplier management for Boeing commercial airplanes. He told Spirit workers June 18 that Spirit AeroSystem never missed a shipping date to Boeing after the Spirit plant was hit by a tornado April 14.

He says the incredible recovery effort is going to make the relationship between the two companies even stronger.

The tornado struck the Spirit’s Wichita plant while about 200 employees took refuge in storm shelters. The storm damaged 40 buildings.

Employees and contractors restored power and water, repaired buildings and brought critical equipment online in the following days. All 10,800 Spirit workers were making parts for Boeing within eight days. AP




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United Kingdom military ‘unrealistic’ on cost risks

Britain’s Ministry of Defence has taken an over-optimistic approach to its equipment budget, an influential committee of lawmakers warned May 14, expressing doubts that the department plagued by cost overruns and late delivery of projects has properly planned for potential pitfalls over the next decade. Britain’s military is shrinking from 102,000 troops to around 80,000...
 
 

Space Station Expedition 35 astronauts land safely In Kazakhstan, Expedition 36 begins

Three members of the International Space Station Expedition 35 crew undocked from the orbiting laboratory and returned safely to Earth May 13, wrapping up a mission lasting almost five months. The departure marks the beginning of Expedition 36. Space station Commander Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko of the Russian...
 
 

Karzai says U.S. can have nine Afghan bases after 2014

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has irked Washington with his frequent criticism of American military operations in his country, said May 9 that his government is now ready to let the U.S. have nine bases across Afghanistan after most foreign troops withdraw in 2014. A border spat with Pakistan and a desire to test public...
 

 

Afghan air university takes dynamic formal stride

Taking one more step to becoming Ministry of Defense accredited, Afghan air force leaders at Pohantoon-e-Hawayee “Air University” signed six newly developed training decrees May 4 at Kabul International Airport here. The implementation of these decrees marks the first time†the†school had†standard operating procedures for the teaching of the students. “I have been waiting...
 
 

Australia plans to buy 12 EA-18G Growler aircraft

Australia said May 3 it would buy 12 Boeing EA-18G Growler advanced electronic warfare technology aircraft because it can’t risk delivery delays in their replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. The government announced last year that its air force will equip 12 of Australia’s F/A-18 Super Hornet jet fighters with Growler radar-jamming equipment...
 
 

NATO secretary general warns Europe on defense cuts

– NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned May 6 that further cuts in defense spending by European nations risk reducing the continent’s defense and security to “hot air,” turning the alliance into what he called a “global spectator” rather than a real force on the world stage. “The only way to avoid this is...
 




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