Early Bird Brief: August 21, 2024

Welcome to the Early Bird Brief's LinkedIn Edition, a tightly edited round-up of today's most important military and defense stories. To get the full EBB, with dozens of stories, subscribe here .

Today's Top 5:

Army, police missed chances to intervene before Maine mass shooting

(The Associated Press) Both the Army Reserve and local police missed out on opportunities to intervene in a gunman’s psychiatric crisis and seize weapons from the spiraling reservist responsible for the deadliest shootings in Maine history, according to the final report released Tuesday by a special commission created to investigate the attacks, which killed 18 people. Read More

Trump clarifies Medal of Honor comments, calls it the ‘ultimate’ honor

(Military Times) Former President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump this weekend worked to clarify his controversial remarks on the Medal of Honor from last week, calling the military award “the ultimate” honor America can bestow while noting the bodily sacrifices of troops who earn it, and how “it is a painful thing to get.” Read More

The Pentagon is shipping new pieces to Guam’s air-defense puzzle

(Defense News) The Missile Defense Agency is preparing for a first test later this year of an initial capability designed to protect the strategic Pacific Island of Guam from air and missile threats, according to Air Force Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, the agency’s director. Read More

Signal battalions to be rebuilt for modern combat, Army says

(Military Times) The Army is restructuring its signal battalions as advancements in technology and a laser-focus on its network dovetail with a shift from brigade to division-centric combat plans. Read More

Pentagon watchdog to review JLOTS system used for Gaza aid pier

(Defense News) Just weeks after the U.S. military dismantled its aid pier off the Gaza Strip, ending its mission there, the Pentagon’s internal watchdog has launched an investigation into the capability used to build the pier. Read More

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