Why Are So Many U.S. Artillery Gun Crews Who Were Deployed To Bombard The Islamic State Facing Health And Psychological Issues?

U.S. soldiers assigned to 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, fire their M777 A2 Howitzer in Syria on Sept. 30, 2021. (Cpl. Isaiah Scott/Army)

DNYUZ/New York Times: A Secret War, Strange New Wounds, and Silence From the Pentagon

When Javier Ortiz came home from a secret mission in Syria, the ghost of a dead girl appeared to him in his kitchen. She was pale and covered in chalky dust, as if hit by an explosion, and her eyes stared at him with a glare as dark and heavy as oil.

The 21-year-old Marine was part of an artillery gun crew that fought against the Islamic State, and he knew that his unit’s huge cannons had killed hundreds of enemy fighters. The ghost, he was sure, was their revenge.

A shiver went through him. He backed into another room in his apartment near Camp Pendleton in California and flicked on the lights, certain that he was imagining things. She was still there.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This story hits close to home. My father commanded artillery units for the Soviet Army during the Second World War. Aside from suffering hearing loss, he was haunted by nightmares from that war for the rest of his life. My father's best friend (and my Godfather) also served in such a unit, and he committed suicide 20 years after the war. Everyone blamed his war experience for his suicide.

from War News Updates https://ift.tt/4GPJEwT
via IFTTT

Comments

U.S. Army Conducts Gunnery Exercise With Latest Air Defense System Sgt Stout.

U.S. Army officials confirmed that a live gunnery exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, is underway, featuring the latest-generation Sgt Stout short-range air defense system. The drills mark a significant step toward full operational integration as units across the force adapt to evolving threats from drones, rotary-wing aircraft, and low-flying munitions. It matters because Sgt. Stout enhances the Army’s ability to defend forward-deployed troops and critical infrastructure from modern aerial threats. Read full Defense News at this link ... A U.S. Army SGT Stout SHORAD air defense vehicle maneuvers into firing position during live-fire training with the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 3, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/NYmsS1n via IFTTT

US Budget Proposal Seeks F-22 Raptor Stealth Jet Upgrades to Protect Air Dominance

Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor fighter jet is confirmed to receive major upgrades under the proposed FY2026 budget plan to ensure its sustained edge in air dominance operations, according to the U.S. Air Force Financial Management and Comptroller. Despite the emergence of sixth-generation designs, the Air Force’s dedicated $90 million budget aims to extend the Raptor’s relevance. This move underscores a broader strategy to protect critical stealth assets against evolving threats from China and Russia. It highlights a firm commitment to bridging the gap until Next Generation Air Dominance systems mature. Read full defense News at this link. The planned FY2026 viability upgrade marks a clear signal that the F-22 remains a backbone of U.S. air dominance doctrine (Picture source: U.S. Air Force) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/xebSkjs via IFTTT

Raytheon Australia Integrates Sidewinder Missile With NASAMS Launcher to Strengthen Air Defence

On June 30, 2025, Raytheon Australia integrated Sidewinder Missile on NASAMS High-Mobility Launcher strengthening ground-based air defence capabilities. In a significant demonstration at the Woomera Test Range, the Australian Army’s 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, successfully fired the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile from a Hawkei High-Mobility Launcher, marking a world-first for this missile-platform pairing. This milestone underlines the growing relevance of adaptable, layered air and missile defence systems for Australia’s national security. Read Full Defense News at this link. The successful integration of the Sidewinder missile onto the NASAMS High-Mobility Launcher represents a tangible leap in Australia’s ground-based air defence (Picture source: Australian Army) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/XxVBQHy via IFTTT

MTQ News

Search This Blog