We live in a busy world with a lot of information being thrown at you. Don’t feel overwhelmed. OpsLens will give you a weekly briefing on the major stories you need to know about and cut out all the extra information that isn’t too important. Here’s your weekly briefing on what’s going on in national security and military news.
Airmen Killed in Crash Identified
The Puerto Rico Air National Guard has identified the nine airmen that were killed in a WC-130 plane crash near Hilton Head Airport in Savannah, Georgia.
- Maj. José R. Román Rosado, the plane’s pilot, was from Manati, Puerto Rico, had 18 years of service, and is survived by his wife and two sons.
- Maj. Carlos Pérez Serra, the plane’s navigator, was from Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, had 23 years of service, and is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
- 1st Lt. David Albandoz, the plane’s co-pilot, was originally from Puerto Rico and recently resided in Madison, Alabama, had 16 years of service, and is survived by his wife and daughter.
- Senior Master Sgt. Jan Paravisini, aviation mechanic, was from Canóvanas, Puerto Rico, had 21 years of service, and is survived by his two daughters and a son.
- Master Sgt. Jean Audriffred was from Carolina, Puerto Rico, had 16 years of service, and is survived by his wife and two sons.
- Master Sgt. Mario Braña, a flight engineer, was from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, had 17 years of service, and is survived by his mother and daughter.
- Master Sgt. Víctor Colón was from Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, had 22 years of service, and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
- Master Sgt. Eric Circuns, a loadmaster, was from Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, had 31 years of service, and is survived by his wife, two stepdaughters, and a son.
- Senior Airman Roberto Espada was from Salinas, Puerto Rico, had three years of service, and is survived by his grandmother.
The cause of the crash is under investigation but a video shows the plane nosediving moments after takeoff.
Shoulder-fired Weapons May Cause Traumatic Brain Injury
There is new evidence that military personnel who employ shoulder-fired weapons, such as the AT-4, Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW), or the Carl Gustav, may be exposed to traumatic brain injuries from the effect of the blast wave and pressure on the brain.
The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) reports that “emerging evidence suggests that service-members may be exposed to high levels of blast overpressure (the pressure wave that comes from explosions) when firing heavy weapons, such as the Carl Gustav recoilless rifle, even in training.”
The Army is currently reviewing the findings of the study.
Chinese Lasers in Djibouti?
The United States has accused the Chinese of being responsible for an incident involving the use of military-grade lasers that injured two U.S. pilots flying a C-130 over Djibouti. The injuries were described as minor and the pilots are not expected to suffer any long-term effects.
Both the United States and China have military bases in the East Africa nation and the U.S. suspects that the use of the lasers is tied to the Chinese presence there. China opened their base in 2017 and it has been described by the Chinese as a hub for logistics, humanitarian, and peacekeeping operations in East Africa.
Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a press conference Thursday that the Pentagon is confident that Chinese nationals are responsible for the incident. The U.S. has formally lodged a diplomatic complaint, known as a démarche, with the Chinese government, requesting an investigation into the incident.
Panmunjom Declaration Recap
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un recently signed the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity, and Unification of the Korean Peninsula.
If you’re not up to speed, here’s a recap of what the declaration means:
- There will be no more war on the Korean Peninsula
- Both countries agree to stop all hostile military activities
- Moon Jae-in will visit Pyongyang this fall
- Agree to resume reunions for families separated by the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
- A liaison office will be set up in Gaeseong, North Korea
- Railroads and roads will be connected between the two countries
- Agree to hold military talks this month
- A “phased disarmament” will take place
- Both Koreas will hold regular summits and leaders will talk by phone
Both Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-Un made history when they met at the “truce village” in the demilitarized zone last week. U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un appear likely to meet at the truce village in the near future as well.
South Korea would like a trilateral summit with Japan and China to issue a special statement in support of the Panmunjom Declaration. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Soldier Killed in Afghanistan Identified
The Pentagon has identified the American soldier that was killed in eastern Afghanistan on April 30, 2018. United States Army Specialist Gabriel D. Conde, 22, was an infantryman assigned to 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.
Conde died as a result of wounds received by enemy small arms fire in Tagab District in Afghanistan’s Kapisa Province. Another soldier was wounded in the incident, which is under investigation.
Conde enlisted in the Army in August 2015 and had been assigned to U.S. Army Alaska since April 2016. His awards included the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge.
