Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
‘Hell of a video,’ Trump says of Navy UFO footage
President Trump this week said Pentagon footage of unidentified flying objects is "a hell of a video," though he also questioned if it was "real" despite its release through official military channels. Published April 30, 2020
West Point cadets ‘have to come back’ for graduation, Army says
The 1,000 cadets set to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point "have to come back" to the complex to complete medical evaluations and retrieve their belongings, military officials said Thursday, though they ducked questions on whether any cadet who chooses not to return over fears of exposure to COVID-19 will face discipline. Published April 30, 2020
Al-Shabab targeting in Somalia by U.S. military despite coronavirus
The COVID-19 pandemic has upended U.S. military operations around the world, stalled some training at home and troop movements abroad, and halted a host of exercises with key allies from Asia to Europe. Published April 29, 2020
U.S. Navy releases three ‘unidentified aerial phenomena’ videos
The Pentagon on Monday publicly released three mysterious videos of "unidentified aerial phenomena" captured by military personnel over the past 15 years and admitted that the objects seen in the clips still cannot be explained. Published April 27, 2020
Blue Angels, Thunderbirds to conduct flyovers to thank health care workers, first responders
Military planes will fly over cities across the U.S. over the next two weeks to thank health care workers, first responders and other personnel for their work in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, the Pentagon announced Friday. Published April 24, 2020
3 U.S. soldiers in South Korea face fines, rank reduction after sneaking off base to visit bar
Three U.S. soldiers stationed in South Korea have had their ranks reduced, their pay docked and will face 45 days of extra duty after sneaking through a hole in the fence at Camp Walker and visiting an off-base bar, military officials said. Published April 23, 2020
Cheap oil benefits muted by coronavirus economic shutdown
Global economic shutdowns and rock-bottom oil prices have created a perfect storm around the world that has left even the usual beneficiaries of plummeting energy markets -- major importers, developing nations, energy-using industries, the travel industry and consumers -- struggling to reap any rewards. Published April 21, 2020
China coronavirus coverup would have blocked CDC researchers on ground
Health professionals who spent years working overseas say that it's far from certain whether the CDC position, had it been left in place, would have made any difference at all. Published April 20, 2020
Amazon vows to fight Trump administration despite watchdog report on defense contract
President Trump and the Pentagon scored a big victory this week when a watchdog report found Defense Department officials followed the law in awarding a massive military cloud computing contract to Microsoft -- but the battle is far from over as rival Amazon and other critics train their fire at the White House and charge that the president's use of executive privilege raises even more questions. Published April 16, 2020
Air Force One Instruction manual to cost $84 million
The Air Force late Wednesday announced an $84 million contract for an often-overlooked but crucial component of presidential aircraft: the owner's manual. Published April 16, 2020
Trump claims credit after Russia-Saudi Arabia oil deal
President Trump took a victory lap as global oil prices ticked up slightly Monday, a day after his personal diplomacy helped nail down a deal among Russia, Saudi Arabia and other major players to cut production in response to an unprecedented collapse in demand because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Published April 13, 2020
Pentagon coronavirus response complicated by cultural barriers, cybersecurity concerns
The massive increase in teleworking has sparked its own logistical challenges, including the inability for homebound workers to access classified systems and fresh concerns over cybersecurity. Published April 12, 2020
VFW, Freedom Alliance veterans groups help in coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus outbreak has presented veterans organizations with new challenges and opportunities, whether it's transforming a VFW hall into a food distribution center or embracing social media platforms to swap stories and share experiences. Published April 7, 2020
Donald Trump ‘to get involved’ in Thomas Modly-Capt. Brett Crozier dispute
President Trump said Monday he is "going to get involved" in settling a heated dispute between Acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly and former USS Theodore Roosevelt Capt. Brett Crozier. Published April 6, 2020
Russia, Saudi Arabia ‘very close’ to oil deal: Moscow’s sovereign wealth fund chief
Russian officials insisted Monday they are "very close" to finalizing a deal with Saudi Arabia to cut oil production and halt a price war that's shaken global markets and driven energy prices to historic lows, even as analysts still warn that the sector could slump further as the coronavirus outbreak crushes demand. Published April 6, 2020
Mark Esper orders all personnel to wear masks on on military installations
The Pentagon on Sunday tightened its policy on face masks to stop the spread of coronavirus, issuing new guidance that requires all military and civilian personnel, along with family members, contractors and guests on military installations, to wear a "cloth face recovering" if they're unable to stay at least six feet away from others. Published April 5, 2020
Pentagon tamps down Navy captain Brett Crozier sacking firestorm
The Pentagon on Sunday scrambled to tamp down a growing firestorm over last week's dismissal of a Navy captain who warned that the coronavirus was overrunning his ship and his sailors were in grave danger, with the incident dividing lawmakers and former top military officials while sparking another personnel controversy inside the Defense Department. Published April 5, 2020
USS Theodore Roosevelt has 155 coronavirus cases, Mark Esper says
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt has risen to 155, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Sunday as he defended the Navy's effort to get as many of the crew off of the vessel as possible. Published April 5, 2020
Brett Crozier, captain of USS Roosevelt, given hero’s send-off after firing
Hours after being fired, USS Theodore Roosevelt Capt. Brett Crozier was given a hero's sendoff Thursday night by the sailors aboard his coronavirus-stricken vessel, raising fresh questions about how the Navy's decision to remove him from his post will play among rank-and-file service members. Published April 3, 2020
Brett Crozier, USS Theodore Roosevelt captain, to be removed by Navy: Report
The Navy on Thursday relieved USS Theodore Roosevelt Capt. Brett Crozier of his command following a blistering letter leaked to the media in which the captain begged for help in getting 4,000 sailors off of the coronavirus-stricken vessel. Published April 2, 2020
