SOME OVERSEAS TRAVEL HALTED: In a memo issued after President Trump’s announcement last night of a 30-day ban on travel to the United States from Europe, the Pentagon placed additional travel restrictions on all military service members, DoD civilians, and their families.
The new rules, in effect for 60 days, ban travel “to, from, or through” countries designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Level 2 or 3 locations. Currently, Level 3 countries, which are judged to have “widespread, ongoing transmission,” include Italy, South Korea, China, and Iran. The Level 2 designation, defined as countries with “sustained, ongoing, community transmission,” currently applies to Japan only, according to the CDC.
“This restriction includes all forms of travel, including Permanent Change of Station, Temporary Duty, and government-funded leave,” says the guidance signed by Defense Secretary Mark Esper. “For the next 60 days, DoD will implement enhanced health care protocols for traveler safety and transition to the use of military or contracted aircraft for required travel to Level 2 or 3 locations.”
SELF-QUARANTINE MANDATED: In addition, Esper has issued supplemental Force Health Protection guidance that requires a screening and 14-day self-monitoring at home for all DoD personnel who have traveled from, to, or through Level 2 or 3 countries in the past two weeks.
“Service members should be restricted to their residence or other appropriate domicile for 14 days and limit close contact (within 6 feet or 2 meters) with others during this 14-day period,” the guidance stipulates.
THE PROTOCOL: The guidance includes instructions that should be followed by anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to the virus.
“Service members should self-monitor by taking their temperatures twice a day to check for fever, and remain alert for cough or difficulty breathing. If they feel feverish or develop a fever (>100.4°F or 38°C per CDC), cough, or difficulty breathing during the self-monitoring period, they should self-isolate, limit contact with others, notify their supervisor or chain of command, and seek advice by telephone from the appropriate healthcare provider to determine whether medical evaluation is needed.”
A ‘PRUDENT ACTION’: “The Department of Defense’s top priority remains the protection and welfare of our people,” said Esper in a statement last night.
“While directing this prudent action, I continue to delegate all necessary authority to commanders to make further decisions based on their assessments to protect their people and ensure mission readiness. While we deal with this fluid and evolving situation, I remain confident in our ability to protect our service members, civilians and families,” he added.
RELATED — STATE WARNS AMERICANS TO ‘RECONSIDER TRAVEL’ OVERSEAS: The State Department issued a global travel warning last night, urging American citizens to “reconsider travel abroad” in light of the coronavirus pandemic, writes Joel Gehrke in the Washington Examiner.
“Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions,” the State Department said in an evening bulletin. “Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.”
Good Thursday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by David Sivak. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.
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DEADLY ROCKET ATTACK: Two U.S. troops were killed along with a military coalition partner in a hail of Katyusha rockets that fell on Camp Taji, Iraq. In addition, a dozen troops were wounded at the base, which houses both American and British forces.
“Approximately 18 107mm Katyusha rockets struck the base,” according to a statement tweeted out by Army Col. Myles Caggins, a U.S. military spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq. “The Iraqi Security Forces found a rocket-rigged truck, a few miles from Camp Taji,” the statement said.
The attack came on what would have been Iranian Quds Force commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani’s 63rd birthday, according to one report, and the American deaths follow the loss of two Marine Raiders this week as they were assisting Iraqi Forces who were clearing an ISIS cave complex in rugged mountain terrain.
POINTING A FINGER AT IRAN: No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Russian-made Katyusha rockets have been the weapon of choice by various Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq.
Suspicion has immediately fallen on Kataib Hezbollah, the group behind the rocket attack in December on a military base in Kirkuk that killed a U.S. contractor and drew U.S. airstrikes in response.
While officials did not say what group they suspect launched the attack, Kataib Hezbollah or another Iranian-backed Shia militia group is probable, according to the Associated Press.
HAPPENING TODAY: U.S. Central Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie is scheduled to testify at 9 a.m. before the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Marine general, who is the top commander for the Middle East, will no doubt be quizzed about the latest U.S. casualties, and the potential involvement of Iran.
The open session, which will be streamed live, will be followed by a classified session behind closed doors.
WAR POWERS RESOLUTION PASSES: A handful of Republicans joined Democrats in the House yesterday to pass a symbolic rebuke of President Trump, a war powers resolution that would limit his authority to wage war against Iran.
The 227-186 vote sends the measure to the White House, where Trump has promised to veto it quickly.
The resolution, introduced by Virginia Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine, passed the Senate last month on a bipartisan vote, but Trump and other legal experts argue the measure amounts to an unconstitutional constraint on his authority as commander in chief of the armed forces.
The text of the resolution says, “Congress hereby directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran or any part of its government or military, by not later than the date that is 30 days after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force.”
VETERANS GROUP ENDORSES VOTE: “The United States should always retain the capability to protect itself from threats, and it is important to note this measure does not prohibit the president from defending our country and our fellow Americans should they be threatened,” said Nate Anderson, executive director of Concerned Veterans for America.
“Congress has the solemn responsibility of debating and authorizing when we send American servicemembers into harm’s way, and for too long it has abdicated that responsibility,” Anderson said in a statement after the vote. “We are very encouraged to see Congress reassert itself in matters of war and peace.”
INDUSTRY WATCH: Boeing stock took a nosedive on Wall Street yesterday on word first reported by Bloomberg that the company plans to cash out a $13.8 billion loan meant to cover costs related to the grounding of the 737 Max passenger jet.
“In an extraordinary step, the company said it would put a hold on all new hires pending a ‘review of priorities and critical needs,’” reported the Washington Post, which quoted Bill Dugovich, spokesman for a union that represents Boeing employees, as saying there are no plans to lay off employees at Boeing.
The Rundown
Washington Examiner: Sea power congressmen warn $2B Navy shortfall would allow China and Russia to pull away
USNI News: Navy Mulling Taking Sailors Off Forward Deployed Ships As Part $40B Savings Drive
Washington Examiner: Russian parliament paves way for Putin to remain in power until 2036
Washington Examiner: Gathering of G-7 foreign ministers to be held ‘virtually’ amid mounting coronavirus fears
Washington Examiner: US Capitol tours to be suspended because of coronavirus
Reuters: South Korea Seeks To Contain Smaller Outbreaks As New Coronavirus Cases Slow
Stars and Stripes: Marines’ Cold Response Exercise In Norway Is Latest Drill To Be Nixed Over Virus Fears
Stars and Stripes: AFRICOM Scales Back Major Exercise In Morocco Over Coronavirus Fears
Voice of America: Taliban Reject Afghan Government’s Prisoner Release Plan
Breaking Defense: SecNav Details Gaps Between Navy & Pentagon Shipbuilding Plans
Inside Defense: Gilday: Navy ‘Will Likely’ Request Authority To Spend Money On Columbia During CR
Military Times: Intercepted Russian Reconnaissance Aircraft Were Watching U.S. Submarines During ICEX
Breaking Defense: Cyber Attack? Then We Fight Back: Sen. King
Army Times: The Army is ‘making artillery great again’
Navy Times: Sailing Down ‘Satan’s Throat’: Go Inside The Navy’s $20m Combat Simulator
Marine Corps Times: The Marine Corps Has ‘To Get Smaller To Get Better,’ Commandant Says
Forbes: Boeing Insitu’s Extended-Range Blackjack Is Changing How The Joint Force Thinks About Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Calendar
THURSDAY | MARCH 12
9 a.m. G50, Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the FY 2021 defense authorization request and future years defense program, with Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, commander. https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings
9 a.m. 2118 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness Hearing: “FY21 Navy and Marine Corps Readiness Posture,” with James Geurts, assistant secretary of the Navy, research, development, and acquisition; Adm. Robert Burke, Vice Chief of Naval Operations; Gen. Gary Thomas, Assistant Marine Corps Commandant. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
9:30 a.m. 2212 Rayburn — House Armed Services Subcommittee Strategic Forces hearing: “FY21 Priorities for Missile Defense and Missile Defeat Programs,” with Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy, commander, U.S. Northern Command; Vice Adm. Jon Hill, director, Missile Defense Agency; Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command; Rob Soofer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy; Cristina Chaplain, Director, contracting and national security acquisitions team, Government Accountability Office. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings
10 a.m. 2301 Constitution Ave. N.W. — United States Institute of Peace discussion on “A Peace Regime for the Korean Peninsula,” with Scott Snyder, director of the Council on Foreign Relations Program on U.S.-Korea Policy; Kathleen Stephens, president and CEO of the Korea Economic Institute; Jacob Stokes, senior policy analyst at USIP; Joseph Yun, senior adviser at USIP; Frank Aum, senior expert on North Korea at USIP; and Patricia Kim, senior policy analyst at USIP. https://www.usip.org/index.php/events/peace-regime-korean-peninsula
2 p.m. 214 Massachusetts Ave. N.E. — Heritage Foundation discussion on “Shining a Spotlight on Human Rights in North Korea,” with Kwang Cheol-Hwan, founder and chairman of the North Korea Strategy Center; Eiko Kawasaki, chairwoman of Action for Korea United; and Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea. http://www.heritage.org
4 p.m. 1521 16th St. N.W. — Institute of World Politics lecture on “The Role of the U.S. Military Under the NDS (National Defense Strategy) Over the Next Decade,” with Col. Jon Duke, deputy director of operations at the Marine Corps Headquarters. https://www.iwp.edu/events
FRIDAY | MARCH 13
8 a.m. 1135 16th St. N.W. — American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security breakfast, with Special Inspector General John Sopko discussing “Corruption: A Threat to Rule of Law and Sustainable Peace in Afghanistan.” https://www.americanbar.org/news
9:30 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. — Center for Strategic and International Studies discussion on “Army Air and Missile Defense,” with Maj. Gen. Robert Rasch, program executive officer for Army Missiles and Space; Brig. Gen. Brian Gibson, director of the Army Air and Missile Defense Cross-Functional Team; Barbara Treharne, senior analyst at the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization; Brian Green, nonresident senior associate at CSIS; and Thomas Karako, director of the CSIS Missile Defense Project. http://www.csis.org
10:30 a.m. — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion on “France’s Defense Strategy,” with French Ambassador to the U.S. Philippe Etienne; and former Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, president of CEIP. http://carnegieendowment.org
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It is almost as if the Navy forgot to read the strategy when they put together their budget plan.”
Republican Rep. Rob Wittman of Virginia, ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, decrying what he called the wanton lack of strategic vision in our nation’s sealift forces.
