John Vandiver
Stars and Stripes
Stuttgart, BW, Germany
Contact John
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by John:
Sergeant’s reassignment to permanent US base in Poland marks milestone
The U.S. Army’s first permanent base in Poland just got its first permanently assigned active-duty soldier. → Read More
Army 10th Mountain, 101st Airborne division soldiers deploying to NATO’s southeast flank
Elements of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division are deploying to Europe to replace a 101st Airborne Division team that has been operating out of a strategic hub in Romania for the past nine months, the service said. → Read More
Gear issued to soldiers deployed to Europe last year didn’t always meet standards, IG finds
When thousands of US-based soldiers rapidly deployed to Europe last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some of the combat gear they pulled from storage depots was substandard, according to a new Defense Department report. → Read More
US generals and Ukrainian officers meet in Germany for tabletop war exercise
Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. European Command’s Gen. Christopher Cavoli met with dozens of members of the Ukrainian military for drills in Wiesbaden, a U.S. military official said. → Read More
NATO allies to learn HIMARS usage via US Army apprenticeship program
The Army’s V Corps said it is launching a new initiative that will bring together senior military leaders in Europe for a summit on all things related to the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. → Read More
US and allies hold naval drills as Russian activity increases in Mediterranean
The U.S. and its allies launched large-scale naval drills in the Mediterranean Sea, where Russian warships have been transiting in increasingly high numbers. → Read More
Former soldier faces murder charge in decades-old killing of Army private in Germany
A former soldier who was arrested Thursday in Florida is charged with the murder of a 19-year-old private on an Army base in Germany more than 20 years ago, officials said. → Read More
Polish president offers US military more space, asks Biden for extra firepower
Poland wants to see larger stockpiles of US weaponry on its soil, which would allow allies to respond faster in a crisis, the country’s head of state said this week. → Read More
A year of Russian fighting in Ukraine shows the US military what it needs to improve, analysts say
Hidden amid Russian failures is a threat still facing the United States military and its allies in Europe, where vulnerabilities persist on its eastern borders, experts say. → Read More
US soldiers, Marines train in polar pairing with Nordic and NATO allies
Thousands of troops are fanning out across Finland and Norway to test their cold-weather fighting skills. → Read More
New round of NATO talks sidesteps supply of F-16 jets to Ukraine
The latest two-day NATO gathering is centered on getting more weaponry to the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war. → Read More
Allies must keep stockpiling ammunition as Ukraine fires away at remarkable pace, NATO chief says
NATO needs to set more ambitious goals for replenishing ammunition stockpiles as Ukraine burns through reserves faster than allies can refill them, NATO’s top official said. → Read More
New contractor chosen in $8 billion deal with US Army to make joint light tactical vehicles
The five-year contract calls for AM General to deliver about 20,000 of the vehicles along with 10,000 trailers and various technological enhancements, the Army said. → Read More
US military needs more might in Europe but nowhere near Cold War levels, report says
The Pentagon will need a basing strategy that thickens defenses in central and Eastern Europe without overextending them, given the larger long-term threat posed by China, according to a new policy analysis. → Read More
US signs off on latest Polish military buy: $10 billion worth of HIMARS
Poland has a tentative green light from the U.S. to acquire another batch of HIMARS, the latest development in a military buying spree intended to make the Poles the most powerful land force in Europe. → Read More
US arms sales way up as partners respond to Russia’s war and Chinese modernization
U.S. foreign arms sales skyrocketed in 2022, increasing by nearly 50% from the previous year as allies and partners muscled up amid concerns over Russia and China, U.S. officials said. → Read More
US arms sales way up as partners respond to Russia’s war and Chinese modernization
U.S. foreign arms sales skyrocketed in 2022, increasing by nearly 50% from the previous year as allies and partners muscled up amid concerns over Russia and China, U.S. officials said. → Read More
Germany gives go-ahead for allies to teach Ukrainians to use Leopard tanks
Berlin is also inching toward a decision on sending its own Leopards to Ukraine, Germany’s top defense official said. → Read More
Ex-teacher at DOD school in Germany found guilty of sexual abuse of elementary schoolers
Former Patch Elementary School teacher Stefan Zappey was convicted of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child and four counts of abusive sexual contact, the DOJ said. → Read More
Soldiers from 101st Airborne, 10th Mountain divisions expected to deploy to Romania
Elements from the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team and the 10th Mountain Division headquarters are preparing for a potential deployment, the Army said. → Read More