The 2007 defense authorization bill ends Pentagon plans to raise Tricare fees—at least for 2007. Key lawmakers have said that they recognize the dilemma facing DOD with the rising cost of health care, but they did not believe the Pentagon approach—raising fees significantly for retirees under 65 over the next few years—was the right answer. Congress is buying time for a full review of the situation, including possible health care efficiencies. They do not necessarily think there will be no increase in fees; it may be just a question of when and how much.
The top Air Force commander on on the Japanese island of Okinawa has clamped down alcohol and issued a curfew for junior enlisted Airmen and Guardians at Kadena Air Base for the next month. The order came roughly two weeks after a U.S. Marine was arrested for allegedly robbing and…