(POC) — According to the Department of State the United States stands with our Philippine allies in the face of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Coast Guard’s reported use of laser devices against the crew of a Philippine Coast Guard ship on February 6 in the South China Sea. The PRC’s conduct was provocative and unsafe, resulting in the temporary blindness of the crewmembers of the BRP Malapascua and interfering with the Philippines’ lawful operations in and around Second Thomas Shoal. More broadly, the PRC’s dangerous operational behavior directly threatens regional peace and stability, infringes upon

(POC) — Private military contractors refer to corporations whose mandate is to offer military services, including maintenance, strategic planning, procurement, intelligence collection, training, logistical support, and combat operations. Besides, they provide many essential services such as support services, security services, and protection of multinational economic interests in hostile regions. There is a rapid growth of private military companies globally due to increased demand for services that relate to war or conflict.

“This is a stark reminder of the perils rescue and aid workers face in conflict zones as they serve citizens caught in the crossfire. Pete was just 33 years old, but lived a life in service of others, first as a decorated US Marine and then in humanitarian aid. GRM will strive to honor his legacy and the selfless service he practiced,”

(POC) —  Department of Defense has awarded a $12,500,000 to contract for aviation maintenance services. Work will be performed in Kuwait, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 28, 2023.

Fiscal 2023 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $12,500,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

(POC) — Department of Defense has awarded a $13,373,411 firm-fixed-price and cost-no-fee contract for technical and support services, including equipment procurement, facility modification, technical training, and management assistance for the country of Indonesia.

Work will be performed at Husein Sastranegara Air Force Base, Bandung, Indonesia, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 30, 2028.

(POC) — Department of Defense has awarded a $412,601,063 firm-fixed-price contract for follow-on sustainment. This contract provides contractor logistics support, engineering services, technical updates, spare parts, and other related elements of logistical and program support under the Taiwan Surveillance Radar Program.

Work will be performed in Taiwan and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2027.

(POC) — A nearly $4 billion U.S. Air Force contract has been awarded to ensure the ongoing operation of a strategic base in Greenland, the Defense Department said in a statement.

The $3.95 billion deal, awarded to Nuuk, Greenland-based contractor Inuksuk A/S, provides for an array of operation and maintenance requirements at Thule Air Base — the military’s northernmost site.

(POC) — Department of Defense has awarded $42,999,089 to a previously awarded contract (N0042120C0032). This modification increases the scope by merging F/A-18 contractor support services for the governments of Australia and Switzerland.

Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland (78.4%); Dusseldorf, Switzerland (13%); Amberley, Australia (4.4%); and Kuwait City, Kuwait (4.2%), and is expected to be completed in August 2025.

(POC) — In Caloocan City, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff announced $5 million in additional COVID-19 funding, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to accelerate vaccine rollout in the Philippines. This assistance, funded through the American Rescue Plan, will support vaccine distribution for children and adults in line with the Philippine government’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts to intensify and strengthen the country’s wall of immunity.

(POC) — Highlighting the deep economic, political, and cultural ties between the United States and Brazil, U.S. Consul General Jacqueline Ward joined Mayor Eduardo Paes to break ground on the new U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro.

Located on a 3.7-acre parcel in the downtown neighborhood of Cidade Nova, the new campus is envisioned as a reflection of Rio de Janeiro as a city in the rainforest, cradled between mountains and the ocean.

(POC) — By Anne Lauder: In the 20 years since the adoption of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, various armed forces have worked to integrate women into their ranks and mainstream gender into their activities. While WPS is state-focused, the rise of non-state actors has created alternative avenues of enactment. Private military and security companies (PMSCs) provide a salient example of gendered guidance in the private sector.

(POC) — A US citizen was murdered in Baghdad on Monday, according to Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani.

A US State Department spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that American Stephen Edward Troell died in Baghdad, noting they "are closely monitoring local authorities' investigation into the cause of death."