From Steadyaku47 Blog - Citizen Nades : Cakap Bukan Serupa Bikin...

Finally, a truthful advertisement. Must forward to many politicians and ask them to take advantage of the offer.

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steadyaku47 comment : Aisehman....this Citizen Nades cakap bukan serupa bikin lah! I have checked with my politician friends about the above offer posted by Citizen Nades in his FB and they are all in the dark about it....so on Citizen Nades behalf and at great expense and effort, I have done the necessary and forwarded the above "cannot say no" offer to the following with the following proviso...first come first serve lest those in the opposition too are keen on those "cannot say no" discounts! 

MINISTERS

Najib Abdul Razak – Prime Minister and Finance Minister
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister
Johari Abdul Ghani – Finance Minister II
Liow Tiong Lai – Transport Minister
Nazri Abdul Aziz – Tourism and Culture Minister
Hishammuddin Hussein – Defence Minister
Mustapa Mohamed – International Trade and Industries Minister
Ong Ka Chuan – International Trade and Industry Minister II
Maximus Johnity Ongkili – Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister
Mah Siew Keong – Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister
Ahmad Shabery Cheek – Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister
Ismail Sabri Yaakob – Rural and Regional Development Minister
Anifah Aman – Foreign Minister
Wilfred Madius Tangau – Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
Rohani Abdul Karim – Women and Family Development Minister
Fadillah Yusof – Works Minister
Richard Riot Anak Jaem – Human Resources Minister
Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor – Federal Territories Minister
Idris Jusoh - Higher Education Minister
Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar – Youth and Sports Minister
Noh Omar – Housing and Local Government Minister
Hamzah Zainudin – Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister
Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar – Natural Resources and Environment Minister
Mahdzir Khalid – Education Minister
Dr S Subramaniam – Health Minister
Mohd Salleh Said Keruak – Communications and Multimedia Minister
Abdul Rahman Dahlan – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Azalina Othman Said – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Nancy Shukri – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Wee Ka Siong – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Shahidan Kassim – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Paul Low Seng Kuan – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Joseph Entulu Anak Belaun – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Joseph Kurup – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Jamil Khir Baharom – Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
DEPUTY MINISTERS
Othman Aziz – Deputy Finance Minister
Lee Chee Leong – Deputy Finance Minister
Nur Jazlan Mohamed – Deputy Home Minister
Masir Anak Kujat – Deputy Home Minister
Ermieyati Samsudin – Deputy Tourism and Culture Minister
Johari Baharum – Deputy Defence Minister
Ahmad Maslan – Deputy International Trade and Industries Minister
Chua Tee Yong – Deputy International Trade and Industries Minister
James Dawos Mamit – Deputy Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister
Nasrun Mansur – Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister
Tajuddin Abdul Rahman – Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister
Alexander Nanta Linggi – Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister
Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub – Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister
Reezal Merican Naina Merican – Deputy Foreign Minister
Azizah Panglima Mohd Dun – Deputy Women and Family Development Minister
Chew Mei Fun – Deputy Women and Family Development Minister
Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah – Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin – Deputy Works Minister
Ismail Abd Muttalib – Deputy Human resources Minister
Loga Bala Mohan Jaganathan – Deputy Federal Territories Minister
Mary Yap Kain Ching – Deputy Higher Education Minister
M Saravanan – Deputy Youth and Sports Minister
Halimah Mohd Sadique – Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister
Henry Sum Agong – Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister
Hamim Samuri – Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister
P Kamalanathan – Deputy Education Minister
Chong Sin Woon – Deputy Education Minister
Jailani Johari – Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister
Hilmi Yahaya – Deputy Health Minister
Ab Aziz Kaprawi – Deputy Transport Minister
Razali Ibrahim – Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department
Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki – Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's D1epartment
SK Devamany – Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department

You also cheated when you were the EC Chief so a Pot calling a Kettle black and only this time the master have changed

‘CLEARLY HE IS THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL EC CHIEF IN HISTORY’: FORMER EC CHIEF FLAYS SUCCESSOR ABDUL RASHID AS NAJIB PILES PRESSURE AHEAD OF ‘MOST DIRTY ELECTION EVER’ GE14

Former Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman has warned current EC chief Mohd Hashim Abdullah not to allow the commission to become a BN lackey.

Abdul Rashid, who is now one of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s vice- president, said this in a joint-statement with PKR political bureau member R Sivarasa, Parti Amanah Negara information chief Khalid Abdul Samad and DAP’s Seputeh vice-chairperson Teresa Kok.

“We are aware the pressure EC is facing from the ruling coalition to ensure BN is returned to power during the 14th general election.

“But the EC, as a body responsible for a democratic election process, should and cannot be a BN lackey by violating the federal constitution which requires the commission to have the public’s trust,” they said.

The former EC chief and three MPs also were critical of Mohd Hashim for snubbing the opposition.

“All our written communication to him have been ignored.

“Clearly, he is being the most unprofessional election chairperson in the history of the EC and indirectly degrades the EC’s position as an independent and fair commission to a mere agency that complies to the prime minister’s directives.

“The EC chairperson refusing to engaged stakeholders, namely the opposition political parties, has reduced the EC’s credibility to its worst in the history of democratic elections in this country,” they said.



They also requested that Mohd Hashim meet a team led by Abdul Rashid to iron out several election issues, including the refusal of the EC to provide the supplementary electoral roll to political parties.

“This was done without consultation with political parties and we consider this as a violation of democratic rights which is a clear display of ill intent,” they said.

– M’kini

Venezuelan media reports Trinidad oil spill has reached Margarita Island

Oil slicked pelican. Photo: Venezuelan social media sources

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- Venezuelan media and social networks have reported that oil from the April 23 Petrotrin oil spill in Trinidad has slicked beaches as far away as Margarita Island, where several beaches had to be closed.

At first Petrotrin claimed that 20 barrels of oil (3,179.75 litres) reached the sea but that was later revised to 300 barrels (47,696.2 litres).

Spanish online newspaper El Diario reported that the spill is now the subject of an investigation by the Venezuelan Public Prosecutor’s office.

El Diario stated that 61 Venezuelan NGOs are demanding compensation from the

A video released by Conbive Civil Association for the Conservation of Venezuelan Biodiversity showed volunteers cleaning what is claimed to be oil from the Nordiqui beach in Los Roques islands, normally home to surfers and kiteboarders.

Photo: Venezuelan social media
Los Roques is a national park. It is where Venezuela’s most beautiful beaches are and an important area for both biodiversity and tourism.

The oil at Los Roques could be from the April 23 Petrotrin oil spill but it could also come from a tanker discharging its bilges or the oil terminal at Puerto La Cruz.

The only way to ascertain is through testing. All crude oil has signature chemical compositions.

Trinidad and Tobago energy expert Dr James Lee Young was asked for his opinion on oil from the Petrotrin April 23 oil spill reaching Margarita and Los Roques.

“The oil that was spilled was RMG 380 centistokes Fuel Oil which is a black, viscous bunker oil used for ships and does look very similar to what is being washed up in Venezuela.

"The problem I have is that the reported 300 bbls is actually not a lot of oil and after so long at sea should have been dispersed or washed ashore in Guiria. For this oil to now have made it out the Grand Boca and to have hit Margarita Island and now Los Roques means that there is probably a lot more than 300 bbls floating around out there.

"There were reports that Tank 70 had over 12,000 bbls of oil in it when it leaked but that the majority was recovered.

"Either 1) the estimate of 300 bbls is a gross underestimate or 2) the oil being washed up in these islands in from a different source or 3) these islands are really unlucky and have been hit by a very small spill that has not dispersed. Until samples of the spill are taken and tested it is all a guess,” Young said.

What's the difference between Singapore and Malaysia?

Hahn Kim, lives in Singapore (1900-present)
Answered Mar 16

Singapore is heavily regulated, Malaysia is regulated.

Singaporeans tends to think they are superior than Malaysians, Malaysian tends to think the SGD is superior to ringgit.

Singapore is a chemist mixing pot, Malaysia is a mixing pot,you never know what you can find.

Singaporeans tend to speak English, Malaysians tend to speak whichever language to whom they are speaking with.

Singapore government is very very money minded, Malaysian government finds it hard to mind their money.

Singapore food tend to gravitate towards healthy eating, Malaysian food tend to gravitate being delicious at low cost.

Singapore is small,congested and populated with tons of foreign talents, Malaysia is big, spacious and populated by tons of people.

Singapore has a history of being a dick to its neighbour and citizens,always telling them what to do,think and say. Malaysia has a history of being a dick by doing nothing when it counts.

Singaporean girls tends to think their love is worth their weight in gold, Malaysian ladies are worth more than gold.

Singapore has a lame dick PM who thinks he is the king of clowns, Malaysia has a lame dick PM who has proven he is a clown.

One thing is know Singapore and Malaysia has, both their PM have wives who make them look like a wuss.

What if Indonesia joined Malaysia? trouble I guess as the Indonesians will drive the Malays into the sea

Cody Byrne, lives in Southeast Asia (2011-present)
Answered May 7

Despite linguistic links, Indonesia and Malaysia are completely incompatible.

Firstly, Malaysia is somehow most Western yet more Islamic. 

Despite low level and allegedly high level corruption, Malaysian institutions do not run on graft like they do in Thailand or Indonesia. I know a lot of Malaysian’s will think this untrue but I assure you that there are differing levels of corruption in the world and Malaysia is at the lower end of the spectrum. Indonesian society at large did not adopt as much of it’s colonizers ‘DNA’ as Malaysia did from the British. Once you get outside of the large cities and provincial posts, Indonesian life is some of the most ‘traditional’ in the world. Malaysia has all but lost this. With exception to some pockets, Malaysia is also far more religious than Indonesia with faith occupying a very large part of every day life for Malays. For most Indonesians it is a more casual faith. The headscarf is far less common and it’s not illegal for Muslims to drink.

The second is the Bumiputra question. 

Malaysia and Indonesia had very different paths to their own nationalism. Indonesia rose under a trans-Ethnic form. Many Indonesian heroes were Balinese or Betawi as well as Sundanese and Javanese. They seem themselves as co-inhabitants largely and defnitely differentiate themselves from the Chinese and other non-Indonesian minorities. Malay nationalism rose under putting all of those of a similar ethnicity in peninsular Malaysia under the ‘Orang Melayu’ flag. Peninsular Malaysia never had the same diversity or density as Indonesia so integrating all people under one banner was ppossibly more practical. So, if Malaysia and Indonesia united they would either have to drastically redefine Bumiputera criteria or eliminate Lit all together.

Thirdly, economics. Indonesia is vastly undeveloped and much poorer than Malaysia. 

What incentive would Malaysia get from creating a union? Considering that both countries have stagnated recently in comparison to the rest of SE Asia, Malaysia would be crazy to consider this.

Lastly, politics. 

Malaysia is a Monarchy and Indonesia is a proud Republic. Once again, Malaysia does not have the incentive to join with Indonesia but would it be ready to drop it’s sultanate? Because Indonesia would definitely not adopt monarchism.

So, despite cultural links there are some major theological, racial and political differences between the two that could not be reconciled. But the largest barrier would be the fact that Malaysia would gain very little and Indonesia’s vast population would swallow Malaysia with little thought.

An Indo-Malay trade union would work very well though. Between the two countries they could very easily create cartels (and thus higher prices) on certain exports which they dominate like Palm Oil.

Comment

I agree that you definitely see a stark contrast between modern urban life to very traditional rural in here. But Dutch colonial influence certainly do affect the things that you consider tradional here. Particularly in Java which was the heart of the colony. The fact that Indonesia's population didnt get overwhelmed by foreign culture probably helps that image. Cities in NEI have large proportion of Chinese and Europeans, with European usually consisting 10% of the major city and Chinese 25–40%. The Europeans are mostly mixed and adopted Indo lifestyle. Natives lived in kampungs at the outskirt of the cities. They also mingle with each other more in comparison to Malaya (mostly due to difference in racial policy and the tendency of British to exclude themself from the inferior Asians and its culture), so the colonial port culture is more complicated in comparison to Malaya's mainly Westernized Chinese (Banana) ports.

Also it helps that the later Dutch dont really categorize their population based on religion and extreme segregation policy, which was only common during the VoC period (and doesnt root too much in the society of colonial Batavia). Because the current Malaysian government have the British to thanks for their bumiputra stuff and religious policy to “protect” the Malays. That became the source of their nationalism, while the Chinese and Indians who include Singapore have taken over their number. And that cant work in Indonesian society which have developed its own ideologies from its own experience. It mostly have to unite the archipelago which mostly have little in common apart from being opressed by the Dutch. While its population are classed in accordance to their background, they were never actually excluded from each other. People of various religion and ethnicities lived next to each other (even in back then riche-noveau European Menteng/Darmo district) and many goes to the same school or hospitals. Dictators such as sukarno and suharto have to be mostly secular, in order to keep sensitive ethnic and religious issues from becoming too big. Jakarta even have Christian governor under Suharto.

Newly freed Chelsea Manning: 'I'm figuring things out'

By: Jim Suhr, The Associated Press, May 17, 2017 (Photo Credit: Army via AP)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pvt. Chelsea Manning, the Army soldier who was sentenced to 35 years in a military prison for giving classified materials to WikiLeaks, said Wednesday that she's excited about what lies ahead, just hours after she walked free after serving seven years behind bars.

"I'm figuring things out right now — which is exciting, awkward, fun, and all new for me," 29-year-old Manning said in an emailed statement hours after being released from a lockup at Kansas' Fort Leavenworth.

News Wrap: Chelsea Manning released from prison 

Manning later took to social networking, posting photos of her lunch — "So, (I'm) already enjoying my first hot, greasy pizza," she declared of the slice of pepperoni — and her feet in tennis shoes, captioning that her "First steps of freedom!!"

Read Here - Chelsea Manning to return to active duty after prison release

Manning's immediate plans, including living arrangements, remained unclear. Manning tweeted after then-President Barack Obama granted her clemency in January that she planned to move to Maryland, where she has an aunt. Manning originally comes from Crescent, Oklahoma.

"After another anxious four months of waiting, the day has finally arrived," Manning said in Wednesday's statement. "I am looking forward to so much! Whatever is ahead of me is far more important than the past."

Manning, who is transgender and was known as Bradley Manning before she transitioned in prison, was convicted in 2013 of 20 counts, including six Espionage Act violations, theft and computer fraud. She was acquitted of the most serious charge of aiding the enemy.

Manning, a former intelligence analyst in Iraq, has acknowledged leaking the materials, which included battlefield video. She said she wanted to expose what she considered to be the U.S. military's disregard of the effects of war on civilians and that she released information that she didn't believe would harm the U.S.


Army Times
Chelsea Manning to return to active duty after prison release

Critics said the leaks laid bare some of the nation's most-sensitive secrets and endangered information sources, prompting the State Department to help some of those people move to protect their safety. Several ambassadors were recalled, expelled or reassigned because of embarrassing disclosures.

Manning, who was arrested in 2010, filed a transgender rights lawsuit in prison and attempted suicide twice last year, according to her lawyers.

"We can all finally truly celebrate the strength and heroism she has shown in surviving and sharing her truth and life with all of us," Chase Strangio, Manning's attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, said in Wednesday's statement that included Manning's post-release comments.

"Through extended periods of solitary confinement and up against the government's insistence on denying her medical care and existence as a woman, Chelsea has emerged with grace, resilience, and an inspiring amount of love for others," Strangio added. "I am humbled to fight alongside such a fierce advocate for justice."

Obama's decision to commute Manning's sentence to about seven years, including the time she spent locked up before being convicted, drew strong criticism from members of Congress and others, with Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan calling the move "just outrageous."

In a statement last week — her first public comments since Obama intervened — Manning thanked that former president and said that letters of support from veterans and fellow transgender people inspired her "to work toward making life better for others."

"For the first time, I can see a future for myself as Chelsea," she said. "I can imagine surviving and living as the person who I am and can finally be in the outside world. Freedom used to be something that I dreamed of but never allowed myself to fully imagine."

Her attorneys have said Manning was subjected to violence in prison and argued the military mistreated her by requiring her to serve her sentence in an all-male prison, restricting her physical and mental health care and not allowing her to keep a feminine haircut.

The Department of Defense has repeatedly declined to discuss Manning's treatment in prison.

The Army said Tuesday that Manning would remain on active duty in a special, unpaid status that will legally entitle her to military medical care, along with commissary privileges. An Army spokeswoman, Lt. Col. Jennifer Johnson, said Manning will be on "excess leave" — meaning she is considered to be off-duty — while her court-martial conviction is under appellate review. Army spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said this means Manning can wear her preferred civilian clothing, including women's attire, while on excess leave.

The Army said Wednesday that Manning remains subject to the military's criminal code until her discharge from the Army, and that her "excess leave" status will be lifted if she's prosecuted for any violations.

Department of Defense and Army policy also restricts political activities by all members of the armed forces, including Manning, until their service time is completed. Army regulations require that any book or other publishable writings by Manning involving military matters, national security issues or subjects of significant concern to the Defense Department Manning must "consult with" a military public affairs office.

Pulse Films announced Wednesday at the Cannes Film Festival in France that Manning would be the focus of a documentary titled "XY Chelsea" and that she had granted filmmakers "unprecedented access." It was not immediately clear how that would be affected by the Defense Department and Army restrictions.

The Army said that while Manning is being assigned to Oklahoma's Fort Sill, she doesn't need to report for duty there, meaning she has discretion about where she lives.

Associated Press reporters Robert Burns and Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.

US to provide Afghanistan with 159 Black Hawks to help break 'stalemate'

By: Shawn Snow and Mackenzie Wolf, May 17, 2017

As part of Afghanistan’s four-year road map to double its 17,000-strong special forces unit and bolster the Afghan Air Force, the U.S. will provide Afghanistan with 159 refurbished UH-60A Black Hawks to replace its aging fleet of Russian Mi-17 transport helicopters, according to Afghan and U.S. defense officials.  

Ahmad Shah Katawazai, defense liaison and security expert at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, D.C., told Military Times that the addition of Black Hawks to the Afghan fleet is vital for giving the security forces leverage needed to end the stalemate.

“We are in the midst of an insurgency where the enemy is getting tacit support from neighboring countries. Our security forces are under immense pressure as they are fighting each day, on several fronts, with more than 20 terrorist organizations.”

The development comes after Gen. John Nicholson, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, testified before the Senate Armed Forces Committee in February that more U.S. troops were needed to help break the "stalemate" against terrorists groups fighting there.

Afghan Air Force
The Afghan Air Force, formerly the Afghan National Army Air Corps, is a branch of the military of Afghanistan that is responsible for air defense and air warfare. Wikipedia
Role: Aerial warfare
Attack: Mi-35, A-29
Founded: August 22, 1924
Attack aircrafts: Mil Mi-24, Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano
Transports: Cessna 208 Caravan, Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Trainers: Cessna 182 Skylane, Cessna 208 Caravan, Aero L-39 Albatros

Military Times

Thousands more troops are needed in Afghanistan, top commander tells Congress
However, the 159 Black Hawks nearly doubles the Afghan Air Force's current fleet of 78 Mi-17s, calling into question whether Afghanistan has the capability to maintain such a large fleet of U.S.-made helicopters.  And not everyone agrees that the UH-60 is a good fit for Afghanistan.

“Given that it takes substantial U.S. support to maintain the airframes that the Afghan Air Force has already, it doesn't seem feasible that they would be able to support that many Black Hawks without a significant contribution from NATO,” Dr. Matthew Archibald, an independent researcher and consultant on South Asian issues, told Military Times.  

Afghanistan has had considerable problems with maintaining its current fleet of aircraft. The 2016 Mi-17 crash that injured top Afghan military officials and killed Afghan Army Commander Gen. Muhayuddin Ghori was determined to be caused by a mechanical failure resulting from lack of maintenance.

Helicopter Crash Lands Carrying Top General - due to rotor failure

According to latest estimates from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction , roughly 18 of Afghanistan’s Russian Mi-17s are unusable, two of the four C-130s are undergoing serious repair and one MD-530 crashed as a result of mechanical failure. Though the report acknowledges that most of the issues with the Mi-17 stem from their overuse, as Afghanistan heavily relies on the lumbering helicopter for troop transport, air assault operations and, at times, for offensive ground air support.

The replacement of the Mi-17 with the UH-60 has the potential to degrade Afghanistan’s total lift capacity and offensive firing capabilities, according to Archibald. “The Black Hawk doesn't bring nearly the amount of close air support capability that the Mi-17 does,” he said. In 2016, the Mi-17 fired its rocket pods over   600 times  in support of ground operations in Afghanistan, a similar rate to its primary ground attack platform the MD-530.

U.S. defense officials push back on that claim. Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump said that although 63 Mi-17s were equipped with the ability to fire rockets, not all of them are actually armed and “very few of these aircraft have been outfitted with rockets because their primary role is to perform lift, air assaults and medevac missions rather than aerial fires missions."

Stump also said some of the Black Hawks will be equipped with rocket pods and additional offensive aerial platforms are being added to Afghanistan’s air force, which will make up for any loss in offensive capabilities with the switch. Afghanistan is also set to receive an additional armed 30 MD-530 Cayuse Warrior ground attack helicopters, six more A-29 fixed wing close attack aircraft, and five armed AC-208 fixed wing aircraft, he said.

Afghan Air Force MD-530

Afghan Air Force Newest Weapon Against Terrorists MD-530F Close Air Attack Helicopter

American security detail watches while an Afghan MD-530 Cayuse Warrior takes off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Sept. 27, 2015.
Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Sandra Welch/Air Force

UH-60 Black Hawk Facts

As for a loss in total lift capacity, the Black Hawks are receiving a new engine designed to handle Afghanistan’s punishing terrain “and will be able to perform almost all of the same missions that the current Mi-17 fleet has been conducting in terms of number of people and cargo typically carried,” Stump said.

And then there's the question of timing and whether it will take too long to train pilots and deliver the helicopters in time to make a difference on the ground.  

U.S. defense officials say it will only take 12 weeks to train Afghan pilots on the Black Hawk. For new pilots, training could take nine to 13 months depending on the English proficiency of the student. But according to a recent SIGAR report on Afghanistan, there are 68 Mi-17 pilots and 35 of them are instructor pilots, meaning Afghanistan could have to send almost hundred new pilots through entry-level training, taking up to a year to complete.  

Also, the $814 million procured this year to bolster Afghanistan’s air force only includes funds for 53 of the 159 Black Hawks this year, a defense official told Military Times. Each year, the Defense Department will have to request funding for the other UH-60s. Defense officials expect to deliver 30 helicopters a year. The first delivery is expected in about 21 months.

The nearly two-year time frame before the first UH-60's arrive may not be realistic or beneficial to Afghanistan, according to Franz-Stefan Gaddy, a senior fellow at the East-West Institute. "The Afghan military just does not have the luxury to wait a couple of years for the Black Hawks to arrive...these aircraft will certainly not be available by the time the AAF [Afghan Air Force] needs to retire its Mi-17 fleet next year," he said.

The procurement process to get the first batch of A-29 Super Tucanos took almost half a decade, and the entire fleet is still not operational, Gady explained. "From a tactical and operational perspective, acquiring the Black Hawk would be a bad decision for the Afghan military."

Training is expected to begin almost immediately according to an Afghan defense official. Four UH-60s slated for training purposes are expected to arrive in Afghanistan later this fall, the official told Military Times, speaking on condition of anonymity because the plan is still in initial stages. Officials at the Pentagon would not confirm the time or place of the training because the issues were still “pre-decisional.”

President Donald Trump is headed to the NATO summit in Brussels this week where the war in Afghanistan will be high on the agenda. Nicholson submitted his recommendation in April calling for an additional 3,000 to 5,000 more U.S. troops to assist with the "train and advise" mission called Operation Resolute Support. NATO allies are also considering a a troop increase in the war-torn country.

Shawn Snow is a Military Times staff writer and editor of the Early Bird Brief. On Twitter:@SnowSox184. Mackenzie Wolf is a Military Times editorial intern. On Twitter: @Coffeeshopjihad.