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Volume 79 Edition 159 ©SS 2020 THURSDAY,NOVEMBER 26, 2020 50¢/Free to Deployed Areas

AFGHANISTAN Troops ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with ‘takeout’

BY PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN Stars and Stripes KABUL, Afghanistan — Like many Americans back home, troops deployed to Afghanistan are celebrating Thanksgiving dif- ferently this year because of the coronavirus. Bases have typically covered the dining facilities with seasonal decorations, while senior officers and enlisted leaders carved and served turkey and roast beef. Bands performed live music. In 2020, meals will be put in doggie bags and troops will eat them at a safe distance from one another. “This year’s Thanksgiving meal will be ‘to-go’ only and socially- distanced to prevent the spread of [the coronavirus],” NATO’s U.S.- led Resolute Support mission said RODERICK JACQUOTE/U.S. Marine Corps in an emailed statement. “Howev- Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing stand by to conduct maintenance on an F/A-18 Hornet. A report from the Government Accountability Office this month cited widespread problems with meeting readiness goals. SEE TAKEOUT ON PAGE 3 Maintenance needs work GAO says most military aircraft fleets missed readiness targets over 9 years

BY CHAD GARLAND form at least one mission, the Gov- and F/A-18 variants be mission ca- made worse by damage to Flor- Stars and Stripes ernment Accountability Office pable at least 80% of the time by ida’s Tyndall Air Force Base from More than half of 46 types of said in a report this month. the end of fiscal year 2019. Hurricane Michael in 2018. military aircraft failed to meet The Huey, last produced at the None met that goal for the full Members of Congress had mission capability readiness goals end of the Nixon administration, year, though Navy F-35s did hit asked the GAO to look into the in any year from 2011 through exceeded targets for all nine the mark at some point, GAO condition and cost of sustaining Resolute Support 2019, including most fighter jets, a years, GAO found. Fighter jets found. aircraft that support combat-re- Marine Corps Capt. Audrey government review has found. generally fell short in the metric Military officials had warned lated missions. Novick, a California native, is The Air Force’s fleet of UH-1N used to assess the health of air- that it would be a challenge to After examining data on how one of thousands of U.S. troops Iroquois “Huey” helicopters was craft fleets, it said. meet the target set by Esper, who long the aircraft are grounded for spending Thanksgiving in among only three types that met or While each of the services set said even he didn’t expect the F-35 maintenance or awaiting parts, Afghanistan this year. Novick is exceeded service targets in most their own goals, Defense Secreta- to achieve the desired rate in time. and the roughly $50 billion in an- thinking about her family more of those years for mission capabil- ry Mark Esper in September 2018 The F-22 also wasn’t expected nual support costs, GAO found an this holiday because of the coro- navirus pandemic, she said. ity, defined as the percentage of ordered that the F-22 Raptor, F-16 to meet the standard due to chal- time they were able to fly and per- Fighting Falcon, F-35 Lightning II lenges with maintenance capacity SEE READINESS ON PAGE 7 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 BUSINESS/WEATHER European regulator moves to clear Boeing 737 EXCHANGE RATES

Associated Press craft for flight. in Cologne, Germany, comes after Military rates Poland (Zloty) 3.76 Saudi Arab (Riyal) 3.7501 BERLIN — European regula- It said the step signals “its inten- the U.S. Federal Aviation Admin- Euro costs (Nov. 27) $1.16 Singapore (Dollar) 1.3419 Dollar buys (Nov. 27) 0.8189 So. Korea (Won) 1,107.42 tors on Tuesday took a step closer tion to approve the aircraft to re- istration already cleared the Boe- British pound (Nov. 27) $1.30 Switzerland (Franc) 0.9099 to letting the Boeing 737 Max fly turn to Europe's skies within a ing 737 Max earlier this month. Japanese yen (Nov. 27) 102.00 Thailand (Baht) 30.32 South Korean won (Nov. 27) 1,078.00 again, publishing a proposed air- matter of weeks.” “EASA made clear from the Turkey (Lira) 7.9831 Commercial rates (Military exchange rates are those avail­ worthiness directive that could Regulators around the world outset that we would conduct our able to customers at military banking fa­ Bahrain(Dinar) 0.3770 cilities in the country of issuance for Ja­ see it cleared within weeks after grounded the Max in March 2019, own objective and independent Britain (Pound) 1.3363 pan, South Korea, Germany, the Nether­ Canada (Dollar) 1.3017 lands and the United Kingdom. For nonlo­ being grounded for nearly two after the crash of an Ethiopian assessment of the 737 Max, work- China(Yuan) 6.5763 cal currency exchange rates (i.e., years over deadly crashes. Airlines jet. That happened less ing closely with the FAA and Boe- Denmark (Krone) 6.2488 purchasing British pounds in Germany), Egypt (Pound) 15.6601 check with your local military banking fa­ The publication of the directive than five months after another ing, to make sure that there can be Euro 0.8398 cility. Commercial rates are interbank by the European Union Aviation Max flown by Indonesia’s Lion Air no repeat of these tragic acci- Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7512 rates provided for reference when buying Hungary (Forint) 303.35 currency. All figures are foreign curren­ Safety Agency opens a 28-day plunged into the Java Sea. A total dents, which touched the lives of Israel (Shekel) 3.3210 cies to one dollar, except for the British Japan (Yen) 104.33 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ public consultation period, after of 346 passengers and crew mem- so many people,” said EASA Ex- Kuwait(Dinar) 0.3055 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­ euro.) which the agency will review the bers on both planes were killed. ecutive Director Patrick Ky in a Norway (Krone) 8.8755 Philppines (Peso) 48.13 input and then approve the air- The move by the EASA, based statement. WEATHER OUTLOOK THURSDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST THURSDAY IN EUROPE FRIDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 45/36

Kabul Seoul 48/31 39/26 Baghdad 73/51 Tokyo Drawsko Osan Kandahar Mildenhall/ 46/25 54/46 60/36 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 42/38 44/35 48/34 Iwakuni Kuwait City 64/48 Bahrain Brussels Zagan Sasebo 82/66 84/73 Ramstein 43/38 61/54 Guam 51/40 49/31 85/79 Riyadh Lajes, 83/63 Doha Azores Stuttgart Pápa 63/60 50/31 82/75 Aviano/ 38/30 Vicenza 54/37

Naples 65/47 Okinawa Morón 75/68 55/44 Sigonella Rota 65/48 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 59/49 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 84/78 60/55 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 11 Classified ...... 12 Comics ...... 16 Crossword ...... 16 Faces ...... 18 Opinion ...... 14 Sports ...... 20-24 Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Retailers prep for coronavirus Black Friday BY ERICA EARL During Black Friday weekend, the At Sasebo Naval Base in western Japan, Stars and Stripes “Take-A-Ticket” program will help man- the exchange posted an ad on Facebook for YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Black Fri- age crowds seeking hot items, Maskery its sale this year along with a QR code linked day, the busiest shopping day of the year, said. Shoppers can line up as early as 5 a.m. to the sale online. cannot be tamed by the coronavirus pan- at some locations for a ticket to claim door- “If you’re wondering why you haven’t demic, even on U.S. military bases. busters like TVs, iPads and GoPros with a seen the NEX’s holiday sales flyers around The post-Thanksgiving event, considered designated pick-up time to prevent crowds base, it’s because they’re advertising com- the start of holiday shopping, will go on, inside the stores. pletely online this year as a COVID-19 pre- tempered by measures to mitigate the vi- Each store’s hours are established by lo- ventative measure,” according to the post rus’ spread, a spokesman for the Army and cal management, and Maskery suggests Monday. COVID-19 is the respiratory dis- Air Force Exchange Service told Stars and checking with individual base exchanges to ease caused by the coronavirus. Stripes. ERICA EARL/Stars and Stripes verify opening times. Most exchange stores will either be For example, shoppers may anticipate A floor decal reminds exchange patrons For some families, Black Friday shop- closed or have restricted hours on Thanks- curbside delivery, appropriately distanced at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo to ping is as big a part of the Thanksgiving cel- giving Day. queues and ticket programs to manage de- practice social distancing. ebration as the turkey. But opening on Black Friday with safety mand for hot items. Michelle Flaherty, a Defense Depart- measures in place is beneficial for commu- “The Exchange’s focus remains on pro- tactless options such as curbside delivery, ment civilian employee for the operations nity morale, Maskery said. tecting the force,” AAFES spokesman Col. he said. For those who want in-store shop- support squadron at Yokota, said she will “The Exchange recognizes the challeng- Scott Maskery said in an email to Stars and ping, capacity will be limited to 300 custom- miss the shopping rush this year. es of being stationed far away from extend- Stripes on Nov. 10. ers and social distancing will be enforced. “My friends and I would literally leave af- ed family members during Thanksgiving,” The exchange, the retail store on U.S. mil- At Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, for ter putting kids to bed after Thanksgiving to he said. “Remaining open provides a com- itary installations worldwide, this year held example, black floor decals placed six feet start getting in lines for highly sought-after munity outlet and resource for service its first-ever “12 Weeks of Black Friday Sav- apart throughout the exchange building in- items through the wee hours of the a.m. into members and their families to enjoy the day ings” starting Labor Day to spread out its dicate pre-positioned Black Friday queues. the next day,” she wrote on Facebook. together when so many are off-duty.” promotions and manage foot traffic, Mas- Exchange associates will also continue to The Navy Exchange, or NEX, is encou- kery said. monitor capacity levels throughout the day, raging service members and their families [email protected] On Friday, the stores may employ con- Maskery said. to shop for deals online this year. Twitter: @ThisEarlGirl Takeout: Troops grateful despite restrictions due to pandemic

FROM PAGE 1 er, the holiday is no less important or meaningful to those of us serv- ing to prevent safe havens for ter- ror, which threaten our home- land.” For Pfc. Agnieszka Maslanka, a soldier from North Carolina on her first deployment to the coun- try, the camaraderie among her fellow troops has made it easier to stay positive despite restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “I’m very thankful for the peo- ple I work with,” Maslanka was quoted in a statement the Resolute Support press office provided in response to Stars and Stripes questions. “When you are away from your family on the holidays it is nice to know I still have an Army family.” California native Audrey Nov- ick, a Marine captain, was thank- ful to spend the holiday with her fellow troops, but she said she was especially grateful for her family back home in light of her experi- ences this year and the pandemic. “I really thought more about how much my family means to me and I realize I really should not take anything for granted, not even the basics like health,” she said. Americans are being warned to avoid large family gatherings this holiday, as coronavirus cases con- Resolute Support tinue to rise, with more than Army Pfc. Agnieszka Maslanka speaks with troops at a base in Afghanistan on Wednesday. Thanksgiving dinner will be takeout only at bases 250,000 deaths attributed to CO- across the country as part of measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus. VID-19. Meanwhile in Afghanis- tan, over 45,000 people have test- The Pentagon has refused to There are currently about 4,500 tain conditions are met. the things that are really impor- ed positive for the virus and 1,712 disclose the number of infected U.S. troops in Afghanistan, with That could mean this will be the tant,” said Gordon, who is from have died from it, the country’s coalition troops and contractors in that number set to drop to 2,500 by last Thanksgiving in Afghanistan Nevada. “I think COVID gave ev- health ministry has said. The the country for security reasons, mid-January. Under a U.S.-Tali- for troops like Army Staff Sgt. De- eryone a little more perspective.” number of people who have con- although there have been several ban deal signed in February, all wayne Gordon, a father of three tracted the virus but not been test- reports of infections throughout foreign forces could withdraw daughters. [email protected] ed is thought to be much higher. the year. from the country by May, if cer- “This year made me appreciate Twitter: @pwwellman PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 MILITARY New policy allows temporary promotions for some soldiers BY COREY DICKSTEIN cept completing their required ployment, said Army Command Stars and Stripes professional military education Sgt. Maj. Mark Clark, the senior WASHINGTON — Some Army course can be advanced to their enlisted soldier for Army person- noncommissioned officers select- next rank, as long as the reason for nel. That process required sol- ed for promotion will be able to ad- missing that training is due a de- diers to request the waiver vance to their new ranks before ployment in support of a named through their chain of command. completing required pre-promo- operation or an imminent danger Grinston said the new policy tion courses, according to a new zone or if due to a pregnancy. The would “streamline” that process. service policy set to go into effect courses covered by the policy in- The Army previously had no Jan. 1. clude the basic leader course, the process to allow pregnant soldiers The Army on Tuesday an- advanced leader course, the se- to be promoted without complet- nounced the policy change meant nior leader course, the master ing their professional military to streamline the promotion proc- leader course and the sergeants education course. Under the new ess for deployed soldiers and also major academy, Grinston said. policy, those on active-duty tem- give pregnant soldiers a new path- Those soldiers must then go porarily promoted due to preg- way to promotion when their back and complete the training or nancy will have two years to com- pregnancy keeps them from at- they will be automatically demot- plete the course. Reservists and tending professional military edu- ed to their previous rank. Grinston National Guard members not on cation typically needed before at- said those who do not complete active-duty will have 36 months to taining the next rank, said Sgt. training will not be responsible for complete the course, according to CASEY SLUSSER / Fort Irwin Public Affairs Office Maj. of the Army Michael Grin- paying back money earned at the the policy. Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston, the service’s top enlisted ston, the service’s top enlisted sol- higher ranks. The new policy also allows sol- soldier, discusses the future of large­scale training rotations at Fort dier. For soldiers impacted by de- diers selected for promotion to Irwin, Calif. A new Army policy will allow soldiers who are deployed or “These scenarios like starting a ployments, the missed profession- sergeant major who attend the vir- pregnant to be promoted before finishing the required training. family or deploying in a combat al military education course must tual, nonresident sergeants major zone … should not be a reason that be completed within one year for academy course to be promoted at said the Army intends to continue their commanders,” Grinston soldiers’ careers should be put on active-duty troops, according to the same time as those who com- making the pre-deployment said. “So, there has already been a hold,” Grinston told reporters via the policy. plete the resident course in person courses mandatory, but he also process established to validate phone on Monday ahead of his of- Army Reserve and National at Fort Bliss, Texas. Grinston said believes those selected for promo- their ability to perform at the next ficial announcement. “Listening Guard troops not on active-duty those attending the nonresident tion should already have the skills level. I don’t believe we’re blindly to our soldiers, it’s something rou- will have 36 months to complete course are often delayed being needed to perform the duties re- promoting individuals. These are tinely people have said, especially the required course. promoted through no fault of their quired of their new rank. well-deserved promotions of sol- for pregnancies, they’re saying, In 2019, the Army approved own. “Those soldiers have already diers, demonstrating the ability to ‘Hey, when do I start a family?’ ” about 300 waivers for soldiers to Grinston also said the changes demonstrated that they have the perform at the next level up.” Under the new policy, soldiers be promoted temporarily to their are meant to help soldiers ad- potential to perform at that next who are selected for promotion next rank without attending their vance their careers even as they higher level, and they have been [email protected] and meet every other standard ex- pre-promotion course due to a de- make major commitments. He recommended for promotion by Twitter: @CDicksteinDC USAF’s B-1B bomber closer to carrying hypersonic weapons BY WYATT OLSON “The captive-carry event is ac- He said this “safe build up ap- Stars and Stripes tually not a test, but a demonstra- proach” ensures that the missile A B-1B bomber flew with an ex- tion to revalidate the previously and bomber are “communicating ternally mounted missile for the dormant external carry capability correctly” and that the projectile first time during a demonstration preexisting on the B-1,” Lt. Col. “has correct surface deployment Friday over Edwards Air Force David Faggard, a spokesman for timelines so once it does get re- Base, Calif., the Air Force said the Global Strike Command, told leased it will safely separate.” Tuesday. Military.com on Tuesday. “No Engineers with the Air Force The Lancer carried — but did major modifications were need- Test Center, B-1 System Program not drop — an inert Joint Air-to- ed.” Office and Boeing are all involved Surface Standoff Missile under an “The demonstration could in verifying the proper integration external pylon, the service said in mean a potential boon for combat- of the missile and pylon. They are a news release. ant commanders as the increase also analyzing how the configura- The successful demonstration in weapons stores remedies an im- tion affects the bomber’s aerody- “may pave the way possibly for mediate shortfall due to the limit- namics and software. the B-1B to carry hypersonic ETHAN WAGNER/U.S. Air Force ed number of strategic bombers,” “This is a great example of how weapons externally,” the Air A B­1B Lancer carries an inert external missile for the first time Friday the news release said. “The pro- we are accelerating change to Force said. during a demonstration over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. posed increase in capacity means meet our adversaries, and the en- Hypersonic weapons travel fas- that two bombers would equal to gineers and operators should be ter than Mach 5 but have the ma- “This is a major step forward in carry larger-sized weapons inter- three bombers’ worth of weap- commended for their work in get- neuvering capabilities of cruise our global precision fires capabil- nally and externally, the Air Force ons.” ting this demonstration complet- missiles during their entire flight. ity and it is important we pursue said. Engineers are now reviewing ed,” Ray said in the news release. “Adapting a small number of these technologies to remain “The B-1B was initially de- data gathered from the so-called “We will continue to invest in and our healthiest B-1s to carry hyper- ahead of our competitors,” Ray signed to incorporate a movable “captive-carry” demonstration modernize the bomber fleet while sonic weapons is vital to bridge be- said. “My goal is to have a limited bulkhead and usable external before moving on to the next increasing the lethality of our tween the bomber force we have number of B-1s modified to be- hard points for its original nuclear phase — the actual release of an global precision fires to be any- today, to the force of tomorrow,” come the roving linebacker of the mission, however the U.S. shifted external weapon. where and anytime.” Gen. Tim Ray, head of the Air western Pacific and the North At- the Lancer’s mission to conven- “For us, we’re looking to do this The Air Force noted in the news Force Global Strike Command, lantic.” tional weapons in 1994,” the Air safely, since this is the first time release that the demonstration said in the news release. The demonstration follows a Force said. we will release a weapon from the does not alter the service’s request The Lancer was assigned to the year of ground tests, which began The physical conversion of external hard point in over 30 to retire 17 B-1B bombers in 2021. 412th Test Wing’s 419th Flight with the modification of the bom- Lancers to conventional-only ar- years,” Agustin Martinez, the pro-

Test Squadron, Global Power ber’s internal bomb bay. The con- maments was completed between ject test lead, said in the news re- [email protected] Combined Test Force. figuration allowed the aircraft to 2007 to 2011, the Air Force said. lease. Twitter: @WyattWOlson Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY ‘Wild Bill’ platoon brings skills to Europe BY JOHN VANDIVER the Army has rotated a heavy bri- carry out missions. Real-time ac- Stars and Stripes gade into Europe. The initiative tionable intelligence “will deter- STUTTGART, Germany — A was launched after Russia’s 2014 mine the difference between vic- Fort Hood, Texas-based armored intervention in Ukraine, which tory and defeat,” Schoenfeldt brigade that just arrived in Eu- made reinforcing NATO’s eastern wrote in the Army magazine. rope for a nine-month rotation is flank a top priority for allies. For the Army, the importance of bringing with it a new electronic New for this deployment is the electronic warfare faded after the warfare platoon that Army offi- “Wild Bill” platoon, which the bri- Cold War, but it became more of a cials say strengthens NATO’s gade founded to gain the advan- priority during the war in Iraq as eastern flank. tage in electronic warfare. the Army put in place “dukes” sys- “We love to fight in the informa- Even when on the move, the unit tems to jam insurgent signals to tion space,” said Col. Michael can see whenever an adversary roadside bombs. Schoenfeldt, who commands the emits a signal from a cellphone, It’s remained important in the 1st Armored Brigade Combat smartwatch or other wireless de- years since, amid concerns that Team, 1st Cavalry Division. vice, Schoenfeldt said in a phone more adversaries and nonstate ac- The “Ironhorse Brigade” for- interview. The unit can then direct Facebook/1st Cavalry Division tors are becoming skilled in elec- mally takes over the Atlantic Re- strikes at the target if needed. Tanks of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, tromagnetic attacks. solve mission, focused on deter- At Fort Hood, the Wild Bill pla- from Fort Hood, Texas, are loaded on railway cars. The brigade for­ Much of Schoenfeldt’s brigade ring Russia, on Monday when it toon tested a capability designed mally takes over the Atlantic Resolve mission on Monday in Europe. is in Grafenwoehr, Germany, replaces the 2nd Armored Bri- to serve as the command’s eyes where they are under a restriction gade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry and ears in the electronic realm. tion asset,” Schoenfeldt wrote in The new platoon formation is an of movement before they fan out Division as the Army’s rotational The platoon also can carry out fire the Fall 2020 edition of the Army’s example of how units are making to Poland and elsewhere. tank brigade in Europe. missions in a Bradley Fighting Ve- infantry magazine, which detailed changes as they organize to coun- The coronavirus has forced ex- The arrival of the nearly 5,000 hicle, which differentiates it from how the platoon operates. ter more sophisticated potential tra health precautions on the unit, Fort Hood soldiers, who will carry some other electronic warfare The platoon can see nearly any adversaries like Russia. but training still continues, out training missions stretching platoons. high and ultra-high frequency Protecting communications Schoenfeldt said. from the Baltics and Poland in the “The fires section makes Wild range, and seek out emitters at 6 networks and exploiting those of north to the Black Sea region in Bill a true fire-and-maneuver ele- miles away or further, Schoen- an adversary is crucial for ground [email protected] the south, marks the seventh time ment rather than a simple collec- feldt said. units, which rely on networks to Twitter: @john_vandiver Biker NY law bans foam burning safety lot Associated Press ALBANY, N.Y. — New York has banned the disposal of toxic fire- at Yokota fighting foam by incineration in certain cities after environmental groups raised concerns about an to stay Albany-area firm that had incin- erated foam for two years under a BY THERON GODBOLD Department of Defense contract. Stars and Stripes The law signed Monday by Gov. YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, was Dedicated motorcycle riders at designed to prevent the Norlite this air base in western Tokyo can hazardous waste incinerator in rest easy: Reports that an asphalt Cohoes from resuming the burn- lot set aside as a drivers’ training ing of foam containing perfluo- course is going away are unfound- roalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl sub- ed, partially. stances, chemicals known collec- “There is a plan to move the mo- tively as PFAS. torcycle course, but not anytime The Department of Environ- soon,” the base safety chief, Lt. mental Conservation ordered Col. Sean Powers, said during an Norlite to cease disposal of the ma- interview Nov. 13. “It’s not moving terial in 2019, and the city of Co- until the new location is pre- hoes enacted a one-year moratori- pared.” um on PFAS incineration last In fact, Powers said, the De- THERON GODBOLD//Stars and Stripes April. The company said it hasn’t fense Department requires base Motorcycle safety instructor Evan Hall directs a student during a basic riders course this month at Yokota processed the material since De- commanders to provide motorcy- Air Base, Japan. cember 2019 and would not do so cle safety training. “It’s a mandat- unless testing supported by the ed course,” he said. torcycle riders proficient in their on the west side of Yokota not far Hall said the new site “would state and the U.S. Environmental Department of Defense In- skills. from the existing training area. take a bit of work to make it work.” Protection Agency showed ther- struction 6055.04 lays out the “Yokota trains between 80-100 The move will free up real estate But he and Powers agreed on mal destruction was the safest and DOD traffic safety program and students a year from all branches for future, unspecified projects, one point: the lack of trained most effective means of disposal. requirements on subjects like mo- and different bases throughout Ja- according to the base public af- coaches for future riders needs to But residents, elected officials torcycle safety courses. pan,” he said. “Yokota is unique, fairs office. be remedied. and environmental groups sought That’s good news to Evan Hall, we have this amazing range that is But Hall expressed concerns. “I think one of the things we are a permanent ban after learning president of the Green Knights only 4 years old and when we are The existing pad, about 50 yards working through right now is how the facility has incinerated more motorcycle club at Yokota. The re- done with the courses, they [rid- square, is available at all hours, do we get more coaches,” Powers than 2 million pounds of foam tired master sergeant, originally ers] can come out here and prac- and the idea of losing that could be asked. “This is something we are through contracts with the Penta- from Huntsville, Ala., is one of tice whenever they want.” bad for future riders, he said. actively looking at because we gon that have since been canceled. three motorcycle safety instruc- Powers said the move is No interruption in the safety can’t rely on two to three people to The company had also incinerated tors on base. planned to occur in one to two course’s availability is planned, do the lion’s share of the work.” foam shipped from firehouses Hall said he believed the rumor years and the new location for the according to Powers, and a regu- across the East Coast as the mate- might be true and feared the loss training is the parking area of lar schedule is expected during [email protected] rial is being phased out due to con- of space dedicated to keeping mo- building 3003, a residential tower the transition. Twitter: @GodboldTheron cerns over possible toxicity. PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 PACIFIC State Department funds to counter rival China

BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS countries in the Indo-Pacific Stars and Stripes threatens our sovereignty, as well The State Department is spend- as the sovereignty of our Pacific ing $200 million on programs for neighbors and endangers regional small island nations to counter stability,” he said last month. “problematic behavior” by rival Oudkirk said Pacific island na- China in the Western Pacific, a de- tions are “essential partners in partment official said Tuesday. fostering a free and open Indo-Pa- The programs funnel money to cific.” The State Department’s nations such as Palau and Papua $200 million pledge aims to sup- New Guinea to promote develop- port these nations and help ensure ment and protect their fishing in- the U.S. remains the preferred dustries against unwarranted partner to work with in the region, competition from China, said she said. Sandra Oudkirk, deputy assistant Included in the funding are U.S. secretary of state for East Asian Agency for International Devel- and Pacific affairs during a tele- opment programs to support de- conference with reporters Tues- velopment challenges and region- day. Oudkirk said the funding sup- al fishery activities and strength- ports sustainability, economic and en the “resilience of Pacific Island security programming in the Pa- economies against volatility asso- cific islands. ciated with natural disasters and China’s “aggressive” behavior economic shocks,” such as the is threatening the region, she said. coronavirus pandemic, according “We’ve seen a range of increas- to a State Department factsheet. ingly problematic behavior in- Looking ahead, USAID next cluding [China’s] assertion of un- year will launch a $15 million, five- lawful maritime claims and the year sustainable coastal fisheries ongoing militarization of disputed management program that will features in the South China Sea, U.S. Navy “address some of the drivers of predatory economic activities in- The Coast Guard has taken steps to increase its presence in the Indo­Pacific by placing its newest fast­ IIU fishing that’s degrading coast- cluding illegal, unreported and response cutters in Guam to take part in patrols with U.S. partners in the region. al fisheries right now,” Craig unregulated fishing and invest- Hart, USAID deputy assistant ad- ments that undermine good gov- to the crises in the tourism indus- possibilities of establishing U.S. main awareness and enforcement ministrator for Asia, said on the ernance and promote corruption,” try — an even more dominant part military presences in their coun- efforts” with U.S. partners in the call Tuesday with Oudkirk. Oudkirk said. of these economies,” she said. tries. Western Pacific, national security “We always talk about at Those actions have major eco- U.S. engagement with Pacific The Coast Guard has also taken adviser Robert O’Brien said on USAID the journey to self-re- nomic effects for Pacific island islands has grown along with Chi- steps to increase its presence in Oct. 23. liance, and that is exactly what we nations, which rely on fishing to na’s influence in the region. This the region, “strategically home- “China’s illegal, unreported and are striving toward,” Hart said. sustain their economies and feed year, the Defense Department has porting” its newest fast-response unregulated fishing and harass- their families, Oudkirk said. had talks with leaders of Palau cutters in Guam to help patrol ment of vessels operating in the [email protected] “Fisheries have become — due and Papua New Guinea regarding fisheries, “enhance maritime do- exclusive economic zones of other Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Recon drone included in US-to-Philippines arms transfers BY SETH ROBSON “I am pleased to transfer (a) package of can carry up to 84 of them, according to an sands of extrajudicial killings have oc- Stars and Stripes precision-guided missiles, munitions, in- Oct. 28, 2015, Washington Post report. curred during Duterte’s war on illegal A catalog’s worth of armaments worth cluding 100 TOW-2A missiles, 12 ITAS, and “This transfer underscores our strong drugs. nearly $33 million, including 100 wire-guid- 24 MK-82s to the Armed Forces of the Phi- and enduring commitment to our critical al- The extrajudicial killings mean the U.S. ed missiles, 12 thermal imaging systems, lippines,” national security adviser Robert liance,” O’Brien said, noting the allies’ bat- shouldn’t provide arms to the Philippines, two dozen 500-pound bombs and a recon- O’Brien said during a visit to the Philip- tle against Islamic extremists and concerns William Hartung, director of the Arms and naissance drone, were delivered to the Phi- pines, according to a transcript of his re- over territorial disputes in the South China Security Project at the Center for Interna- lippines by U.S. officials this week, accord- marks provided by the State Department. Sea. tional Policy, wrote in a 28 May opinion arti- ing to the State Department. President Donald Trump had pledged to The arms transfer signals continuity in cle for The Hill. A $14.79 million ScanEagle drone was provide $18 million worth of missiles during the U.S.-Philippines defense relationship “People are being gunned down in the transferred to the Philippine navy on a phone conversation with Philippine Presi- despite the ups and downs of recent years, streets without benefit of a trial or formal Wednesday to increase its maritime sur- dent Rodrigo Duterte in April. Ian Chong, an associate professor of politi- charges,” he wrote. veillance and border security capabilities, “This assistance will support the Armed cal science at the National University of Sin- However, people concerned about hu- according to a statement posted by the U.S. Forces of the Philippines’ efforts to defeat gapore, told Stars and Stripes in an email man rights abuses shouldn’t worry about Embassy in Manila that day. The drone will [the Islamic State — East Asia] in the South- Wednesday. the latest transfers, Ralph Cossa, president operate out of Naval Station Leovigildo ern Philippines,” the State Department said “The same can be said of the military as- emeritus of the Pacific Forum think tank on Gantioqui, the statement said. in a statement Monday. sistance,” he said. Hawaii said in an email the same day, not- The base is near Subic Bay, a former U.S. TOW — tube-launched, optically tracked, China has used “gray zone” tactics — ac- ing the difference between small arms used Navy base on the Philippines’ main island of wire-guided — antitank missiles fired from tions short of armed conflict such as occu- in the drug war and the recently transferred Luzon that’s a regular port of call for U.S. an Apache attack helicopter were used by pying disputed territory and harassing fish- bombs and missiles. warships. U.S. forces in Iraq during the July 23, 2003, ermen — to advance its claims to virtually The Philippines remains a U.S. ally, at “This new asset will complement the assault that killed Iraqi dictator Saddam all the South China Sea over neighboring least on paper, so arms transfers are not un- same kind being operated by the 300th Air Hussein’s sons Uday and Qusay in the city countries, including the Philippines. usual or inappropriate, he said. Intelligence and Security Wing at the Anto- of Mosul. The new weapons’ impact in the South Since 2015, the United States has deliver- nio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, which is The ITAS — Improved Target Acquisi- China Sea would depend on the scenario ed more than $650 million worth of planes, very close to the disputed areas in the West tion System — which also saw action in Iraq, and the political will in Manila, Chong said, ships, armored vehicles, small arms, and Philippine Sea that need our consistent at- is an antitank thermal imaging system that but added: “Using such capabilities against other military equipment to the Philip- tention,” Armed Forces of the Philippines allows gunners to see differences in tem- gray zone activities risk unwanted and diffi- pines, while training side-by-side with our deputy chief of staff Vice Admiral Erick Ka- peratures between men, machinery and the cult to control escalation.” Filipino allies, the embassy said in its state- gaoan said of the drone, according to the environment. Much will come down to the appetite for ment. embassy statement. The MK-82 is a 500-pound unguided risk in Manila at moments of crisis, he said.

The drone handover followed a transfer bomb that can be dropped by a variety of Critics in the United States have objected [email protected] of missiles and bombs on Monday. aircraft. A B-1 Lancer bomber, for example, to arms sales to the Philippines, where thou- Twitter: @SethRobson1 Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 MILITARY EU, other nations pledge funds to help Afghanistan

Associated Press comes as the COVID-19 crisis has timate extrapolated from the that on top of that, it did not forget Afghanistan.” GENEVA — The European commanded worldwide attention, pledges for next year alone, offi- about our shared responsibility to That was a familiar refrain Union, the United States and other and its outbreak in Afghanistan cials said, adding that donors succeed in Afghanistan," he said. about Afghanistan, where pro- donors on Tuesday pledged bil- has compounded persistent ills would review their commitments Countries like Britain, the Neth- gress has been underpinned by in- lions of dollars in new funds for like corruption and extremist vio- each year. Even at $12 billion, it erlands, Germany, the U.S. and ternational support and continues Afghanistan, hoping to salvage lence. marked a drop from the more than Canada offered hundreds of mil- to be fragile amid perennial hopes years of work aimed to foster Many countries set conditions $15 billion drummed up at the last lions in pledges, which came after that peace and stability can peace and stability in the country for their future commitments, such conference in Brussels in speeches from officials like Af- emerge. and coax along uncertain peace mostly on progress toward peace 2016. ghan President Ashraf Ghani and Even as the meeting took place, talks between the government and and demands for better govern- Mohammad Haneef Atmar, Af- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio a roadside bomb exploded in the Taliban rebels at a time when Is- ance to foster democracy and root ghanistan's foreign minister, Guterres, who hailed the country's central Afghan city of Bamyan, lamic State extremists have in- out corruption. hailed an “impressive figure” tal- “ambitious agenda for develop- killing at least 13 civilians and a creasingly caused havoc and “Donors pledged more than $3 lied on Tuesday, adding: “It's ment and reform.” traffic police officer, as well as bloodshed. billion for the first year of the up- more important because it comes “The United Nations stands wounding 45 others, an Afghan of- A largely virtual pledging con- coming quadrennial, with annual at a time when there is hardly any with the people of Afghanistan on ficial said. No one immediately ference for Afghanistan, co-host- commitments expected to stay at nation that has not been affected the path toward peace, develop- claimed responsibility, but the IS ed by Finland and the United Na- the same level year on year,” said by COVID-19 in its economy and ment and self-reliance,” Guterres affiliate has claimed responsibili- tions in Geneva, drew representa- Ville Skinnari, Finland's minister revenue.” said, expressing hope that donor ty for the most recent attacks in tives from nearly 100 countries for development, cooperation and “That represents an enormous pledges will ultimately “translate Afghanistan, including two that and international groups in the foreign trade. amount of generosity, when every into real progress and concrete killed at least 50 people — mostly first such event in four years. It That $12 billion was a rough es- nation has had its own challenges, improvements for the people of students. Readiness: Variety of factors in military fleets missing targets

FROM PAGE 1 supply issues, but all three varia- nts met their goals at least one overall decline in overall annual year out of nine — two years for mission capable rates since 2011. the Air Force and Navy variants. Officials attributed the trend to The Joint Strike Fighter saw a factors such as parts shortages slight uptick in its mission capable and delays, aging aircraft, unex- rate last year, compared to 2012, pected replacements and un- but it followed a downward trend scheduled maintenance issues. since 2015, the review found. An aircraft may have multiple One of the three aircraft that missions, such as a fighter jet’s generally met or exceeded goals bomber escort and ground-attack during the period is the E-6B Mer- missions, but as long as it’s able to cury, which is used to link the Na- perform at least one of them, it is tional Command Authority with considered mission capable. Last naval ballistic missile strike year, over half of the aircraft types forces during a crisis. were within 15 percentage points Based on the Boeing 707, the of mission capable rate targets, Mercury hit the target five of nine but 11 fell short by 25 percentage years, though its mission capable points or more, the GAO found. rate dropped over the span due to The aging F-16 and F/A-18 parts obsolescence and a nearly Hornet and Super Hornet variants 10% increase in maintenance failed in all nine years and saw de- hours, the report found. creasing rates of mission capabil- The Navy’s EP-3E Aries spy ity. The electronic warfare variant planes, on average over 40 years EA-18G Growler met service tar- old, met or exceeded service avail- gets in only two of those years. ability goals in seven of nine years, The F-22 Raptor, which at an increasing slightly over time. average age of 12 is less than half While the Air Force’s fleet of as old as most other fighters, also Hueys met its goals, the Air Force failed to meet its goals nine years said the airframes face challenges running, which officials attributed due to age. It plans in 2022 to begin to degraded stealth coating, sup- retiring the roughly 60 remaining ply shortages and flying more helicopters, about 47 years old on hours than budgeted. average, over about a decade. With an average age of four years old or less, the F-35 has been [email protected] hampered by maintenance and TWITTER: @CHADGARLAND PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 VIRUS OUTBREAK Guam governor’s ‘milking’ comment draws ire

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE unused military land to Guam, she Leon Guerrero’s spokeswoman, Stars and Stripes said. Leon Guerrero said the land Krystal Paco-San Agustin, said Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, would be the site of a new hospital. Monday the decision to host the a Democrat, recently came under “So, we’re milking it,” she said. sailors was done selflessly, with- fire from the U.S. territory’s Re- “We’re milking it very hard.” out regard for what might be given publicans for saying her adminis- The comments drew an instant in return. tration is “milking” concessions rebuke from the Republican Party However, she said, the gover- from the federal government in of Guam. nor has long touted the mutually exchange for hosting the corona- “When a stranger is hungry or beneficial relationship between virus-stricken USS Theodore hurt, we … extend our arms and the U.S. military and Guam. The Roosevelt in March. help, not because of what we will government is more likely to re- The aircraft carrier arrived in attain in return, but because of spond to a friend “that has had Guam on March 27 after an out- who we are, and what our manam- their back” than a politician “beg- break of the virus spread rapidly ko’ has taught us to be,” said a par- ging for attention.” among the ship’s 5,000-person ty statement published by The “At every point possible, [the crew. More than 1,200 sailors ulti- KELSEY HOCKENBERGER/U.S. Navy Guam Daily Post on Saturday. Defense Department] and the mately tested positive for the virus Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, left, listens as Rear Adm. John “We did not extend our arms so Governor have made clear that and one died. Menoni, commander of Joint Region Marianas, speaks outside the that we can ‘milk’ the military or our relationship is founded on the The carrier stayed for two USS Theodore Roosevelt ahead of the virus­stricken carrier's the federal government in re- shared responsibility to defend months before it was able to rede- departure from Naval Base Guam in June. turn.” this nation from its enemies and ploy. Many of its sailors quaran- Manamko’ is a Chammoro word on our desire to make the Guam tined in island hotels. to combat the virus. also directed that Guam get what- for elders. Buildup good for Guam,” Paco- “The best decision I ever made Guam, with a population of ever it asks for, the governor add- The island’s Republican Party San Agustin wrote in an email to is allowing the USS Theodore Roo- nearly 160,000, on Tuesday re- ed. She said the territory has since did not return requests via Face- Stars and Stripes. “If helping the sevelt to go to our hotels, because ported a pandemic total of 6,655 received more than 79 ventilators book from Stars and Stripes seek- USS Roosevelt saved lives and in- they think we’re just the bomb,” viral cases and 107 deaths, accord- and a solid inventory of personal ing comment. creased our chances at the return Leon Guerrero said referring to ing to the Joint Information Cen- protective equipment. Party officials told the Post that of unused federal land or addition- the U.S. military during a group ter there. Guam was also given use of the accepting the Theodore Roosevelt al COVID support, the fact that chat Thursday on Facebook that The U.S. government, she said, military’s intensive-care corona- crew, which included Guam resi- some Republican politicians on was posted to the KUAM News provided a good inventory of pro- virus tent set up for the Theodore dents, was the “right thing to do” Guam oppose that says more page. tective gear in exchange for host- Roosevelt sailors, should the is- and criticized the governor for for- about them than it does about us.” During the chat, Leon Guerrero ing the Roosevelt. land need it. getting that the sailors were “serv- said the island has enough person- The Federal Emergency Man- Secretary of the Navy Kenneth ing to protect the people of [email protected] al protective equipment on hand agement Agency and the military Braithwaite also agreed to return Guam.” Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 Commanders remind troops to remain on guard

BY JOSEPH DITZLER have the coronavirus after all. color-coded charts and maps with pages of Stars and Stripes An administrative error labeled the sol- amended orders to determine permitted, TOKYO – The U.S. military in Japan re- dier’s test as positive, according to a USFK non-permitted and sometimes-permitted corded several fresh coronavirus infections press release. Everyone identified as the activities in each zone. For Sasebo Naval as it prepared for the long Thanksgiving soldier’s close contacts were cleared to “re- Base, the map of allowed travel areas re- weekend. turn to duty without delay.” sembles plans for a siege. The base itself, at Late Tuesday, Misawa Air Base an- U.S. commanders across South Korea the tip of Kyushu, the southernmost of Ja- nounced that two people tested positive af- and Japan reminded service members, ci- pan’s four main islands, is in a green zone ter recently arriving in Japan via the Patriot vilian employees and family members to surrounded by a field of yellow, beyond Express, a government-chartered passen- heed good practices heading into the long which is a layer of red. ger air service. Both went directly into iso- weekend. For most service members, Fri- Green means basic restrictions like mask lation, according to the base. A third person, AARON KIDD/Stars and Stripes day is also a day off. wearing and social distancing apply. Yellow the roommate of an infected individual, was A sign outside a western Tokyo record The head of USFJ, Lt. Gen. Kevin indicates a cautionary zone and added re- quarantined for observation. store warns customers not to enter Schneider, released a Facebook video strictions apply. Red zones are off-limits, On Okinawa, the U.S. military reported without a mask Sunday. message Tuesday thanking his subordi- except for non-stop travel straight through. three new coronavirus cases to the local nates for their continued cooperation in Sasebo is one of more than a dozen U.S. government – one at Kadena Air Base and Marines stopped posting their Okinawa wearing masks, social distancing and fre- military installations in Japan. Many put four at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma – cases in early November, though they are quent handwashing. Keep it up, he said. the same activities off-limits, like bars and a prefectural public health official told listed by U.S. Forces Japan on its website. “I want to personally remind you of the tattoo parlors, but the list often varies from Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. Over on the Korean Peninsula, U.S. importance of maintaining discipline in this one base to another. Kadena had not updated its report on Forces Korea on Wednesday said a soldier ongoing fight,” he said.

Facebook by 6 p.m. Wednesday but typical- at Camp Humphreys who had been report- Coronavirus regulations vary from base [email protected] ly does so within days of positive tests; the ed as infected the previous day does not to base and often require cross-referencing Twitter: @JosephDitzler Senators urge Pentagon to test all service members, families for virus

BY NIKKI WENTLING tests on all service members, their make plans to utilize the latest ble as the usual tests, referred to Like the rest of the country, cor- Stars and Stripes families, civilian employees and rapid antigen tests for coronavi- as PCR tests. PCR tests are more onavirus cases among the military WASHINGTON — Two U.S. contractors to find asymptomatic rus to detect the asymptomatic labor-intensive and take longer to have surged in recent weeks. As of senators are urging the Defense carriers of the virus. In the past carriers of coronavirus,” the sen- produce results. Tuesday, nearly 29,000 service Department to test all service week, the department set a record ators wrote to Matthew Donovan, Ernst and Tillis said in their let- members were sick with the virus members and their families for for the highest number of new undersecretary of defense for per- ter that the rapid tests should be and 11 had died. The 11th death the coronavirus in order to contain cases in one day among service sonnel and readiness. followed up by PCR tests and that was announced last week as a 52- outbreaks in the military and limit members and reported an out- Rapid antigen tests can be done the department has the resources year-old member of the Hawaii the threat to national security. break on a guided missile de- at home or by a health care provid- to start. The action would “save National Guard. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and stroyer based out of Pearl Harbor er. They’re cheap to manufacture lives, preserve hospital capacity

Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called on the in Hawaii. and deliver results in a matter of and maintain military readiness,” [email protected] Pentagon to use rapid antigen “We urge you to immediately minutes, but they’re not as relia- the senators said. Twitter: @nikkiwentling Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 VIRUS OUTBREAK Germany relaxes travel ban for dependents BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL Stars and Stripes KAISERSLAUTERN, Germa- ny — Germany has partially lifted a monthsold coronavirus travel ban on Americans to allow the children of some members of the U.S. military community covered by the Status of Forces Agreement to spend the holidays in the coun- try with their parents, Air Force officials said. Dependents 23 years old or younger whose parents are ser- vice members, civilian employees KARIN ZEITVOGEL/Stars and Stripes or other individuals assigned to Traditional Christmas cookies at Germany, can enter the country the 2019 Christmas market in immediately and stay until Jan. 31, Baden­Baden, Germany. Germa­ guidance posted on Ramstein Air ny is partially lifting a travel ban Base’s website said. to allow children of Americans Allowing them to enter is “an with SOFA status to visit during the holidays. exception to current COVID-re- lated travel restrictions,” the doc- ument said. It was agreed to dur- state has banned large gatherings, ing negotiations between officials requires face masks to be worn in at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin and many settings, encourages hand- HEATHER BENIT/Stars and Stripes the German interior and foreign washing and social distancing, A crowd sits around an open fire near the Stiftskirche in Kaiserslautern, Germany, during the 2019 Christ­ ministries, the 86th Airlift Wing and is under partial lockdown un- mas market. Most Christmas markets in Germany have been canceled because of the coronavirus. told Stars and Stripes. til Dec. 20 at the earliest. Most, if Americans were banned from not all, of Germany’s popular test negative, they can move about “The child will qualify if they https://www.einreiseanmel- traveling to Germany and most Christmas markets have been freely, on and off base. can provide proof (of the parent/ dung.de. other European Union countries canceled because of the virus, and The installation restrictions and child relationship and that the A list of the required documents as the coronavirus spread rapidly restaurants are only offering take- guidance are specific to the chil- parent is assigned to Germany), and a template for the chain of around the U.S., which has the out and delivery meals. dren of parents affiliated with the whether that be by orders or a let- command’s statement are posted highest number of infections and The U.S. military has even Air Force in the Kaiserslautern ter from the parent’s chain of com- on Ramstein’s website, in the CO- deaths from the disease caused by tougher coronavirus restrictions, military community, wing offi- mand,” they said. A birth certifi- VID-19 section under travel re- the virus of any country. including 14 days of quarantine cials said. cate was also acceptable as proof, strictions. Once in Germany, the depend- for incoming personnel and their The children must carry several although it was unclear if it had to “Failure to travel with the ap- ents must comply with coronavi- families. documents with them during trav- be the original or could be a copy, propriate documentation may re- rus-related restrictions in the part Under an 86th Airlift Wing or- el and present them to officials if they said. sult in being denied boarding at of the country where their parents der, children visiting family in asked. The children also need a valid the point of departure or denied are stationed, said the guidance. Ramstein or other Air Force in- These include a copy of the or- U.S. passport; an ID card issued entry upon arrival in Germany,” Rheinland-Pfalz, which is home stallations in the Kaiserslautern ders, with the child’s name on by the Defense Department; a according to the guidance, which to tens of thousands of Americans, military community will be them, assigning their parent to statement from the parent’s chain is similar to information that was many of them assigned to Army barred from base facilities such as Germany. of command saying the child will published online by the Army in and Air Force bases, including food courts and shopping areas for If the child isn’t on the parent’s reside with parents while in Ger- early November and again last Ramstein, requires travelers from the first 14 days in Germany, the orders, they need to demonstrate many and abide by all German week, before being removed from high-risk countries, such as the document said. the family relationship by another quarantine requirements; and a public view. U.S., to quarantine for 10 days af- But they can opt to be tested for means, the wing said in response print-out of a completed online ter arrival. the virus on the sixth day of their to a question from Stars and registration form for travelers [email protected] Like the rest of Germany, the stay in Germany, it said. If they Stripes. from high-risk countries at Twitter: @StripesZeit Restaurant workers hit hard again as surge shuts down indoor dining

Associated Press has family and kids, I haven’t fig- wards on Tuesday said he is limit- Waiters and bartenders are be- ured that part out yet. It’s the ing the number of customers in ing thrown out of work — again — heaviest weight that I carry,” said restaurants, gyms, salons, casi- as governors and local officials Morena, who had to close one res- nos, malls and other nonessential shut down indoor dining and taurant earlier in the year and has businesses to 50% of their capacity drinking establishments to com- two operating at the Santa Monica as the state sees a third spike in bat the nationwide surge in coro- Pier. coronavirus cases and hospitaliza- navirus infections that is over- Randine Karnitz, a server in Elk tions. Most bars will be restricted whelming hospitals and dashing River, Minn., said her boss laid to takeout, delivery and outside hopes for a quick economic recov- her off last week after Gov. Tim seating. ery. Walz announced that bars, restau- Restaurant owners — most of And the timing, just before the rants and gyms would close for whom underwent shutdowns in holidays, couldn’t be worse. four weeks as infections spiked to the spring and summer — are Restaurant owner Greg Morena an all-time high and pushed hospi- finding the new round of closings in Los Angeles County was trying tals to the breaking point. challenging as colder weather sets to figure out his next step after of- “‘Well, your last day is tomor- in. Many are offering curbside ficials in the nation’s largest coun- row. You don’t have a job. You can DAMIAN DOVARGANES / AP pickup but also trying to hold out- ty banned in-person dining for at thank your governor for that,’” Patrons are separated by plastic dividers Tuesday outside Mel's drive­ door dining, even if it means set- least three weeks, beginning Karnitz said her boss told her. in restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Calif. ting up shelters or heaters. Wednesday. But he was mainly She said her husband’s hours al- But in Los Angeles County, res- dreading having to notify his em- so have been cut at his manufac- supports a shutdown and that peo- would’ve done our part to begin taurants and bars are prohibited ployees. turing job, forcing the family to ple who didn’t take the virus seri- with, we wouldn’t be in this pre- from providing outdoor dining be- “To tell you, ‘I can’t employ you postpone house repairs. ously bear much of the blame. dicament,” she said. ginning Wednesday. They will be during the holidays,’ to staff that Karnitz, though, said that she “I just think that if we all Louisiana Gov. John Bel Ed- limited to takeout and delivery. PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 NATION Pentagon chief not among Biden’s security team picks

The Washington Post ghanistan and Iraq. WASHINGTON — President- “It’s a team that will keep our elect Joe Biden has introduced the country and our people safe and bulk of his national security Cabi- secure, and it’s a team that reflects net, but did not include the De- the fact that America is back,” Bi- fense Department in his rollout den said. “Ready to lead the world, this week amid questions about not retreat from it. Ready to con- whether he has settled on long- front our adversaries, not reject time defense expert Michèle our allies. And ready to stand up Flournoy as his Pentagon chief. for our values.” Flournoy’s name has been con- A Biden transition official CAROLYN KASTER / AP sidered at the top of Biden’s list to brushed off the notion that the President­elect Joe Biden waits as the podium is cleaned as he introduces his nominees and appointees to run the nation’s largest security Pentagon pick was delayed or that key national security and foreign policy posts at The Queen theater Tuesday in Wilmington, Del. Biden's agency, with frequent mention the campaign risked a perception picks did not include a Pentagon chief. that she would be the first female problem by not including a de- secretary of defense. fense secretary now. Flournoy holds centrist policy tanks as the nominees who were though Rumsfeld and Powell were Her prominence served to high- “This team has moved quickly views that align with most of Bi- announced Tuesday. formally announced 12 days apart light the absence of a Pentagon across the board, and that in- den’s national security platform, She also co-founded a security in December, 2000. nominee during an event in Dela- cludes in terms of the nominations although the two disagreed over consultant firm with Antony Blin- “When the Bush administration ware on Tuesday that included Bi- and senior appointments we have aspects of the Afghanistan war ken, Biden’s choice to be secretary did their famous rollout of ‘the den’s picks for secretary of state, put forward,” a Biden transition when she was a senior Pentagon of state. Vulcans’ as the group was nick- intelligence director, chief of official said. official in the Obama administra- Mark Jacobson, a former Penta- named, “it was part of an electoral homeland security and United Na- According to a report in Politi- tion and Biden was vice president. gon official who is now assistant campaign promise and meant to tions ambassador, as well as co, another contender for the Pen- Officials close to Flournoy have dean at Syracuse University’s show competence and experi- White House national security ad- tagon slot is Jeh Johnson, former preached patience about the se- Maxwell School of Citizenship and ence,” a message similar to Bi- viser. homeland security secretary un- lection process, citing Biden’s de- Public Affairs, compared Tues- den’s, Jacobson said. Tuesday’s focus was on diplo- der Obama, who would become sire for expertise and diversity. day’s rollout with George W. “I wouldn’t read too much into macy and a shift away from the first Black defense secretary if But they also have acknowledged Bush’s Cabinet announcements. the fact that it’s State, NSC and the Trump administration policies named to the position. that no decision has been made The national security team of U.N. ambassador as Biden’s big that Biden says have alienated al- Tuesday’s announcement in- yet. Defense Secretary Donald H. three,” omitting the Pentagon, Ja- lies and punished immigrants and cluded the return of the U.N. job to Flournoy comes from the same Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Co- cobson said. “It’s still designed to refugees. But it was still notable Cabinet rank and creation of a cadre of professionals with cre- lin Powell and national security instill a feeling among Americans that Biden didn’t mention the Pen- new Cabinet-rank post focused on dentials from the Obama adminis- adviser Condoleezza Rice was that there is a competent team in tagon, or the ongoing wars in Af- climate change. tration and Washington think considered a unit for weeks, there.” Purdue Pharma pleads guilty Calif. OK’d unemployment benefits in inmates’ names to its role in opioid epidemic Associated Press molesters, human traffickers and SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Cali- other violent criminals in our state Associated Press duce them to write more prescrip- ler family who own the company fornia’s system for paying unem- prisons,” Schubert said. Purdue Pharma pleaded guilty tions for its painkillers. have also agreed to pay $225 mil- ployment benefits is so dysfunc- The list includes Peterson, who Tuesday to three criminal charg- And it admitted paying an elec- lion to the federal government to tional that the state approved was sentenced to death after being es, formally taking responsibility tronic medical records company settle civil claims. more than $140 million for at least convicted of killing his pregnant for its part in an opioid epidemic to send doctors information on pa- “Having our plea accepted in 20,000 prison- wife following a trial that riveted that has contributed to hundreds tients that encouraged them to federal court, and taking respon- ers, local and the nation. The California Su- of thousands of deaths but also an- prescribe opioids. sibility for past misconduct, is an federal prosecu- preme Court recently overturned gering critics who want to see in- The guilty pleas were entered essential step to preserve billions tors said Tues- Peterson’s death sentence and has dividuals held accountable, in ad- by Purdue board chairperson of dollars of value” for the settle- day, detailing a ordered a lower court to review dition to the company. Steve Miller on behalf of the com- ment it is pursuing through bank- scheme that re- his murder conviction. In a virtual hearing with a feder- pany. They were part of a criminal ruptcy court, the company said in sulted in claims . al judge in Newark, N.J., the Ox- and civil settlement announced a statement. filed in the Peterson’s attorney, Pat Harris, yContin maker admitted imped- last month between the Stamford, “We continue to work tirelessly names of well- said while Peterson’s name sur- Peterson ing the U.S. Drug Enforcement Conn.-based company and the to build additional support for a known convicted faced during the investigation, Administration’s efforts to combat Justice Department. proposed bankruptcy settlement, murderers like Scott Peterson and there is no evidence Peterson re- the addiction crisis. The deal includes $8.3 billion in which would direct the over- Cary Stayner. ceived unemployment aid from Purdue acknowledged that it penalties and forfeitures, but the whelming majority of the settle- From March to August, more the state. had not maintained an effective company is on the hook for a direct ment funds to state, local and trib- than 35,000 inmates were named Prosecutors blamed the Em- program to prevent prescription payment to the federal govern- al governments for the purpose of in claims filed with the California ployment Development Depart- drugs from being diverted to the ment of only a fraction of that, abating the opioid crisis,” the Employment Development De- ment, which has been over- black market, even though it had $225 million. It would pay the statement read. partment, with more than 20,000 whelmed by more than 16.4 mil- told the DEA it did have such a smaller amount as long as it exe- The ongoing drug overdose cri- being paid, according to Sacra- lion benefit claims since the pan- program, and that it provided mis- cutes a settlement moving sis, which appears to be worsen- mento County District Attorney demic began in March. leading information to the agency through federal bankruptcy court ing during the pandemic, has con- Anne Marie Schubert. At least 158 Prosecutors said in its haste to ap- as a way to boost company manu- with state and local governments tributed to the deaths of more than claims were filed for 133 death- prove benefits, the department facturing quotas. and other entities suing it over the 470,000 Americans over the past row inmates, resulting in more did not check unemployment It also admitted paying doctors toll of the opioid epidemic. two decades, most of those from than $420,000 in benefits paid claims against a list of prisoners, through a speakers program to in- Members of the wealthy Sack- opioids both legal and illicit. “It involves rapists and child as many other states do. Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Teen charged with hitting decoy with vehicle PLAINFIELD — An 18- VT year-old from Barre is facing charges after allegedly running over a deer decoy in Plainfield, the Department of Fish and Wildlife said. Game wardens had set up a deer decoy operation in a field. A vehi- cle turned into the field and ran over one of the decoys. Wardens who were monitoring the decoys attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle, which crossed a private driveway and hit a ditch before driving away at speeds ex- ceeding 70 miles per hour. After receiving a tip, the war- dens located the vehicle and the teenager who admitted to the ac- tions. Chef’s stolen 2-ton barbecue smoker found MINNEAPOLIS — A MN Minnesota chef whose business was suffering be- cause of the coronavirus pandem- ic showed up to work to find his 2- ton custom-built barbecue smok- er was stolen over the weekend — but was found, thanks to a tip from a good Samaritan. Thomas Boemer, chef and co- owner of Revival and Revival Smoked Meats, said the steel-and- aluminum smoker, which is Don Campbell, The (St. Joseph, Mich.) Herald­Palladium/AP roughly the size of an SUV, was stolen from the parking lot of his former Corner Table restaurant in Frigid fishing south Minneapolis, the Star Tri- A man casts into the St. Joseph River while fishing below the dam in Berrien Springs, Mich. bune reported. A good Samaritan called the England states, federal prosecu- THE CENSUS investigating whether Derick restaurant and said they saw the tors said. Smialek, 37, intended to trigger an smoker parked in a Minneapolis The group stole three Bobcat The approximate amount in dollars a Mississippi woman is explosion. alley. Boemer said he called po- excavators, 10 personal water- 27K accused of taking in a food aid fraud case. Tiffany Ames, 39, Police said surveillance cam- lice, who later helped him hitch craft, four boats, eight all-terrain of Crawford was arrested after a probe by the Mississippi Department of Hu- eras showed Smialek at first pac- the slightly damaged smoker to vehicles, and 10 trailers valued at man Service’s Investigations Division. The department said she failed to report ing around his car outside the sta- his SUV. nearly $700,000 between Novem- all of her income and was overpaid $27,300 in Supplemental Nutrition Assist- tion before firing the flare gun. He ber 2019 and July 2020, from busi- ance Program benefits. also went into the station and Man accused of setting nesses in South Kingstown and Ti- made comments to officers, ac- girlfriend on fire verton, R.I.; Auburn, Rehoboth, serious injury and was being held cording to the document, but his and Easton, Mass.; Waterford, at the local jail. Man dies after returning statements were redacted. HOUSTON — Houston Vernon, and Stafford, Conn.; and to burning trailer Police said Smialek has previ- TX police were looking for Hampstead, N.H., prosecutors Wichita State grads ous felony convictions which bar a 60-year-old man who is accused said. finalists in mask contest RIDGEWAY — A man him from having weapons that can of setting his girlfriend on fire, se- The suspects face charges in- SC who escaped a trailer fire explosive cartridges, so he riously injuring her. cluding interstate transportation WICHITA — Two re- fire in South Carolina died when was also being held on a suspicion Investigators said that Harold of stolen property, receipt of sto- KS cent Wichita State Uni- he went back into the mobile home of being a previous offender in Lynn Celestine got into an argu- len goods, and conspiracy to com- versity graduates are among the to get his pants, an official said. possession of a weapon. ment with his girlfriend, Lasheak mit interstate transportation of finalists for a $1 million prize pool Fire personnel found Henry Wilborn, 40,as they visited anoth- stolen property. in a contest that seeks to design a Hill Jr., 68, on the floor of the trail- ‘Hazardous’ train trestle er person’s home. better mask. er in Ridgeway, Kershaw County to be demolished Police allege that during their Police: Woman attacked The Wichita Eagle reported that Coroner David West said in a fight, Celestine set Wilborn on with bat at Walmart Jared Goering and Spencer Stein- statement. Hill had smoke inhala- PORTLAND — The fire. ert are in the top 10 after beating tion and thermal burns on his body ME Maine Department of The person they were visiting, BURLINGTON — Po- out nearly 1,000 other mask de- from the heat. Transportation plans to demolish Robbie Hollingsworth, helped NC lice in North Carolina signs from 70 countries. Two other people who lived in the southern half of the former Wilborn and put out the fire. said a woman was arrested and They hope to win the $500,000 the home had escaped the fire, Grand Trunk Railroad train tres- Wilborn was severely burned charged with striking another grand prize or a $250,000 second- West said. tle at the request of the Board of while Hollingsworth, 56, suffered woman with a baseball bat at a ary prize, and they also want to Maine Harbor Commissioners. a minor burn to his shoulder. Walmart. take their mask to market. Police: Man fired flare Commission Chairman Daniel The Burlington Police Depart- Both men are graduates of into fuel-soaked car Haley Jr. said that large pieces 9 indicted in scheme ment said in a news release that Wichita State’s innovation design have fallen into the water creating to steal equipment officers were called to the store in master’s program, and they’re DENVER — A man a “serious hazard to navigation” response to reports of assault. both in an apparel start-up called CO was arrested on suspi- for boaters. PROVIDENCE — Nine The police news release said the Montana Shirt Co. cion of reckless endangerment Maine DOT spokesman Paul RI people were indicted for victim and suspect didn’t appear The point of the XPRIZE con- and arson after firing a flare gun Merrill said the work would likely their alleged roles in a theft ring to know each other and the motive test is to solve some of the issues into his car, which was holding begin Nov. 30 and be completed by that stole about $700,000 worth of for the attack is unclear. surrounding masks, such as slip- items soaked with gasoline, out- the end of the year. excavators, boats, personal water- The suspect, Candice Coles, 31, page, fogging and heat, that have side a Denver police station, po- craft, all-terrain vehicles, and was charged with felony assault become common during the coro- lice said. trailers from dealers in four New with a deadly weapon inflicting navirus pandemic. Nothing ignited but police were From The Associated Press PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 NATION Updated plan for Wreaths Across America revealed

BY NIKKI WENTLING part in the event this year, despite ter they announced the cancella- health and safety requirements Finally, on Dec. 19, a small Stars and Stripes an earlier decision to abstain from tion, and everyone agreed to hold with the desire to allow limited in- group of Wreaths Across America WASHINGTON – Arlington Na- the tradition because of the coro- a scaled-down event this year, she person participation,” John Har- volunteers will place wreaths in tional Cemetery will close to the navirus pandemic. said. low, ANC media relations officer, one section of the cemetery, and public from Dec. 13 to 19 to allow The decision to cancel the event The event typically draws tens said in an email. the event will be livestreamed. Christmas wreaths to be placed at drew widespread criticism, and of thousands of volunteers to Ar- First, family members of people ANC did not specify how many 267,000 graves, officials an- Secretary of the Army Ryan lington National Cemetery to buried in Arlington National Cem- people would be involved. nounced Wednesday. McCarthy ordered Arlington Na- place all the wreaths in a single etery will be welcomed to lay The cemetery will reopen to the The wreaths will be placed as tional Cemetery leaders to re- day. ANC announced Wednesday wreaths at their loved ones’ graves public on Dec. 20. part of the Wreaths Across Amer- verse the decision. President Do- that this year, wreaths would be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Aside from Arlington National ica event, an annual tradition dur- nald Trump said over Twitter that placed in phases. Aside from fam- From Dec. 14 to 18, soldiers with Cemetery, Wreaths Across Amer- ing which volunteers gather at he was the one to credit for the re- ily members, funeral attendees the U.S. Army Military District of ica is planning wreath-laying cemeteries around the world to versal. and designated wreath-layers, the Washington and the 3rd U.S. In- events at more than 2,100 loca- adorn the graves of American vet- Karen Worcester, CEO of cemetery will be closed to the pub- fantry will lay most of the wreaths. tions across the world. erans and service members. Ar- Wreaths Across America, said the lic. During this week, the cemetery lington National Cemetery an- decision was amicable. She met “We developed this plan to bal- will also conduct more than 100 fu- [email protected] nounced last week it would take with cemetery leaders the day af- ance our security posture and nerals. Twitter: @nikkiwentling Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Richard McClintic, Pacific commander Asia nations take major step forward Caroline E. Miller, Europe Business Operations BY ARTHUR I. CYR eration, though Australia and New Zealand Special To Stars and Stripes Looking to the on a national basis did send small numbers EDITORIAL comprehensive new trade agree- future, RCEP could of troops to aid the American effort in the Terry Leonard, Editor ment among the nations of East Vietnam War. Meanwhile, during that war, [email protected] and Southeast Asia promises nations even proximate to Vietnam found greatly to increase production in eventually restrain emerging economic incentives so great that Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor A the vast region, and in consequence benefit ASEAN resulted. [email protected] the global economy in total. Participating China’s sustained, Media and some governmental commen- Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content nations signed the Regional Comprehen- tary has emphasized that RCEP is less am- [email protected] sive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agree- sizable military bitious than the sweeping much publicized ment on Nov. 15, at a virtual summit hosted Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), signed by Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] by Vietnam. buildup. the United States in 2016 but then aban- The list of members alone is impressive: doned by the new Trump administration. Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indo- ASEAN summit held in Bali, Indonesia, in Democratic Party presidential nominee [email protected] nesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, 2011 and the first negotiations to realize the Hillary Clinton also turned against the TPP. New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, agreement were held in the 2012 ASEAN The United States is not party to the RCEP. BUREAU STAFF South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. These summit held in Cambodia. An earlier successful U.S.-led effort is nations account for just under one-third of The founding document of ASEAN was Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Europe/Mideast the total population of the globe, and nearly signed on Aug. 8, 1967, by the foreign minis- (APEC), conceived by Australia Prime Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] one-third of the total gross product of the ters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Minister Bob Hawke. President George +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 world’s economies. Singapore and Thailand. This was during H.W. Bush embraced the effort, and APEC Pacific Two aspects of the agreement are partic- Vietnam War, and two years after the Unit- began in 1989. The U.S. remains an active Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief ularly noteworthy. ed States began comprehensive direct mil- partner. [email protected] First, rules of origin are greatly simpli- itary involvement on the ground in South The 2006 APEC summit in Vietnam is es- +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 fied and standardized. These are the regu- Vietnam, while significantly escalating air pecially noteworthy. Washington lations that determine the country of origin operations against North Vietnam as well as Vietnam’s leaders honored U.S. Defense Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief of a product. generally within the region. Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. This was dra- [email protected] (+1)(202)886-0033 Up until now, they varied widely among During the Eisenhower administration, matic demonstration that economic self-in- Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News individual countries, imposing barriers to Secretary of State John Foster Dulles terest, and the tangible benefits of trade and [email protected] trade and hampering shipping and sales of spearheaded formation of the Southeast investment, can overcome even great politi- products on a regional basis. In the future, Asian Treaty Organization (SEATO) in cal and ideological divides. CIRCULATION there will be less obstruction of supply and 1954, consisting of Australia, France, Great Looking to the future, RCEP could even- Mideast distribution chains. Britain, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philip- tually restrain China’s sustained, sizable Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager Second, this is the first comprehensive pines, Thailand and the U.S. This alliance military buildup. The United States should [email protected] free trade agreement involving China, Ja- along with the Central Treaty Organization employ skillful diplomacy with close allies [email protected] pan and South Korea. All three nations his- (CENTO) in the Middle East and South Asia Japan and South Korea toward that goal. DSN (314)583-9111 torically have been at odds, and occasional- was to duplicate NATO’s role in the Atlantic Both are close allies of the U.S., and tradi- Europe ly at war. This comprehensive agreement theater and deter expansion of Communist tional enemies of China. Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager builds on earlier much more limited ac- regimes. [email protected] [email protected] cords of the Association of Southeast Asian Neither CENTO nor SEATO ever pro- +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen Distinguished Professor at Carthage Nations (ASEAN). gressed beyond the formalities of treaties to College and author of “After the Cold War” (NYU and Mac­ Pacific The larger concept was developed at the become realities of practical regional coop- millan/Palgrave). Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US Surviving the holidays during a pandemic Washington Y HYLLIS EYERSON tel: (+1)202.886.0003 B P M , When you feel a surge of disappointment 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 MICHAEL FRIEDMAN Keep in mind that or anger, take a deep breath and bite your The Baltimore Sun Reader letters the holidays do not tongue. Open expression of these kinds of [email protected] or many people, the winter holi- feelings generally just makes things worse. days are fun, warm and spiritually Keep in mind that the holidays do not Additional contacts uplifting. But for many others, ho- have to be perfect. have to be perfect. Good enough is, well, stripes.com/contactus Fliday celebrations are an emotion- Good enough is, well, good enough. And for that matter, terrible OMBUDSMAN al mixed bag — happy reunions with family blunders — like a dropped turkey — some- and friends on the one hand and disappoint- times make the best family memories. Ernie Gates ments on the other. good enough. Try to anticipate, and have a plan for how The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow This year many older adults will experi- to deal with, emotionally difficult situations. of news and information, reporting any attempts by the ence additional emotional struggles be- everyone can talk at once. So, try to create a Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns cause of the pandemic — especially loneli- structure that will involve everyone. Try not to use getting high to deal with diffi- and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for ness for those who are sheltering-in-place Also keep in mind that it is very difficult cult emotions or to help you relax and have a fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by and are socially isolated, and heightened to have separate conversations on video- good time. email at [email protected], or by phone at 202.886.0003. family tensions for those who are essential- conference. Binge drinking, with its inevitable han- ly locked in with family. This limits the common safety valve of govers, is not a good idea. Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- Merely getting together will be exceed- getting away from the people who distress If you feel down or stressed out more than days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday ingly difficult for those who take the need you and spending time with people you en- usual, have more difficulty sleeping or don’t through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals for social distancing seriously. Recently, joy most. Plan separate conversations with find pleasure in anything or anyone, seek postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send public health researchers are advising us these people. help. address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the that even getting together in small groups Unless your social style as a group is en- Talking with a good friend, your doctor or Department of Defense for members of the military services overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are can be risky. joyably argumentative, try to set aside dif- a mental health professional may be in or- unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views Here are a few thoughts to help deal with ferences. Focus on what you share rather der. of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official the winter holiday gatherings this year: than on what divides you. This may not be If you or someone you know is feeling sui- channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to Make a decision in advance whether you easy during this historical moment of great cidal or experiencing a psychiatric crisis, remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does and your loved ones can have in-person political anger. call 1-800-273-TALK, the national suicide not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or gatherings or must instead meet virtually. Also, try to accept family and friends as prevention lifeline. Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for If in-person, follow basic safety ground they are, even if they don’t live up to all of Yes, this is a difficult year — all the more purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical rules for safe interaction. Hopefully, this your expectations. reason to renew bonds and create a sense of handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of will not be a matter of disagreement within Remember that Uncle Joe will probably shared meaning. We will come through it! the purchaser, user or patron. your family. repeat the embarrassing things he said last © Stars and Stripes 2020 If you choose videoconference, keep in year. And your children will probably still Phyllis Meyerson and Michael Friedman are both retired social stripes.com mind that, unlike typical holiday tables, not not be exactly who you want them to be. workers who work as volunteers with AARP of Maryland. Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020

Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 55 Detail 23 Gimlet garnish 1 Basil or thyme 56 Noble Italian 24 PC program 5 Strike callers family 25 Lass 9 French vineyard 26 Dark, metallic

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 12 Writer James DOWN color 13 Long story 1 “Funny!” 27 The Mets’ 14 Brick carrier 2 “Zounds!” old home 15 Ricki Lake 3 Tara of 29 Away from SSW film of 1988 “Sharknado” 30 Bro’s sib 17 I love (Lat.) 4 Songwriter Irving 35 Rep.’s rival 18 Confuses 5 Priority Mail org. 37 Esteem 19 Macho type 6 Scratch the 39 Singer LaBelle 21 Tagged player surface 40 Stir-fry pan 22 Scale 7 Links org. 41 Hamilton- Non Sequitur 24 Opposite of “fer” 8 Greet Burr event 27 Lanka lead-in 9 Lightweight 42 Gumbo veggie 28 Grecian vessels shirt fabric 43 Con job 31 Standard 10 “Arrivederci —” 44 Eye part 32 Sandwich meat 11 Japanese noodle 45 Sunrise direction 33 Blackbird 16 Collection 46 Youngster 20 Outback bird 49 Stolen 34 Trudge 22 Swim stroke 50 “— you serious?” 36 Lamb’s dam Answer to Previous Puzzle 37 Deli loaves Candorville 38 Neighbor of Tibet 40 You and I 41 Firm belief 43 Part of USSR 47 Kiev’s land (Abbr.) 48 “Vanity Fair” author 51 Historic time

Carpe Diem 52 Afghanistan’s — Bora region 53 Jeopardize 54 Nonclerical Beetle Bailey Bizarro Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 FACES A Grammys ‘Savage’

LYNNE SLADKY/AP “A Promised Land,” by former President Barack Obama, could be the best­selling presidential memoir in modern history. Obama book sells a record 1.7M copies in first week Associated Press Former President Barack Oba- ma’s “A Promised Land” sold DISNEY+/AP more than 1.7 million copies in Beyonce, center, is pictured in a scene from her visual album “Black Is King.” The pop star scored multiple Grammy nominations Tuesday. North America in its first week, roughly equal to the combined first-week sales of memoirs by his two immediate predecessors and Beyonce leads with 9 nominations; The Weeknd shut out among the highest ever for a non- fiction book. BY MESFIN FEKADU Read more information about the awards, Crown announced Tuesday that Associated Press including a list of nominees in all categories. it increased its initial print run Beyonce is bringing her black parade to the grammy.com from 3.4 million copies to 4.3 mil- Grammys: The pop star’s anthem about Black lion. Sales also include audio and pride scored multiple nominations Tuesday, The harsh words come less than a year after digital books. making her the leading contender with nine. the Recording Academy's ousted CEO accused “A Promised Land,” the first of Beyonce picked up song and record of the the group that determines nominations in top two planned volumes, was pub- year bids with “Black Parade,” which she re- categories of having conflicts of interest and lished Nov. 17 and sold nearly leased on Juneteenth, the holiday that com- not engaging in a transparent selection proc- 890,000 copies in its first day. Ge- memorates when the last enslaved African ess. orge W. Bush’s “Decision Points” Americans learned they were free. The song, Multiple nominations went to Taylor Swift, sold 775,000 copies its first week which reached the Top 40 on the pop charts, is ROB GRABOWSKI, INVISION/AP Dua Lipa and Roddy Ricch, who each earned and Bill Clinton’s “My Life” also nominated for best R&B song and best The Weeknd, who was nominated for eight six and followed Beyonce as the second-most topped 1 million in eight days. The R&B performance. American Music Awards, was completely nominated acts. presidential memoirs have each Beyonce’s “Black Is King” film that high- shut out of the Grammys, earning zero nomi­ Lipa earned bids for album of the year with sold between 3.5 and 4 million co- lighted Black art, music, history and fashion is nations despite having a No. 1 album. “The “Future Nostalgia” as well as song and record pies, totals Obama should surpass. up for best music film while “Brown Skin Girl,” Grammys remain corrupt,” the singer said on of the year for her hit “Don’t Start Now.” Swift No nonfiction comes close to the a song dedicated to dark- and brown-skinned Twitter. “You owe me, my fans and the indus­ is competing for the top prize with her surprise pace set by J.K. Rowling’s “Harry try transparency.” women, is nominated for best music video. The album “folklore” and could become the first Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” singer also earned three nominations for her artist to win album of the year three times. which in 2007 sold more than 8 slick guest appearance on Megan Thee Stal- less.” Luke Combs, who dominated the country Other album nominees include: Post Malo- million copies in its first 24 hours. lion’s No. 1 hit “Savage.” charts and set records on streaming services ne’s multi-hit “Hollywood’s Bleeding”; Cold- A winner of 24 Grammys, Beyonce becomes this year, was also surprisingly shut out. play’s “Everyday Life”; HAIM’s “Women In Other news the second-most nominated act in the history of The Weeknd, a three-time Grammy winner, Music Pt. III”; Jhene Aiko’s atmospheric R&B
A book looking at The Beat- the awards show with 79 nominations. criticized the Recording Academy. “The project “Chilombo”; English musician Jacob les from a playful kaleidoscope of Beyonce is only behind her husband Jay-Z Grammys remain corrupt,” the singer said on Collier’s multi-genre release “Djesse Vol. 3”; angles won Britain’s leading non- and Quincy Jones, who have earned 80 nomi- Twitter. “You owe me, my fans and the indus- and the deluxe edition of Black Pumas’ self-ti- fiction literary award Tuesday. nations each. Jay-Z picked up three nomina- try transparency.” tled debut album. Craig Brown’s “One Two Three tions this year for his contributions to Beyonc- Four: The Beatles in Time” was e’s songs: He co-wrote “Black Parade” and named winner of the 50,000- “Savage,” thus earning nominations for song of pound ($66,000) Baillie Gifford the year, best R&B song and best rap song. Recording Academy chooses Trevor Noah as host Prize. Brown’s “composite biogra- Jay-Z has won 22 Grammys. “The Daily Show” host and co- Earlier this year, Noah competed phy” juxtaposes the stories of Beyonce’s domination this year came as a median Trevor Noah has been cho- for his first Grammy: The 36-year- John, Paul, George and Ringo surprise since the singer did not release a new sen to host the 2021 Grammy old Emmy winner was nominated with relatives, partners, artists, album. Awards. for best comedy album with “Son of imitators, hangers-on and others Other surprises include pop star the Weeknd The Recording Academy made Patricia,” but lost to Dave Chap- drawn into their orbit. being completely shut out and earning zero the announcement hours before the pelle.
Taylor Swift announced that nominations despite having one of the year’s nominees for the upcoming show- Alicia Keys was the most recent “folklore: the long pond studio biggest albums with “After Hours” and being were revealed. It will be Noah’s Grammys host. Past hosts include sessions,” a film of her perform- Noah tapped as the Super Bowl halftime headline first time hosting the Grammys, James Corden and LL Cool J. ing songs from her new album, performer. He also topped the Billboard Hot which will be held Jan. 31. — Associated Press was to premiere on Disney+ on 100 chart with “Blinding Lights” and “Heart- Wednesday. Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 SCOREBOARD

PRO FOOTBALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL PRO SOCCER NFL Soccer great Schedule FAU (5-1) at Middle Tennessee (3-6) MLS playoffs Pittsburgh (5-4) at Clemson (7-1) AMERICAN CONFERENCE Play-in Thursday's games Auburn (5-2) at Alabama (7-0) East Mississippi St. (2-5) at Mississippi (3-4) Eastern Conference Maradona FAR WEST Duke (2-6) at Georgia Tech (2-5) Friday, Nov. 20 WLTPct PF PA W. Kentucky (4-6) at Charlotte (2-3), ppd. New England 2, Montreal 1 Colorado St. (1-2) at Air Force (2-2) Georgia (5-2) at South Carolina (2-6) Nashville 3, Inter Miami 0 Buffalo 7 3 0 .700 272 265 New Mexico (0-4) at Utah St. (0-4) Tennessee (2-5) at Vanderbilt (0-7), ppd. dies at 60 First Round Miami 6 4 0 .600 264 202 Friday's games Troy (4-4) at Appalachian St. (6-2) Associated Press Virginia (4-4) at Florida St. (2-6) Eastern Conference New England 4 6 0 .400 209 238 Saturday, Nov. 21 SOUTH MIDWEST N.Y. Jets 0 10 0 .000 149 302 Orlando City 1, New York City FC 1, (Or- BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — UMass (0-3) at Liberty (8-1) Maryland (2-1) at Indiana (4-1) lando advances 6-5 on penalties) Diego Maradona, the Argentine South Southern Miss. (2-7) at UAB (4-3) Ohio St. (4-0) at Illinois (2-3) Columbus 3, New York 2 UCF (5-3) at South Florida (1-7) WLTPct PF PA N. Illinois (0-3) at W. Michigan (3-0) soccer great who was among the Notre Dame (8-0) at North Carolina (6-2) Ball St. (2-1) at Toledo (2-1) Tuesday's games Nashville 1, Toronto 0, OT best players ever and who led his Indianapolis 7 3 0 .700 276 208 MIDWEST Arkansas (3-5) vs. Missouri (3-3) at Kan- sas City, M.O., ppd. New England 2, Philadelphia 0 country to the 1986 World Cup title Tennessee 7 3 0 .700 279 259 Nebraska (1-3) at Iowa (3-2) Bowling Green (0-3) at Ohio (1-1) Cent. Michigan (2-1) at E. Michigan (0-3) Western Conference Houston 3 7 0 .300 227 272 Penn St. (0-5) at Michigan (2-3) Sunday, Nov. 22 before later struggling with co- Jacksonville 1 9 0 .100 202 298 SOUTHWEST Vanderbilt (0-7) at Missouri (3-3) Sporting Kansas City 3, San Jose 3, Miami (Ohio) (1-1) at Akron (0-3) caine use and obesity, has died. He Iowa St. (6-2) at Texas (5-2) (Sporting KC advances 3-0 on penalties) North Minnesota (2-3) at Wisconsin (2-1) Minnesota United 3, Colorado 0 was 60. FAR WEST Northwestern (5-0) at Michigan St. (1-3) WLTPct PF PA Portland 3, Dallas 3, (Dallas advances 8-7 Rutgers (1-4) at Purdue (2-2) on penalties) The office of Argentina’s presi- Stanford (0-2) at California (0-2) TCU (3-4) at Kansas (0-7) Pittsburgh 10 0 0 1.000 298 174 Wyoming (1-2) at UNLV (0-4) Tuesday's game dent will decree three days of na- Oregon (3-0) at Oregon St. (1-2) SOUTHWEST Cleveland 7 3 0 .700 238 261 Seattle 3, Los Angeles FC 1 Saturday's games Texas Tech (3-5) at Oklahoma St. (5-2) tional mourning because of Mara- Baltimore 6 4 0 .600 268 195 Tulsa (5-1) at Houston (3-3) Conference Semifinals dona’s death on Wednesday, and Cincinnati 2 7 1 .250 213 270 EAST UTEP (3-4) at Rice (1-2) Eastern Conference Sunday, Nov. 29 West NC State (6-3) at Syracuse (1-8) South Alabama (3-6) at Arkansas St. the Argentine soccer association (3-6) Game 1: New England at Orlando City Kent St. (3-0) at Buffalo (3-0) Game 2: Nashville at Columbus expressed its sorrow on Twitter. WLTPct PF PA Cincinnati (8-0) at Temple (1-6) North Texas (3-3) at UTSA (6-4) Louisville (3-6) at Boston College (5-4) Coastal Carolina (8-0) at Texas State Western Conference Maradona died two weeks after Kansas City 9 1 0 .900 321 214 Memphis (5-2) at Navy (3-4) (2-9) Dec. 1 Oklahoma (6-2) at West Virginia (5-3) LSU (3-3) at Texas A&M (5-1) being released from a Buenos Las Vegas 6 4 0 .600 286 276 Kansas St. (4-4) at Baylor (1-5) Dallas at Seattle Denver 4 6 0 .400 206 267 SOUTH Aires hospital following brain sur- FAR WEST Dec. 2 L.A. Chargers 3 7 0 .300 260 273 Kentucky (3-5) at Florida (6-1) Minnesota United at Sporting KC Colorado (2-0) at Southern Cal (3-0) gery. NATIONAL CONFERENCE Georgia Southern (6-3) at Georgia St. Conference Championships (4-4) San Jose St. (4-0) at Boise St. (4-1) Famed for the “Hand of God” Arizona (0-2) at UCLA (1-2) Sunday, Dec. 6 East SMU (7-2) at East Carolina (2-6) goal in which he punched the ball Miami (7-1) at Wake Forest (4-3), ppd. Nevada (5-0) at Hawaii (2-3) Game 1: Teams TBD WLTPct PF PA Wake Forest (4-3) at Louisville (3-6), ppd. Sunday's game Game 2: Teams TBD into England’s net during the 1986 Memphis (5-2) at Tulane (5-5), ppd. MLS Cup Philadelphia 3 6 1 .350 220 254 Louisiana-Lafayette (7-1) at Louisiana- FAR WEST Saturday, Dec. 12 World Cup quarterfinals, Marado- Dallas 3 7 0 .300 235 318 Monroe (0-8) Utah (0-1) at Arizona St. (0-1) Teams TBD na captivated fans over a two-dec- N.Y. Giants 3 7 0 .300 195 236 ade career with a bewitching style Washington 3 7 0 .300 200 227 of play that was all his own. South DEALS GOLF WLTPct PF PA Alabama’s Saban tests Tuesday's transactions DENVER BRONCOS — Waived OT Jake PGA Tour statistics New Orleans 8 2 0 .800 295 222 Rogers. Activated RB LeVante Bellamy BASEBALL from injured reserve. Through Nov. 22 positive for COVID-19 Tampa Bay 7 4 0 .636 320 253 Major League Baseball HOUSTON TEXANS — Signed C Cohl Ca- Carolina 4 7 0 .364 253 272 National League bral to the practice squad. Released Ken- FedExCup season points Coach Nick Saban of No. 1 Ala- Atlanta 3 7 0 .300 252 275 ATLANTA BRAVES — Signed RHP Charlie dal Futrell from the practice squad. 1, Dustin Johnson, 950. 2, Bryson De- bama has tested positive for CO- INDIANAPOIS COLTS — Designated WR Chambeau, 698. 3, Stewart Cink, 671. 4, Pa- North Morton to a one-year contract. Ashton Dulin to return from injured re- trick Cantlay, 660. 5, Jason Kokrak, 596. 6, VID-19 just days before the Iron serve. WLTPct PF PA Matthew Wolff, 585. 7, Sergio Garcia, 548. 8, BASKETBALL JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Placed De Robert Streb, 543. 9, Carlos Ortiz, 537. 10, Bowl with No. 22 Auburn. National Basketball League Josh Allen, CB D.J. Hayden and S Daniel Justin Thomas, 536. Green Bay 7 3 0 .700 308 258 ATLANTA HAWKS — Signed G Bogdan Thomas on injured reserve. Placed K Team physician Dr. Jimmy Chicago 5 5 0 .500 191 209 Bogdanovic to a multiyear contract. Chase McLaughlin on the reserve/CO- Scoring average Robinson and head trainer Jeff Al- Detroit 4 6 0 .400 227 287 Signed Fs Onyeka Okongwu and Nathan VID-19 list. Promoted RB Nathan Cottrell to 1, Dustin Johnson, 66.989. 2, Bryson De- Knight and G Skylar Mays. Acquired F Da- the active roster. Signed LB Reggie Gilbert len said in a joint statement that Minnesota 4 6 0 .400 264 278 Chambeau, 68.378. 3 (tie), Xander Schauf- nilo Gallinari from Oklahoma in exchange off of the Arizona Cardinals practice fele and Justin Thomas, 69.135. 5, John the positive test came Wednesday West for a conditional 2025 second-round pick. squad. Signed S Doug Middleton to the Huh, 69.178. 6, Russell Henley, 69.290. 7, DETROIT PISTONS — Acquired rights to practice squad. Harris English, 69.344. 8, Padraig Harring- morning. WLTPct PF PA Fs Isaiah Stewart and Trevor Ariza, a fu- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Placed WR Byron ton, 69.365. 9, Patrick Reed, 69.455. 10, ture second-round pick and cash consid- Pringle on injured reserve. Released DB Webb Simpson, 69.478. “He has very mild symptoms, so L.A. Rams 7 3 0 .700 243 192 erations from Houston in exchange for F Lavert Hill from the practice squad. Signed this test will not be categorized as Seattle 7 3 0 .700 318 287 Christian Wood, a protected future first- G Stefen Wisniewski to the practice Driving distance round draft selection and a 2021 second- squad. Arizona 6 4 0 .600 287 238 1, Bryson DeChambeau, 337.8. 2, Taylor a potential false positive,” the round pick. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Promoted DT Benito Pendrith, 331.9. 3, Rory McIlroy, 322.7. 4, San Francisco 4 6 0 .400 238 234 MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES — Signed F/C Kil- Jones to the active roster. Cameron Champ, 321.7. 5, Dustin Johnson, statement said. “He will follow all NEW ORLEANS SAINTS — Waived LB Thursday, Nov. 19 lian Tillie and W Sean McDermott to two- 321.4. 6, Erik Barnes, 319.6. 7, Thomas Pie- appropriate guidelines and isolate way contracts. Chase Hansen. ters, 319.4. 8, 3 tied with 318.5. Seattle 28, Arizona 21 MILWAUKEE BUCKS — Re-signed G Pat NEW YORK GIANTS — Signed TE Nakia at home.” Sunday, Nov. 22 Connaughton. Signed F Jordan Nwora. Ac- Griffin-Stewart to the practice squad. Re- Driving accuracy percentage quired G Jrue Holiday and the draft rights leased WR Corey Coleman from the prac- 1, Bernhard Langer, 87.50%. 2, Mike Weir, He had previously received a Carolina 20, Detroit 0 tice squad. Cleveland 22, Philadelphia 17 to 2020 second-round pick Sam Merrill 82.14%. 3 (tie), Gunn Charoenkul and Naoki false positive ahead of the game Houston 27, New England 20 from New Orleans. NEW YORK JETS — Placed K Sam Ficken Sekito, 80.77%. 5, Rikuya Hoshino, 78.85%. New Orleans 24, Atlanta 9 SAN ANTONIO SPURS — Re-signed Cs Ja- and RB La'Mical Perine on injured reserve. 6, Alex Smalley, 76.79%. 7, Roberto Díaz, with Georgia but didn’t have any Pittsburgh 27, Jacksonville 3 kob Poeltl and Drew Eubanks. Re-signed G Signed TE Ross Travis and RB Josh Adams 75.00%. 8, Matt Kuchar, 74.64%. 9, Webb Tennessee 30, Baltimore 24, OT Quinndary Weatherspoon to a two-wa- to the active roster. Re-signed QB Mike Simpson, 74.28%. 10, Russell Henley, symptoms that time. He was Washington 20, Cincinnati 9 White to the practice squad. 73.53%. cleared to coach in the game after Denver 20, Miami 13 contract. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Placed CB L.A. Chargers 34, N.Y. Jets 28 Cre'Von LeBlanc on injured reserve. Desig- Greens in regulation percentage subsequent tests leading up to the Dallas 31, Minnesota 28 FOOTBALL nated DE Genard Avery to return from in- 1, Jim Furyk, 80.56%. 2, Matthew NeS- Indianapolis 34, Green Bay 31, OT National Football League jured reserve. Released RB Adrian Killins mith, 78.33%. 3, Alex Smalley, 76.39%. 4, game came back negative. Kansas City 35, Las Vegas 31 ARIZONA CARDINALS — Designated DL from the practice squad. Martin Laird, 76.23%. 5, Sam Burns, 75.93%. Open: Buffalo, Chicago, N.Y. Giants, San Zach Allen to return from injured reserve. PITTSBURGH STEELERS — Activated TE 6, Emiliano Grillo, 75.85%. 7, Russell Knox, Francisco Signed TE Evan Baylis, LB Reggie Walker Vance McDonald from the reserve/CO- 75.31%. 8 (tie), James Hahn and Andy Monday, Nov. 23 and DLs P.J. Johnson, Daylon Mack and VID-19 list. Place TE Zach Gentry on injured Zhang, 75.00%. 10, 2 tied with 74.72%. Rays outfielder Arozarena reserve. Signed TE KEvin Rader to the ac- L.A. Rams 27, Tampa Bay 24 Stacey McGee to the practice squad. Placed S Deionte Thompson on the re- tive roster. Signed LB/LS Christian Kuntz Total driving arrested in Mexico Thursday's games serve/COVID-19 list. Released LB Ste- to the practice squad. 1, Scottie Scheffler, 75. 2, Sam Burns, 82. Houston at Detroit phone Anthony, T Rick Leonard and RB SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Suspended CB 3, Rory McIlroy, 85. 4, Willy Pumarol, 88. 5 Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Washington at Dallas Khalfani Muhammad from the practice K'Waun Williams for two games for viola- (tie), Dustin Johnson and Jason Kokrak, 92. Baltimore at Pittsburgh squad. tion of league policy. Signed S Chris Ed- 7, Jon Rahm, 95. 8, Stephen Stallings Jr., Randy Arozarena has been arrest- Sunday's games BALTIMORE RAVENS — Placed OLB Per- wards to a one-year contract. Signed S Kai 103. 9, Joaquin Niemann, 105. 10, George ed in Mexico’s Yucatan state for a nell McPhee on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Nacua and WR Shawn Poindester to the Markham, 114. Arizona at New England BUFFALO BILLS — Activated CB Josh Nor- practice squad. situation involving an apparent Carolina at Minnesota TENNESSEE TITANS — Placed LB Jayon SG-putting Cleveland at Jacksonville man from the reserve/COVID-19 list. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Signed DB Sean Brown and T Ty Sambrailo on injured re- 1, Andy Ogletree, 2.837. 2, Dawie van der custody dispute, two weeks after L.A. Chargers at Buffalo serve. Waived DB Greg Mabin and P Trevor Walt, 1.582. 3, Jason Kokrak, 1.332. 4, Peter Las Vegas at Atlanta Chandler to the practice squad. Released he won the Babe Ruth award for K Taylor Bertolet from the practice squad. Daniel. Signed QB DeShone Kizer and K Malnati, 1.282. 5, Lucas Herbert, 1.279. 6, Miami at N.Y. Jets Sam Sloman to the practice squad. Re- N.Y. Giants at Cincinnati CHICAGO BEARS — Waived DT Anthony Ollie Schniederjans, 1.261. 7, Sahith Thee- the Most Valuable Player in the Rush. leased P Ryan Allen and K Giorgio Tavec- gala, 1.212. 8, Brendon Todd, 1.200. 9, Ben Tennessee at Indianapolis chio from the practice squad. New Orleans at Denver CLEVELAND BROWNS — Placed DE Joe Taylor, 1.190. 10, Zack Sucher, 1.174. postseason. San Francisco at L.A. Rams Jackson on the reserve/COVID-19 list. SOCCER Birdie average The Yucatan state prosecutors’ Kansas City at Tampa Bay DALLAS COWBOYS — Suspended LB Major League Soccer Chicago at Green Bay Luke Gifford two games without pay for vi- 1, Patrick Reed, 5.42. 2, Bud Cauley, 5.25. office confirmed Tuesday that ATLANTA UNITED — Exercised contract 3, Ryan Palmer, 5.21. 4, Rory McIlroy, 5.13. 5, Monday's game olating the NFL's performance-enhancing options on Ds George Bello and Franco Es- substances policy. Justin Thomas, 5.00. 6, Xander Schauffele, Arozarena was detained “for Seattle at Philadelphia cobar and Ms Mo Adams and Jon Gallagh- 4.94. 7, Harry Higgs, 4.81. 8, Doug Ghim, er. 4.78. 9, Peter Malnati, 4.77. 10, 6 tied with problems relating to his ex-part- AP SPORTLIGHT 4.75. ner.” The office did not explain Eagles (holes per) what those problems were, but Nov. 26 in the float and it sinks to the bottom of the has 15 catches, one for a touchdown, in 1, Bryson DeChambeau, 36.0. 2, Cameron video posted on social media sug- lake. the Rams’ 20-17 overtime victory over the Champ, 41.1. 3, Matthew Wolff, 46.3. 4, Jon 1917 — The NHL is formed with five char- 1961 — Jerry Norton of St. Louis becomes New Orleans Saints. Rahm, 48.0. 5, Keegan Bradley, 51.4. 6, Kris- gested it may have involved a dis- ter members: Montreal Canadiens, Mon- the only NFL player to have four intercep- 1994 — The Cleveland Cavaliers sets an toffer Ventura, 56.6. 7 (tie), Henrik Norlan- treal Maroons, Toronto Arenas, Ottawa tions in a game twice. He picks off four, NBA record by attempting just two free der and Bubba Watson, 57.6. 9, Justin Suh, pute over a child. Arozarena had Senators, Quebec Bulldogs. Frank Calder two for touchdowns, in the Cardinals’ 30- throws, during a 101-87 home victory over 60.0. 10, Marc Leishman, 63.0. is elected president. not been formally charged yet. 27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Golden State. John Williams and Tony Sand save percentage 1949 — Boston College beats Holy Cross 1988 — For the first time in their long ri- Campbell go 1-for-1 from the line. Mexican law allows a two-day pe- 76-0, with Al Cannava rushing for 229 valry, Notre Dame and Southern California 1997 — Charles Jones scores a school-re- 1 (tie), Erik Barnes, Jim Furyk and Alex yards. enter the game undefeated and ranked cord 53 points and Long Island University Smalley, 100.00%. 4, Brooks Koepka, riod for prosecutors to decide 1956 — In the Melbourne Olympics, Aus- Nos. 1-2. The top-ranked Fighting Irish win beats Division III Medgar Evers 179-62, 88.89%. 5 (tie), Akshay Bhatia and Bud tralia, Vyacheslav Ivanov of the Soviet 27-10. breaking the NCAA record for margin of Cauley, 83.33%. 7, Ben Taylor, 82.35%. 8, whether to bring charges. Nor- Union wins the single sculls. After receiv- 1989 — Willie “Flipper” Anderson of the victory. The 117-point difference eclipses Sahith Theegala, 81.82%. 9, Stephan Jaeg- mally suspects are held in jail ing the gold medal, he jumps up and down Los Angeles Rams sets an NFL game re- the mark of 97 set by Southern in a 154-57 er, 80.00%. 10, 3 tied with 75.00%. and accidentally drops it through the slats cord with 336 yards receiving. Anderson victory over Patten in 1993. pending that decision. Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NFL

Weekly statistics

AFC individual leaders NFC individual leaders

Week 11 Week 11 Quarterbacks Quarterbacks Att Com Yds TD Int Att Com Yds TD Int Mahomes, KC 374 254 3035 27 2 Wilson, Sea 362 256 2986 30 10 Watson, Hou 338 233 2883 20 5 Ryan, Atl 388 255 2978 15 7 Allen, Buf 364 249 2871 21 7 Brady, TB 433 280 2955 25 9 Herbert, LAC 350 238 2699 22 6 Rodgers, GB 352 240 2889 29 4 Burrow, Cin 404 264 2688 13 5 Goff, LAR 372 252 2823 16 8 Rivers, Ind 349 239 2683 14 8 K.Murray, Ari 353 241 2644 19 8 Roethlisberger, Pit 380 255 2534 24 5 Stafford, Det 344 216 2581 17 7 Carr, Las 314 219 2431 19 3 Bridgewater, Car 330 238 2552 13 7 Rushers Rushers Att Yds Avg LG TD Att Yds Avg LG TD Henry, Ten 229 1079 4.7 94t 9 Cook, Min 201 1069 5.3 70t 13 J.Robinson, Jac 172 762 4.4 39 5 Jones, TB 153 754 4.9 98t 5 Jacobs, Las 199 755 3.8 24 9 Elliott, Dal 171 675 3.9 24 5 Edwards-Helaire, KC 140 655 4.7 31 4 Drake, Ari 146 641 4.4 69t 5 Conner, Pit 145 645 4.4 59 5 K.Murray, Ari 92 619 6.7 48 10 Hunt, Cle 147 644 4.4 33 4 Gurley, Atl 167 610 3.7 35t 9 Chubb, Cle 96 575 6.0 59 5 Sanders, Phi 102 585 5.7 74t 3 Jackson, Bal 103 575 5.6 50t 3 Jones, GB 113 534 4.7 75t 6 DUANE BURLESON / AP Receivers Receivers Washington defensive end Chase Young, left, tries to get past Detroit tight end Jesse James on Nov. 15. No Yds Avg LG TD No Yds Avg LG TD Diggs, Buf 73 906 12.4 49 4 Hopkins, Ari 72 912 12.7 60 4 Kelce, KC 66 896 13.6 45 7 McLaurin, Was 62 871 14.0 68t 3 Allen, LAC 81 835 10.3 28 6 Moore, Car 46 863 18.8 74t 4 Hill, KC 55 752 13.7 54t 10 Metcalf, Sea 48 862 18.0 62 9 Boyd, Cin 69 710 10.3 25 3 Jefferson, Min 45 848 18.8 71t 4 Fuller, Hou 47 708 15.1 77t 6 D.Adams, GB 68 847 12.5 49 10 Even without the sacks, Beasley, Buf 55 642 11.7 29 3 Anderson, Car 71 818 11.5 75t 1 Cooks, Hou 47 634 13.5 57t 3 Robinson, Chi 63 755 12.0 42 3 Punters Punters No Yds Lg Avg No Yds Lg Avg Bojorquez, Buf 25 1228 72 49.1 Fox, Det 39 1974 67 50.6 Young evolves into star Martin, Den 38 1833 69 48.2 Dickson, Sea 37 1835 67 49.6 Townsend, KC 29 1380 67 47.6 Johnston, Phi 45 2198 66 48.8 Anger, Hou 37 1754 67 47.4 Way, Was 43 2070 61 48.1 BY STEPHEN WHYNO geared toward slowing him down. Bailey, NE 27 1275 64 47.2 Wishnowsky, SF 34 1627 60 47.9 Associated Press “He has gotten double-teamed an awful lot,” coach Cooke, Jac 37 1740 67 47.0 O'Donnell, Chi 48 2237 64 46.6 hase Young fired up his teammates before Ron Rivera said. “A couple times he’s been tripled Huber, Cin 43 2022 70 47.0 Hekker, LAR 41 1894 63 46.2 Washington’s latest game by telling them where he’s been chipped and then you see a tackle Punt returners Punt returners they only get 16 days out of 365 in a year to do block with the guard turning that way or you see two No Yds Avg Long TD No Yds Avg Long TD this job. He kept repeating that message be- tight ends and a tackle back-stepping. He’s handled it.” Grant, Mia 21 300 14.3 88t 1 Harris, NO 17 207 12.2 42 0 C fore they took the field and then played like it in a victo- If there was any doubt about how Young would han- McCloud, Pit 17 229 13.5 57 0 Lamb, Dal 17 143 8.4 27 0 ry. dle the spotlight of being a Heisman Trophy finalist, Roberts, Buf 16 191 11.9 38 0 Ward, Phi 13 88 6.8 22 0 Erickson, Cin 14 125 8.9 22 0 Mickens, TB 15 99 6.6 14 0 “Today was one of the days,” Young recalled. “I just top draft pick and local star in Washington, he has Kickoff returners Kickoff returners tell them to play with passion.” erased it and taken any criticism in stride. The most There’s no passion lacking or days off for Young, the has come from his mom, who gave him a C+ grade half- No Yds Avg LG TD No Yds Avg LG TD No. 2 pick in the draft who has been a game-altering way through the season. Duvernay, Bal 13 396 30.5 93t 1 Patterson, Chi 26 787 30.3 104t 1 Rodgers, Ind 18 537 29.8 101t 1 Harris, NO 16 436 27.3 75 0 force in his rookie season. He may not lead the league While Carla Young may be her son’s harshest critic, Roberts, Buf 20 581 29.1 60 0 Cooper, Car 18 430 23.9 38 0 in sacks like his mom expected, but Young is taking on his teammates are his biggest fans. McCloud, Pit 15 363 24.2 49 0 Osborn, Min 13 289 22.2 38 0 opposing double- and sometimes triple-team attention “He’s a big-time player,” said receiver Terry Scoring Scoring and leading the best pass defense in the NFL. McLaurin, who also played with Young at Ohio State. Touchdowns Touchdowns “We see him as a leader on this team,” veteran defen- “I tell him before every game, ‘Be the best player on the TDRush Rec Ret Pts TDRush Rec Ret Pts sive end and franchise sacks leader Ryan Kerrigan field,’ and you got to take that to heart, and I think that said. “We all kind of feed off his energy.” he is.” Hill, KC 11 1 10 0 66 Cook, Min 14 13 1 0 84 Claypool, Pit 10 2 8 0 60 Kamara, NO 12 8 4 0 72 Young’s energy is undeniable and his presence un- Young doesn’t act as if he’s the best at anything, con- Henry, Ten 9 9 0 0 54 Thielen, Min 11 0 11 0 66 mistakable. With dreadlocks flowing out of the back of tinually vowing he’ll get better. He brushed off a costly Jacobs, Las 9 9 0 0 54 D.Adams, GB 10 0 10 0 60 his helmet above the No. 99 burgundy and gold jersey, roughing-the-passer penalty in the final minute of a Newton, NE 9 9 0 0 54 K.Murray, Ari 10 10 0 0 60 he’s a menace to linemn trying to block him and quar- loss to Detroit as a “rookie mistake” and forced a fum- Kicking Kicking terbacks hoping to avoid him. ble near the goal line a week later. PAT FG LG Pts PAT FG LG Pts His 3½ sacks are most among rookies, and that num- “I don’t really see him as a rookie,” Kerrigan said. Blankenship, Ind 25-27 23-26 44 94 Succop, TB 33-35 21-23 50 96 ber is lower than Young would like because he missed “With where he’s at in terms of his development and Carlson, Las 31-32 21-23 54 94 Lutz, NO 34-34 19-21 53 91 a game with a groin injury and offenses are already with where he’s at mentally, he’s not a rookie.” PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 COLLEGE FOOTBALL Gophers axe game with Badgers, cite COVID concerns Utah will play Washington on Saturday instead of Arizona State on Sunday because of outbreaks

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — For the first 10 time in 114 years, the Minnesota- Games scheduled this week involving Wisconsin game has been bumped FBS teams that have been postponed off the schedule. or canceled Minnesota called off its annual battle with Wisconsin for Paul Bu- American Athletic Conference JOHN RAOUX / AP nyan’s Axe — which was slated for championship game on Dec. 19. Cincinnati wide receiver Michael Young Jr. runs against Central Florida on Nov. 21 in Orlando, Fla. The Saturday afternoon — due to an Minnesota athletic director Bearcats at No. 7 have the best non­Power Five spot in College Football Playoff rankings history. uptick in COVID-19 cases within Mark Coyle and president Joan the program. The decision made Gabel made the decision at the Tuesday by Minnesota will also recommendation of athletic med- likely make the 18th-ranked Badg- ical director Dr. Brad Nelson, Playoff rankings: ’Bama, ND, ers ineligible for the Big Ten who’s on the conference’s CO- championship game, because of VID-19 task force, after consulta- two earlier canceled games. tion with Big Ten officials. Clemson, Ohio St; Cincinnati 7 Utah’s game against Arizona Minnesota said nine players and State — scheduled for Sunday — six staff members have tested pos- BY RALPH D. RUSSO College Football Playoff Rankings thrilled. BYU (9-0), not so much. Associated Press was also added Tuesday to the itive for COVID-19 in the last five Nov. 24 Even though the Cougars lead the cancellation list because the Sun days. There were additional pre- Alabama was No. 1 in the first Record FBS in scoring margin at 33 points Devils still don’t have enough sumptive positive tests that turned College Football Playoff rankings 1. Alabama 7-0 per game. scholarship players available due up Wednesday from daily antigen of the season Tuesday night, fol- 2. Notre Dame 8-0 Barta said the Cougars’ sched- to numerous COVID-19 cases that testing, with the program awaiting lowed by Notre Dame, Clemson 3. Clemson 7-1 ule, which had to be rebuilt be- include coach Herm Edwards. confirmation of those results. and Ohio State. 4. Ohio State 4-0 cause Power Five conferences 5. Texas A&M 5-1 By the end of the day, Utah was Coyle talked this week with Wis- Texas A&M was fifth and Flor- 6. Florida 6-1 mostly decided to play only league rescheduled to play Washington consin athletic director Barry Al- ida sixth, giving the Southeastern 7. Cincinnati 8-0 games due to the pandemic, on Saturday. The Huskies had varez about what the Badgers Conference three of the top six 8. Northwestern 5-0 wasn’t tough enough to warrant a their scheduled game with Wash- went through with their cancella- teams. Alabama is No. 1 in the CFP 9. Georgia 5-2 better ranking. 10. Miami 7-1 ington State canceled last Sunday. tions. rankings for a record 19th time. 11. Oklahoma 6-2 “Right now BYU’s best win is No. 24 Tulsa’s game on Saturday According to Big Ten protocols Unbeaten Cincinnati from the 12. Indiana 4-1 over Boise State, and in that game against Houston also was post- this season, teams must play at American Athletic Conference at 13. Iowa State 6-2 I think (the Broncos) got down to poned because of Houston’s CO- least six games to be eligible for seventh has the best ranking for a 14. BYU 9-0 their third-string quarterback,” 15. Oregon 3-0 VID-19 issues. the conference championship non-Power Five team in the sev- 16. Wisconsin 2-1 Barta said. Ten scheduled games this week game on Dec. 19. If the average en-year history of the selection 17. Texas 5-2 No non-Power Five team had involving FBS teams have been number of league games played committee’s top 25. 18. Southern Cal 3-0 ever ranked better than 12th in the postponed or canceled. The Min- by all Big Ten teams is below six, No. 8 Northwestern, Georgia 19. North Carolina 6-2 first rankings. The best ranking in 20. Coastal Carolina 8-0 nesota-Wisconsin game and the programs must play no less than and Miami rounded out the top 10. 21. Marshall 7-0 any selection committee top 25 by Utah-Arizona State game won’t be two fewer league games than that Another unbeaten team from 22. Auburn 5-2 a team from outside the Power made up. Tulsa and Houston have average to be eligible. Wisconsin outside the Power Five was not so 23. Oklahoma State 5-2 Five had been No. 8 for unbeaten no common open dates left and (2-1) has two games left on its highly regarded by the commit- 24. Iowa 3-2 UCF in the final 2018 rankings. 25. Tulsa 5-1 will only be able to reschedule the schedule and won’t reach the six- tee. BYU was slotted 14th, behind At worst, Cincinnati is lined up game if neither team is in the game minimum. No. 11 Oklahoma (6-2) and No. 13 The playoff semifinals match the No. 1 nicely to win out and grab the spot seed vs. the No. 4 seed, and No. 2 will face Iowa State (6-2), among others. No. 3. The semifinals will be hosted at the guaranteed to the top Group of Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2021. The Cougars were No. 8 in the lat- The championship game will be played on Five conference champion in the est AP Top 25. Jan. 11, 2021 at Miami Gardens, Fla. New Year’s six bowls. The highest-ranked Pac-12 tee from meeting in person as usu- The contenders for that spot if team was Oregon at 15th. South- al at the Gaylord Hotel in Grape- Cincinnati collapses down the ern California was 18th. vine, Texas, just outside Dallas. stretch are Coastal Carolina from Much like this entire college And the playoff itself is scheduled the Sun Belt at 20, Marshall from football season played in a pan- to go off as scheduled with the Conference USA at 21 and the demic, the rankings schedule has semifinals on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bearcats’ AAC rival, Tulsa, at 25. been delayed and truncated this Bowl and Sugar Bowl, and the BYU is not only outside the real- year. championship game Jan. 11 at istic playoff race, but the Cougars The 13-person selection com- Hard Rock Stadium in Miami would still need to rise a few spots mittee usually starts ranking Gardens, Fla. to have a shot at getting an at-large teams around Halloween and pro- Because of the strange season, invite to one of the lucrative New duces six rankings before the final these initial committee rankings Year’s Six games. ones that determine which 12 had more intrigue than normal “Great motivation for our teams will play in the semifinals and several questions to answer. guys,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake and major bowl games. “We embraced the chaos,” com- said on ESPN . This is the first of four reveals mittee chairman Gary Barta, who A bid to the Fiesta, Cotton or leading up to the only ones that re- is Iowa’s athletic director, told Peach bowls would be worth $4 CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP ally count, scheduled to be re- ESPN. million to the independent Cou- Coach P.J. Fleck and Minnesota called off the annual battle with Wis­ leased on Dec. 20. How did the committee treat the gars, who are not eligible for the consin for Paul Bunyan’s Axe — which was slated for Saturday after­ The coronavirus pandemic non-Power Five unbeatens? spot reserved for the Group of noon — due to an uptick in COVID­19 cases within the program. didn’t stop the selection commit- Cincinnati (8-0) should be Five. Thursday, November 26, 2020 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 COLLEGE BASKETBALL Pandemic has opening week in disarray Tourneys rearranged, canceled BY CLIFF BRUNT from the original slate — though Associated Press the event is going ahead with re- Wichita State landed in Sioux placement teams and without Falls, S.D., on Monday afternoon, fans. masked up and looking forward to “It’s been a wild ride,” said Lea RICK DANZL / AP tipping off the season in the Cross- Miller-Tooley, the tournament di- Illinois forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili, left, and guard Ayo Dosunmu are swarmed by fans after the Illini beat over Classic. rector. “We’ve learned a lot, but Michigan State on Feb. 5, 2019 in Champaign, Ill. A few hours later, the Shockers we’ve really been able to hang in announced they were out of the there.” tournament after multiple posi- Texas A&M, Creighton and tive COVID-19 tests. Event orga- Wichita State are the most recent Silent: Arenas are less intimidating nizers said the tests came from programs to drop out or be re- two players who were re-tested moved from the Crossover Classic FROM PAGE 24 for 65 years. Saint Joseph’s, Villa- before the final decision was field. Utah, Ohio State and Dayton Orange Crush at Illinois will be nova, La Salle, Penn and Temple made. already had backed out. South Da- less intimidating and the ghost- have long had their rivalry games “The kids were excited because kota State, Utah State, St. Mary’s, like sound of “Rock Chalk Jay- intertwined in the fabric of Philly they were going to get to compete Northern Iowa, Western Ken- hawk” at Kansas will be merely sports. But the Quakers are not against someone,” said Wichita tucky and Virginia Common- echoes from thousands of previ- playing this season because the State interim coach Isaac Brown, wealth have stepped in as replace- ous wins. entire Ivy League is shut down whose team had been practicing ment teams. VCU was quickly “Without doubt, this is a diffi- and the “Big 4” just doesn’t have since June. “Just to get here and added after Wichita State was re- cult announcement for us to deliv- the same ring to it. find out that we’re not able to play moved. The Rams had been er to our Taylor community,” in- “It’s been hard trying to get my in the tournament — they were scheduled to play in the Volunteer terim president Paige Comstock arms around this entire situation,” disappointed.” Classic this week, but that event Cunningham said in announcing said Temple coach Aaron McKie, Eight months after the corona- was canceled. the cancellation of Silent Night, whose team has had a number of virus shut down college basketball A day after UConn announced it “but the health of each student, schedule changes due to positive at tournament time, the sport re- was pausing its women’s season faculty and staff member, as well tests and contact tracing. “But it’s turns this week with dozens of for 14 days following a positive as that of our families, must be our our reality now. It’s what everybo- teams opening their seasons as coronavirus test, organizers of the primary objective.” dy throughout the country is deal- early as Wednesday and the pan- Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge Indeed, very little has been nor- ing with.” demic still raging. It has already tournament canceled this week- mal since sports returned from a There are some benefits to tra- forced cancellations and post- end’s event, which was to feature long shutdown with the NBA and ditions taking a hike. ponements across the country, the Huskies and No. 6 Mississippi NHL playoffs held in largely fan- The poor student in The Hawk leading to a chaotic scramble to State. less bubbles and Major League CHRIS SZAGOLA / AP mascot costume at Saint Joseph’s schedule opponents willing to UConn coach Geno Auriemma Baseball played before oceans of The Saint Joseph's mascot Hawk might get a break from flapping drop everything to play. said he was not sure his program empty seats. The NFL season won't be running onto he court his wings the entire night and No. 2 Baylor, 9 Duke and the No. can make up those games or a brought small numbers of fans, as this season like in seasons past. maybe there will be no need to 3 UConn women have all canceled scheduled Dec. 4 showdown with did the return of college football in dodge tortillas during visits to games because of COVID-19. No. 5 Louisville that also has been some locations, but the sense of After we play a couple of games, Texas Tech. The Shockers were the sixth canceled. He said he has been electricity has still been missing. I’ll let you know how good or how For the first time in 35 years, team to pull out of the South Dako- spending a lot of time reassuring That will be even more pro- bad it is. I will tell you this, though: John Brown University in Arkan- ta tournament alone — only West players that things are going to be nounced for college hoops, where I know overall it’s an advantage sas won’t have to deal with the Virginia and Memphis are left fine. fans packed into arenas ranging for us.” same old technical foul in its home from the tiny (G.B. Hodge Center Just about every school has opener — there won’t be a capac- at South Carolina-Upstate, capac- unique traditions that have been ity crowd unfurling 2,000 rolls of ity 878) to the massive (Carrier quarantined. toilet paper onto the court when Dome at Syracuse, capacity Michigan State is only allowing the Golden Eagles score their first 35,446) are close enough to the ac- friends and families of players and points. tion that they can see and smell the coaches, meaning the raucous Iz- “Times are very different,” sweat dripping from the players. zone section will be on hiatus. The Kentucky guard Davion Mintz Fans in such close proximity handful of people allowed for Indi- said. “I know that it will be very create massive homecourt advan- ana games won’t be singing the different. I say that it will actually tages at places such as Allen Field- “William Tell Overture” at the un- be pretty tough coming out start- house (Kansas) and turn venues der-8 timeout of the second half ing, but like I said, we have to find such as Cameron Indoor Stadium with the same gusto. Chants of “I energy from within each other, (Duke) into nightmares for oppos- Believe” at Utah State, “O-H-I-O” kind of get each other motivated. ing teams. at Ohio State and “Boomer Soon- Realize that we are on TV playing, “I’m starting my 41st year here, er” at Oklahoma will feel very dif- so there are still our fans around so I’ve benefited greatly from hav- ferent when they are merely audio the world watching. Just try to ing that sixth man to create one of recordings. make it work.” the best environments in sport, not Fans are locked out of the Pal- JESSICA HILL / AP just in basketball,” Duke coach estra, the old Philadelphia gym AP basketball writer Aaron Beard and AP sports Coach Geno Auriemma and the Connecticut women were forced to Mike Krzyzewski said. “We’ll see. that has served as the Big 5 home writer Dan Gelston contributed to this report. pause the season for 14 days due to a positive COVID­19 test. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Thursday, November 26, 2020 Leading by example SPORTS Washington's Young having great rookie season ›› NFL, Page 21

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Silent nights Best traditions under quarantine BY DAVE SKRETTA university to call it off this year. The standing room- Associated Press only crowd, including hundreds of students dressed here is a tradition at Taylor University, a in their pajamas, will stay at home, unable to sing the small NAIA school in Indiana, where the old Christmas standard of the same name at the end entire crowd sits in complete silence until of the game. KEITH SRAKOCIC, ABOVE, AND BEN MCKEOWN, BELOW / AP Tthe men’s basketball team scores its 10th As the college basketball season begins this week, Above: Pittsburgh fans in the student section known as “The Oakland point of the game and sets off a wild celebration. there is a disheartening absence of tradition. The Zoo” jeer while holding newspapers as the North Carolina State start­ Thanks to the scourge of COVID-19, there will be population of Krzyzewskiville at Duke will be zero, ing lineup is introduced before a Jan. 20, 2016 game in Pittsburgh. no Silent Night game this year. Only silence. the Oakland Zoo at Pittsburgh a little more tame. The Below: Maine’s Ilija Stojiljkovic tries to inbound the ball as the Cam­ The game has been played on the Friday before fi- eron Crazies shout during a game at Duke on Dec. 3, 2016. nals week for decades, but the pandemic forced the SEE SILENT ON PAGE 23

Alabama No. 1 in first playoff rankings ›› College football, Page 22