MILITARY FACES NBA PLAYOFFS Stars and Stripes Tyler Perry brings 2018 draft class interpreter in Iraq Madea back out having a moment becomes a soldier of retirement in this postseason Page 3 Page 13 Page 24

Marine general fired over 2020 AAV sinking in which 9 died ›› Page 4

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Volume 80 Edition 40 ©SS 2021 CONTINGENCY EDITION FRIDAY,JUNE 11, 2021 Free to Deployed Areas

AFGHANISTAN Advocates want Afghans who worked for US moved to Guam

BY J.P. LAWRENCE Stars and Stripes KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S. should evacuate thousands of interpreters and others who aided the U.S. military and government to the Pacific territory of Guam while they await decisions on their immigration visas, advocates and lawmakers said. Worsening security in Afghan- istan as U.S. troops withdraw has led to fears that those who worked with foreign forces may be left vulnerable to Taliban retribution. “We must evacuate our Afghan friends and allies immediately,” said a letter sent to President Joe Biden last week by the bipartisan Honoring Our Promises Working Group, which includes 21 House lawmakers led by veteran Reps. Seth Moulton and Jason Crow. “We also recommend that the PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP President’s Interagency Task President Joe Biden speaks to American service members at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England, on Wednesday. Force specifically consider the op- tion of using Guam as a temporary evacuation site before moving our friends and allies to more perma- nent locations within the conti- nental United States,” the letter Biden steps onto world stage said. More than 18,000 applicants have applied for the Special Immi- On 1st overseas trip, president seeks to reaffirm commitment to US role abroad grant Visa, which allows those fac- ing threats after aiding the U.S. to Associated Press RELATED On Thursday, Biden and Prime Minister Bo- immigrate with their families. CARBIS BAY, England — President Joe Bi- ris Johnson met for more than an hour and- The vetting process for each den stepped onto the global stage Thursday, Biden praises US troops, signed a document “building on the commit- SIV applicant could take far long- meeting with Britain’s prime minister and out- ments and aspirations set out 80 years go” by SEE AFGHANS ON PAGE 6 lining plans for the U.S. to donate 500 million families during speech predecessors Franklin D. Roosevelt and Win- vaccine doses around the globe. Wednesday at Mildenhall ston Churchill in the Atlantic Charter. RELATED Biden had arrived in Britain on Wednesday, That document led to the United Nations and landing at RAF Mildenhall and greeting U.S. Page 9 NATO. The new one looks to the challenge Afghanistan’s special service members based there. It was just the meet with Group of Seven leaders before con- posed by countries like China and Russia with first stop on his first overseas trip. tinuing to Brussels for a NATO summit, a its promises to promote free trade, human operations troops The president seeks to reaffirm to allies his meeting with heads of the European Union and rights and a rules-based international order, could train in Europe commitment to the U.S. role abroad, which face-to-face meetings with other world lead- and to counter “those who seek to undermine stands in contrast to former President Donald ers, including Russian President Vladimir Pu- Page 6 Trump’s “America First” approach. Biden will tin in Geneva. SEE BIDEN ON PAGE 9 PAGE 2 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 BUSINESS/WEATHER GameStop names Amazon vet as CEO; sales rise EXCHANGE RATES Military rates South Korea (Won) 1115.45 Associated Press said that Mike Recupero, who staff is conducting an investiga- Switzerland (Franc) .8949 Euro costs (June 11) $1.19 Thailand (Baht) 31.15 NEW YORK — GameStop, the most recently was CFO of Ama- tion into the trading activity in its Dollar buys (June 11) 0.8009 Turkey (NewLira) 8.4783 British pound (June 11) $1.38 video-game retailer whose manic zon’s North American consumer stock and shares of other compa- Japanese yen (June 11) 107.00 (Military exchange rates are those available stock movements captivated Wall business, will begin as chief finan- nies. GameStop said it doesn’t ex- South Korean won (June 11) 1087.00 to customers at military banking facilities in the Commercial rates country of issuance for Japan, South Korea, Ger­ Street this year, said Wednesday cial officer on July 12. pect the inquiry to hurt it. many, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bahrain(Dinar) .3769 For nonlocal currency exchange rates (i.e., pur­ that it’s brought on a pair of Ama- GameStop’s stock has been on a GameStop said it’s still losing Britain (Pound) 1.4154 chasing British pounds in Germany), check with Canada (Dollar) 1.2093 your local military banking facility. Commercial zon veterans as its new chief exec- wild rocket ride, soaring more money, posting a net loss of $66.8 China(Yuan) 6.3910 rates are interbank rates provided for reference Denmark (Krone) 6.1044 utive and chief financial officer to than 1,500% this year as waves of million for the three months Egypt (Pound) 15.6692 when buying currency. All figures are foreign aid in its much anticipated digital smaller-pocketed investors piled through May 1. But that’s not as Euro .8209 currencies to one dollar, except for the British Hong Kong (Dollar) 7.7602 pound, which is represented in dollars­to­ turnaround. in on hopes that it can transform bad as the $165.7 million loss from Hungary (Forint) 283.49 pound, and the euro, which is dollars­to­euro.) Israel (Shekel) 3.2423 Matt Furlong, who most recent- itself into an e-commerce power- a year earlier, and its sales of $1.28 Japan (Yen) 109.64 INTEREST RATES ly oversaw Amazon’s Australia house after sales at its brick-and- billion was stronger than the $1.16 Kuwait(Dinar) .3007 Norway (Krone) 8.2765 Prime rate 3.25 business and spent nine years mortar stores faltered. GameStop billion that analysts expected. Philippines (Peso) 47.73 Interest Rates Discount rate 0.75 Poland (Zloty) 3.67 Federal funds market rate 0.06 with the company, will start as said Wednesday that the Securi- Sales grew 25% even as the com- Saudi Arabia (Riyal) 3.7506 3­month bill 0.03 CEO on June 21. GameStop also ties and Exchange Commission’s pany closed some of its stores. Singapore (Dollar) 1.3242 30­year bond 2.17 WEATHER OUTLOOK FRIDAY IN THE MIDDLE EAST FRIDAY IN EUROPE SATURDAY IN THE PACIFIC

Misawa 67/62

Kabul Seoul 93/60 76/63 Baghdad 98/74 Osan Tokyo Drawsko Kandahar Mildenhall/ 81/69 73/60 110/65 Pomorskie Busan Lakenheath 71/57 70/67 72/60 Iwakuni Kuwait City 70/65 Bahrain Zagan Sasebo Guam 106/85 93/90 Brussels Ramstein 73/60 75/71 74/55 77/53 83/80 Riyadh Lajes, 105/80 Doha Azores Stuttgart 102/84 66/60 75/56 Pápa Aviano/ 75/55 Vicenza 75/60

Naples 77/65 Okinawa Morón 80/75 95/64 Sigonella Rota 80/64 The weather is provided by the Djibouti 77/64 Souda Bay American Forces Network Weather Center, 96/85 72/66 2nd Weather Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

TODAY IN STRIPES American Roundup ...... 10 Comics ...... 14 Crossword ...... 14 Faces ...... 13 Opinion ...... 16 Sports ...... 18-24 Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 3 MILITARY Iraqi interpreter inspired to join Army

BY SETH ROBSON said of her motivation to work with Stars and Stripes journalists. “I wanted to go to the Standing 4 feet, 11 inches and battlefield and see for myself and weighing 110 pounds, Army Spc. do something and get the job done Zainab Olivo had her work cut out and help.” marching with 60 pounds of gear Olivo’s duties with the newspa- during basic training at Fort Leo- per took her to combat outposts, nard Wood, Mo. where she saw U.S. troops at work, The physical challenge of boot and to the war-ravaged suburbs of camp, which Olivo, 32, completed Mosul filled with enemy snipers, in March, was just the latest hur- improvised explosive devices and dle for someone who had seen her armed drones. share of war before putting on a Stars and Stripes reporter Chad uniform. Garland, who worked with Olivo As a child growing up southwest in Iraq, praised her bravery. of Baghdad in the Iraqi city of Kar- “Zainab had a way of getting us bala, she dreamed of becoming a closer to the front lines than the police officer or a soldier. Years Iraqis initially seemed to want to later, during the war against the let us go,” he said in a June 4 email. Islamic State, she got a taste of On a ride into Mosul with the that life while working on the front Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service lines as an interpreter and trans- in 2016, the pair found themselves lator for Stars and Stripes. next to a Humvee with a gunner Olivo was a 14-year-old school- firing a .50 caliber machine gun, girl when a U.S.-led coalition in- presumably at the enemy, Gar- vaded the country and deposed land recalled. BRIAN HILL/U.S. Army dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. “I don’t think the Iraqis realized Army Spc. Zainab Olivo takes part in engineer training earlier this year with Company D, 554th Engineer She recalled the chaos of that time they’d brought us that close to the Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. in a May 14 telephone interview fight until we got there,” he said. from Fort Leonard Wood. The city was recaptured from well as anyone and on ruck march- “It was a mess,” she said of post- ISIS by the end of July 2017, a year es, carrying a heavy load with a invasion Iraq. “There was no gov- later, Olivo moved to the United weapon, she keeps up.” ernment and no army left and just States on a family visa. Part of the engineer training in- the American soldiers and Ma- She enlisted in the Army last volved learning how to use heavy rines. They were handing out food summer and completed advanced equipment such as tractors and and water to civilians.” individual training at Fort Leo- excavators. Olivo said she was impressed by nard Wood on May 29 to become Olivo’s experience in Iraq in- the seemingly superhuman an engineer. cluded working at Qayara Airfield strength of the U.S. troops who Olivo’s company commander West in October 2016. The facility, marched in the heat carrying their during engineer training, Capt. at that time recently recaptured weapons and heavy equipment. Zachary Hawkins, said she came from ISIS, had been repaired by In 2011, as U.S. forces returned into the Army with more military Air Force engineers. home, Olivo’s family moved to the knowledge than most recruits Olivo said her goal is to deploy northern Iraqi city of Irbil, where since she had interacted with somewhere with the Army, be- she studied business at Dijlah troops in Iraq. come an active-duty soldier and University and continued to im- “She saw how they presented train as an officer. prove the English she’d learned in themselves, and I think she came She is also planning to become a school. into basic training and advanced U.S. citizen with the help of the Ar- But in 2014, ISIS plunged Iraq individual training already know- my, she said. into conflict once more and ing a lot of things service mem- “I want to make a difference brought U.S. forces back to the bers do,” he said. and I want to be part of something country. Olivo, who by then had a The other trainees, who are bigger,” she said. “And that is why daughter of her own, answered a mostly 19 and 20 years old, looked I chose the Army.” job advertisement and started to her for wisdom and knowledge, working as a linguist for Stars and Hawkins added. Editor’s note: The author of this report worked Stripes. Soon, she found herself “She is small, but it doesn’t with Zainab Olivo on several assignments in Iraq ZAINAB OLIVO between 2014 and 2017. face-to-face with the conflict. seem to faze her,” he said. “She is [email protected] Zainab Olivo works in Iraq as an interpreter and translator for Stars “I am against extremists,” she able to operate equipment just as Twitter: @SethRobson1 and Stripes in 2017. Army proposes tripling Arlington National Cemetery budget BY NIKKI WENTLING would begin late this summer, said Barba- that had been in the works since the 1990s. prisoners of war, presidents and vice pres- Stars and Stripes ra Lewandrowski, director of public af- Even with the extra acres from that expan- idents, combat veterans who were award- WASHINGTON — Arlington National fairs for Arlington. The work would take sion and the Southern Expansion Project, ed the Silver Star or above, service mem- Cemetery would receive nearly triple its about six years, with an estimated comple- the cemetery is still expected to reach its bers who had combat-related deaths and current budget under the U.S. Army fund- tion date in early 2027. limits by the mid-2050s. combat veterans who also served as gov- ing request for fiscal 2022. The project would expand the cemeter- The cemetery is expected to announce ernment officials and “made significant The Army, which operates Arlington y’s border to encompass the U.S. Air Force later this year new eligibility criteria for contributions to the nation’s security at the National Cemetery, proposed $228 million Memorial. Tens of thousands of burial burial at Arlington. Currently, most veter- highest levels of public service.” Arlington for the cemetery — up from the $82 million sites would be readied in the land around ans and military retirees are eligible for ei- also would reserve 1,000 burial plots for it received in 2021. Of the requested it. The cemetery acquired the land — both ther above- or below-ground burial. The Medal of Honor recipients. amount, $141 million would go toward a the existing green space and roads — last Army began a lengthy rulemaking process “The hard reality is we are running out project to expand the cemetery’s border year. in 2019 to change the criteria. of space,” Karen Durham-Aguilera, direc- and add 80,000 burial spaces. Arlington National Cemetery, long At the start of the rulemaking process, tor of the cemetery, said at the time. The Southern Expansion Project would viewed as a shrine to America’s fallen he- the Army proposed restricting below- add 37 acres to the cemetery. If Congress roes, is quickly nearing capacity. In 2018, ground burial to service members killed in [email protected] approves the budget request, construction the cemetery opened a 27-acre expansion action, Purple Heart recipients, former Twitter: @nikkiwentling PAGE 4 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 MILITARY Marine Corps general fired over AAV sinking BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS Marine Expeditionary Unit, lack would be charged with the respon- Stars and Stripes of safety boats in the water, a high- sibility of caring for Marines and WASHINGTON — The Marine er-than-anticipated sea state, and sailors,” the Marine Corps said. Corps has fired its inspector gen- insufficient buoyancy provided by The investigation into the 15th eral in connection with an assault personal flotation devices at MEU remains underway, and will amphibious vehicle accident last depth,” the service said in a March be released once completed, the year in which nine service mem- statement announcing the find- service said. bers died, the service announced ings. The investigation also deter- Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., Wednesday. mined Castellvi “bears some re- in a statement Wednesday called Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi will sponsibility” in the accident, ac- the firing “an important step” to- not return to his position after Ma- cording to a Wednesday report by ward “ensur(ing) that dangerous rine Commandant Gen. David The Associated Press. training required to prepare our Berger suspended him May 3 His removal comes after some service members for combat is amid an investigation into the for- family members of the troops who done as safely as possible.” mation of the 15th Marine Expedi- died in the sinking questioned “It is my view that [Castellvi’s] tionary Unit, which now oversees JAILINE ALICEASANTIAGO/U.S. Marine Corps why no generals were punished in failures in ensuring the Marines the AAV platoon that suffered the Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi was punished for failing to the accident, according to the AP. under his charge were adequately accident, the service said in a properly train Marines and sailors and evaluate the platoon before a Castellvi’s punishment did not trained prior to joining the 15th statement. 2020 training exercise that resulted in nine deaths. include a reduction in rank, but Marine Expeditionary Unit were At the time of the accident, Cas- his removal as inspector general a direct and contributing factor to tellvi served as commanding gen- him,” the Corps said in its state- An investigation published will remain part of his permanent the tragic loss of eight Marines eral of the 1st Marine Division, ment. “The commandant person- March 25 found maintenance pro- record “and must be considered if and one Navy corpsman last July,” which was in charge of the AAV ally and formally counseled him cedures on the AAV were disre- he is evaluated for promotion, re- said Garamendi, who serves as platoon in the training accident for his failure to properly train the garded and troops were not prop- tention, or roles of responsibility,” chairman of the House Armed that killed eight Marines and one Marines and sailors for whom he erly trained in evacuation and according to the service’s Services Committee’s subpanel on sailor about 70 miles off Califor- was entrusted and for the inade- safety procedures. Wednesday statement. readiness. nia’s southern coast. quate evaluation of the AAV pla- “Contributing factors included “This action typically prevents “The commandant took adverse toon before it was attached to the lack of training, the material con- an officer from being promoted or [email protected] administration action against 15th MEU.” dition of the AAVs assigned to 15th serving in a role where he/she Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos Marines on Okinawa resume waterborne AAV drills after incident

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Sailors, and complete our mission Stars and Stripes responsibly,” the III MEF com- CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — mander, Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy, The Marine Corps has resumed said in the statement. “We will waterborne assault amphibious continue to mitigate risk while vehicle operations on Okinawa, employing a ready and capable nearly a year after nine service force to deter aggression and re- members died while training in spond to crisis in the region in one of the vehicles off the Cali- support of our nation’s interests fornia coast. and our allies and partners.” A “demanding” training began The AAV now in use was first last week and was completed fielded in 1983 to ferry Marines Tuesday by Marines from Com- from ship to shore for both com- pany B, 3rd Assault Amphibian bat and humanitarian operations, Battalion following a “thorough” according to the Marine Corps. It review of safety, maintenance resembles an armored tank that and operating processes and pro- can traverse both land and sea. It cedures, a III Marine Expedition- was designed to carry 21 combat- ary Force statement said. equipped troops and a crew of The maneuvers were conduct- three at a maximum speed of 8 DIANA JIMENEZ/U.S. Marine Corps ed in compliance with updated mph at sea. The 26-ton vehicles Marines from Company B, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion train in an assault amphibious vehicle at Camp policies and procedures following are much faster on land at a max- Schwab, Okinawa, on June 2. the fatal accident on July 30, imum of 45 mph. 2020, according to the statement. The vehicles have been at the ment, procedures and training were directed to review safety spector general after it was deter- The incident took the lives of heart of Marine operations in the was conducted. The AAVs were practices and procedures and en- mined he was at least partially re- eight Marines and one sailor Pacific in recent years, often seen inspected to ensure watertight- sure commanders were directly sponsible. from Bravo Company, Battalion during exercises plunging into ness, bilge pump function and responsible for safety. They were Review boards are still consid- Landing Team 1/4 of the 15th Ma- the surf off the back of one of the emergency lighting. also ordered to improve training ering separation for some of the rine Expeditionary Unit. The Ma- Navy’s amphibious assault ships An investigation found proper for exiting AAVs in an emergen- disciplined Marine officials, Gen. rine Corps called it the deadliest and heading toward shore for a maintenance had been disregard- cy and communications between Gary Thomas, the assistant com- AAV training accident in its his- beach raid. ed, Marines had not been proper- vehicles during a mishap. mandant of the Marine Corps, tory. The platform came under in- ly trained and leadership had The service told a subpanel of said at the May 3 hearing. III MEF heralded the “return” tense scrutiny after last year’s ac- failed to evacuate personnel in a the House Armed Services Com- The service is in the process of of an “important capability,” its cident, about 70 miles off Califor- timely manner. The Corps also mittee last month that 11 Marine replacing its fleet of AAVs with statement said. “Everything pos- nia’s southern coast. The AAV be- determined there was a lack of leaders had been disciplined so the next-generation amphibious sible” is being done to ensure gan taking on water while return- safety boats in the water that day, far for their roles in the sinking. combat vehicle by BAE Systems safety. ing to the USS Somerset. high waves and deficient person- Maj. Gen. Robert Castellvi, after abandoning plans to mod- “We completed a rigorous re- After the incident, waterborne al flotation devices. who commanded the 1st Marine ernize the AAV fleet. view to ensure we can operate use of the vehicles was suspend- Commanders of the I Marine Division at the time of the sink- our [amphibious assault vehicles] ed by Commandant Gen. David Expeditionary Force in Califor- ing, was fired Wednesday from [email protected] safely, protect our Marines and Berger while a review of equip- nia and III MEF on Okinawa his position as Marine Corps in- Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 5 MILITARY DOD implements China Task Force proposals BY CAITLIN DOORNBOS as a “strategic competitor” in the 2018 Na- approaches deterrence, operational con- Stars and Stripes tional Defense Strategy because of the na- cepts, emerging capabilities, future force WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary tion’s rapid military expansion and mod- posture, technology [and the] civilian and Lloyd Austin on Wednesday issued a de- ernization, “influence operations and pred- military workforce.” partment-wide directive with initiatives atory economics to coerce neighboring “For instance, to ensure that the depart- meant to close “the say-do gap” between countries to reorder the Indo-Pacific region ment has the people that we need to com- stated counter-China objectives and estab- to their advantage.” pete effectively, the secretary tasked the lished policies and operations, a senior de- While the 2018 strategy “was critically undersecretary for personnel and readin- fense official told reporters. important in highlighting the need to prior- ess with updating professional military The largely classified initiatives are itize China,” the task force found “a ‘say-do education and civilian professional devel- based on recommendations by the Penta- gap’ between the stated prioritization of opment to align the department with the gon’s China Task Force, the official said China and what we saw in a number of areas prioritization of China,” the official said. during a teleconference. President Joe Bi- related to attention, resources and process- Also as part of the initiatives, Austin will den announced the task force in February to es,” the official said. “The directive today is “personally be reviewing efforts to acceler- assess the Defense Department’s China-re- really about ensuring that the department ate the joint-warfighting concept through lated programs, policies and processes and lives up to that prioritization.” joint experimentation and prototyping,” the identify top priorities and recommenda- The Biden administration is drafting a official said. tions for the Pentagon new national defense strategy, which will “The internal directive is written with “This directive from the secretary is ulti- be shaped in part by the task force’s find- clearly stated objectives [and] defined mately about getting the department’s JACKIE SANDERS/Office of the Secretary of Defense ings, the official said. It is expected to re- tasks to specific components with deadlines house in order and ensuring that the depart- Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin main critical of China. for implementation and mechanisms for ment lives up to the stated prioritization of The task force gave Austin their findings oversight and accountability,” the official China as the number one pacing challenge,” the National Security Council and the State in April. He used them to issue the Wednes- said. “To the extent possible we design said the official, who spoke on the condition Department during their analysis, the offi- day directive with set “deadlines as soon as these efforts to run through the lifeblood of of anonymity. The task force consisted of 23 cial said. 30, 45, 60 days and beyond for components the department, leveraging existing institu- members from across the Defense Depart- “We decided early on that we didn’t want to come back with proposed courses of ac- tions and only recommending new process- ment, including representatives from each to produce a set of aspirational recommen- tion and plans for implementation,” the offi- es were necessary.” service branch, several joint-staff combat- dations that would just sit on a shelf, so our cial said. The task force was given four months to ant commands, the intelligence community team sought to understand the critical de- The findings and most of Austin’s initia- complete the project and will stand down and Austin’s office, the official said. bates inside the department and what tives remain classified, but the Pentagon now that their findings have been present- The group “reviewed thousands of pages would be required to bring greater focus, will “provide updates to Congress and pub- ed, according to the Pentagon. of documents, strategies and analysis,” in- unity of effort and coordination on the Chi- licly when possible,” the official said. terviewed “hundreds of current and former na challenge,” the official said. The official said the initiatives focus on [email protected] DOD officials,” and consulted Congress, The United States first identified China major areas including “how the department Twitter: @CaitlinDoornbos PAGE 6 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 WAR ON TERRORISM Afghan special ops troops could train in Europe

BY JOHN VANDIVER looking at several possible locations Afghanistan, which is expected to techniques. the past two decades, will factor in- Stars and Stripes to host Afghan forces. be complete by September. The On Monday, NATO leaders will to the talks. Despite overwhelming STUTTGART, Germany — Af- “We are in the process of looking U.S. has moved at least 500 C-17 gather in Brussels for a summit that superiority in numbers, firepower ghan special operations troops at out-of-country special forces loads of material out of Afghanistan brings together allied heads of and mobility, the combined U.S., could be headed to Europe for a NA- training in certain locations, to and has turned over six military state, including President Joe Bi- NATO and government forces TO training mission that is expect- bring NATO special forces activ- sites to the Afghan Defense Minis- den. The meetings will focus on NA- haven’t been able to inflict a deci- ed to continue after the U.S.-led ities out of Afghanistan, into a re- try, according to U.S. Central Com- TO’s 2030 initiative, which seeks to sive defeat on the Taliban guerril- coalition completes its withdrawal mote location, probably some- mand, which as of Tuesday estimat- adapt the alliance for future threats. las. from the country, the top U.S. mil- where in Europe,” Wolters said ed that the U.S. has completed more Among the issues to be discussed is “We are still going to find ways to itary commander in Europe said. Wednesday during a discussion at than “50% of the entire retrograde getting NATO more focused on Chi- work with Afghanistan from a NA- Gen. Tod Wolters, who serves as the Atlantic Council, a Washington- process.” na’s emergence as an economic and TO perspective,” Wolters said. head of U.S. European Command based think tank. Wolters said the aim is to contin- military rival. and as NATO’s supreme allied The U.S. and its allies are in the ue training Afghan special oper- Still, the conflict in Afghanistan, [email protected] commander, said the alliance is midst of a rapid withdrawal from ations troops in combat tactics and where allies have been involved for Twitter: @john_vandiver Afghans: Advocacy group estimates 6-month stay for processing

FROM PAGE 1 er than the 90 or fewer days left “We are all seeking a safe place.” until the U.S. withdraws all forces Omid Mahmoodi from Afghanistan. Moving fam- ilies to Guam would allow them to spokesman for a group of former Afghan interpreters be screened and processed for asylum in safety, the letter said. pandemic, Purdy said. Bates, policy counsel for the New Guam has hosted evacuees These rooms will soon fill, how- York-based International Refu- from America’s wars before. After ever, with 6,000 U.S. military per- gee Assistance Project, told Stars the fall of Saigon, the U.S. used sonnel rotating to Guam for train- and Stripes. “I would hope that we Guam as a staging area to sort ap- ing from June to the first week of know enough about COVID miti- proximately 130,000 Vietnam War August, he said. gation at this point that people can refugees, prior to moving them to Guam has also launched cam- be moved to safety without undue mainland U.S. military bases for paigns aimed at gaining back tour- risk to refugees, U.S. government final processing. ists, who come primarily from personnel, or the host country.” In 1996, the island took in more Asia. In Afghanistan, most applicants than 6,000 Iraqi Kurds who were Some residents of the island told waiting for SIVs would welcome persecuted by Saddam Hussein. Guam’s Pacific Daily News that going to Guam, said Omid Mah- More recently, Guam housed sail- they were concerned that the eva- moodi, spokesman for a group of ors from the USS Theodore Roose- cuees may be members of the Ta- former interpreters. velt when a COVID-19 outbreak liban and should be kept on base. About 200 of these interpreters hit that aircraft carrier last year. While the U.S. does background gathered at a Kabul mosque The island is ready to answer checks on locally hired contrac- Thursday to protest delays in their the call again if asked, said Jose tors and employees, military offi- applications. Terlaje, a member of Guam’s Sen- U.S. Marine Corps cials have said that Afghans other “We are all seeking a safe ate. Mohammad Nadir, center, poses with Marines in Helmand province, than SIV applicants could be evac- place,” Mahmoodi said. “If we did it then, we can do it Afghanistan, in 2017. Nadir served as an interpreter for nearly three uated. In Guam, among those pushing again,” Terlaje said, adding that years before applying for a U.S. Special Immigrant Visa. Nadir later Guam would also need a “robust to host Afghan translators and the primary concerns from islan- enlisted in the Marine Corps. vaccination and housing plan that their families is Peter Sgro, a busi- ders are where the evacuees will defends against COVID-19” nessman whose family adopted a be housed and how COVID-19 directives at this time, we remain vocacy group, which is lobbying should it host Afghan evacuees, child who had been evacuated measures will be implemented. confident that we have the capa- for the evacuation. Del. Michael San Nicolas, the is- from Vietnam. No order from the federal gov- bilities and resources to execute The U.S. may need to build tem- land’s nonvoting representative in He said he has been reading ernment has been given yet, such a mission if so tasked,” Pen- porary housing, Purdy said, simi- Congress, said in last week’s let- avidly about the SIV issue and Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero tagon spokesman Maj. Robert lar to the tent cities U.S. engineers ter. hopes that the Afghans can come told the Guam Daily Post last Lodewick said in an emailed state- made for Vietnamese evacuees. Afghanistan has seen a rise in to his island. week. A spokeswoman for the gov- ment. They could be housed at the large deaths from COVID-19 in recent “Time is of the essence,” Sgro ernor declined to comment Thurs- If flown to Guam, the average military bases on the island, Pur- months, but few in the country said. “(I’m) hoping the decision is day, as did the State Department. Afghan family would require dy said. take the pandemic seriously or are made soon so our community can The U.S. military has been de- about six months for administra- They could also stay at Guam’s willing to take vaccines. prepare.” veloping plans in case they are re- tive processing, said Chris Purdy, hotels, which have more than “A pandemic is not an ideal time quired to evacuate the Afghans. project manager of the D.C.-based 8,400 rooms but have been mostly for a mass evacuation, but this is a [email protected] “While there are no requests or Veterans for American Ideals ad- empty over the last year due to the matter of life and death,” Adam Twitter: @jplawrence3 Missiles target Iraqi army bases that host US troops, contractors

BY QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA The base housed foreign contrac- tack and a trailer belonging to the The attacks are the latest in a contractors maintaining Iraq’s Associated Press tors. coalition was set on fire by the at- string that continue to target the F-16 fighter jets from the Balad BAGHDAD — Multiple rockets Hours later, at least one missile tack. There were no casualties, U.S. presence in Iraq. Over a doz- base over security reasons. targeted two Iraqi military bases hit close to a military base next to they said. en have targeted Iraqi military Recent attacks have featured hosting U.S.-led coalition troops Baghdad airport, two Iraqi securi- The officials spoke on condition bases and Baghdad’s highly forti- more sophisticated weaponry, and foreign contractors Wednes- ty officials said. It was unclear of anonymity because they were fied Green Zone since President such as drones, which has day, Iraqi security officials and whether the explosion was caused not authorized to brief the media. Joe Biden assumed office this alarmed U.S. and Iraqi military of- the military said. by a rocket or a drone strike. There was no immediate claim year. More than 10 people have ficials. The attacks occur as Bagh- Three rockets hit Balad Air One Iraqi security official said of responsibility for the strikes, been killed, including two foreign dad and Washington work on Base, north of Baghdad, without they had heard two rockets. The but U.S. officials have previously contractors. drawing up a timetable for the causing any casualties or damage, second said preliminary findings blamed Iran-backed Iraqi militia Lockheed Martin announced withdrawal of combat forces from an Iraqi military statement said. indicated it had been a drone at- factions for such assaults. last month that it was withdrawing Iraq. Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 7 MILITARY Pilot disorientation led to deadly F-16 crash BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL After the two pilots established including darkness and deterio- Stars and Stripes where they were in relation to rating weather conditions, had af- A Wisconsin Air National each other, Jones’ F-16 “went into fected Jones’ vision, and his fixa- Guard pilot who died when his a series of heading, altitude and tion on rectifying the loss of GPS F-16 crashed in Michigan during a attitude changes … culminating data had impacted his “ability to nighttime training exercise in De- with an extreme attitude” that re- recognize, confirm and recover cember had become disoriented sulted in the crash at 7:17 p.m., the from the unusual attitude created after trying to fix a problem with accident report said. by the spatially disorienting his global positioning system, an The only checklist Jones had event,” leading to the crash, the Air Force accident report said. access to when he was conducting report concluded. “The cause of the mishap was the in-flight alignment, or IFA, Jones, whose call sign was the [pilot’s] failure to effectively did not include a note to say GPS “Hawk,” joined the Air National recover from spatial disorienta- satellite tracking data is neces- Guard in 2011. He graduated from tion,” Brig. Gen. David W. Smith, sary for the maneuver, the report the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot president of the Air Force Acci- said. Training Program at Sheppard dent Investigation Board, said in The F-16 was traveling at 690 Air Force Base, Texas, in 2013, ac- the report released Wednesday. mph when it crashed, the report cording to the report, and started Capt. Durwood Jones, 37, died Wisconsin Air National Guard said. Its nose, which was pitched flying F-16s in 2015, the Guard when the F-16C he was piloting in Air Force Capt. Durwood “Hawk” Jones was killed when the F­16 that at 58 degrees low, and right wing said. He deployed to Japan in 2015 an exercise involving one other he was flying crashed into the Hiawatha National Forest during a tip both struck the ground. Jones and South Korea in 2017. In 2019, F-16 fighter jet crashed into the nighttime training exercise in Michigan in December 2020. did not try to eject. he served a combat tour in Af- Hiawatha National Forest in When Air Force investigators ghanistan. northern Michigan, the National practice mission that was sup- Shortly after takeoff, Jones re- recreated the crash, they deter- His awards included two Air Guard said in a statement in De- posed to include an air-to-air in- ported to his wingman that his mined that the fighter jet was in a Medals with “C” devices awarded cember. tercept of a Cessna aircraft oper- GPS was not receiving satellite 45-degree descent, traveling at for operating under hostile com- Because the plane was totally ated by the Wisconsin Civil Air tracking data, and said he was ini- about 630 mph when it was about bat conditions. destroyed in the crash, accident Patrol. But the CAP canceled the tiating an in-flight alignment of 7,500 feet above the ground. He is survived by his wife and investigators had to rely on radio intercept because of poor weather another navigation system. If Jones had recognized the two children, according to the Na- communications, radar data and conditions. The two F-16s instead While Jones was troubleshoot- problem and taken corrective ac- tional Guard. witness testimony to compile the conducted a practice scramble on ing the GPS issue, he entered a tions, he would have recovered report. a backup instrument profile, the weather system and lost visual within 2,000 feet, the report said. [email protected] The crash occurred during a report said. contact with the other F-16. But environmental conditions, Twitter: @StripesZeit Fuel leak reportedly forced Air Force to down costly drone over Africa

BY KARIN ZEITVOGEL hostile parties. Two months after the accident crash carried a tab of more than U.S. Africa Command’s area of re- Stars and Stripes MQ-9s are used by the Air Force last year, General Atomics Aero- $11 million, it said. sponsibility. That includes 53 The Air Force destroyed a mul- to attack targets, gather intelli- nautical Systems, Inc., which de- There was no reported damage African nations and islands off the timillion-dollar MQ-9 Reaper in gence and conduct search oper- veloped the MQ-9, released a tech- to civilian property, injuries or fa- coast of the vast continent, which June last year by deliberately ations, among other roles. They nical order explaining how to by- talities when the MQ-9 was is three times the size of the conti- crashing it somewhere in Africa can be equipped with laser-guided pass the fuel heater on the MQ-9. brought down, the report said. nental United States, AFRICOM after the drone had a “catastroph- bombs and air-to-ground Hellfire The proposed fixes would cost ap- The exact location in Africa of said on its website. ic” fuel leak during a mission, an missiles. proximately $37,000 for the entire the crash has not been made pub- accident report said. The pilot “controlled the glide of Air Force fleet of MQ-9s, the acci- lic, although the report said the [email protected] The drone, assigned to the the aircraft to optimize the impact dent report said. The June 2020 drone came down somewhere in Twitter: @StripesZeit 162nd Wing of the Arizona Air Na- point” after the MQ-9 ran out of tional Guard and operated by the fuel, roughly three hours after the 214th Attack Squadron Mission first alert that it was running low. Control Element at Davis-Mon- Airspeed was increased until im- than Air Force Base in Arizona, pact around a dozen minutes later, began to display warnings that its Air Force investigators said, and fuel levels were low about three the drone was destroyed in the hours before the crash, said the re- crash. port, released Tuesday. The monthslong probe into the The remote flight crew initially accident found that fuel was leak- thought they had enough fuel to ing from the forward electric fuel return the Reaper to base, but an heater. The problem was not new: hour after the initial alert, the pilot another MQ-9 was nearly lost six and mishap mission crew com- months earlier due to a similar mander determined that the leak leak. In the nine months prior to was catastrophic and began plan- the deliberate crash of the Reaper ning to crash the Reaper “in a way in Africa, eight electric fuel heater that would minimize chances of a leak incidents were reported, the successful recovery effort” by accident investigation found. PAGE 8 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 VIRUS OUTBREAK

Japanese German cities workers on US bases to with US troops get vaccine

BY MATTHEW M. BURKE Stars and Stripes CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — ease restraints The U.S. military will start inocu- lating Japanese base workers in- BY JENNIFER H. SVAN presence. They will allow more terested in receiving either the Stars and Stripes people to participate in group Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vac- KAISERSLAUTERN, Germa- sports and attend cultural events. cines, U.S. Forces Japan an- ny — Restrictions on shopping, in- In the state of Bavaria, home to nounced in a joint statement with door dining, sporting events and U.S. bases in Grafenwoehr, Vil- the Japanese government on other activities were eased further seck, Hohenfels, Ansbach, Illesh- Thursday. Thursday in parts of Germany eim and Garmisch, restaurants Details, such as when the vacci- with large U.S. military popula- were allowed to resume indoor nations would begin or how they tions, as the number of new coro- dining Monday and may stay open would be rolled out, were not in- navirus infections continued to until midnight. cluded in the release. USFJ did fall. Restaurants must require a not respond to requests seeking In Wiesbaden, home to U.S. Ar- negative coronavirus test in areas further information Thursday af- my Europe and Africa headquar- with incidence rates between 50 DAVID EDGE/Stars and Stripes ternoon. ters, the weekly average inci- and 100 new cases per 100,000 The outside seating at a Starbucks in Wiesbaden, Germany, is packed The inoculations will be per- dence rate dropped below 50 new people. But most cities and dis- Thursday. formed in close coordination with cases per 100,000 people. As of tricts in Bavaria are below 35 and Japan’s own vaccination efforts, Wednesday, Wiesbaden’s inci- some are much lower. On 24,000 U.S. military members nated or recovered from the coro- which are ramping up ahead of the dence rate was 28.7 new cases per Wednesday, the rate in Weiden live, restrictions that limited op- navirus do not count toward par- Tokyo Olympics on July 23. Japa- 100,000 inhabitants, a sharp drop was 4.7, and in the Amberg-Sulz- portunities for group contact ticipation limits. nese base workers will not be from the end of May, when it was bach district, it was 10.7, accord- sports were to ease starting Fri- In Stuttgart, up to 500 people “treated adversely” if they choose 82.6. ing to Germany’s Robert Koch In- day. The city recorded a weekly are allowed at outdoor events. not to receive a vaccine, the state- The lower threshold allowed stitute. average incidence rate of 19.7 on Bars and restaurants may stay ment added. municipal officials to ease federal- Experts say the combination of Wednesday. open until 1 a.m. “Vaccinating local employees ly mandated restrictions starting increasing vaccination rates and The city will again allow up to 20 Kaiserslautern officials an- will contribute to the prevention of Thursday. People may shop with- warmer weather following people to participate in outdoor nounced Thursday that restau- further spread of COVID-19 in Ja- out an appointment, dine indoors months of lockdown has helped to contact sports; indoors, the num- rants may keep outdoor seating pan and will protect the resilience with a negative coronavirus test, reduce the spread of the virus. ber is limited to 10 under supervi- open until 11 p.m. during the pre- of the Alliance,” the joint state- and visit swimming pools, castles, The nationwide seven-day inci- sion. Children 14 years old and liminary round of the European ment said. “The vaccinations will museums, indoor zoos and botan- dence rate in Germany fell to 19.3 younger may play contact sports Football Championship, a series also ensure steady operations of ical gardens in the city. Mask on Thursday, according to RKI. So indoors in groups of up to 25 peo- of soccer matches in 11 countries USFJ, further enabling the USG to mandates still apply. far, 23.9% of the population has ple if a trainer is present. Up to 250 that starts Friday. meet its Treaty obligations to the Other cities that announced been fully vaccinated and 47% of spectators are permitted at out- security of Japan.” more openings this week tied to the country has received at least door sporting and cultural events. Though Japan has lagged other lower case numbers include Kai- one dose of the vaccine, according Kaiserslautern officials said developed nations in vaccinating [email protected] serslautern and Stuttgart, both of to the agency. that with the exception of sports [email protected] its population, COVID-19 cases which have a sizable U.S. military In Kaiserslautern, where some and cultural events, people vacci- Twitter: @stripesktown have been on the decline in recent weeks after a surge in April and May. Japan reported 1,699 new coro- White House: Agencies should not require vaccine navirus cases as of 7 p.m. Thurs- day, 1,362 fewer than the same day BY ERIC YODER “The Administration strongly workforce as pandemic condi- such as health care facilities. last week, according to public The Washington Post encourages all Americans, includ- tions ease and vaccination rates The task force guidance for fed- broadcaster NHK and the World WASHINGTON — The Biden ing Federal employees and con- rise. It comes as the Biden admin- eral agencies comes after the Health Organization. There were administration has told federal tractors, to be vaccinated,” says a istration is expected to release a Equal Employment Opportunity also 59 deaths reported. The gov- agencies that they generally Tuesday posting by an interagen- broader policy about when and Commission put out its own guid- ernment has counted 765,000 CO- should not require their employ- cy task force overseeing pandem- how federal employees can return ance this month saying that com- VID-19 cases during the pandem- ees to be vaccinated against the ic-related policies for the federal to the office and remote work go- panies are permitted to require ic and more than 13,500 deaths, coronavirus to work on-site in fed- workplace. However, “at present, ing forward. vaccines of employees who return the WHO said. eral buildings or to disclose COVID-19 vaccination should Most recently, in response to to the office. U.S. military bases in Japan and whether they are vaccinated. generally not be a pre-condition” updated guidance from the Cen- But so far many private compa- South Korea had reported 14 new Employees who disclose they for federal employees or contrac- ters for Disease Control and Pre- nies have held back, wary of the COVID-19 infections — two at Ka- are unvaccinated or refuse to an- tors to work in person, it states, vention, the task force had said fraught politics surrounding vac- dena Air Base on Okinawa and a swer a voluntary question about while not specifying possible ex- that fully vaccinated federal and cine mandates and the untested dozen on the Korean peninsula — vaccination status should be sub- ceptions. contractor employees no longer legal issues involving vaccines as of 7 p.m. Thursday. ject to safety requirements such The guidance is the latest evolv- need to wear masks or practice so- cleared under the Food and Drug as mask-wearing and social dis- ing workplace policy regarding cial distancing on-site except Administration’s emergency au- [email protected] tancing, new guidance says. the 2.1 million-employee federal where separate policies apply thority. Twitter: @MatthewMBurke1 US unemployment claims fall to 376,000, sixth week straight of decline

Associated Press back for months by the coronavi- people signing up for benefits ex- tivity to a near-standstill in March ment benefits the week of May 29, WASHINGTON — The number rus pandemic. ceeded 900,000 in early January 2020, weekly applications were down by 258,000 from 3.8 million of Americans applying for unem- Jobless claims fell by 9,000 to and has fallen more or less stead- regularly coming in below the week before. ployment benefits fell for the sixth 376,000 from 385,000 the week be- ily ever since. Still, claims are high 220,000. The Labor Department report- straight week as the U.S. economy fore, the Labor Department re- by historic standards. Before the Nearly 3.5 million were receiv- ed Tuesday that job openings hit a reopens rapidly after being held ported Thursday. The number of pandemic brought economic ac- ing traditional state unemploy- record 9.3 million in April. Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 9 NATION In England, Biden praises US troops, families BY KYLE ALVAREZ Among the matters Biden is ex- Stars and Stripes pected to address with Putin are During President Joe Biden’s recent cybersecurity attacks di- first overseas trip as commander rected at U.S. businesses and gov- in chief, he sent a clear message ernment agencies. Officials be- Wednesday that U.S. service mem- lieve Russia was behind those at- bers and their families are key to tacks. strengthening relationships at Biden will convene with NATO home and abroad. allies Monday to discuss security “You are the solid steel spine of issues in Europe and the progress America around which alliances of the alliance’s withdrawal from are built and strengthened,” Biden Afghanistan. Since he took office, told U.S. troops and their families, Biden has talked up the value of speaking in a hangar on RAF Mil- NATO, which faced frequent crit- denhall, England. icism from former President Do- Biden’s speech reflected the nald Trump on issues like defense overall theme for his trip: “Amer- spending. During Biden’s first visit ica is here to lead with strength.” as president to NATO headquar- The U.K. visit — the first stop on ters, the allies are likely to project a his eight-day trip — comes ahead unified front. of a meeting next week with Rus- “This summit will be a strong sian President Vladimir Putin in demonstration of trans-Atlantic Geneva and with leaders at NATO unity, of Europe and North Amer- headquarters in Brussels. ica standing together in NATO,” “I’m meeting with Putin to let NATO Secretary-General Jens him know what I want him to Stoltenberg said Tuesday after know,” said Biden to roaring ap- meeting with Biden at the White plause. “The United States will re- House. “Because we are stronger, spond in a robust and meaningful we are safer together in a more un- way when the Russian government predictable world.” engages in harmful activities. That JOE GIDDENS/AP there are consequences for violat- [email protected] President Joe Biden, right, greets U.S. military personnel and their families as he arrives at RAF Mildenhall ing the sanctity of democracy.” Twitter: @Kal2931 in Suffolk, ahead of the G­7 summit Wednesday. Biden: Surveys show favorable ratings of US starting to rebound

FROM PAGE 1 nounced and the demand for shots and parts of the world, particularly of the U.S. reached or neared low transition the U.S. out of the our alliances and institutions.” in the U.S. has dropped precipi- in Africa, remain vaccine deserts. points in these two countries, as Trump era. The surveys find many The new charter also took aim at tously in recent weeks. White House officials hope the well as the United Kingdom, Cana- nations skeptical of the U.S., both “interference through disinforma- “We have to end COVID-19, not ramped-up distribution program da and Japan. as a global partner and as a func- tion” in elections and murky eco- just at home — which we’re doing can be the latest example of a In France, for example, 65% tioning democracy. nomic practices, charges that the — but everywhere,” Biden told theme Biden plans to hit frequent- now have a favorable view of the No more than 2 in 10 across the West has leveled at Moscow and American servicemembers ly during his week in Europe: that U.S., up from 31% last year. No 16 countries say the U.S. is a “very” Beijing. Wednesday at RAF Mildenhall in Western democracies, and not ris- more than half in France rated the reliable partner, with majorities in The two leaders also promised England. He added that the effort ing authoritarian states, can deliv- U.S. positively during Trump’s most calling the U.S. “somewhat” to build stronger global defenses “requires coordinated, multilater- er the most good for the world. presidency, but at least 6 in 10 had reliable. In Canada, France, Spain against health threats, ahead of a al action.” Also Thursday, the Pew Re- during each of Barack Obama’s and Greece, roughly a third say the summit dominated by the corona- The new U.S. commitment is to search Center released surveys eight years as president. U.S. is not reliable as a global part- virus pandemic. buy and donate 500 million Pfizer conducted in 16 countries that And 74% of the public in France ner. Later Thursday, Biden outlined doses for distribution through the showed majorities of the citizens say they have confidence in Biden, Germany is the only nation sur- plans for the U.S. to donate 500 mil- global COVAX alliance to 92 low- across the nations — more than 6 in a Democrat, to do the right thing veyed where a majority say rela- lion vaccine doses around the er-income countries and the Afri- 10 in each — express confidence in regarding world affairs, compared tions with the U.S. will improve in globe over the next year, on top of can Union, bringing the first stea- Biden to “do the right thing” in with just 11% saying that for the next few years. Across most 80 million doses he had already dy supply of mRNA vaccine to the world affairs. Trump, a Republican, last year. other countries, more think the re- pledged by the end of the month. countries that need it most. A price Favorable ratings of the U.S. in Across 12 countries surveyed in lationship will stay the same rath- U.S. officials said Biden would also tag for the 500 million doses was the Pew surveys display how inter- both 2020 and 2021, the gap in con- er than get better. ask fellow G-7 leaders to do the not released, but the U.S. is now set national opinions have started to fidence in the two presidents is at The state of U.S. democracy also same. to be COVAX’s largest vaccine do- rebound after declining consider- least 40 percentage points — in Bi- earns mixed reviews around the The U.S. has faced mounting nor in addition to its single largest ably during Trump’s four years as den’s favor in all 12. world. Majorities across most of pressure to outline its global vac- funder with a $4 billion commit- president, growing as much as 30 Even as the U.S. global standing the 16 countries say the U.S. de- cine sharing plan, especially as in- ment. percentage points since last year is rosier among the citizens of mocracy “used to be a good exam- equities in supply around the The global alliance has thus far in partner nations like France and these nations around the world, Bi- ple, but has not been in recent world have become more pro- distributed just 81 million doses Germany. In 2020, positive views den faces challenges as he looks to years.” PAGE 10 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 AMERICAN ROUNDUP

Jury awards $7.5M to man cleared of murder CHICAGO — A jury on IL Tuesday awarded $7.5 mil- lion to a man who was exonerated after spending nearly 30 years in prison for a murder in Chicago. Daniel Andersen sued a group of current and former Chicago police officers, arguing that he was co- erced into confessing to the slaying of Cathy Trunko in 1980. His law- yers also said that DNA results years later eliminated a link to the 20-year-old victim, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. “The entire criminal case was a lie,” Jonathan Loevy said in his clos- ing argument. Andersen was released from prison in 2007 and subsequently re- ceived a certificate of innocence. Alawyer for the officers, Timothy Scahill, argued that Trunko and An- dersen had not been completely ex- cluded from the knife blade, which was found a few blocks away. FBI, police dig to confirm cemetery burials accurate

DETROIT — Authorities DUSTIN SAFRANEK,KETCHIKAN (ALASKA) DAILY NEWS/AP MI using a backhoe were digging at a Detroit cemetery Mon- day in response to complaints that Showing moss who’s boss some deceased might not be buried Cousins Avery Thomas, left, and Alli Thomas remove moss from roofing shingles that cover the top of the fish processing building at The in the right graves. Cedars Lodge in Ketchikan, Alaska, on Monday. The FBI joined Detroit police at Gethsemane Cemetery, although least 10 feet over the amusement THE CENSUS walk and at least two people are vis- no crimes were suspected. Seven park’s property line, town leaders ible holding an air rifle out of the car graves were checked; six appeared who reviewed the findings said. The amount, in thousands of dollars, a Los Angeles nun who window at different times. The car to be proper, WDIV-TV reported. Ocean City officials said they sup- 835 took a vow of poverty admits stealing, prosecutors an- pulled away and then reversed back A police commander, Eric Deck- port the Ferris wheel but told Trim- nounced Tuesday. Mary Margaret Kreuper, 79, was charged Tuesday with one where the occupants again pointed er, said a marker was in the wrong per’s it can’t stay where it is. count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, the U.S. attorney’s the BB gun out of the window, the place but the “loved one has been “You put yourself in this position, office said. Prosecutors said that in a plea agreement, also filed Tuesday, the footage shows. found.” and you’ve put all of us in a very un- now-retired elementary school principal acknowledged that over a decade The car was later impounded, po- There were many calls after a comfortable position because no- ending in 2018, she embezzled about $835,000 from St. James Catholic lice said, but not before someone School in the LA suburb of Torrance. In her plea agreement, Kreuper acknowl- complaint earlier this year about an body wants to say no to Trimper’s spray-painted the hood seemingly edged diverting money to pay for personal expenses that included credit card improper burial. Rides, but we’re put in a position charges and “large gambling expenses incurred at casinos,” the U.S. attorney’s to attempt to prevent it from being The cemetery, which opened in where this is a zoning violation,” office said. A statement from her attorneys said that Kreuper was “very re- identified. The shooting caused mi- 1909, is owned by the city but man- Mayor Rick Meehan said. morseful for what happened” and had been cooperating with law enforcement. nor injuries to the people hit by the aged by a contractor, WDIV report- pellets. ed. 6-year-old boy who drove, crashed SUV isn’t injured bune-Herald reported. The new dis- feathers but is expected to heal in a Smokies visitors cited for Town: Ferris wheel must be plays will also cover Japanese tsu- few weeks. feeding 100-pound bear moved from its spot LIVERMORE FALLS nami history. ME — A 6-year-old boy Its Big Island tsunamis exhibit Police: 2 in custody, 1 GATLINBURG — Some OCEAN CITY — The took the keys to an SUV, drove it and will be updated with new interviews sought in air rifle incident TN visitors to Great Smoky MD company that owns a crashed it Saturday, but was not in- from survivors and more photos Mountains National Park have been historic amusement park on the jured, police in Maine said. from the most recent tsunami that CINCINNATI — Au- accused of feeding peanut butter to Ocean City, Md., boardwalk will be The child’s caretaker told police hit the island in 1975. OH thorities in Ohio say two a bear. penalized for violating a zoning code in Livermore Falls the boy had gone “I always felt the local tsunamis sisters charged with shooting at The feeding was captured on vid- if it doesn’t move its Ferris wheel, to bed around 8 p.m. but then got up exhibit is one of our most important homeless people with an air rifle eo, and rangers said the visitors con- the town council decided. and took the keys to the SUV from a exhibits, because it is informative from a car in Cincinnati are now in fessed and were cited on Saturday, Trimper’s Rides received its first nightstand, WCVB-TV reported. for people living here,” aid Marlene custody, and a third person is being news outlets reported. fine over the weekend for violating He drove up and down a street and Murray, the museum’s director. sought. The 100-pound male bear had the town’s right of way on the board- crashed the vehicle while attempt- Brittany Hopper, 29, and Kelsey been feeding on walnuts for several walk, the Salisbury Daily Times ing to do a U-turn. The SUV was Owl rescued after getting Hopper, 28, have been charged with weeks along Cades Cove Loop reported. The company said mov- wedged between a utility pole and a stuck in batting cage three counts of assault, accused of Road, rangers said. Biologists sus- ing the Ferris wheel and other rides building. firing a BB gun at two people in the pected it was fed by visitors because could cost more than $100,000. No one was hurt, police said. MAIZE — A great Over-The-Rhine neighborhood it started to appear food-condi- Antoinette Bruno, the president KS horned owl is on the road early in the morning on June 3, Cin- tioned. of Trimper’s Rides, told the town Pacific Tsunami Museum to recovery after getting stuck in the cinnati police said. Police said the “Managing wild bears in a park council at its meeting on Monday to reopen in summer netting of a Kansas batting cage. sisters turned themselves in Tues- that receives more than 12 million night that the placement of the ride KSNW-TV reported that the owl day. visitors is an extreme challenge and was the result of human error. She HILO — The Pacific Tsu- was discovered Monday in the small Police also said they are seeking a we must have the public’s help,” also said the company didn’t know HI nami Museum plans to re- town of Maize. Police contacted a lo- third person in the case; their post Park Wildlife Biologist Bill Stiver where the property line was before open from a coronavirus pandemic- cal raptor center for help. Ken Lock- didn’t announce any charges said. “It is critical that bears never building the Ferris wheel. triggered shutdown by the end of wood of Eagle Valley Raptor Center against the 30-year-old man but said be fed or approached — for their “I think we made an error of a few the summer after finishing substan- talked officers through the process he has two unrelated outstanding protection and for human safety.” inches, and we’re sorry. It wasn’t in- tial renovations. of removing the owl from the net- warrants. The bear was tranquilized and tentional,” Bruno said, according to The downtown Hilo museum is ting. The owl was then placed in a The police department had re- marked with an ear tag. It was re- the newspaper. working on relocating and renovat- cardboard box and delivered to the leased surveillance footage on Twit- leased in the same general area. A surveyor contracted by the ing its Japan exhibit, which focuses center. ter showing the car pulling up to a company found that the ride is at on the 2011 tsunami, the Hawaii Tri- The owl had some damaged group of people lying on the side- From wire reports Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 11 NATION Keystone pipeline nixed after Biden firm on permit

Associated Press ly built line, which was to trans- refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast. weeks that Trudeau wasn’t push- as TransCanada, to exit that part- BILLINGS, Mont. — The spon- port crude from the oil sand fields Biden canceled the pipeline’s ing Biden harder to reinstate the nership. The company and prov- sor of the Keystone XL crude oil of western Canada to Steele City, border crossing permit in January pipeline’s permit. ince plan to try to recoup the gov- pipeline pulled the plug on the Neb. over long-standing concerns that Alberta invested more than $1 ernment’s investment, although contentious project Wednesday Construction on the 1,200-mile burning oil sands crude could billion in the project last year, neither offered any immediate de- after Canadian officials failed to pipeline began last year when for- make climate change worse and kick-starting construction that tails on how that would happen. persuade President Joe Biden to mer President Donald Trump re- harder to reverse. had stalled amid determined op- “We remain disappointed and reverse his cancellation of its per- vived the long-delayed project af- Canadian Prime Minister Jus- position to the line from environ- frustrated with the circumstances mit on the day he took office. ter it had stalled under the Obama tin Trudeau had objected to the mentalists and Native American surrounding the Keystone XL pro- Calgary-based TC Energy said administration. It would have move, raising tensions between tribes along its route. ject, including the cancellation of it would work with government moved up to 35 million gallons of the U.S. and Canada. Officials in Alberta officials said Wednes- the presidential permit for the agencies “to ensure a safe termi- crude daily, connecting in Nebras- Alberta, where the line originated, day they reached an agreement pipeline’s border crossing,” Al- nation of an exit” from the partial- ka to other pipelines that feed oil expressed frustration in recent with TC Energy, formerly known berta Premier Jason Kenney said. Federal investigation: Protest not broken up for Trump photo op Associated Press death of George Floyd, who died after a panying the report. WASHINGTON — An internal govern- then-Minneapolis police officer knelt on his The report documents Trump’s attorney ment investigation has determined that the neck and pinned him to the ground for about general, William Barr, encouraging com- decision to forcibly clear racial justice pro- 9½ minutes. A half-hour after the Washing- manders shortly before the push to clear the testers from an area in front of the White ton protesters were forced from the area protesters because of Trump, but being dis- House last summer was not influenced by with pepper pellets and flash-bangs, Trump missed. then-President Donald Trump’s plan to walked across Lafayette Park amid the lin- The report determined the decision to stage a Bible-toting photo opportunity at gering scent of pepper spray and delivered clear the protesters was justified, but law that spot. a short speech while holding a Bible in front enforcement agencies on the scene failed to The report released Wednesday by the of St. John’s Church. effectively communicate with each other Interior Department’s inspector general Park Police officials had already planned and failed to communicate warnings to the concludes that the protesters were cleared to clear the area and “had begun imple- protesters about the impending crackdown. by U.S. Park Police last June 1 so that a con- menting the operational plan several hours Several different law enforcement agencies PATRICK SEMANSKY/AP tractor could get started installing new before they knew of a potential Presidential moved ahead of schedule and started en- President Donald Trump holds a Bible as fencing. visit to the park,” Inspector General Mark gaging with protesters before the protesters he visits St. John’s Church across The demonstrators were protesting the Lee Greenblatt said in a statement accom- had been sufficiently warned. Lafayette Park from the White House, on June 1, 2020. PAGE 12 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 WORLD ISIS group: Boko Haram leader dead Associated Press MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — The leader of Nigerian extremist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, has killed himself, according to a ji- hadi organization linked to the Is- lamic State group. An audio recording purportedly from Abu Musab al-Barnawi, the leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP, said Shekau detonated explosives killing himself after a battle between the two groups. The audio message follows media reports last month that Shekau, one of Africa’s most wanted men, blew himself up to evade capture by IS- WAP fighters. Neither Nigerian authorities nor Boko Haram have confirmed She- kau’s death. There had been several false re- ports about Shekau’s death in the past, with Shekau later appearing in videos to refute them. Al-Barnawi, a son to the founding leader of Boko Haram, the late Mo- hammed Yusuf, made the state- ment in an audio message heard this week by The Associated Press in the native Kanuri language. The message, which lasts about 28 minutes, had what is reportedly al-Barnawi’s voice, lacing his speech with quotes from Quran verses. The audio was obtained from a former jihadi who provides intelligence to the government and is familiar with al-Barnawi’s voice.

Large protest in Bahrain after inmate dies of virus DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Hundreds have held a rare pro- test in Bahrain over the death of a prisoner from the coronavirus de- spite being vaccinated months earlier by the island kingdom. The demonstration Wednesday night saw protesters march in the streets of the village of Diah over the death earlier in the day of Hu- sain Barakat. Videos of the protest, which cor- responded to Associated Press re- porting on the demonstrations, saw those marching shout that they held King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for Barakat’s death over poor care. An Interior Ministry statement said Barakat, 48, had been on a re- spirator and died at a hospital. The ministry said Barakat had re- ceived an unnamed two-shot vac- cination for the virus. The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy said Barakat re- ceived the Chinese vaccine Sino- pharm.

From The Associated Press Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 13 FACES

Roku saves Kevin Hart’s Christopher Bensch, vice presi- dent for collections at The Strong, Quibi comedy, ‘Die Hart’ said the game show archives were Quibi was a massive failure of a a natural fit for a museum that streaming service that came and preserves the history of play. went last year in the blink of an Materials will be displayed at eye during the pandemic. the museum and in traveling exhi- Roku picked up Quibi’s shows bitions, he said. and the service has decided to give Prince Harry announces Kevin Hart’s comedy “Die Hart,” starring Hart and John Travolta, a Germany Invictus Games second season. Prince Harry has announced The series was shot in metro At- the return of his Invictus Games, lanta with season one finished just which supports the rehab and re- weeks before the pandemic be- covery of wounded veterans. gan. It has not been said if Hart The Duke of Sussex wrote in an will shoot the second season there Instagram post Wednesday that as well. the Invictus Games will take place “Die Hart” features Hart play- in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2023. ing a version of himself, wanting The event — started by Harry in to become an action hero and join- 2014 — is an athletic competition ing a camp led by a wacky charac- for wounded, sick, and injured ter named Ron Wilcox, played veterans and armed forces mem- with abandon by Travolta. Hart al- bers. so faces off against a rival student The Invictus Games were can- played by Nathalie Emmanuel. celed in 2020 and 2021 because of LIONSGATE When the show debuted May 20 the coronavirus pandemic. Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis, left) and Madea (Tyler Perry, right) in Tyler Perry’s “Boo! A Madea Halloween.” on Roku, it did well enough that The event will return in the Roku quickly signed on for “Die Hague, Netherlands, from April Harter,” a play off the original 16-22 in 2022, before heading to “Die Hard” series, which had a se- Germany the following year. quel named “Die Harder.” Other news She’s baaack New archives preserves ■ The annual event long known as the Tribeca Film Festival has game show history dropped “Film” from its name, as Tyler Perry brings Madea out of retirement for another movie It’s a jackpot for game show seen in a logo change that appears fans. on its website. The 2021 edition of BY ANGIE ORELLANA HERNANDEZ The character, however, has been criticized, most The Strong National Museum of the Tribeca Festival, which Los Angeles Times notably by director Spike Lee, for its resemblance to Play on Wednesday announced opened Wednesday, features a di- oo! Here she comes again. minstrel shows that depicted racist stereotypes of the creation of the National Ar- verse lineup of programming, in- Mourners of the “Madea” franchise can Black people. Perry shot back at Lee in 2011, stating chives of Game Show History, to cluding films, TV series, shorts, take off their black veils. Tyler Perry is re- that the franchise was being unfairly maligned. be stocked with scripts, props, set podcasts, live musical perform- Bbooting it with a 12th installment, “A Ma- 2019 also marked the end of Perry’s contract with designs and other materials col- ances and more. dea Homecoming,” for Netflix after saying goodbye Lionsgate, the movie studio that has released the lected from game show perform- ■ Armie Hammer, the “Call to the iconic character in 2019. “Madea” movies since 2005. While at Lionsgate, the ers, writers and executives. Me by Your Name” actor who has Perry, who won an honorary Oscar for humanitar- franchise grossed more than $500 million. The idea has found supporters been under investigation by the ian work this year, said he planned to part ways with “A Madea Homecoming” will premiere on Netflix, in “Jeopardy” champion-turned- LAPD’s sex crimes division, has Madea at the premiere of the franchise’s 11th film, “A which has worked closely with Perry in the past. Per- guest host Ken Jennings and Wink reportedly entered a rehab facility Madea Family Funeral.” ry’s “A Fall From Grace” reached 39 million streams Martindale, who spent decades in Florida where he is addressing “I don’t want to be her age playing her, so it was on Netflix, and the streaming giant is shooting anoth- guiding contestants through issues related to drugs, alcohol time to shut it down and move on,” Perry told the Hol- er Perry-affiliated original titled “A Jazzman’s “Gambit,” “High Rollers,” “Tic- and sex. Hammer’s career fell lywood Reporter in 2019. “I’ve got some other things I Blues,” starring Joshua Boone, Solea Pfeiffer, Ami- Tac-Dough” and “Debt.” apart in early January after an In- want to do ... I’m going to do something different.” rah Vann and Austin Scott. “I grew up watching game stagram account began publish- The Madea character has appeared in 11 plays, 11 Perry will be the writer, director and executive shows as a daily ritual,” Jennings ing messages, allegedly from the movies, a handful of TV episodes and one animated producer of the movie. Perry and Michelle Sneed will said in a news release from The actor, in which he detailed kinky feature called “Madea’s Tough Love.” Played by Per- be the executive producers on the project, with Will Strong. “They’ve shaped who I am sexual fantasies. ry, she is known for being a foul-mouthed, spunky Areu and Mark Swinton joining them as producers. as a person, as well as our cultural grandmother. The movie will be filmed at Perry’s studio in Atlanta. landscape.” From wire reports Underwood continues dominance at CMTs with win for ‘Hallelujah’

Associated Press night’s best performance. They joined forces Miranda Lambert performed with Jack In- Carrie Underwood has another reason to for a smoky, thrilling performance of “Hold gram and Jon Randall. rejoice — she extended her record as the most On,” coming off like a veteran duo. Hosts Kane Brown and Kelsea Ballerini al- decorated artist in the history of the CMT Mu- The legendary Gladys Knight won over au- so performed onstage and won awards. sic Awards, thanks to her song “Hallelujah.” dience members during a performance of Brown won male video of the year for The music video for the singer’s hit, a col- “Friendship Train” with Mickey Guyton. Part “Worship You” and collaborative video of the laboration with John Legend, was named vid- of the show felt dedicated to Black female year for “Famous Friends” with Chris Young. eo of the year at Wednesday’s fan-voted show, voices thanks to the top-notch performances CMT performance of the year went to Balleri- which aired from Nashville. by Knight, H.E.R. and Guyton, who was nom- ni and Halsey’s “The Other Girl” from the Underwood, who now has 23 CMT Awards, inated for two awards and presented the CMT 2020 CMT Music Awards. thanked her die-hard fans while accepting the Equal Play Award to Linda Martell, one of the Gabby Barrett, who was originally sup- honor: “You’re the reason we’re all here doing pioneering Black acts in country music and posed to perform at the show but backed out, what we do, doing what we love (and) making the first Black woman to perform solo at the won female video of the year and the best music videos.” Grand Ole Opry. family feature award went to Taylor Swift’s Though Underwood owned part of the Martell, 86, didn’t attend the awards show “The Best Day (Taylor’s Version),” which night, other female stars, some outside of but CMT aired photos of the icon holding her was re-released this year and featured home MARK HUMPHREY/AP country music, took over the awards show award and said she was watching the show movies starring the pop star, her brother and Carrie Underwood accepts the award for honoring the year’s best country music vid- from her home in South Carolina. parents. video of the year for “Hallelujah” eos. Lady A kicked off the show with Carly Little Big Town’s “Wine, Beer, Whiskey” Wednesday at the CMT Music Awards at Grammy-winning R&B star H.E.R. and fel- Pearce and Lindsay Ell, Ingrid Andress sang won the night’s first award — duo/group vid- the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. low guitar slayer Chris Stapleton had the with pop singer-songwriter JP Saxe, while eo of the year. PAGE 14 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 Eugene Sheffer Crossword Frazz Dilbert

ACROSS 54 New Age singer 25 Sicilian volcano 1 JFK regulator 55 Devious 26 Envelope part 4 Couturier 27 Volcanic flow Christian DOWN 28 River to the

Pearls Before Swine Pearls Before 8 Help a hood 1 Klinger portrayer Baltic 12 Alphabet starter 2 “... sting like —” 29 Wild bunch 13 Roundish do 3 Outlet letters 32 Merlot, for one 14 Like ganders 4 NFL city 33 Poet Federico 15 Danger signs 5 Patsy Cline’s Garcia — 17 Cameo stone “— to Pieces” 35 Narc’s agcy. 18 Bring to mind 6 Assoc. 36 Illinois city 19 Ages and ages 7 Snow White’s 38 Clumsy one 21 — de mer sister 39 Substantial 22 Bob Marley’s 8 Surrounded by 42 Messes up Non Sequitur music 9 Prohibit 43 Astronaut 26 Arctic sheets 10 TV Tarzan Ron Armstrong 29 Club — 11 Cowboy’s 44 Jittery 30 911 responder nickname 45 TV schedule 31 “Shane” star Alan 16 Notorious abbr. 32 Scepter 20 British ref. work 46 Scull tool 33 Lake bird 23 Earth sci. 47 Thurs. follower 34 “Hail!” 24 Out of control 49 Dijon denial 35 Society newbie Answer to Previous Puzzle 36 Oktoberfest Candorville dance 37 Did a valet’s job 39 That girl 40 Attorney’s profession 41 Tertiary Period epoch 45 Bean curd 48 Type of light

Carpe Diem 50 Homer’s son 51 Terse denial 52 Predetermine 53 N. Mex. neighbor Beetle Bailey Bizarro Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 15 PAGE 16 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 OPINION

Max D. Lederer Jr., Publisher Lt. Col. Marci Hoffman, Europe commander Lt. Col. Michael Kerschbaum, Pacific commander Background check should precede every gun sale Michael Ryan, Pacific chief of staff BY SHANNON KLUG through. Including paperwork, it can take as firearm dealer, after the seller completes a AND NEIL HESTER little as half an hour to complete, and it en- background check. Special to Stars and Stripes sures that the buyer is not prohibited by fed- Expanding the current federal background EDITORIAL s veterans and gun owners, we are eral or state law from owning a firearm. How- check law to cover stranger-to-stranger sales Terry Leonard, Editor both quite comfortable with guns. ever, the law does not require this simple would give private online gun sellers peace of [email protected] So, when we met with fellow veter- process to be completed by unlicensed sell- mind. It is a natural update to the law, espe- ans early last year to discuss gun ers, including people who sell guns to strang- cially if you consider that the current federal Robert H. Reid, Senior Managing Editor A laws, we convened at a familiar place: a gun ers they meet online or at gun shows. background check law was put in place in [email protected] range. More than 20 states have passed gun back- 1993, when the internet was in its infancy and Tina Croley, Managing Editor for Content A couple dozen veterans gathered at a ground check laws that extend beyond the Google hadn’t even been invented. [email protected] state-run shooting facility outside Phoenix. federal requirements. However, in states Will the law stop all criminals from acquir- Our colleague, a retired Army sergeant ma- without additional measures, prohibited pur- ing guns? Of course not. But it will make it Sean Moores, Managing Editor for Presentation [email protected] jor, provided the firearms. We shot a Glock, a chasers — those who would not pass a back- much harder for prohibited purchasers to revolver, an AR-15 with a suppressor, and an ground check through the FBI — can find avoid background checks and it will reduce il- Joe Gromelski, Managing Editor for Digital AR-15 with a sniper scope and tripod. Before ways to acquire a gun without a background legal gun trafficking. [email protected] we dove deep on how to pass common-sense check. By purchasing the gun on the internet Consider the law like a crosswalk across a laws that will make the country safer, we or at a gun show from a stranger who isn’t a busy street. Crosswalks don’t prevent all pe- BUREAU STAFF spent some time with the very firearms we’d licensed dealer, a prohibited buyer can avoid destrian traffic deaths, but they make cross- be discussing. the federal background check system. Under ing the street easier to navigate and a lot safer. Europe/Mideast As veterans, we know what we’re talking current law, a private online seller isn’t re- Whether I am the driver or the pedestrian, I Erik Slavin, Europe & Mideast Bureau Chief [email protected] about when it comes to gun safety, and that’s quired to conduct a background check. appreciate the peace of mind the crosswalk +49(0)631.3615.9350; DSN (314)583.9350 why we believe strongly that the U.S. Senate As a result of our military experience, we provides. Pacific must pass life-saving bipartisan background believe wholeheartedly in the three pillars of Perhaps most importantly, Americans Aaron Kidd, Pacific Bureau Chief check legislation — a policy backed by rough- military gun culture: training, safety and ac- across party lines agree that no gun sale [email protected] ly 90% of Americans, including the vast ma- countability. Moreover, we bear the moral re- should take place without a background +81.42.552.2511 ext. 88380; DSN (315)227.7380 jority of Republicans and gun owners. sponsibility of ensuring that we never place check. That means that every senator, re- Washington We are both retired Air Force officers. We our guns into the hands of dangerous people. gardless of state or party, serves a constituen- Joseph Cacchioli, Washington Bureau Chief are both gun owners. We both live in red We didn’t do it while serving in the military, cy that overwhelmingly supports this bill. [email protected] states, and we are both relatively politically and we won’t do it as civilians. Therefore, every senator has an obligation to (+1)(202)886-0033 Brian Bowers, Assistant Managing Editor, News conservative — one a registered Republican At times, we have both lent our guns to act on behalf of his or her constituency and [email protected] and one a registered Independent. Knowing friends or family to shoot at the range or use vote “Yes” on a background check bill that this, the average American may assume that while hunting. We know who we are lending will save lives — that’s how democracy CIRCULATION we are pro-gun, and that is true. We are pro- our guns to and that they are safe and respon- works. Mideast gun, and we are also pro-gun-safety. sible gun users. Neither of us has ever sold a So, as veterans and gun owners, we ask Robert Reismann, Mideast Circulation Manager The Senate could soon debate a bill that gun to a stranger, partially because we are each reader, regardless of political affiliation, [email protected] would strengthen the existing federal back- wary of the system of selling guns online to to contact your senators and demand that [email protected] ground check laws and close loopholes to people we’ve never met. they vote to strengthen our federal back- DSN (314)583-9111 keep more guns away from people who legal- We live in a digital age, where cars and ground check law to include online and Europe ly are barred from having them. houses and knickknacks are sold from per- stranger-to-stranger gun sales. Karen Lewis, Community Engagement Manager Currently, federal law requires a licensed son-to-person online. Naturally, so are guns. [email protected] [email protected] gun dealer to conduct a background check But if either of us was to transfer a firearm to a Shannon Klug is a retired Air Force colonel who lives in North +49(0)631.3615.9090; DSN (314)583.9090 Carolina. Neil Hester is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel through the FBI’s database. This is a simple buyer we met online, we would ensure that who lives in Oklahoma. Both are gun owners and gun safety Pacific process that almost all gun owners have gone the sale be finalized at a federally-licensed advocates. Mari Mori, [email protected] +81-3 6385.3171; DSN (315)227.7333 CONTACT US Army People Strategy should address pay disparity Washington BY EVE-LYNN GARDNER suring the success of the Army in fulfilling its help address the pay disparity that exists be- tel: (+1)202.886.0003 633 3rd St. NW, Suite 116, Washington, DC 20001-3050 Special to Stars and Stripes mission and maintaining our fighting force. tween the enlisted and officer side of the aisle. Reader letters ilitary salaries are the highest Now is the perfect time to remedy this issue, His effort garnered substantial attention they have been in years, with as the Army puts its “people first” initiative, across social media and many SGMs and their [email protected] servicemembers enjoying a the Army People Strategy, into full force by re- spouses expressed hope that more economic Additional contacts standard of living commensu- vamping its selections process for battalion parity was coming. Unfortunately, Dailey was stripes.com/contactus M rate with their civilian counterparts. During and brigade commanders and command ser- unsuccessful as his idea generated little more this past year’s pandemic and alarming rise in geants major. This refining of the Army’s se- than hopeful speculation and, four years later, OMBUDSMAN unemployment rates, we in the military recog- lection process of its senior leadership was im- seems to have all but disappeared from con- Ernie Gates nize how truly fortunate we are to have the plemented to guarantee that our best leaders versations within most military circles. The Stars and Stripes ombudsman protects the free flow type of job security many in the civilian sector are put into command responsibility positions One reason proffered as to why this idea ef- of news and information, reporting any attempts by the do not share. to ensure that the health and welfare of our sol- fectively “died on the vine” by those few SGMs military or other authorities to undermine the newspaper’s independence. The ombudsman also responds to concerns However, sergeants major, the Army’s diers is always the top priority. willing to speak on record was that pay dispar- and questions from readers, and monitors coverage for most senior NCO rank, have a pay scale that SGMs who are selected under this new pro- ities are seen as “the way it has always been fairness, accuracy, timeliness and balance. The ombudsman welcomes comments from readers, and can be contacted by does not increase on par with their officer gram to serve as the senior NCO in a brigade done,” and accepted as such. If this is true, email at [email protected], or by phone at counterparts. Unlike the substantial pay in- should receive a pay increase commensurate then shame on every one of us who serves. 202.886.0003. creases that accompany promotion and the with the expectations and responsibilities that If we allow ourselves to accept such an argu- Stars and Stripes (USPS 0417900) is published week- enormous increase in responsibilities from come with this position. And when they are se- ment, our forces would still be segregated, days (except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) for 50 cents Monday lieutenant colonel to colonel, and colonel to lected to serve as the SGM alongside a general openly gay and transgender people would be through Thursday and for $1 on Friday by Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. Periodicals general officer, no such apparatus exists for officer, another pay increase needs to accom- kicked out immediately, and women would postage paid at San Francisco, CA, Postmaster: Send sergeants major. Incredibly, a newly gradu- pany their increased responsibilities, just as it not be allowed to serve in combat arms units. address changes to Pacific Stars and Stripes, Unit 45002, APO AP 96301-5002. This newspaper is authorized by the ated SGM from the Army’s Sergeant Major A- does for officers. Doing so would help rein- That is not the Army any of us want to serve Department of Defense for members of the military services cademy earns the same basic salary as a SGM force and incentivize the Army People Strate- in — one that accepts inequitable treatment of overseas. However, the contents of Stars and Stripes are unofficial, and are not to be considered as the official views who works alongside a four-star general. gy, which seeks to recognize, develop and re- one group or class of soldiers due to years of of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government. As a DOD newspa- per, Stars and Stripes may be distributed through official While their respective salaries will reflect the tain talent within the ranks. “tradition.” Doing so is a repudiation of the Ar- channels and use appropriated funds for distribution to number of years they have served, the salary We must push this issue forward and de- my People Strategy. Unfair traditions need to remote locations where overseas DOD personnel are located. The appearance of advertising in this publication does itself does not increase as these NCOs take on mand that it become part of our national con- be left in the dustbin of history and replaced not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or more and more responsibility over the years. versation; we must not repeat the disappoint- with fair ones. It is up to all of us to right this Stars and Stripes of the products or services advertised. Products or services advertised shall be made available for That so many SGMs continue to serve, ment of 2017. wrong and demand an increase in pay for se- purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, proudly, long after any financial incentive re- An attempt to increase the salaries for nior SGMs. I cannot think of any better fulfill- religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of mains to do so demonstrates the selfless ser- SGMs seemed to be gaining traction in 2017 ment of the Army People Strategy than this. the purchaser, user or patron. vice that is the hallmark of our NCO corps. when then-Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dai- © Stars and Stripes 2021 Our SGMs are long overdue being paid their ley floated the idea for the creation of two new Eve-Lynn Gardner is a freelance writer and spouse of an Army stripes.com fair share in recognition of their vital role en- enlisted ranks, E-10 and E-11, respectively, to officer. Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 17 PAGE 18 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 SCOREBOARD/COLLEGE SPORTS

PRO SOCCER TENNIS DEALS MLS Wednesday’s transactions French Open States, 7­5, 7­6 (1). Congress: EASTERN CONFERENCE Emily Webley­Smith and Sarah Beth BASEBALL Wednesday Grey, Britain, def. Katie Boulter and Jodie Major League Baseball WLTPts GF GA At Stade Roland Garros Anna Burrage, Britain, 2­6, 7­5, 10­3. American League Paris Storm Sanders, Australia, and Caroline Dolehide (2), United States, def. Alicja Ro­ HOUSTON ASTROS — Placed RHP Joe New England 5 1 2 17 11 7 Purse: Euro 16,404,509 Smith on the 10­day IL, retroactive to June Surface: Red clay solska, Poland, and Marie Bouzkova, NCAA needs Philadelphia 4 2 2 14 9 5 Czech Republic, 7­6 (3), 6­4. 6. Recalled RHP Brandon Bielak from Sugar Men’s Singles Land (Triple­A West). Orlando City 3 1 3 12 8 4 Quarterfinals Quarterfinals Johanna Konta, Britain, and Donna Vek­ KANSAS CITY ROYALS — Optioned CF Ed­ NYCFC 3 2 2 11 13 7 Rafael Nadal (3), Spain, def. Diego ward Olivares to Omaha (Triple­A East). Schwartzman (10), Argentina, 6­3, 4­6, 6­4, ic, Croatia, def. Sabrina Santamaria, Unit­ CF Montréal 3 3 2 11 10 9 ed States, and Lesley Pattinama Kerk­ Recalled RHP Carlos Hernandez from 6­0. Omaha. NIL law help hove, Netherlands, 6­3, 6­1. Columbus 3 2 2 11 7 6 Novak Djokovic (1), Serbia, def. Matteo MINNESOTA TWINS — Sent RHP Kenta Nashville 2 0 5 11 9 6 Berrettini (9), Italy, 6­3, 6­2, 6­7 (5), 7­5. Croatia Open Maeda to St. Paul (Triple­A East) on a re­ BY RALPH D. RUSSO Women’s Singles Atlanta 2 1 4 10 9 7 hab assignment. Placed OF Kyle Garlick on Quarterfinals Thursday the 10­day IL. Selected the contract of RHP Associated Press New York 3 4 0 9 10 10 Barbora Krejcikova, Czech Republic, def. Erik Manoah Jr. from West Virginia (Atlan­ D.C. United 3 5 0 9 8 11 Coco Gauff (24), United States, 7­6 (6), 6­3. Bol, Croatia tic League). Recalled CF Gilberto Celestino A federal law governing how Purse: Euro 92,742 Inter Miami CF 2 4 2 8 8 13 Maria Sakkari (17), Greece, def. Iga from St. Paul (Triple­A East). Placed LF Swiatek (8), Poland, 6­4, 6­4. Surface: Red clay Kyle Carlick on the 10­day IL. college athletes can earn money Toronto FC 1 4 2 5 8 12 Women’s Doubles Women’s Singles OAKLAND ATHLETICS — Activated LHP off their fame and celebrity seems Chicago 1 5 1 4 4 11 Quarterfinals Quarterfinals Reymin Guduan from the 10­day IL and Jasmine Paolini (3), Italy, def. Kristina designated him for assignment. certain to pass — at some point. Cincinnati 1 4 1 4 6 15 Irina­Camelia Begu, Romania, and Nadia Podoroska, Argentina, def. Petra Martic, Kucova, Slovakia, 6­1, 6­1. TEXAS RANGERS — Placed RHP Ian Ken­ Women’s Doubles There is no real debate among WESTERN CONFERENCE Croatia, and Shelby Rogers, United States, nedy on the 10­day IL. Selected the con­ 6­3, 4­6, 6­2. Quarterfinals tract of RHP Spencer Patton from Round lawmakers on Capitol Hill about WLTPts GF GA Magda Linette, Poland, and Bernarda Ekaterine Gorgodze, Georgia, and Tere­ Rock (Triple­A West). Pera, United States, def. Anastasia Pavly­ za Mihalikova, Slovakia, def. Anna­Karoli­ National League whether athletes Seattle 5 0 3 18 14 3 uchenkova, Russia, and Elena Rybakina, na Schmiedlova, Slovakia, and Katarina CINCINNATI REDS — Placed RHP Sonny Zavatska, Ukraine, walkover. should be per- Sporting KC 5 2 1 16 15 10 Kazakhstan, 7­5, 4­6, 6­2. Gray on the 10­day IL. Recalled RHP Art Warren from Louisville (Triple­A East). mitted to mone- LA Galaxy 5 2 0 15 11 11 Nottingham Open Mercedes Cup Agreed to terms with RHP Michael Mariot Colorado 4 2 1 13 12 8 Wednesday on a minor league contract. tize their name, Wednesday COLORADO ROCKIES — Recalled 1B Con­ Houston 3 3 2 11 11 12 At Tennis Club Weissenhof image and like- At Nottingham Tennis Centre Stuttgart, Germany nor Joe from Albuquerque (Triple­A West). San Jose 3 5 0 9 11 12 Nottingham, Great Britain Purse: Euro 543,210 Placed 1B Matt Adams on the 10­day IL. ness. Portland 3 4 0 9 9 11 Purse: $235,238 Surface: Grass LOS ANGELES DODGERS — Activated Surface: Grass RHP Tony Gonsolin from the 60­day IL. “There is Real Salt Lake 2 1 3 9 9 7 Men’s Singles Placed LF Yoshi Tsutsugo on the 10­day IL. Women’s Singles Round of 32 LAFC 2 3 2 8 8 9 Round of 32 Transferred LHP Scott Alexander from the broad consensus Sam Querrey, United States, def. Altug Vancouver 2 4 1 7 6 9 Alison van Uytvanck (8), Belgium, def. 10­day IL to the 60­day IL. that Congress Celikbilek, Turkey, 6­4, 6­1. MIAMI MARLINS — Placed RF Garrett Austin FC 2 4 1 7 5 8 Marina Melnikova, Russia, 6­1, 6­1. Yannick Hanfmann, Germany, def. Jere­ Emmert Kristina Mladenovic (7), France, def. Ku­ Cooper on the 10­day IL. Recalled 1B Lewin should pass a law Minnesota 2 4 1 7 6 11 my Chardy, France, 6­4, 6­4. Diaz from Jacksonville (Triple­A East). rumi Nara, Japan, 6­2, 5­7, 6­2. Jordan Thompson, Australia, def. Guido that grants athletes NIL rights,” FC Dallas 1 3 3 6 8 11 Zhang Shuai (4), China, def. Arina Rodio­ Agreed to terms with LHP Eric Stout on a Pella, Argentina, 6­3, 6­4. minor league contract. nova, Australia, 6­4, 6­3. James Duckworth, Australia, def. Adrian Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said Note: Three points for victory, one point Caty McNally, United States, def. Nao Hi­ PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES — Sent SS Didi for tie. Mannarino (7), France, 6­3, 6­2. Gregorius to Lehigh Valley (Triple­A East) bino (12), Japan, 6­0, 6­3. Dominic Stephan Stricker, Switzerland, Wednesday during a hearing held Saturday’s game Katie Boulter, Britain, def. Marie Bouzko­ on a rehab assignment. def. Radu Albot, Moldova, 7­6 (4), 7­6 (5). SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS — Selected the by the Senate Commerce Commit- Austin FC at Sporting Kansas City va (6), Czech Republic, 6­4, 6­3. Peter Gojowczyk, Germany, def. Ilya Lauren Davis (14), United States, def. contract of LHP Sammy Long. Activated Friday, June 18 Ivashka, Belarus, 5­7, 6­4, 6­2. tee. Harriet Dart, Britain, 1­6, 6­3, 6­4. Jurij Rodionov, Austria, def. Dominik RHP Jimmie Sherfy from 10­day IL. Placed Nashville at New York Heather Watson (9), Britain, def. Tara Koepfer, Germany, 2­6, 6­3, 6­2. OF Alex Dickerson on the 10­day IL. Desig­ But less than a month before Vancouver at Real Salt Lake Moore, Britain, 6­3, 4­6, 6­2. nated RHP Matt Wisler for assignment. Feliciano Lopez, Spain, def. Alexei Pop­ BASKETBALL Saturday, June 19 Women’s Doubles yrin, Australia, 6­4, 6­4. NIL laws go into effect in several Round of 16 Men’s Doubles NBA — Fined Miami president Pat Riley Chicago at Columbus states, NCAA President Mark Em- Ankita Raina, India, and Julia Wachac­ Round of 16 $25,000 for violating the league’s anti­tam­ Colorado at Cincinnati pering rule during a June 4 radio interview Orlando City at Toronto FC zyk, Germany, def. Samantha Murray Sha­ Lukasz Kubot and Hubert Hurkacz, Po­ mert was back in Washington re- ran and Naiktha Bains, Britain, 6­4, 2­6, land, def. Oliver Marach, Austria, and Ai­ regarding LeBron James. New England at New York City FC NBA G LEAGUE IGNITE — Signed G Jaden newing his plea for help from Con- Miami at D.C. United 10­4. sam­ul­Haq Qureshi, Pakistan, 6­3, 6­4. Lyudmyla Kichenok, Ukraine, and Mako­ Hardy. Minnesota at FC Dallas Gonzalo Escobar, Ecuador, and Ariel Be­ FOOTBALL gress — help that is unlikely to San Jose at Austin FC to Ninomiya (3), Japan, def. CoCo Vande­ har, Uruguay, def. Divij Sharan, India, and weghe and Christina McHale, United Nikoloz Basilashvili, Georgia, 6­4, 6­2. National Football League come as soon as the NCAA would Seattle at LA Galaxy ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed WR Ron­ Sporting Kansas City at Portland PRO BASKETBALL COLLEGE BASEBALL dale Moore to a four­year contract. Signed like. Houston at Los Angeles FC LB Zaven Collins. NWSL ATLANTA FALCONS — Traded WR Julio For some lawmakers, federal WNBA NCAA Division I Super Regionals Jones and 2023 sixth­round pick to Ten­ regulation of college sports should WLTPts GF GA Best-for-three; x-if necessary nessee for a 2022 second and 2023 fourth­ EASTERN CONFERENCE At Fayetteville, Ark. round pick. not end with NIL and the time is DALLAS COWBOYS — Signed LB Micah Orlando 3 0 2 11 7 4 WLPct GB Friday: N.C. State at No. 1 Arkansas right to tackle other issues — from Saturday: N.C. State vs. No. 1 Arkansas Parsons. Portland 3 2 0 9 11 4 GREEN BAY PACKERS — Signed LB De­ Connecticut 8 2 .800 — x-Sunday: N.C. State vs. No. 1 Arkansas long-term health care and educa- Washington 2 1 2 8 5 5 At Austin, Texas ’Vondre Campbell. Released RB Mike Web­ Gotham FC 2 1 1 7 2 1 New York 5 4 .556 2½ Saturday: South Florida at No. 2 Texas er. tional opportunities for athletes to Atlanta 4 5 .444 3½ Sunday: South Florida vs. No. 2 Texas HOUSTON TEXANS — Waived LB Duke Houston 2 2 1 7 6 6 Ejiofor with a failed physical designation. more uniform and enforceable Washington 3 5 .375 4 x-Sunday: South Florida vs. No. 2 Texas Chicago 2 2 1 7 4 7 At Knoxville, Tenn. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS — Signed CB Blidi safety standards. North Carolina 1 2 1 4 6 3 Chicago 3 7 .300 5 Saturday: LSU at No. 3 Tennessee Wreh­Wilson. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Signed DE Jaelan “To race to just an NIL bill and Reign FC 1 2 1 4 2 3 Indiana 1 10 .091 7½ Sunday: LSU vs. No. 3 Tennessee x-Monday: LSU vs. No. 3 Tennessee Phillips to a four­year contract. Louisville 1 2 1 4 2 8 At Nashville, Tenn. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — Waived QB Ja­ not address these injustices is WESTERN CONFERENCE mie Newman and WR Khalil Tate. Waived Kansas City 0 3 2 2 2 6 Friday: East Carolina at No. 4 Vanderbilt tragic,” Sen. Cory Booker (D- WLPct GB East Carolina vs. No. 4 Vander­ WR Trevon Grimes with an injury designa­ Note: Three points for victory, one point Saturday: tion. N.J.), a former Stanford football for tie. bilt SOCCER Seattle 8 2 .800 — x-Sunday: East Carolina vs. No. 4 Van­ Saturday, June 5 Major League Soccer player, said before Emmert and Las Vegas 7 3 .700 1 derbilt Chicago 1, North Carolina 0 At Tucson, Ariz. NEW YORK CITY FC — Acquired F Santia­ five other witnesses testified be- Gotham FC 1, Reign FC 0 Los Angeles 4 3 .571 2½ Friday: No. 12 Mississippi at No. 5 Arizo­ go Rodriguez on loan from Montevideo Portland 3, Louisville 0 Phoenix 5 4 .556 2½ na City (Uruguayan Primera Division). fore the committee. COLLEGE Sunday, June 6 Dallas 4 5 .444 3½ Saturday: No. 12 Mississippi vs. No. 5 Ari­ zona MEMPHIS — Announced Laird Veatch ti­ Wicker wants to take a different Orlando 1, Washington 1, tie Minnesota 3 5 .375 4 x-Sunday: No. 12 Mississippi vs. No. 5 tle revised to Vice P7resident and Director approach, calling for a “more fo- Houston 1, Kansas City 0 Arizona of Intercollegiate Athletics. Saturday, June 19 Tuesday’s games At Columbia, S.C. PROVIDENCE — Announced men’s bas­ cused bill on a faster timeline.” Saturday: Dallas Baptist at Virginia ketball G Matteus Case transferred from Reign FC at North Carolina Washington 85, Minnesota 81 Penn. Washington at Chicago Dallas 85, Phoenix 81 Sunday: Dallas Baptist vs. Virginia Emmert said the NCAA plans to x-Monday: Dallas Baptist vs. Virginia Sunday, June 20 Wednesday’s games At Starkville, Miss. AUTO RACING act on its proposed NIL legislation Houston at Louisville Seattle 95, Atlanta 71 Saturday: No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 7 soon. Kansas City at Portland Chicago 92, Indiana 76 Mississippi St. NASCAR Cup points leaders Gotham FC at Orlando Sunday: No. 10 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Mis­ “Preferably by the end of the Thursday’s game sissippi St. Through June 6 month,” Emmert said. COLLEGE SOFTBALL Los Angeles at Washington x-Monday: No. 10 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 Mississippi St. 1. Denny Hamlin 664 Friday’s games The Division I Council meets NCAA Division I World Series At Lubbock, Texas 2. Kyle Larson 617 No. 9 Stanford at No. 8 Texas June 22-23 and could take action Seattle at Atlanta Friday: 3. Chase Elliott 591 At USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium Dallas at Phoenix Tech Oklahoma City No. 9 Stanford vs. No. 8 Texas 4. William Byron 564 then, but only a federal law can Saturday’s games Saturday: Double Elimination Tech 5. Joey Logano 548 preempt state laws in Florida, Ala- Thursday, June 3 Chicago at Indiana x-Sunday: No. 9 Stanford vs. No. 8 Texas 6. Martin Truex Jr 527 James Madison 4, Oklahoma 3, 8 innings Los Angeles at Minnesota Tech bama, Georgia, Mississippi and Oklahoma St. 3, Georgia 2 7. Kyle Busch 520 New Mexico that are set to go into Alabama 5, Arizona 1 GOLF 8. Ryan Blaney 509 UCLA 4, Florida St. 0 effect July 1. Friday, June 4 9. Kevin Harvick 483 15. Patrick Cantlay USA 4.94 James Madison 2, Oklahoma St. 1 World rankings 10. Brad Keselowski 473 Earlier Wednesday, Connecti- Alabama 6, UCLA 0 16. Daniel Berger USA 4.73 11. Alex Bowman 447 Through June 6 cut became the 19th state to pass Saturday, June 5 17. Abraham Ancer MEX 4.38 12. Austin Dillon 436 Oklahoma 8, Georgia 0 1. Dustin Johnson USA 9.98 18. Matthew Fitzpatrick ENG 4.35 NIL legislation. Sen. Richard Blu- Florida St. 4, Arizona 3 13. Tyler Reddick 398 Oklahoma 10, UCLA 3 2. Justin Thomas USA 8.34 19. Louis Oosthuizen SAF 4.34 14. Chris Buescher 391 menthal (D-Conn.), who has spon- Florida St. 4, Oklahoma St. 2 3. Jon Rahm ESP 8.21 20. Billy Horschel USA 4.27 15. Christopher Bell 364 sored with Booker the sweeping Sunday, June 6 4. Bryson DeChambeau USA 6.98 21. Paul Casey ENG 4.27 Oklahoma 6, James Madison 3 16. Michael McDowell 355 College Athlete Bill of Rights, said 5. Xander Schauffele USA 6.81 22. Jason Kokrak USA 4.22 Florida St. 2, No. 3 Alabama 0 17. Matt DiBenedetto 331 he would block any federal NIL James Madison vs. Oklahoma, ppd. 6. Collin Morikawa USA 6.79 23. Jordan Spieth USA 4.13 18. Kurt Busch 328 Florida St. vs. Alabama, ppd. 7. Brooks Koepka USA 6.16 24. Scottie Scheffler USA 4.04 bill that is less permissive than Monday 19. Ricky Stenhouse Jr 309 Oklahoma 7, James Madison 1 8. Rory McIlroy NIR 5.97 25. Sungjae Im KOR 3.89 20. Ross Chastain 307 Connecticut’s. Florida St. 8, Alabama 5 9. Patrick Reed USA 5.94 26. Harris English USA 3.87 21. Bubba Wallace 298 “We need to listen to the ath- Championship Series 10. Tyrrell Hatton ENG 5.80 27. Lee Westwood ENG 3.74 Tuesday 22. Daniel Suarez 293 11. Webb Simpson USA 5.45 letes,” Blumenthal said. “They are Florida St. 8, Oklahoma 4 28. Cameron Smith AUS 3.66 23. Ryan Newman 287 Wednesday 12. Viktor Hovland NOR 5.44 29. Will Zalatoris USA 3.49 24. Ryan Preece 281 the ones who are all too frequently Oklahoma 6, Florida St. 2 13. Tony Finau USA 5.20 30. Joaquin Niemann CHI 3.44 Thursday 25. Erik Jones 272 outnumbered in this conversa- 14. Hideki Matsuyama JPN 5.04 31. Matthew Wolff USA 3.41 Florida St. vs. Oklahoma 26. Chase Briscoe 271 tion.” Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 19 NHL PLAYOFFS Officiating takes the center stage midway in playoffs BY STEPHEN WHYNO landers, a little gamesmanship Associated Press with Barry, his comments to- Officiating has been on center wards Bergy,” Cassidy said. “I’m stage midway through the NHL always going to protect my cap- playoffs. tain and kind of push back a little Star forward Connor McDavid bit.” didn’t draw a single penalty when Islanders-Bruins wasn’t the on- Edmonton got swept in the first ly series officiating has factored round. Tampa Bay dominated a into. McDavid not earning a pen- second-round series against Car- alty call against Winnipeg in the olina thanks to a potent power first round became a hot-button play. And a war of words between issue: The likely MVP tied for the coaches Barry Trotz and Bruce second-most penalties drawn Cassidy spiced up an already hot during the regular season. Islanders-Bruins series that the McDavid said going into the Islanders won Wednesday in six playoffs: “The hooking and the FRANK FRANKLIN II/AP games. holding and the holdups and all The Boston Bruins’ Matt Grzelcyk, left, reacts as the New York Islanders’ Kyle Palmieri celebrates his goal Calls made, and not made, and that stuff are things that I’ve dealt during the second period of the Islanders’ series­clinching 6­2 win Wednesday in Uniondale, N.Y. the ensuing results are tipping the with my whole life. It’s nothing balance of the postseason. The new.” spotlight is on referees and lines- After his Oilers were swept by men for the impact they’re having the Jets, coach Dave Tippett won- on the way to some team lifting dered aloud, “How can that be Islanders take Bruins in 6 the Stanley Cup. that he doesn’t draw a penalty ev- “I don’t work them,” Trotz said ery game that I watch?” Now he Tuesday. “I respect them because and McDavid are left watching I worked the referee situation (in the rest of the playoffs. practices) in the bubble last year The Hurricanes are joining games, reach Cup semis and I got ran over. I tried to call them based almost entirely on a penalties, I tried to call offsides, I parade to the penalty box that New York treats home fans with 6-2 defeat of Boston as Nelson scores twice got hit with pucks, I got knocked gave the Lightning power-play over — I got all that stuff. I’ve target practice all series. Tampa BY VIN A. CHERWOO side at 5:38 of the third to cut Bos- been in the league a long time: It’s Bay scored seven times on 16 Associated Press Scoreboard ton’s deficit to 4-2. It was Mar- a hard job, and I have a lot of re- power plays. UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New chand’s fifth of the series and spect for those guys.” “Their (power play) — there’s York Islanders got another big sec- Second round eighth of the postseason. So much respect that he and just too much there,” Carolina ond period and ran past the Boston Best­of­seven; x­if necessary New York’s stifling defense lim- Cassidy have mentioned officials coach Rod Brind’Amour said be- Bruins for a return trip to the Stan- Tampa Bay 4, Carolina 1 ited the Bruins to just five shots on a handful of times. Trotz said it fore his team lost in five games to Tampa Bay 2, Carolina 1 ley Cup semifinals. Tampa Bay 2, Carolina 1 goal in the third. With the minutes was up to linesmen to keep Bruins Tampa Bay. Brock Nelson scored twice in Carolina 3, Tampa Bay 2, OT winding down on Boston’s season, center Patrice Bergeron from There’s always a chance that a Tampa Bay 6, Carolina 4 New York’s three-goal second, Se- Tampa Bay 2, Carolina 0 the Islanders hemmed the Bruins “cheating” on faceoffs. Cassidy comment or two about officiating myon Varlamov stopped 23 shots N.Y. Islanders 4, Boston 2 in their end of the ice, preventing quipped after Boston’s Game 5 will have an impact. Boston 5, N.Y. Islanders 2 and the Islanders beat the Bruins N.Y. Islanders 4, Boston 3, OT them from pulling Rask for an ex- loss to New York: “They sell a nar- Vegas coach Peter DeBoer Boston 2, N.Y. Islanders 1, OT 6-2 in Game 6 on Wednesday night N.Y. Islanders 4, Boston 1 tra skater until 1:25 left. rative over there that it’s more tried to do his part to affect offi- in a front of a raucous home crowd N.Y. Islanders 5, Boston 4 Clutterbuck scored an empty- like the New York Saints, not the ciating in his team’s series against Wednesday: N.Y. Islanders 6, Boston 2 at Nassau Coliseum. Montreal 4, Winnipeg 0 netter with 59 seconds left to seal it, New York Islanders.” Colorado. DeBoer said after “It was awesome,” Nelson said. Montreal 5, Winnipeg 3 and Pulock added another 11 sec- The comment cost him $25,000 Game 2 he “can’t even blame the Montreal 1, Winnipeg 0 “The place was rocking tonight. Montreal 5, Winnipeg 1 onds later. in a fine from the league for publi- refs because they’re fighting the The fans were feeding us energy. Montreal 3, Winnipeg 2, OT After outscoring Boston 8-3 in cly criticizing officiating. embellishment of grabbing your The team played great. One of Vegas 3, Colorado 2 the middle periods of the first five “Most of what I thought I said face or falling down or dropping Colorado 7, Vegas 1 those nights (coach) Barry (Trotz) Colorado 3, Vegas 2, OT games, New York had three more was more in reference to the Is- your stick every period.” Vegas 3, Colorado 2 touched on after the game, you’ll Vegas 5, Colorado 1 in the second — for the third time always remember moments like Vegas 3, Colorado 2, OT in the series. Thursday: at Vegas that. That was a big game, a big x­Saturday: at Colorado Nelson stole the puck from Matt team effort from everybody.” Grzelcyk, took off on breakaway Kyle Palmieri, Travis Zajac, Cal and beat Rask into the top right Clutterbuck and Ryan Pulock also ready.” corner at 5:20 to put the Islanders scored to help New York set up a Brad Marchand scored twice for up 2-1. Bailey stole an outlet pass rematch with the defending cham- Boston, and Tuukka Rask made 23 from Rask and fed Nelson streak- pion Tampa Bay Lightning. Josh saves. The Bruins, who reached ing to net, and Nelson beat the goa- Bailey and Jean-Gabriel Pageau the Stanley Cup Final two years lie from the right side with 7:23 left each had two assists. ago, were eliminated in the second in the second for his second of the “You need everyone going to round for the second straight year. night and sixth of the playoffs. beat a team like that,” Bailey said. “They’re a good defensive With the Bruins trailing 3-1 in “I thought from Varly right on out, team,” Boston coach Bruce Cassi- the elimination game, Cassidy everyone in the lineup was contrib- dy said. “They manage pucks broke up his Perfection Line of Da- uting, playing the way we needed clearly better than us. We’re not vid Pastrnak-Marchand-Berge- to play to get the win. Certainly getting those free chances they got ron. happy to move on.” in terms of mismanaging pucks. The Islanders stretched the lead The Lightning beat the Islanders They do play a good game that way, to 4-1 as Adam Pelech sent a shot in six games in the bubble in Ed- they don’t beat themselves.” from the left point that was stopped monton last year. With the Bruins on the power by Rask. However, Palmieri JACK DEMPSEY/AP “We feel we have some unfin- play, Marchand got the puck in swooped in, took the rebound and Linesman Mark Shewchyk tries to break up a fight between Vegas ished business,” Bailey said. “We’ll front of the net and put a backhand- put it in from the right side for his Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, left, and Colorado Avalanche enjoy tonight and we’ll start getting er past Varlamov from the right seventh of the postseason. right wing Joonas Donskoi in a playoff game Sunday. PAGE 20 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 FRENCH OPEN/NBA/WCWS

NBA BRIEFS Djokovic, Pacers fire Bjorkgren Nadal set after 1 year Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — Kevin Pritchard hired Nate Bjorkgren to take the Indiana Pacers in a new direction. for semis They went the wrong way. BY HOWARD FENDRICH A season filled with defensive Associated Press struggles, missed chances and Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal know locker room drama resulted there’s something special about the two of Wednesday in the firing of Bjork­ them meeting in the French Open semifinals — gren after only one season as even if they’d prefer, of course, for it to happen coach. a round later. Pritchard expected the 45­year­ “Each time we face each other, there’s that old coach, who spent the previous extra tension and expectations,” the top­seed­ two seasons as Nick Nurse’s top ed Djokovic said. “Just vibes are different PHOTOS BY MICHEL EULER/AP assistant in Toronto, to make an walking on the court with him.” Spain’s Rafael Nadal, left, will face Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of the French impact with his new­age approach The third­seeded Nadal’s take? Open. Djokovic leads their head­to­head matchups 29­28, but Nadal leads 19­7 on clay. and his creativity. When the hiring “In some way,” he said, “we are practicing, was announced in October, we are living the sport, for these moments.” reer,” Djokovic said. “In the final stages of a No matter what happens Friday, the men’s Pritchard, the Pacers’ president of Whatever the quality of play might be be­ Grand Slam, it doesn’t get bigger than that.” final will be Old vs. New. basketball operations, acknowl­ tween Nadal and Djokovic in Paris on Friday — It is their 58th showdown, more than be­ That’s because it will pit someone in his 30s edged he was betting big on a their semifinal will follow the one between No. tween any other two men in the Open era, who is one of the greatest ever — Nadal, 35, or young coach. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece and No. 6 Alex­ which dates to 1968; Djokovic leads 29­28. Djokovic, 34 — against someone in his 20s with It just didn’t pay off. ander Zverev of Germany — the numbers as­ Nadal is ahead 10­6 at the Slams, 7­1 at the plenty of potential but zero Grand Slam titles Indiana went 34­38 before fin­ sociated with the matchup are overwhelming. French Open (including a straight­set victory — Tsitsipas, 22, or Zverev, 24. ishing the season with an embar­ Start with the big picture: Nadal is two wins in the 2020 final) and 19­7 on clay (including a Tsitsipas vs. Zverev offers a glimpse of what rassing 142­115 loss to Washington away from his 21st Grand Slam title, which win in last month’s Italian Open final). the future of men’s tennis could be. in the play­in tournament — a fit­ would break the men’s mark he currently This one comes in the semifinals, rather than Both are all­court, all­surface players who ting end to an abysmal season. The Wizards averaged 140.3 points in shares with Roger Federer. the final, because Nadal recently slid from No. are 6­foot­4 or taller. And both have now be­ sweeping four games from the Djokovic is trying to get to No. 19, which 2 to No. 3 in the rankings. The tournament come regulars in the latter stages of majors. Pacers. would leave him just one behind his rivals. seedings strictly follow the rankings, so Nadal “The Grand Slams, they’re still a different “I wanted to take a risk — may­ Nadal is 105­2 at Roland Garros — Djokovic got no boost for his dominance at the place, and animal. ... You got to learn how to play them, as be a lower floor and higher ceil­ is responsible for one of those defeats, in the a random draw determined which half of the well. Very rarely does anybody come in and, all ing,” Pritchard said. “Maybe this 2015 quarterfinals; Robin Soderling the other bracket he was placed in. of a sudden, perform his best at Grand Slams. year we look at something a little — and eyeing a 14th championship at the clay­ “It’s going to be a special match,” said 10th­ Yes, we’ve seen Rafa do it, but Rafa is some­ different. I have something in my court major. seeded Diego Schwartzman, who lost to Nadal times not human,” Zverev said. “For young mind, but I don’t want to quite Djokovic won La Coupe des Mousquetaires in the quarterfinals Wednesday but not before guys, it is a learning curve. Hopefully I can say come forward with that yet.” in 2016 and could join Rod Laver and Roy ending his 36­set winning streak in Paris. “Ev­ that, slowly but surely, I’m starting to get the Emerson as the only men to win each of the eryone wants to see that.” hang of it.” Utah’s Gobert wins third four Grand Slam tournaments twice. The women’s final Saturday will be No. 31 This is his third semifinal in the past five Defensive Player award “It’s not like any other match. Let’s face it, seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova against No. 17 Slams, and he was the runner­up to Dominic Rudy Gobert saved Utah’s it’s the biggest challenge that you can have — Maria Sakkari or unseeded Barbora Krejciko­ Thiem at last year’s U.S. Open. opening game of the second round playing on clay against Nadal on this court, in va. The last four women all were first­time ma­ It’s the third major semifinal in a row and with a blocked shot, the kind of which he has had so much success in his ca­ jor semifinalists. fourth overall for Tsitsipas, who is 0­3 so far. play that’s earned him recognition as the NBA’s best defender. It would have been ever better if Sooners slug past Seminoles, force Game 3 Mark Eaton had seen it. The former Jazz center died last BY CLIFF BRUNT championship. Florida State (49­ about keeping them in that game. month and Gobert was thinking Associated Press 12­1) is trying for its second title in They had my back. They’re al­ about his predecessor Wednesday OKLAHOMA CITY — Jocelyn four years. ways going to have my back.” after breaking a tie with him for Alo knew her hit was gone as soon Alo sent Kathryn Sandercock’s Juarez improved to 4­0 in the most Defensive Player of the Year as she made contact. 2­0 pitch over the right­center tournament and has surrendered awards in franchise history by 1 Oklahoma’s slugger blasted a field fence, giving the Sooners a just three earned runs in 24 ⁄3 in­ winning it for a third time. go­ahead homer in the sixth in­ 3­2 lead. Her blast fired up the nings. Oklahoma coach Patty Gas­ Gobert had the most total ning, and the Sooners beat Florida crowd of 12,115 mostly Sooners so didn’t say if Juarez would start blocked shots and defensive re­ State 6­2 on Wednesday night to fans at USA Softball Hall of Fame Game 3. bounds in the league this season force a decisive Game 3 for the Stadium, which is about 25 miles “Everything is on the table right and became the fourth player to Women’s College World Series ti­ from Oklahoma’s campus. now,” Gasso said. “You’ve got to win the award at least three times tle. The homer gave the Sooners the do everything you can to find a after leading the Jazz to the best It was Alo’s 33rd home run of Division I single­season record for way to win this. So whatever we record in the league. the season. The USA Softball Col­ home runs with 159, breaking the have to do — and I know she’ll do A night after a game­sealing legiate Player of the Year added to mark Hawaii set in 2010. whatever she has to do as well.” blocked shot in Game 1 of the her school record. But this one Giselle Juarez pitched a com­ Mackenzie Donihoo and Kinzie Western Conference semifinals, was different. plete game for Oklahoma. She Hansen each added two hits for Gobert received 84 first­place “I did know it was out,” Alo said. gave up two runs in the first in­ Oklahoma. votes and 464 points from a global “And I think the last time I circled ning, then threw six shutout in­ Sandercock, who had been panel of 100 sports writers and the bases that quickly was proba­ nings and allowed just two hits the dominant during the World Se­ broadcasters. bly my freshman year, my first­ rest of the way. ries, started and gave up four SUE OGROCKI / AP Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons ever home run.” “My hitters came up to me and earned runs and seven hits in five Oklahoma’s Jana Johns was second with 15 first­place The final game was played they were, like, ‘We’ve got you, we innings for the Seminoles, who celebrates hitting a home run votes and 287 votes, while Dray­ Thursday afternoon. Oklahoma have your back,’ ” Juarez said. won the opener of the best­of­ during the third inning mond Green of Golden State was (55­4) is seeking its fifth national “And I think for me, it was all three final 8­4 on Tuesday. Wednesday in Oklahoma City. third with 76 points. Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 21 NBA PLAYOFFS Paul leads Suns in rout of Nuggets Phoenix up 2-0 with virtuoso effort from 36-year-old All-Star Associated Press PHOENIX — Chris Paul is a 36- year-old man who can still put to- gether an NBA point guard’s ver- sion of a virtuoso performance: Fifteen assists, no turnovers and it led to another blowout playoff vic- tory for his rolling Phoenix Suns. “I feel good,” Paul said. “I feel really good.” Apparently so. The ageless Paul added 17 points, Devin Booker had 18 points and 10 rebounds and Phoenix routed the Denver Nuggets 123-98 on Wednesday night to take a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. Deandre Ayton had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 16 points for the balanced Suns in their fifth straight victory. Paul was particularly impres- sive and it appears his ailing right shoulder — which greatly limited his play against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round — isn’t much of a problem anymore. The 11-time All-Star had 21 points and 11 assists in Game 1. Nikola Jokic had 24 points and MATT YORK/AP 13 rebounds for Denver, a day af- Nuggets forward Will Barton, center, is swarmed by Suns guard Chris Paul, right, and forward Dario Saric during the first half of Game 2 of ter getting the NBA’s Most Valua- their second­round playoff series Wednesday in Phoenix. The Suns won 123­98 to take a 2­0 series lead. ble Player award. But the Nuggets couldn’t find anyone else to score a reason that their crowd was yell- better than us. They are making fourth. The Suns led by 31 in the with injuries, including forward consistently, leaving them reeling ing ‘Suns in four!’ and they are shots, being more aggressive, final quarter as they relentlessly Michael Porter Jr. (back) and going back to Denver for Game 3 calling for a sweep because if we finding the open man. It looks real pushed the ball even as the lead guard Will Barton (hamstring). on Friday night. play like this in Denver, this is go- bad out there. We need to change built. Both were listed on the injury re- “This was an embarrassing per- ing to be a really quick series.” everything.” “It’s the NBA — crazy things port. formance for myself all the way to Later, Malone added he felt the The Suns had a 10-point half- can happen no matter how big of a Porter started and played 27 the last player,” Denver coach Mi- Nuggets “quit tonight, which is time lead and Jae Crowder added lead you have,” Suns forward Tor- minutes, finishing with 11 points chael Malone said. “We are walk- something that you never want to a pair of three-pointers early in rey Craig said. and six rebounds but shot just 3- ing out here with our heads held see.” the third to make it 60-43. Phoenix Hurting Nuggets:Some of Den- for-13. Barton played 16 minutes down and rightfully so. There was Said Jokic: “They are playing took an 86-67 advantage into the ver’s better players are dealing and had 10 points. Scoreboard Splash: Class of 2018 making impact in playoffs Playoffs CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS FROM PAGE 24 delphia. Ayton, in his first play- postseason, and his brilliant pass (Best-of-seven) x-if necessary offs, is shooting 78% from the to John Collins late in Game 1 of Eastern Conference ries against New York that he field, something nobody in NBA the win in Philadelphia led to a Brooklyn 2, Milwaukee 0 Brooklyn 115, Milwaukee 107 punctuated with a theatrical bow history with more than 50 shot at- clear-path foul that helped the Brooklyn 125, Milwaukee 86 Thursday: at Milwaukee at Madison Square Garden. “Win- tempts has done in their first trip Hawks seal the victory. Sunday: at Milwaukee ning feels good. It feels better.” to the postseason. “I’m just trying to impact win- x-Tuesday: at Brooklyn x-Thursday, June 17: at Milwaukee Doncic leads — and will likely Suns guard Chris Paul has said ning and that’s any way I can right x-Saturday, June 19: at Brooklyn Atlanta 1, Philadelphia 1 finish — as the playoff scoring all season that Ayton has all the now in the playoffs,” Huerter said. Atlanta 128, Philadelphia, 124 leader this season, at 35.7 points tools — and no one would argue And while Huerter doesn’t deny Philadelphia 118, Atlanta 102 Friday: at Atlanta per game. He’s in line for a rookie that now. that his 2018 draft class — he went Monday: at Atlanta extension this summer that will “It’s great to see it coming to- 19th, while Ayton went No. 1, Wednesday, June 16: at Philadelphia x-Friday, June 18: at Atlanta exceed $200 million, and there’s gether for him,” Paul said. Young No. 3, Doncic No. 5 (Young x-Sunday, June 20: at Philadelphia /AP Western Conference little doubt that the Mavericks will MARK J. TERRILL Some of the class of 2018 are and Doncic were traded for one Phoenix 2, Denver 0 slide that piece of paper his way. Dallas guard Luka Doncic had six full-time starters in these play- another), Bridges went 10th and Phoenix 122, Denver 105 Wednesday: Phoenix 123, Denver 98 “He just plays with so much games of 20 points or more offs, like Young for the Hawks, Brown was a steal at No. 42 — has Friday: at Denver during the Mavericks’ seven­ Sunday: at Denver confidence, and his game is just so Ayton and Bridges for Phoenix, signs of being special, he knows x-Tuesday: at Phoenix beyond his age,” George said of game first­round playoff series Porter Jr. in Denver. Others, like it’ll take more than one good post- x-Thursday, June 17: at Denver with the Los Angeles Clippers. x-Sunday, June 20: at Phoenix Doncic. “He pretty much can pick Brown with the Nets, got called season run for the group to be Utah 1, L.A. Clippers 0 up and read almost any defense. ... upon to be a spot starter. And anointed as great. Utah 112, L.A. Clippers 109 Thursday: at Utah He’s going to be great. He’s got a huge future — and some big, huge some have the closer role; Huer- Ayton fully believes the 2018 Saturday: at L.A. Clippers Monday: at L.A. Clippers big, huge future ahead of him.” paychecks — awaiting him. ter, for example, has been on the takeover is coming. x-Wednesday, June 16: at Utah Doncic is far from the only one Young is averaging 30.2 points en- floor for most of the fourth-quar- “It’s the new generation of the x-Friday, June 18: at L.A. Clippers x-Sunday, June 20: at Utah in the class of 2018 that has a big, tering Tuesday’s game in Phila- ter action for the Hawks in the league,” he said. PAGE 22 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 MLB ROUNDUP Pederson, Alcantara HRs power Cubs past Padres Associated Press innings for Chicago, which took two the ninth inning to beat Atlanta. SAN DIEGO — Joc Pederson of of three. The Cubs beat the Padres Astros 8, Red Sox 3: Jose Al­ the Chicago Cubs hit a towering, five times in six games in a 10­day tuve and Alex Bregman homered game­tying home run off San Diego stretch, including a three­game to help Jake Odorizzi (1­3) pick up ace Yu Darvish and, as he ap­ sweep at Wrigley Field last week. his first win since 2019, and Hous­ proached third base on his trot, Athletics 4, Diamondbacks 0: ton won at Boston. mimicked the stutter step Padres Sean Manaea (5­2) pitched six in­ Angels 6, Royals 1:Griffin Can­ star Fernando Tatis Jr. does after nings of two­hit ball, and Oakland ning (5­4) pitched five­hit ball into he homers. handed Arizona its 19th straight the seventh inning, Anthony Ren­ If Tatis can have fun, so can he, road loss, the longest such streak in don hit a two­run double and Los GREGORY BULL/AP Pederson figured. major league baseball since 1985. Angeles swept visiting Kansas Cubs hitter Sergio Alcantara, right, is congratulated by third base “I see Tatis, he has a lot of home­ Rangers 4, Giants 3 (11):Brock City. coach Willie Harris after hitting a homer Wednesday in San Diego. rs, he’s done it, he’s having fun out Holt hit a game­ending single with Reds 7, Brewers 3: Vladimir there,” Pederson said after the two outs in the 11th inning and host Gutierrez (2­1) pitched seven effec­ a rare road victory over Miami, with a win over Cleveland. Cubs beat former teammate Dar­ Texas beat San Francisco for its tive innings, Tyler Stephenson handing Bud Black his 300th win as Dodgers 2, Pirates 1: Justin vish and San Diego 3­1 on Wednes­ second win in 14 games. drove in three runs and host Cin­ its manager. Turner hit two home runs and Los 1 day. “He’s got some of the most Mets 14, Orioles 1:Kevin Pillar cinnati stopped Milwaukee’s five­ Nationals 9, Rays 7 (11):Starlin Angeles got 7 ⁄3 scoreless innings swag in the game. Our team’s just and Billy McKinney each homered game winning streak. Castro drove in a run with a double from its bullpen in a victory at Pitts­ having fun.” twice, and New York beat Matt Mariners 9, Tigers 6 (11):Jake during a two­run 11th inning and burgh in a game delayed 70 min­ Pederson also did the stutter step Harvey (3­7)decisively for the sec­ Fraley made a game­saving catch Washington won at AL East­lead­ utes at the start due to rain. after homering in San Francisco ond time this season, rolling at Bal­ in the ninth inning, then drove in ing Tampa Bay. Blue Jays 6, White Sox 2: Ran­ during the weekend. timore. the go­ahead run in the 11th to lead Cardinals 8, Indians 2: Adam dal Grichuk hit a long home run “If I keep hitting homers, I’m go­ Phillies 2, Braves 1: Luke Wil­ Seattle to a win at Detroit. Wainwright (4­5) allowed two runs and Toronto took advantage of a ing to keep doing it,” he said. liams walked host Philadelphia off Rockies 4, Marlins 3: Raimel in seven innings, Tyler O’Neill season­high four errors by host Sergio Alcantara also homered with his first big league homer, hit­ Tapia hit two doubles, singled and homered twice and host St. Louis Chicago as well as a bases­loaded and Jake Arrieta threw five strong ting a two­run shot with two outs in scored twice, and Colorado earned snapped a six­game losing streak walk. Friday, June 11, 2021 • STARS AND STRIPES • PAGE 23 MLB

Scoreboard

American League East Division Cole spins a win for Yankees WLPct GB Tampa Bay 39 24 .619 _ Boston 37 25 .597 1½ Pitcher gets back on New York 33 29 .532 5½ Toronto 31 28 .525 6 Baltimore 22 39 .361 16 track as controversy Central Division WLPct GB about grip aids swirls Chicago 37 24 .607 _ Cleveland 32 27 .542 4 BY DAVE CAMPBELL Kansas City 29 31 .483 7½ Associated Press Detroit 25 36 .410 12 Minnesota 24 37 .393 13 MINNEAPOLIS — Gerrit Cole put his famil­ West Division iar spin on a tenacious win. The New York Yan­ WLPct GB kees usually find their groove in Minnesota, af­ Oakland 37 26 .587 _ ter all. Houston 35 26 .574 1 Cole got back on track with six sharp innings Seattle 31 32 .492 6 amid the hubbub around grip aids for pitchers, Los Angeles 30 32 .484 6½ and Giancarlo Stanton hit two of New York’s Texas 24 39 .381 13 four home runs to fuel a 9­6 victory Wednesday National League night over the Twins. East Division “The outside chatter is the outside chatter, WLPct GB and as players we’ve just got to do our best and New York 30 24 .556 _ stay focused on our job,” said Cole, who won for Atlanta 29 30 .492 3½ the first time in three starts. He allowed solo JIM MONE/AP Philadelphia 29 31 .483 4 homers to Jorge Polanco and Miguel Sanó Washington 25 33 .431 7 New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole delivers during the first inning of Wednesday’s game Miami 26 35 .426 7½ among five hits without a walk. against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis. Cole finished with nine strikeouts. Central Division Polanco hit a two­run shot in a four­run ninth WLPct GB for Minnesota, but Cole and the Yankees were about his spin rate. I’m just watching him He hit a three­run shot in the third inning in control from the start. pitch. He’s a good pitcher,” Minnesota manag­ and a two­run homer in the fifth, both following Chicago 35 27 .565 _ Milwaukee 34 27 .557 ½ “That’s what an ace does,” teammate Aaron er Rocco Baldelli said. walks to Gleyber Torres. St. Louis 32 30 .516 3 Judge said. “Nothing really can faze that guy.” Said New York manager Aaron Boone: “He’s This was also the 10th time in four years Cincinnati 29 30 .492 4½ Judge and Miguel Andújar also took Twins an amazing pitcher and a tremendous compet­ playing together, including the postseason, Pittsburgh 23 37 .383 11 starter Randy Dobnak (1­6) deep on a hot and itor, and when all this dust settles and wherev­ that Judge and Stanton both went deep in the West Division humid night that had the ball jumping off the er the storyline goes, that ain’t changing.” same game. New York has won each of them. WLPct GB bat. Dobnak, the former Uber­driving underdog Entering the series, the Yankees had lost 10 San Francisco 38 23 .623 _ Cole (7­3) reserved two of his nine strikeouts who pitched in the playoffs at Yankee Stadium of 13 games and four in a row, but leave it to a Los Angeles 36 25 .590 2 for Josh Donaldson, who recently questioned two years ago, surrendered career highs for visit to Target Field to get them going. They’re San Diego 37 27 .578 2½ Colorado 25 37 .403 13½ whether the three­time All­Star right­hander runs (eight), homers (four) and walks (three) 28­11 here all­time, including 3­0 in the play­ 2 Arizona 20 43 .317 19 and others have unfairly helped their cause over 4 ⁄3 innings. He gave up 11 hits. offs. As the Twins fans are all too well aware, Wednesday’s games with sticky substances on their fingers that Stanton had three of them on his way to the New York is 105­37, including 16­2 in the play­ Houston 8, Boston 3 cross the lines of even competition. 34th multi­homer game of his career and sec­ offs, against Minnesota over the last 20 sea­ Seattle 9, Detroit 6, 11 innings N.Y. Yankees 9, Minnesota 6 “He’s a tough customer. I’m not worried ond of the season. sons. Toronto 6, Chicago White Sox 2 L.A. Angels 6, Kansas City 1 Texas 4, San Francisco 3, 11 innings Oakland 4, Arizona 0 Chicago Cubs 3, San Diego 1 N.Y. Mets 14, Baltimore 1 Alonso: MLB alters balls to hurt free agents Philadelphia 2, Atlanta 1 Cincinnati 7, Milwaukee 3 BY NOAH TRISTER with the COVID season, but now it, because for me, I go in the box L.A. Dodgers 2, Pittsburgh 1 Colorado 4, Miami 3 Associated Press that we’re back to playing like a every single day, and I see guys St. Louis 8, Cleveland 2 Washington 9, Tampa Bay 7, 11 innings BALTIMORE — New York regular season with a ton of short­ throwing harder and harder every Thursday’s games Mets slugger Pete Alonso accused stops or position players that are day, and I don’t want 99 slipping Seattle at Detroit Major League Baseball of manip­ going to be paid a lot of money, out of someone’s hand,” Alonso Houston at Boston N.Y. Yankees at Minnesota ulating the baseballs to harm the high­caliber players, I mean yeah, said. Toronto at Chicago White Sox Kansas City at Oakland earning potential for star free it’s not a coincidence.” Cole found himself immersed in L.A. Dodgers at Pittsburgh agents and players eligible for ar­ The league did not comment on the controversy last week when Milwaukee at Cincinnati Atlanta at Philadelphia bitration. Alonso’s charge. Minnesota Twins third baseman San Francisco at Washington Colorado at Miami Alonso’s comments came MLB informed teams in Febru­ Josh Donaldson casually brought Friday’s games Wednesday before New York’s ary that it planned to slightly the pitcher’s name up in an inter­ Baltimore (Akin 0-0) at Tampa Bay (Yar- game at Baltimore. He was re­ deaden the baseballs for the 2021 view session, correlating a drop in brough 3-3) Chicago White Sox (Giolito 5-5) at De- sponding to a question about the season following a yearslong Cole’s spin rate with an anticipat­ troit (Skubal 3-7) Seattle (Dunn 1-2) at Cleveland (Civale crackdown on sticky substances surge in home runs. In 2019, 3.6% ed crackdown on the sticky stuff 8-2) Toronto (Stripling 2-3) at Boston (Ri- used by pitchers. of plate appearances ended in a by MLB. chards 4-4) “I think that the biggest concern homer, a number that has dropped Cole sidestepped the accusation Houston (Urquidy 4-3) at Minnesota (Shoemaker 2-7) is that Major League Baseball ma­ to 3.1% this year. on Tuesday, and Donaldson elab­ Kansas City (Singer 3-5) at Oakland (Ir- vin 4-7) nipulates the baseballs year in and Alonso hit 53 home runs as a orated on the matter Wednesday St. Louis (Oviedo 0-2) at Chicago Cubs year out depending on the free rookie in that 2019 season and 16 in to clarify that he’s concerned (Hendricks 7-4) San Francisco (Gausman 7-0) at Wash- agency class — or guys being in an 57 games last year. He homered in about many more opponents in the ington (Ross 2-6) JOHN BAZEMORE/AP Atlanta (Morton 5-2) at Miami (Alcanta- advanced part of their arbitra­ the first inning Wednesday, his game than just Cole. ra 3-5) tion,” Alonso said. “So I do think New York Mets first baseman 10th of the season. “With Gerrit Cole, he was the Colorado (Freeland 0-1) at Cincinnati (Mahle 5-2) that’s a big issue — the ball being Pete Alonso accused Major After the 2019 season, Gerrit first guy to pitch since the suspen­ San Diego (Snell 2-2) at N.Y. Mets (de- Grom 5-2) different every single year. ... League Baseball of manipulating Cole landed a $324 million, nine­ sions happened and he’s the first Pittsburgh (De Jong 0-0) at Milwaukee Maybe if the league didn’t change the balls each season based year deal with the New York Yan­ guy that you could see spin rates (Woodruff 4-2) L.A. Angels (Ohtani 2-1) at Arizona (Kelly the baseball, pitchers wouldn’t upon which players are going to kees, still a record contract for a going down,” Donaldson said. 2-6) be eligible for free agency. Texas (Foltynewicz 1-6) at L.A. Dodgers need to use as much sticky stuff.” pitcher in terms of its total value. “There’s been 12 or more guys al­ (Kershaw 7-5) When asked a follow­up ques­ As far as the original question ready whose spin rates have mag­ MLB calendar tion about this, Alonso remained “That’s a fact,” he said. “Guys was concerned, Alonso did not ically dropped in the last week, so July 11-13 — Amateur draft, Denver. firm. His implication was that the have talked about it, but I mean, in seem terribly concerned with it’s not just Gerrit Cole.” July 13 — All-Star Game, Denver. Aug. 12 — New York Yankees vs. Chicago balls are friendlier to hitters in a 2019, there was a huge class of free what opposing pitchers might be White Sox at Dyersville, Iowa. Aug. 22 — Los Angeles Angels vs. Cleve- year when a number of top pitch­ agent pitchers, and then that’s, putting on the ball. land at Williamsport, Pa. ers are about to hit free agency — quote­unquote, the juiced balls. “Whatever they want to use to AP sports writers Dave Campbell in Minneapolis Sept. 8 — Hall of Fame induction, Coo- and Kyle Hightower in Boston contributed to this perstown, N.Y. and vice versa. Then 2020, it was a strange year help control the ball, let them use report. PAGE 24 • STARS AND STRIPES • Friday, June 11, 2021 Something to cheer SPORTS Islanders eliminate Bruins in front of raucous home fans ›› NHL playoffs, Page 19

NBA PLAYOFFS Class act 2018’s draftees are making splash in 2021 postseason

BY TIM REYNOLDS Asociated Press hoenix’s Deandre Ayton had Guy Fieri leaping out of his courtside seat with a thundering dunk. Atlanta’s Trae Young had Spike Lee leaving early Pin disappointment. Dallas’ Luka Doncic im- pressed Paul George so much that the Clippers’ veteran in- sisted on trading jerseys with the youngster. They’re all part of the NBA’s draft class of 2018. And that group, so far, might be the class of these play- offs. Doncic is gone, but plenty of others — Young, Ayton, Mi- chael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, Kevin Huerter, Bruce Brown and more — from the group that got drafted three years ago — remain. And they’ve seemed right at home in this postseason, even though for many it’s the first time on this big a stage. “I think it’s the best class in NBA history,” Ayton, the Phoenix center who went No. 1 overall in that class three years ago, said after the Suns won their first-round series over the 2020 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. “That’s how I feel. ... Guys like Luka, MPJ and Trae, it’s been great to watch us young guys go at it. We’re not backing down.” Quite the contrary. They’re showing up. Entering Tuesday, those drafted in 2018 had combined for 21 games of at least 20 points in these playoffs. The only draft class with more so far in these playoffs was the 2011 group — which has 22, led by the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Tobias Harris. Doncic, whose Dallas Mavericks lost a seven-game se- ries to the Los Angeles Clippers in Round 1, had six of those 20-point games. Young, whose Atlanta Hawks took a 1-0 se- ries lead into Game 2 of the Eastern Con- ference semifinals against Phi- ladelphia on Tuesday, al- so had six — in his first six playoff games. “I’m not satis- fied,” Young said after Round 1, a se-

SEE SPLASH ON PAGE 21 “I think it’s the best class in NBA history” Members of the Deandre Ayton 2018 NBA Draft No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns class, from top: The Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young; Phoenix INSIDE Suns’ Deandre Ayton; and the Paul, Suns blow out Nuggets Denver Nuggets’ Page 21 Michael Porter Jr. AP, TNS photos

Mets’ Alonso says MLB ball tampering hurts free agents ›› Page 23