| December 10, 2014 |
THE EARLY BIRD BRIEF |
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TODAY'S TOP 5
1. Kerry, Senators Clash Over Proposed Limitation of US Ground Forces Vs. Islamic State
(Defense News) US Secretary of State John Kerry clashed Tuesday with senators over using US ground combat forces in the fight against the Islamic State.
2. Senate report on CIA program details brutality, dishonesty
(Washington Post) An exhaustive, five-year Senate investigation of the CIA's secret interrogations of terrorism suspects renders a strikingly bleak verdict of a program launched in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, describing levels of brutality, dishonesty and seemingly arbitrary violence that at times brought even agency employees to moments of anguish.
3. 'Sitting Ducks': Move Carriers Out of the Gulf, into Mediterranean
(John T. Kuehn in Cicero Magazine) My first missions to support an aircraft carrier in 1983 were flown in the Gulf of Oman in an EP-3 ARIES I/ORION aircraft, providing coverage for a US aircraft carrier from a land base. Then, even then the slightest movements by Iran in the Persian Gulf would send the massive aircraft carrier stationed there scrambling for the wide open maneuver space of the North Arabian Sea. This has changed. The US has gone from fear of operating with big-deck aviation ships in the Persian Gulf to a casual "they have to be there" attitude today. It reflects a malaise in thinking when it comes to sea power today which places America's Navy and its sailors in the Gulf at greater risk than is necessary. America should remove its carrier strike group from the Persian Gulf and station it in the Mediterranean Sea.
4. McCain deep-sixes Defense nominee
(The Hill) Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sank the confirmation of a Defense Department official on Monday, calling her "unqualified."
5. Chinese National Accused of Transporting USAF Program Information
(Defense News) A Chinese national has been arrested while carrying sensitive proprietary information on titanium used in a US Air Force program, most likely the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, according to the US attorney for the District of Connecticut.
ISLAMIC STATE
Senate Panel's Work Presages Coming Fight Over Scope of AUMF
(Defense News) A fight is brewing in the US Senate over how much - or how little - authority lawmakers should hand the president in fighting the Islamic State.
Iraqi leader asks US for more air power, weaponry
(Associated Press) Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday that his army is taking the offensive against the Islamic State group but needs more air power and heavy weaponry to prevail.
Fight Against Islamic State Deepens Divides Within Iraq's Sunni Minority
(Wall Street Journal) Islamic State's rise is dividing Iraq's Sunni minority, pitting tribes loyal to the militant group against those who support the government and, in some cases, cleaving tribes apart from within.
Iraqi Kurd urges regional rule for Iraqi Sunnis
(Associated Press) Iraq's central government in Baghdad must give up much of its authority to local power centers - and potentially permit the creation of an autonomous Sunni Muslim region - if the nation is to survive the fight against Islamic State militants, a senior Iraqi Kurdish official said Tuesday.
Rebels in northern Syria say U.S. has stopped paying them
(McClatchy) The United States has stopped paying most of the pro-western rebels fighting in northern Syria and has suspended the delivery of arms to them, rebel commanders told McClatchy Tuesday.
Three American teens, recruited online, are caught trying to join the Islamic State
(Washington Post) Mohammed Hamzah Khan, 19, rose before dawn on Oct. 4 to pray with his father and 16-year-old brother at their neighborhood mosque in a Chicago suburb.
INDUSTRY
Boeing KC-46 Tanker on Track for Flight by This Month: Official
(Bloomberg) Boeing "still tracking for this year" on first flight of prototype KC-46 tanker, Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, top Air Force military acquisition official, says in interview with Bloomberg's Tony Capaccio.
Amazon commercial cloud tapped for GEOINT
(C4ISR & Networks) The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) has become the first intelligence agency to host an operational capability on Amazon Web Services' Commercial Cloud Services.
USAF seeks additional extended range conversions for Reaper UAVs
(IHS Jane's 360) The US Air Force (USAF) intends to award General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) a contract to upgrade an additional number of its MQ-9 Reaper Block 1 unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) to the extended range (ER) configuration, it disclosed on 4 December.
Army issues second DCGS-A RFI
(C4ISR & Networks) The Army has issued a second request for information for the Distributed Common Ground System - Army (DCGS-A) Increment 2, seeking industry feedback on specific capabilities.
Falcon Eye Spy Sat Contract Goes Into Effect
(Defense News) A contract signed in the summer to supply the Falcon Eye spy satellite to the United Arab Emirates has gone into effect, Airbus Defence and Space said on Tuesday.
Taiwan says to buy two U.S. frigates despite China anger
(Reuters) Taiwan's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that it plans to buy two frigates from the United States, and that it hopes Washington will not be influenced by China's opposition to the sale.
Taiwan releases first firing footage of HF-3 'carrier killer'
(IHS Jane's 360) Taiwan's Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) has released footage showing the indigenously made Hsiung-Feng III (Brave Wind III, or HF-3) supersonic anti-ship cruise missile and Tien Kung III (Sky Bow III, or TK 3) surface-to-air missile system successfully completing test firings.
Finland Begins Search For Industrial Owner For Patria
(Defense News) Finland is planning to find a new industrial partner for state-controlled defense group Patria after minority owner Airbus Group sold its 26.8 percent equity holding in the company back to the Finnish state.
VETERANS
House passes suicide prevention bill, Senate awaits
(Military Times) The House on Tuesday passed sweeping veterans suicide prevention legislation as one of its final legislative acts of the year, but the measure still faces an uncertain fate in the Senate.
Stolen valor or just a big mouth? YouTuber, "soldier" with county ties taunts military, sheriff
(The Star; Shelby, N.C.) Every year, thousands of men and women volunteer to put their lives on the line to serve the country. They proudly wear their uniform and are honored for their sacrifice.
Apply now: Bonus for Iraq vets expiring soon
(Army Times) Calling all Ohio residents who've served in Iraq - you have until Dec. 31 to apply for a bonus worth up to $1,500.
Veterans voice concerns over reduced ER hours, staff
(Spokesman-Review; Spokane, Wash.) Military veterans are worried that reduced hours at Spokane Veterans Affairs Medical Center's emergency room could delay access to health care and lead to unexpected medical bills.
CONGRESS
Deal reached on massive $1.1 trillion spending bill
(Washington Post) Congressional leaders have reached agreement on a massive $1.1 trillion spending bill that will keep most of the federal government funded through next September.
Reid tees up defense spending bill
(The Hill) Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) placed the defense spending on the Senate's docket while it waits for a government funding bill from the House.
McCain Sees Senate 'Absolutely' Finishing Carter SecDef Confirmation in January
(Defense News) The Senate Armed Services Committee will take up Ash Carter's nomination for defense secretary in January, after Republicans take control of the panel.
House Armed Services announces new GOP members
(The Hill) The influential House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday announced six new Republicans would be added to the panel's roster, including an ex-Navy SEAL and a former A-10 pilot.
DoD nuclear advisor confirmed as questions about funding persist
(IHS Jane's 360) The US Senate on 9 December approved Robert Scher to be the Pentagon's assistant secretary overseeing nuclear issues and Scher has said he would prioritise modernisation programmes for the nuclear enterprise, but questions remain about funding and the future of non-proliferation efforts.
Issue Tracker: Swan Song
(Defense News) This is the last week the House and Senate are slated to be in session. And unless outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., makes good on a threat to work a few more days, the 113th Congress will adjourn for good late this week. A few things to watch:
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
War Zone Food Contractor Pleads Guilty to Overcharging
(Government Executive) A major supplier of food and bottled water to U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan on Monday pleaded guilty to overcharging the Defense Logistics Agency by $48 million.
Moving Mountains In Cyber War: Automated Virtual 'Maneuver'
(Breaking Defense) In real-world warfare, troops and tanks maneuver to take advantage of the terrain. In the looking-glass world of cyberspace, however, "maneuver" may mean changing the terrain itself. If the enemy's invading your country, you can dig a trench or blow a bridge, but otherwise you go to war with the landscape you have.
DoD's first network hub successful in early tests
(C4ISR & Networks) Tests of the first hub in the Pentagon's network consolidation effort, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, have thus far been successful, Acting DoD Chief Information Officer Terry Halvorsen said Friday.
ARMY
Fallen soldier remembered as 'a low-maintenance, great guy'
(Norhwest Florida Daily News) After years of combat, Rob Pabel thought that he had grown numb to the news of another military casualty. But that was before he learned that SSgt. Matt Ammerman of the 7th Special Forces Group had been killed in action.
Afghanistan to Fort Bragg: Final soldiers return home Tuesday, ending 13-year war
(Fayetteville Observer) Cheers and applause exploded as a small group of soldiers - the last of the 18th Airborne Corps headquarters - marched onto Fort Bragg after returning from Afghanistan early Tuesday.
Army Secretary John McHugh unveils new honor for Somalia campaign while at Fort Drum
(Watertown Daily Times) The efforts of Army and 10th Mountain Division soldiers in Somalia were fully recognized for the first time during Monday's ceremony.
Fort Carson soldier pleads not guilty to arson
(Colorado Springs Gazette) A Fort Carson soldier suspected of setting his own home ablaze pleaded not guilty to arson charges Tuesday morning.
NAVY
Navy Band XO fired for alleged personal misconduct
(Navy Times) The executive officer of the Navy Band in Washington, D.C., was fired Friday for alleged "personal misconduct," according to a Navy release.
USS Vicksburg to take lead of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2
(IHS Jane's 360) The US Navy's (USN's) Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) is to relieve sister ship USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) as Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) flagship.
Navy expands female hair regs, includes two-strand braids
(Navy Times) The Navy has expanded the service's hair rules for women, adding two-strand twists, relaxing size rules for hair buns and opening the possibility that future female recruits won't have to cut their hair at boot camp.
Ex-sailor gets 5 years for pimping HIV-positive teen
(Virginian-Pilot) A former Navy sailor was sentenced Monday to 5 years in prison on a charge he helped prostitute an underage girl he later learned was HIV-positive. Jeffrey C. Wright, 25, pleaded guilty earlier this year to crossing state lines for sex trafficking of a child.
Civilian-crewed vessels see larger role in amphibious ops
(Navy Times) With the gator Navy busy and undersized, officials hope the duct tape that covers the remaining gaps are the ships of Military Sealift Command.
AIR FORCE
CIA Paid Torture Teachers More Than $80 Million
(NBC News) Although the committee identified the contractors via pseudonyms, NBC News has previously identified them as Mitchell, Jessen and Associates, a Spokane, Washington, company run by two psychologists, Dr. John "Bruce" Jessen and Dr. James Mitchell, who had both previously worked with the U.S. Air Force.
Air base prepares in case F-35 can't take hot fuel
(CNBC) The Air Force reported that crews at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona were wondering if the military's expensive new state-of-the-art jet fighter might not be able to tolerate fuel that exceeds a certain temperature. This is an issue particularly important at Luke, where summer temperatures can exceed 110 degrees.
AF general: Shaw may not see F-35 until 2020s
(Associated Press) The Sumter Item reported that Maj. Gen. H.D. Polombo told the Sumter Rotary Club on Monday that budget issues in Washington mean the F-35 might not come to the South Carolina air base until the early to mid-2020s.
Concussion, but no broken bones after scary injury for Air Force player
(Colorado Springs Gazette) Justin Hammonds suffered a concussion but broke no bones when he collided face-first with a railing behind Air Force's basket on Monday night.
MARINE CORPS
Committee approves third star for three Marine generals
(Marine Corps Times) The Senate Armed Services Committee approved a bloc of more than 3,500 pending military nominations Tuesday, including three Marine Corps generals who are now closer to receiving their third star.
Ernest Brace, Civilian Pilot Held as P.O.W. in Vietnam, Dies at 83
(New York Times) Mr. Brace had earlier served in the Marine Corps, flying 100 combat missions during the Korean War. He was shot down over the Sea of Japan and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Okinawa Marine under investigation in alleged hit-and-run
(Marine Corps Times) A Marine is under investigation in an alleged hit-and-run incident in Okinawa that reportedly left a local man injured.
VDOT returns specialized bike to retired Marine
(Virginian-Pilot) A retired Marine who regularly participates in hand cycle and 10K/5K races has been reunited with his specialized bike, which had been found at the Interstate 264-64 interchange.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
Made Rich by U.S. Presence, Many in Kandahar Now Face an Uncertain Future
(New York Times) Floating over the tightly clustered homes and streets buzzing with rickshaws is the most visible symbol of the fading Western legacy in this onetime fortress of Taliban rule: a giant white balloon, bristling with photo lenses and listening equipment. The surveillance blimp is tethered to the former home of the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, which for the past 13 years has been a base for the C.I.A. and the Afghan paramilitary forces.
US selects new ambassador to Afghanistan
(Khaama Press) Michael McKinley, a US diplomat has been confirmed by the senate to replace James Cunningham as the US ambassador for Afghanistan.
Pakistan Says Air Strikes Kill Militants
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) The Pakistani Army says it has killed 11 militants in air strikes in a tribal area near the Afghan border.
MIDDLE EAST
Israel: American arrested for allegedly plotting attacks on Muslim sites
(CNN) An American man has been arrested in Israel for allegedly acquiring explosives stolen from Israel's military that he planned to use to attack Muslim holy sites, Israeli authorities said Tuesday.
Gulf Arab states close ranks with navy, police
(Associated Press) The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, which is concerned about Shiite Iran's regional influence and the rise of Sunni extremist groups, agreed on Tuesday to create a joint naval force based out of Bahrain and announced a police force based out of the United Arab Emirates' capital of Abu Dhabi.
AQAP claims double suicide attack at military base in Hadramout
(Long War Journal) Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) carried out a double suicide bombing early this morning at the First Military Command base in Seyoun, the capital of Yemen's eastern Hadramout province. Yemeni security sources reported that two attackers detonated separate vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) at the base, killing at least five soldiers and wounding between four and eight others.
EUROPE
Canadians, French, U.S. Hunt For Submarine Off Scotland
(Aviation Week) The U.K. called in assistance to help hunt for a foreign submarine off the west coast of Scotland starting in late November.
Russia's Lavrov warns over U.S. anti-missile system: RIA
(Reuters) Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would have to "adequately" respond to the development of U.S. anti-missile system in Europe, RIA news agency reported on Tuesday.
Russian military to get equivalents of US missile defense systems soon - corporation
(ITAR-TASS) Russian military will soon receive equivalents of the United States' missile defense systems THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and GMD (Ground-Based Midcourse Defense), the general designer of the Almaz-Antei concern, Pavel Sozinov, said Monday.
ASIA-PACIFIC
The Minuscule Cost of Equipping a Chinese Soldier
(Wall Street Journal) China's military has splashed the cash in recent years even as the U.S. reined in defense spending, but are Chinese soldiers kitted for war as well as their American counterparts?
Chinese special mission aircraft cross Okinawa into West Pacific
(IHS Jane's 360) China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is conducting an air-and-sea exercise into Pacific waters during the early part of December, with ships and aircraft transiting through international waters south of Japan's Okinawa.
Suspected bomb kills 10 on Philippine passenger bus
(Associated Press) The death toll from a suspected bomb explosion on a bus in the southern Philippines rose to at least 10 with another 34 people wounded, officials said Wednesday.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Ex-CIA Directors: Interrogations Saved Lives
(Former CIA officials in The Wall Street Journal) The Senate Intelligence Committee has released its majority report on Central Intelligence Agency detention and interrogation in the wake of 9/11. The following response is from former CIA Directors George J. Tenet, Porter J. Goss and Michael V. Hayden (a retired Air Force general), and former CIA Deputy Directors John E. McLaughlin, Albert M. Calland (a retired Navy vice admiral) and Stephen R. Kappes :
Can Iran Turn Off Your Lights?
(Patrick Tucker in Defense One) Online security company Cylance released a report last week showing that an Iranian cyber-espionage operation "Operation Cleaver" had successfully breached U.S. and foreign military, infrastructure and transportation targets. The report claimed to confirm widely-suspected Iranian hacks of the unclassified Navy Marine Core Intranet system, NMCI, in 2013. It describes (with explicitly naming) more than 50 targets around the world, including players in energy and transportation.
The U.S. needs a more tailored and discriminate deterrence regime
(Jerry Meyerle in War on the Rocks) Challenges to American primacy from a newly aggressive Russia and a militarily growing China suggest that the United States needs a robust nuclear deterrent now more than ever. Today's threats also call for high-end conventional capabilities that promise to protect U.S. military dominance and enable rapid victory in any major conflict. If the United States is to remain the world's number one superpower, it cannot afford to fall behind.
Here's What Needs To Happen In Afghanistan For Night Raids To Be Successful
("Ernest Lee Ronin" in Task & Purpose) In the 1966 western classic, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, three men of various moral integrity compete against each other to locate a buried treasure. Along the way, the men exploit each other, fight among themselves, and finally form an uneasy pact, all in the backdrop of the American Civil War.
The Dragon Pours Concrete
(David Lewton in Air Force Magazine) At the outset of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the Israeli Air Force executed a masterful attack against Arab air forces, destroying approximately 400 aircraft in the first day and shattering Arab airpower capabilities.
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