| December 22, 2014 |
THE EARLY BIRD BRIEF |
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TODAY'S TOP 5
1. Budget experts: Move Tricare beneficiaries to Obamacare
(Military Times) The Defense Department could slash its enormous health care budget by requiring Tricare beneficiaries not on active duty to get health care coverage through Affordable Care Act exchanges, according to several current and former congressional budget experts.
2. The Army Is Building An Algorithm To Prevent Suicide
(Five Thirty Eight) Jerry Evans Jr. fills out a suicide report every time he picks up the phone. "Everyone who calls the crisis line gets assessed. If they call trying to refill a prescription, because they just dialed the wrong number, they still get assessed," he explained.
3. A grim choice: The attempted rescue of hostages
(Brian Michael Jenkins in The Hill) Earlier this month, an American special operations team attempted to rescue Luke Somers, an American photojournalist held hostage by al Qaeda's affiliate in Yemen since September 2013. The attempt failed and both Somers and Pierre Korki, a South African hostage held with him, were killed before the rescuers could reach them.
4. Wars' Cost to U.S. Since the Sept. 11 Attacks: $1.6 Trillion
(Bloomberg) The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and counterterrorism operations have cost the U.S. a combined $1.6 trillion since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, according to a new Congressional Research Service analysis.
5. AMERICA'S MILITARY: A conservative military's cultural evolution
(Military Times) The force is changing - often reluctantly - alongside the civilian society it serves
DEFENSE NEWS WITH VAGO MURADIAN
Ash Carter's Confirmation Process
(Defense News) A panel of experts discuss defense issues for 2015. The panel includes John T. Bennett, Loren Thompson, Mackenzie Eaglen and Todd Harrison.
Obama Restores US Ties with Cuba
(Defense News) A panel of experts discuss defense issues for 2015. The panel includes John T. Bennett, Loren Thompson, Mackenzie Eaglen and Todd Harrison.
GOP Control and DoD's Budget
(Defense News) A panel of experts discuss defense issues for 2015. The panel includes John T. Bennett, Loren Thompson, Mackenzie Eaglen and Todd Harrison.
Vago's Notebook: Andy Marshall
(Defense News) Looking back at Andy Marshall's career as the Pentagon's chief strategist.
ISLAMIC STATE
1,000 82nd Airborne Troops Iraq-Bound in January
(Defense News) One thousand soldiers from the famed 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team will deploy to Iraq in January to begin training Iraqi and Kurdish brigades, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby announced Friday.
US prepares to deploy aircraft to Al-Anbar province
(IHS Jane's 360) The US Defense Logistics Agency is looking for a contractor that can deliver 48,000 US gallons of jet fuel to Iraq's Al-Asad Air Base, suggesting the US military will forward deploy aircraft to Al-Anbar province, which has become a stronghold of the Islamic State militant group.
Iraq Requests Abrams Tank, Humvee Sale
(Defense News) The US State Department has signed off two potential sales to Iraq, one for for M1A1 Abarams tanks and another covering M1151A1 up-armored Humvees.
Is Obama's 'Iraq First' Strategy Working Against ISIS?
(Defense One) When it comes to U.S. military action against the Islamic State, the Obama administration is pursuing an Iraq first policy of strengthening Baghdad while taking back terrain the group has claimed in the country. In Iraq, unlike in Syria, the United States notes it has a government that invited them in, American forces know the terrain well, and U.S. troops spent years training Iraqi forces.
U.S. Iraq Strategy Missing Key Allies As More Troops Set to Deploy
(Foreign Policy) The Pentagon needs Sunni tribes and Syrian rebels to fight the Islamic State. But they're not ready even as more American troops prepare to arrive in Iraq.
Don't comfort the enemy: Stop calling them ISIS, ISIL
(Military Times) Many people are starting to reject acronyms like ISIS and ISIL to refer to the Islamic extremist group in Iraq and Syria.
Leader of Iranian-backed militia killed in eastern Iraq
(Long War Journal) Wathiq al Battat, the leader of the Mukhtar Army and secretary-general of Hezbollah in Iraq, was killed yesterday in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala. Battat had formed the Mukhtar Army in early 2013 and has received support from Iran's Qods Force.
IS has executed 100 foreigners trying to quit: report
(Agence France-Presse) The Islamic State extremist group has executed 100 of its own foreign fighters who tried to flee their headquarters in the Syrian city of Raqqa, the Financial Times newspaper said Saturday.
Iraqi F-16s arrive in Arizona
(Air Force Times) Iraqi F-16s arrive in Arizona
INDUSTRY
Boeing, U.S. Navy in talks about stretching EA-18G jet production
(Reuters) The U.S. Navy on Friday said it was in talks with Boeing Co about slowing production of its EA-18G electronic attack jets to keep the St. Louis facility running through the end of 2017, after Congress approved funding for 15 more planes.
Navy's $2.5B Plan for Shipboard Networks Hits Snag After GAO Partially Upholds Protest
(NextGov) The Government Accountability Office has partially sustained a bid protest filed by contractor CGI Federal over a $2.5 billion set of U.S. Navy contracts. GAO's ruling could further delay Navy's plans to upgrade the nation's surface warship fleet.
Third MUOS Satellite Gets Launch Date
(Defense News) The third mobile user objective system (MUOS) satellite is scheduled to launch Jan. 20, contractor Lockheed Martin announced on Friday.
BlackBerry and Boeing Team Up to Offer Self-Destructing Spy Phone
(Bloomberg) Boeing Co. (BA) is teaming up with BlackBerry Ltd. (BBRY) on a secretive, self-destructing smartphone developed for use by U.S. defense and homeland security employees and contractors.
US Frigates Approved For Transfer - Finally
(Defense News) It took the better part of two years, but Congress has finally approved the potential transfer to Taiwan and Mexico of six frigates being decommissioned by the US Navy.
Egypt receives 10 Apache helicopters from U.S.: sources
(Reuters) Egypt received 10 Apache helicopters from the United States in the past week, security sources said on Saturday, a sign of easing tensions between the long-time allies confronting Islamist extremism across the region.
Taiwan F-16 Radar Upgrade Moving Forward
(Defense News) The US government awarded a $308 million contract modification Tuesday to Lockheed Martin to supply Taiwan with 144 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars for the upgrade of 144 F-16A/B Block 20 fighter aircraft.
Electric UAV market on the rise
(C4ISR & Networks) The global UAV market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18 percent between 2014 and 2018, according to a forecast by market research firm ReportsnReports.
Canada Increases Global Reach With New Military Transporter
(Agence France-Presse) Canada's defense minister announced Friday the addition of a fifth military transport jumbo jet to its fleet, as the nation continues expanding its combat and humanitarian reach around the world.
Europe Expands Airtanking with Airbus A330 Selection
(Defense News) Three European nations plan are to pool their resources and purchase Airbus A330 multirole tanker transport aircraft starting in 2019.
EU Files Complaint With WTO About Boeing
(Wall Street Journal) The European Union on Friday filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization alleging that billions of dollars of tax breaks handed to U.S. aviation company Boeing Co. by Washington state violated international trade rules.
Czech firm looks to maintain Afghan T-55s
(IHS Jane's 360) Excalibur Group, a Czech defence company specialising in the repair and maintenance of armoured vehicles, is currently negotiating with the Afghan Ministry of Defence (MoD) to maintain the T-55 main battle tank fleet operated by the Afghan National Army (ANA) and supply all necessary spare parts.
Interview: Rafi Maor
(Defense News) Unlike the many ex-generals and other political nominees who parachuted into corporate command of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafi Maor started as a student in the state-owned firm whose board of directors he now chairs.
VETERANS
Vets Court: Montco slayer didn't appear violent
(Philadelphia Daily News) Yesterday, the Montgomery County Veterans Treatment Court - where Stone was admitted last year after he was caught driving under the influence of intoxicants for a second time - said in a statement that Stone "did not have a record of violence and he showed no violent tendencies while in the program."
Not every GI is a Joe! VA works to help growing number of female veterans
(Washington Post) Today's veterans are more likely to be women than at any other time in U.S. history: There are currently 2.2 million of them.
Veteran's family sues the Fayetteville VA Medical Center over his suicide
(Fayetteville Observer) The family of Paul Wade Adams Sr. of Lumberton has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the Fayetteville Veterans Affairs Medical Center failed to provide proper care and follow-up treatment before Adams killed his wife and then himself on July 18, 2012.
Report urges major changes at Connecticut veterans home
(Associated Press) Major changes to the aging Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill are recommended in a legislative investigative report released Friday, including more privacy and counseling services for the veterans who live there.
Former Delta Force doctor named top rural physician in America
(Stars & Stripes) Dr. John "Rob" Marsh was already more than 12 hours into his workday last Tuesday when he rolled up to a tiny darkened house in Vesuvius, an out-of-the-way town in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.
Vet marks 70th anniversary of parachute jump with another
(Air Force Times) Seventy years ago today, Tom Boyd bailed out of his B-24. He'll celebrate at noon today with the second jump of his life.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
DoD extends review of Ebola quarantine policy
(Military Times) Thousands of troops deployed to West Africa to help contain the Ebola virus will have to wait a few more weeks to find out whether the policy of 21-day quarantines after their redeployment will continue, military officials said.
The Drop in Oil Prices Could Save the Pentagon Billions of Dollars
(Defense One) The sharp decline in crude oil prices over the past five months could end up saving the Pentagon billions of dollars in the coming years, freeing up the money for weapon purchases and improving military readiness, some experts say.
Government: Companies owe $2.5 million to consumers for illegal debt collection
(Military Times) Three affiliated companies accused of illegal debt collection practices against military and other consumers will credit or refund more than $2.5 million to those consumers, following action by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the attorneys general of North Carolina and Virginia.
Aerostat to watch over northeast corridor
(C4ISR & Networks) The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is launching a 250-foot tethered blimp, which carries a monitoring station, also known as the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System. The system can surveil and track objects, like cruise missiles, in an area as large as Texas, staying aloft for up to 30 days.
ARMY
Bergdahl investigation wraps up; top leaders get briefings
(Associated Press) The Army has finished its investigation into how and why Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl disappeared from his base in Afghanistan and senior Pentagon leaders have been briefed, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, officials said Friday.
Soldier gets bullet-pierced, lifesaving helmet back
(Army Times) On a chilly morning in central Oregon, former Staff Sgt. Ryan Craig put on his helmet for the first time in four years. But more meaningful than the Kevlar the Army presented to him on Thursday was the hole in the helmet, from a sniper's bullet in Afghanistan.
Army, Guard Set On Collision Course For 2015
(Breaking Defense) A major battle is brewing between the regular Army and National Guard. While Congress has frozen the planned transfer of the Guard's Apache gunships to active-duty units, the Army is already taking steps that may make it much harder to keep the helicopters in the Guard.
Fort Hood soldier found dead Tuesday
(Army Times) A soldier stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, was found unresponsive Tuesday in his off-post residence, officials said Thursday.
Precision Airdrop Systems Land at CENTCOM On Time
(Defense News) Maybe you like your Army-themed entertainment hyper-realistic, complete with the latest gear and ripped from the headlines. Maybe you prefer period pieces with big stars in far-flung battles.
On-screen soldiers: Army movie and TV 2015 watch list
(Army Times) Maybe you like your Army-themed entertainment hyper-realistic, complete with the latest gear and ripped from the headlines. Maybe you prefer period pieces with big stars in far-flung battles.
Army wants Blackhawk-UAV video link
(C4ISR & Networks) The Army wants UAVs to send video to Blackhawks
ARMY: Year in Review photo gallery
(Army Times)
NAVY
Navy admits error, honors World War II captain's bravery in sinking of U-boat
(Stars & Stripes) The Navy has posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit with a Combat 'V" device to Herbert G. Claudius, 72 years after it dismissed his claims that he and his crew sunk a German U-boat off the coast of Louisiana during World War II.
Aviation milestones for 2015
(Navy Times) Naval aviation's manned and unmanned planes are set for a number of milestones in the next year:
Navy civilian found guilty of obstructing investigation into business
(Associated Press) Jurors have found a U.S. Navy civilian from Iowa guilty on charges of obstructing an investigation and making false statements.
Cutest Navy holiday video ever?
(San Diego Union-Tribune) This week, the Vinson crew made a video to send warm wishes home to San Diego.
AIR FORCE
Air Force admits nuke flaws, but will fixes work?
(Associated Press) Faced with one of its biggest challenges in years - repairing a troubled nuclear missile corps - the Air Force has taken an important first step by admitting, after years of denial, that its problems run deep and wide.
Guard chief: NDAA will upgrade C-130 avionics, avoid grounding
(Air Force Times) The new defense authorization will give the Air Force enough flexibility to make what the head of the Air National Guard calls the most important update to his mobility fleet.
JBLM C-17 squadron will be inactivated in 2016
(Tacoma News Tribune) One of four C-17 squadrons, representing about 400 Air Force jobs, will be inactivated at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in summer 2016, JBLM announced Saturday.
Up to 40 airmen to begin 'career intermission' sabbaticals
(Air Force Times) In 2015, as many as 40 airmen will be the first to test a new program allowing them to put their careers on hold for up to three years while they start families, go back to school or pursue other life goals.
Airman gets 18-year sentence in fatal drunken-driving collision
(Alaska Dispatch News) Lane Douglas Wyatt, 24, was sentenced to nearly 18 years in prison Friday for killing 20-year-old Citari Townes-Sweatt in a drunken-driving collision last year.
MARINE CORPS
Marine-Nigerian exercises unaffected by training halt
(Marine Corps Times) Recent moves by the Nigerian government that ended U.S. efforts to train Nigerian forces for battle with the Islamic group Boko Haram - even as it continues to kill and kidnap civilians - will not affect Marine Corps exercises there.
Former Marine Held in Iran Protests to Tehran Officials
(New York Times) Amir Hekmati, a former Marine who began a hunger strike and wrote to President Obama this week in despair over his prolonged incarceration in Iran, also has protested to Iranian officials over the apparent paralysis of his case, untreated lung infections, and the prison's cold cells, power blackouts and vermin.
Deployment challenges prove MEUs' value, commander says
(Marine Corps Times) In an era when forward-deployed, land-based crisis response units enjoy growing popularity in the Corps, Col. William Dunn is arguing the case for traditional Marine Expeditionary Units.
Filipino family wants US Marine in local jail during trial
(Associated Press) A U.S. Marine charged with killing a transgender Filipino woman he picked up in a bar was brought back Friday to the city where the attack occurred two months ago, and lawyers of the victim say they will seek his detention in a local jail during his murder trial.
Staff sergeant is first amputee to complete demanding swim course
(Marine Corps Times) Not content just learning how to walk again, Staff Sgt. Adam Jacks needed a new challenge and he found it in arguably one of the most difficult courses here.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
Taliban publicize training camp in northern Afghanistan
(Long War Journal) Just one week after overrunning a district in the northern province of Jawzjan, the Afghan Taliban are now touting the existence of a training camp in neighboring Faryab province.
U.S. firm finds malware targeting visitors to Afghan government websites
(Reuters) Malicious software likely linked to China is being used to infect visitors to a wide range of official Afghan government websites, U.S. cybersecurity researchers say.
Afghan soldier who fled US training sent to Canada
(Associated Press) One of three Afghan military officers detained after fleeing a U.S. training exercise to avoid returning to Afghanistan has been allowed to make a refugee claim in Canada, his attorney said Wednesday.
U.S. transfers four Guantanamo prisoners to Afghanistan
(Washington Post) Four detainees held for more than a decade at the U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been transferred to Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced Saturday.
Rising casualty count takes toll on Afghanistan's veterans
(Stars & Stripes) The rocket-propelled grenade slammed into the side of the Humvee with a blinding explosion, creating a shower of broken glass.
Afghan leader's two-man government raises concerns
(Associated Press) President Ashraf Ghani has promised a complete overhaul of Afghanistan's government to root out corruption and incompetence, but after three months in office, three missed deadlines and countless promises, he and his election rival-turned-deputy have yet to appoint a single Cabinet minister.
Analysts: Changes Needed in Wake of Pakistan School Attack
(Defense News) Pakistan's top civil and military leadership has held an emergency meeting to formulate a response to Tuesday's attack on a school in Peshawar by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).
First of 400 Pakistani militants hanged in wake of school massacre
(McClatchy) Pakistan executed two convicted terrorists Friday, the first of 400 militants headed to the hangman's noose amid a government crackdown ordered after Taliban attackers gunned down 148 children and teachers Tuesday at a school in the northern city of Peshawar.
MIDDLE EAST
Egypt, Qatar Accept Saudi Initiative to Mend Ties
(Wall Street Journal) Saudi Arabia said Saturday that Qatar and Egypt have accepted an initiative by its king to mend tense relations between the two nations.
Egypt's President Replaces Influential Intelligence Chief
(New York Times) President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has removed an influential mentor as chief of general intelligence, Egyptian state media reported on Sunday, citing health concerns but raising speculation about a government shake-up.
Why Saudis Decided Not to Prop Up Oil
(Wall Street Journal) In early October, Saudi Arabia's representative to OPEC surprised attendees at a New York seminar by revealing his government was content to let global energy prices slide.
EUROPE
Ukraine Crisis in Mind, Lithuania Establishes a Rapid Reaction Force
(New York Times) Maj. Linas Pakutka walked back and forth behind the line of soldiers lying in the snow-crusted field, a row of distant pines forming a jagged horizon in the twilight sky. His command to fire was barely audible in the fierce wind.
Coming winter is a weapon of war in east Ukraine
(USA Today) A deteriorating humanitarian situation amid the hardship of an approaching winter in east Ukraine is giving the Ukrainian national government an opening to turn the local population against Russian-backed separatists.
Nazarbaev Ready To 'Mediate' In Ukraine
(Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has stated he is ready to act as an "honest mediator" to help resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Obama: North Korea's actions are cybervandalism, not war
(McClatchy) President Barack Obama said Sunday that he does not think a recent North Korean cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment was "an act of war." But, he told CNN's Candy Crowley on "State of the Union" that it was a very expensive act of cybervandalism.
What does a cyber counterattack look like?
(Politico) President Barack Obama promised at his year-end news conference Friday that the U.S. will respond "proportionally" to North Korea's cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment, but the conventional options available to him are ineffective, merely symbolic or a bad risk because they might lead to a larger military conflict.
U.S. Considers Relisting North Korea as State Sponsor of Terror
(Wall Street Journal) The Obama administration is considering the option of re-designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism after federal officials determined Friday that Pyongyang was behind the computer hacking attack against Sony Pictures.
Abbott Names Andrews Defense Minister in 1st Reshuffle
(Bloomberg) Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews will replace David Johnston as defense minister as he announced his first changes to the Cabinet. Josh Frydenberg becomes assistant treasurer, replacing Arthur Sinodinos, who stepped down last week.
AFRICA
Libya's official government targets rival forces trying to seize ports
(Reuters) Military planes loyal to Libya's recognized government attacked on Sunday an opposing force that is seeking to seize the country's two biggest oil ports, officials said.
Boko Haram releases video of extremists killing civilians
(Washington Post) A new video from Nigeria's home-grown Boko Haram extremists shows gunmen shooting civilians lying face down in a dormitory and a leader saying they are being killed because they are "infidels" or nonbelievers.
Tunisia's Essebsi Claims Victory in Presidential Election
(Bloomberg) An 88-year-old Tunisian politician who served in the regime of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali claimed victory in a presidential run-off meant to complete the North African nation's rocky transition to democracy.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
9 Misguided Reasons to go to SOF Selection
(Army Maj. Andrew Steadman in The Military Leader) Whether you're battling the crashing waves on Coronado Beach, slogging out mile after mile in the sugar sands of Fort Bragg, or trudging your way up and down the deceptively steep Appalachian Mountains...attending selection for one of America's elite special operations force units is a gauntlet of physical and mental endurance.
Drew Brooks: Afghanistan was Fort Bragg's war
(Drew Brooks in the Fayetteville Observer) At the Afghan National Army commando school just south of the capital city, there's a classroom where Afghan soldiers are learning to speak English.
Opening Cuba and Closing Gitmo?
(Retired Adm. James Stavridis in Foreign Policy) Havana will be pushing hard to shut the naval station at Guantanamo Bay -- but Washington shouldn't give in.
Why the sanctions on Iran are not at all like the US embargo on Cuba
(Bobby Ghosh in Quartz) Almost as soon as president Obama announced the start of normalization of relations between the US and Cuba, the question was raised: Why not do the same with Iran? The chorus has only grown since then, with the most plaintive appeal coming from two members of the National Iranian American Council. Parsing Obama's televised speech, Trita Parsi and Ryan Costello argued, "If it's true on Cuba, it's true on Iran."
America's $28-Billion Failure in Pakistan
(David Rhode in The Atlantic) The U.S. has never convinced the Pakistanis to confront militants. Could that change after the Taliban's school attack?
Gantz: Israel Faces With Conflict on Multiple Fronts
(Chief of General Staff, Israel Defense Force Lt. Gen. Benjamin "Benny" Gantz in Defense News) 2015 Outlook from Lt. Gen. Benjamin "Benny" Gantz, Chief of General Staff, Israel Defense Force
Can Political Struggle against ISIL Succeed where Violence Cannot?
(Maciej Bartkowski in War on the Rocks) It is widely believed that violent savages such as those fighting on behalf of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) understand only force. This default thinking is reinforced by policymakers' ready access to military tools. However, violent action is often counterproductive and nonviolent strategies for dealing with ISIL have unexamined potential.
Fallon: For the UK, 'Defending the Goal Line' Isn't Enough
(UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon in Defense News) 2015 Outlook from Michael Fallon, UK defense secretary
Opinion: In response to Sony hack, US should focus on China not North Korea
(Jason Healey in the Christian Science Monitor) It's a story more bizarre than any Hollywood script about out-of-control hackers, but it turns out the North Koreans actually were behind the hack against Sony Pictures.
Palomeros: NATO's Commitment to Readiness
(French Gen. Jean-Paul Palomeros, supreme allied commander transformation, NATO, in Defense News) The NATO Summit in Wales was a key milestone for the alliance. It has ensured our security and protected democratic values in the Euro-Atlantic Area for 65 years.
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