Radar Sweep
Eleven US Troops Were Injured in Jan. 8 Iran Missile Strike
Nearly one dozen American troops were wounded in Iran’s Jan. 8 missile attack on Iraq’s al-Asad air base. This week, they were medically evacuated to US military hospitals in Kuwait and Landstuhl, Germany, to be treated for traumatic brain injury and to undergo further evaluation, several US defense and military officials have confirmed to Defense One.
Study Raises Prospect of Space Conflict If US and Russia Abandon Nuclear Arms Control Treaty
The military and intelligence community’s space agencies may have to cope with growing instability in outer space if the United States and Russia don’t renew the 2010 New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) that is set to expire on Feb. 5, 2021, experts warn in a new report. A study released Jan. 15 by the Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy notes that abandoning the New START Treaty could not only reignite a nuclear arms race, but also destabilize outer space.
Intel Agencies Push to Close Threats Hearing after Trump Outburst
The US intelligence community is trying to persuade House and Senate lawmakers to drop the public portion of an annual briefing on the globe’s greatest security threats—a move compelled by last year’s session that provoked an angry outburst from President Donald Trump, multiple sources told POLITICO. Officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, on behalf of the larger clandestine community, don’t want agency chiefs to be seen on-camera as disagreeing with the President on big issues such as Iran, Russia, or North Korea, according to three people familiar with preliminary negotiations over what's known as the Worldwide Threats hearing.
Army May Send Missile-Defense Systems to Middle East to Counter Future Iran Strikes
The US Army may send missile-defense systems and other capabilities to the Middle East to ensure US forces there are prepared to deal with future Iranian attacks.
Taliban Say They Handed Cease-Fire Offer to US Peace Envoy
The Taliban has given the US envoy a document outlining their offer for a temporary cease-fire in Afghanistan that would last between seven and 10 days, Taliban officials familiar with the negotiations said Jan. 16. The offer is seen as an opportunity to open a window to an eventual peace deal for Afghanistan that would allow the United States to bring home its troops and end the 18-year war, America’s longest conflict.
Conservative Vets Launch Ads Urging Afghanistan Withdrawal
A conservative veterans' group backed by the Koch family is launching a multimillion-dollar ad blitz in three presidential battleground states on Jan. 16, seeking to tap into rising public support for withdrawing all American troops from Afghanistan. The appeal organized by Concerned Veterans for America—"Tell Washington it's time to bring our troops home!"—marks a new and more aggressive effort to roust voters in both parties to demand an end to the United States' longest war, which has killed nearly 2,400 US troops since 2001.
Royal Australian Air Force Completes Training Mission, Departs from Luke
After achieving all training milestones, the Royal Australian Air Force began returning its F-35A Lightning II pilots, maintainers, and aircraft to Australia from Luke AFB, Ariz., in December 2019. The RAAF began training with the 61st Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit in December 2014 with two F-35s. Since then, 34 Australian pilots and 16 instructor pilots have earned their certification, and as of January 2020, the RAAF owns 20 F-35s.
Blueprint Leadership with CMSAF Kaleth Wright: Episode 3
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright talks leadership, lessons learned, and shared experiences with the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, SEAC Ramón Colón-López.