TODAY’S TOP 5
1. Pentagon civilians wait as Assad delays chemical weapons delivery
(The Hill) The Pentagon's plan to destroy hundreds of tons of Syria’s chemical weapons material at sea could be delayed, due to Syria's failure to deliver the material on time.
2. Recruiting fraud, kickback scandal rocks Army
(USA Today) More than 800 soldiers are under criminal investigation for gaming a National Guard program that paid hundreds of millions in bonuses to soldiers who persuaded friends to sign up during the darkest years of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, USA TODAY has learned.
3. What's Going on with Military Officers?
(Paul R. Pillar in The National Interest) Lately it seems that we have been reading many stories of misconduct among U.S. military officers. The most recent collective infraction concerned cheating on a proficiency test and involved a substantial proportion of the Air Force officers who control nuclear-armed ballistic missiles. We continue to hear about the alleged bribery of Navy officers who awarded logistical support contracts to the payer of the bribes.
4. The Man Who Would Be King of Cyber
(Intercepts) Vice Adm. Michael Rogers is slated to be the most powerful man in the world, at least as far as the cyber domain is concerned, in March when he talks the reins from Gen. Keith Alexander and becomes the man in charge at the National Security Agency (NSA) and US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM
5. Karzai Arranged Secret Contacts With the Taliban
(New York Times) President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan has been engaged in secret contacts with the Taliban about reaching a peace agreement without the involvement of his American and Western allies, further corroding already strained relations with the United States
INDUSTRY
Lockheed launches civil version of C-130J military transport plane
(Reuters) Lockheed Martin Corp on Monday launched the civil variant of its C-130J Super Hercules military transport plane, the LM-100J, saying it expected to sell about 75 of the planes to mining and energy companies, and other commercial and government customers in coming years.
Hudson calls for aerospace and defense industry to rethink how it hires
(Washington Post) Last week, Linda Hudson didn’t sound like she was one day away from retirement. Instead, speaking at a Northern Virginia Technology Council event, the outgoing BAE Systems chief executive was concerned as ever about the future of the defense industry. She called on aerospace and defense companies to create a work environment that appeals to talented science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — students.
French Exports Rose 30% in 2013
(Defense News) French arms exports last year rose to almost €6.3 billion (US $8.6 billion), or 30 percent up from €4.8 billion in 2012, helped by sales to the Middle East, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Jan. 30.
Indian Firm, GD To Co-Produce Digital Displays
(Defense News) The Canadian arm of General Dynamics and India’s privately held Samtel Avionics have agreed to co-produce digital display systems for the Indian Army and GD.
India Slows Action On Procurement Deals
(Aviation Week) With general elections expected before May, corruption scandals over high-profile defense deals, and a deflated rupee, Defense Minister A.K. Antony, who has cultivated an image of integrity, has taken a go-slow approach on vitally needed equipment projects.
Report: Russia Surges in Global Arms Sales
(Defense News) Defense companies — waging an uphill battle to drive up revenues and increase order flows — must plan for the possibility of several more years of low spending by western governments, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
CONGRESS
HASC Race: Thornberry Has Edge in Helping GOP Candidates
(Defense News) One candidate to take the US House Armed Services Committee (HASC) gavel next year has donated vastly more to GOP political candidates than his rivals, and sources say that gives him a major edge.
Lawmaker tries to block transfer of Guard Apaches and personnel cuts
(Army Times) In what is likely the opening shot in a looming battle between Congress and the Army, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., has introduced a bill that would freeze the Army’s plans to transfer all of the National Guard’s AH-64 Apache helicopters to the active-duty force and prevent most of the proposed Guard personnel cuts.
Reid readies bill repealing pension cuts
(The Hill) The Senate is gearing up to vote on a bill as early as next week that would repeal the $6 billion cut to military pensions as part of a larger veterans package, according to Senate aides.
House approves bill to ease in-state tuition rules for veterans
(Military Times) A bill that would require schools to ease in-state tuition rules for veterans — or lose eligibility for the Post-9/11 GI Bill entirely — sailed through the House today, with support from a broad, bipartisan majority of lawmakers.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT
Raises, BAH are likely targets of 2015 defense budget
(Military Times) The Pentagon’s 2015 budget is likely to contain such belt-tightening proposals as reducing active-duty pay raises and housing allowances and instituting fees for Tricare for Life, officials told a Senate panel Thursday.
IG Report: Acquisition, Contract Management Are 'Persistent Challenges' for Defense
(National Defense Magazine) The Pentagon continues to mismanage acquisition programs, as a result, wastes billions of taxpayer dollars, says the Defense Department's Inspector General in his semiannual report to Congress.
Military flight delayed over contractors’ kevlar vests, gas masks, helmets
(Bangor Daily News, Maine)What was expected to be a routine stopover at Bangor International Airport for a plane filled with returning U.S. troops and defense contractors Sunday night instead became a frustrating ordeal for many of those aboard.
Seven years later, breakthroughs and hope at the Intrepid Center
(San Antonio Express-News) Former Army Staff Sgt. Clevie Molden has lived in pain, taken prescription drugs and despaired since injuring an ankle nearly eight years ago during a rocket attack on his base in Iraq.
Pentagon looking for 'Big Mechanism' to mine health data
(USA Today) The Pentagon is planning to embark on a $45 million data mining program, which it calls a "Big Mechanism," to track research into the biology of cancer and signal pathways for cancer cells.
ARMY
Sniper upgrade: Accuracy-boosting scope kit to be delivered this month
(Army Times) The Army is testing a fire control system that turns an average shooter into a deadly sniper in a matter of minutes.
16 promotion points to disappear July 1
(Army Times) The Army has delayed a policy change that will terminate 16 promotion points for soldiers competing for sergeant stripes.
Timothy Hennis appeals murder convictions; former Fort Bragg soldier argues Army lacked jurisdiction
(Fayetteville Observer) A former Fort Bragg soldier convicted of a 1985 triple murder a quarter century after the crimes took place has again appealed his conviction to a military court.
Former soldier chooses life over suicide
(USA Today) The demons rushed in during the months after Levertis Jackson returned from Afghanistan in 2011. "I felt like I was losing complete control of my mind and my sanity," says the former Army specialist.
Fort Drum soldiers honored for attempts to save fellow soldier from fire in Afghanistan
(Watertown Daily Times) In the face of certain danger, three 1st Brigade Combat Team soldiers — Sgts. Roy Arcentales and Caleb Walters and Pfc. Kyle M. Bigue — did everything they could to save their friend Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox, who was set on fire during a fuel truck explosion at their base in Andar, Afghanistan, on July 20.
NAVY
Donald Cook heads to Rota; 3 more DDGs to follow
(Navy Times) The destroyer Donald Cook set sail from Norfolk, Va., for its new home port in Rota, Spain, on Friday, the first of four destroyers over the next two years to be forward-deployed to that nation.
Navy Plans to Employ Riverine Command Boat in CARAT Exercises
(Seapower) The U.S. Navy anticipates using riverine command boats in future bilateral exercises with navies of Southeast Asian countries.
Weight of tests, evals, more would change under advancement plan
(Navy Times) Sailors have griped forever that the advancement rules reward bookworms and penalize gearheads.
Warriors of the Sea
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) Navy ships from Pearl Harbor and San Diego pitched and rolled as they cut through 6- to 9-foot seas off Kauai last week, testing their ability to hunt submarines and fend off missile attacks from enemy jets.
Navy plans faster cash for do-it-yourself movers
(Navy Times) A simple change in how the Navy processes payouts to do-it-yourself movers will get cash into sailors’ hands faster, the service said.
AIR FORCE
22,500 face cuts this year
(Air Force Times) The Air Force is planning to cut roughly 22,500 airmen this year alone through its massive force management programs.
Commission report recommendations jeopardize 1,100 jobs at Robins
(The Telegraph; Macon, Ga.) The report by the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force calls for eliminating the Air Force Reserve Command, which is based at Robins. The command employs about 1,100 people, said Col. Rob Palmer, the unit’s director of public affairs.
Air Force Pilot Makes Emergency Landing In Tallahassee (With Video)
(WCTV; Tallahassee, Fla.) There was an emergency landing Monday at the Tallahassee Airport. Major Jason Little says he was flying on a training run with two other Air Force pilots.
Former Penn State linebackers coach to join Air Force staff, per report
(The Patriot-News; Harrisburg, Pa.) CoachingSearch.com reported Monday morning that Ron Vanderlinden will join the Air Force staff working under head coach Troy Calhoun. Air Force promoted Steve Russ to defensive coordinator on Jan. 21.
MARINE CORPS
Corps restores tuition assistance money
(Marine Corps Times) After months of reduced funds and uncertainty about the future, a robust Tuition Assistance Program is back, according to Marine officials. Within weeks, millions more dollars will become available to help Marines pay for school.
Marine intelligence officer busted in $235,000 sting, FBI says
(Sun Sentinel; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) A U.S. Marine Corps intelligence officer complaining of money and marriage woes may have thought his troubles were over when he pulled into a Dania Beach parking lot to pick up a duffel bag stuffed with $235,000 in cash.
'Presidents Own' leader looks back on time with elite Marine band
(Marine Corps Times) When Col. Michael Colburn was a 12-year-old euphonium player at a summer band camp in Vermont, he was in awe of one of the instructors there, Lucas Spiros, a principal in the United States Marine Band.
Deployed parents return to children’s surprise
(The Daily News; Jacksonville, N.C.) Anne Montgomery said her husband always has loved a good surprise, but pulling off the latest required planning across international lines, keeping a secret from their four kids and plotting with two schools to make it happen.
Distance education would give reservists training, resources and mentorship - all through their laptops
(Marine Corps Times) Marine reservists may soon be able to knock out some of their professional military education requirements, get help with their taxes, access family readiness and deployment health resources, and even participate in mentoring sessions with other Marines, all with just a laptop and a webcam.
VETERANS
Veterans group seeks action to cut backlog of claims
(USA Today) The federal government's move to cut its backlog of overdue compensation claims for veterans has stalled and better efforts must be made to understand what isn't working to solve the problem, a veterans group says.
Veterans have mixed feelings about Budweiser's 'A Hero's Welcome' Super Bowl ad
(Public Radio International) One told the story of a relationship between a puppy and the Anheuser-Busch signature Clydesdales. The other, however, looked at a celebration for an American veteran, returning home from battle. The ad, according to several veterans, tried to walk a delicate line between celebrating and pandering.
Military sniper links his string of armed robberies to PTSD
(Los Angeles Times) After serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gabriel Brown came home to an emptier life in Florida. At his sentencing for a two-week crime spree, he pleaded for clemency.
World War I Portland veteran’s Purple Heart returned to his family
(Morning Sentinel; Waterville, Maine) A military medal awarded to a Portland man wounded in World War I was returned to his family in Pittsfield on Sunday.
AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN
Shaheen calls for oversight of Afghanistan reconstruction efforts
(The Hill) Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called for increased scrutiny and reforms to U.S. reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.
Presidential Hopefuls Woo Afghans as Militants Kill Aides
(Wall Street Journal) Afghanistan's presidential campaign kicked off on Sunday under stiff security, as the leading contenders wooed crowds at their first rallies and insurgents seeking to disrupt the vote killed two campaigners.
Ringing in the Lunar New Year in Afghanistan, Mongolian style (With Video)
(Stars and Stripes) U.S. and coalition forces based at Camp Marmal in Mazar-e-Sharif celebrated New Years twice this year: once on Dec. 31, and again on Jan. 31, with the Mongolian contingent based here.
Pakistan-Taliban peace talks delayed
(Al Jazeera) Negotiators representing the Pakistani government and Taliban will not meet for preliminary peace talks that were meant to be taking place following a spate of killings.
IRAQ
Role of U.S. Contractors Grows as Iraq Fights Insurgents
(Wall Street Journal) Hundreds of contractors working for America's biggest defense companies are taking on a broader role in helping Iraq's military learn to use new weapons in a growing battle against Islamist insurgents.
Iraq Anbar violence sparks civilian search for safety
(BBC) After weeks of fighting between militant groups and Iraqi forces in Anbar province, civilians caught in the middle have been fleeing for safety. For many of the Sunni families the plight is desperate, but safe places of refuge are being found, including among Iraqi Shia, as BBC Arabic's Nahed Abouzeid in Baghdad reports.
Kurds from Iraq wage holy war in Syria with one eye on home
(Reuters) Twenty-five year old Ako Abd al-Qadir went to wage holy war in Syria vowing to return and conquer all of Iraqi Kurdistan in the name of Islam on the way back to his home town of Halabja.
MIDDLE EAST
Senators: Kerry Admits Obama's Syria Policy Is Failing
(The Daily Beast) In a closed-door meeting, two senators say, the Secretary of State admitted to them that he no longer believes the administration’s approach to the crisis in Syria is working. Peace talks have failed, he conceded, and now it's time to arm the moderate opposition—before local al Qaeda fighters try to attack the United States.
Israeli Brass, Experts Differ in Strategic Diagnosis
(Defense News) While military brass and experts here differ in their diagnoses of Israel’s strategic condition at the outset of 2014, they concur that the regional turmoil sparked by popular uprisings and sectarian conflict has reduced prospects for conventional war in the coming year.
Suicide bomber strikes south of Lebanon's capital
(Los Angeles Times) A suicide bomber killed himself and wounded at least two others Monday when he detonated an explosives belt while traveling in a passenger van south of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, authorities said.
AFRICA
Libya Sends Army to End Blockade
(Wall Street Journal) Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said Monday he had ordered the army to end the blockade imposed by armed protesters on oil terminals in the east of the country.
Central African Republic clashes 'kill 75' in Boda town
(BBC) Sectarian fighting in the Central African Republic town of Boda since Tuesday has left at least 75 people dead, a local priest has said.
United Nations seeks $2 billion for struggling Sahel region
(Deutsche Welle) The UN has appealed for $2 billion (roughly 1.5 billion euros) in 2014 to help more than 20 million people affected by famine in Africa's Sahel. The bid is part of a three-year humanitarian plan for parts of the region.
ASIA-PACIFIC
Chinese Foreign Ministry: No South China Sea ADIZ
(The Diplomat) In response to reports by Japan’s Asahi Shimbun that a South China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) was imminent, following on the heels of the East China Sea ADIZ, China has accused Japan of spreading rumors.
China to Ramp Up Military Spending
(New York Times) China already spends more on its military than any country in the world except the United States. Now, as defense budgets at the Pentagon and in many NATO countries shrink, China’s People’s Liberation Army is gearing up for a surge in new funding, according to a new report.
Report: Indian Amphibious Warship Runs Aground
(US Naval Institute) An Indian Navy amphibious warship was grounded on the eastern shore of the country last week adding another entry to a long line of mishaps for the service in the last several months.
Governor of Japan broadcaster NHK denies Nanjing massacre
(BBC) A governor of Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, has denied that the Nanjing massacre took place, days after a row over Tokyo's use of war-time sex slaves engulfed the new NHK chief.
EUROPE
EDA To Produce EU Capability Development Plan by Autumn
(Defense News) The European Defence Agency (EDA) is planning to deliver a new EU capability development plan to member state governments this autumn, said an EDA official.
Europe, U.S. offer Ukraine help
(USA Today) A joint U.S. and European offer of financial aid to Ukraine may not be the answer to calming weeks of unrest and moving Ukraine out of the Russian orbit, say analysts.
German minister calls for sanctions threat against Ukraine
(The Guardian) The German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has said sanctions should be used as a threat against Ukraine's government unless it finds a political solution to its long-running dispute with the opposition.
Analysts: Army Loyalties Divided On Ukraine Protests
(Defense News) Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych is unlikely to move the army against protesters despite opposition warnings about an imminent intervention — mainly because the loyalty of rank-and-file soldiers could be in doubt, analysts said.
COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
Bad Bud
(Phillip Carter in Foreign Policy) The Budweiser ad should have never been aired. The ad ignores the complicated relationship that veterans have with alcohol, obscuring how much harm booze does to veterans when they come home. And the one-minute spot arguably breaks a handful of government regulations meant to prevent public endorsement of private brands, especially where alcohol and drugs are concerned.
Medal Fatigue
(James Joyner in War on the Rocks) After a bitter controversy over how to recognize the contributions those who fly drones stateside make to the fight against global terrorism, the Pentagon is undertaking a “comprehensive review” of the entire awards system. It’s long overdue.
U.S. Missile Defense Isn’t Ready for Prime Time
(Tom Z. Collina in Defense One) In the next few months, the Pentagon plans to conduct a test of its troubled long-range missile defense system. If this test is successful, the Defense Department says it will expand the system on the West Coast by 50 percent to counter missiles from North Korea. Yet last week, for the first time, the Pentagon’s chief weapons tester suggested that in light of recent setbacks, a key part of the system should be redesigned to make it “robust against failure.”
Lessons Observed on Lessons Observed: IEDS, Advising, And Armor
(Jason Fritz in War on the Rocks) In the late winter of 2007, while serving as a brigade planner of a unit slated for a deployment to Iraq, I received a phone call from the division headquarters. An operations staffer there told me to call my brigade’s designated representative at the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) to get lessons learned from units that had recently been to Iraq. I did as I was instructed, reaching an amiable civil servant who was eager to help.
Can Another ‘Anbar Awakening’ Save Iraq?
(James Kitfield in Defense One) Now that a resurgent al-Qaeda in Iraq has stormed back and captured the strategic city of Fallujah, the stakes for a unitary Iraq are once again existential. Only this time there’s every reason to doubt that the Sunni tribes will save Iraq.
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