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Jan. 3, 2020
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Edited by Amy McCullough with Rachel S. Cohen, Brian W. Everstine and Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory
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By Brian W. Everstine
The Pentagon is bolstering security at the US Embassy in Iraq after Iranian-backed militias attacked it on Dec. 31. About 750 soldiers are immediately deploying aboard USAF C-17s, with more deployments possible over the next several days. “To Iran and its proxy militias: We will not accept continued attacks against our personnel and forces in the region. Attacks against us will be met with responses in the time, manner, and place of our choosing," Defense Secretary Mark Esper said in a Jan. 2 statement. "We urge the Iranian regime to end their malign activities.”
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By Rachel S. Cohen
Congress threw its support behind the Pentagon’s effort to design new hypersonic weapons and fully funded the Air Force’s two high-speed missile programs in the fiscal 2020 defense policy and spending bills. Lawmakers want the military to speed up testing and development of hypersonic capabilities, ranging from aircraft propulsion to weapons. They echo the Pentagon’s concern that America’s adversaries are far outpacing the US at maturing weapons that can travel at least five times the speed of sound.
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By Brian W. Everstine
Lockheed Martin closed out 2019 with two more F-35 contracts totaling over $2 billion, as it finished delivering its 134th jet of the year. The bulk of the funding comes in a $1.927 billion contract for recurring logistics services for delivered F-35s for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, and non-US services that fly the jets.
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By Brian W. Everstine
The head of Taiwan’s military and seven others were killed in a Jan. 2 UH-60M Black Hawk crash near New Taipei City. Gen. Shen Yi-ming was on his way to visit his troops when the Black Hawk disappeared from radar shortly after takeoff while flying over mountains in the north of the island nation.
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By Jennifer-Leigh Oprihory
Four members of the al-Shabab terror group were killed in three airstrikes in Somalia on Dec. 29, according to US Africa Command. The US military conducted a total of five strikes against al-Shabab in Somalia in December, killing six militants.
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By Rachel S. Cohen
Raytheon will build a new batch of Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles for 22 foreign countries under a $768.3 million Air Force contract awarded Dec. 27, 2019. This is the 33rd AMRAAM production lot and involves sales to Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom, according to a Defense Department contract announcement. The Pentagon did not say how many missiles are included in that lot.
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Radar Sweep
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Patrick Air Force Base to Receive Name Change after Becoming Designated Space Force Base
WESH 2 News
The iconic Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is likely getting a name change in 2020, and so is its parent installation, nearby Patrick Air Force Base. A stroke of the President's pen transferred them from the Air Force to the new Space Force.
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Air Force Major Convicted of Sexually Harassing Subordinates Appeals to Supreme Court
Stars and Stripes (Subscription Required)
An Air Force pilot dismissed from the service for sexually harassing subordinates is asking the Supreme Court to overturn his convictions because his actions were merely “wishful thinking,” his lawyers said.
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Army, Navy, and Air Force Now Required to Have Senior Positions for Basing and Environment
Federal News Network’s Federal Newscast podcast
The Army, Navy, and Air Force now must have senior positions for basing and environmental affairs. As part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress mandated an assistant secretary for installations, energy, and environment in each of the services.
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Faster Rockets, More Warheads: What North Korea Could Gain from New Weapons Development
Reuters
If North Korea returns to long-range missile launches or other weapons tests in 2020, its military could make valuable technical advances and gain experience alongside whatever political message is sent to Washington, D.C.
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Air Force Secretary Visits Service Members at Nigerien Air Base 201
US Africa Command release
Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett traveled to Agadez, Niger, to meet and thank personnel deployed to Nigerien Air Base 201 during the holidays, Dec. 21-22, 2019. During her first visit to the African continent since taking office in October, Barrett’s focus was centered solely on the US service members deployed there.
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Scammers Have Stolen $405 Million from Military Families since 2012, Report Finds
Military Times
Active Duty service members and veterans have consistently been a target for scam artists, losing nearly $405 million to fraudulent schemes since 2012, according to a new report that analyzed data from the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau.
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US Navy Declares New Fleet Created to Confront Russia Fully Operational
Defense News
The newly reinstated Norfolk, Va.-based 2nd Fleet, which was opened for business in 2018, is now fully operational, the US Navy announced Dec. 31. The fleet will oversee and control operations in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, as well has having a limited role in training and certification of East Coast-based forces deploying around the globe.
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One More Thing
Blueprint Leadership Podcast with CMSAF Wright: Episode 2 Featuring CSAF Gen. Goldfein
USAF podcast
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright talks leadership, resiliency, and all things Air Force with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein.
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