Esper: No Decision to Leave Iraq Following Parliament’s Vote

By Brian W. Everstine

There are no plans to remove forces from Iraq following the Iraqi Parliament’s non-binding resolution calling on the government to kick coalition forces from the country, despite a mistakenly released letter detailing plans to withdraw, top Pentagon officials said Jan. 6. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley said the release of the draft letter was a mistake. It had not been signed, and was in coordination with other leaders when it emerged online. “There has been no decision whatsoever to leave Iraq,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.

Democrats Push War Powers Resolutions to Defuse Iran Tensions

By Rachel S. Cohen

The House this week will vote on a war powers resolution aimed at limiting military conflict with Iran following the Jan. 3 airstrike that killed Quds Force commander Gen. Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Jan. 5. If passed, the resolution would stop military hostilities against Iran within 30 days unless Congress decides to green-light further action. Freshman Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), a former CIA and Pentagon analyst who focused on Shiite militias, will lead the legislative push.

Hill Conducts Massive F-35 Elephant Walk

By Brian W. Everstine

The Air Force’s F-35 operating base on Jan. 6 conducted a massive elephant walk, launching 52 jets in a row. The Active Duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings conducted the Combat Power Exercise to demonstrate “their ability to employ a large force of F-35As." Launching 52 jets simultaneously shows an improved readiness rate in the fleet, which had been lagging for years.

Soldier Killed in Al-Shabab Attack Identified

By Brian W. Everstine

The Jan. 5 attack on a US-operation airstrip in Kenya killed US Army Spc. Henry Mayfield Jr., along with two American contractors who have yet to be identified. Two more American service members were injured in the attack. Al-Shabab also reportedly spread rumors online that US Africa Command boss Gen. Stephen Townsend was killed in the attack, prompting him to say in a statement that “reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. This is yet another example of the lies, propaganda, and fake news coming from al-Shabab and other malign actors such as Iran and its proxies.”

SECDEF Chief of Staff Chewning Stepping Down

By Brian W. Everstine

Eric Chewning, the chief of staff to Defense Secretary Mark Esper, will step down this month, the latest in a series of high-profile officials to leave the Pentagon. Jen Stewart, currently the minority staff director for the House Armed Services Committee, will take over the role. Chewning’s exit follows the resignation of other officials, including the DARPA director, assistant secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs, and a senior adviser for international cooperation. A Defense Department spokeswoman said several new appointees are expected to join the Pentagon in the near future.

DOD Installations Double Down on Security After Iraq Strike

Military installations near the nation’s capital are stepping up security following the targeted killing of Qasem Soleimani on Jan. 3.