Thursday, December 12, 2013

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 12, 2013

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Qatar’s defense minister signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement in Doha on Tuesday. Pool photo by Mark Wilson

Hagel Lifts Veil on Major Military Center in Qatar -- New York Times

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s visit to the advanced air operations center here this week was not just a stop at an important outpost of the United States military. It was also a major step forward for Pentagon transparency.

The highly classified American facility, officially called the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, coordinated all of the attack and surveillance missions for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — and would be equally critical if an American president decided that only bombs and missiles could halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions. It hosts liaison officers from 30 allies in Europe and the Persian Gulf.

Until this week, however, its location was carefully guarded by the Pentagon and the Qatari government, out of concerns from both about sensitivities to its presence.

Read more ....

MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS

Hagel’s verbal assurances for continued U.S. presence in the Middle East come with action -- Walter Pincus, Washington Post

Amazing 360 degree look inside Britain's newest Typhoon fighter -- The Telegraph

China targets Global Hawk drone -- Washington Times

Chinese media spins smog as 'military defense'; citizens not amused -- PBS Newshour

Putin Says Bids to Gain Military Dominance Over Russia Futile -- RIA Novosti

Russia considers funding MiG-29 successor -- Flight Global

Russia to Focus on Robotic Weaponry in Arms Procurement -- RIA Novosti

Nigerian Navy Received new Israeli Attack Boats -- IHLS

Korea exports 24 attack jets to Iraq -- Korea Times

Top US general: Negotiations done on Afghan deal -- AP

U.S. backing off its deadline for Afghan security agreement -- Washington Post

Pentagon Cuts Eased by $22.3 Billion Under Budget Deal -- Bloomberg

Pentagon welcomes budget deal but wants more money -- Washington Times

Budget Deal Hits Military Retirees with Pension Cuts, Federal Retirees Untouched -- Washington Free Beacon

Budget deal seen as boon to Pentagon. So why wouldn't veterans be happy? -- Anna Mulrine, Christian Science Monitor

NSA chief defends phone spying: ‘There is no other way’ -- Washington Times

X-37B: Air Force's Secret Space Drone Still in Orbit a Year Later -- L. A. Times

U.S. seeks spy edge with stealth drone -- CNN

US Navy's Submarine-Launched Drone Paves Way For Future Military Tech -- Live Science

How Scientific Sea Drones Are Becoming the Eyes of the Navy -- Popular Mechanics

Navy to bulk buy biofuel -- UT San Diego

Littoral combat ship's maiden deployment marked by highs, lows -- Stars and Stripes

Blackwater military plans questioned -- PNJ.com

Military Camouflage Must Look the Same Under Defense Bill -- Bloomberg

The Army's 8-Wheeled Laser Truck Can Burn Mortars, Drones Right Out Of The Sky -- Business Insider

Navy Subcontractor Breaks Silence About Treasure Island Radiation -- NBC

Rep. Hunter to Pentagon: Don’t lower combat standards for women -- Washington Times

Congress confronts military sex assault -- UT San Diego

Inside the military’s male sexual assault problem -- Al Jazeera

More Bureaucrats, Fewer Jets and Ships. More than half of our active-duty servicemen and women serve in offices on staffs. -- John Lehman, Wall Street Journal

Aircraft Carriers and What Comes Next -- Commander Elton C. Parker III, War On the Rocks

Big Brother spying is reaching scary levels -- Casey Oppenheim, CNN

10 military gifts guaranteed not to bomb (gallery, gift guide) -- al.com

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