Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 3, 2015

Eder Dam on 17 May 1943. Wikipedia

New York Times: John Leslie Munro, the Last of the World War II ‘Dambuster’ Pilots, Dies at 96

LONDON — On the night of May 16, 1943, a squadron of bombers set out from Britain to conduct a series of strikes against heavily fortified dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley, using bombs that bounced on the water before exploding. Of the 133 who started the mission, only 77 returned.

The last surviving pilot of those who came back was John Leslie Munro, who died on Monday at the age of 96. His death was met with tributes across the globe, including in Britain and in his native New Zealand, for his role in the daring “Dambusters” mission that struck at the industrial heartland of the Nazi war effort and lifted Allied morale.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 3, 2015

U.S. expands potential targets in Syria -- Defense News

US Begins Launching Armed Drones From Turkish Airbase -- Sputnik

NATO agrees plan to strengthen Iraq's army -- Reuters

UK Defense Minister Extends Anti-ISIL Campaign in Iraq to March 2017 -- Sputnik

Iran Nuclear Deal Boosts Saudi Demand for US Weapons Systems -- Sputnik

Armor: Israeli Secret Weapon Revealed -- Strategy Page

Russia threat: Putin ramps up aggression as NATO see huge surge in airspace violations -- Express

To Defeat Russia, Ukraine Creates Muslim Military Unit Made Up Of Crimean Tatars -- IBTimes

Electronic Warfare: What US Army Can Learn From Ukraine -- Defense News

World’s fastest interceptors perform unique nonstop night flight across Russia -- RT

Russia just folded several branches of its military into a new 'Aerospace Force' -- AP

Russian Airborne Troops chief says paratroopers ready to help Syria in combating terrorism -- ITAR-TASS

Paratroopers from Russia, China and other nations compete in military games -- US News and World Report

China and Russia to hold military exercise in the Sea of Japan -- UPI

China Builds World's Largest Aircraft Carrier Dock in South China Sea -- National Interest

China’s Science of Military Strategy -- FAS

Japan eyeing 5 trillion yen defense budget -- Asia Times

Prime Minister Tony Abbott announces 'historic' Navy ship build for South Australia; submarines remain uncertain -- ABC News (Australia)

Venezuela, Russia Continue Military Cooperation As Caracas Copies Tank Biathlon Course From International Army Games -- IBTimes

Fiji Military Boss Says Sudden Resignation No Sign of Instability -- Defense News/AFP

US Legislator: Nigeria's Military Needs Training, Not Arms -- AP

Turkey To Buy Reconnaissance Aircraft -- Defense News

Global Five Eyes Spy System 'Bigger Than Ever' -- Sputnik

US Agrees To Speed Arms Sales to Gulf States: Kerry -- Defense News/AFP

US Military Tests Ballistic Missile Interceptor off Hawaii -- AP

Communications satellite system ready for military use -- UPI

Armor: Where The Hummer Still Gets Respect -- Strategy Page

Lockheed Martin's Littoral Combat Ship Is Finally Making Headway -- but Is It Too Late? -- Katie Spence, Motley Fool

Official: Not Ruling Out Charging Navy Officer Who Fired on Shooter -- Military.com

Official: Armed sentries to guard Navy support centers -- Navy Times

A Coming War in Space? -- Defense Tech

Lindsey Graham’s Curious Military Career -- New York Times editorial

What the Army needs to do to win -- Michael Jacobson, War On The Rocks