Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 29, 2015

The U.S. is now preparing to boost its Special Forces presence in Syria to help warplanes identify high value jihadist targets. The move in part would be in response to Russia’s recent military intervention in the region

Daily Mail: U.S. could send Special Forces to find high-value Syrian terror targets in significant ramping up of the war against ISIS

* America is now preparing to boost its Special Forces presence in Syria
* The move comes after Russia’s recent military intervention in the region
* New ‘boots on the ground’ will help identify jihadist targets on the frontline
* Military officials also examining plans to send Apache helicopters to Iraq

America is preparing to boost its Special Forces presence in Syria to help warplanes identify high value jihadist targets.

The Pentagon is looking to deploy Green Berets or other special operations forces inside the country in a significant ramping up of the war against Islamic State.

The move in part would be in response to Russia’s military intervention in the region which critics have claimed left the US looking ineffectual.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- October 29, 2015

U.S. looking at expanding role on ground in Iraq, Syria -- Defense News

Iraq ‘didn’t ask’ for US ground operations against ISIS -- RT

US begins consultations on military support for Kurdish militias in Syria — source -- TASS

New allies in northern Syria don’t seem to share U.S. goals -- McClatchy News

Nato 'plotting to send 4,000 soldiers to Russian border' as tension with Vladimir Putin increases -- Mirror

Okinawa affairs minister says Futenma, U.S. military issues outside her mandate -- Japan Times

US, Chinese Naval Chiefs To Talk -- Defense News

China Pushes Back Against U.S. Influence in the Seas of East Asia -- NYT

White House Moves to Reassure Allies With South China Sea Patrol, but Quietly -- NYT

US Pacific Commander to Visit China After US Ship Sails in Disputed Waters -- Sputnik

US To Sail Again Near Islets Claimed By China -- Defense News/AFP

The final flight: The only remaining active Vulcan bomber soars into the clouds for one last time before bringing the curtain down on its legendary career -- Daily Mail

Israel’s all-inclusive F-35I deal doesn’t grant full tech access -- Flight Global

Pentagon Wants Inexpensive, Less Complex Ships -- National Defense

New US Marines Combat Vehicle Faces Risks From Fast Track Development -- Sputnik

M982 - Smart Artillery Round -- Orvelin Valle, We Are The Mighty

US Air Force Expands $393Mln Intelligence, Reconnaissance System Order -- Sputnik

$3Billion Military Blimp (JLENS) Goes AWOL -- AP

JLENS Spy Blimp on the Ground After Journey Over Pennsylvania -- Defense News

Mabus: Unmanned Systems Key to Future of Navy -- National Defense

USAF intel chief proposes single-operator MQ-9 cockpit -- Flight Global

US Lawmakers Look for $5 Billion Defense Cut -- Defesne News

This little-known federal agency can't explain why it needs a fleet of 1,100 flashy SUVs -- The Week

Thousands Of Soldiers With Mental Health Disorders Kicked Out For 'Misconduct' -- NPR

Medal of Honor recipient Groberg: 'Now I have a big responsibility' -- Stars and Stripes

Decline of the U.S. Navy carrier air wing -- Eric Palmer Blog

How To Cut Predator, Reaper UAV Crew In Half: Lt. Gen. Otto -- Richard Whittle, Breaking Defense

What the new ‘Long Range Strike Bomber’ is replacing -- Washington Post

Mystery Plane: The secrecy around the USAF's LRS-B brings military value, but some ill-understood costs. -- Rachel Rizzo & James Hasik, Atlantic Council

Northrop’s Long Range Strike-Bomber: What We Still Don’t Know -- Defense News

US Army Lost Track of 27 Ballistic Missiles Left Over from Cold War-Era -- Sputnik