Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 30, 2015

U.S. Navy photo

The Hill: USS Harry S. Truman launches first missions against ISIS

The USS Harry S. Truman launched its first missions against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Navy.

"Warfighting is the priority; that's why we are here," Navy Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, said in a statement.

The Truman recently arrived in the Persian Gulf to begin striking ISIS in Iraq and Syria, ending a several-month U.S. carrier gap in the region after the USS Theodore Roosevelt left in October.
The French carrier Charles De Gaulle arrived in the Gulf in November, however, and began striking ISIS targets.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 30, 2015

US accuses Iran of conducting missile test near warships -- AP

US Gear and Guidance Played Key Role in Ramadi Success -- Military.com

These Numbers Show That The US Is At War With ISIS, Even If Congress Won’t Authorize It -- Huffington Post

Bahrain F-16 crashes in Saudi near Yemen border -- AFP

Russian Warships Practice Combat in Indian Ocean -- Sputnik

Warning: Turbulence Ahead for the Russia-India Stealth Fighter -- National Interest

China's military intelligence system is changing -- Peter Mattis, War On The Rocks

China’s armed drones appear built from stolen data from US cyber intrusions -- Asia Times

China's South Sea Fleet Gets Three New Ships -- Sputnik

Boko Haram battle: On combat patrol with Nigeria’s army -- BBC

Turkey goes all in on drones -- Al-Monitor

Turkey to Increase Security Following Cyberattacks -- VOA

Security Breach Prompts Shake-Up at Israel Missile Defense Office -- Defense News

Critical Missile Defense Decisions in NATO Europe Expected in 2016 -- Defense News

New Ukrainian military air defence equipment showcased -- Ukraine Today

German army needs to 'free soldiers from refugee care, focus on other missions' -- RT

Beer, beards and fresh-baked bread aboard the French carrier Charles de Gaulle -- Military Times

LCS grows fangs by adding anti-ship missiles in 2016 -- Defense News

DARPA, Northrop Move to Develop VTOL Aircraft -- Defense News

DARPA’s new military drone could morph destroyers into aircraft carriers -- RT

Raytheon Wins $102Mln US Navy Satellite Communications Contract -- Sputnik

DARPA plans to launch drones from small ships with $93M Northrop Grumman award -- Washington Business Journal

Air Force officer in brig may be punished for talking to reporter -- Air Force Times

US Attorney declines prosecution of former VA execs -- AP

Marines Will Comply With Hawaii Law Raising Smoking Age to 21 -- Military.com

Cold War Missileers Refute Okinawa Near-Launch -- Stars and Stripes

Here are some crucial winter survival tips from the US Marine Corps -- Business Insider

Obama gives military largest raise in 5 years, GOP refuses to give credit -- Examiner

Trump's and Clinton's policies would further burden an exhausted military -- H.A. Goodman, The Hill

Does the U.S. Need the Minuteman? -- Peter Huessy, Gatestone Institute

The Military: An Alternative to the Brutalities of the Modern Economy -- Scott Beauchamp, The Atlantic