Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 12, 2016

Talking With Troops

Defense Secretary Ash Carter speaks with service members during a troop event in Baghdad, July 11, 2016. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim D. Godbee

DW: US Defense Chief Ash Carter makes unannounced visit to Afghanistan

Days after the US halted plans to almost half the number of troops in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Ash Carter has made a surprise trip to Kabul. The US has urged NATO to expand support in the war against the Taliban.

During his trip to Afghanistan on Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter was due to meet with senior US military commanders and Afghan leaders including President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.

Carter's visit came just days after US President Barack Obama shelved plans to cut the US force in Afghanistan 5,000 by the end of 2016, opting instead to keep 8,400 troops there through the close of his presidency in January next year.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 12, 2016

U.S. Defense Secretary In Kabul For Talks With Afghan, Military Leaders -- RFE

US to Send Helicopters, Rocket Artillery to Iraq for Mosul Offensive -- Defense Tech

Field artillery soldiers battle ISIS with missiles, build partnerships with regional armies -- Army Times

Italian intelligence chief visits Syria, discusses counterterrorism cooperation with Assad – report -- RT

Russia tests sixth-generation fighter elements on fifth-generation jet -- TASS

More than 900 troops involved in troop command system drills in Moscow region -- TASS

Russia's 'Polar Bear Spetznas' Step Up Defense of Country's Arсtic Borders -- Sputnik

Afghan Forces should learn from NATO's mistakes -- Rachel Reid, Al Jazeera

India May Build Up Its Military Power With Russia's Shtorm Aircraft Carrier -- Sputnik

Stuxnet, the CIA/Mossad 'Worm of the Apocalypse’ No Longer Threatens Iran -- Sputnik

UK to US: We’re Buying Your Sub-Hunters, Gunships -- DoD Buzz

British Officials Trumpet Apache, P-8 Deals Amid Post-Brexit Fears -- Defense News

Despite Promises, NATO Still Vague on Plan for Eastern Flank Force -- Military.com

Lockheed Lands First Customer for Armed Black Hawk -- Defense News

Raytheon to Grow $1.1Bln Due to Demand for Missile Defense, Smart Weapons -- Sputnik

ISIS, Iran Fueling Growth in Missile, Bomb Market, Says Raytheon CEO -- Defense One

Air Force May Declare F-35A 'Ready for Combat' Next Month: General -- Military.com

F-35 pilot explains how he dominated dogfights against multiple A-4 aggressors. Every time. -- Aviationist

GE Aims to Steal F-35 Engine Production -- Defense News

Rainstorm Shuts Down F-35 Demo on First Day of Farnborough -- Military.com

How Lockheed Designed the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter -- Clay Dillow, Fortune

High rate of F-35 production more vital than restarting F-22 -U.S. general -- Reuters

America’s F-22 Raptor: The fighter jet Japan desperately wants (but can’t have) -- Asia Times

The U.S. Air Force's Master Plan to Replace the F-22 Raptor Could be a Shocker -- David Axe, National Interest

Raytheon Eyes Additional Missions for Air Force Trainer Jet -- Defense news

Pentagon Seeks ‘Consideration’ for KC-46 Tanker Delay -- Defense News

Pentagon to clarify arms regulations for military personnel -- AFP

Marines delayed from entering Capitol with ceremonial rifles -- The Hill

US army whistleblower Chelsea Manning attempted suicide -- Al Jazeera

Some People Can’t Catch Pokémon On Military Bases -- Task & Purpose