Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 13, 2018

An F-35B begins its short takeoff from the USS America with an external weapons load. Lockheed Martin

Alex Lockie, Business Insider: Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 13, 2018

* The US Navy deployed the USS Essex, a small deck aircraft carrier, to the Western Pacific with a deck full of US Marine Corps F-35Bs Joint Strike Fighters — but did it with secrecy.
* The US typically hypes F-35 deployments, but this time it was silent, perhaps signalling a big shift.
* The US has major adversaries in the Western Pacific, and may be shifting to a more operational approach to keeping them in check, rather than using media attention.

The US Navy broke with its tradition of hyping up F-35 deployments by sending of the USS Essex jump-jet carrier into the Western Pacific with a deck full of the revolutionary fighter jets — and it could signal a big change in how the US deals with its toughest adversaries.

When the USS Wasp became the first small deck aircraft carrier to deploy with US Marine Corps F-35Bs, the media was in on it. But the Essex's departure marks a change, as the Navy broke its usual protocol and only announced the deployment after the ship departed, the USNI News notes.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 13, 2018

NATO allies agree to partner for joint weapons purchases -- UPI

Trump doesn’t rule out ending military exercises in the Baltics -- Stars and Stripes

Mattis doesn't mention Russia by name at meeting with Balkan officials: report -- The Hill

Word 'Russia' goes unspoken as Mattis meets Balkan defense chiefs -- Reuters

US '100 Percent' Committed to NATO, Mattis Says -- Military.com

German government feuds over military spending increases after NATO summit -- DW

PM Trudeau bills 10-year defence spending plan as answer to Trump's persistent demand -- CTV News

Canadian Military shows off new Cyclone helicopter days before first international deployment -- Global News

Pakistan chooses Turkish T129 attack helos to replace aging fleet -- Defense News

India's Defense Minister on S-400 Deal: US Laws Don't Apply to New Delhi -- Sputnik

South Korea scrambles fighter jets after Russian bombers trespass zone -- UPI

US, Japanese Forces Test-Fire Surface-to-Ship Missiles During Naval Drills -- Sputnik

Blackwater founder makes new pitch for mercenaries to take over Afghan war -- The Hill

Pentagon IDs Ranger killed in Afghanistan -- The Hill

North Korea could propose military restrictions with U.S. over weekend -- UPI

As Trump talks about reducing military missions, lawmakers still push to boost troop totals -- Military Times

Army Futures Command to be located in Austin, Pentagon announces -- UPI

KC-46 tanker aircraft completes flight tests ahead of first delivery -- UPI

US Air Force: Hypoxia Among Pilots Mysterious, But Real -- Sputnik

Littoral combat ship USS Wichita completes acceptance trials -- UPI

Ronald Reagan Strike Group completes air defense exercise in Philippine Sea -- UPI

Report: Stealth Destroyer Returns to Shipyard with Wrecked Engine -- Military.com/Bangor Daily News, Maine

US’ Embattled Zumwalt Destroyer Requires $20 Million Engine Replacement -- Sputnik

Video: Air Force awards first-ever 'R' devices for remote combat ops -- Military Times Minute

Senators: Where's the Military Family Suicide Data? -- Military.com

The CIA Still Doesn’t Trust Jared Kushner With Its Most Sensitive Intelligence -- NYMag

CIA's top recruiter on how the agency finds - and keeps - its spies -- CBS

Here Are the Rules Behind the Navy's New Female Hair Regs -- Kit Up!

Are Military Courts Really Just Like Civilian Criminal Courts? -- Dan Maurer, Lawfare

The Most Read Stories This Week on Military.com -- July 13, 2018 -- Military.com