Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 28, 2018

Pararescuemen from the 131st Rescue Squadron train their Ukrainian counterparts at Vinnytsia Air Base, Ukraine, Oct. 16, as part of Clear Sky 2018. Aimed to promote peace, security and interoperability between regional allies as well as NATO partners, the two-week exercise brought together nearly 1,000 military personnel from nine countries. (Master Sgt. Joseph Prouse/Air Force)

Military.com: Here’s the US military footprint in the Black Sea region

After Russia fired on two Ukrainian naval ships Sunday, seizing the vessels and crew members, tensions on Russia’s doorstep appear to have reached a fever pitch.

The incident took place in the Kerch Strait — a key waterway to both countries that bridges the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

And while Ukraine is not a NATO ally, members of the Western alliance have issued formal condemnation of Russia’s actions, which appeared to be unprovoked.

Read more ....

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 28, 2018

Mike Pompeo offered 'military assistance' to Ukraine in Crimea stand-off with Russia, says Poroshenko -- The Independent

US spy planes over Crimea as Russia 'sharply increases' military on Ukraine border -- Daily Star

NATO backs Ukraine amid crisis with Russia -- Anadolu Agency

Number of Russian aircraft, ships in occupied Crimea grows by five to ten times in four years – Poroshenko -- UNIAN

Russia Military Tests ‘Readiness’ of Troops Positioned Near Ukraine -- Newsweek

New Russian S-400 division coming soon to Crimea to enter combat duty -- TASS

US Air Force Push For Better Pilot Protection Upsets Competitive Landscape In Ejection Seats -- Forbes

Army awards Oshkosh $1.7B for 6,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles -- UPI

US Army to Buy 500 New "Light Tank" Mobile Protected FirePower Vehicles -- Warrior Maven

USS McCain leaves dry dock 15 months after collision that killed 10 sailors -- Stars and Stripes

Navy outlines 30-year plan for ship repair, upgrades at congressional hearing -- UPI

US Navy Outlines Plan to Solve Attack Submarine Shortage -- DoD Buzz

As defense budgets tighten, a new engine is critical to US Army aviation’s future -- Defense News

Active shooter scare at Walter Reed military hospital in Maryland was a drill -- USA Today

Army investigating US troops over the beating death of an Afghan commando -- Army Times

Trump loves the military. Do they love him back? -- Tara McKelvey, BBC

Mattis Presses Afghan Peace Talks as Casualties Mount -- Military.com

Mattis Orders US Troops to Set Up Observation Posts in Northern Syria -- Military.com

It’s Probably No Big Deal When Mattis Departs -- Tobin Harshaw, Bloomberg

Mattis’s Infantry Task Force: Righting ‘A Generational Wrong’ -- Bob Scales, Breaking Defense

US Senator Inhofe sets collision course with Dems on defense budget, nukes and transgender troops -- Defense News

US State Department approves $1.2 billion in tank ammunition, helicopter sales to Egypt -- The Hill

US Air Force Is Redrawing Its Pacific-War Playbook for China -- Marcus Weisgerber, Defense One

The US and China are the closest of enemies -- Mark Leonard, The Strategist

Russian Aircraft Corp. to Complete MiG-35 Fighter Testing in 2019 - MiG Chief -- Sputnik

Japan reviewing purchase of 100 more U.S. F-35 fighter jets -- UPI

Japan Set to Massively Expand F-35 Fleet - Report -- Sputnik

Japan's Ballistic Missile Defense Too Integrated With the U.S.? -- Yuki Watai, Diplomat

Slovenia Appoints a Woman as Chief of Military for First Time -- Military.com/AP

Thanks to Brexit, the European army is on its way -- Handelsblatt

'Britain Is Not Going To Be Participating In A European Army', Says Defence Secretary -- Forces Network

U.K. Relationship With U.S., Role in Global Defense Unlikely to Change After Brexit -- USNI News

Tank maker takeover: Germany’s Rheinmetall eyes acquisition of rival KMW -- Defense News

A Secret Military Unit Drives Israel's Surge in Cutting-Edge Tech -- OZY