Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 17, 2020

A still image from video footage shows Bavar-373 mobile missile system in Iran. Photo credit: Reuters

Jerusalem Post: Iranian air defense on high alert amid explosions - report

In early 2020, Iran confirmed its air defense batteries mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 people on board.

The US has several intelligence indications that Iran has put some of its air defense systems on high alert in recent days, CNN reported early Friday morning, citing a "US official closely tracking developments."

While the official refused to specify how the US got hold of the intelligence, he or she confirmed that the Islamic Republic has changed the alert status on its surface-to-air missile batteries, in a move indicating it would fire at airborne targets perceived as a potential threat.

In early 2020, Iran confirmed its air defense batteries mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 people on board, after it mistook the civilian aircraft for a US drone.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 17, 2020

US has 'several' indications Iran has put portions of air defense on high alert -- CNN

Navy puts out fires aboard USS Bonhomme Richard after four days of fighting blaze -- The Hill

More Than Just a Fire: The Implications of the Bonhomme Richard Catastrophe -- Bryan McGrath, War On The Rocks

Army Says Long Range Missiles Will Help Air Force, Not Compete -- Breaking DEfense

Northrop Wins $36B Deal to Support B-52 Bomber Aircraft -- Yahoo

Air Force’s First KC-10 Retires -- Air Force Magazine

US Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft could replace Chinook for UK -- Army-Technology

US military Nears 19,000 Coronavirus Cases -- Caitlin M. Kenney, Stars and Stripes

US Lawmakers Propose Bill to Sanction Turkey for Acquiring Russian S-400 System -- Sputnik

Pentagon effectively bans the Confederate battle flag from military bases in memo rejecting 'divisive symbols' -- Business Insider

Portsmouth sailor charged with giving classified information to a Russian -- Virginia-Pilot

Outgoing U.S. Naval Forces-Europe chief calls for new NATO maritime strategy -- UPI

US, British, and Dutch fighter jets just teamed up for a 'Point Blank' exercise over the North Sea -- Business Insider/US Air Force

The US Navy is making South China Sea memes as its warships anger China and challenge its sweeping claims -- Business Insider

Oversight gap leaves Pentagon unsure if Afghan drone project has helped, IG says -- UPI

$174 Million Afghan Drone Program Is Riddled With Problems, U.S. Report Says -- New York Times

Taiwan held its annual live-fire military drills as tensions with China worsen -- AP

Report: U.S., South Korea militaries to conduct pared down drills -- UPI

South Korea set to launch 1st military communications satellite -- UPI

Turkish Defence Industries Chief Vows to Keep S-400 Secrets Safe -- Sputnik

Russia orders 'surprise' military drill in Caspian, Black seas -- UPI

Out of the Blue: Russia Holds Snap Checks in Its Military Districts -- Sputnik

US Backs France in Standoff with Turkey over Warships -- Military.com/AP

It’s do or die for Germany’s new missile defense weapon -- Defense News

Germany's military missing over 60,000 rounds of ammunition -- DW