Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 20, 2020

Lightning strikes behind a B-1B Lancer parked on the flight line as a major storm approaches Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. in May 2017. The B-1B was at Tinker undergoing depot level maintenance and had been stripped of the majority of its paint. (Greg L. Davis/Air Force) 

Air Force Times: Here’s how bad the military’s aircraft readiness has gotten 

For years, the military’s critics have raised alarms about its aircraft readiness, and whether concerning numbers of airplanes and helicopters have not been ready to fly. 

A new report from the Government Accountability Office released Thursday shows just how bad the problem has gotten — not just in the Air Force, but also in the Navy, Marine Corps and Army. 

Read more .... 

 Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- November 20, 2020 

New report shows how bad US military aircraft readiness actually is -- Business Insider 

Aircraft Readiness Is Bad & Getting Worse: GAO -- Breaking Defense 

The Navy Wants To Stand Up A New Fleet Aimed At Deterring China In The Indian Ocean -- Warzone/The Drive 

As Supercarrier Ford Launches Largest-Ever Flight Ops, Leaders Try Out New Ways to Fight -- Military.com 

Here's Why Sailors on the Carrier Ford Will Eat Better Than Anyone Else in the Fleet -- Military.com 

Nimitz Strike Group concludes four-nation Malabar sea exercises -- UPI 

U.S. Special Operations structure streamlined, will report to Defense Secretary -- UPI 

In Shake-Up, Acting SecDef Elevates Special Operations to Be 'On Par' with Service Branches -- Military.com 

Army Will Protect Key Weapons From Post-COVID Cuts: Pasquarette -- Breaking Defense

Space Force Struggles To Shape New Acquisition Command -- Breaking Defense 

These Are the 6 Bases That Could Host US Space Command -- Military.com 

Military pay raise at risk in dispute over bases named for Confederate officers -- Military Times/AP 

Top Pentagon Official Tests Positive for Coronavirus -- Military.com/AP 

Acting SecDef, service secretaries exposed to COVID-19 after top civilian tests positive -- Defense News 

52-year-old guardsman is military's 11th COVID-19 death -- The Hill

Senators introduce legislation to block $23.7B arms sale to UAE -- UPI 

Air Force graduates last class of Afghan student pilots -- UPI 

Air Force Ends Program That Trained Afghan Pilots to Fly the A-29 Super Tucano -- Military.com 

Lockheed, U.S. government offer to sell 40 F-35As to Swiss air force -- UPI 

Europe still needs U.S. military help, German defense minister says -- UPI 

Russia Says U.S. Missile Defense Test Proves It Lied About Global Missile Shield -- Newsweek 

Russia developing terrifying new weapon to replace Iskander missile system -- Express 

Russia To Establish Naval Base Capable Of Supporting Nuclear-Powered Ships In Sudan -- Warzone/The Drive 

China's Future Fighter Trainer Could Feature AI to Boost Pilot's Combat Capability, Designer Says -- Sputnik 

Hong Kong: 'Five Eyes could be blinded,' China warns West -- BBC 

Japan to review drone security in check against China, report says -- UPI 

Japan launches first ship of new frigate class -- Defense News 

CIA thinks North Korean missiles could reach U.S. targets, analyst says -- UPI 

France Preserves Control Over Military Technology Startup Pursued by CIA, Reports Say -- Sputnik 

British prime minister to boost defense spending by $22B -- UPI 

Everything We Know About The United Kingdom's Big New Defense Spending Plan -- Warzone/The Drive 

Venezuela Launching Mass Production of Multi-Purpose Drones, Planes, Maduro Says -- Sputnik 

Iran Unveils Its New Sea Base Warship That Looks Like A Floating Arms Bazaar -- Warzone/The Drive