CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 10: Residents and visitors work to clear debris in search of pets and belongings of a destroyed home in the aftermath of a tornado on December 10, 2023 in Clarksville, Tennessee. Multiple long-track tornadoes were reported in northwest Tennessee on December 9th causing multiple deaths and injuries and widespread damage. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images).
The U.S. Army’s Fort Campbell installation is ordering only “mission essential” soldiers to report to work on Monday, Dec. 11 after a major tornado struck the surrounding area over the weekend.

With plans to acquire 100 B-21 Raiders, the Air Force is looking to replace its fleets of 45  B-1Bs  and 20  B-2s. This acquisition could even mean the gradual retirement of the veteran  B-52, who has been in service for more than seven decades.

Strategic bombing, a devastating game of aerial chess, emerged in World War I. The German Empire, a pioneer in this tactic, deployed zeppelins to besiege London, ushering in an era of total war from the skies.

Israeli security officials said more than 7,000 members of the armed group Hamas died in Tel Aviv’s campaign in the Gaza Strip.

“This is just a minimum estimate. The actual number may be much larger because we do not know everything underneath the collapsed tunnels and buildings,” said Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi during the interview on December 9.
Israel insists its campaign is making progress. However, Israeli commander Herzi Halevi told soldiers that “we need to make more efforts.

Starting in January, the Air Force Recruiting Service will track the reasons why applicants drop out of the membership process before signing the dotted line. The goal is to understand what makes people interested in serving decide to leave and if there is anything the Army can do to improve its processes.

“Currently, we only have anecdotal data to indicate why someone abandons the process,” an AFRS spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine. “This will require the recruiter to go in and write down a specific reason why someone is leaving the process.

AIR BASE, ARABIAN GULF – MARCH 17: (MILITARY RESTICTIONS PROHIBIT THE DISCLOSER OF THE LOCATION THIS BASE) U.S. A-10 Warthog pilots go through their pre-flight checks in the cockpit before takeoff on the flight line at an air base in the Arabian Gulf near the Iraqi border as American forces get closer to a possible war with Iraq March 17, 2003. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images).
The Air Force is hoping its current active-duty pilots will stick around and the service wants to sweeten the deal. It’s solution: money. Lots of money.

The crew of the GUNDAM 22 Osprey mission. (Photos courtesy Air Force Special Operations Command/Composite by Josh Skovlund).
It’s been more than a week since an Air Force Special Operations Command CV-22 Osprey crashed off Yakushima Island in Japan on Nov. 29. After identifying the remaining seven members of the crew of the Osprey, AFSOC is now sharing more about the lives of the airmen onboard.
The tiltrotor craft went down off the coast of southwestern Japan, flying toward Okinawa. The remains of seven of the eight crew members have been recovered so far.

In the heart of the Gaza Strip, a formidable transformation is underway. From its beginnings in 1992 with less than 10,000 members, Hamas has meticulously crafted an army of 40,000 fighters, posing a significant challenge to Israel. Let’s delve into the strategic maneuvers and external alliances that have fueled this military expansion.
The Genesis: From Leaflets to a Robust Army
Founded as a small group distributing anti-occupation leaflets, Hamas has evolved into a substantial force with 24 well-trained battalions.

The United States has been consulting with its Gulf allies about possible military action against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in response to their increasingly brazen attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, according to several people with knowledge of the talks.
The talks are in a preliminary phase, and both the U.S. and its partners continue to prefer diplomacy over direct confrontation, said the people, who asked not to be identified because of the matter’s sensitivity. They added that the fact that talks are taking place underscores how seriously the US takes the threat.

The Latvian MoD has signed a EUR600 million contract with Diehl for IRIS-T SLM air-defence systems. (Diehl)
The Latvian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Diehl Defence have announced that they signed a contract on 30 November for the delivery of the IRIS-T SLM (Surface Launched Medium Range) air-defence system to Latvia. The EUR600 million (USD649 million) contract was signed by Latvian National Armaments Director Mārtiņš Paškēvičs and Torsten Cook, senior vice-president of Diehl Defence’s ground-based air-defence business unit.

In military history, the Merkava main battle tanks stand as a testament to Israel’s enduring commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. Spanning five decades, the Merkava has evolved from a response to wartime vulnerabilities into a cutting-edge force on the modern battlefield.
The Yom Kippur War and Tactical Lessons
The inception of the Merkava can be traced back to the echoes of the Yom Kippur War in October 1973.

A command investigation released by the Marine Corps found that five Marines killed in June 2022 Osprey crash were not at fault in the accident. Top, Capt. John J. Sax, Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio; Bottom: Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland.
Three women who were married to or engaged to crew members aboard a Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey when it crashed in June 2022 want the plane’s manufacturer to answer questions about its safety record.
And they’d like to talk to Congress about it, too.

Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer at the Army-Navy game.
Some of the Task & Purpose team is at the Army-Navy game in Boston today, talking to veterans and active-duty leaders from several services. 
They got some time with Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer. Weimer, the 17th SMA, took over the post this August. He’s had a long career: he enlisted in 1993, became a Green Beret in 1996 and has served in a variety of roles around the globe. And since he’s had such a long career, the Task & Purpose team asked him the kind of questions only a veteran would ask.

In a surprising move, Russia recently announced the deployment of a squadron of Su-35S fighters to escort President Vladimir Putin’s plane during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. This unprecedented decision has sparked discussions among military experts and raised questions about Russia’s intentions in the volatile Middle East region.

Ukraine’s air defense used Martlet missiles transferred from the UK to intercept hundreds of Russian UAVs, countering attacks on winter energy infrastructure.

Russia has recently increased attacks using suicide drones (UAVs) on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including an “unprecedented” raid in the past few months with 75 suicide UAVs on 6 provinces of Ukraine. Ukraine on November 25 caused 120 infrastructure and 77 civil buildings in the capital Kiev to lose power.

A Precision Strike Missile fires in a test operation at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico in November 2023. (Photo by Darrell Ames/U.S. Army).
The U.S. Army now has a new ballistic missile in its arsenal. On Friday, Dec. 8 the Army received the first shipment of the new Precision Strike Missile. 
The Precision Strike Missile or PrSM is meant to replace the MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, which have been in use for more than three decades. According to the military, the Army received its first of several shipments.

The F-35, with its combat configuration known as Beast Mode, deploys an impressive arsenal of up to 22,000 pounds (9,980 kg) in internal and external weapons. This modality is activated in scenarios of less conflict, where attack speed prevails over stealth.

Unique Features and Training of the F-35 in Beast Mode

When flying fully armed, the F-35 drastically changes its flight characteristics, presenting a tactical challenge and a crucial training opportunity for flight cadets.

I’m sitting at USAA’s Army-Navy Media Row in Boston, Massachusettes, for the 124th Army-Navy game presented by USAA, with tears in my eyes. I just finished interviewing USAA’s CEO Wayne Peacock about what the Army-Navy game means to America, the importance of community, and everything he and the incredible team at USAA are doing to Face the Fight to end veteran suicide.

President Biden is lobbying the US Congress to approve a contract to sell 45,000 tank shells to Israel for use in the campaign in the Gaza Strip.

A US official and a former official said on December 8 that US President Joe Biden’s administration is asking Congress to approve a contract to sell artillery shells to Israel worth more than 500 million USD for this country to use for vehicles. Merkava tanks are participating in the operation in the Gaza Strip.
The contract to sell 45,000 tank artillery shells is in addition to Mr.

Michael Thornton received a Medal of Honor for saving a fellow Navy SEAL on one of his several tours to Vietnam.
Task & Purpose has staff at the Army-Navy game outside Boston this weekend and as we run into distinguished service members and vets in town, we’re asking them 5 questions only veterans would think to ask. 
One veteran we ran into was former Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor recipient, Michael Thornton.
Thornton received a Medal of Honor for saving a fellow SEAL during a firefight in Vietnam.

Secretary of State Blinken said most security assistance to Ukraine is spent on manufacturing activities in the US, helping the country’s economy grow more.

“If you look at our investments in Ukraine’s defense in response to the conflict, 90% of the security assistance that we have provided is actually spent on manufacturers in the United States,” Secretary of State American Antony Blinken said after meeting with British counterpart David Cameron on December 8 in Washington.
Mr.

Jen Judson, Army Times The first increment of the Precision Strike Missile has been delivered to the Army, a major milestone for the top priority program.

Craig Hoyle, Flight Global The UK has stood up its second frontline squadron to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II: the Royal Navy’s 809 NAS.

Barry Gewen, The National Interest “[The Japanese have] a pretty clear view of where they’re going; they’re heading towards becoming a nuclear power in five years.

David P. Craig, Real Clear Defense
On one particular day, the battalion had sent out a mounted patrol that struck an incendiary IED.

Kris Osborn, Warrior Maven
The Chinese nuclear buildup, according to the former Commander of US Strategic Command, Admiral Charles Richard, is both “breathtaking” and “accelerating

After several difficulties and delays, the Army is reconsidering its testing strategy for its long-range Dark Eagle hypersonic missile. The missiles are expected to be operational by next summer.
Rescheduling tests after suspension
Various flight tests of the  Dark Eagle have been canceled, the most recent scheduled for October 26. Now, officials are plotting a new strategy.
Undersecretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Doug Bush told  DefenseScoop that a “big meeting” took place last week.

(Photo by Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)
Under increasing international pressure to agree to a ceasefire, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have stepped up its combat operations, especially in southern Gaza. The IDF said on Friday it launched more than 450 attacks across the enclave, with a particular emphasis on Khan Yunis, the largest city in southern Gaza. That’s where the IDF says Hamas leaders are located and hostages still being held.

Public Domain

At the U.S. Navy website it says:

“Navy focuses on DEI in three ways:• For Diversity, Navy measures how individual communities compare to the Department of Labor comparable-civilian equivalent, officer and enlisted demographics along race, gender, and ethnic lines. This ensures there are no unintended barriers to entry, and helps focus Navy recruiting efforts to bring in the right available talent.”

What are Navy’s demographics? The Navy matches quite closely the national metrics. The Navy falls short only in female officers.

There’s nothing better than Army-Navy football, presented by USAA. Except maybe for one Army family and one Navy family, both of whom received donated cars given away by Rob Gronkowski this morning at the USAA Army-Navy pep rally, through the Recycled Rides program.
Gronk, the Army and Navy mascots, with USAA CEO Wayne Peacock. Photo courtesy of USAA
Army veteran Robert Trevino and Navy Petty Officer Kyle Kohlgraf and his family were the much-deserving recipients of the vehicles.

Members of Congress want the U.S. Air Force, as well as the U.S. Navy, to better explain how they plan to keep down the costs of their future Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones, or CCAs. Legislators also want more information about the expected capabilities of those uncrewed aircraft and how they will slot into both services’ larger tactical aviation plans.

Navy Cmdr. Adam K. Pendleton was relieved on Dec. 7, 2023 as commanding officer of Navy Talent Acquisition Group Pacific. (Navy photo).
Navy Cmdr. Adam K. Pendleton has been fired as commanding officer of one of the service’s largest recruiting districts, Navy officials announced on Friday.
Pendleton was relieved on Thursday as head of Navy Talent Acquisition Group Pacific “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to fulfill the responsibilities as commanding officer,” according to a Navy news release, which does not include a specific reason for Pendleton’s relief.

Photo by Pavlo Pakhomenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images
After a long pause, Russia has launched a wave of air-launched cruise missiles against Ukraine, including Kyiv. The raid, carried out early this morning, killed one person and wounded eight, according to Ukrainian authorities. For several months now, Ukraine has been preparing for a major campaign of Russian winter airstrikes, intended above all to damage and disrupt energy infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials said 19 long-range missiles were launched at targets in Ukraine on Friday morning, according to a report from Reuters.

In an effort to bring more non-traditional government contractors into the defense sector, the Pentagon has kicked off a new effort to identify employees who can serve as a go-between for new companies and the broad defense acquisition community.
Those chosen for the so-called “transition concierge” role will act as “the translator between the non-traditional [companies] and the weapon system developers,” Dave Tremper, director of the Pentagon’s Acquisition, Integration and Interoperability (AI2) Office, said Thursday at Defense One’s future of defense acquisition summit.

Ryan Pitts was awarded the Medal of Honor as a solider with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in 2008. We asked him 5 questions only a veteran would ask. Army photo, Marty Skovlund.
You never know who you are going to meet at the Army-Navy game.
As Task & Purpose staffers meet some of the remarkable service members and veterans attending the game outside Boston this weekend, we’re running them through our own brand of interview, asking questions that only veterans would think to ask.

Hosts L Todd Wood and Col John Mills (USA, Ret) discuss new developments in Chinese night tactics, and the looming war in Guyana.
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Commanders now have a tool to visualize and plan operations within the invisible confines of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Electromagnetic Battle Management – Joint (EMBM-J) released its minimum viable capability release for the first iteration of the tool, called situational awareness, according to the Defense Information Systems Agency, the manager for the program.
While invisible to the naked eye, the spectrum has become an increasing strategic maneuver space in recent years, with adversaries seeking to block vital access that enables communications, precision weapons and navigation.

During his opening remarks at the USAA Media Row press breakfast, Bill White, Senior Vice President and GM, Distribution and Service for USAA, reminded attendees what the Army-Navy game presented by USAA really means. “It’s bigger than football,” he said. “We all know the players will leave the field and go out and serve our country, but so will every member of the marching band. Every cheerleader. Think about that: every cheerleader on the field will die for you.” It’s an incredible sentiment and an equally great headline: These cheerleaders will die for you.

The compromise draft of the annual defense policy bill includes a mandate for the Pentagon to set up a bug bounty program and a prize competition to mitigate risks posed by artificial intelligence — a reflection of lawmakers’ concerns about potential military vulnerabilities.
The Department of Defense has used bug bounty programs to find cyber weaknesses by incentivizing white-hat hackers to hunt for them. Now, lawmakers want a similar concept to be applied to AI models.

Rowland White
British F-35B Joint Strike Fighters are, for the first time, being operated by a Royal Navy squadron, which will eventually take them to sea on aircraft carriers alongside their Royal Air Force squadron counterparts. The milestone has been a long time coming and full operating capability — when both squadrons can be deployed concurrently — is still not due until 2025, amid continuing questions over how many F-35Bs the United Kingdom will actually buy.

Welcome to The Adversarial. Every other week, we’ll provide you with expert analysis on America’s greatest challengers: China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and jihadists. Read more below. *** Russia The latest $175 million package of U.S. security assistance to Ukraine was announced on Dec. 6 with this somber warning from the State Department: “Unless Congress acts […] this will be one of the last security assistance packages we can provide to Ukraine.

The former executive officer of a Navy ship pleaded guilty this week to distributing child porn and keeping classified material on a flash drive at his house.
According to a release from the Department of Justice, Lieutenant Commander Gregory McLean faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and up to 20 years in prison for the child exploitation offense and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the retention of classified information offense.
McLean was the Executive Officer of a ship homeported at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, near Jacksonville, according to the DOJ.

Arquus, Nexter, and OCCAR are jointly leading the way towards the future of armoured mobility with the collaborative VBAE project.
The post Franco-Belgian armoured vehicle alliance VBAE contract appeared first on Army Technology.

Lawmakers are moving forward with legislation that would require the Department of Defense to study the impact of information operations during Russia’s war with Ukraine.
The directive comes from the comprise draft of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act that was unveiled this week after members of the House and Senate hashed out their respective versions of the bill.
Under the provision, the secretary of defense must enter into an agreement or contract with a capable entity to conduct an independent study on the lessons learned from information ops conducted by the U.S.

The Green Ammo E-blanks M249 version displayed at I/ITSEC 2023. (Giles Ebbutt)
Norwegian firm Green Ammo has continued to develop its electronic blanks technology and introduced several enhancements.

Speaking to
Janes
at Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2023 in Orlando, Steffen Botten, Green Ammo chief operating officer, said that the system software had been improved and there was now an inertial measurement unit (IMU) embedded in the bolt to monitor weapon movement.

The Airsoft surrogate Glock pistol that Thales Training and Simulation has integrated into its Gladiator laser-based TESS. There are no additional attachments to the basic form factor. (Giles Ebbutt)
Thales Training and Simulation unveiled new capabilities for its live and indoor training systems at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2023 in Orlando.

South Korea agrees to remove bureaucracy behind the mutual transfer of Korean artillery between Norway and Finland.
The post Norway and Finland simplify mutual transfer of K9 artillery systems appeared first on Army Technology.

It was another crystal blue December morning on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. 
Along Opana Point at the island’s northern edge, two enlisted men were on duty at the Army mobile radar station. At 0701 hours, while monitoring the oscilloscope for activity, they noticed what appeared to be a large flight of aircraft approaching from the north at a distance of approximately 132 miles.
Following standard operating procedure, the pair contacted Fort Shafter to notify the Army’s Aircraft Warning Center of the “unusually large response” observed on their warning device.

The UK stood up 809 NAS as its second front-line F-35B unit at RAF Marham on 8 December 2023. (Janes/Gareth Jennings )
The UK stood up its second operational squadron for the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft on 8 December.
The Royal Navy’s (RN’s) 809 ‘Immortals’ Naval Air Squadron (NAS) was reconstituted at the home of the Lightning Force at Royal Air Force (RAF) Marham in Norfolk.

Military Times
Capt. Adam West already had plenty of reasons to become a Marine.

USNI News
WASHINGTON, D.C.