Capitol Needs Permanent Guard Team
The security review led by retired Army LT GEN Russel L. Honoré has called for numerous new security measures to be instituted to provide “quick action” for future security emergencies such as the deadly Jan. 6 attack on Congress.
HASC Chairman: F-35 Is a Cash ‘Rathole’
The House Armed Services Committee chairman, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), called the F-35 a “rathole” and said the US should consider cutting its losses by investing in a range of competing fighter jets.
GOP Lawmakers Urge Hike in Defense Budget
Eight GOP lawmakers, led by House Armed Services Committee member Mike Rogers, are urging President Joe Biden to increase the defense budget by 3% to 5%. They say the hike would be a prudent investment to stay ahead of China and other threats.
Blue Angels & Thunderbirds Unveil ‘Super Delta’
The F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet flight formation grew out of a series of joint training opportunities for the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds held in 2020 and 2021.
China’s AI Expertise Threatens US, Europe
Multiple warnings indicate China could pull ahead for supremacy in Artificial Intelligence, prompting outcries for the US and European nations to join forces to counterbalance the technological advances coming from Beijing.
Congress Awaits Briefing on Airstrikes
The Biden administration is taking heat from Democratic lawmakers as they pressure the White House to provide a legal justification for the airstrikes against Iran-backed militia groups in Syria. Dems renew their push for a war powers overhaul.
Syrian Airstrikes 1st Biden Military Action
President Joe Biden took his first military action when two US Air Force F-15E aircraft launched seven precision guided munitions Friday that struck a site in Syria used by two Iranian-backed militia groups. The airstrikes were in response to rocket attacks on American forces in the region in the past two weeks. The deadly airstrikes drew criticism from some Democrats in Congress, while key Republicans applauded the move.
DoD Appointments Slow Going
Only three of the 61 DoD presidential appointments requiring Senate confirmation jobs have been put forth. and the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee has “serious concerns” over Biden’s nomination of Colin Kahl, President Joe Biden’s pick to run the Pentagon’s policy shop.
Navy to Require Oath to US Reaffirmed
“Revisit the oath that you took,” DefSec Lloyd Austin tells service members. All services must complete the stand-downs before April 2 to address extremism. The Navy will require its sailors to reaffirm their oaths to the Constitution.
Turkey Lobbies for Return to F-35 JSF Program
The Turkish government has hired a Washington, DC, law firm to lobby its case to be readmitted to the US F-35 JSF program. Turkey was booted from the program in 2019 after purchasing air missile defense systems from Russia.
