News
Rockets hit US base in eastern Syria, no casualties reported
The U.S. military says two rockets struck a base housing American troops in eastern Syria without causing any casualties or material losses.
Ukraine claims heavy Russian losses in waves of missile strikes
Kyiv says its forces have killed or wounded more than 1,000 Russian soldiers in a series of attacks. Russia has confirmed only one wave of strikes.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-strikes.html?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d
France to send light battle tanks to Ukraine in first for Kyiv
France will send light battle tanks to Ukraine, becoming the first nation to arm Kyiv with Western-style combat tanks in the war against Russia.
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3799053-france-to-send-light-battle-tanks-to-ukraine-in-first-for-kyiv/?utm_campaign=dfn-ebb&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sailthru&SToverlay=2002c2d9-c344-4bbb-8610-e5794efcfa7d
Ukraine sees signs of Russia shifting firepower from Bakhmut
Russian troops have tempered their assault on the city, Ukrainian commanders say, as stiff resistance forces Russian units to shift some of their firepower to surrounding areas.
Business
New F-35 engine deliveries suspended amid ongoing investigation
The U.S. military and defense contractor Pratt & Whitney have suspended deliveries of new engines for the F-35 fighter in the wake of a December mishap on a Texas runway.
Poland signs deal to buy 2nd batch of Abrams tanks
Poland’s defense minister on Wednesday signed a deal to buy a second batch of U.S Abrams main battle tanks as Warsaw beefs up its defensive capabilities and strengthens military cooperation with Washington in light of Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine.
Space Force Missile Track Custody prototype effort moves to hardware stage
Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Boeing’s Millennium Space Systems are now on contract to deliver flight-ready prototypes by 2026.
Boeing works to solve KC-46 deficiencies, one by one
While Boeing and the Air Force inch forward on the new KC-46 Remote Vision System 2.0, they are also making progress on other deficiencies that have thus far limited the aircraft in certain missions.
Defense
Pentagon scrambles to prep new COVID rules as vaccine mandate nears end
Vaccine-refusal separations are on hold as DOD develops “further guidance.”
Pentagon ordered to review its new practice of concealing documents from the public
In late December, the Pentagon was faced with Congress repealing its requirement that all troops be vaccinated against COVID-19, an issue that had wide public interest.
Army Spartan Brigade preparing to put newest combat vehicles through their paces
The U.S. Army is about to get a peek at how its newest fleet of Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Paladin howitzers will operate together in “austere” environments.
Air Force to consider advanced degrees in promoting midlevel officers
Airmen and guardians may now have a better shot at becoming a midlevel officer if graduate school is on their resume.
RC-26 Condor surveillance planes meet the end of their US military career
The U.S. Air Force has retired one of its least-known assets, the RC-26B Condor surveillance aircraft.
Veterans
40% of vets report worries about military toxic exposure injuries
Just two months after Veterans Affairs officials launched new medical screenings focused on military toxic exposure issues, about 400,000 veterans have already reported potential health concerns related to those issues, department leaders said Jan. 4.
Veterans urge top House Republicans to condemn political violence
Veterans, law enforcement officers, and others signed a letter calling on top Republicans in the U.S. House to publicly condemn political violence.
Court weighs reviving criminal charges over COVID-19 outbreak at veterans’ home
Massachusetts’ top court on Jan. 4 appeared open to reviving indictments against two former leaders of a veterans home charged with criminal neglect for their roles in handling a COVID-19 outbreak that killed 76 people.
