News
Eisenhower carrier strike group to join Ford in eastern Mediterranean
The aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower and its carrier strike group are headed to the Eastern Mediterranean, joining the Ford Carrier Strike Group to provide support to Israel.
Blinken Austin bolster US support for Israel
Secretary Lloyd Austin is assuring Israel that “we have your back” as he and America’s top diplomat met with Israeli and Arab leaders.
Ukrainian pilots expected to start F-16 training in Arizona next week
News comes after Washington announced it will lead a coalition of countries training Ukrainian pilots.
Business
Shield AI sees DOD opening for ‘intelligent, affordable mass’ of drones
Shield AI’s Hivemind pilot is “the Android operating system with the aircraft manufacturer,” the company’s president Brandon Tseng told Breaking Defense. “We want to work with every OEM [original equipment manufacturer], every aircraft.”
Lockheed Martin wins $23 million contract to create integrated combat system
A large IT contract, UK invests in subs, supply chain troubles after Ukraine aid and the end of JSTARS are all in this week’s Defense Dollars.
Ligado sues DOD, Commerce for $39B in long-running spectrum saga
The lawsuit is the latest in a decade-spanning battle between Ligado and opponents in government.
Turkey, UAE strengthen defense industry ties with dozens of deals
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have signed 24 framework agreements to bolster cooperation among their defense industries, Emirati conglomerate Edge Group announced Oct. 11.
Defense
Nearly 70% of active service members are overweight, report finds
More than two-thirds of active duty service members are within the overweight or obese ranges of the body mass index, according to a report by the American Security Project released Oct. 12.
These new Army formations can reach across Europe to strike a target
As the Army develops new ways to strike an adversary at longer ranges and with more than just steel, two units in Europe are learning what that means on a continental scale.
Sailors, Marines complete weekslong cleanup of F-35 crash site
The team of sailors, Marines and local and federal agencies has finished cleaning up the South Carolina site where an F-35B Lighting II jet crashed Sept. 17.
US A-10 attack planes arrive in Middle East in bid to deter wider war
Airmen from the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., deployed as part of a larger effort to rush firepower to U.S. Central Command.
Veterans
COVID-19 worsened staff shortages at veterans’ medical facilities, IG report finds
Staff burnout, turnover and recruitment challenges during the coronavirus pandemic contributed to severe shortages for nurses and other jobs at most medical facilities run by the Veterans Health Administration, according to a review by the inspector general for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA asks veterans to call 10 vet friends for National Buddy Check Week starting Monday
The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging veterans to reach out to 10 of their veteran friends next week as part of the first National Buddy Check Week, an initiative aimed at improving former service members’ mental health by having them connect or reconnect with one another.