Lt. Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, gives a speech at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) change of command on March 5, 2021. US Army Photo
Iran is “the number one destabilizing factor” in the 21-nation region covered by U.S. Central Command, the nominee to head the command testified Tuesday. Read More
Iran’s Khalij Fars single-stage ballistic missile
Iran “wants some type of agreement” over its nuclear program as a way to lift sanctions on the regime, but Tehran views its ballistic missile arsenal “as their crown jewels” not to be bargained away, the senior American commander in the Middle East said Thursday. Read More
The following is the Dec. 30, 2021, Congressional Research Service report, Turkey: Background and U.S. Relations In Brief. Read More
Ships from the U.S. Navy’s Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWOARG), the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Carrier Strike Group and the French and Norwegian navies transit the Atlantic Ocean in formation during a photo exercise on May 17, 2021. US Navy Photo
NATO’s Steadfast Defender 2021 exercise is helping participating countries return to “a deterrence mindset,” as Russia continues a military buildup and increases its aggression, according to a Navy admiral. Read More
The Hellenic Navy Hydra-class frigate HS Psara (F 494), left, and the Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) sail behind the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57), March 12, 2021. US Navy Photo
Despite its struggling economy and escalating tensions with neighboring Turkey, Greece is pushing ahead on overhauling its military, according to its defense minister. Read More
The Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) departs Porto Napoli for its inaugural deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations after stopping for fuel and supplies, Aug. 15, 2020. US Navy photo.
The Navy’s second expeditionary sea base is starting training operations with regional partners off Greece this week, even as the Eastern Mediterranean has been a place of tension between NATO allies in recent weeks. Read More
A U.S. service member oversees members of the Syrian Democratic Forces as they demolish a YPG fortification in northeast Syria, Sept. 21, 2019. US Army Photo
A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill Wednesday that would impose economic sanctions on Ankara for its military incursion into Syria as Turkey seeks to create a buffer against the Syrian Defense Forces, a key American ally in the fight against the Islamic State. Read More
An F-35A Lightning II fighter jet takes off during Astral Knight 2019 on June 6, 2019, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. US Air Force Photo
Lockheed Martin is confident new customers will step forward to buy the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters intended for Turkey, company executives said during a Tuesday conference call with analysts. Read More
F-35A Lightning II aircraft receive aerial refuelings from a Travis KC-10 Extender July 13, 2016 on the flight from England to the United States. US Air Force photo.
THE PENTAGON – Turkey is being excised from the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter program, and the U.S. will pay an estimated $500 to 600 million to retool the program in the aftermath, the Defense Department’s acquisition chief told reporters on Wednesday. Read More
A Member of the F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team prepares to launch Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 pilot, during the Bagotville International Air Show in Quebec, Canada on June 22, 2019. US Air Force Photo
THE PENTAGON – The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program’s civilian and military management are in the midst of a changeover just as government officials from the U.S. and partner countries are considering ejecting Turkey from involvement in the aircraft’s manufacture and deployment. Read More
