F-22s In The UAE May Just Be There for an Exercise, Really -- Defense Tech
This is interesting,
David Cenciotti tapped the aircraft spotter universe and realized that the F-22s that are in the Middle East are, based on their tail numbers Block 30 F-22s; meaning the birds aren’t equipped with the gear to perform air to ground attacks. If true, it punches a hole in the theory that the planes would be used to help kick in Iran’s front door. Yes, the jets could still be used to escort long range B-2 stealth bombers, but it really does look like the Raptors and F-15Cs are in the Gulf region to do some joint air-to-air combat exercises (that,conveniently, also give Iran a reminder of our military capabilities) not as part of a potential strike force.
Read more ....
MILITARY AND INTELLIGENCE NEWS BRIEFS
Huge NATO Spending Gap Between US, Europeans Not Likely To Shrink -- AOl Defense
NATO confident about missile shield -- Stars and Stripes
Olympics-UK military defends rooftop missile plans -- Reuters
S.Korean troops took active part in U.S. missile defense drills. -- Chosun Ilbo
Argentine Air Force never recovered its Malvinas war operational capacity -- Merco Press
Stern of Royal Navy's new £3billion aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves Portsmouth on its way to Scotland -- Daily Mail
Harriers almost came back for Libya -- Scotsman
US Uses Advanced Intelligence to Hunt LRA in Central Africa -- Voice of America
US seeks to reassure Italy on costly F-35 fighter -- AFP
Military Airships: Hot Air or Soaring Promise? -- Aol Defense
Clock is ticking for F-22 upgrades, GAO says -- DoD Buzz
Some pilots shun F-22 over oxygen-related dangers -- Pilot Online
A tale of two airplanes -- DoD Buzz
Congress Wants Broken Laser to Zap North Korea’s Broken Missiles -- Danger Room
Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship Program May Get New Scrutiny -- Bloomberg
Predator drones have yet to prove their worth on Mexican border -- Stars and Stripes
LGBT leaders push for next ship to be named Harvey Milk -- Military Times
Fired Female Drill Sgt. Boss Fights Removal -- Military.com
With Green Beret Tactics, Combating Gang Warfare -- New York Times
Counterterrorism official says drones help prevent deeper conflicts -- Stars and Stripes
Panetta to Warn That Bad Press Hurts War Effort -- Military.com
'Russia's Rambo' Killed in Motorbike Accident -- Moscow Times