The Drive
As had been increasingly expected for days, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan along with a congressional delegation as part of a scheduled trip through Asia. Despite earlier concerns, China's People's Liberation Army did not appear to have tried to directly intervene to block Pelosi's flight. However, Chinese authorities announced plans for a series of highly provocative "targeted military operations," which state media outlets say will be exercises involving the live-firing of missiles and other weapons in six different areas around the self-governing island.
Defense News
The Defense Information Systems Agency extended its Thunderdome cybersecurity contract with Booz Allen Hamilton, citing lessons learned from the Russia-Ukraine war and the need to better secure the Pentagon’s communication system for secrets. The addition of six months to the deal accounts for the inclusion of the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet, in the zero-trust program.
Task & Purpose
From the rugged A-10 Warthog attack plane to the expensive F-35 fighter and the ageless B-52 bomber, there are plenty of iconic Air Force jets that many American recognize, but the C-40C transport jet usually doesn't make the list. The plane is simply a militarized version of the Boeing 737-700 airliner and is designed to transport senior military and government leaders, according to the Air Force. But when one of those leaders is House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and her destination is a Pacific island that one of the most powerful nations on Earth views as a renegade province, then suddenly, the C-40C becomes much more famous.
Military Times
Over the next few years, troops working closely with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats will get new suits and gloves and better detection devices. Those are small, though important, changes in how they can better combat a growing list of nasty threats that do not always involve bullets and missiles.
Military.com
After more than two years, Tricare again will charge copayments for medical appointments via telehealth, but the start date for the new requirement has yet to be announced. In changes to the Tricare health program manual Aug. 2, as well as a final rule published in the Federal Register in June, the Department of Defense announced the end of the fee waiver for medical visits via video or phone that went into effect early in the pandemic.
Air Force Magazine
The Air Force is transitioning to more virtual training to give pilots an edge, saying some higher-end maneuvers cannot be replicated in real-time training. Learn more on Air Force Magazine’s Live, Virtual & Constructive Training page.
Breaking Defense
The U.S. State Department approved more than $5 billion in arms deals for key Middle East partners, including $3.05 billion in Patriot missiles for Saudi Arabia and $2.25 billion in THAAD systems for the United Arab Emirates. The announcements, posted on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, are not finalized; Foreign Military Sales cases announced like these have been approved by the executive branch, and now Congress must weigh in or do nothing.
Defense One
Defense giant Lockheed Martin doubled its venture capital fund from $200 million to $400 million as it looks to increase investments in startups. The money will be used to invest in new companies and to boost investments in companies already funded through the venture fund, said Chris Moran, executive director and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures.
Breaking Defense
China has never been shy about using economic ties to try to reach geostrategic goals, and for many years, it found a willing partner in the nations of Europe. But in 2022, that ground has shifted, and skepticism in Europe toward Beijing is now growing. Nathan Picarsic and Emily de La Bruyere, senior fellows at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, argue that now is the time for the U.S. and Europe to come together for an industrial/geopolitical strategy of their own for dealing with China.
One More Thing
Flying
Flying's Flight School Guide, which launched in June, is a tool to help students find the right flight school, aviation college, or university for them. Each student has a vision of what that college should be like. For some, that means a large university with Division I football games to attend on the weekends, but for others, an accelerated program leading to a career in as few as 12 months is the right track. In the guide, Flying breaks down each flight training program to provide a look into the overall experience.
