Early Bird Brief: September 16, 2024

Welcome to the Early Bird Brief's LinkedIn Edition, a tightly edited round-up of today's most important military and defense stories. To get the full EBB, with dozens of stories, subscribe here .

Pentagon to unveil new programs to boost quality of life for troops

(Military Times) Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin traveled Friday to Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where he announced new goals to lower living costs and improve the quality of life for service members and their families. Read More

How the Air Force averted a major flaw in its drone wingmen approach

(Defense News) Whatever the next chapter of U.S. air power will look like, there will be drones — and lots of them — accompanying manned fighters into battle. Read More

Ukraine wants 12 Viper attack helicopters spurned by Slovakia

(Defense News) As Slovakia’s government wobbles over the previous Cabinet’s plan to buy 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States, Ukrainian officials are intensifying their lobbying in Washington to secure the aircraft for their defense against Russia. Read More

US, Iraqi forces kill top Islamic State commander in joint operation

(The Associated Press) Iraqi forces and American troops have killed a senior commander with the Islamic State group who was wanted by the United States, as well as several other prominent militants, Iraq’s military said Friday. Read More

US clears F-35 sale to Romania, bolstering NATO’s eastern flank

(Defense News) The U.S. State Department on Friday announced it has approved the sale of 32 F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to Romania in a deal worth roughly $7.2 billion. Read More

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