Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 15, 2019

A fighter of Syrian Democratic Forces fires a weapon in Baghouz, Deir Al Zor province, March 3. REUTERS/Rodi Said

Al-Monitor: Pentagon seeks $2 billion cut for Islamic State fight

The Donald Trump administration is asking Congress for a $2 billion cut in the US-led fight against the Islamic State as the Pentagon looks toward the exits in the five-year campaign.

The funds will “ensure an enduring defeat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria [IS, also known ISIS] and allow flexibility for a deliberate, coordinated, disciplined withdrawal from Syria,” the Pentagon said in budget documents released today.

The request would pare back the US effort to train Iraq’s fledgling security forces and US-backed forces in Syria by $400 million to just over $1 billion, down nearly 30% from last year. It also calls for spending $250 million to help partner countries tighten up their borders to handle the lingering threat of IS.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- March 15, 2019

Intel: How the Pentagon plans to use a thinned-out US presence in Iraq -- Al-Monitor

Boeing resumes KC-46 tanker deliveries, but Air Force scrutiny will linger -- Defense News

The Pentagon wants a buttload of guided rockets to slap Russia and China from hundreds of miles away -- Task & Purpose

US Air Force asks for $35 million in new budget for light-attack experiment -- Defense News

Lockheed tapped by Navy for rapid missile technology development -- UPI

Army's 5-Year Plan Outlines a $25 Billion Shift in Weaponry -- A. Capaccio, Bloomberg

Special Ops Command contracts Barrett for new sniper rifles -- UPI

The Army is scaling back its projected growth plans -- Military Times

About 21,000 troops booted so far under ‘deploy or get out’ policy -- Military Times

Pentagon proposes junking the Truman -- Washington Examiner

Acting SECDEF Shanahan Defends Truman Carrier Cut to Senate Panel -- USNI News

Navy Wants 5,000 New Sailors in FY 2020; Would Cut 3,100 Medical Personnel -- USNI News

The U.S. Military Doesn't Know How Many Troops, Ships or Which Fighter Jets It Needs -- National Interest

The Demographics of America's Private Military Contractors -- Pacific Standard

Watchdog report: Pentagon does not keep close tabs on space programs and workforce -- Space News

Pentagon Wants to Test A Space-Based Weapon in 2023 -- Defense One

Pentagon Brass Bafflingly Accuses Google of Providing 'Direct Benefit' to China's Military -- Gizmodo

Top Pentagon officials say Google work is 'benefiting the Chinese military' -- The Hill

Arlington National Cemetery land expansion to begin next year -- UPI

U.S. to upgrade military ties with Brazil during visit next week: sources -- Reuters

US suspends some military aid to Guatemala over vehicle use -- Military Times/AP

U.S. sees Turkey's Russian missile deal as national security problem for NATO -- Reuters

French Carrier Strike Group Joins Operations Against Daesh – US Central Command -- Sputnik

Flagship Blue Ridge pokes China, arrives in Manila Bay -- Navy Times/AP

Pentagon: US starts work on missiles prohibited by INF Treaty -- TASS

Northrop Grumman awarded $713M for missile defense system for Poland -- UPI

NATO weighing Huawei spying risks to member countries -- Defense News

China steps up efforts to develop military technology to challenge US dominance -- SCMP

Panel: China Leading the World in Hypersonic Weapon Development -- USNI News

50 Iranian drones conduct massive 'way to Jerusalem' exercise - report -- Jerusalem Post

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