Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 21, 2020

A C-2A Greyhound, from the ‘Providers’ of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 9, 2020. US Navy Photo

USNI News: U.S. Aircraft Carrier, 2,500 Marines Off the Coast of Somalia as Pentagon Repositions Forces in Africa

The U.S. has moved an aircraft carrier and an Amphibious Ready Group embarked with Marines off the coast of Somalia as U.S. Africa Command has begun repositioning troops from Somalia, USNI News has learned.

As of Monday, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), its escorts and the three-ship Makin Island ARG with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit have been operating just to the east of the Horn of Africa, defense officials confirmed to USNI News.

USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and amphibious transport docks USS Somerset (LPD-25) and USS San Diego (LPD-22) make up the ARG while the approximately 2,500 Marines in the MEU are embarked aboard the three ships. Additionally, Makin Island has a squadron of Marine F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters aboard.

The trio left the South China Sea via the Strait of Malacca on Dec. 12 for the Indian Ocean, USNI News reported last week.

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- December 21, 2020

US troops leaving Somalia to move to other East Africa bases -- The Hill

U.S. troops to leave Somalia but remain in East Africa -- UPI

House plans Dec. 28 vote to override Trump's possible defense bill veto -- The Hill

Congress races to pass $2.3T spending deal, with $696B for Pentagon -- Defense News

Pentagon proposes to split NSA, U.S. Cyber Command leadership -- AP

Trump's Pentagon is making a lame-duck bid to split U.S. Cyber Command from the NSA -- The Week

Space Force Gen. John Raymond joins Joint Chiefs of Staff -- UPI

The military is scrambling to understand the aviation crash risk from a new 5G sale -- Defense News

Fewer Military Recruits Dropped Out of Boot Camp in 2020. Here's Why -- Military.com

Five women among 24 graduates of USAF test pilot school -- UPI

Air Force review finds Black and white service members treated differently -- The Hill

Pentagon Still Hopes to Establish Stealthy Data Link Between F-35 and F-22 Despite Failed Trial -- Sputnik

America’s New 6th Generation Stealth Fighter: Self-Regenerating? -- National Interest

Army long-range cannon gets direct hit on target 43 miles away -- Defense News

General Dynamics to build upgraded Abrams tanks in $4.62B contract -- UPI

Military May Be Required to Report on Injuries Caused by Ill-Fitting Body Armor -- Military.com

5 Army Weapons Soldiers Might Actually Get Their Hands on Soon -- Military.com

How The Pentagon’s True Space Maverick Became The Soldier’s Best Friend -- Forbes

Lockheed to Boost Space Expansion With $4.4 Billion Aerojet Deal -- Bloomberg

US Commerce Department Lists 103 Russian, Chinese Companies With Alleged Military Ties -- Sputnik

US nuclear-powered sub sails through Strait of Hormuz amid Iran tensions -- The Hill

USS John S. McCain trains with French, Japanese naval forces -- UPI

China Slams US for Stoking Regional Tensions After Tailing American Warship in Taiwan Strait -- Sputnik

China aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait raising alarm -- Al Jazeera

Arms race is already in progress, says Putin -- TASS

Russian Navy to get four submarines in 2021 -- TASS

AI use in controlling weaponry in future will largely determine battle outcome — Putin -- TASS

Suspected DPRK Uranium Enrichment Plant May Be Manufacturing Centrifuge Components – Report -- Sputnik

Saudi Arabia cuts defence spending -- Janes

Japan sets record $52 billion military budget with stealth jets, long-range missiles -- Reuters

Ukraine to buy Turkish warships, co-produce drones -- Defense News

Pompeo says Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 violates NATO agreements -- Al-Monitor

In First, NATO Forces Now Outnumber US Troops in Afghanistan -- Military.com

India Fully Prepared to Face Any Situation With China Over Ladakh Standoff, Defence Minister Says -- Sputnik