The first group of Iraqi security forces airmen last month graduated from a two-week training course at Ali Air Base, Iraq, taught by US advisors of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air. “Today was historic for the Iraqi air force. We saw the first Iraqi airmen become defenders,” said Maj. Mechille Braden, officer in charge of the US transition team at Ali. During the training, the 12 Iraqi airmen learned how to run an armory, conduct entry control point duties, and perform airfield and perimeter defense—all necessary skills to take control of Ali by the end of the year when all US troops are scheduled to be out of Iraq. “This was a different experience for them, but when you watch them in action, you can see they have a strong desire to learn and it comes from their heart,” said Braden. (Ali release by SSgt. Michael Longoria)
DNI: Cyber Is The Common Weapon Among Top Adversaries
April 17, 2021
The top four U.S. adversaries—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—are improving their military capabilities but relying increasingly on cyber means to challenge the U.S. and blunt its influence around the world, the intelligence community's annual threat assessment says. The report comes amid military tensions with both China and Russia.