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Pentagon’s Trillion Dollar Fighter Jet Program Hasn’t Had Mission-Ready Plane in Six Years, Watchdog Says

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The Pentagon’s premier F-35 fighter jet program has fallen below mission-ready standards for six years, a government watchdog said on Monday.

The F-35 often costs close to $100 million per unit, and the Pentagon expects to spend roughly $2 trillion on the program over the coming decades. But even as one of the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons, all variations of the fighter jet have missed their mission-capable rate goal since fiscal year 2018, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released Monday.

Mission capable rate goals are defined as “the percentage of total time when the aircraft can fly and perform at least one mission,” and are used to gauge the readiness of various military assets, according to the GAO report. There’s a variety of factors contributing to the F-35’s lackluster performance, many of which have been publicly reported, but the Pentagon still hasn’t taken some of the proper steps needed to address the problems.

“In September 2023, we reported that several maintenance challenges negatively affected F-35 readiness and the ability of the aircraft to achieve mission-capable goals,” the report reads.

Part of the problem stems from a lack of needed parts, lengthy maintenance backlogs and “challenges with depot and organizational maintenance,” according to the report. The Pentagon also heavily relies on defense contractors for the F-35 program — even though it doesn’t want to — but hasn’t taken any steps to try and take back control of the program. (Read more from “Pentagon’s Trillion Dollar Fighter Jet Program Hasn’t Had Mission-Ready Plane in Six Years, Watchdog Says” HERE)

More U.S. Troops to Deploy Amid Rising Tensions in the Middle East

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In a significant move amidst escalating violence, the Pentagon has announced the deployment of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East. This decision comes as fighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, raising concerns about a potential wider regional war.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder refrained from providing specifics about the number of troops or their intended missions. Currently, approximately 40,000 U.S. service members are stationed in the region. Recently, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expedited the deployment of a guided missile submarine and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the area, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

The situation in Lebanon has dramatically deteriorated, with Israel preparing for further military operations against Hezbollah. This escalation follows a series of airstrikes that targeted hundreds of Hezbollah positions, resulting in at least 274 casualties—marking one of the deadliest days in the ongoing conflict.

In light of the escalating violence, the U.S. State Department has issued urgent warnings for American citizens to evacuate Lebanon. The embassy highlighted the unpredictable nature of the conflict and recent explosions in cities, including Beirut, stating, “Due to the ongoing conflict, we urge U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon while commercial options still remain available.”

The increase in U.S. military presence signals a commitment to stabilizing the region, but it also raises questions about the potential for American forces to become more deeply involved in the conflict. Analysts warn that further military escalation could lead to unintended consequences, drawing the U.S. into a complex web of alliances and hostilities.

The backdrop of this conflict is shaped by long-standing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as the wider geopolitical dynamics involving Iran, which supports Hezbollah and has been vocally critical of U.S. involvement in the region. As the situation evolves, international diplomatic efforts are likely to intensify, aiming to de-escalate hostilities and prevent a broader war.

As both the U.S. and Israel prepare for possible further action, the risk of a wider confrontation remains high.

Pentagon Says $62 Million In Ukraine Weapons Aid Was ‘Lost Or Destroyed’ — But It Doesn’t Know Which

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The Pentagon doesn’t know whether $62 million in missing U.S. weapons aid to Ukraine has been lost or destroyed, according to a new report released on Wednesday.

The $62 million in weapons were designated for end-use monitoring (EEUM), but problems in reporting and tracking between U.S. and Ukrainian forces left an information gap as to what equipment may have been destroyed, lost or diverted through November 2023, according to a Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General report (OIG) report. The Pentagon has had consistent problems tracking U.S. aid to Ukraine since the country’s war with Russia began in 2022.

“The absence of timely and complete EEUM loss reporting, along with the lack of thorough analysis of the loss reports, impedes the DoD’s understanding of any potential violations on EEUM‑designated defense articles,” the inspector general report reads. “This increases the risk that the DoD could lose accountability over EEUM‑designated defense articles provided to Ukraine.”

The U.S. European Command’s (USEUCOM) Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) hadn’t consistently obtained routine or thorough loss reports from Ukrainian forces, despite in-place protocols and standards, according to the inspector general report. On average, the time it took from the initial loss of a “defense” item to the time of the final loss report was 301 days, when requirements call for a roughly 30-day report.

Additionally, the U.S. forces tasked with tracking did not conduct a proper analysis of existing loss reports for the risk of weapons being captured by Russian forces, according to the report. The report was unable to ascertain whether U.S. weapons assistance had been diverted, noting that the OIG “continues to investigate allegations of criminal conduct regarding U.S. Security assistance to Ukraine.” (Read more from “Pentagon Says $62 Million In Ukraine Weapons Aid Was ‘Lost Or Destroyed’ — But It Doesn’t Know Which” HERE)

U.S. Reportedly Prepping Massive Weapons Package to Fast-Track to Ukraine

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The Pentagon is preparing a large aid package to quickly send to Ukraine as soon as President Joe Biden signs into law a long-awaited Ukraine aid bill passed over the weekend, Politico reported, citing two U.S. officials.

Department of Defense (DOD) planners have not finalized the contents of the package, but it would likely include armored Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, artillery and air defenses Ukraine needs badly, Politico reported, citing the two sources speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement. The upcoming tranche of aid will be significantly larger than the Pentagon’s usual $300 million package, one of the officials said, along with a third U.S. official with knowledge of the discussions.

The Pentagon intends to deliver a “big package to help meet Ukraine’s battlefield needs,” one of the officials told Politico.

U.S. officials believe Ukraine’s hope of a military victory against Russia is dwindling, and Kyiv could face defeat by the end of the year if its backers do not surge much-needed equipment, Politico reported.

Pentagon planners may include older Humvees and M113 armored personnel carriers in the package, according to Politico. (Read more from “U.S. Reportedly Prepping Massive Weapons Package to Fast-Track to Ukraine” HERE)

Marine’s Accusations: Pentagon Cover-Up in Afghanistan Bombing Probe

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The Marine at the heart of the recent Afghanistan probe has leveled serious accusations against the Pentagon, alleging a cover-up of evidence that could have prevented the deadly suicide bombing during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Former Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who suffered life-altering injuries in the attack, testified in March 2023 about the events leading up to the bombing. He claimed that despite having identified a potential threat, he and his team were prevented from taking action. Vargas-Andrews stands by his testimony, asserting that the attack could have been averted if action had been taken based on the on-the-ground intelligence available.

The subsequent probe initiated by CENTCOM failed to substantiate Vargas-Andrews’ claims, leading to a dispute over the accuracy of the findings. While the investigation concluded that the bomber was not the individual initially identified by Marines, Vargas-Andrews maintains that there was a failure to act on actionable intelligence.

One of the key points of contention revolves around missing photographs of the bomber, which could have provided crucial intelligence. Despite exhaustive searches, these photos remain unaccounted for, raising questions about the thoroughness of the investigation.

The identification of the bomber as Abdul Rahman Al-Logari, an ISIS operative released by the Taliban, adds complexity to the situation. While CENTCOM asserts that the evidence conclusively links Al-Logari to the attack, Vargas-Andrews insists that he still had an opportunity to engage the bomber and prevent the tragedy.

The discrepancies between Vargas-Andrews’ account and the findings of the investigation underscore the need for transparency and accountability in understanding the events leading up to the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Air Force Academy Highlights Transgender Officer at Leadership Summit

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The United States Air Force Academy showcased a transgender-identifying activist and military service member who seeks to embed far-left gender ideology in the armed forces for a speech on leadership and inclusion.

Lieutenant Colonel Bree Fram, an engineer with the United States Space Force and activist for transgenderism in the military, spoke at the National Character and Leadership Symposium, the theme of which was “Embrace Culture, Empower People.” The military official states that he is a co-leader of the Department of the Air Force LGBTQ+ Initiatives Team, which he says is “dedicated to eliminating barriers to LGBTQ+ military service in the Air and Space Force.”

Fram was introduced at the Air Force Academy event as “one of the highest-ranking out transgender officers in the United States military” and a “featured speaker on leadership, diversity, and inclusion.” He is also an activist on behalf of transgenderism, previously serving as the president of SPARTA, “a non-profit that advocates and educates about transgender military service.”

“Inclusion takes action, inclusion requires asking, inclusion requires understanding, and it is more work, it is a lot more work for a leader but I need you to be willing to do it,” Fram said to the crowd while wearing a patch on his uniform bearing a rainbow flag. “In the future, we are going to fight and win war with brain power, and if those brains happen to be in a trans body … you should want them serving alongside you. Because they might be the ones that revolutionize the way we fight in space, in cyber or in any other domain of war.” (Read more from “Air Force Academy Highlights Transgender Officer at Leadership Summit” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Three Georgia Soldiers Identified in Jordan Attack

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The Pentagon has officially released the identities of the three service members who tragically lost their lives in the drone attack in Jordan on Sunday. The fallen soldiers hailed from Georgia, and their names have been solemnly revealed: Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah.

These brave soldiers met their untimely end when a drone struck their housing unit, known as a container housing unit (CHU). All three were assigned to the 718th Engineer Company, 926th Engineer Battalion, 926th Engineer Brigade, Fort Moore, Georgia.

Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, affectionately known as “Munchkin,” was just 24 years old. The attack also left at least 34 others injured. Flags in Waycross, Sanders’s hometown, were flown at half-staff in a somber tribute. Mayor Michael-Angelo James plans to hold an honorary service upon her return.

Sanders’s father, Shawn Sanders, expressed gratitude on Facebook, saying, “Our family would like to thank you for the respect given to Kennedy. Munchkin will be missed by many.” Sanders’s mother, Oneida Oliver-Sanders, shared her grief, stating, “I just can’t believe I’ll never be able to hug and kiss my baby again. Life is so unfair. I just want my baby.”

Breonna Alexsondria Moffett’s mother, in a heartfelt Facebook post, conveyed the profound sadness of losing her firstborn. She wrote, “This is one of the saddest days of my life. With a heavy heart, I have to say that my Angel, my firstborn, has gone on to be with GOD today.” She continued, expressing the enduring pain of losing her daughter and the irreplaceable void in her life.

The tragic incident occurred at a remote logistics base in northeastern Jordan, near the border with Syria. An Iran-backed militia claimed responsibility for the drone attack, marking the first time such groups have successfully targeted and killed U.S. forces. The militia groups, responsible for more than 160 attacks against U.S. troops since October 7, have faced retaliatory strikes from the Biden administration, primarily targeting infrastructure rather than militants.

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Lloyd Austin Remains Hospitalized as More Details Emerge About His Secretive Hospital Stay

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin remained hospitalized on Sunday night after being rushed to the hospital at the start of the new year after experiencing severe pain as he recovered late last month from an elective procedure.

The Pentagon said in a statement that Austin remained at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center but was “recovering well and in good spirits.”

Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder claimed that Austin resumed his duties on Friday evening and “has received operational updates and has provided necessary guidance to his team.”

“He has full access to required secure communications capabilities and continues to monitor DoD’s day-to-day operations worldwide,” the statement continued. “The Secretary spoke to President Biden yesterday. He has also been in contact with Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and his senior staff.” (Read more from “Lloyd Austin Remains Hospitalized as More Details Emerge About His Secretive Hospital Stay” HERE)

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Pentagon Bill Now Includes Taxpayer Funding for Abortion, Sex Changes

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The Heritage Foundation’s grassroots advocacy arm called Thursday for congressional lawmakers to reject the proposed National Defense Authorization Act, which includes funding for abortion and sex changes as well as to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military.

“Americans agree that maintaining a strong national defense involves having a mission-driven military that prioritizes restoring strength at home and ensuring peace abroad,” Ryan Walker, executive vice president of Heritage Action for America, said in a formal statement. (The Daily Signal is The Heritage Foundation’s news outlet.)

“Instead, the Biden administration continues to weaken the integrity of our military by prioritizing abortion services, promoting CRT and DEI initiatives, and enabling sex reassignment surgeries within U.S. armed forces,” Walker said, using the acronyms for critical race theory and so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The National Defense Authorization Act, which funds the Department of Defense for fiscal year 2024, “offers an opportunity to fight back, but this final version missed the mark,” he said.

Heritage Action labeled the revised NDAA as a key vote for lawmakers.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who had blocked hundreds of military promotions for 10 months to challenge a Pentagon policy promoting abortion, said Tuesday that he would free up most of the promotions for Senate votes. (Read more from “Pentagon Bill Now Includes Taxpayer Funding for Abortion, Sex Changes” HERE)

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U.S. Sending 300 More Troops to the Middle East as Israel Escalates Airstrikes

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Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder announced Tuesday that the U.S. will be sending an additional 300 troops to the Middle East.

These soldiers reportedly specialize in communications and explosive ordinance disposal.

In addition, Ryder said that attacks on U.S. military bases in Syria and Iraq have risen to 27 — 16 on bases in Iraq and 11 in Syria.

The announcement comes shortly after the IDF confirmed the death of a senior Hamas commander responsible for all military operations in the northern Gaza Strip.

Ibrahim Biari and several other terrorists were killed in an airstrike with Hamas claiming 50 civilians died, the Times of Israel reports. (Read more from “U.S. Sending 300 More Troops to the Middle East as Israel Escalates Airstrikes” HERE)

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