DefenceTalkIran’s role in flashpoints like Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan is proving a headache for the West as it tries to normalise ties with Tehran without a trade-off on its contested nuclear drive. As the Islamic republic prepares for presidential elections on Friday to choose a successor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose eight years in office […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-nuclear-push-flashpoints-role-has-west-in-a-bind-48098/

DefenceTalkAs the U.S. mission in Afghanistan evolves from full spectrum combat operations to a support role in helping Afghan forces take hold of their country’s security, unit commanders emphasize the need for network mobility. Warfighter Information Network-Tactical, or WIN-T, Increment 2, the Army’s improved tactical network communications backbone, was designed to fulfill such a mission. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/armys-new-mobile-network-to-support-its-afghan-security-mission-48003/

DefenceTalkFourteen Afghan air force members of the Kabul Air Wing Quick Reaction Force Company graduated from Ground Combat Skills Course in a ceremony May 29 at Kabul International Airport here. The graduation marked the completion of 50 hours of advanced upgrade training for the newest members of the QRF Company. The graduation and continued advancements […]https://www.defencetalk.com/elite-afghan-soldiers-complete-training-48000/

DefenceTalkDozens of Afghan National Army soldiers, Afghan Uniformed Police, and a smattering of U.S. Army Soldiers serving as mission advisors, sat by their heavy packs on the gravel, talking and laughing in quiet anticipation, waiting for a sound. After several hours of checks and double-checks, roll calls and final updates from the command center, the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/air-assault-the-afghan-way-47946/

DefenceTalkKANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan: An MQ-1 Predator assigned here recently became the first Predator to pass 20,000 flying hours over Afghanistan, a feat equivalent to flying 15 hours every other day, for 2,667 days. While the Predator remotely piloted aircraft program surpassed one million hours of total development, test, training and combat in August 2011, this […]https://www.defencetalk.com/predator-passes-20000-hour-mark-in-afghanistan-47933/

DefenceTalkNewly-fielded in Afghanistan, the XM1156 “Precision Guidance Kit” provides add-on precision guidance capability to the projectiles used in the M109A6 Paladin and M777A2 Lightweight 155mm Howitzer weapons systems. Artillerymen with Battery’s A and B, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment recently became the first unit in Regional Command East to use the Precision Guidance Kit, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-gear-brings-enhanced-precision-to-field-artillery-in-afghanistan-47686/

DefenceTalkThere was widespread coverage at the weekend of demonstrations outside RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire against the air base becoming the location for the control of the UK’s armed remotely-piloted Reaper aircraft (commonly known as drones) that operate in support of operations in Afghanistan. UK Reapers are piloted by highly trained professional military pilots who adhere […]https://www.defencetalk.com/role-of-drones-in-afghanistan-47646/

DefenceTalkThe fiscal year 2014 budget “meets future challenges, strengthens global engagements, provides for resets, sustains the industrial base and fulfills commitments to Soldiers, civilians and families,” the Army’s top civilian leader told lawmakers. Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno testified April 25 before the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-says-fiscal-year-2014-budget-request-meets-future-challenges-47641/

DefenceTalkLast month, the Army’s senior-most officer told lawmakers budget cuts could result in a decrease in training readiness for follow- on forces to Afghanistan that could result in extended tours for Soldiers already there. That is no longer the case. During testimony on Capitol Hill April 23, Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-says-no-go-on-extended-tours-for-soldiers-in-afghanistan-47586/

DefenceTalkResearch advances in mental health and care provided for Soldiers is light years ahead of what it was during the beginning of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the director of Army Medical Command told Congress. Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho, Army surgeon general, testified at a House Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee on Mental […]https://www.defencetalk.com/funding-for-mental-health-research-yielding-results-47459/