U.S. special operations service members participate in Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System (FRIES) training at Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Gulfport, Mississippi, April 22, 2022. U.S. Army / Staff Sgt. Renee Seruntine
The Army Brief: Lessons from Ukraine; Limited Stinger parts; Howitzers in Ukraine; and more...
Welcome to The Army Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the service’s future.
Lessons learned. The huge role of international partnerships is one of the top lessons U.S. special operators are taking from the war in Ukraine, Defense One reports. The impact of drones in the war is also making the Army consider establishing a stand-alone job or branch within special operations so soldiers can specialize in their use.
Waiting for more Stingers. The hundreds of anti-aircraft Stinger missiles sent to Ukraine have been an important weapon in the war, but it will take years before Raytheon can build new ones, Defense One reports. The missile has not been made for the U.S. military in 20 years and there are not enough supplies in stock.
Helpful Howitzers. More than half of the 90 155mm towed howitzers have arrived in Ukraine and a group of more than 50 Ukrainian troops have already been trained on the artillery system, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said this week. Defense One dove into what the M777 howitzers are capable of on the battlefield.
Sign up to get The Army Brief every Friday morning from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On April 29, 1945, three U.S. Army divisions liberated the 32,000 prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany.
From Defense One
$33B Request Will Help Ukraine Fight Russia In The 'Longer Term,' Biden Says // Jacqueline Feldscher
Politics threaten to derail the request on Capitol Hill.
US Looks to Shift Ukraine from Soviet to NATO Weapons // Tara Copp
"It would just be easier if we were using similar systems," said one expert, as U.S. officials mull long–term efforts to resupply Ukraine's arsenal.
What Does Musk's Purchase of Twitter Mean for Disinformation? // Patrick Tucker
His free-speech values could undermine the site's efforts to stem foreign influence operations.