* US Defense Acquisition Undersecretary Frank Kendall suggested [Defense News] that Congress create a “reserve spending account” that he could tap when programs need additional support without punishing other programs that perform well. He knows that is not going to happen in the current divided government though.
* The US Navy postponed [FBO] the release of a draft RFP for Hornet depot level maintenance to next month.
Afghanistan
* The media seems to notice attacks in Afghanistan
Corruption Conviction of the Week
* Michael McPhail, a former contractor who bribed two officials at Military Sealift Command (MSC – the US Navy’s arm of USTRANSCOM) was sentenced [WaPo] to 3 years in prison. He had pleaded guilty [FCPA blog] along with 4 business partners back in April.
Middle East
* Islamic State insurgents overran [Long War Journal] a Syrian artillery regiment in Hasakah and grabbed a lot of weaponry in the process.
* And a ceasefire between ISIL and Lebanon didn’t last even an hour [NYT].
* The Spanish government suspended armament sales to Israel. This is mostly a symbolic gesture given very low weapon sales from Spain to Israel. Jerusalem Post | El Pais [in Spanish].
Europe
* Blocking arms sales is harder when an order has already been signed. The Russian government said it would sue Rheinmetall [FT] for the cancellation of a €100M contract.
Where’s Vin Diesel?
* Today’s video presents the Pitch Black air exercise held this August by the Royal Australian Air Force:
