US Strikes Hit ISIS Leaders in Syria & Libya

Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Leader’s owners or staff.

Defense Tech cites the Pentagon giving credit to an MQ-9 Reaper for the drone strike that reportedly killed ‘Jihadi John’ in Syria, the Islamic State executioner. Defense One reports a US airstrike early Saturday morning is believed to have killed the head of the Islamic State in Libya. The operation was underway before the Paris terrorist strikes began.

The New York Times gives a timeline of the emergence of ISIS with links to its coverage of the Islamic State beginning in 2006.

The UN struck a deal last week to allow nations to use satellites to track commercial airliners, current land-based tracking leaves 70 percent of the globe uncovered, reports Yahoo News.

The Pentagon confirms, there are cracks in a main structural element of the wing on the F-35C, the Navy’s model of the fighter jet, according to IHS Jane’s 360.

AP finds indications the charity hospital in Afghanistan hit in a US airstrike was described as a Taliban target by Afghan forcers. Reports indicate the US troops were under fire and not in sight of the hospital, and called in the airstrike on the recommendation of Afghan allies.

Postal Service losses will reach a net  $5.1 billion in FY 2015, reports FedSmith, but the USPS says it’s not their fault. Congress mandated pre-funding of 75 years of retiree health benefits, which are unfunded to the tune of nearly $87 billion. That alone costs the Postal Service about $5.6 billion in revenue annually.

Military Times answers Tricare questions about family coverage and when Medicare kicks in before you’re 65.

US and Cuban doctors worked side-by-side aboard the Navy’s hospital ship USNS Comfort, providing care to Haiti’s poor. “The work heals more than bodies,” reports Defense One of new US policies toward Cuba. “It bridges gaps, builds ties, and makes history.”