222: IDF Ground Operations Update + Turkey's F-16 Deal Approved + Greece to purchase F-35s + USMC V-22 Osprey Update + More

For review:
1. Russian report: Russian Il-76 Transport Plane shot down carrying 65 Prisoners of War set for exchange. Associated Press outlet and US government cannot confirm.
2. Report; UK and Germany in discussion for long-range missile transfer: UK Storm Shadows to Ukraine -in return- Germany provides Taurus missiles to the UK.
3. Skynex air defense battery (Rheinmetall Italia) goes to Ukraine- a second battery due in March 2024. 
4. US Central Command (CENTCOM) X:
26 Jan: USS Carney (DDG 64) shoots down 1 x anti-ship ballistic missile, fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants, in the Gulf of Aden.
26 Jan: Iran-backed Houthi militants strike Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda, with anti-ship ballistic missile . All crew safe. Fire in a cargo tank has been put out. Ship was now sailing towards a safe harbor.  
27 Jan: U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a strike against a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed into the Red Sea.
5. US, Australia, Canada, UK, Italy, Netherlands, and Finland pause funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) due to employee ties to the 07 October 2023 massacre in Israel.  
6. Large numbers of Palestinian citizens evacuate Southern Gaza during IDF Offensive in Western Khan Younis. 
7. Turkey's F-16 Deal Approved  & Greece to purchase F-35s. Deals tied to Sweden's  NATO membership. 
8. German Consortium to develop Short and Very Short Range Air Defense System.  Three companies are: Rheinmetall (35mm Gun); Diehl (IRIS-T SLM Guided Missile) , and Hensoldt (Sensor). Contract worth $1.3 billion.
9. US Army starts competition for a second interceptor for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc2). Down-select planned for FY27.
10. USMC Assistant Commandant ( and Acting Commandant), provides update on V-22 Osprey grounding.