The Netherlands,2019:Mighty TORNADO Take-Off, It.AF, STEADFAST NOON, at Volkel

Steadfast Noon:NATO's Nuclear Response Rehearsal

One of NATO's most secretive exercises, Steadfast Noon,has been taking place this month.According to reports from Germany, this year's iteration of the nuclear wargame has featured a practise at Norvenich Air Base, Germany in which the German Air Force removed US B61 hydrogen bombs from their underground storage bunker and mounted them on Panavia Tornado IDS aircraft.Norvenich is reportedly an alternate storage site for these tactical nuclear weapons.Simultaneously, German forces at Buchel Air Base simulated defending the base from an airborne threat with Patriot missiles in Exercise Resilient Guard. There are estimated to be about 20 B61 bombs stored in Germany under NATO's Nuclear Sharing arrangement.It is a dual key arrangement between the United States and the five NATO Allies storing B61s on their territory: Belgium, Germany,Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.The B61s are carried on Dual Capable Aircraft (conventional/nuclear).* More than 50 aircraft have participated in Steadfast Noon 2020, which has been headquartered at Volkel Air Base, the Netherlands.The aircraft have flown sorties over some of Western Europe and the North Sea. Attending the drills on 16 October at Volkel were NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg; Supreme Allied Commander Europe GEN Tod Wolters USAF; and Netherlands Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld.Mr.Stoltenberg spoke with the aircrews and was briefed on the classified scenario by the base Commander.In talks with Ms.Bijleveld,Mr.Stoltenberg stressed that at a time of evolving security challenges,it is essential that the Alliance remains protected by the full spectrum of capabilities, with the Allies being determined that NATO's nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective.* The exercise has become even more important given Russia's ongoing development and deployment of nuclear-capable missiles in Europe,which resulted in the scrapping of the INF Treaty.* Those Allies who are not part of Nuclear Sharing may also participate in the nuclear mission under the SNOWCAT programme (Support of Nuclear Operations With Conventional Air Tactics). Such a country is Poland, which, for example, took part in the 2014 iteration with three F-16 Fighting Falcons and about 40 personnel.* In 2009, Russia reportedly simulated a nuclear strike on Poland; and in 2013, Russia simulated a nuclear strike on NATO Partner Sweden with Tu-22M3 bombers.This year, a Russian Su-27 Flanker violated NATO Ally Denmark's airspace in violation of international law on 28 August.* The Atlantic Council thinktank published the paper "Threaten decisive nuclear retaliation" by David Gompert and Hans Binnendijk, which states: Taken together, Russia's adventurous foreign policy, conventional military disadvantage, and fear of US strategic nuclear intentions are causing it to develop and field new intercontinental and theater nuclear delivery systems, including hypersonic systems, which has grave implications for NATO.In this context, Russia's declared threat to use nuclear weapons first in the event of war should be of acute concern,as much to US allies as to the United States.*

NATO Secretary General, Press Conference at Defence Ministers Meeting, 2...

Space Force Swears In First Recruits

On 20 October 2020, the US Space Force swore in its first recruits from the general public.Four of the seven recruits were sworn in at the Military Entrance Processing Station-Baltimore at Fort George G. Meade,Maryland.Just hours later, another three were sworn in at MEPS-Denver, Colorado. Vice Chief of Space Operations GEN David D. "DT" Thompson administered the oath to those recruits at Ft.Meade ,who were attired in Space Force t-shirts and casual pants.* All of the recruits will get 7.5 weeks of Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.In addition, they will study a special Space Force curriculum.Said GEN Thompson: Until now, we've been focused on building our initial ranks with transfers from the Air Force.With these new recruits,we begin to look to the future of our force by bringing in the right people directly to realize our aspirations of building a tech-savy force that's reflective of the nation we serve.* The recruits include two women and five men;two are African-American and five are Caucasian.They range in age from 18-31 and are from Colorado,Maryland and Virginia.* By the end of 2021, the USSF aims to have 6500 active duty personnel.To inquire about joining the Space Force,see your local Air Force/Space Force recruiter.*

Homeless and at-risk veterans in New Jersey receive help at stand down

Homeless and at-risk veterans in New Jersey receive help at stand down: The Oct. 9 event in Pleasantville helped about 40 at-risk veterans; hundreds expected at Oct. 28 event in Atlantic City.

Joint Warrior 20-2:NATO Combat Power to the Test

Joint Warrior 20-2, the largest NATO exercise of the year,is underway in Northern Scotland and the Atlantic Ocean.The second phase began on 3 October.JW 20-2 incorporates surface, subsurface, airborne and land assets, the US Navy 6th Fleet said.NATO units will be tested in a multi-threat environment, and a certification for Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) is on the line, preparing them to operate as part of a Combined/Joint Task Force, according to Commander, Task Force 65 (CTF 65) CAPT Joseph Gagliano,USN: Joint Warrior is our premier venue for recertifying our ships for fleet operations, and the synergy with the Royal Navy could not be better.* Overall, the maritime,land and air units from NATO Allies and Partners include 28 ships;2 submarines;81 aircraft; and more than 6,000 personnel from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany,Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the UK and the US.NATO Enhanced Opportunity Partner Australia is also taking part.* Most impressive of all is the participation of the first ever NATO Carrier Strike Group,led by the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.Indeed, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) is attached to the CSG.As well, destroyers USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Ross (DDG 71), out of forward deployment at Rota,Spain, and 2 P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft from CTF-67 in Sigonella,Italy are in the drills.In addition, the US Marine Corps Fighter Attack Squadron 211 has 8 F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters on HMS Queen Elizabeth alongside USMC 2nd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company.* All elements of the British military are being integrated into JW 20-2: Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army.* Two NATO AWACS aircraft are surveilling and coordinating the complex scenario.The exercise trains NATO Forces for high-readiness deployments in operations representing a significant pillar of the UK's leading role in the Alliance.It is thus a key step in the development of the UK's CSG capability,being the largest ever number of F-35B aircraft at sea (about 15),tbe British F-35 Bs along with the USMC's. Several classic warfighting drills are being staged by the assets in coastal and blue waters to the North, Northwest and West of Scotland.* Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 is participating until 15 October.*

B-1B Systems Engineer Explains How IBS Makes Future Bomber Upgrades Easier - Aviation Today

B-1B Systems Engineer Explains How IBS Makes Future Bomber Upgrades Easier - Aviation Today: The International Battle Station (IBS) avionics upgrades were completed on a fleet of 60 U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers in September.

Maj. Gen. Crider: Pentagon Will Reassign 1K+ Enlisted Personnel to US Space Force Cybersecurity Team

Maj. Gen. Crider: Pentagon Will Reassign 1K+ Enlisted Personnel to US Space Force Cybersecurity Team: As cyber warfare becomes the weapon of choice for adversaries, and the global economy becomes ever more dependent on space systems, space is a critical domain for cybersecurity, said U.S. Space Force Maj. Gen. Kimberly Crider, chief technology and innovation officer.  “Space systems will become the next front of the

Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Brathwaite Announces the New Constellation-class Frigate

NATO Intensifies Arctic Operations with Denmark

On 1 October 2020,NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM) began a new era of operational coordination with Danish Joint Arctic Command (JACO),a press release said.JACO,under the command of MG Kim Jesper Jorgensen,is chiefly concerned with surveillance and sovereignty enforcement,as well as the military defence of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.It also provides fishing vessel inspection; search and rescue; maritime pollution protection;hydrographic surveys;and miscellaneous support for the civil authorities. JACO's Area of Responsibility is from the Faroe Islands to the Greenland and Arctic Seas; across the Denmark Strait and Irmingen Sea to the Davis Strait; and Baffin Bay between Greenland and Canada.Based in Nuuk, Greenland,it also has a Liaison Unit in Thorshavn, Faroe Islands.* MARCOM, for its part, maintains maritime domain awareness and overwatch over the entire extent of Supreme Allied Commander Europe's AOR, hence shares vital interests and operational objectives with JACO.The enhanced cooperation includes monthly coordination meetings; surveillance exchanges; and joint exercises.* Commander Allied Maritime Command,NATO VADM Keith Blount, Royal Navy,summed up the purpose of the new pact: Over the past years, we have seen an increasing maritime interest in the Arctic Region.I anticipate that MARCOM and JACO will greatly benefit from working together on an operational level under this new agreement.With five NATO Allies being Arctic countries-Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and the United States-the Alliance has a clear interest in seeing stability, security and cooperation in the Arctic Region.*