US Marines on snowmobiles during winter exercises in Norway, NATO.

The US Marines have been in Norway for NATO Exercise Arctic Response.It is held every two years to promote military competence in harsh Arctic conditions.It also fosters interoperability with Allied nations.

Exercise Brilliant Jump is underway

Estonian PM warns West 'all options must be on the table' in Ukraine - Sky News

Hungary clears way for Swedish bid to join NATO - CBC News

Pacific Perspective:B-52H Strategic Bombers Deployed from Minot Air Force Base

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers of the 23rd Bomb Wing out of Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota,have been deployed by Air Force Global Strike Command to Andersen Air Base,Guam on a Bomber Task Force (BTF) mission.The mission will accomplish goals of the National Defense Strategy of the United States,projecting power for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is committed to this strategy of upholding a rules-based,free and open Indo-Pacific Region that protects the sovereignty of every nation and preserves freedom of navigation.Together with our Allies and Partners,the command says,the US is dedicated to maintaining a region comprised of nations that adhere to the international rule of law.* BTF missions keep aircrews in a high state of readiness,proficiency,and validate our always-ready global strike capability.The Department of Defense remains fully committed to defence and deterrence of any malign actors that would look to undermine or threaten our shared interests.BTF missions contribute to joint force lethality and deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific Region by demonstrating the United States Air Force 's ability to operate anywhere in the world at any time in support of the National Defense Strategy.Moreover,BTF missions provide opportunities to train and operate with Allies and Partners in joint and combined operations and exercises.BTF enhances readiness,to include joint and multilateral,to respond to any potential crisis or challenge in the Indo-Pacific Region.*BTF supports national security objectives through the speed,flexibility,and readiness of our strategic bombers.BTF also demonstrates cutting-edge capabilities;forward presence;and committment to our Allies and Partners.It augments the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) under the command of GEN Kenneth Wilsbach,USAF.He is also Air Component Commander,U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,and Executive Director Pacific Air Combat Operations Staff.PACAF is responsible in USAF activities spread over half the globe in a command that supports over 46,000 Airmen serving primarily in Japan,Korea,Hawaii,Alaska and Guam.GEN Wilsbach is a distinguished graduate of the University of Florida's ROTC program and earned his pilot's wings in 1986 as a distinguished graduate of Laughlin Air Force Base,Texas.He has commanded a fighter squadron;operations group;two wings;two Numbered Air Forces;and held numerous staff assignments.Prior to his current assignment,GEN Wilsbach was Deputy Commander U.S. Forces Korea.He also served as Commander Seventh Air Force,Pacific Air Forces,Osan Air Base,South Korea.*GEN Wilsbach is a command pilot with more thn five thousand hours in multiple aircraft,primarily in the F-15C,F-16C,MC-12W and F-22A.He has flown 71 combat missions in Operations Northern and Southern Watch (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).*GEN Wilsbach was promoted to General on 8 July 2020.*GEN Wilsbach's Awards and Decorations include:Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster;the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters;the Bronze Star Medal;the Meritorius Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster;and the Air and Space Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.*In one BTF mission,two Boeing B-52H Stratofortress nuclear-capable strategic bombers conducted a flyover at Changi Airbase East on 22 February 2024 at the Singapore Air Show 2024.The U.S. Department of Defense participated in the event with aerial demonstrations and static displays to build on already strong ties with Singapore;demonstrate flexible aircraft capbility;enable engagement with foreign Partners;and expand power projection capabilities.*Boeing (BA)

Royal Navy. HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) aircraft carrier and F-35B Lightning II Fighters

The HMS Queen Eliabeth II (R08) is reportedly in the North Sea taking part in NATO Exercise Neptune Strike.Embarked is a squadron of US Marine Corps aviators and their F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters,which are short-takeoff vertical landing aircraft.

Bulletin:Mysterious balloon intercepted over Utah - ABC News - NORAD fighters scrambled to intercept it.

with David Muir

US Army. Soldiers of the 11th Airborne Division during winter combat exercises in Alaska - YouTube

The 11th Airborne Division (Arctic Angels) is a United States Army fornation based in Alaska.They parachute into theatre out of Boeing C-17 Globemaster III jets amd transported by Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters.The drills help Soldiers and their leaders develop and refine Tactics,Techniques and Procedures(TTPs) needed to operate in remote and extreme Arctic winter conditions.They are capable of warfighting and,if necessary,prevailing over any adversary in the challenging wintry conditions of the High North.*Boeing (BA)

Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service:Russia Prepares for Prolonged Conflict with Ukraine and Confrontation with the West

Kaupo Rosin is Director General,Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service.The most incisive chapter of the report "International Security and Estonia 2024" by the EFIS is entitled "Adapting Russia's Armed Forces For Prolonged Conflict":The objectives of Russia's military reform reflect the leadership's vision of the resources required for the conflict with Ukraine and prolonged confrontation with the West.Russia's goal is to achieve military dominance in the Baltic Sea Region.For Estonia,Russia's military reform entails a significant increase in Russia's forces near the Estonian border in coming years.Increasing the personnel and adding new units to the armed forces is the primary purpose of Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's military reform.Russia aims to increase its military personnel from 1.15 million to 1.5 million Soldiers by 2026;restructure 12 land and naval brigades into divisions;and create dozens of new divisions in the land,air and naval forces,as well as in the airborne troops.The formation of many of these units has already begun,but the main challenge is their shortfall of contracted service members and officers,which develop the unit formation process.*Although Russia plans to develop all strategic directions,the highest priority is in the Western strategic direction and Ukraine.The Kremlin is preparing for a prolonged conflict with Ukraine,necessitating additional armies and army corps (3rd and 40th Army Corps,18th Army and 25th Army,for which dozens of new manoeuvre,combat support and combat service units are being formed).*The second priority region is the Finnish direction,where Russia's military posture was minimal until Finland's recent accession to NATO.Russia plans to create the 4th Army Corps,likely based in Petrozavordsk,to address this.This formation will probably be built around at least two or three manoeuvre units,with around a dozen fire support and combat support units.*The growth of Russian military capabilities in the Estonian vacinity,in Leningrad and Pskov districts,primarily results from the potential transformation of existing units into divisions.According to one possible scenario,the personnel strength of Russian land forces and airborne troops in the Estonian direction may nearly double from approximately 19,000 forces from before 24 February 2022 (anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine).The extent to which these units attain combat strength depends on Russia's ability to recruit,train,and retain contracted service members.The success and timeline of Russia's military reform will be largely determined by the course of the war in Ukraine.If Russia manages to implement the reform,NATO could face a Soviet-style mass army in the next decade.This army is likely to be technologically inferior to the NATO Allies' defence forces in most areas,except for electronic warfare and long-range strike capabilities.However,its military potential would be significant,owing to its size,fire-power (including artillery power and inexpensive attack drones),combat experience and reserves.Defending against a possible conventional attack from such an army would require Allied defence forces and defence industries to be significantly more prepared,capable,and better stocked with ammunition than they currently are.*In summary,Russia's plan to increase its military forces is ambitious,especially considering the short timelines and Russia's economic and demographic situation.However,it is also a threat to Europe and NATO,contributing to Russia's aggressive posture,military potential,and growing militarisation reinforcing Russia's apparent path of a long-term confrontation with the West.*Russia is attempting to tilt Moldova back into its orbit by influencing the electoral process of 2024-2025.For its part,Moldova has banned major Russian propaganda channels;shut down numerous local Internet portals disseminating Russia's war propaganda;and decisively resisted political parties directly controlled and funded by Russia.Indeed,in the summer of 2023,Moldovan authorities expelled most Russian Embassy diplomats,after identifying some of them as intelligence operatives.*According to the Financial Times news outlet,the NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command in Ulm,South Germany is devising plans for how NATO forces will deploy across Europe and be sustained and reinforced in the event of a war with Russia.In this process,lessons learned from the ongoing Steadfast Defender 24 exercise,which simulates a large-scale conflcit with an adversary from the East,will be utilised.The scenario for the drills is a Russian attack on Alliance territory.*Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsakhna said NATO may only have three-four years before the Kremlin mounts a test for NATO:But we must understand the Russian war machine has started in the full scale,the capabilities for the production and the mentality as well,because Putin is controlling everything now.*For his part,German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warns the test could come in the next decade,in five-eight years.

US Army, NATO. Soldiers from 2CR during field and urban training in Germany

The 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2nd Dragoons) is an active Stryker Infantry and Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army,with its garrison at Rose Barracks,Vilseck,Germany.Its Stryker Armored Combat Vehicle family is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada.*General Dynamics (GD)

Propellant Tanks for Artemis III on the Move at Michoud - Orion Program Update

Artemis III will return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972 for Lunar Science studies.It is slated for a September 2026 launch.The SLS Core Stage primarily conists of the cryogenic liquid Oxygen and liquid Hydrogen fuel tanks,and is manufactured by Boeing.These were recently welded together at NASA Michoud Assembly Facility,New Orleans,Louisiana.*Boeing (BA)

Blastoff! SpaceX launches classified USSF-124 Space Force mission, nails landing. - Cape Canaveral Space Force Station - 14 February 2024

This mission is a collaboration between the Missile Defence Agency,and the Space Force's Space Systems Command and Space Development Agency,delivering two prototype hypersonic and ballistic tracking space sensor programme;as well as the SDA's final four Tranche 0 tracking layer satellites.

NATO Secretary General pre-ministerial press conference at Defence Ministers Meeting,14 FEB 2024

'Treasonous': Former NATO supreme allied commander blasts Trump's NATO remarks

Pacific Perspective:Australian General Officer Begins 4th Year as DIA Deputy Director for Commonwealth Integration

On 15 January 2021,MAJGEN Michelle McGuiness of the Australian Defence Force was appointed Deputy Director for Commonwealth Integration by the DOD Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).In this role,MAJGEN McGuiness ensures that DIA and the broader U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) are best positioned to cooperate,collaborate and integrate with key international Partners ,facilitating cordial intelligence relationships.Her position of Deputy Director for Commonwealth Integration focuses on stengthening ties and information sharing between the United States and its Commenwealth Partners,which include Australia,New Zealand ,the UK and Canada (FIVEEYES Alliance).MAGJEN McGuiness' expertise contributes to enhancing intellligence collaboration across borders,ultimately supporting national security and defence efforts.Her responsibilities involve fostering communication;joint operations;and strategic alignment with Commonwealth nations.By working closely with international counterparts,MAJGEN McGuinnes helps ensure that intelligence flows seemlessly,enabling effective decison making and coordinated response to global challenges.In summary,MAJGEN McGuinness plays a vital role in promoting intelligence integration between Commonwealth countries and the United States,contributing to a safer and more secure world.Her role is the practical embodiment of the major Partner integration lines of effort expressed in the 2022 U.S. National Defense Strategy,the 2021 Defense Intelligence Strategy,and the 2021 Interim National Security Strategy.*Biographical notes:Michelle has served in a range of tactical,operational,and strategic assignments in both General and Staff appointments.She began her career in 1994 at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA),graduating into the Australian Intelligence Corps,and spending her formative years at the tactical level leading and managing intelligence operations in human intelligence (HUMINT),interrogation,and exploitation initiatives.Since 2005,she has served in key roles focusing on Partner engagement and interoperability,including within the U.S.,as a liason officer within the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO).*She continued her career at Australian Army Headquarters in support of service-level engagement programmes for several nations.For her service in the U.S.,she has twice been awarded the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal.*In 2024,she returned to ADFA as the Chief Instructor and Commanding Officer.In 2016,she served as Assistant Military Attache at the Australian Embassy in Washington,DC.For her service in these appointments,she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.*Her other senior officer appointments include Chief of Staff to the Chief of Defence Force and Director General,Counterproliferation and Terrorism at the Australian Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO),where she led interagency efforts supporting whole-of-government counterproliferation missions.*Michelle's deployments include Timor-Leste and the Soloman Islands,and her service at the JIEDDO in 2006 was in direct support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.*Michelle holds a BA (Politics and Bahasa Indonesian) and a Master of International Public Policy with Distinction from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.She graduated from the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program and the Australian Institute Company of Directors.Michelle is married with two amazing school-aged children and enjoys travelling as a family,exploring food and the outdoors,and being active in her community.*Michelle spoke at the DGI 2024 Conference at the Focus Day on 11 March 2024 at the Queen Elizabeth Centre,London - DGI:Geospatial Intelligence for Defence and Security,20th Anniversary.She also spoke at the DODIIS Worldwide Event 2023:We share challenges,we come together,and together we are stronger.She noted that enabling collaboration and rapid,secure information exchange is key to leveraging the full and unparalleled advantage of Allies and Partners.

U.S. Army, NATO. Powerful M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks in Poland.

U.S. Army Soldiers of Alpha Company,2nd Battalion,69th Armored Regiment,2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,3rd Infantry Division practised engaging with the enemy.Thus they prepared themselves for deployment forward,if necessary.The enlisted Soldiers were inspired by the confidence of their leaders.A U.S. Army Company typically has 60 to 200 Soldiers under the command of a Captain,but can have more than 200 troops.

Bell Demonstrates High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) Technology at Holloman Air Force Base,New Mexico - Avionics International

Bell Demonstrates High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) Technology at Holloman Air Force Base - Avionics International: Bell showcased High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) technology capabilities upon completion of testing efforts at Holloman Air Force Base. The team has utilized the Holloman’s High Speed Test Track […] Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency:the SPRINT Program aims to design,test and build experimental aircraft to demonstrate enabling technologies and integrated concepts necessary for a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence for the nextgen air mobilty platforms.* Bell Helicopter is a subsidiary of Textron Inc (TXT)

NATO Secretary General with 🇺🇸 U.S. National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan,O7 FEB 2024

US Army, Steel Cavalry. M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks during combat exercises in Finland,NATO

U.S. Army Soldiers of 1st Cavalry Division train alongside the Finnish Defence Forces.Such drills ascertain the combat readiness and effectiveness of NATO Allies.

JFCBS is becoming a Joint Warfighting Headquarters for the future

CENTCOM:B-1B Lancers Participated in Retaliatory Raids - plus what radio experts revealed about their mission

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic bombers participated in retaliatory raids against Iranian Republican Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and afiiliated miltia groups in Iraq and Syria.Both Iraq and Syria denounced the raids which they said amounted to aggression.Beginning on 2 February 2024,radio experts ascertained that B-1Bs were on the move.The bombers are out of Dyess Air Force Base,Texas.The Lancer bombers communicate via a UHF satellite,and one is able to piece the puzzle together based on snippets of information from these communications only an expert can put together.* The experts ascertained that the 2-3 B-1Bs were refueled over Nova Scotia,Canada by KC-135 Stratotankers.They then proceeded across the Atlantic Ocean until they reached Spain,where the were again refueled by KC-135s out of the UK.Air Force Global Strike Command deploys B-1Bs as needed.For this mission,the bombers were to fire precision cruisse missiles at seven sites and across 85 targets in Iraq and Syria.They typically carry up to 24 Northrop Grumman AGM-158B JASSEM-ER subsonic cruise missiles.Their targets included command centres;drone and rocket arsenals;and thier production facilities.Thermal images of the target guide these missiles with an acccuracy of less than 9.8 ft. from the targets.The warheads can strike on impact,be set for delayed impact or set to splinter into fragments.Dozens of militants were reportedly killed in the raids.*The Department of Defense will continue to strike militants at a time and place of their choosing.* The original builder of the B-1B,Rockwell,became part of Rockwell Collins,which again morphed into Collins Aerospace,now a subsidiary of Raytheon Corporation.*Northrop Grumman (NOC),Raytheon Corporation (RTX)

US Navy. USS Arlington LPD-24 San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock.

The USS Arlington is currently deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in the European theatre of operations.The strategic location allows it to play a strong role in deterrence and defence activities.

CENTCOM Announces Retaliatory Airstrikes Have Begun Against Iran's Revolutionary Guard and Iran-backed Militias in Iraq and Syria

According to a Press Release from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM),on 2 February 2024 at 1600 hrs EST,CENTCOM forces conducted air strikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiated militia groups.U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets with numerous aircraft,to include strategic bombers flown from the United States.The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.Thr facilities that were struck included Command and Control operations;intelligence centres;rockets and missiles;unmanned aerial vehicle storage;and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coaltion Forces.*The strikes were in retaliation for the deaths of three U.S. Army reservists from Georgia and several other Soldiers who were wounded in a drone attack.This occurred at the Tower 2 Army Base in Northeast Jordan on the Syrian border.Killed in action were:Sgt. William Jerome Rivers,46,of Carollton,Georgia;Specialist Kennedy Ladon Sanders,24,of Waycross,Georgia;and Specialist Breonna Alexsondria Moffet,23,of Savannah,Georgia.Sanders and Moffet were posthumously promoted to Sgt.They were members of 718th Engineer Company,926th Engineer Battalion,926th Engineer Brigade out of Fort Moore,Georgia.They were serving in support of Operation Inherent Resolve,which is directed against terrorists of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).*The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,a stonghold in times of trouble.And those who know your name put their trust in you,for you,O Lord,have not forgotten those who seek you.Ps.9:9-10,English Standard Version (ESV)