NATO Secretary General with the Chief of the German Air Force 🇩🇪, 25 APR 2024

NATO Secretary General with the Chancellor of Germany 🇩🇪 Olaf Scholz, 26 APR 2024

Note:Arrests of Russian agents have recently been made in Germany (espionage/sabotage) and the UK (hostile activity on behalf of Russia).

NATO Secretary General visits Olaf Scholz - YouTube - 26 APR 2026 - BTB-concept - Federal Chancellery,Berlin,Germany

Working visit by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.The video shows the entry of the guard battalion's post of honour;arrival and greeting of the guest;and marching out of the post of honour.The demonstrators drew attention to the civil war in Tigray,Northenmost Ethiopia,on the border with Eritreia in Northwest Africa.

Military honours for Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak - YouTube - BTB-concept - Federal Chancellery,Berlin,Germany - 24 APR 2024

Military honours were rendered for the inaugural visit of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom.The honours company is provided by the 4th company (marines) of the guards battalion.The honours formation is led by the company commander,Ms.Captain Kruggel.The Bundeswehr Staff Music Corps played under the direction of Mrs.Captain Holtzschuh.Because of its history as a seafaring nation,the BMVg protocol had decided that Navy uniforms would be worn.The Inspecter General,General Carsten Breuer,was in the delegation.Pro-Palestinian demonstrators were in the street.

Pacific Perspective:White House Document Outlines Deepening US/Japan Strategic Alliance Part 2

As our countries strengthen their bilateral ties,we will continue to build our relationship with like-minded partners in the region.Today,we announce our decision to cooperate on a networked air defence architecture among the United States,Japan,and Australia to counter growing air and missile threats.Recognising Japan's strengths and close bilateral defence partnerships with the AUKUS countries,AUKUS partners-Australia,the United Kingdom and the United States-are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects.Continuing the momentum from the Camp David Summit,we welcome progress on establishing an annual multi-domain exercise between the United States,Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).Recognising the commitments made in the Atlantic Declaration and the Hiroshima Accords,and as the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions become ever more interlinked,we wlcome the announcement of regular U.S.-Japan-UK trilateral exercises,begining in 2025,as we enhance our shared enduring security.Building on the announcement at the Australian Official Vist in October to pursue trilateral cooperation with Japan on unmanned aerial systems,we are exploring cooperative opportunities in the rapidly emerging field of collaborative combat aircraft and autonomy...We reaffirm the critical importance to enhance U.S. extended deterrence,bolstered by Japan's defence capabilities,and will further strengthen bilateral cooperation.In this regard,we call on our respective foreign and defence mimisters to hold in-depth discussions on extended deterrence on the occasion of the next 2+2 meeting.(Note:extended deterrence is a commitment to deter,and,if necessary,to respond across the spectrum of potential nuclear and non-nuclear scenarios in defence of Allies and Partners).*We continue to deepen our cooperation on information and cyber security to ensure our Alliance stays ahead of growing cyber threats and builds resilience in the information and communication technology domain.We also plan on enhancing our cooperation on the protetction of critical infrastructure...Reaching New Frontiers in Space:Our global partnership extends to space,where the United States and Japan are leading the way to explore the solar system and return to the Moon.Today,we welcome the signing of a Lunar Surface Exploration Implementing Arrangement,in which Japan plans to provide and sustain operation of a pressurised lunar rover which the United States plans to allocate two flight opportunities to the lunar surface for Japan on future Artemis missions.The leaders announced a shared goal for a Japanese national to be the first non-American astronaut to land on the Moon on a future Artemis mission,assuming independent benchmarks are achieved...We also announce bilateral cooperation on a Low Earth Orbit detection and tracking constellation for missiles such as hypersonic glide vehicles,including potential cooperation with U.S. industry.*We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the Quad (US-Australia-Japan-India) and its shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is stable,prosperous and inclusive which continues to deliver results for the region.We reiterate the Quad's unwavering support and respect for regional institutions,including ASEAN,the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.We also reaffirm our support for ASEAN centrality and unity as well as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Southeast Asian (countries that) are critical partners in the Indo-Pacific,and the U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral aims to enhance trilateral defence and security cooperation while promising economic security and resilience.

Fmr. Top NATO official pens letter to Biden warning of threats from authoritarian powers - MSNBC - YouTube

with Johnathan Capehart*Note:The Senate approved by a large bipartisan majority the 95 billion dollar foreign aid bill for Ukraine,Israel,Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific on 23 April 2023 and President Biden will sign it on 24 April 2024.

Queen meets Royal Lancers for first time as Colonel-in-Chief - YouTube - The Royal Family Channel - 22 APR 2024

Ukrainian President Zelensky praises House passage of aid - CNN

with Fredericka Whitfield,CNN War Correspondent in Ukraine Fred Pleitkin,and Jill Dougherty,Adjunct Professor Georgetown University and former CNN Moscow Bureau Chief

USAF, NATO. B-1B Lancer bombers in Spain. Engine maintenance and combat missions -YouTube

B-1B Lancer strategic bombers were deployed by Air Force Global Strike Command out of Dyess Air Force Base,Texas.on a Bomber Task Force mission.The missions enable air crews to maintain a high state of readiness,proficiency and validate the USAF's always ready global strike capability.The strategic missions help develop the ability to operate in unfamiliar or austere locations and readily integrate with NATO Allies and Partners.The BTF mission is conducted in multiple combatant command Areas of Responsibility (AORs) and demonstrate the DOD'S ability to command and control its bomber forces for any assigned mission,anywhere in the world at any time,in support of the U.S. National Defense Strategy.At the same time,the BTF mission includes achieving deterrence and defence for the NATO Alliance.*Furthermore,a B-1B Lancer has been pulled from the boneyard,an arrid repository of retired aircraft,at Davis-Monthan Air Fore Base in Tucson,Arizona.It is being refurbished to help with the surge in demand for Bomber Task Force missions.

NATO Secretary General doorstep at the G7 Foreign Ministers, 18 APR 2024 - YouTube

House Speaker Mike Johnson's 61 billion dollar aid package for Ukraine is scheduled for a vote on 20 April 2024.It has strong bipartisan support.

Pacific Perspective:White House Document Outlines Deepening US/Japan Strategic Alliance

In a document dated 10 April 2024,and called "United States-Japan Joint Leaders' Statement - Global Partners for the Future",the two countries outline a number of decisions that have been made recently:Over the course of the last three years,the U.S.-Japan Alliance has reached unprecedented heights.We arrived at this historic moment because our nations,individually and together,took courageous steps to strengthen our collective capacity in ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.Today,we,President Joseph R. Biden,Jr.,and Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio,celebrate this new era of U.S.-Japan strategic cooperation during the Prime Minister's official visit and State Dinner in Washington,D.C.-and pledge that the United States and Japan will continue our tireless work,together with our other partners,to realise a free and open Indo-Pacific and world.In this era of U.S.-Japan cooperation,we recognise that global events affect the security and the stability of the Indo-Pacific,and that developments in our shared region reverberate around the world.We are therefore working together,across all domains,to build a global partnership that is fit to address the complex,interconnected challenges of today and tomorrow for the benefit of our two countries and the world.At the core of our cooperation is a shared commitment to work with like-minded partners and multilateral institutions to address common challenges and to ensure a world that is free,open,connected,resilient,and secure.These joint efforts are based on our shared fundamental respect for international law,including the protection and promotion of human rights and dignity,the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states,and the prohibition on acquisition of territory by force.Our purpose as partners is to uphold and bolster the free and open international order based on the rule of law that has allowed so many nations to develop and prosper,and to ensure our Alliance is equipped to tackle the challenges of the 21st century.*To advance our global partnership,today we announce several new strategic initiatives to strengthen our defence and security cooperation;reach new frontiers in space;drive technology innovations;bolster economic security;accelerate climate action;partner on global diplomacy and development;and fortify the ties between our peoples.Through our partnership,we are also synchronising our strategies,and our two nations have never been more united as we work together to address the most pressing challenges and opportuniities of the future.*The core of our global partnership is our bilateral defence and security cooperation under the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security,which is stronger than ever.We affirm that our Alliance remains the cornerstone of peace,security,and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.President Biden reiterated the unwavering commitment of the United States to the defence of Japan under Article V of the Treaty,using the full range of capabilities,including nuclear capabilities.Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed Japan's unwavering commitment to fundamentally reinforce its own defence capabilities and roles,and to enhance its close coordination with the United States under the Treaty.President Biden also affirmed that Article V also applies to the Senkaku Islands.We reiterated our strong opposition to any attempts by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea,including through actions that seek to undermine Japan's longstanding and peaceful administration of the Senkaku Islands.We welcome the progress in optimising Alliance force posture in areas including the Southwestern Islands to stregthen U.S.-Japan deterrence and response capabilities,and we confirm the importance of further advancing this initiative.*The United States welcomes the steps Japan is taking to fundamentally enhance its defence capabilities,its decision to possess counterstrike capabilities,and its plan to stand up the Japan Self-Defence Forces (JSDF) Joint Operations Command to enhance command and control of the JSDF.*Today,we announce several new strategic initiatives to further advance our Alliance.Recognising the speed at which regional security challenges evolve and to ensure our bilateral Alliance structures meet these critical changes,we announce our intention to to bilaterally upgrade our respective command and control frameworks to enable seamless integration of operations and capabilities and allow for greater interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces in peace or contingencies...In support of this vision,we also reaffirm our goal to deepen Intelligence,Surveillance and Reconnaissance cooperation and Alliance information sharing capabilities,including through the Bilateral Information Analysis Cell.We will also continue to implement efforts to streghen our Alliance force posture,build high-end base capabilities,and increase preparedness that are necessary to deter and defend against threats.We resolve to deepen bilateral cooperation toward the effective development and employment of Japan's counterstrike capabilities,including the provision of U.S. matteriel and technological support to enhance Japan's indigenous stand-off programs.The United States expressed its commitment to start the training pipeline and ship modules for Japan to acquire operational capability of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) system.We also reaffirmed the pursuit of a Glide Phase Interceptor (GPI) cooperative development programme to counter high-end,regional hypersonic threats.

Military honours for Estonia's president at Bellevue Palace in Berlin - YouTube - 16 APR 2024

Military honours were rendered for the inaugural visit of President Alar Karis of Estonia.He was received by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany at Bellvue Palace,Berlin.The Honours Battalion is led by LTCOL Maik Teichgraber,commander of the Guards Battalion.It includes all three branches of the Bundeswehr:Army,Navy and Luftwaffe.The Staff Music Corps is directed by LTCOL Kiauka.

President Biden Holds a Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Petr Fiala - YouTube - 15 APR 2024

Duke of Kent's final day as Colonel @ Scots Guards Annual Remembrance Day (14th April 2024) - British Army event - London Royal

HRH Edward Duke of Kent,cousin of Queen Elizabeth II,is himself a British Army veteran,serving for 21 years.In 1974,he became Colonel of the Scots Guards,serving for 50 years.He will be succeeded by HRH Prince Edward the Duke of Edinburgh.The Scots Guards have served in both World Wars,the Falklands War and Afghanistan.They are stationed at Wellington Barracks,London.

Bulletin:US Limits Involvement in Israel vs. Iran Conflict

A Biden administration source has disclosed that the US will not participate in offensive operations against Iran.While US fighter aircraft assisted in the defense of Israel by shooting down Iranian drones and ballistic missiles,President Biden has drawn a red line at offensive operations.He communicated this to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call.

Military honours for Georgia's Prime Minister in Berlin - 12 APR 2024

This is the inaugural visit of the new Prime Minister of Georgia,Irakli Kobakhidze,to Chancellor Olaf Scholz.The Staff Music Corps is under the direction of Mrs.Captain Holzschuh.

Artemis II Orion Vac Chamber Lift and Load Operations April 2024 - Orion Program Update - no sound

On 4 April 2024,a team lifted the Artemis II Orion spacecraft,including the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle and the European Service Module,into a vacuum chamber inside the Operations Checkout Building at NASA Kennedy Space Center,where it underwent electromagnetic compatability and interference testing.The Artemis II mission will take astronauts around the Moon and farther from Earth than ever before.It is slated for launch no earlier than November 2024.

NATO Secretary General with the President of Finland 🇫🇮 Alexander Stubb,10 APR 2024

Finland is considering accepting a NATO Land Component Command on its territory,which would be under Joint Forces Command Brunssum,the Netherlands.This is because NATO's land border with Russia has doubled since Finland joined NATO,adding nearly 900 mi/1448 km of border.

Germany sends first soldiers for permanent Lithuania force | DW News - 8 APR 2024

German Soldiers have arrived in Lithuania to shore up NATO's Eastern Flank.It opens a massive infrastructure project,including accomodations for families and schools for children,with the end state being about 5,000 troops,a full permanent brigade.It is unprecedented to permanently deploy this many Bendeswehr troops,not seen since World War II.The first 21 Soldiers will interface with the Lithuanian authorities to get the project going.

DEFENDER 24:Shaping Combat Credible Forces for Deterrence and Defence

On 4 April 2024,ships departed the US for Europe carrying U.S. Army equipment for the Dynamic Employment of Forces to Europe for NATO Deterrence and Enhanced Readiness 2024 (DEFENDER 24),the largest U.S. Army exercise in Europe,according to U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEA).The equipment transport marks the start of drills involving more than 17,000 US and 23,000 multinational service members from more than 20 Allied and Partner nations.Linked to NATO's Steadfast Defender 24 exercise,DEFENDER 24 is comprised of three sub-exercises:Saber Guardian,Immediate Response and Swift Response,which has already concluded.Said GEN Darryl Williams,commanding general for USAEA and NATO Allied Land Command:DEFENDER 24 complements NATO's Steadfast Defender 24,the Alliance's largest exercise since the Cold War,and demonstrates the United States' ability to rapidly deploy forces to Europe to defend every square inch of NATO territory.*DEFENDER 24 is focused on the strategic deployment of continental,U.S.-based forces;employment of U.S. Army prepositioned stocks;and interoperability with Allies and Partners at exercise locations across 13 European countries.DEFENDER 24 seeks to deter adversaries;transform operational mission command;build readiness;and strengthen the NATO Alliance,USAEA noted.DEFENDER 24 runs from 4 April to 31 May 2024.*In Exercise Swift Response,U.S. Army Europe's ability to rapidly deploy beside European multinational airborne forces with little to no warning across the globe is tested.The purpose of the drills is to present combat credible Army forces in Europe and enhance readiness.The latest iteration of the exercise was profiled by this blog last week.Its purpose is to build Military Strategic Readiness (MSR) in support of NATO defence strategy/deterrence objectives.*Exercise Saber Guardian is led by USAEA's V Corps and a Romanian multinational division.It includes Army prepositioned stocks drawdowns;river crossings;a tactical road march;response to simulated chemical,biological,radiological or nuclear threat;and medical evacuation operations throughout Europe.Said LTGEN John S. Kolasecki,commanding general U.S. Army V Corps:This is important as it provides US and NATO leadership options for employing combat credible forces across the conflict continuum.Saber Guardian is the largest Black Sea Region exercise.Those participating include:Albania,Belgium,Bulgaria,France,Greece,Germany.the Netherlands,Romania,Slovenia and the US.*In Exercise Immediate Response,the U.S. Army is tested to increase scale,capability and interoperability of rapidly deployed forces.The National Guard forces involved will join participating nations and individuals to work through the complexities of building combat power arriving from the U.S. and utilising vehicles and equipment from Army prepositioned stocks throughout Europe.Combined arms training and live-fire drills will take place across the Balkans.The operational readiness of US forces across all domains is criitical to building partnerships;responding to crises;providing deterrence;and supporting our Allies and Partners.

Military honours for Latvia's Prime Minister - 27 MAR 2024

Military honours were rendered for the inaugural visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Evika Silina.The 2nd Company (Army) of the Guard Battalion was led by CAPT Burgwinkel,Company Commander.The Bundeswehr Music Corps from Siegburg plays under the direction of LTCOL Christian Weiper.

Construction Begins on New Boeing MQ-28 Production Facility in Queensland - March 26 - Avionics International

Construction Begins on New Boeing MQ-28 Production Facility in Queensland - March 26 - Avionics International: BRISBANE, March 26, 2024 — Construction will begin on Boeing’s [NYSE: BA] new production facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, to support the manufacture of Australia’s first military combat aircraft designed and […] Boeing (BA)

NATO's 75 Anniversary Celebration at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, 04 APR 2024

The French language is one of two official NATO languages along with English.The ceremony was held in the Agora of NATO HQ in Brussels,Belgium.

NATO Secretary General with 🇺🇸 US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, O3 APR 2024

US Air Force. Powerful fighter jets during Northern Edge military exercise

USAF Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,Alaska Exercise Northern Edge is a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercise designed to provide high-end,realistic warfighting practise and improve joint interoperability,enhancing the combat readiness of partiipating forces.*Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)

Exercise Arctic Shock:US,Norwegian Armies Put to the Test

From 18-22 March 2024,U.S. Army and Royal Norwegian Army Soldiers took part in bilateral Exercise Arctic Shock,a short notice planning (SNAP) exercise,according to a press release by U.S. Army Europe and Africa.Involved was a flight over the North Pole from Alaska to Bardufoss,Northern Norway for a parachute drop by 150 US paratroopers of the 11th Airborne Division (Arctic Angels),a unit of U.S. Army Pacific,and 100 paratroopers of the Royal Norwegian Army's 2nd Battalion.The scenario was the rapid reinforcement of the Norwegian Armed Forces by Arctic paratroopers from the U.S. Army Pacific.Said MG Brian Effler,11th Arctic Airborne Division's commanding general:This type of exercise shows,once again,Alaska's strategic location in the world and the 11th Arctic Airborne's strategic value to the Army and the nation.We value the chance to work with our Allies in the Norwegian Armed Forces and to learn advanced cold-weather techniques from their vast experience while demonstrating our own growing Arctic professionalism.The Arctic is a critical region for power projection and homeland defence.MG [Lars] Lervik,[chief of the Norwegian Army],and the Norwegian Army are great Allies,and exercises like this are effective in expanding our Arctic cooperation;practising interoperability;and continuing to build our strategic relationships.SNAPs help ensure participants are ready to respond to real-world contingencies with little or no advance notice.*Exercise Arctic Shock is a sub-exercise of Nordic Response,which is part of NATO Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024,the largest NATO drills since the Cold War,featuring approximately 90,000 troops,demonstrating NATO's ability to rapidly deploy forces from North America and other parts of the Alliance to reinforce the defence of Europe.