President Biden arrives in New Orleans - Air Force One - 6 May 2021

DEFENDER-Europe 21:Building Blocks for Combat Ops

The largest NATO exercise of the year, DEFENDER-Europe 21 has begun its active phase in the port of Durres, Albania in the Western Balkans Region of Europe.The initial activity is a Joint Logistics Over the Shore Operation Albania joined NATO in 2009, and NATO Partner and aspirant Bosnia-Herzegovina and member Croatia from the same region are also participants in D-E 21.After the Western Balkans, the drills shift to the Eastern Balkans of Bulgaria and Romania plus Estonia in the Baltic States,then on to nations such as Germany and Hungary.* So D-E 21 began with the arrival last week of USNS Bob Hope (T-AKR-300),a vehicle cargo ship belonging to the US Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC),in the Adriatic Sea off Durres, Albania.The logistics ship has a complement of 26-45 civilian mariners and up to 50 active duty troops.USNS Bob Hope is configured to preposition tanks, trucks and other vehicles and supplies in support of a US Army heavy brigade.It is a roll-on/roll-off vessel. Also arriving at Durres were US Army Logistics Support Vessels MG Charles P. Gross (CSV-5) and SP4 James A. Loux (CSV-6).These large landing craft can beach and discharge up to 15 M1 Abrams tanks each, plus other equipment and supplies.They are part of an Army fleet of about 500 vessels under the US Army Transportation Corps.The two LSVs in Durres are crewed by a complement of eight Army warrant officers and 27 Soldiers each.Few realise that the Army has its own fleet.* According to Pentagon Press Secretary RADM John F. Kirby,US Navy retired,D-E 21 is: focused on deterring aggression, while preparing our forces to respond to crisis and conduct large-scale combat operations if necessary.* Russia has recently built up a force of over 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimea, Ukraine, about which Mr.Kirby noted that: There's still quite a few-I mean there's still a lot of forces arranged against,or aligned along the border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimea.And it's still never been completely clear what the intentions were.* So the atmosphere of crisis instigated by Russia still hangs in the air as D-E 21 ramps up.* Mr.Kirby explained that: DEFENDER-Europe exercise is going to conclude in June, but not before demonstrating joint force readiness, lethality and interoperability, reinforcing the US commitment to our Allies and Partners...* Several component drills make up D-E 21: 1.Swift Response, which is airborne operations in Bulgaria, Romania and Estonia; 2.Immediate Response,which will have more than 5,000 troops from eight countries carrying out live-fire scenarios spread out over 12 nations; 3.Saber Guardian,with over 13,000 troops conducting more live-fire drills conjoined with air and missile defence operations; and 4.A large command post exercise with over 2,000 troops honing command and control skills over a multinational land forces contingent.* U.S. Army Europe and Africa leads the drills, with active support from the US Navy and Air Force.*

Vice President Harris Swears in Bill Nelson as the Administrator of NASA - He is a former Army Reservist,US Senator and Space Shuttle Astronaut.

Vandenberg AFB:April 26 Live Broadcast: Delta IV Heavy NROL-82

NATO Land Forces:DEFENDER-Europe 21

The annual large-scale U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led exercise, DEFENDER-Europe 21, involving 26 NATO and Partner nations, will soon enter its active phase after two months of preparatory activities.The massive effort is intended to build strategic and operational readiness and interoperability.This year, more than 28,000 troops will conduct near-simultaneous drills over more than 30 training areas in 12 countries.According to U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commander GEN Christopher Cavoli: No matter what, our nations count on our forces being ready to defend the peace.DEFENDER-Europe 21 provides us the best opportunity to hone our abilities alongside our allies and partners in the strategically important Balkans and Black Sea region so that, collectively, we are ready to respond to any crisis that may arise.* Supported by the US Air Force and Navy while utilising key ground and maritime routes bridging Europe, Asia and Africa,D-E 21 will incorporate new or high-end capabilities in air and missile defence assets,as well as assets from U.S. Army Security Assistance Brigades and the newly reactivated V Corps, which is under the command of LTG John Kol asheski.V Corps will build readiness in their march toward full operational capability and promote interoperability among Allies and Partners,LTG Kolasheski indicated. On 16 October 2020,U.S. Army V Corps reactivated at Fort Knox, Kentucky, reversing its deactivation in 2013.The reactivation at the request of U.S. European Command was meant to posture our forces to meet the obligations of the National Defense Strategy, and to compete in a dynamic battle space with our adversaries, filling a critical gap and thus setting conditions for a safe and prosperous Europe. Explained Army Chief of Staff GEN James McConville: The activation of an additional Corps Headquarters provides the needed level of command and control focused on synchronizing U.S. Army,allied and partner nation tactical formations operating in Europe.* The 2018 NDS emphasises great power competition with near-peer adversaries such as Russia and China over low-intensity conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq. On 20 November 2020,U.S. Army V Corps activated its new forward HQ in Poznan, Poland, where it can command and control NATO'S Eastern Flank.The forward HQ has a designated strength of 200 Soldiers, with 435 others stationed at Fort Knox.Full operational capability of the forward HQ is slated for November 2021.Indeed, Polish MG Adam Joks was appointed Deputy Commander of V Corps-the first ever Polish general officer to serve in such a command capacity in the US military. V Corps was founded in 1918 in Europe during World War I.Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2014 figured in reactivation of the unit, which facilitates NATO'S enhanced Forward Presence initiative.* Equipment for D-E 21 began its journey from the US in March.This month,participating units have been drawing Army Prepositioned Stock from sites in Germany,Italy and the Netherlands. Airborne operations,live fire training,missile defence and a large-scale medical evacuation will be staged.The Airborne operations will take place in Estonia, Bulgaria and Romania from early to mid-May.D-E 21 concludes in June with the transit of US-based forces and equipment from the homeland to Europe. D-E 21 will showcase the ironclad U.S. commitment to NATO;be a prime example of our collective capabilities; and demonstrate that NATO Allies and Partners stand stronger together,U.S. Army Europe and Africa observed.*

What's Trending in Aerospace - April 25, 2021 - Aviation Today

What's Trending in Aerospace - April 25, 2021 - Aviation Today: Check out the April 25 edition of What's Trending in Aerospace with some of the latest headlines occurring around the global industry.

NATO'S New Juggernaut:US Navy Warship,Marine Corps Aircraft Deploy With UK Aircraft Carrier

On 19 April 2021 the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) left Mayport, Florida on deployment to British Carrier Task Group 21 (HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) Strike Group). Also joining the CTG will be a Royal Netherlands Navy frigate and a detachment of US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VFMA 211). The Royal Navy CTG reportedly consists of two destroyers;two frigates;an attack submarine;Royal Air Force F-35Bs and Merlin helicopters;plus two sustainment ships.* Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet noted that: The inclusion of U.S. forces in the strike group will improve expeditionary capabilities and interoperability between NATO allies, demonstrating the United States' commitment to the NATO alliance.* Said CDR David Burkett,CO of The Sullivans: It is an honor to sail in this elite multi-national strike group on the frontline demonstrating a fully integrated force that showcases the special relationship that our countries have.* Of late The Sullivans completed a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPUTEX) with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.One of the drills was a NATO vignette which provided familiarity training to facilitate Allied maritime interoperability and integration through using NATO procedures, messaging formats and chat capabilities. According to Royal Navy Commodore Tom Guy of Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence: To ensure truly effective deterrence and defence in the North Atlantic,we need to make sure that the navies of NATO can work as one team, and that means interoperability.This NATO vignette has been a great step forward in pursuing allied interoperability.CJOS COE looks forward to continuing to develop this for future deploying Strike Groups.* Additionally, The Sullivans had joined UK-led Exercise Joint Warrior 20-2 last October, increasing her readiness for the international deployment.* The Sunday Times reported that two Royal Navy warships from the CTG 21 will peel off into the Black Sea in response to Russia's precipitation of a crisis by building up its forces in occupied Crimea and along the border with Eastern Ukraine.The Russian forces number about 100,000 troops, which is more than when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The Type 45 destroyer and Type 23 frigate will peel off from the CTG in the Mediterranean Sea and sail through the Bosphorous Strait into the Black Sea, according to senior naval sources.* It is HMS Queen Elizabeth's first deployment and the CTG is planned to transit the Mediterranean,Suez Canal, Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific,interoperating with allies such as Japan during the mission.*