Tuesday, January 30, 2018
NATO Tests Air Power in Portugal:Real Thaw 18
NATO's Exercise Real Thaw 18 has been launched at the Portuguese Air Force's Air Base No.5 in Monte Real.Running from 29 January to 9 February 2018,this tenth iteration of the annual warfighting drills is intended to evaluate and certify the PAF's operational capability by replicating a realistic environment,as close as possible to current operational theatres,encompassing air,sea and land operations.*
Some 35 aircraft and 1500 personnel from Allies Denmark,France,the Netherlands,Portugal,Spain,the US and NATO will take part in RT18.Led by the PAF and featuring Portuguese Army and Navy units as well,the exercise's live fire missions will enhance air defence;convoy protection in humanitarian missions;close air support to ground forces and Special Operations Forces;extraction operations of military and civilian elements;cargo and paratrooper drop operations;combat search and rescue;aeromedical evacuations;civil-military cooperation;conventional guided and high accuracy ordnance attacks;and conventional attacks on maritime forces,NATO said.The drills' flying assets will be controlled by NATO E-3A and French E-3F AWACS aircraft.*
RT18 missions will be executed nationwide,day and night,in air,on land and at sea,with the proper precautions in place to protect the civilian populace and the environment.Some of the Allied aircraft involved are the Danish F-16 Fighting Falcon;Spanish F/A-18 Hornet;and US Air Force C-130J Tactical Air Transport from the 94th Airlift Wing out of Dobbins AFB,Georgia.
Some 35 aircraft and 1500 personnel from Allies Denmark,France,the Netherlands,Portugal,Spain,the US and NATO will take part in RT18.Led by the PAF and featuring Portuguese Army and Navy units as well,the exercise's live fire missions will enhance air defence;convoy protection in humanitarian missions;close air support to ground forces and Special Operations Forces;extraction operations of military and civilian elements;cargo and paratrooper drop operations;combat search and rescue;aeromedical evacuations;civil-military cooperation;conventional guided and high accuracy ordnance attacks;and conventional attacks on maritime forces,NATO said.The drills' flying assets will be controlled by NATO E-3A and French E-3F AWACS aircraft.*
RT18 missions will be executed nationwide,day and night,in air,on land and at sea,with the proper precautions in place to protect the civilian populace and the environment.Some of the Allied aircraft involved are the Danish F-16 Fighting Falcon;Spanish F/A-18 Hornet;and US Air Force C-130J Tactical Air Transport from the 94th Airlift Wing out of Dobbins AFB,Georgia.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
NATO's Allied Spirit On Display in Germany
NATO Exercise Allied Spirit VIII has commenced at 7th Army Training Command's Hohenfeld Training Area in Southeastern Germany.The drills began on 15 January 2018 and run until 5 February.About 4100 troops from 10 countries are taking part in the initiative:Albania;Canada;the Czech Republic;Denmark;Italy;Lithuania;Poland;Romania;the UK;and the US.*
Poland's 12th Mechanised Brigade,the Blue Brigade from Szczecin,is commanding the multinational brigade HQ.This assignment will test its ability to plan,manage and implement the logistics security process,including subordinate international forces.AS VIII is the first exercise where a NATO Ally,Poland,is bringing the full complement of manoeuvre warfare capabilities to a combat training centre environment.About 2420 US and 1680 Allied Soldiers will gain practical experience and test secure communications between NATO Allies and partners,working together in and for a multinational effort.*
Participating in Allied Spirit VIII means building interoperability for NATO,truly demonstrating NATO integration.It will develop and enhance NATO and key partner interoperability and readiness across the specified warfighting functions,according to US Army Europe.
Poland's 12th Mechanised Brigade,the Blue Brigade from Szczecin,is commanding the multinational brigade HQ.This assignment will test its ability to plan,manage and implement the logistics security process,including subordinate international forces.AS VIII is the first exercise where a NATO Ally,Poland,is bringing the full complement of manoeuvre warfare capabilities to a combat training centre environment.About 2420 US and 1680 Allied Soldiers will gain practical experience and test secure communications between NATO Allies and partners,working together in and for a multinational effort.*
Participating in Allied Spirit VIII means building interoperability for NATO,truly demonstrating NATO integration.It will develop and enhance NATO and key partner interoperability and readiness across the specified warfighting functions,according to US Army Europe.
DIA welcomes New Zealander as 2nd Deputy Director for Commonwealth Int
DIA welcomes New Zealander as 2nd Deputy Director for Commonwealth Int: The Defense Intelligence Agency announced the appointment of Maj. Gen. John Howard, New Zealand Defence Forces, as the agency’s second deputy director for commonwealth integration.
Saturday, January 20, 2018
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Russia Probes British Defences by Sea and Air - Belgian fighter jets among responders
The Russian military has been probing the UK's area of national interest in recent weeks,raising NATO concern as fighting between the Ukrainian Army and Russian-backed rebels intensified in Eastern Ukraine.On 8 January 2018,the Royal Navy Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster intercepted and escorted two Russian warships,the Stereguschin-class frigates Soobrazitelny and Boiky,plus their support ships Paradoks and Kola,out of the English Channel.
Commander Simon Kelly,commanding officer of the Westminster,explained:
The English Channel is an absolute lifeline for the UK,and it is very important that HMS Westminster and the Royal Navy maintains a watchful eye on this key strategic link.*
Presumably,the Russian warships have by now returned to their Baltic homeport.*
In the Baltic State of Estonia,Britain has deployed its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) artillery,which is long range and precision-guided by GPS,along with 800 troops as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence strategy.*
On 15 January,the RAF launched Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth,Scotland,on a quick reaction alert as two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bombers approached the UK.The Russian Defence Ministry said their bombers were escorted by Belgian F-16s as well as British Typhoons at different stages of their mission.*
According to the UK Ministry of Defence:
The RAF worked closely with NATO partners to monitor the jets as they passed through a variety of international airspace,before they were intercepted by the RAF over the North Sea.Subsequently,our fighters escorted the Russian Blackjacks North,out of the UK's area of interest.At no time did the bombers enter UK sovereign airspace.*
For his part,British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
The threats this country faces are intensifying and we will not hesitate in defending our skies from acts of aggression.Our excellent RAF tracked the Russian aircraft every step of the way,and they continue to police UK and international airspace every hour of every day,to help keep the British people safe.*
RAF QRA was launched today because the Russian military aircraft were not talking to air traffic agencies,the MOD added.
Commander Simon Kelly,commanding officer of the Westminster,explained:
The English Channel is an absolute lifeline for the UK,and it is very important that HMS Westminster and the Royal Navy maintains a watchful eye on this key strategic link.*
Presumably,the Russian warships have by now returned to their Baltic homeport.*
In the Baltic State of Estonia,Britain has deployed its Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) artillery,which is long range and precision-guided by GPS,along with 800 troops as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence strategy.*
On 15 January,the RAF launched Typhoon aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth,Scotland,on a quick reaction alert as two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack bombers approached the UK.The Russian Defence Ministry said their bombers were escorted by Belgian F-16s as well as British Typhoons at different stages of their mission.*
According to the UK Ministry of Defence:
The RAF worked closely with NATO partners to monitor the jets as they passed through a variety of international airspace,before they were intercepted by the RAF over the North Sea.Subsequently,our fighters escorted the Russian Blackjacks North,out of the UK's area of interest.At no time did the bombers enter UK sovereign airspace.*
For his part,British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
The threats this country faces are intensifying and we will not hesitate in defending our skies from acts of aggression.Our excellent RAF tracked the Russian aircraft every step of the way,and they continue to police UK and international airspace every hour of every day,to help keep the British people safe.*
RAF QRA was launched today because the Russian military aircraft were not talking to air traffic agencies,the MOD added.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Orion Program Update:2018,a year of urgent tasks
The year 2018 will see a great amount of activity at NASA and contractor centres to prepare for the launch of the first integrated test of the Orion system,Exploration Mission-1,an uncrewed mission targeted for 2019.NASA aims to have all major hardware completed by the end of 2018.At the same time,construction for the first crewed mission of Orion,EM-2,planned for the early 2020s,has already begun and will continue apace thoughout 2018.*
In early 2018,NASA says the heat shield will be bolted to the EM-1 crew module.When
the ESA Orion Service Module,or powerhouse,arrives from Europe,it will be mated with and stacked beneath the crew module.In January,the US Navy and NASA personnel will again be refining capsule recovery procedures off the California coast.*
Over the course of 2018,the core stage of the new Space Launch System,the world's most powerful rocket,will be completed and its four RS-25 main engines,evolved from the Space Shuttle main engines and built by Aerojet Rocketdyne,will then be attached to it.*
In spring 2018,the mobile launcher will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center for testing of the fit between launcher and pad systems,then be trucked to the huge Vehicle Assembly Building for testing of mount mechanisms;ignition overpressure and sound suppression water pipes;nitrogen and helium supply lines;and access platforms.Then it's back to the pad once more for several months of full system testing.*
In summer 2018,critical software updates for command and control in support of EM-1 will be wrapped up.In 2019,the complete Orion system will be stacked,integrated,tested and rolled out to the pad to await launch.The ultimate goal of the program is to produce a flexible,reuseable and sustainable infrastructure that will support deep space missions of graduated complexity for decades to come.*
EM-1,besides testing the integrated Orion system,will also be carrying a payload of 13 small satellites for a broad spectrum of research projects.*
At the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide,Australia on 27 September 2017,NASA and the Russian Space Agency,Roscosmos,signed a joint statement on a common vision for human exploration.Indeed,the entire ISS partnership of NASA,Roscosmos,Canada,ESA and Japan are intent on ensuring that full advantage be taken of ISS technological development and demonstration,as well as of lessons learned from its assembly and operations for this future exploration.
For its part,industry is currently devising a series of study and risk reduction concepts for NASA's Deep Space Gateway,which is to be a small space station in lunar orbit for support of Orion missions,and for the transport needed for Mars exploration.Those awarded contracts for the effort include Bigelow Aerospace;Boeing;Lockheed Martin;Orbital ATK;Sierra Nevada Corporation;and Nanoracks.Five of the six companies have been chosen to develop full-sized ground-based engineering prototypes of habitation systems to be completed in 2018.NASA has also solicited industry for proposals for studies on concept development of a power and propulsion element,which will be the first pieces of Deep Space Gateway architecture to be placed in lunar orbit.*
NASA and The National Space Council,chaired by Vice President Mike Pence,is committed to carrying on in the spirit of international and industry cooperation that has characterised the ISS.*
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc,NYSE:AJRD
In early 2018,NASA says the heat shield will be bolted to the EM-1 crew module.When
the ESA Orion Service Module,or powerhouse,arrives from Europe,it will be mated with and stacked beneath the crew module.In January,the US Navy and NASA personnel will again be refining capsule recovery procedures off the California coast.*
Over the course of 2018,the core stage of the new Space Launch System,the world's most powerful rocket,will be completed and its four RS-25 main engines,evolved from the Space Shuttle main engines and built by Aerojet Rocketdyne,will then be attached to it.*
In spring 2018,the mobile launcher will be rolled out to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center for testing of the fit between launcher and pad systems,then be trucked to the huge Vehicle Assembly Building for testing of mount mechanisms;ignition overpressure and sound suppression water pipes;nitrogen and helium supply lines;and access platforms.Then it's back to the pad once more for several months of full system testing.*
In summer 2018,critical software updates for command and control in support of EM-1 will be wrapped up.In 2019,the complete Orion system will be stacked,integrated,tested and rolled out to the pad to await launch.The ultimate goal of the program is to produce a flexible,reuseable and sustainable infrastructure that will support deep space missions of graduated complexity for decades to come.*
EM-1,besides testing the integrated Orion system,will also be carrying a payload of 13 small satellites for a broad spectrum of research projects.*
At the 68th International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide,Australia on 27 September 2017,NASA and the Russian Space Agency,Roscosmos,signed a joint statement on a common vision for human exploration.Indeed,the entire ISS partnership of NASA,Roscosmos,Canada,ESA and Japan are intent on ensuring that full advantage be taken of ISS technological development and demonstration,as well as of lessons learned from its assembly and operations for this future exploration.
For its part,industry is currently devising a series of study and risk reduction concepts for NASA's Deep Space Gateway,which is to be a small space station in lunar orbit for support of Orion missions,and for the transport needed for Mars exploration.Those awarded contracts for the effort include Bigelow Aerospace;Boeing;Lockheed Martin;Orbital ATK;Sierra Nevada Corporation;and Nanoracks.Five of the six companies have been chosen to develop full-sized ground-based engineering prototypes of habitation systems to be completed in 2018.NASA has also solicited industry for proposals for studies on concept development of a power and propulsion element,which will be the first pieces of Deep Space Gateway architecture to be placed in lunar orbit.*
NASA and The National Space Council,chaired by Vice President Mike Pence,is committed to carrying on in the spirit of international and industry cooperation that has characterised the ISS.*
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc,NYSE:AJRD
Monday, January 8, 2018
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Soldier Killed in Action Identified - Green Beret was immigrant from the Baltic States
The office of Senator Cory Booker,D-New Jersey,has identified the US Soldier who was killed in Achin district of Nangarhar Province,Afghanistan on 1 January 2018.US Army First Sergeant Mihail Golin,34,of Fort Lee,New Jersey,was killed by enemy fire while on dismounted patrol in the mountainous region near the Pakistani border that has been the haven of ISIL-K Islamist extremists.SGT Golin was a member of the 2nd Battalion,10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Carson,Colorado.*
SGT Golin had immigrated to the US from NATO Ally Latvia when he was 21.His father,David Golin,said he was proud of his son,who wanted to serve his new country.Other survivors include SGT Golin's ex-wife and a daughter,6.*
It's been pointed out by several media outlets that NATO's Resolute Support Mission commander,US Army General John Nicholson,has warned that the President's new,more assertive South Asia policy would expose US troops to more danger in Afghanistan.They are embedding with Afghan National Defence and Security Forces closer to the front lines,in addition to continuing the counterterror raids that were already being staged with Afghan commandos.
SGT Golin had immigrated to the US from NATO Ally Latvia when he was 21.His father,David Golin,said he was proud of his son,who wanted to serve his new country.Other survivors include SGT Golin's ex-wife and a daughter,6.*
It's been pointed out by several media outlets that NATO's Resolute Support Mission commander,US Army General John Nicholson,has warned that the President's new,more assertive South Asia policy would expose US troops to more danger in Afghanistan.They are embedding with Afghan National Defence and Security Forces closer to the front lines,in addition to continuing the counterterror raids that were already being staged with Afghan commandos.
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
NATO:First Afghan War Death in 2018 - American killed in action
An American service member was killed during combat operations in Achin district of Nangarhar Province,Afghanistan,NATO'S Resolute Support Mission announced on 2 January 2018.Four other service members were wounded in the battle.No names or other details of the incident were disclosed.*
The Pentagon later said that two of the wounded had returned to duty and the other two remained in hospital.US and Afghan National Defence and Security Forces have conducted several raids against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan militants in Nangarhar Province in recent years.General John Nicholson,commander of all NATO and US Forces in Afghanistan,had a stated goal of eliminating ISIL-K in 2017.*
In 2017,the US lost a total of 15 troops in Afghanistan,11 of them killed in action.*
The Resolute Support coalition includes 39 NATO Allies and Partners.The US participates under the name Operation Freedom's Sentinel,providing train,advise and assist,as well as counterterrorism operations and air support.
The Pentagon later said that two of the wounded had returned to duty and the other two remained in hospital.US and Afghan National Defence and Security Forces have conducted several raids against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan militants in Nangarhar Province in recent years.General John Nicholson,commander of all NATO and US Forces in Afghanistan,had a stated goal of eliminating ISIL-K in 2017.*
In 2017,the US lost a total of 15 troops in Afghanistan,11 of them killed in action.*
The Resolute Support coalition includes 39 NATO Allies and Partners.The US participates under the name Operation Freedom's Sentinel,providing train,advise and assist,as well as counterterrorism operations and air support.
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