Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Afghan War Update:US Air Force A-10s,UAV Rain Fire on Taliban in Extended Air Operation,USF-A Reveals
New details received from Task Force-Southwest today,30 May,indicate that US Forces-Afghanistan conducted a series of precision strikes over a ten day period,17-26 May 2018,killing more than 70 senior Taliban leaders.Outgoing USF-A and NATO Resolute Support commander GEN John Nicholson,US Army,added:
These strikes represent one of the largest blows to Taliban leadership in the last year,the cumulative effects of which will be felt nationwide for quite some time.*
The most devastating of the strikes was previously reported by this blog on 29 May,having occurred on 24 May.In the course of the HIMARS rocket artillery barrage by US Marines,four HIMARS rockets destroyed a known Taliban command and control node in Musa Qalah during a high-level gathering of Taliban commanders.Among the more than 50 casualties was the deputy shadow governor of Helmand Province;multiple Taliban district governors;intelligence commanders;and key provincial leadership from Kandahar,Kunduz,Herat,Farah,Uruzgu and Helmand Provinces.*
Also on 24 May,USAF A-10s struck a Taliban Red Unit commander for Helmand and his associate as they transited Sangin district.On 25 May,a shadow district governor was killed and a shadow district headquarters was destroyed in Nahr-e-Saraj by A-10s.*
On 26 May,an MQ-1c Gray Eagle UAV killed a senior IED facilitator who had coordinated IED operations against the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces;international forces;and the Afghan people for 13 years.Within the same period of 17-26 May,more than 15 other Taliban Islamist extremists were killed in separate strikes throughout Helmand.*
In conclusion,GEN Nicholson promised that:
As we continue the season of talking and fighting,we will continue to increase pressure on the Taliban and remain vigilant to opportunities for negotiated peace.
These strikes represent one of the largest blows to Taliban leadership in the last year,the cumulative effects of which will be felt nationwide for quite some time.*
The most devastating of the strikes was previously reported by this blog on 29 May,having occurred on 24 May.In the course of the HIMARS rocket artillery barrage by US Marines,four HIMARS rockets destroyed a known Taliban command and control node in Musa Qalah during a high-level gathering of Taliban commanders.Among the more than 50 casualties was the deputy shadow governor of Helmand Province;multiple Taliban district governors;intelligence commanders;and key provincial leadership from Kandahar,Kunduz,Herat,Farah,Uruzgu and Helmand Provinces.*
Also on 24 May,USAF A-10s struck a Taliban Red Unit commander for Helmand and his associate as they transited Sangin district.On 25 May,a shadow district governor was killed and a shadow district headquarters was destroyed in Nahr-e-Saraj by A-10s.*
On 26 May,an MQ-1c Gray Eagle UAV killed a senior IED facilitator who had coordinated IED operations against the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces;international forces;and the Afghan people for 13 years.Within the same period of 17-26 May,more than 15 other Taliban Islamist extremists were killed in separate strikes throughout Helmand.*
In conclusion,GEN Nicholson promised that:
As we continue the season of talking and fighting,we will continue to increase pressure on the Taliban and remain vigilant to opportunities for negotiated peace.
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Afghan War:US Marines Attack High Level Taliban Targets
According to US Forces-Afghanistan,on 24 May 2018,US Marines in Task Force-Southwest conducted a strike on Taliban militants using the M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).The strike was aimed at a command and control node for high-level Taliban leaders in Musa Qala district,Helmand Province.The structure targeted was a known gathering point for the Islamist extremist leaders,where they planned and facilitated attacks on the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces,who are working to secure the area's elections.
TF-SW commander BGEN Benjamin T. Watson,USMC,explained:
One way we support our Afghan partners is with kinetic strikes so they are able to maintain the offensive.Strikes like this not only degrade Taliban operations,but also give our partners the ability to maintain pressure against a weakened enemy.*
TF-SW has been deployed in Helmand since April 2017 to train,advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and the Afghan National Police 505th Zone.*
US Forces-Afghanistan was set up in 2005 and is a US-led mission to direct and enable US military operations in support of NATO's Resolute Support Mission,sustaining campaign momentum in the besieged nation.Currently there are about 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.Besides training the ANDSF,they engage the enemy in combat operations such as air and artillery strikes,as well as counter-terrorist raids alongside ANDSF Special Operations Forces.
TF-SW commander BGEN Benjamin T. Watson,USMC,explained:
One way we support our Afghan partners is with kinetic strikes so they are able to maintain the offensive.Strikes like this not only degrade Taliban operations,but also give our partners the ability to maintain pressure against a weakened enemy.*
TF-SW has been deployed in Helmand since April 2017 to train,advise and assist the Afghan National Army 215th Corps and the Afghan National Police 505th Zone.*
US Forces-Afghanistan was set up in 2005 and is a US-led mission to direct and enable US military operations in support of NATO's Resolute Support Mission,sustaining campaign momentum in the besieged nation.Currently there are about 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.Besides training the ANDSF,they engage the enemy in combat operations such as air and artillery strikes,as well as counter-terrorist raids alongside ANDSF Special Operations Forces.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Groundwork for War:NATO Partner Sweden Prints Leaflets as Alliance Readies Massive Exercise
Sweden,appalled by Russia's illegal and unprincipled acts of recent years,such as the invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014,has recently printed and mailed 4.7 million leaflets to all its households entitled "If Crisis or War Comes." The leaflet advises:
Think about how you and people around you will be able to cope with a major strain.*
The publication recommends steps such as the following:
Stock up on non-perishable food such as canned sardines and energy bars.
To combat the cold,darkness and communications blackout during a power failure,obtain woolen clothing,sleeping bags,as well as candles and lanterns,battery-powered radios and a mobile phone charger adaptable to automobiles.*
It also covers where to find clean water and bomb shelters in Sweden.Besides conventional war,the leaflet covers cyber and terrorist attacks,natural disasters and major accidents.*
According to a 4 April 2018 article in NATO Review magazine by Dr.Bjorn van Sydow,Swedish Defence Commissioner and Head of Sweden's delegation to NATO's Parliamentary Assembly:
There is now a growing realisation among NATO members and partners that challenges to European security and the rules-based international order must be met by rapidly transforming our defence postures and preparing our societies for the harshness of armed conflict.Deterrence and reassurance built on increased cooperation and joint action are necessary steps,but,on the national level,every country must also improve their societal preparedness to meet this new security environment.Consequently,the key printing of the present Swedish Defence Bill,passed in 2015,is to enhance the warfighting capability of the Armed Forces.This includes the development of a Total Defence concept encompassing both military and civilian defence in a whole-of-society approach to security.*
For its part,NATO Joint Forces Command Naples is already preparing Exercise Trident Juncture 2018,the largest NATO drill,which is held every three years.The live portion of the drills is sited in Northern and Central Norway in October 2018,while JFC Naples and designated subordinate commands will be seeking certification as NRF 2019 during the command post exercise in November.More than 30 countries will take part in TJ 18.The scenarios will train the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force,or VJTF,and its parent,the NATO Response Force 2019.
Admiral James Foggo,US Navy,Commander US Naval Forces Europe,US Naval Forces Africa and JFC Naples,explained:
We are not an offensive Alliance;we don't go looking for a fight;but we will defend our territory and we will deter any adversary who takes action against us.So we're going to prove that here in October when we do Trident Juncture 18.*
Consequently,JFC Naples has deployed its Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team to Bodo,Norway.This small unit will liaise with Norwegian authorities along with military and civilian counterparts as the environment surrounding the exercise scenario develops.*
TJ 18 will involve nearly 40,000 troops;70 ships;and 130 aircraft.
Think about how you and people around you will be able to cope with a major strain.*
The publication recommends steps such as the following:
Stock up on non-perishable food such as canned sardines and energy bars.
To combat the cold,darkness and communications blackout during a power failure,obtain woolen clothing,sleeping bags,as well as candles and lanterns,battery-powered radios and a mobile phone charger adaptable to automobiles.*
It also covers where to find clean water and bomb shelters in Sweden.Besides conventional war,the leaflet covers cyber and terrorist attacks,natural disasters and major accidents.*
According to a 4 April 2018 article in NATO Review magazine by Dr.Bjorn van Sydow,Swedish Defence Commissioner and Head of Sweden's delegation to NATO's Parliamentary Assembly:
There is now a growing realisation among NATO members and partners that challenges to European security and the rules-based international order must be met by rapidly transforming our defence postures and preparing our societies for the harshness of armed conflict.Deterrence and reassurance built on increased cooperation and joint action are necessary steps,but,on the national level,every country must also improve their societal preparedness to meet this new security environment.Consequently,the key printing of the present Swedish Defence Bill,passed in 2015,is to enhance the warfighting capability of the Armed Forces.This includes the development of a Total Defence concept encompassing both military and civilian defence in a whole-of-society approach to security.*
For its part,NATO Joint Forces Command Naples is already preparing Exercise Trident Juncture 2018,the largest NATO drill,which is held every three years.The live portion of the drills is sited in Northern and Central Norway in October 2018,while JFC Naples and designated subordinate commands will be seeking certification as NRF 2019 during the command post exercise in November.More than 30 countries will take part in TJ 18.The scenarios will train the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force,or VJTF,and its parent,the NATO Response Force 2019.
Admiral James Foggo,US Navy,Commander US Naval Forces Europe,US Naval Forces Africa and JFC Naples,explained:
We are not an offensive Alliance;we don't go looking for a fight;but we will defend our territory and we will deter any adversary who takes action against us.So we're going to prove that here in October when we do Trident Juncture 18.*
Consequently,JFC Naples has deployed its Operational Liaison and Reconnaissance Team to Bodo,Norway.This small unit will liaise with Norwegian authorities along with military and civilian counterparts as the environment surrounding the exercise scenario develops.*
TJ 18 will involve nearly 40,000 troops;70 ships;and 130 aircraft.
Monday, May 21, 2018
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Operation Inherent Resolve:Euphrates River Valley
By 8 May 2018,the Syrian Democratic Forces,assisted by Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve,had resumed their offensive operations to clear the final Daesh territories in Eastern Syria,according to MGEN Felix Gedney,British Army,Deputy Commander of CJTF-OIR.This manifested as SDF moving to secure the Syrian-Iraqi border by eliminating Daesh resistance and establishing defensive posts in coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces,who are operating on the other side of the border.*
Daesh is the Arabic word for the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.*
At the same time,from 4-10 May,CJTF-OIR conducted 53 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against Daesh.For example,in Syria:
On 10 May,a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece near Dayr Az Zawr;
on 9 May,near Shadaddi,a strike destroyed an ISIL VBIED factory;and,near Dayz Az Zawr,a strike destroyed an ISIL IED belt.
In Iraq:
On 7 May,near Kisik,coalition military forces conducted a strike destroying 3 ISIL tunnels and a weapons cache;
On 5 May,near Mosul,two strikes destroyed 7 ISIL tunnel systems;near Makhmur,a strike destroyed an ISIL cave.*
Strikes are conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft;rocket-propelled artillery;and ground-based artillery.*
As of now,ground operations by the SDF,coupled with intelligence,surveillance and fire support provided by CJTF-OIR,are having a devastating effect as SDF continues to liberate lands held by Daesh terrorists.Fighter jets from France are providing precision fires to crush the last of Daesh's fake caliphate.As we have proven many,many times over the course of this campaign,CJTF-OIR will relentlessly pursue ISIS (another name for ISIL) wherever they are,until we have destroyed all of ISIS' geographic holdings,MGEN Gedney tweeted.
Daesh is the Arabic word for the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.*
At the same time,from 4-10 May,CJTF-OIR conducted 53 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against Daesh.For example,in Syria:
On 10 May,a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece near Dayr Az Zawr;
on 9 May,near Shadaddi,a strike destroyed an ISIL VBIED factory;and,near Dayz Az Zawr,a strike destroyed an ISIL IED belt.
In Iraq:
On 7 May,near Kisik,coalition military forces conducted a strike destroying 3 ISIL tunnels and a weapons cache;
On 5 May,near Mosul,two strikes destroyed 7 ISIL tunnel systems;near Makhmur,a strike destroyed an ISIL cave.*
Strikes are conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft;rocket-propelled artillery;and ground-based artillery.*
As of now,ground operations by the SDF,coupled with intelligence,surveillance and fire support provided by CJTF-OIR,are having a devastating effect as SDF continues to liberate lands held by Daesh terrorists.Fighter jets from France are providing precision fires to crush the last of Daesh's fake caliphate.As we have proven many,many times over the course of this campaign,CJTF-OIR will relentlessly pursue ISIS (another name for ISIL) wherever they are,until we have destroyed all of ISIS' geographic holdings,MGEN Gedney tweeted.
Monday, May 14, 2018
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Romania:Russian Spy Plane Draws British Fighter Intercept
At Mihail Kogalniceanu Airbase,Romania,two RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled on 3 MAY 2018 when a Russian IL-20 Coot reconnaissance aircraft was detected approaching NATO airspace over the Black Sea.The Typhoons under 135 Air Expeditionary Wing are serving in NATO's Enhanced Air Policing mission,supplementing the Romanian Air Force as one of the Assurance Measures adopted by NATO in 2014 to demonstrate the collective will of the Alliance;demonstrate its defensive nature;and deter Russia from aggression or the threat of aggression against NATO Allies,Allied Air Command explained.*
It was the Typhoon Eurofighters' first scramble of their current deployment.According to Squadron Leader Roger Cruickshank:
Quickly climbing to height and nearly supersonic,it was down to the superb collective response alongside our Romanian partners that we were able to successfully complete our mission.*
The Il-20 never got within visual range of the Typhoons and was tracked departing the area on a Northeast bearing.The prop aircraft is used for long-range reconnaissance missions.A converted civilian plane,it has a top speed of 410 mph and a range of 2200 miles.In contrast,the Typhoon can zip past at up to 1550 mph,with a range of 2355 mph.It can brandish a full array of advanced armament,including a cannon,missiles and bombs.
It was the Typhoon Eurofighters' first scramble of their current deployment.According to Squadron Leader Roger Cruickshank:
Quickly climbing to height and nearly supersonic,it was down to the superb collective response alongside our Romanian partners that we were able to successfully complete our mission.*
The Il-20 never got within visual range of the Typhoons and was tracked departing the area on a Northeast bearing.The prop aircraft is used for long-range reconnaissance missions.A converted civilian plane,it has a top speed of 410 mph and a range of 2200 miles.In contrast,the Typhoon can zip past at up to 1550 mph,with a range of 2355 mph.It can brandish a full array of advanced armament,including a cannon,missiles and bombs.
Saturday, May 5, 2018
Thursday, May 3, 2018
US Soldier Killed in Action Identified - was assisting Special Operations Forces
The Pentagon has identified the US service member killed in action on 30 April 2018 in Eastern Afghanistan.Army Specialist Gabriel D. Conde,22,of Loveland,Colorado was killed by enemy small arms fire while serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the US counter-terror role in Afghanistan.*
SPEC Conde was providing security to Special Operations Forces on a joint US/Afghan mission against Islamist extremist Taliban officials in Tagab district of Kapisa Province,east of the Afghan capital Kabul.He was a member of 3rd Battalion,509th Infantry Regiment,4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne),25th Infantry Division out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,Alaska.Such infantry units are routinely deployed to provide security assistance to SOFs in Afghanistan.*
SPEC Conde was on his first deployment to Afghanistan and nearly finished with his tour.So far,the Taliban militants have spurned offers of peace talks from the Afghan government of President Ashraf Ghani.
SPEC Conde was providing security to Special Operations Forces on a joint US/Afghan mission against Islamist extremist Taliban officials in Tagab district of Kapisa Province,east of the Afghan capital Kabul.He was a member of 3rd Battalion,509th Infantry Regiment,4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne),25th Infantry Division out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson,Alaska.Such infantry units are routinely deployed to provide security assistance to SOFs in Afghanistan.*
SPEC Conde was on his first deployment to Afghanistan and nearly finished with his tour.So far,the Taliban militants have spurned offers of peace talks from the Afghan government of President Ashraf Ghani.
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Afghan War:US Service Member Killed in Action along with several Afghan troops;another US service member was wounded and eight NATO troops were wounded in a day of widespread hostilities
A spree of militant attacks killed and wounded several NATO and Afghan troops,as well as nearly a dozen Afghan journalists on 30 April 2018.The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant,which has an affiliate known as the Khorasan Group in the unstable nation,claimed responsibility for the carnage in the Afghan capital Kabul,which killed at least 25 people,including nine Afghan journalists.
Meanwhile,US Forces Afghanistan said an American service member died in an attack during a combat operation in Eastern Afghanistan,which has been a hotbed of Khorasan Group activity the past three years.Another US service member was wounded in the incident and was evacuated to Bagram Airbase in stable condition.In the same attack,several Afghan troops were also killed and wounded.
In Khost Province of Eastern Afghanistan,BBC reporter Ahmad Shah,29,was shot dead,bringing the total journalist deaths for the day to ten.*
In Kandahar city of Southeast Afghanistan,eight Romanian NATO troops were reportedly wounded when a VBIED exploded,which also killed 11 children who were in a nearby religious school.*
Details are sketchy at this time until families have been notified and investigations carried out.*
*The US currently has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan-up to 8,000 are Special Operations Forces often embedding with Afghan commandos and sent on counterror raids against the ISIL Islamist extremists in the Khorasan Group.Since the number of US troops was increased following the commencement of President Donald Trump's South Asia strategy,more US soldiers were expected to be sent to the front lines with the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.*
At the recent Foreign Ministerial meeting in Brussels,NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said many NATO members were upping their troop numbers to better assist Afghanistan.
Meanwhile,US Forces Afghanistan said an American service member died in an attack during a combat operation in Eastern Afghanistan,which has been a hotbed of Khorasan Group activity the past three years.Another US service member was wounded in the incident and was evacuated to Bagram Airbase in stable condition.In the same attack,several Afghan troops were also killed and wounded.
In Khost Province of Eastern Afghanistan,BBC reporter Ahmad Shah,29,was shot dead,bringing the total journalist deaths for the day to ten.*
In Kandahar city of Southeast Afghanistan,eight Romanian NATO troops were reportedly wounded when a VBIED exploded,which also killed 11 children who were in a nearby religious school.*
Details are sketchy at this time until families have been notified and investigations carried out.*
*The US currently has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan-up to 8,000 are Special Operations Forces often embedding with Afghan commandos and sent on counterror raids against the ISIL Islamist extremists in the Khorasan Group.Since the number of US troops was increased following the commencement of President Donald Trump's South Asia strategy,more US soldiers were expected to be sent to the front lines with the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.*
At the recent Foreign Ministerial meeting in Brussels,NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said many NATO members were upping their troop numbers to better assist Afghanistan.
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