Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Orion Program Update: Strategy and Timeline
In late 2017, President Donald Trump issued Space Policy Directive-1, calling on the NASA Administrator to:
Lead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring to Earth new knowledge and opportunities.Beginning with missions beyond Low-Earth Orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.*
This Exploration Campaign strives for four strategic goals:
1. Transitioning LOE missions to commercial operations which support NASA and the needs of an emerging private sector market;
2.Extend long-duration U.S. human spaceflight operations to lunar orbit;
3.Enable long-term robotic exploration of the Moon;
4.Enable human exploration of the Moon as preparation for human missions to Mars and deeper into the solar system.*
Building on 18 years of ISS partnership with other nations, the Exploration Campaign also:
Leverages advances in the commercial space sector, robotics and other technologies, and accelerates in the next few years with the launch of NASA's Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.
NASA is building a plan for Americans to orbit the Moon starting in 2023 and land astronauts on the surface by the late 2020s.*
The plan requires NASA to:
Conduct the uncrewed SLS/Orion first flight in 2020 to the lunar vicinity;
Conduct a crewed flight sending Americans around the Moon in 2023;
Establish a human-tended lunar orbiting platform for crews to visit from Earth, to transit to and from the lunar surface, and to depart to and return from Mars;
Develop the Gateway that at a minimum:
Emplaces a power-propulsion (communications) element (PPE) around the Moon by 2022.*
The Gateway is to be incrementally transported to lunar orbit by the SLS/Orion and commercial launch capabilities.*
At this time, everything is on track for a 2020 launch of Exploration Mission-1 and 2023 launch
of Exploration Mission-2, the first crewed Orion Program mission.
EM-1 will carry a German Space Agency (DLR) radiation protection experiment
using an Israeli radiation protection
spacesuit and two dummies.
Lead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the solar system and to bring to Earth new knowledge and opportunities.Beginning with missions beyond Low-Earth Orbit, the United States will lead the return of humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization, followed by human missions to Mars and other destinations.*
This Exploration Campaign strives for four strategic goals:
1. Transitioning LOE missions to commercial operations which support NASA and the needs of an emerging private sector market;
2.Extend long-duration U.S. human spaceflight operations to lunar orbit;
3.Enable long-term robotic exploration of the Moon;
4.Enable human exploration of the Moon as preparation for human missions to Mars and deeper into the solar system.*
Building on 18 years of ISS partnership with other nations, the Exploration Campaign also:
Leverages advances in the commercial space sector, robotics and other technologies, and accelerates in the next few years with the launch of NASA's Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket.
NASA is building a plan for Americans to orbit the Moon starting in 2023 and land astronauts on the surface by the late 2020s.*
The plan requires NASA to:
Conduct the uncrewed SLS/Orion first flight in 2020 to the lunar vicinity;
Conduct a crewed flight sending Americans around the Moon in 2023;
Establish a human-tended lunar orbiting platform for crews to visit from Earth, to transit to and from the lunar surface, and to depart to and return from Mars;
Develop the Gateway that at a minimum:
Emplaces a power-propulsion (communications) element (PPE) around the Moon by 2022.*
The Gateway is to be incrementally transported to lunar orbit by the SLS/Orion and commercial launch capabilities.*
At this time, everything is on track for a 2020 launch of Exploration Mission-1 and 2023 launch
of Exploration Mission-2, the first crewed Orion Program mission.
EM-1 will carry a German Space Agency (DLR) radiation protection experiment
using an Israeli radiation protection
spacesuit and two dummies.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Russian Bombers Draw Intense NORAD Response
At 1240 hours Eastern,a tweet from NORAD/USNORTHCOM stated that two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers entered the Canadian Air Defense Identification Zone on 26 January 2019.The bombers remained in international airspace and did not enter sovereign territory.What was extraordinary was that five NORAD aircraft were launched to identify and intercept the Blackjacks, when normally it would just be a few fighter jets.*
This time,it was a full-on response with an E-3 AWACS,two US Air Force F-22 Raptors and two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets.It may have to do with Canada's recent expansion of it's AIDZ to include the Canadian Arctic in light of Russia's increased activity in the region.Then too,it may also have to do with the current tension over Venezuela between Russia and the West.
This time,it was a full-on response with an E-3 AWACS,two US Air Force F-22 Raptors and two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets.It may have to do with Canada's recent expansion of it's AIDZ to include the Canadian Arctic in light of Russia's increased activity in the region.Then too,it may also have to do with the current tension over Venezuela between Russia and the West.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Virginia Green Beret Killed in Afghanistan
The Pentagon has identified the Soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan on 22 January 2019 as US Army SFC Joshua Z. Beale,32,of Carrollton, Virginia.He fell to enemy small arms fire in Tarin Kowt,Uruzgan,Central Afghanistan during combat operations.
SFC Beale was a member of 1st Battalion,3rd Special Forces Group, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.While assigned to 3rd SFG, he earned a Ranger tab and graduated from both the Advanced Leader Course and Special Forces Sniper Course.It was his third deployment to Afghanistan.*
Among SFC Beale's decorations were the NATO Medal, three Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Meritorious Service Medal.*
One of the mottos of 3rd SFG is "Nomads.Anywhere.Anytime."
SFC Beale was a member of 1st Battalion,3rd Special Forces Group, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina.While assigned to 3rd SFG, he earned a Ranger tab and graduated from both the Advanced Leader Course and Special Forces Sniper Course.It was his third deployment to Afghanistan.*
Among SFC Beale's decorations were the NATO Medal, three Bronze Star Medals, the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Meritorious Service Medal.*
One of the mottos of 3rd SFG is "Nomads.Anywhere.Anytime."
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Afghan War:Army Ranger Dies From Combat Wounds - plus another NATO casualty bulletin just crossed the wires
On 17 January 2019 in Landstuhl,Germany,US Army Ranger SGT Cameron A. Meddock,26,of Spearman,Texas,died from wounds caused by small arms fire he took during combat operations on 13 January in Jawand District of Badghis Province,Northwest Afghanistan.He was likely serving in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel,the US counterterror effort in Afghanistan.The province had until recently been considered quiet,but the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan group began filtering into the remoter areas there.*
SGT Meddock,the first combat death in Afghanistan for 2019,was on his second Afghanistan tour.He was a fire team leader with Company A,2nd Battalion,75th Ranger Regiment,out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord,Washington State.The Ranger's death coincides with a report by the Afghan Khaama Press news agency that a combat operation in Badghis Province has killed at least 10 ISIL-K Islamist extremists.*
SGT Meddock's decorations include the Purple Heart Medal;Joint Service Commendation for Combat;Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters;and the Afghan Campaign Medal with campaign star.
He was the husband of Stephanie Meddock,who is expecting their first child.*
Meanwhile,another NATO Resolute Support Press Release has just reached the desk.It says a US service member was killed in Afghanistan on 22 January 2019 as a result of enemy small arms fire.The incident is being investigated.In accordance with US Department of Defense policy,the name of the service member is being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete.More information will be shared as approporiate.*
My flesh and my heart may fail,but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
- Psalm 73:26
Monday, January 21, 2019
Sunday, January 20, 2019
More About CCT Shannon M. Kent
More than 80 US female service members have been killed in the Global War on Terror since the 9-11 attacks. The latest,Chief Cryptolgic Technician Shannon M. Kent,of Pine Plains,New York,was a linguist fluent in seven languages.Her unit is integrated with the Department of Defense National Security Agency at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.Several of the NSA's personnel have died in service to the nation.
Friday, January 18, 2019
Service Members,DIA Officer Identified by the Pentagon
Three of the four Americans killed by an Islamic State-claimed suicide bomb in Syria on 16 January 2019 have been identified by the Pentagon.The Pentagon doesn't release the names of civilian contractors.* US Navy Chief Cryptolgic Technician Shannon M. Kent,35, of Upstate New York,was serving in support of Combined Joint-Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve,and the first female to be killed in the Operation, with Cryptolgic Warfare Activity 66 out of Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.* . US Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan R. Farmer,37, of Boynton Beach, Florida was a member of 3rd Battalion,5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky who had served a combined total of six combat tours in Afghanistan,Iraq and Syria.* .
Scott A. Wirtz,42,a former Navy SEAL,was assigned to DIA as an Operations Support Specialist, responsible for gathering information on security and adversaries.
Scott A. Wirtz,42,a former Navy SEAL,was assigned to DIA as an Operations Support Specialist, responsible for gathering information on security and adversaries.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Operation Inherent Resolve:Two US Troops Killed in Syria Action - revised
On 16 January 2019,two US troops,along with an American contractor who was a translator,and another US civilian,an intelligence officer with the Defense Intelligence Agency, were killed in the town of Manbij in Northern Syria, when a militant wearing a bomb vest blew himself up as he approached them while they were meeting with local military officers of the Syrian Democratic Forces.Islamic State claimed responsibility for the explosion.Three other US service members were wounded and medivaced to safety.*
The attack took place at the Qasr-al-Umara restaurant,IS said, where US troops sometimes stopped for a meal while on patrol.The monitoring group The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the total death toll at 15.US Soldiers conduct frequent patrols in the strategic Manbij area from their numerous bases.* President Donald Trump's plan to withdraw US forces from Syria has been slowed down since commanders on the ground there informed him that IS was still a threat.Only some equipment has been moved to Iraq from Syria.
The attack took place at the Qasr-al-Umara restaurant,IS said, where US troops sometimes stopped for a meal while on patrol.The monitoring group The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the total death toll at 15.US Soldiers conduct frequent patrols in the strategic Manbij area from their numerous bases.* President Donald Trump's plan to withdraw US forces from Syria has been slowed down since commanders on the ground there informed him that IS was still a threat.Only some equipment has been moved to Iraq from Syria.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Sending a Signal:US Navy Troop Transport Ventures Into the Black Sea
According to the US Navy,the USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43),with embarked elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU),began a north-bound transit of the Dardanelles Strait from the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea on 6 January 2019.The warship,a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship,is on a routine operation meant to demonstrate the inherent flexibility and capability of the US 6th Fleet naval forces,while reaffirming our collective resolve to Black Sea security and enhancing our strong relationships with our NATO allies and partners in the region,noted 6th Fleet commander VADL Lisa M. Franchetti.*
On 7 January,the Fort McHenry docked at the port city of Constanta,Romania.Russia had dispatched the frigate RFS Pytlivy 808 from its Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol to surveil the Fort McHenry's operations-even its port call at Constanta.The Russian Defence Ministry said:
Patrol ship Pytlivy of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is performing a complex of activities to control the actions of amphibious transport dock (LSD) USS Fort McHenry.*
The Fort McHenry carries a Marine detachment of 402+102 surge.It has a complement of 22 officers and 391 enlisted.The warship's armament consists of:
2x25mm Mk38 cannons;
2x20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts;
2x Rolling Airframe missiles;
and 6x.50caliber M2HB machine guns.
It is a member of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group and is on a seven-month deployment to the US 6th Fleet Area of Responsibilty,about half of the Atlantic Ocean between the Arctic Ocean and Antarctica.
On 7 January,the Fort McHenry docked at the port city of Constanta,Romania.Russia had dispatched the frigate RFS Pytlivy 808 from its Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol to surveil the Fort McHenry's operations-even its port call at Constanta.The Russian Defence Ministry said:
Patrol ship Pytlivy of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is performing a complex of activities to control the actions of amphibious transport dock (LSD) USS Fort McHenry.*
The Fort McHenry carries a Marine detachment of 402+102 surge.It has a complement of 22 officers and 391 enlisted.The warship's armament consists of:
2x25mm Mk38 cannons;
2x20mm Phalanx CIWS mounts;
2x Rolling Airframe missiles;
and 6x.50caliber M2HB machine guns.
It is a member of the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Amphibious Ready Group and is on a seven-month deployment to the US 6th Fleet Area of Responsibilty,about half of the Atlantic Ocean between the Arctic Ocean and Antarctica.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Thule Air Base:NATO's Arctic Nerve Centre - plus what the US intends to do there
According to the US Air Force,Thule Air Base,Greenland,is a combined US-Canadian-Danish and Greenlandic environment of about 550 military,civilian and contractor personnel.It is supported by the US Air Force Space Command's 821st Air Base Group,which enables force projection,space superiority,and scientific research in the Arctic Region for the US and its allies through integrated base support and defence operations.The 821st operates and maintains TAB in support of its missile warning and satellite command and control operations missions.The base's missions are executed by the 12th Space Warning Squadron and Detachment 1,23rd Space Operations Squadron.*
TAB provides a 10,000 foot runway that handles more than 3,000 US and international flights annually,as well as the world's northernmost deep water port,served by the Air Force's only tugboat and a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker.*
The 12th Space Warning Squadron operates the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System for NORAD.It detects and tracks ICBMs launched against North America.Detachment 1 is part of the 50th Space Wing's global satellite control network.*
Located 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle,above the aurora borealis,TAB hosts the 21st Space Wing's global network of sensors,thus providing missile warning,space surveillance and space control to NORAD and Air Force Space Command.It is a critical node of space situational awareness.For its part,Detachment 1 links ground stations and their satellites.
Among TAB's tenants are scientific organisations such as the National Science Foundation;NASA;the Smithsonian Institution;the Danish Technological Institute;the Danish Meteorological Institute;and the Arctic Institute.Their research topics include wildlife migration;climate change;and astrophysics.*
On 16 September 2018,USDP (Undersecretary of Defense for Policy) John Rood signed a Statement of Intent on Defense Investments in Greenland while on a visit to TAB:
This Statement of Intent lays out principles for investing in Greenland to enhance US military operational flexibility and situational awareness in order to address the changing security environment in the Arctic.In light of this development and in an effort to strengthen US and NATO capabilities,the US Department of Defense intends to pursue potential strategic investment vigorously,including investments that may serve dual military and civilian purposes.For example,the US Department of Defense intends to analyze and,where appropriate,strategically invest in projects related to the airport infrastructure in Greenland,including projects that may have dual civilian and military benefits.These investments would seek to enhance US and NATO capabilities in the North Atlantic region and would benefit the United States,the Kingdom of Denmark,and the people of Greenland.*
TAB is also critical for the support of Canada's remote Arctic outposts,Canadian Forces Station Alert,which is reportedly a SIGINT collection platform,and Eureka Research Station.Cargo for the brutal winter months is delivered to the stations from TAB in the biannual Operation Boxtop,involving an intensive flight schedule for Canadian transport aircraft and US Air Force air traffic controllers.*
Another recent mission at TAB involved Danish F-16 aircraft flights as part of ascertaining capability for search and rescue missions over Greenland and defining logistical requirements for potential future F-16 operations.*
Air Force Security Forces execute battle drills at TAB,thus tailoring training to a hands-on and mission-specific approach.
TAB provides a 10,000 foot runway that handles more than 3,000 US and international flights annually,as well as the world's northernmost deep water port,served by the Air Force's only tugboat and a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker.*
The 12th Space Warning Squadron operates the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System for NORAD.It detects and tracks ICBMs launched against North America.Detachment 1 is part of the 50th Space Wing's global satellite control network.*
Located 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle,above the aurora borealis,TAB hosts the 21st Space Wing's global network of sensors,thus providing missile warning,space surveillance and space control to NORAD and Air Force Space Command.It is a critical node of space situational awareness.For its part,Detachment 1 links ground stations and their satellites.
Among TAB's tenants are scientific organisations such as the National Science Foundation;NASA;the Smithsonian Institution;the Danish Technological Institute;the Danish Meteorological Institute;and the Arctic Institute.Their research topics include wildlife migration;climate change;and astrophysics.*
On 16 September 2018,USDP (Undersecretary of Defense for Policy) John Rood signed a Statement of Intent on Defense Investments in Greenland while on a visit to TAB:
This Statement of Intent lays out principles for investing in Greenland to enhance US military operational flexibility and situational awareness in order to address the changing security environment in the Arctic.In light of this development and in an effort to strengthen US and NATO capabilities,the US Department of Defense intends to pursue potential strategic investment vigorously,including investments that may serve dual military and civilian purposes.For example,the US Department of Defense intends to analyze and,where appropriate,strategically invest in projects related to the airport infrastructure in Greenland,including projects that may have dual civilian and military benefits.These investments would seek to enhance US and NATO capabilities in the North Atlantic region and would benefit the United States,the Kingdom of Denmark,and the people of Greenland.*
TAB is also critical for the support of Canada's remote Arctic outposts,Canadian Forces Station Alert,which is reportedly a SIGINT collection platform,and Eureka Research Station.Cargo for the brutal winter months is delivered to the stations from TAB in the biannual Operation Boxtop,involving an intensive flight schedule for Canadian transport aircraft and US Air Force air traffic controllers.*
Another recent mission at TAB involved Danish F-16 aircraft flights as part of ascertaining capability for search and rescue missions over Greenland and defining logistical requirements for potential future F-16 operations.*
Air Force Security Forces execute battle drills at TAB,thus tailoring training to a hands-on and mission-specific approach.
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Statement From Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan
Statement From Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan: Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan released a statement Jan. 1, 2019.
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