Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
More Deterrence for Europe:F-35s Deployed to Italy
As part of a Theater Security Package (TSP) funded through the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI),the US Air Force has deployed a squadron of F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters to Aviano Air Base,Italy.In a news release by US Air Force Europe,it was explained that:
the TSP provides a more robust U.S. military rotational presence in the European theater capable of deterring adversaries and assuring partners and U.S. allies of U.S. commitment to regional security.*
Drawn from the 388th (active duty) and 419th (Reserve) Fighter Wings out of Hill Air Force Base,Utah,the deployed aircraft arrived in Italy on 24 May 2019 and will stay for several weeks.Along with their associated Airmen and equipment,the F-35s will participate in training and exercises with other Europe-based aircraft.The 388th is on its second deployment to Europe,the first one having been to RAF Lakenheath,England in 2017;while the 419th,the newest F-35A squadron,is on its maiden deployment.
According to MAJ James Russell,F-35 pilot with the 419th FW:
It's a great honour to be part of another milestone for Hill and the F-35 community.Locally,this effort is a demonstration of our Total Force integration construct hard at work between the 388th and 419th FWs.On a larger scale,it's a great opportunity to showcase our newest fighter platform to our partner nations and assure those nations of our continued support for their safety and security.*
The purpose of the EDI,as stated in the Pentagon's FY 2019 budget request for the programme,is:
1.Continue to enhance our deterrent and defense posture throughout the theater by positioning the right capabilities,in key locations,in order to respond to adversarial threats in a timely manner.
2.Assure our NATO allies and partners of the United States' commitment to Article 5 and the territorial integrity of all 28 (now 29,with Montenegro's accession) NATO nations.
3.Increase the capability and readiness of U.S. Forces,NATO Allies,and regional partners,allowing for a faster response in the event of any aggression by a regional adversary against the sovereign territory of NATO nations.*
The EDI was established as the European Reassurance Initiative in 2014,soon after Russia's annexation of Crimea,Ukraine.
the TSP provides a more robust U.S. military rotational presence in the European theater capable of deterring adversaries and assuring partners and U.S. allies of U.S. commitment to regional security.*
Drawn from the 388th (active duty) and 419th (Reserve) Fighter Wings out of Hill Air Force Base,Utah,the deployed aircraft arrived in Italy on 24 May 2019 and will stay for several weeks.Along with their associated Airmen and equipment,the F-35s will participate in training and exercises with other Europe-based aircraft.The 388th is on its second deployment to Europe,the first one having been to RAF Lakenheath,England in 2017;while the 419th,the newest F-35A squadron,is on its maiden deployment.
According to MAJ James Russell,F-35 pilot with the 419th FW:
It's a great honour to be part of another milestone for Hill and the F-35 community.Locally,this effort is a demonstration of our Total Force integration construct hard at work between the 388th and 419th FWs.On a larger scale,it's a great opportunity to showcase our newest fighter platform to our partner nations and assure those nations of our continued support for their safety and security.*
The purpose of the EDI,as stated in the Pentagon's FY 2019 budget request for the programme,is:
1.Continue to enhance our deterrent and defense posture throughout the theater by positioning the right capabilities,in key locations,in order to respond to adversarial threats in a timely manner.
2.Assure our NATO allies and partners of the United States' commitment to Article 5 and the territorial integrity of all 28 (now 29,with Montenegro's accession) NATO nations.
3.Increase the capability and readiness of U.S. Forces,NATO Allies,and regional partners,allowing for a faster response in the event of any aggression by a regional adversary against the sovereign territory of NATO nations.*
The EDI was established as the European Reassurance Initiative in 2014,soon after Russia's annexation of Crimea,Ukraine.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
NORAD News:Russian Bombers and Fighters Make Show of Force Near Alaska
According to a press release,on 20 May 2019,NORAD responded to multiple challenges presented by Russian military aircraft.Initially,two Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bombers were intercepted in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) by two US Air Force F-22 Raptor fifth generation fighter jets.Oddly,Russia then sent a second wave of aircraft,two more Tu-95s,plus two Su-35 fighter jets as well,into the ADIZ.These were met by two more F-22s,plus an E-3 Sentry AWACS for overall surveillance of the incident.
All the Russian aircraft remained in international air space.
According to NORAD Commander GEN Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy,US Air Force:
NORAD's top priority is defending Canada and the U.S.Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens,vital infrastructure,and national institutions starts with successfully detecting,tracking,and positively identifying aircraft of interest approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace.*
NORAD explains that it:
employs a layered defense network of radars,satellites,and fighter aircraft to identify aircraft and determine the appropriate response.*
On 26 January 2019,NORAD had deployed an E-3 Sentry AWACS;two F-22 fighters;and two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighters to intercept two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers when the Blackjacks entered the Canadian Air Defence Indentification Zone.
All the Russian aircraft remained in international air space.
According to NORAD Commander GEN Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy,US Air Force:
NORAD's top priority is defending Canada and the U.S.Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens,vital infrastructure,and national institutions starts with successfully detecting,tracking,and positively identifying aircraft of interest approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace.*
NORAD explains that it:
employs a layered defense network of radars,satellites,and fighter aircraft to identify aircraft and determine the appropriate response.*
On 26 January 2019,NORAD had deployed an E-3 Sentry AWACS;two F-22 fighters;and two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighters to intercept two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers when the Blackjacks entered the Canadian Air Defence Indentification Zone.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Shop Talk:Read About the Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019
Please read my post on my Wall Street Workbook blog:
Air Wargames:Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019
It covers an important NORDEFCO/NATO exercise coming up soon.http://wallstreetworkbook.blogspot.com
http://wallstreetworkbook.blogspot.com
Air Wargames:Arctic Challenge Exercise 2019
It covers an important NORDEFCO/NATO exercise coming up soon.http://wallstreetworkbook.blogspot.com
http://wallstreetworkbook.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 11, 2019
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
First Combat:Air Force F-35As Support Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service
On 30 April 2019,two US Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters struck a Daesh tunnel network (Daesh is another word for Islamic State) at Wadi Ashai,which is deep within Iraq's Hamrin Mountains,US CENTCOM said in a news release.The aircraft,on the first ever combat sortie for the Air Force version of the F-35,were refueled by a USAF KC-10 Extender tanker,having been launched from al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.Reaching the target,they released a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) to hit the entrenched tunnel network and a weapons cache,which were in a position to attack Global Coalition forces.The mission was in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve,the 74 nation effort to neutralise Daesh and its ideology.*
LTC Yosef Morris,commander,4th Fighter Wing and himself an F-35 pilot,described the fifth generation fighter's capabilities:
We have the ability to gather,fuse and pass so much information,that we make every friendly aircraft more survivable and lethal.That,combined with low-observable technology,allows us to really complement any combined force package be ready to support AOR contingencies.The F-35A has sensors everywhere.It has advanced radar,and it is gathering and fusing all this information from the battlespace in real time.Now it has the ability to take that information and share it with other F-35s or even fourth generation aircraft in the same package that can also see the integrated picture.*
The aircraft were specifically supporting an Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) attack on Daesh sleeper cells and their support base.Daesh is believed to be moving materiel and people into the area in a drive to support a resurgence of operations following their total loss of urban strongholds in Iraq and Syria.In preparation for CTS clearance operations,CJTF-OIR destroyed several tunnel systems;buildings;caves;and command and control positions.The strikes and clearance operations also removed many Daesh fighters from the battlefield,US CENTCOM said.*
In its strike summary for 21 April-4 May 2019,CJTF-OIR said it conducted 10 strikes-all in Iraq-consisting of 40 engagements,engaging four Daesh tactical units,and destroying three tunnels;two buildings;two weapons caches;two supply routes;and one cargo container.The summary contains all strikes conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing,remotely piloted aircraft,rocket propelled artillery and ground-based tactical artillery.*
The versatile McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) KC-10 Extender can also carry 75 passengers and 170,000 pounds of cargo while on refueling missions.*
Boeing (BA)
LTC Yosef Morris,commander,4th Fighter Wing and himself an F-35 pilot,described the fifth generation fighter's capabilities:
We have the ability to gather,fuse and pass so much information,that we make every friendly aircraft more survivable and lethal.That,combined with low-observable technology,allows us to really complement any combined force package be ready to support AOR contingencies.The F-35A has sensors everywhere.It has advanced radar,and it is gathering and fusing all this information from the battlespace in real time.Now it has the ability to take that information and share it with other F-35s or even fourth generation aircraft in the same package that can also see the integrated picture.*
The aircraft were specifically supporting an Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) attack on Daesh sleeper cells and their support base.Daesh is believed to be moving materiel and people into the area in a drive to support a resurgence of operations following their total loss of urban strongholds in Iraq and Syria.In preparation for CTS clearance operations,CJTF-OIR destroyed several tunnel systems;buildings;caves;and command and control positions.The strikes and clearance operations also removed many Daesh fighters from the battlefield,US CENTCOM said.*
In its strike summary for 21 April-4 May 2019,CJTF-OIR said it conducted 10 strikes-all in Iraq-consisting of 40 engagements,engaging four Daesh tactical units,and destroying three tunnels;two buildings;two weapons caches;two supply routes;and one cargo container.The summary contains all strikes conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing,remotely piloted aircraft,rocket propelled artillery and ground-based tactical artillery.*
The versatile McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) KC-10 Extender can also carry 75 passengers and 170,000 pounds of cargo while on refueling missions.*
Boeing (BA)
Monday, May 6, 2019
Friday, May 3, 2019
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
As Britain Deploys Apaches,NATO Launches Spring Storm 19
Much attention has been focused on Estonia the past few weeks.On 15 April 2019, Great Britain deployed five AH-64 Apache attack helicopters to Tapa in Northeast Estonia,150 kilometers from the Russian border.These are being supported by more than 100 British personnel and Estonian AW159 Wildcat reconnaissance helicopters.Their mission is to bulk up NATO's enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) initiative on the Alliance's Eastern Front.
What is more, the British SAS Special Operations Forces are reportedly posted on the border with Russia to monitor Russian troop movements.*
On 29 April, the annual Spring Storm exercise commenced in the same area,Laane-Vira and Ida Vira counties, according to the Baltic News Service.The drills will run till 20 May.
Participating besides Estonia are the following Allies and partners: Belgium, Canada,Finland, France, Georgia, Germany,Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, the UK and the USA.About 10,000 troops,up from 9,000 last year, will seek to improve synchronisation and other tactical skills during the wargames, focused on bringing the Estonian Defence Forces to peak readiness.
Tanks from France and the UK will join Eurofighter aircraft from Germany and the UK in honing warfighting acumen.The US Air Force is contributing Pavehawk helicopters, while Poland sends Su-22 ground attack jets into the mix.*
British Defence Minister Gavin Williamson explains:
It's a very credible threat that we see from Russia, and part of the reason that we're deploying five Apache attack helicopters is making sure that we're constantly adapting to a changing situation, but this is about deterrence.This is about NATO nations standing together in unity as one, and you see Great Britain playing the largest role in eFP, with the largest number of service personnel deployed.The enhancement of that deployment with the Apache helicopters is really vital and very, very important; and it's been very warmly received by so many nations.*
Adds MAJ David Lambert,CO of 663 Squadron,3 Regiment Army Air Corps:
Actually putting ourselves in a really flat area in close proximity to the Russian border brings some new,complex challenges that we need to look at.
What is more, the British SAS Special Operations Forces are reportedly posted on the border with Russia to monitor Russian troop movements.*
On 29 April, the annual Spring Storm exercise commenced in the same area,Laane-Vira and Ida Vira counties, according to the Baltic News Service.The drills will run till 20 May.
Participating besides Estonia are the following Allies and partners: Belgium, Canada,Finland, France, Georgia, Germany,Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, the UK and the USA.About 10,000 troops,up from 9,000 last year, will seek to improve synchronisation and other tactical skills during the wargames, focused on bringing the Estonian Defence Forces to peak readiness.
Tanks from France and the UK will join Eurofighter aircraft from Germany and the UK in honing warfighting acumen.The US Air Force is contributing Pavehawk helicopters, while Poland sends Su-22 ground attack jets into the mix.*
British Defence Minister Gavin Williamson explains:
It's a very credible threat that we see from Russia, and part of the reason that we're deploying five Apache attack helicopters is making sure that we're constantly adapting to a changing situation, but this is about deterrence.This is about NATO nations standing together in unity as one, and you see Great Britain playing the largest role in eFP, with the largest number of service personnel deployed.The enhancement of that deployment with the Apache helicopters is really vital and very, very important; and it's been very warmly received by so many nations.*
Adds MAJ David Lambert,CO of 663 Squadron,3 Regiment Army Air Corps:
Actually putting ourselves in a really flat area in close proximity to the Russian border brings some new,complex challenges that we need to look at.
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