F-16 Intercepts Cessna • NORAD Exercise (2019) - Knoxville, Tennessee

Operation Inherent Resolve: Coalition and Partners Conduct Big Sweep Against IS in Syria - updated

On 22 November 2019,OIR Coalition Forces and Partner Forces conducted a large clearance mission in Deir-ez-Zor Province of Northeast Syria, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release.Several Islamic State militants were killed and wounded as the Coalition and Partners cleared multiple IS compounds, capturing more than 12 IS militants.
According to SOJTF-OIR:
Terrorist sleeper cells remain a persistent threat in Northeast Syria.Local security forces, with Coalition assistance, are continuing to conduct counter-terrorism operations.
Said US Air Force MG Eric T. Hill, SOJTF-OIR commamder:
SOJTF-OIR remains committed to our relentless pursuit of Daesh (another name for IS).As Daesh presents a threat, we must stay vigilant to prevent it, for the sake of the region and our homelands.*
The mission was a reaction to increasing threats of IS attacks.It was conducted after days of joint planning and preparation.Once the IS compounds had been cleared,a significant amount of small arms,IEDs and ammunition were removed.*
The monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights notes that those involved in the raids included US troops and the Syrian Democratic Forces (Kurds). Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on 23 November, just after the Northeast Syria operation,US Marine Corps GEN Kenneth McKenzie,Jr., Commander,US Central Command,had promised that:
Over the next days and weeks, the pace will pick back up against remnants of ISIS (another word for IS). What we're talking about are the pockets of people who represent the wreckage that followed on the wake of the caliphate.They still have the power to injure, still have the power to cause violence.We don't have an end date.*

Neil DeGrasse Tyson chats with Christina Koch and Jessica Meir on the ISS!

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Two US Troops Killed in Afghanistan Mission Identified

Two US Soldiers killed in Afghanistan on 20 November 2019 have been identified as CWO 2 David C. Knadle,33, of Tarrant, Texas and CWO 2 Kirk T. Famiguchi,25,of Keaanu, Hawaii.They were piloting a helicopter during a mission to provide security for troops on the ground in Logar Province, Eastern Afghanistan near the Afghan capital Kabul.This brings the US Combat death toll up to 19 for 2019;in 2018, the US lost 13 service members in Afghan War combat.*
About 13,000 US troops remain in Afghanistan serving in support of NATO's Resolute Support Mission and the counterterrorism Operation Freedom's Sentinel.The incident is being investigated.Although the Taliban Islamist extremists claimed responsibility,they routinely falsely claim to have shot down US aircraft.A Defense Department source said initial reports suggest the Soldier's AH-64 Apache crashed when the rotor blade clipped a mountain peak.*
The Soldiers were members of 1st Battalion,27th Aviation Regiment,1st Air Cavalry Brigade,1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas.They were both posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal.*
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump,as well as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff GEN Mark Milley and National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien were on hand for the dignified transfer of the Soldiers' remains at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.*
"Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me,in this I will be confident.
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple."
Psalm 27:3-4

2019 U.S. Army Europe Command Video

At the Ready: DEFENDER-Europe 20

Not since the Cold War has such an event transpired.The US Army Europe,its Allies and Partners will stage the largest deployment of US-based forces to Europe in 25 years.According to USAEUR, beginning with preparations in February, the gargantuan exercise will increase strategic readiness and interoperability by exercising
the Pentagon's ability to rapidly deploy a large combat-credible force and equipment from the US to Europe; and alongside its Allies and Partners, quickly respond to a potential crisis.*
D-E 20 will run from April-May 2020, with the centerpiece being the deployment of 20,000 US Soldiers from the US to Europe.D-E 20 supports objectives​ defined by NATO to build readiness within the Alliance and deter potential adversaries.Besides US Forces, which will include Marines, Sailors and Airmen as well as Soldiers,about 17,000 Allied and Partner service members will participate in the skills test that spans 10 countries. Said USAEUR Commander LTGEN Christopher Cavoli:
This ability is critical in projecting force at a moment's notice.Our readiness reassures our Allies and deters potential adversaries.*
The scenario involves deploying a Divisional Headquarters;three Armored Brigade Combat Teams;a Fires Brigade; and a Sustainment Brigade.Some of the US-based units will deploy with their gear from the US; while others will deploy to Europe and draw from Europe-based Army Prepositioned Stock vehicles and equipment.Added LTGEN Cavoli:
Conducting tough, realistic training alongside our Allies and Partners in Europe enhances those professional relationships that build trust and confidence in each other and increases our overall interoperability, readiness and the ability to collectively deter potential threats.*
DEFENDER-Europe 20 and linked activities will build US EUCOM strategic readiness in support of the National Defense Strategy.*

Grid Security Exercises Leading To Improvements In Security Posture, Officials Say - IIOT Connection

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Operation Inherent Resolve:US Troops Continue to Pursue IS in Syria

GEN Mark Milley, US Army,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, says 500-600 US troops will stay in Syria in a counterterrorism capacity.They will ensure that Islamic State militants do not regroup and take advantage of the chaotic, war-torn environment in much of Syria.
Although President Donald Trump wanted to withdraw completely from Syria, pushback from the Pentagon and Republicans in Congress persuaded him to partially reverse course.GEN Milley said:
There are still ISIS (another name for IS) fighters in the region and unless pressure is maintained...then there is a very real possibility that conditions could be set for a reemergence of ISIS.The footprint will be small, but the objective will remain the same-the enduring defeat of ISIS.*
Another 150 US troops remain in Southern Syria on the border with Jordan.*
A senior OIR Commander,US Air Force MGEN Eric Hill told the Associated Press:
The mission still continues.And Daesh (another name for IS) is trying to resurge wherever they can.We've destroyed many and war remnants, and we continue to do so as we find them.*
Indeed,a newly arrived US Army mechanised infantry unit has been deployed to a remote base in Syria to do just that in their Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles.*

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Operation Atlantic Resolve: Army Combat Aviation Continues its European Mission

On 1 November 2019, the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade,1st Infantry Division transferred its authority to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade,3rd Infantry Division at Storck Barracks in Illesheim, Germany.It is the fifth iteration of the Rotational Air Forces mission for Operation Atlantic Resolve, which was instituted in 2014 in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine.The US Army Europe mission is to train and integrate with European counterparts across the continent, while deterring adversarial aggression.
Simaltaneously,1 CAB lowered its colours and 3 CAB raised its colours to symbolise the transfer.Each rotation lasts nine months.
1 CAB participated in nine major exercises in support of 21 different nations,as well as transporting congressional delegations, senior US military leaders and top level officials from NATO Allies.*
According to COL Bryan Chivers,Commander of 1 CAB:
Although the measurable impacts are great, the non-quantifiable impacts are even greater...a lasting peace and stability throughout Europe.I am extremely proud of all they have done for the United States of America, and the NATO Alliance.*
3 CAB,known as the Marne Air, after their World War I forbears, immediately stepped into the breach, said 3 CAB Commander COL Michael McFadden:
The Marne Air team stands ready to assure our Allies,deter aggression, build allied and partnered interoperability, and continue to build the readiness of the 3rd CAB.*
Army CABs fly the AH-64 Apache;UH-60 Blackhawk; and CH-47 Chinook helicopters.*