Thursday, April 30, 2020
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Germany to Maintain Nuclear Relationship with the Pentagon
Surprising no one, the Federal Republic of Germany has decided to reaffirm its dual key nuclear deterrence relationship with the United States.The German government,led by long-time Chancellor Angela Merkel, will announce in May that it is purchasing 30 Boeing F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet and 15 EA-18G Growler electronic attack/reconnaissance jets for the Luftwaffe, German media report. The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer told US Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper about the plan.The acquisition is part of a recapitalisation of the Luftwaffe.At the same time, several dozen Eurofighter Typhoon fighters will also be acquired.*The Super Hornet is notably capable of carrying the new version of the American B61 nuclear bomb, the B61-12; while the Eurofighter is not.Thus the purchase of the Boeing planes will facilitate continuation of the current nuclear deal appoved by NATO'S Nuclear Committee.
Germany is one of five NATO Allies allowing the US to store nuclear weapons on its territory.The others are Belgium,Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey.In the event of a major conflict,both the US and the Ally would have to agree to deliver a nuclear weapon on an enemy target.*
Two other NATO Allies, France and Great Britain, maintain an independent nuclear deterrent.*
Boeing (BA)
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
US Army Europe:NATO Forward Battle Group Trained and Tested
Despite wrangling with the COVID-19 threat, troops of NATO'S enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group-Poland were trained and tested for the US Army Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB),and the first ever awarding of the US Army Europe Expert Soldier Badge (ESB),from 23 March to 3 April 2020 at Bemowo Piskie, Poland.A full range of COVID-19 protocols were implemented to protect the Soldiers, including routine medical screening; closing off high traffic areas; emplacement of hand-washing stations;and social distancing.Consequently, the mission was completed with all in good health.*
The event taught and refined the basic skills Infantrymen and Soldiers learn at the lowest level.Said SGT Josue Arceo,infantry team leader with Iron Troop,3rd Squadron,2nd Cavalry Regiment:
Some Soldiers may take the skills we teach for granted, but when it comes time to use it, being an expert at the fundamentals will benefit these Soldiers and their teammates.*
Besides the 2nd Cav, Soldiers from the 5th Croatian Contingent; British Army Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; and Romanian Army 2nd Mountain Troop Brigade participated in the programme.Skills tested included a 12-mile ruck march; filling out a tactical combat casualty card; treating a simulated casualty;land navigation; operating an M4 carbine; and operating an M320 grenade launcher.*
Officers are expected to qualify for the EIB in order to be an effective leader of their military men and women.The programme builds expertise;improves cohesion across the multinational Battle Group; and instills confidence that the Alliance is prepared to work together to accomplish any mission,NATO said.It motivated BG-P to continue to enhance their readiness while simultaneously protecting their health through COVID-19 mitigation measures.*
What was it like? PVT Sara Grubic,a satellite communicator of the 5th Croatian Contingent, taking pride in her qualifying for the USAEUR ESB, noted that:
We received a lot of information in a very short period of time, and we spent entire days in all weather conditions.*
The eFP initiative deploys 4 battalion-sized Battle Groups to Estonia,Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.They demonstrate the Alliance's determination and ability to act as one in response to any aggression against the members,NATO explains.*
In total,29 Soldiers earned the EIB and 14 the ESB.Two Croatians and one British Soldier were among those awarded the ESB.*
The event taught and refined the basic skills Infantrymen and Soldiers learn at the lowest level.Said SGT Josue Arceo,infantry team leader with Iron Troop,3rd Squadron,2nd Cavalry Regiment:
Some Soldiers may take the skills we teach for granted, but when it comes time to use it, being an expert at the fundamentals will benefit these Soldiers and their teammates.*
Besides the 2nd Cav, Soldiers from the 5th Croatian Contingent; British Army Royal Scots Dragoon Guards; and Romanian Army 2nd Mountain Troop Brigade participated in the programme.Skills tested included a 12-mile ruck march; filling out a tactical combat casualty card; treating a simulated casualty;land navigation; operating an M4 carbine; and operating an M320 grenade launcher.*
Officers are expected to qualify for the EIB in order to be an effective leader of their military men and women.The programme builds expertise;improves cohesion across the multinational Battle Group; and instills confidence that the Alliance is prepared to work together to accomplish any mission,NATO said.It motivated BG-P to continue to enhance their readiness while simultaneously protecting their health through COVID-19 mitigation measures.*
What was it like? PVT Sara Grubic,a satellite communicator of the 5th Croatian Contingent, taking pride in her qualifying for the USAEUR ESB, noted that:
We received a lot of information in a very short period of time, and we spent entire days in all weather conditions.*
The eFP initiative deploys 4 battalion-sized Battle Groups to Estonia,Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.They demonstrate the Alliance's determination and ability to act as one in response to any aggression against the members,NATO explains.*
In total,29 Soldiers earned the EIB and 14 the ESB.Two Croatians and one British Soldier were among those awarded the ESB.*
Thursday, April 16, 2020
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
US Space Force Moves Ahead with Orbital Services Program
The US Space Force has awarded its first task order under the Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4). The 35 million dollar award went to a Virgin Orbit subsidiary,VOX Space,LLC of El Segundo, California for launch services for Space Test Program-28.STP-28 will deliver numerous technology experiments to orbit in fields such as Space Domain Awareness and communications advancement,in order to develop USSF'S space systems architecture.*
VOX will provide 3 launches of its LauncherOne rocket to deliver 44 small satellites to Low Earth Orbit for the USSF, with a target date of October 2021 for the first launch.LauncherOne is to be air-dropped from the Cosmic Girl aircraft,a modified Boeing 747.*
One of the STP-28 payloads is QUEYSSAT,a cooperative project by the US Air Force Research Laboratory and Canadian Department of National Defence.It is to demonstrate and quantify the potential to improve Earth-satellite quantum channel uplinks via adaptive optics, expand quantum network concepts and exploit this capability for defence applications,USSF said.*
The OSP-4 initiative allows the rapid acquisition of launch services to meet mission requirements enabling launch within 12-24 months of the Task Order award.Said COL Ryan Rose,Chief of the Small Launch and Targets Division at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico:
With our small launch contracts we are able to take more risks and move quickly to produce high rewards and tactically responsive launch capabilities for combatant commanders.*
STP-29 will be awarded by late 2020.*
Later this month,88 graduates of the US Air Force Academy will be directly commissioned into the USSF.In addition,16,000 USAF personnel are currently assigned to USSF and, over time, many of them will have the chance to transfer to the USSF.Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett has formally set a goal of transferring 23 USAF space-related missions to the USSF within 3-6 months.*
The USSF'S Chief of Space Operations,GEN John Raymond, noted that:
If deterrence were to fail,we are going to have to fight for space superiority in the future.And to do that will require the full weight of the joint force and so that will require Army, Navy,Air Force, Marines and the Space Force to gain that superiority.*
VOX will provide 3 launches of its LauncherOne rocket to deliver 44 small satellites to Low Earth Orbit for the USSF, with a target date of October 2021 for the first launch.LauncherOne is to be air-dropped from the Cosmic Girl aircraft,a modified Boeing 747.*
One of the STP-28 payloads is QUEYSSAT,a cooperative project by the US Air Force Research Laboratory and Canadian Department of National Defence.It is to demonstrate and quantify the potential to improve Earth-satellite quantum channel uplinks via adaptive optics, expand quantum network concepts and exploit this capability for defence applications,USSF said.*
The OSP-4 initiative allows the rapid acquisition of launch services to meet mission requirements enabling launch within 12-24 months of the Task Order award.Said COL Ryan Rose,Chief of the Small Launch and Targets Division at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico:
With our small launch contracts we are able to take more risks and move quickly to produce high rewards and tactically responsive launch capabilities for combatant commanders.*
STP-29 will be awarded by late 2020.*
Later this month,88 graduates of the US Air Force Academy will be directly commissioned into the USSF.In addition,16,000 USAF personnel are currently assigned to USSF and, over time, many of them will have the chance to transfer to the USSF.Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett has formally set a goal of transferring 23 USAF space-related missions to the USSF within 3-6 months.*
The USSF'S Chief of Space Operations,GEN John Raymond, noted that:
If deterrence were to fail,we are going to have to fight for space superiority in the future.And to do that will require the full weight of the joint force and so that will require Army, Navy,Air Force, Marines and the Space Force to gain that superiority.*
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
NATO Maritime Forces Respond to Russian Activity
In the second half of March, Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 monitored Russian naval activity in the English Channel
along with Allies France and Great Britain.This operation supported maritime situational awareness beginning on the week of 16 March 2020.Besides the SNMG1 flagship,HNoMS Otto Sverdrup, other Group members participating with the Allies were HMDS Absalon;HMS Sutherland; and FGS Rhoen.*
According to CDRE Yugve Skoglund, Commander, SNMG1:
Free access and entry to the Channel is critical to NATO.There has been a substantial non-allied military activity in the area lately.Our job as a NATO Force, together with our Allies,is to deliver NATO'S 'deter and defend' message and provide maritime security.Our presence in the English Channel in the past few weeks is exactly what the standing maritime forces are made for... We are here to sustain NATO'S essential work even when all nations are facing tough times.*
Also in late March, three of the four US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Rota,Spain conducted a drill in the Eastern Atlantic with two USN P8-A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft from Commander,Task Force 67,Sigonella, Italy. Said CAPT William "BP" Pennington, commodore of CTF 67:
By keeping our top assets, our Sailors, healthy, our flight operations continue to support the Fleet, demonstrating the tight-knit integration between our surface and air assets, and without a doubt, our unparalleled ability to flawlessly execute coordinated high-end naval warfare.*
along with Allies France and Great Britain.This operation supported maritime situational awareness beginning on the week of 16 March 2020.Besides the SNMG1 flagship,HNoMS Otto Sverdrup, other Group members participating with the Allies were HMDS Absalon;HMS Sutherland; and FGS Rhoen.*
According to CDRE Yugve Skoglund, Commander, SNMG1:
Free access and entry to the Channel is critical to NATO.There has been a substantial non-allied military activity in the area lately.Our job as a NATO Force, together with our Allies,is to deliver NATO'S 'deter and defend' message and provide maritime security.Our presence in the English Channel in the past few weeks is exactly what the standing maritime forces are made for... We are here to sustain NATO'S essential work even when all nations are facing tough times.*
Also in late March, three of the four US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Rota,Spain conducted a drill in the Eastern Atlantic with two USN P8-A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft from Commander,Task Force 67,Sigonella, Italy. Said CAPT William "BP" Pennington, commodore of CTF 67:
By keeping our top assets, our Sailors, healthy, our flight operations continue to support the Fleet, demonstrating the tight-knit integration between our surface and air assets, and without a doubt, our unparalleled ability to flawlessly execute coordinated high-end naval warfare.*
Monday, April 6, 2020
American Legion National Commander Message: Make April a month of hope
American Legion National Commander Message: Make April a month of hope: American Legion National Commander Message: Make April a month of hope
Thursday, April 2, 2020
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