Two senior US Navy officials, ADM James G. Foggo III and new Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite II recently spoke about the US Navy's goals in Europe on the "On the Horizon" podcast.Admiral Foggo (rhymes with "logo") is Commander,US Navy Forces Europe and Africa and Commander, Joint Forces Command Naples.Mr.Braithwaite had a long career in the US Navy and US Navy Reserves, and was most recently US Ambassador to Norway.Both men are graduates of the US Naval Academy.Indeed,they knew each other while they were midshipmen there.*
Admiral Foggo spoke about Exercise BALTOPS in the Baltic Sea:
We demonstrated that the US Navy is able to operate anywhere,at any time, and under any conditions.It was a terrific opportunity to improve interoperability and warfighting skills while learning from each other.*
Admiral Foggo also explained the
Navy role in the Black Sea and our relationship with Ukraine:
Security in the Black Sea remains one of our mutual areas of interest.This is why we continue to operate in the Black Sea.We operate there to send the message that we will uphold international law and norms.Our collective efforts will lead to a safer and better Ukraine, which means a better and safer Black Sea for all of us.
We recently had the guided-missile destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78) and the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group in the Black Sea.That both of them were operating in the Black Sea at the same time is a demostration to our NATO Allies and Partners of our continuing commitment...So it's the third time that NATO ships have operated in the Black Sea in 2020, and the second time the US Navy has operated in the Black Sea in 2020.This is nothing new...Other examples include replenishment operations with Turkish oilers... and a PASSEX (passing exercise) with our Georgian Partners.*
Secretary Braithwaite said:
I'd like to re-emphasize the importance of the Alliance that we have...I'm a big NATOist...You know how strong of an opinion I have about this trans-atlantic partnership... We stood with you in the dark days of World War II, and we continue to stand with you, for whatever challenges emerge-not just in Europe, but around the globe... Exercise Trident Juncture (with some 50,000 NATO and Partner troops) was an entire success under your leadership (Admiral Foggo) - it demonstrated our fortitude as well as reminding those who would challenge our interests on the seas as well as well as shoreside, of what our interest and intent is: to ensure that freedom rings true for those who embrace democracy.
Looking to the future, I want to make sure we build the right fleet to meet the challenges and threats of the future.
Why is the Baltic Sea so important and why is naval presence so important up there?It is a constricted waterway by the Danish Straits, but, you know,it is a critical artery of commerce with up to 15% of the world's cargo traffic transiting through that region, and a lot of nations bordering on that sea-many of them friends.So this dynamic security environment demands cooperation to ensure freedom of movement, and consequently economic prosperity.And that requires a commitment from regional Partners and Allies, and certainly from NATO.So every Baltic country has something powerful to contribute.*
Secretary Braithwaite served as a maritime patrol aviator and public affairs officer,retiring as a Rear Admiral,lower level and Vice Chief of Information.His decorations include the Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V"; and Iraqi Campaign Medal.*
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Friday, June 26, 2020
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Bull Run 12:NATO Land Forces Drill on Eastern Flank
NATO'S enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Poland went on alert to deal with a simulated crisis in Exercise Bull Run 12 from 19-23 June 2020. Soldiers from the five Battle Group Poland nations participated:
Croatia, Poland, Romania, the UK and the US.The warfighting drills took place on the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland.The aim was to test the readiness and interoperability of the Battle Group and the Polish 15th Mechanised Infantry Brigade.*
Representing the US was the 3rd Squadron,2nd Cavalry Regiment.Iron Troop was the ready troop and had 12 hours to move through the Alert Marshall Deploy Sequence and occupy their battle positions in the Sowaki Gap.*
The main parts of the exercise were a wet gap crossing and a combined arms drill.The water obstacle was defeated on BL6-67 bridges under cover of F-16 fighter aircraft and W-3 Sokol helicopters.The CAD was rehearsed with a terrain model on the ground.
The US troops deployed their Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles.*
Croatia won the military competition held before the exercise.*
Croatia, Poland, Romania, the UK and the US.The warfighting drills took place on the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland.The aim was to test the readiness and interoperability of the Battle Group and the Polish 15th Mechanised Infantry Brigade.*
Representing the US was the 3rd Squadron,2nd Cavalry Regiment.Iron Troop was the ready troop and had 12 hours to move through the Alert Marshall Deploy Sequence and occupy their battle positions in the Sowaki Gap.*
The main parts of the exercise were a wet gap crossing and a combined arms drill.The water obstacle was defeated on BL6-67 bridges under cover of F-16 fighter aircraft and W-3 Sokol helicopters.The CAD was rehearsed with a terrain model on the ground.
The US troops deployed their Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles.*
Croatia won the military competition held before the exercise.*
Friday, June 19, 2020
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Advanced Tactics and Technology Secure the Baltics in Large Scenario
BALTOPS 2020, considered the premier maritime forces exercise for NATO and Partners, concluded on 16 June 2020.Nineteen Allies plus Partners Finland and Sweden improved flexibility in air defence; anti-submarine warfare; maritime interdiction;and mine countermeasures operations.Naval Striking Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) at its new HQ in Lisbon, Portugal implemented the latest technology into their Joint Operations Centre to facilitate Command and Control of the drills.Such new capabilities as recognized maritime picture viewing;NATO common operational picture feeds; joint targeting systems for operational planning;and a tactical data link to communicate with Allied warships at sea were exercised, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe said.According to LG Klaus Habersetzen, Commander, Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOL) in Uedem, Germany, which coordinated the operations of the 28 aircraft in the drills:
This challenging mission serves to demonstrate NATO Allies are united and ready to deter conflict and defend the sovereignty of Baltic nations through sea control and power projection.*
BALTOPS unfolded in two phases:
1.Combat Enhancement Training and Force Integration Training (CET-FIT) and
2.Tactical Exercise (TACEX), which gave commanders the freedom to run their own tactical programmes and simulated operations in real world conditions, SHAPE indicated.*
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Friday, June 12, 2020
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
NATO Goes Big and Bold for the Baltic Sea Region
BALTOPS 2020, one of the largest military exercises in Northern Europe,got underway on 7 June 2020 and runs till 16 June.Warships from 17 NATO Allies and 2 Partners will be enhancing flexibility and interoperability in order to elevate preparedness for an international crisis.It is the 49th iteration of the expansive drills.*
On 8 June, the US Navy's Command and Control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) served as a platform for an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28), while the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Otto Sverdrup (F 312) transited the Baltic Sea,as did the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and the German Navy replenishment oiler FGS Rhoen (A 1443). Indeed,a German Navy Mk88 H Super Lynx helicopter flew over the Mount Whitney the same day.The multi-role chopper ranges from anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare to search and rescue and utility missions.*
About 3,000 troops,28 naval vessels and 28 aircraft are participating from 17 NATO Allies and 2 Partners from the following nations:
Canada, Denmark, Estonia,Finland, Germany, Greece,Italy,Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the UK and the US.*
HQ for the drills is Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) in Lisbon, Portugal-an historic first for the exercise.NATO'S own AWACS planes will coordinate some of the air manoeuvres, the Alliance said.*
According to the Royal Navy, the drills will concentrate on core naval warfare tasks such as air defence;ASW; and mine-hunting.Frigate HMS Kent and minehunter HMS Ramsey are spearheading the RN contribution to BALTOPS.Ramsey's CO LTCR Joel Roberts explained that:
In these uncertain times, continuing to deliver on operations is essential in protecting collective NATO and UK interests, and BALTOPS demonstrates our enduring commitment to strengthen our combined understanding, diverse range of capability, and ability to respond to emerging threats.*
HMS Kent had recently conducted joint drills with the US Navy in the Barents Sea off Russia.Adept at ASW, the Kent combines passive underwater sensors and presently a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron to hunt and,if need be, eliminate submarine threats.In this exercise,HMS Kent will be ready to deal with multiple threats from aircraft, boats
and submarines with her cutting edge suite of sensors and weapon systems for detection and engagement.
Said CO CDR Matt Sykes:
In these turbulent times,it is also vitally important that we demonstrate our commitment to the Region and to upholding the principles of freedom of access to the Baltic Sea.*
On 8 June, the US Navy's Command and Control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) served as a platform for an MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28 (HSC-28), while the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Otto Sverdrup (F 312) transited the Baltic Sea,as did the guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and the German Navy replenishment oiler FGS Rhoen (A 1443). Indeed,a German Navy Mk88 H Super Lynx helicopter flew over the Mount Whitney the same day.The multi-role chopper ranges from anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare to search and rescue and utility missions.*
About 3,000 troops,28 naval vessels and 28 aircraft are participating from 17 NATO Allies and 2 Partners from the following nations:
Canada, Denmark, Estonia,Finland, Germany, Greece,Italy,Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the UK and the US.*
HQ for the drills is Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) in Lisbon, Portugal-an historic first for the exercise.NATO'S own AWACS planes will coordinate some of the air manoeuvres, the Alliance said.*
According to the Royal Navy, the drills will concentrate on core naval warfare tasks such as air defence;ASW; and mine-hunting.Frigate HMS Kent and minehunter HMS Ramsey are spearheading the RN contribution to BALTOPS.Ramsey's CO LTCR Joel Roberts explained that:
In these uncertain times, continuing to deliver on operations is essential in protecting collective NATO and UK interests, and BALTOPS demonstrates our enduring commitment to strengthen our combined understanding, diverse range of capability, and ability to respond to emerging threats.*
HMS Kent had recently conducted joint drills with the US Navy in the Barents Sea off Russia.Adept at ASW, the Kent combines passive underwater sensors and presently a Merlin helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron to hunt and,if need be, eliminate submarine threats.In this exercise,HMS Kent will be ready to deal with multiple threats from aircraft, boats
and submarines with her cutting edge suite of sensors and weapon systems for detection and engagement.
Said CO CDR Matt Sykes:
In these turbulent times,it is also vitally important that we demonstrate our commitment to the Region and to upholding the principles of freedom of access to the Baltic Sea.*
DIA’s “MARS” Project Achieves Key Milestone
DIA’s “MARS” Project Achieves Key Milestone: The mission of the Defense Intelligence Agency is to provide intelligence on foreign militaries to prevent and win wars.
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Friday, June 5, 2020
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Ocean Drills: Vigilant Osprey Hones Atlantic Defence
North Atlantic Allies Canada, Denmark and the US concluded Exercise Vigilant Osprey,a complex homeland defence operation,on 31 May 2020.Led by US Northern Command (NORTHCOM),, Vigilant Osprey advanced tactical and operational proficiency in high-end warfare in a bi-national,multi-domain exercise in the Atlantic Ocean.
Representing the US Navy was the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and its Carrier Strike Group.The CSG is being kept at sea during its sustainment phase (ready for tasking) because of the COVID-19 threat.It has been deployed since November 2019.Nonetheless,it maintains a high level of readiness to support a full range of maritime operations for regional and national strategic objectives,as a flexible and lethal asset.Members of the CSG include Carrier Air Wing 1; Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).*
The Royal Canadian Navy provided afloat logistics support to the CSG, while frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332) took part in anti-submarine warfare and air defence drills with the CSG.Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora Long-Range Patrol aircraft made several overflights and also took part in the ASW exercise.*
Danish Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland conducted a command post drill with Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F),in which tactical and operational information was shared via Link 16 to improve mutual situational awareness.The drill ensured that such information could be shared in real time.Said Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet VADM Andrew Lewis:
The Atlantic is a contested environment, and our partnerships strengthen our advantage and complicate adversary decision making.*
Explained MG Kim Jesper Jorgensen,Commander,JACO:
Danish Joint Arctic Command is responsible for the defense and security of the Arctic regions of the Danish Kingdom, including Greenland and the Faroe Islands...Iook forward to increasing the operational cooperation between U.S. 2nd Fleet and JACO.*
Representing the US Navy was the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and its Carrier Strike Group.The CSG is being kept at sea during its sustainment phase (ready for tasking) because of the COVID-19 threat.It has been deployed since November 2019.Nonetheless,it maintains a high level of readiness to support a full range of maritime operations for regional and national strategic objectives,as a flexible and lethal asset.Members of the CSG include Carrier Air Wing 1; Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).*
The Royal Canadian Navy provided afloat logistics support to the CSG, while frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332) took part in anti-submarine warfare and air defence drills with the CSG.Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora Long-Range Patrol aircraft made several overflights and also took part in the ASW exercise.*
Danish Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland conducted a command post drill with Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F),in which tactical and operational information was shared via Link 16 to improve mutual situational awareness.The drill ensured that such information could be shared in real time.Said Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet VADM Andrew Lewis:
The Atlantic is a contested environment, and our partnerships strengthen our advantage and complicate adversary decision making.*
Explained MG Kim Jesper Jorgensen,Commander,JACO:
Danish Joint Arctic Command is responsible for the defense and security of the Arctic regions of the Danish Kingdom, including Greenland and the Faroe Islands...Iook forward to increasing the operational cooperation between U.S. 2nd Fleet and JACO.*
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