Senate confirms Berrier as next DIA director

Senate confirms Berrier as next DIA director: The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, U.S. Army, as the 22nd director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, July 30.

National Security Cutter

Arctic Blitz: Coast Guard Heads Far North

On 25 July 2020, the USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) departed from Dutch Harbor, Alaska and headed to its science missions and Operation Arctic Shield, the service's annual comprehensive assessment and respons in the high latitudes.The Healy is considered the largest and most technologically advanced cutter in the Coast Guard.It is in the vanguard of the Coast Guard surge to the Arctic in summer and autumn,in spite of,yet aware of COVID-19.
Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander VADM Linda L. Fagan assured the Wilson Center think tank:
Our Arctic Strategy is unchanged.The pandemic has not changed our priority, our intention to uphold American sovereignty, advance our national security interests and promote economic prosperity throughout the Arctic.Everyone is postured and remains operationally ready to conduct operations and meet our mission requirements in the high latitudes.
We are mindful of the many communities in and around Alaska and are taking all precautions to be sure we don't inadvertently help to spread the pandemic.*
The Arctic Shield operation will enhance maritime domain awareness; strengthen partnerships; and build preparedness, prevention and response capabilities across the Arctic domain.As the nation's lead federal agency for ensuring maritime safety and security in the Arctic, the Coast Guard protects the nation's interests, safeguards the environment and strengthens our international, federal, state,local and tribal partnerships.*
In Arctic Shield, the Coast Guard
typically deploys a number of cutters, aircraft and personnel to the Arctic with the objectives of Improving Awareness, Broadening Partnerships and Modernizing Governance.*
In future,a major role will be played by the new Polar Security Cutters.The PSCs will enable the US to maintain defence readiness in the Arctic and Antarctic r
Regions; enforce treaties and other laws needed to safeguard both industry and the environment; provide port, waterways and coastal security.
The PSC programme is being managed by an Integrated (US Coast Guard/US Navy) Program Office.On 23 April 2019 the IPO awarded a contract to VT Halter Marine of Pascagoula, Mississippi for the design and construction of the lead PSC, with an option for two more.*
The PSC will conduct national missions; respond to critical events; and project presence in the polar regions.Said Coast Guard Commandant ADM Karl L. Schultz:
Against the backdrop of great power competition, the PSC is key to our nation's presence in the polar regions.*
Construction of the first of the powerful ships will begin in 2021, with delivery slated for 2024.A total of six PSCs are to be built.*
In 2017, the US and Canadian Governments jointly tested models of such heavy icebreakers.*

SOW MC-130J Commando II Refueling Over The Black Sea

Mountain Warfare Field Exercise in Norway - EUCOM

USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) Missile Launch - Standard Missile 2 - location not disclosed

Networked Warfare: Exercise Sea Breeze 2020

Bi-lateral US-Ukraine Naval Exercise Sea Breeze 2020 got underway in the Black Sea on 20 July and runs until 26 July.NATO'S Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 is taking part with it's three frigates from Romania,Spain and Turkey.On 20 July, tactical manoeuvring drills were held.*
Participating in SB20 are 27 ships,19 aircraft and some 2,000 personnel from eight countries: Bulgaria, Georgia,Norway, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and the US.Multiple warfighting skillsets will be covered in the challenging scenarios:
Maritime Interdiction operations;air defence; anti-submarine warfare; damage control; and search and rescue.*
According to CDR Craig Trent,CO of guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78):
These exercises will allow us to learn and grow from our partner nations, increasing our interoperability and overall effectiveness as a fighting force.*
Besides the Porter,a P-8A Poseidon Maritime Surveillance Aircraft from Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 will participate, for a total of about 400 US Sailors.*
SB20 is the twentieth iteration of the drills, which aim to increase capability and strengthen regional security.It is the USS Porter's third mission in the Black Sea this year.The Porter is forward-deployed to Rota,Spain along with three other US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers to support US national security interests in Europe and Africa.*
After the Exercise,SNMG 2 will conduct a patrol toward the Mediterranean Sea, enhancing regional stability.Ukraine is providing military and civilian infrastructure of the Black Sea coast in support of the event;while the US is helping financially, technologically and by providing hardware.*
The Black Sea Region is seen as a critical area of interest by Russia, which illegally occupies Ukraine's Crimea and parts of Georgia in the region.Hence Alliance networked attack operations and long-range strike operations are reportedly within the unspoken substance of the drills.*
Sea Breeze 2020 is being overseen by RADM Oleksii Neizhpapa, Commander of Naval Forces,Armed Forces of Ukraine; and VADM Gene Black, Commander,U.S. 6th Fleet.*

72nd Anniversary of U.S. Bomber Aircraft in Europe

Thank you for your service: DIA Director honored with Patriot Award

Thank you for your service: DIA Director honored with Patriot Award: The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution honored Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley Jr. with the DAR Patriot Award during the 129th DAR Continental

Launch of Minotaur IV with NROL-129 from NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia

Relentless Pursuit: First Ever Military Launch from the Mid-Atlantic

On 14 June 2020 occurred the historic first launch of a military space mission from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0B at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.Four classified payloads belonging to the Department of Defense National Reconnaissance Office were sent into orbit aboard a Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket using three engines from a decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBM plus the second stage's solid rocket motor.*
The mission,NROL-129, was the NRO'S first dedicated launch from NASA Wallops.The US Space Force Space and Missile Systems Center provided​ the launch services for NROL-129.NRO director Dr.Chris Scolese said the system of satellites will
demonstrate revolutionary capabilities to the nation and our Allies:
Despite facing challenges in 2020,we have found new and better ways to collaborate with our partners from a distance, relentlessly pursuing our mission and denying sanctuary to our adversaries.*
Added NASA Wallops director David Pierce:
Today's successful launch exemplifies NASA'S proud service to NRO and the nation...We look forward to working with NRO, Virginia Space and Northrop Grumman on future missions from Wallops.*
Northrop Grumman (NOC)

Dynamic Mongoose 2020 - NATO

See British Royal Marine receive Bronze Star - Major James Fuller served with the US Marines in Afghanistan in an officer exchange programme.

NATO North Atlantic Drills Step Up Naval Acumen

Exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2020 is currently underway in waters off the Icelandic coast.The drills run from 29 June-10 July.Six NATO Allies are participating:
Canada, France, Germany, Norway, the UK and the US,with 5 warships;5 submarines; and 5 maritime patrol aircraft.Vessels engaged in the scenarios include the Royal Navy frigate HMS Westminster;US guided-missile​ destroyer USS Roosevelt; German Submarine U 36; and Norwegian frigate HNoMS Sverdrup. Maritime patrol aircraft involved are 2 ATL IIs from France;2 P-8A Poseidons from the US Navy; and a Royal Navy P-8A.The Icelandic Coast Guard can provide air traffic control and search and rescue as needed.*
The aim of DM 2020 is, according to VADM Keith Blount, Royal Navy, Commander,Allied Maritime Command:
To sharpen warfighting skills by focusing on high-end capabilities including Anti-Submarine Warfare.Dynamic Mongoose will ensure that we remain prepared for operations in peace, crisis and conflict.*
DM is an advanced ASW exercise.Overall, said RADM Andrew Burcher,USN, Commander, Submarines NATO:
The exercise is a unique opportunity to enhance naval forces' warfighting skills in all dimensions of Anti-Surface and Anti-Submarine Warfare in a multinational and multi-threat environment.*
The US Navy operates Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 out of Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland.It serves in the Northern European theatre.*

GPS III Space Vehicle 03 Mission for the US Space Force - 30 June 2020

27 June 2020:Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite visits the Norwegians and U...