Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group Integrates Norwegian Frigate

Before arriving in Oslo,Norway on a scheduled port visit,the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG),also called Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12),integrated Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F 311) as the GRFCSG Surface Warfare Commander,building collective operational experience at sea and showcasing a powerful display of the US Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy's interoperability,said U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet.On 24 May 2023,USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) arrived and anchored at the head of the Oslo Fjord.A fjord is a long,narrow inlet between high cliffs,typically formed by the submergence of a glaciated valley. Said new CSG 12 Commander Rear Admiral Erik J. Eslich: Norway is a strategic partner in the continued effort to maintain a secure and stable Arctic and North Atlantic region that benefits global order.* The Ford hosted local officials and key leaders for a reception to honour the US-Norway relationship.According to the Ford's Commanding Officer,Captain Rick Burgess: It is an honor,joy and thrill to visit Oslo and show our cherished partner the Navy's newest class of aircraft carriers.* GRFCSG deployed from Naval Base Norfolk,Virginia on 2 May 2023 and,since that time,has been conducting joint and combined training,exercises and operations to help reduce maritime security risk associated with increased activity in the high north.The CSG sailed with Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) for several days,refining Tactics,Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) to increase interoperability,such as by conducting a passing exercise (PASSEX).* So CVN 78 represents a generational leap in the USN's capability to project power on a global scale.No fewer than 23 new technologies are introduced on the Ford-class of carriers,advances intended to deliver greater lethality;survivability;and joint interoperability with a 20% smaller crew than the Nimitz-class which preceded it,paving the way forward for naval aviation.The Ford's deployment demonstrates the commitment and power projection capabilities of the Navy's globally deployed force.So the GRFCSG provides an inherently flexible naval force capable of deploying across combatant commands to meet emergency missions,deter potential adversaries,reassure Allies and Partners,enhance security and guarantee the free flow of global commerce.A total of more than 6,000 Sailors across all platforms of CSG 12 are ready to respond globally to combatant commander tasking. CSG 12 consists of:Carrier Air Wing 8 (CAW 8);Destroyer Squadron 2 (DESRON 2),which includes Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74),USS Ramage (DDG 74),and USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116);and Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).An undisclosed nuclear-powered attack submarine typically accompanies a CSG for force protection.The Ford's first-in-class technology includes a new nuclear plant;the ability to generate at least three times the electrical power;innovative advanced arresting gear;and the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS).EMALS expands the aircraft launch envelope,paving the way for innovation for manned/unmanned aircraft as well as providing the opportunity for other technological advancements in the future.* On 26 May 2023,His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway joined Captain Richard Burgess in a ship tour while the Ford was anchored off the Oslo coast.HRH was attired in his dress blue admiral's uniform.Indeed,a change of command ceremony transferred command of CSG 12 from Rear Admiral Greg Huffman to Rear Admiral Eslich at the same anchorage.After being anchored there for five days,the Ford headed south from Oslo between Norway and Sweden,and out to the North Sea on 29 May,according to a maritime tracking service.

IFS and Lockheed Martin Form Enhanced Partnership - Avionics International

IFS and Lockheed Martin Form Enhanced Partnership - Avionics International: IFS and Lockheed Martin have collaborated to form a strategic alliance aimed at assisting aerospace and defense entities in optimizing the benefits derived from their enterprise software investments. Lockheed Martin (LMT) Note:IFS AB of Sweden is a privately held company.Among its specialties are defence contractors and defence forces.

U.S. Army. NATO. Multinational Division "Northeast" on Exercises in Poland.

Pacific Perspective:Marine Corps Replenishes Nuclear-Armed Submarine

1st Marine Aircraft Wing,III Marine Expeditionary Force,revealed that US Marines from their unit had conducted a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) for the US Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) in the Philippine Sea during the week of 7-13 May 2023.USMC CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopters carried mission-essential equipment to the Maine during its regularly scheduled patrol.These VERTREPs are a quick way of delivering critical resources to vessels without disrupting national security operations. According to Colonel Christopher Murray,Commanding Officer of Marine Air Group-36,1st Marine Air Wing:1st MAW's persistent presence makes it the backbone of the Stand-in-Force's expeditionary capability.The intricacies of seamlessly sustaining the force thorugh naval integration and aviation-delivered logisitics is a testament to our adaptability,readiness,and ability to project power within the Indo-Pacific.* Thus the USMC has a critical role as part of a Stand-in-Force.The SIF concept is used by the Marines to persist within the Weapons Engagement Zone,employing manoeuvre and logisitics webs.It is a strategy that enhances sea control;sea denial operations;integration of multi-domain operations;and strengthening of regional security.Said USS Maine CO Commander Travis L. Wood:Rotary-wing vertical replenishment such as this allows us to quickly resupply so that we can constantly maintain presence against any adversary who would wish to do harm to the homeland.* The USN explained that the Pacific Submarine Force maximises our strengths:knowledge,stealth,agility,firepower,and endurance so that the international rules-based order and a free and open Indo-Pacific may be sustained.Under U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM),submarine-based strategic deterrence is the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad,and the endurance of our submarines means that the Submarine Force maintains a continuous presence across the globe,each and every day.Close and lethal integration between the USMC and Navy enhances regional security and deterrence alongside our Allies and Partners.* There are three large logisitics hatches on the Ohio-class,providing large-diameter resupply and repair.Supply pallets,equipment modules and machinery components may be rapidly transferred through the hatches.A triangular-shaped pallet was seen being loaded into the Maine by a Marine helicopter.* Each of the 14 nuclear deterrent submarines is armed with torpedoes and ballistic missiles.The 20 Trident II D5 missiles do not have pre-assigned targets.They are to be given their targets quickly in a crisis by USSTRACOM out of Offutt Air Force Base,Nebraska with secure and constant radio communications,including very low frequency systems.* Possibly the USS Maine is the first submarine slated to deploy to the Republic of Korea on a nuclear deterrence mission since the Cold War.

USAF Looks to Additive Manufacturing for Hypersonic Ground Testing - Avionics International

USAF Looks to Additive Manufacturing for Hypersonic Ground Testing - Avionics International: The U.S. Air Force’s Arnold Engineering Development Complex wants additive manufacturing to aid the building of parts for DoD hypersonic test facilities. Northrop Grumman (NOC),Raytheon Technologies (RTX)

Orion Program Update:NASA Gears Up to Train Artemis II Crew for Moon Mission

NASA Gears Up to Train Artemis II Crew for Moon Mission: NASA Gears Up to Train Artemis II Crew for Moon Mission

NATO Land Forces:Combined Resolve Shapes an Armored Brigade Combat Team

Exercise Combined Resolve 18 is underway in Bavaria,Germany at the Joint International Readiness Center near Hohenfels,U.S. Army Europe and Africa announced in a press release.It is a recurrent exercise meant to prepare a U.S. Armored Brigade Combat Team in support of NATO deterrence initiatives such as bolstering readiness,responsiveness,and reinforcement.Leading CR18 is the 2nd Brigade,1st Cavalry Division Armored Combat Team as the primary focus of the drills.The Polish Armed Forces' 16th Mechanized Brigade is the higher command.Participating in CR18 are over 4,000 Soldiers from the US,Allied and Partner nations,including:Azerbaijan,Albania,Belgium,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Georgia,Italy,Lithuania,North Macedonia,Poland,Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia,Turkey,the UK and the US.The exercise evaluates and assesses the ABCT's ability to conduct combat operations in a complex,multi-domain battlespace.By drilling with Allied and Partner nations,interoperability and readiness will be enhanced,said 7th Army Training Command.Thus the drills will break barriers of human and linguistic boundaries to ensure readiness to effectively respond to a regional crisis. For example,U.S. Airmen assigned to the 9th Air Support Operations Squadron interoperated with Belgian Soldiers assigned to the Intelligence,Surveillance,Target Acquisition and Reconnaisance Battalion and U.S. Soldiers of 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,1st Cav on 6 May 2023.In another instance,U.S. Soldiers assigned to 15th Support Battalion,2nd ABCT of 1st Cav,supporting the 4th Infantry Division,prepared for decontamination conducted by Albanian Soldiers assigned to the Albanian Chemical,Biological,Radiological and Nuclear Platoon in the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany on 10 May 2023.The CR series provides a realistic manoeuvre training capability in Europe that can be tailored to individual US,Allied and Partner units.The simulated combat environment offers realistic training scenarios of a modern battlefield.CR18 reinforces the U.S. Army's,Allies' and Partners' ability to fight and win on any battlefield,7th Army Training Command indicated. The situation of an actually ongoing war in Europe points up the importance of achieving readiness to fight tonight,and the Soldiers on this exercise are aware of that necessity.* CR18 began on 21 April and runs through 23 May 2023.This iteration of CR18 has featured an emphasis on U.S. Civil Affairs Soldiers preparing for conflict in Europe by interoperating with Romanian Civil Affairs Soldiers (CIMIC).Such troops would interact with local civilians,including key leaders,in the course of military operations,so role-playing is used.

Amid Ukraine war, Poland becomes critical U.S. ally by Alan Dowd - The American Legion

Amid Ukraine war, Poland becomes critical U.S. ally: After Warsaw’s repeated warnings of Russian aggression, the two nations cement defense ties.

Agile Combat Employment:Air Force Special Operations Forces Train on Wyoming Highways

Exercise Agile Chariot 23 on 30 April/2 May 2023 saw U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen practise operating in austere environments.Members of the 15th Special Operations Squadron out of Hulbert Field,Florida landed aircraft on U.S. Highways 287 and 789 in Southern Wyoming to simulate military operations in areas with minimal infrastructure while demonstrating maximum flexibility.The Airmen landed a Lockheed Martin MC-130J Commando II aircraft,as well as two A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs;an MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle;and two MH-6M Little Bird helicopters on the remote roads.The highways had been closed down with the support of State agencies,including local emergency services,according to 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs.* The Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept uses smaller,more dispersed locations and teams to rapidly move and support aircraft,pilots,and other personnel as needed.In ACE,Forward Arming and Refueling Points (FARPs) and Integrated Combat Turnaround (ICT) are utilised.15th SOS Commander Lt.Col Adam Schmidt observed that: Having the capability to land on a highway or a road can absolutely present some unique challenges to our adversaries.We can take the concepts from this exercise and apply them to any road,and in the most austere environments.* The AFSOC MC-130J,weighing about 160,000 lbs,landed on the highway at speeds nearing 140 mph/225.3 kmh.Indeed,Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron parachuted from the MC-130J to establish and secure the highway landing zone for the incoming aircraft.In an historic first,an MQ-9 Reaper UAV assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing out of Duke Field,Florida made the first ever landing on a U.S. highway by a UAV.The drills were intended to help plan and execute future real-world missions.Said USAF Lt.Col. Dave Meyer,deputy mission commander for EAC 23: An adversary that may be able to deny use to a military base or an airfield is going to have a nearly impossible time trying to defend every square linear mile of roads.It's just too much territory for them to cover,and that gives us access to places and areas that they can't possibly defend.* The Integrated Combat Turnarounds involve areas working to recover and relaunch aircraft in a minimum amount of time.* The MC-130J Commando II has a mission set of infiltration,exfiltration and resupply of Special Operations Forces,as well as the refueling of special operations helicopters and tilt-roter aircraft.It has a crew of two pilots,one Combat Systems Officer (CSO) and two loadmasters.It can cruise at 417 mph/671 kph at 22,000 ft and has a range of 3,000 miles/4800 km.The CSO executes electronic warfare,navigation and aerial refueling tasks.The Commando II is to support Special Operations Forces insertion and extraction into denied areas from strategic distances.It features an Enhanced Cargo Handling System;more powerful electrical generators;an electro-optical/infrared sensor;a CSO station on the flight deck;provisions for the Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures System;and armour.* Lockheed Martin (LMT)

Pacific Perspective:Washington Declaration Marks Turning Point in Korea Strategy

On 26 April 2023,President Joseph R. Biden hosted Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol in a State Visit at the White House.In consequence of their discussions,which followed months of preparation,a sea change occurred on the Korean Peninsula as expressed in the Washington Declaration: The ROK has full confidence in U.S. extended deterrence commitments and recognizes the importance,necessity and benefit of its enduring reliance on the U.S. nuclear deterrent.The United States commits to make every effort to consult with the ROK on any possible nuclear weapons employment on the Korean Peninsula,consistent with the U.S. Nuclear Posture Review's declaratory policy,and the Alliance will maintain robust communication infrastructure to facilitate these consultations. The Declaration stipulates that: The Alliance commits to engage in deeper cooperative decision-making on nuclear deterrence.The two Presidents announced the establishment of a new Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to strengthen extended deterrence,discuss nuclear and strategic planning,and manage the threat to the nonproliferation regime posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).In addition,the Alliance will work to enable joint execution and planning for ROK conventional support to U.S. nuclear operations in a contingency and improve combined exercises and training activities on the application of nuclear deterrence on the Korean Peninsula.In keeping with the Presidents' commitments,the Alliance has established a new,bilateral table-top simulation to strengthen our joint approach to planning for nuclear contingencies.President Biden reaffirmed...that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift,overwhelming and decisive response.President Biden highlighted the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence to the ROK is backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities,including nuclear.Going forward,the United States will further enhance the regular visibility of strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula,as evidenced by the upcoming visit of a U.S. Ballistic Missile submarine to the ROK,and will expand and deepen cooperation between our militaries.Furthermore,the United States and ROK will strengthen standing bodies for consultations on extended deterrence,including the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group,to better prepare the Alliance to defend against possible attacks and nuclear use and conduct simulations to inform joint planning efforts.* President Yoon affirmed that the ROK will apply the full range of its capabilities to the Alliance's defense posture.This includes working in lockstep with the United States to closely connect the capabilities and planning of the new ROK Strategic Command.Such activities will include a table-top exercise with U.S. Strategic Command.* Thus,in light of the DPRK's belligerence and possession of up to 20 nuclear weapons and development of ICBMs capable of striking the U.S.,more U.S. strategic assets,including bombers,will be deployed to ROK.In the past,President Yoon has called for the increased deployment of U.S. bombers,aircraft carriers and nuclear-armed submarines to offer a firmer response to DPRK's threats,CBS News pointed out.Ohio-class Ballistic Missile submarines armed with strategic nuclear weapons,the Trident D5 ICBMs,will be making port calls in ROK.The Trident missiles carry warheads of varying explosive power,ranging from tactical nuclear weapon strength up to strategic blast capability.Ballistic Missile nuclear-armed submarines haven't been deployed to Korea since the 1980s.No nuclear weapons will be deployed on land without consultation under the Washington Declaration. The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Marine Corps Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II,as well as the Navy's F-35C Lightning II,are aircraft carrier nuclear-capable fighter jets.* Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)