Hybrid Threat:Poland Reacts as Wagner Group Mercenaries Approach NATO Chokepoint

On 29 July 2023,Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said his government had received information that Wagner Group mercenaries were nearing Grodno,Belarus close to the Suwalki Gap,a part of Northeast Poland regarded as a NATO chokepoint,since it connects Belarus with Russia's Kalilingrad Oblast exclave.In a conflict with NATO,Russia and Belarus could seize the sparsely populated area,thus cutting off land access to the three NATO member Baltic States of Lithuania,Latvia and Estonia.Over a hundred Wagner Group mercenaries were reported to be gathering in the area.*Prime Minister Morawiecki feels it is another effort to destabilise the Polish border,after Belarus had sent waves of illegal refugees across the border in summer 2021,causing chaotic scenes.Said Mr.Morawiecki:They (Wagner Group mercenaries) will probably be disguised as Belarusian border guards and will help illegal immigrants to enter Polish territory,destabilising Poland;but they will also probably try to infiltrate Poland,pretending to be illegal immigrants,and this creates additional risks.*Recall that Russia invaded Ukraine for the first time in 2014 with men in unmarked green uniforms,the so-called little green men.So the Wagner Group could wage hybrid warfare against NATO Ally Poland on behalf of Putin and his crony,Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko.Grodno,Belarus is about 10 mi/16.09 km from the Polish border.Speaking at a press conference,Mr.Morawiecki said that:Now the situation is becoming even more dangerous.This is certainly a step towards a further hybrid attack on Polish territory.*Such an attack could activate NATO's Article V,which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.Article V has only been activated once,following the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.The Suwalki Gap is the border between Poland and Lithuania.Lukashenko reportedly remarked to Putin that:The Wagner guys have been starting to stress us.They would like to go West,saying 'Let's go on a trip to Warsaw and Rzeszow.'"Wagner Group has been training Belarusian troops lately.So Poland has reinforced its border with troops and 500 police.Recent drills near the border have been seen by Poland as a provocation.Kaliningrad Oblast is heavily fortified with up to 30,000 Russian troops and heavy artillery.In 2019,there were Russian/Belarus drills near the Polish border.

U.S. Army, NATO. Powerful M109A6 Paladin howitzers during live firing in Lithuania

C-17 Globemaster III Pilot Rushes Emergency to Take Off at Full Speed U.S. Air Force - Andersen AFB,Guam 2023 - Procedure to take off in the event of an imminent enemy attack

Pacific Perspective:Bomber Deployments to Indo-Pacific Highlight Regional Tensions

US Air Force Global Strike Command deployed four nuclear-capable B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron out of Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota,to Andersen Air Force Base,Guam on 12 and 14 June 2023,along with 150 Airmen.Said Lt.Col. Ryan Loucks,Bomber Task Force commander:Being here in the Indo-Pacific with the BTF allows our forces to showcase our ability to deploy anytime,anywhere in support of the combatant commander's objectives.*Among the current tensions in the region are North Korea's ongoing ballistic missile tests,including ICBMs with nuclear capability that can reach the US;China's militarisation of coral reefs in the South China Sea and its threats to Taiwan;China's expansive territorial claims not recognised by the international community;as well as growing military cooperation and drills by Russia and China.Bomber Task Force missions maintain a high state of readiness and validate an always-ready global strike capability.The strong,credible strategic bomber force enhances security and stability of US Allies and Partners.* U.S. Strategic Command's (STRATCOM) BTF operations ensure the command can provide decisive response against any threat when called upon by national leadership,Minot AFB said.*A further deployment of B-52s occurred when 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron out of Barksdale Air Force Base,Louisiana contributed an unspecified number of B-52s to the combatant commander on 5 July 2023 at Andersen AFB.Said Lt.Col. Jared Peterson,20th EBS commander:Each mission flown further demonstrates our ability to provide agile combat-ready forces and long-range strike capabilities to combatant commanders around the globe.* Indeed,on 10 July 2023,2 B-1B Lancer strategic bombers out of Dyess AFB,Texas were deployed to Misawa Air Base,Japan on a separate BTF rotation.Once the bombers had arrived,they flew integration drills over the Korean Peninsula and made a first ever BTF landing in Indonesia.A third mission involved deploying to Exercise Northern Edge in the Gulf of Alaska at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Hail Columbia - theme song for the Vice President of the United States - United States Army Band

What does Columbia mean?In this context,it is a poetic term for the Americas derived from the name Christopher Columbus.The Latin motto on the Vice Presidential flag,E Pluribus Unum,means "From many,one."

Columbia The Gem of The Ocean - Federal City Brass Band

When borne by the red,white and blue*When borne by the red,white and blue*Thy banners make tyranny tremble*When borne by the red,white and blue

US Space Command Does Not Provide Blanket Protection for Commercial Satellites, If Attacked - Via Satellite

US Space Command Does Not Provide Blanket Protection for Commercial Satellites, If Attacked: The 133 commercial space companies that provide systems for U.S. military use do not have automatic protection for those systems from U.S. Space Command

US Army, NATO. Special Forces "Green Berets" train with allies in Europe.

Note:Bosnia and Herzegovina received a NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) in 2018,but has yet to meet the conditions of it.It remains a NATO Partner.

Bulletin:US Deploys Nuclear-Armed Submarine to South Korea

On 18 July 2023,USS Kentucky (SSBN 737),an Ohio-class nuclear-armed Ballistic Missile Submarine,was deployed to Republic of Korea Busan Naval Base.The submarine was escorted into the port by two ROK Navy destroyers.The deployment,the first by a US Navy Ballistic Missile Submarine to ROK since the early 1980s,was one of the steps agreed to in the Washington Declaration by US President Joseph R. Biden and ROK President Yoon Suk-Yeol on 26 April 2023 at The White House.*The deployment is an expression of the extended deterrence concept.The concept means that the US will defend its Allies by any means necessary,including the use of nuclear weapons.At the same time as the Kentucky's arrival,the first meeting of the US-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) was taking place in the ROK President's Office.Leading the US delegation was Kurt Campbell,Coordinator of Indo-Pacific Affairs for the National Security Council at The White House.Leading the ROK delegation was Kim Tae-hyo,Principal Deputy National Security Adviser.Said Kim:We've gained confidence that South Korea and the United States will be able to sufficiently and decisively strengthen extended deterrence to a degree where the need for an independent nuclear deterrent (by ROK) becomes unecessary.*A joint statement by the NCG issued after the meeting siad that:Both sides affirmed that the NCG will play an integral role in discussing and advancing bilateral approaches,including guidelines,to nuclear and strategic planning and response to DPRK (North Korean) aggression.*Kim concluded by adding that:Additionally both sides have agreed to expand the sharing of information on nuclear and conventional forces and establish a system and procedures that enable bilateral agreements of South Korea and the United States in any nuclear crisis situation.*

President Biden Calls Up Reserves for Eastern Flank Rotations

On 13 July 2023,President Joseph R. Biden called up Selected Reserves and certain Individual Ready Reserves in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.Said Director of Strategic Communications for the National Security Council Rear Admiral John Kirby,US Navy retired,in a briefing for reporters at The White House:This basically is a realization of the fact that the President knows that the security environment in Europe has changed.We've got to make sure that we've got the proper force posture to support an Eastern Flank presence for the long-haul.*Since Putin's full scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022,the US has added 20,000 additional troops to Europe,bringing the total to over 100,000.So the President's move is aimed at sustaining that momentum over time.Said President Biden in a Breifing Room notice of Presidential Actions:By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America,including sections 121 and 12304 of title 10,United States Code,I hereby determine that it is necessary to augment the Active Armed Forces of the United States for the effective conduct of Operation Atlantic Resolve in and around the United States European Command's araea of responsibility.*The President went on to stipulate that his execuitve order for the deployment of Reserves may not exceed 3,000 total members at any time,of whom not more than 450 may be members of the Individual Ready Reserves.The President signed his order Joseph R. Biden Jr.,The White House,July 13,2023.*It will be recalled that Operation Atlantic Resolve resulted from Russia's hybrid invasion of Ukraine in 2014,including the illegal annexation of Crimea,Ukraine and the establishment of renegade provinces in the Donbas Region of Ukraine.Operation Atlantic Resolve was intended to reassure our NATO Allies of our intent to help them defend Europe and deter Russian aggression against NATO.According to Lt.Gen. Douglas A. Sims II,US Army,Joint Staff director of operations,Operation Atlantic Resolve has been upgraded to a contingency operation.This new designation benefits troops amd families with increase in authorities,entitlements and access to the reserve component forces and personnel.So the reservists will receive the pay and support of Active Duty personnel.Added Lt.Gen. Sims:This reaffirms the unwavering support and commitment to defend NATO's Eastern Flank in the wake of Russia's illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine.*Part of the reasoning behind the call-up is the shortfalls in military recruitment across all six Active Duty Armed Services,especially the US Army,that has been experienced recently.The Army is offering a 50,000 dollar bonus for a six-year commitment.

BAE Systems’ HAPS Vehicle Completes Stratospheric Flight - Via Satellite

BAE Systems’ HAPS Vehicle Completes Stratospheric Flight: BAE Systems completed a stratospheric flight last month of its HAPS vehicle PHASA-35. In a recent 24-hour test, PHASA-35 flew to more than 66,000 feet to

Northrop Unveils DARPA Shipboard Drone Concept for Navy Tactical Missions - Avionics International

Northrop Unveils DARPA Shipboard Drone Concept for Navy Tactical Missions - Avionics International: Northrop Grumman unveiled the design of the new autonomous uncrewed VTOL aircraft it will build under a new contract from DARPA. Northrop Grumman (NOC)

BAE Systems Unveils New Research Facility for Combat Air Capability - Aviation Today

BAE Systems Unveils New Research Facility for Combat Air Capability: BAE Systems recently unveiled a new research facility to accelerate research in cutting-edge combat air capability.

U.S. and Nordic leaders hold talks in Finland - Associated Press

US deploys 'combat ready' units to Poland, thousand troops from Armored Battalion to Ukraine border

NATO Secretary General with 🇺🇸 US President Joe Biden at the NATO Summit,11 JUL 2023

NATO’s new defence plans

NATO is making the most significant overhaul of its force structure since the Cold War.

President Joe Biden meets the King - Sky News - 10 July 2023

Pacific Perspective:AUKUS Defence Alliance Being Phased-In

On 21 September 2021,the AUKUS Defence Alliance was established by President Joseph R. Biden and then Prime Ministers Boris Johnson of the UK and Scott Morrison of Australia.The Alliance was founded to enhance the collective security of the signatories in the Indo-Pacific Region.It provided for the sharing of nuclear propulsion information with Australia by the UK and the US for the purpose of enabling Australia to procure and operate nuclear powered fast attack submarines;the development of hypersonic and counter-hypersonic technologies;as well as cyber capabilities including Artificial Intelligence;quantum technologies;and additional undersea capabilities.* A major step in the nuclear propulsion sharing activity has been inititiated with the education and graduation of three Royal Australian Navy (RAN) officers from Naval Nuclear Power Training Command and Nuclear Power School in Charleston,South Carolina.They have taken an important step toward becoming qualified to operate naval nuclear reactors on submarines and aircraft carriers.Graduating were RAN officers Lt.Cmdr.James Heydon,Lt.Cmdr.Adam Klyne,and Lt.William Hall.They will continue their education on the Navy's moored training ship,and then in Connecticut more training for qualification as officers aboard Virginia-class nuclear powered fast attack submarines.Australia intends to procure at least three of the Virginia-class submarines,with an option for two more.The Virginia-class submarines will fill the gap left by Australia's retirement of its Collins-class diesel-electric submarines.The US and the UK will also design the SSN(R) nuclear powered fast attack submarine for the RAN.* The Virginia-class submarines are built by a partnership of Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat.* Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII),General Dynamics (GD)

LIVE: President Biden lands at Stansted Airport,UK - Reuters - 9 July 2023

NASA's Artemis II Rocket Flight Software Meets Testing Checkpoint - Orion Program Update

NASA's Artemis II Rocket Flight Software Meets Testing Checkpoint: Software engineers recently finished the first part of the Artemis II SLS flight software's formal qualification testing.

Coast Guard Issues Draft RFP For Maritime UAS - Avionics International

Coast Guard Issues Draft RFP For Maritime UAS - Avionics International: The Coast Guard issued a draft RFP for UAS that would be operated by contractors aboard some of its cutters, moving a step closer toward a new procurement.

NATO High Readiness Armored Forces during an exercise in Poland.

Pacific Perspective:B-52s Send Warning to North Korea

On 30 June 2023,two US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers participated in joint drills with US and Republic of Korea (ROK) fighter aircraft over the Korean Peninsula,the ROK Defense Ministry said.The nuclear-capable B-52s were escorted by USAF F-16 Fighting Faclons and F-15E Strike Eagles,both of which are nuclear-capable;as well as ROK F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and KF-16s.Said U.S. Forces Korea,it was an opportunity for the Alliance to:further strengthen its interoperability by demonstrating a combined defense capability,rapid deployment,and extended deterrence in the defense of the Korean Peninsula.* The B-52s were out of Barksdale Air Force Base,Louisiana,and not part of the Bomber Task Force deployed to the Indo-Pacific from Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota.* Under the Washington Declaration agreed when ROK President Yoon Suh Yeol visited the White House on 26 April 2023,the US pledged to defend the ROK from attack with the full range of its capabilities,including nuclear weapons.So US nuclear-capable systems are to be deployed to ROK,including Ohio-class ballistic nuclear missile submarines.* President Joseph R. Biden and President Yoon established a new Nuclear Consultation Group to strengthen extended deterrence;discuss nuclear and strategic planning;and manage the threat to the non-proliferation regime posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),according to the Washington Declaration.As well,the Alliance will work to enable joint execution and planning for ROK conventional support to US 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,interagency table-top simulation to strengthen our joint approach to planning for nuclear contingencies.President Biden reaffirmed that the United States' commitment to the ROK and the Korean people is enduring and ironclad,and that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift,overwhelming and decisive response.Going forward,the United States will further enhance the regular visibility of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula,as evidenced by the upcoming visit of a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine to the ROK,the first to visit since the Cold War.* The ROK has set up the new ROK Strategic Command.Furthermore,the two countries have established the Extended Deterrence and Consultation Group to better prepare the Alliance to defend against potential attacks and nuclear use and conduct simulations to inform joint planning efforts.

Airbus Coordinates Several European Defence Fund Projects - Avionics International

Airbus Coordinates Several European Defence Fund Projects: The European Commission announced plans to fund 41 collaborative defense research and development projects as part of the European Defence Fund.