Pacific Perspective:US Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Field Training

Resolute Dragon 23 began on 14 October 2023 and runs till 31 October.It is the third iteration of the bilateral exercise hosted by III Marine Exepeditionary Force and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.The Forces will drill in multiple locations across Japan,rehearsing Command,Control and multi-domain manoeuvre capabilities.Concepts such as expeditionary advanced base operations and support to all-domain fleet and joint operations will be practised,showcasing our partnership's ability to deter and counter threats by deploying and dispersing throughout the first island chain,and be postured to fight from anywhere,according to Brig.Gen. Adam Chalkley,USMC,3rd Marines Logistics Group Commander.III MEF will send about 3300 Marines and Sailors to the drills.*RD23FTX will feature many firsts,such as implementing bilateral live-fire between Marine Corps M142 HiMARS and and JGSDF multiple rocket launcher systems.Marines will rehearse rapid infiltration with HiMARS into the Yausubetsu Maneuver Area via Kenebetsu Airfield.This will enhance the lethality of the partnered Forces and train for rapid response to crises as a singular,unified Force.Some 19 installations and facilties will be utilised,from Hokkaido to Kyusha and the Southwestern Islands.In Kyusha,the JGSDF Western Army and III MEF will rehearse tasks as part of a Joint Force Littoral Component Command,strengthening their combined joint response to threats to a free and open Indo-Pacific Region.*Bilateral training will be conducted at Camp Ishigaki,a new facility,including integration of members of the U.S. Army's 1st Multi-Domain Task Force,radar operations;a medical facility supporting casualty evacuation between JGSDF and III MEF;and a subject matter expert exchange for forward air refueling training.So RD23FTX is intended to strengthen bilateral operational capabilities and interoperability between the USMC and JGSDF with an emphasis on air-ground integration and combined arms live-fire training.This leading effort will ensure that both countries can implement their shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.*For example,US Marines with 2nd Battalion,2nd Marine Regiment,executed a simulated counterattack for force-on-force training at JGSDF Kirishima Training Area,Miyazaki,Japan on 21 October 2023.The same day,they prepared to ambush a simulated enemy position.On 22 October,they conducted a road sweep (patrol).2nd Btn.,2nd MR is currently forward deployed to the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment,3rd Marine Division.

USAF, NATO. Powerful B-1B Lancer strategic bombers have arrived in the UK RAF Fairford,England

B-1B strategic bombers arrived at RAF Fairford,England.They are out of Dyess Air Force Base,Texas and are on a Bomber Task Force mission,set to interoperate with NATO Allies and partners throughout the European theatre,enhancing Deterrence and Defence.

B-21 Taxi Tests Underway, As Bomber Prepares for First Flight - Avionics International

B-21 Taxi Tests Underway, As Bomber Prepares for First Flight - Avionics International: Taxi tests of the Northrop Grumman [NOC] B-21 Raider stealth bomber are underway near Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif., as the aircraft prepares for first flight. The Air Force issued […] Northrop Grumman (NOC)

US Army, NATO. M1A2 Abrams tanks during a tactical road march in Germany.

NATO Land Forces:Combined Resolve 19 Tests Warfighting Acumen

U.S. Army Europe and Africa is leading the recurring exercise Combined Resolve 19 at the Joint Multi-National Readiness Center near Hohenfels,Bavaria,Germany.The purpose of the drills is to prepare a US Brigade Combat Team in support of NATO Deterrence and Defence initiatives,while also developing NATO Allies and key Partners' interoperability and readiness across specified warfighting functions.In the course of the exercise,the Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell,Kentucky will execute muti-domain operations during combat training drills as the primary audience for the instruction.Said Col.Trevor Voelkel,1st Brigade Combat Team commander:No matter where the U.S. Army finds itself,whether here in Europe or beyond-we,along with our Allies and Partners-need to be ready to respond when our nations call.And this exercise,which will hone our warfighting abilities,will ensure we are ready.*The drills will facilitate implementation of Operation Atlantic Resolve,not only in the context of Russia's first invasion of Ukraine in 2014,but of its further brutal aggression in 2022 as well.Besides 1st BCT,other Army units participating include:10th Mountain Division;10th Air and Missile Defense Command;41st Fires Brigade;3rd Combat Aviation Brigade;and Army Reserve Units permanently stationed in Germany conducting their annual training,the Army noted.*More than 4200 military personnel from 14 nations will take part in the exercise,including:Bosnia and Herzegovina,Finland,Georgia,Greece,Italy,Lithuania,Moldova,North Macedonia,Romania,Slovenia,Spain,Sweden,the UK and the US.The drills run from 10 October 2023 to 11 November.7th Army Training Command is providing training areas and logisitical support for the exercise that ensures operational readiness.*CR19 will evaluate and assess 1st BCT's ability to conduct combat operations in a complex,multi-domain battlespace.It will bolster readiness and test responsiveness and reinforcement capability.*The Joint Multi-National Readiness Center provides world-class operational Forces (1st Battalion,4th Infantry Regiment) to showcase opposing Forces in the drills.This is critical so the troops will be ready to fight what's coming next.There will be a live,thinking enemy to challenge the Brigade,enabling them to master large-scale ground combat operations.The 1-4 will not so much simulate as replicate enemy Forces.By working through CR19,1st BCT will be enabled to respond more effectively to regional crises,while meeting their own security needs.They will be tested and certified to be combat-credible warriors,ready to accomplish objectives for a strong Europe beside the Allies and Partners they will fight alongside if necessary.Having been totally immersed in an operational environment with no pauses,they will make significant progress toward Deterrence and Defence.

Pacific Perspective:USAF. Powerful F-15E Strike Eagle fighters during joint exercises in Japan.

Steadfast Noon:NATO's Annual Nuclear Drills Visit Southern Europe

NATO's nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon began on 16 October 2023 and runs until 26 October.The manoeuvres are being participated in by 13 NATO Allies.The US has sent Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers to Europe directly from a US base.The drills are being supported by conventional aircraft.No live nuclear weapons are included in the annual autumn event.Flights simulating NATO's response to a nuclear attack are taking place in Southern Europe this year,including Italy,Croatia and the Mediterranean Sea.Said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg:Our exercise will help to ensure the credibility,effectiveness and security of our nuclear deterrent.* Most of the drills are held at least 1,000 km/621.37 mi from Russian borders and are not linked to current events.According to NATO's Strategic Concept:the fundamental purpose of NATO's nuclear capability is to preserve peace,prevent coercion and deter aggression.*NATO'S nuclear deterrent has two layers:1.Strategic National Forces of the US,UK and France and 2.the Dual Capable Aircraft (DCA) programme,which identifies fighter aircraft with both nuclear and conventional capability.Under the nuclear sharing programme,the US provides tactical nuclear weapons,the B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs,to the following NATO Allies:Belgium,Germany,Italy,the Netherlands and Turkey.These bombs are kept in hardened storage bunkers.The bombs are under custody and control of US Air Force Munitions Support Squadrons co-located on NATO major operating bases.The MSS's work together with host nation Forces.The current DCA are the Panavia PA-200 Tornado IDS and the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.The nuclear weapon shelters use the US Air Force W53 Weapon Storage and Security System.Germany plans to phase in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter DCA when it retires the Tornados in 2024.*According to NATO,the credibility of the Alliance's Nuclear Forces is central to maintaining deterrence,which is why the safety,security and effectiveness of these Forces are constantly evaluated in light of technological and geo-strategic evolutions.The Nuclear Planning Group remains the forum for consultation on NATO's nuclear deterrence.The Alliance reaffirms the unique and distinctive role of nuclear deterrence and maintains credible deterrence;strengthens strategic communications;and enhances the effectiveness of its drills,while reducing strategic risks.At the extraordinary Summit of March 2022,after Russia's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine,NATO committed to enhancing preparedness and readiness for chemical,biological,radiological and nuclear threats.* Context:According to NATO's Strategic Concept,approved at the 2022 NATO Madrid Summit:The Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies' peace and security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic Area.It seeks to establish spheres of influence and direct control through coercion,subversion,aggression and annexation.It uses conventional,cyber and hybrid means against us and our partners.Its coercive military posture,rhetoric and proven willingness to use force to pursue its political goals undermines the rules-based international order.The Russian Federation is modernising its nuclear forces and expanding its novel and destructive dual-capable delivery systems,while employing coercive nuclear signalling...We will individually and collectively deliver the full range of forces,capabilities,plans,resources,assets and infrastructure needed for deterrence and defence,including for high-intensity,multi-domain warfighting against near peer competitors...The circumstances in which NATO might have to use nuclear weapons are extremely remote.Any employment of nuclear weapons against NATO would fundamentally alter the nature of a conflict.The Alliance has the capabilities and resolve to impose costs on an adversary that would far outweigh the benefits that any adversary could hope to achieve.* Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)

NATO. E-3A AWACS airborne early warning aircraft in Lithuania.

Staffed with multinational aircrews,the E-3A Sentries were recently deployed to Lithuania to strengthen NATO's Eastern Flank.

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Pacific Perspective:Fighter Presence Assured at Kadena Air Base

On 2 October 2023,Boeing F-15C Eagles from 144th Fighter Wing,Fresno Air National Guard Base,California,arrived at Kadena Air Base,Okinawa,Japan to ensure continuous fighter presence as Kadena's fleet of F-15 C/D Eagles make a phased return to the US,18th Wing announced.Kadena is called the Keystone of the Pacific because of its strategic location on Okinawa.The ANG Eagles will work with other heavy,reconnaissance,and 4th and 5th generation fighter aircraft assets augmented and stationed to Kadena to ensure steady-state fighter capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region.The diverse array of fighters,alongside joint and Allied Forces,strengthen operational readiness to defend Japan,while ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific through a robust presence of dynamic fighter aircraft.Said Lt.Col. John Vanbragt,144th Operations Group commander:Our squadron is excited to train and integrate with our bilateral Partners.Operating in the Indo-Pacific offers immense opportunities for our Airmen and Allies to strengthen our partnerships and continue to refine tactics.* Thus the reception of the F-15C at Kadena enables the 18th Wing to work dynamically in a fluid airspace and Area of Operations,ensuring U.S. Forces Japan and Allied partners remain postured to deliver lethal and combat-ceredible airpower to ensure the defence of US Allies and a free and open Indo-Pacific,maintaining deterrence capabilities and added flexibility in a dynamic theatre.Posturing with a wide range of capabilities in the Indo-Pacific remains a top priority,18th Wing said.* Team Kadena is a world-class combat team ready to fight and win from the Keystone in the Pacific.Kadena Air Base's mission is to project decisive airpower to ensure regional stability and security as an Agile,Innovative and Ready Force from Pacific Air Forces' premier air base.* The F-15C has a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 (1650 mph/2655 km/h at high altitude) and has a service ceiling of 65,000 ft/20,000 km.It is armed with 1x20mm M61A1 Vulcan 6 barrel rotating cannon and up to 4xAIM-7 Sparrow missiles;4xAIM-9 Sidewinder missiles;and 8-AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.The Air Force plans to retire all F-15C/Ds by 2026.* Boeing (BA)

LEONOR: Sus PRIMERAS FOTOS con UNIFORME de CAMUFLAJE, CASCO y FUSIL | RTVE Noticias - Spanish Public Broadcasting

Spanish Public Broadcasting has provided these photos of Princesa Leonor de Asturias,the future regnant Queen of Spain,while on field training exercises with her fellow cadets of the Academia General Militar de Zaragoza.

US block on additional Ukraine funding "will get sorted out", ambassador tells DW

U.S. Navy Awards Cockpit Modernization Contract to Northrop Grumman - Aviation Today

U.S. Navy Awards Cockpit Modernization Contract to Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman will evolve the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye cockpit and computing architecture with DSSC 6 as part of a new contract awarded by the U.S. Navy. Northrop Grumman (NOC)

U.S. Army, NATO. Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division In Moldova. Training mission - Exercise Rapid Trident

NATO Partner Moldova borders Ukraine,which is to the east.Romanian is the majority language (75%),with a Russian-speaking minority (16%).

Allied Reaction:NATO's Newest Force

On 29 September 2023,the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy (NRDC-ITA) was announced as the interim headquarters for the Alliance's new Allied Reaction Force (ARF),NATO announced in a press release.ARF was established at the NATO Vilnius Summit in July 2023.The NRDC-ITA will provide Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli,U.S. Army,with immediate capability to respond to a crisis,while also providing for the development of permanent ARF structures.The ARF will be a new,muti-domain Force for providing more options to respond swiftly to threats and crises in all directions throughout Alliance territory.Said NRDC-ITA commander Lt.Gen.Lorenzo D'Addario:I am excited and honoured to serve the Alliance in such a crucial role.We will be training hard to provide NATO a ready Force.* For the remainder of 2023 and early 2024,NRDC-ITA will undergo a rigorous series of measures:military exercises;academic studies;staff training;and the exercise Steadfast Deterrence in May 2024.Then NRDC-ITA will receive validation as an interim HQ before officially assuming the role in July 2024.This new role will strengthen the Corps' extant relationships,while allowing it to work with new Allies and Partners,sharing expertise and experience while demonstrating cohesion and legitimacy.The selection of NRDC-ITA as the interim HQ reaffirms Italy's commitment to the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area,NATO said.* For its part,the UK has already pledged forces to the ARF.The ARF is part of the Alliance's New Force Model,which will support modernisation and strengthening of the NATO Force Structure.This in turn will ensure declared capabilities,equipment and forces are available to SACEUR in the right place at the right time.The agile,multi-domain and combat-credible ARF will be able to deploy at very high readiness to respond to a range of crises,the UK Ministry of Defence pointed out,in light of Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.Contribution of fighter aircraft,land forces and maritime vessels to the New Force Model will protect people across the Alliance against future threats,the UK MOD stated.