Combat Credible Forces:Rotational Army Units Deploy to Europe for Reasurrance,Deterrence and Defence

A press release by U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEA) states that U.S. Army rotational units have been deployed to Europe for NATO support: 1.The 1st Cavalry Division HQ will replace 3rd Infantry Division HQ in Europe for the first time in four years,which was before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022;2.the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery in Europe;3.the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT),"Ironhorse",4th Infantry Division,will replace the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,3rd Infantry Division in Europe;4.the 1st Cavalry Combat Aviation Brigade (AirCav) will replace the 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade;5.the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade in Europe.The deployments will occur between April and June.*According to the Task and Purpose news outlet,the U.S. Army's "First Team" is on its way to Europe.Ahead of its deployment,the unit held a casing of the colours ceremony at its home,Fort Cavazos,Texas.It is the first time the unit is deploying to Europe under the leadership of MG Kevin D. Admiral.MG Admiral said the troops were ready for their mission:We are going over to reassure our NATO Allies and work with Partners.*Along with MG Admiral was SGM LeVares J. Jackson,and the two leaders folded and cased the unit's colours.This signifies the deployment of 1st CAV.Said MG Admiral:Now more than ever,it is critical that we reassure our Allies in Europe that America's First Team will provide combat ready formations to deter aggression,and,should deterrence fail,our adversaries will see what it means to be CAV ready.*In addition,according to the Army Times news outlet,the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division,will replace 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division in support of NATO Allies.This will occur later this summer,according to LTC Sarah Ray,10th Mountain Division spokesperson.She said:They will continue to assure our NATO Partners and Allies,deterring further Russian aggression and reinforcing the NATO flank in Eastern Europe.*USAEA stated that some 1600 Soldiers already arrived in Norway to begin a nearly 559 mi/899.6 km road march to Finland,where 10th Mountain Division is currently taking part in multinational training between the US,NATO and new member Finland.The drills will occur through 31 May and involve more than 10,400 U.S. service members.*When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022,the Biden administration announced an influx of troops to shore up NATO's Eastern Flank-and spurred two Nordic neighbours to join the Alliance.Sweden joined NATO on 7 March 2024 and Finland joined on 4 April 2024.The 10th Mountain Division deployment to Finland will be an historic one,as the first light Infantry Brigade Combat Team to deploy to a Nordic Country.*The Pentagon had responded to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine by deploying 20,000 additional troops to Europe,bringing the total number of U.S. troops in European operations to more than 100,000.*The 3rd Infantry Division is out of Fort Johnson,Louisiana.*History of 1st CAV:1st Cavalry Division had participated in World War II combat;Korean War combat;Air mobile warfare,Vietnam;Gulf War combat;War on Terror combat in the Iraq War and Afghan War.Activated on 13 September 2021 at Fort Bliss,Texas,initially the troopers rode on horseback in desert regions around Fort Bliss,engaging in rough-riding along the Mexico border.With technological advancement,horse mounted cavalry became obsolete,so the Division transitioned to dismounted cavalry for WW II.In 2023,the Division became subordinate to III Armored Corps at Fort Cavazos,Texas.

Propellant Tanks for Artemis III on the Move at Michoud - Orion Program Update

Artemis III will return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972 for Lunar Science studies.It is slated for a September 2026 launch.The SLS Core Stage primarily conists of the cryogenic liquid Oxygen and liquid Hydrogen fuel tanks,and is manufactured by Boeing.These were recently welded together at NASA Michoud Assembly Facility,New Orleans,Louisiana.*Boeing (BA)

B-52H:The Plane That Challenged China

The US Air Force sent two B-52H Stratofortress bombers through China's newly declared Air Defence Identification Zone over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Monday.China,Japan and Taiwan lay claim to the islands.The previously scheduled training mission went off without incident,despite the American refusal to heed Chinese requirements to file a flight plan;radio frequencies;and transponder information-or face emergency military measures.There was no communication with China during the flight.
The B-52s are part of the 20th Bomber Squadron and flew out of Andersen Air Force Base,Guam.They were deployed there in August from Barksdale AFB,Louisiana in accordance with the new US defence strategy of rebalancing forces to the Pacific.The Air Force has 76 of the venerable bombers,which were built in 1962.They can fly at a speed of up to 650 mph(Mach 0.84) at an altitude of up to 50,000 ft/15,151.5 m.They have a crew of 5,and can fly 8800 miles/7652 nautical miles unrefueled.
Armed with precision-guided bombs and air-launched cruise missiles,it flies both high altitude strategic bombing,interdiction and close air support missions.It can assist the US Navy,as it is highly effective at ocean surveillance,as well as minelaying and anti-ship operations.In 2 hours,2 B-52s can monitor 140,000 sq mi/364,000 sq km of ocean.The planes can serve till 2040,the latest engineering studies show.
The bombers,which are under Global Strike Command,have been receiving a B-52 Software Block(BSB) upgrade this autumn.This will allow them to fully utilise new equipment and advanced weapons as they are introduced.As well,existing systems can be improved and enhanced by the upgrade.Such items as the Offensive Avionics System;GPS;GPS Interface Unit;and Advanced Targeting Pod computer can be enhanced by the upgrade.
New lines of code are created to access new weapon or equipment capabilities such as the new ability to attack fast moving ground targets with smart weapons,Global Strike Command program analyst Nathan Dawn said.The upgrade can also correct software errors and patch deficiencies not found during development and testing.When errors are found in new and complex software,they are documented and prioritised for repair in the next upgrade cycle.
Boeing was the original manufacturer of the B-52H.
Boeing(BA)

USS Somerset:Last of 9-11 Tribute Ships Christened-memorial warship will transport U.S. Marines

The USS Somerset(LPD 25),the last of three amphibious transport dock ships named after sites affected by the 9-11 terrorist attacks,was christened on Saturday.Mrs.Mary Jo Myers,wife of General Richard B. Myers,U.S. Air Force retired,former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,performed the naval tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne against the new ship's bow at its official naming.Mrs.Myers' participation suggests the closeness of the Navy and Air Force in this era of the Air-Sea Battle Concept and joint basing.
The ceremony was held at  the Avondale shipyard near New Orleans,which is slated to close once the Somerset's final construction is completed.
Somerset County,Pennsylvania was where the passengers of Flight 93 stormed the cockpit in resistance to the terrorists,bringing the plane down in a field there.Twenty-three family members of those who perished in the Somerset County incident attended the christening.The ship includes steel from a crane bucket that was used to recover the Flight 93 wreckage in its bow stem,or leading edge.
The other 9-11 memorial ships are the USS New York(LPD 21) and the USS Arlington(LPD 24).These San Antonio class vessels are for transporting up to 800 U.S. Marines,their equipment and supplies to war zones,unstable regions and humanitarian disaster areas.They have well decks for landing craft and amphibious vehicles,as well as hangars and flight decks for a wide range of helicopters and the Marines' MV-22 Osprey vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.The ships are armed with 2 Mk31 Mod1 RAM launchers;2 Mk46 30mm guns;and 10 .50 caliber machine guns.
Huntington Ingalls Industries built the three memorial ships.Please visit the photo link below this post.
Huntington Ingalls Industries(HII)

Memorial Ship Christened

The USS New York(LPD 21),a vessel forged in tragedy,was christened on 1 March in Avondale,Louisiana.The ship's bow stem,or front edge,contains 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center rubble,and she stood up to Hurricane Katrina.An amphibious transport dock,the New York carries 699 Marines and their equipment,including the MV22 Osprey,a vertical take-off and landing aircraft.Her sister ship,the Arlington(LPD 24),is under construction,and evokes the 9-11 attack on the Pentagon in Arlington,Virginia,as well as Arlington National Cemetery.The USS New York's home port will be in Norfolk,Virginia.