NASA's Artemis II Moon Mission Preparations: Latest News and Updates (Official NASA Briefing) - slated for launch in November 2024

Three of the astronauts are active duty military:Captain Reid Wiseman USN,Captain Victor Glover USN,Colonel Jeremy Hansen RCAF.

Orion Program Update:Here are the Artemis II astronauts that will fly around the Moon and even beyond it

Three of the astronauts are serving in the military:Captains Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover,US Navy,and Colonel Jeremy Hansen,Royal Canadian Air Force.The Artemis II mission will take astronauts 4600 mi/7402.9 km past the dark side of the Moon,which is farther into the solar system than humans have ever gone before.

Arctic Defence:Operation NOBLE DEFENDER

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) sucessfully completed Operation NOBLE DEFENDER,a dynamic force employment operation,last month.It ran from 15-31 January 2023.The drills spanned multiple locations from Alaska to Greenland.Said NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) commander General Glen Van Herck,US Air Force: Operation NOBLE DEFENDER sucessfully demonstrated our willingness and capability to conduct operations above the Arctic Circle in even the harshest weather conditions,and proved a concept of integration with key Arctic partners to defend northern approaches to North America.* Locations of OND included Thule Air Base,Greenland;Iqaluit Forward Operating Location,Nunavut,Canada;5 Wing Goose Bay,Newfoundland and Labrador,Canada;and Eielson Air Force Base,Alaska.Some 225 US Forces and Canadian Forces personnel supported and operated a wide range of aircraft,including four F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters;three Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets;four KC-135 refueling tankers;one RCAF Airbus CC-150 Polaris transport/refueling tanker;one E-3 Sentry AWACS;and one Canadian Forces AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopter.* OND marked an historic first-ever deployment of F-35As to Thule Air Base,Greenland,with the permission of NATO Ally the Kingdom of Denmark.* The drills culminated with CF-18 Hornets escorting a U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber posing as an adversary through Northern Canada and the Central US.The joint operation demonstrated collaboration and integration with mission partners to defend the entirety of our northern approaches and the necessity of force integration to the defence of North America.* In the course of OND,CF-18 Hornets from 3 Wing,Bagotville,Quebec took off from Iqaluit Airport in Nunavut.Special Operations Forces from U.S. Special Operations Command North parachuted out of a US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter to a location off the Bering Sea.F-22 Raptors soared overhead and inflatable boats from Commander Naval Special Warfare Group One headed for shore.* OND is a recurring operation throughout the year,maintaining mission readiness in varied environments and preserving the capacity for follow-on operations,NORAD said.OND validates the command's capability to defend the US and Canada against threats from every avenue of approach to the continent.This is especilly relevant in light of Russia's Arctic buildup in recent years as they revamped Cold War bases and built new ones.China is also stepping up its Arctic military operations.*

Under NATO Command for Power Projection:Carrier Strike Group 10

NATO Vigilance Activity Neptune Strike 2022 (NEST 22.2) began on 14 October and was to have lasted 12 days.Actually,it was still active as of 28 October.NEST 22.2 was overseen by Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO) from its headquarters in Oeiras,Portugal.The focal point of the activity was the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG 10) and its integration with NATO Allies and Partners while under NATO command.This enabled the CSG to deliver effects in NATO Joint Operating Areas (JOAs) Allied Joint Forces Command (JFC) Naples,Italy and JFC Brunssum,the Netherlands,projecting Alliance cohesion through simultaneous operations in European waters.Commands throughout the Alliance came together to plan and execute all-domain real world Vigilance Activities,demonstrating NATO'S power and capability.Said Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee,commander U.S. 6th Fleet and STRIKFORNATO: The Neptune series is a tangible demonstration of the power and capability of the NATO Alliance in all-domain operations.Neptune Strike 22.2 is a prime example of NATO'S ability to integrate high-end maritime warfare capabilities of an Allied Carrier Strike Group,ensuring our collective capability to deter and defend.* NATO observed that,within the framework of Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA),the Vigilance Activity improved interoperability of the CSG with STRIKFORNATO;Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE);and the wider Alliance and Partners.It also generated effects in the maritime,air and land domains,providing deterrence and reassurance while offering powerful opportunities for Allied interoperability.It proves the power and cohesion of the NATO Alliance,according to Royal Navy Rear Admiral James Morely,deputy commander,STRIKFORNATO.Such Vigilance Activities ensure the appropriate strategic awareness and force readiness required to sustain the peace.* Added Rear Admiral Dennis Valdez,CSG 10 commander: The teamwork,trust and combat readiness built through these events are our competitive advantage.* As of 28 October,the CSG was transiting the Adriatic Sea,which separates Italy from Southeast Europe,during NEST 22.2.The CSG is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter,and if necessary,defeat our adversaries in support of national security.Indeed,the Spanish frigate ESPS Cristobal Colon (F105) accompanied the CSG during its Adriatic transit,and Rear Admiral Michael Sciretta,commander,Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) flew aboard an E/A-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft from the USS George H.W. Bush.Lieutenant Commander Sean Delaney of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 40 had given Rear Admiral Sciretta a safety check before the two-seater aircraft's flight.* Allies and Partners taking part in NEST 22.2 included Albania;Canada;Croatia;Finland;France;Germany;Greece;Hungary;Italy;Lithuania;North Macedonia;Poland;Romania;Spain;Slovakia;Sweden;Turkey;the UK and the US with more than 80 aircraft;14 ships;and around 6,000 personnel.US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets conducted patrols over Romania,which has a border with Ukraine,with Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets.During a live-fire drill,Sailors from Team Jackpot,that is,Carrier Air Wing SEVEN (CVW-7),fired 50-caliber and M240B machine guns from the George H.W. Bush.Team Jackpot was also very pleased to meet NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg,who mingled with them during his visit to the CSG on 25 October 2022.*

Ocean Drills: Vigilant Osprey Hones Atlantic Defence

North Atlantic Allies Canada, Denmark and the US concluded Exercise Vigilant Osprey,a complex homeland defence operation,on 31 May 2020.Led by US Northern Command (NORTHCOM),, Vigilant Osprey advanced tactical and operational proficiency in high-end warfare in a bi-national,multi-domain exercise in the Atlantic Ocean.
Representing the US Navy was the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and its Carrier Strike Group.The CSG is being kept at sea during its sustainment phase (ready for tasking) because of the COVID-19 threat.It has been deployed since November 2019.Nonetheless,it maintains a high level of readiness to support a full range of maritime operations for regional and national strategic objectives,as a flexible and lethal asset.Members of the CSG include Carrier Air Wing 1; Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98).*
The Royal Canadian Navy provided afloat logistics support to the CSG, while frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332) took part in anti-submarine warfare and air defence drills with the CSG.Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora Long-Range Patrol aircraft made several overflights and also took part in the ASW exercise.*
Danish Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland conducted a command post drill with Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F),in which tactical and operational information was shared via Link 16 to improve mutual situational awareness.The drill ensured that such information could be shared in real time.Said Commander,U.S. 2nd Fleet VADM Andrew Lewis:
The Atlantic is a contested environment, and our partnerships strengthen our advantage and complicate adversary decision making.*
Explained MG Kim Jesper Jorgensen,Commander,JACO:
Danish Joint Arctic Command is responsible for the defense and security of the Arctic regions of the Danish Kingdom, including Greenland and the Faroe Islands...Iook forward to increasing the operational cooperation between U.S. 2nd Fleet and JACO.*

NORAD News:Russian Bombers and Fighters Make Show of Force Near Alaska

According to a press release,on 20 May 2019,NORAD responded to multiple challenges presented by Russian military aircraft.Initially,two Tupolev Tu-95 Bear bombers were intercepted in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) by two US Air Force F-22 Raptor fifth generation fighter jets.Oddly,Russia then sent a second wave of aircraft,two more Tu-95s,plus two Su-35 fighter jets as well,into the ADIZ.These were met by two more F-22s,plus an E-3 Sentry AWACS for overall surveillance of the incident.
All the Russian aircraft remained in international air space.
According to NORAD Commander GEN Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy,US Air Force:
NORAD's top priority is defending Canada and the U.S.Our ability to deter and defeat threats to our citizens,vital infrastructure,and national institutions starts with successfully detecting,tracking,and positively identifying aircraft of interest approaching U.S. and Canadian airspace.*
NORAD explains that it:
employs a layered defense network of radars,satellites,and fighter aircraft to identify aircraft and determine the appropriate response.*
On 26 January 2019,NORAD had deployed an E-3 Sentry AWACS;two F-22 fighters;and two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighters to intercept two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers when the Blackjacks entered the Canadian Air Defence Indentification Zone.

Russian Bombers Draw Intense NORAD Response

At 1240 hours Eastern,a tweet from NORAD/USNORTHCOM stated that two Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers entered the Canadian Air Defense Identification Zone on 26 January 2019.The bombers remained in international airspace and did not enter sovereign territory.What was extraordinary was that five NORAD aircraft were launched to identify and intercept the Blackjacks, when normally it would just be a few fighter jets.*
This time,it was a full-on response with an E-3 AWACS,two US Air Force F-22 Raptors and two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornets.It may have to do with Canada's recent expansion of it's AIDZ to include the  Canadian Arctic in light of Russia's increased activity in the region.Then too,it may also have to do with the current tension over Venezuela between Russia and the West.

The War On ISIL:Progress Amid Concern

A status report on the war on the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant was presented to journalists by Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren,US Army,on Monday 20 April.Ramadi,capital of Anbar Province,Iraq remains highly contested-it's a tough fight there right now.We're hopeful that coalition air power along with the resolve of the Iraqi ground forces will be able to hold.In Beiji,Iraqi troops successfully linked up with forces on the ground in the oil refinery and have thus far been able to secure the refinery.We are dedicating some air power to the fight and it remains a contested situation.
In Afghanistan,we don't necessarily believe that conditions are such that ISIL would be welcome.We don't see the rebranding of disaffected Taliban and other militants to ISIL as a cause of increased violence in Afghanistan yet,but it is certainly something that we're going to continue to watch.
In Libya,the Department is beginning to see more than a rebranding effort.I think Libya is probably where ISIL most wants to gain a foothold.At this point,they have gained at least a toehold in Libya based on an extraordinary amount of unrest and an almost completely deteriorated security situation.
Nearly every one of the press releases that we issue every day indicates damage to tactical units-that's fighters being killed.So I would submit to you that we've delivered punishing blows to ISIL over the past six months.We've started to see cracks in ISIL's ability to bring on new forces.ISIL is turning now to conscription,to forcing people into their armed forces,and in some cases to child soldiers.So the pressure that the combination of air and ground power we're applying to ISIL is having an effect,COL Warren concluded.*
The Pentagon says in a special report that since the kinetic engagement with the Islamist extremists began in August 2014,ISIL has lost about 25-30% of the territory it held in Iraq.*
In Syria,the Pentagon reports that attack,fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 10 airstrikes between 8 am local on 19 April and 8am on 20 April:
Near Hasakah,three airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and a mortar position,destroying a fighting position.Near Kobani,seven airstrikes struck seven tactical units,destroying two vehicles,a fighting position,mortar tube and an ISIL anti-aircraft artillery piece.
The Royal Canadian Air Force has now joined the air campaign against ISIL targets in Syria,as well as Iraq.They fly the CF-18 Hornet,as well as mission support aircraft.

Canadian Troops Suppress ISIL Barrage

Canadian special forces troops had traveled to the front lines in the past week with their Iraqi trainees,in order to visualise the map they had been studying.ISIL militants spotted them and opened up on them with a mortar and machine gun.Invoking their right of self-defence,the Canadians neutralised the enemy position by laying down sniper fire,according to General Michael Rouleau,commander of Canadian Special Operations Force Command.It was the first instance of coalition forces engaging in ground combat operations during Operation Inherent Resolve,the anti-Islamic State effort.General Rouleau described the ISIL militants' attack as being immediate and effective.
The Canadian SOP troops in Iraq number about 70.Their mission is to train,advise and assist Iraqi troops-particularly the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.In addition,they are serving as forward air controllers, targeting ISIL positions with laser markers,collecting intelligence on them and analysing what positions should be bombed.Six Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter aircraft are in Iraq participating in coalition airstrikes on Islamist militant targets,supported by another 600 Canadian troops.Canada is one of the leading contributors to Operation Inherent Resolve.
The SOP troops established Patrol Base Cirillo in a November ceremony.No Canadian soldiers were injured in last week's firefight.The incident points up the way even trainers can become involved in combat,the best intentions of their political leaders notwithstanding.Both Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama have insisted their troops are not on a combat mission.