HG S2 (Intel Bot)

Heard about the conversation about Naval History at the United States Naval Academy? The original post was very interesting. The follow up was very compelling. An outside observation by a civilian was very encouraging. But I think in the end what I appreciated most was seeing someone in Navy public affairs address the issue professionally and directly in a blog comment. Well done. This week I found myself reading about the value of naval wargaming as it was discussed over email and reading about the value of naval history as it was debated in the blogosphere; and both of these conversations served as a fresh reminder that my hobbies are neither as unique nor as trivial as I long presumed they were. Regarding the simi-private naval wargaming discussion that some of you have likely observed as I have, my only comment is this - there is no reason why the Naval War College isn't running an open source project on SourceForge for the development of a networked, Enterprise naval simulation system that can scale to multiple locations and be multi-player. The University systems in the US are saturated with video game programmers right now - some of whom are very talented, and if someone could come up with a system for measuring combat power, the implementation into software wouldn't be as expensive as you think if you have the right folks running the project from the NWC. Video games are excellent branding tools, as SOCOM has made obvious, which means a naval simulation could be legitimately sponsored and funded from a number of offices N1-N9 and be a legitimate expense, or investment, depending upon how you look at it. In fact, the biggest challenge would be deciding whether the game should be real-time or a play by email turn based system. I favor play by email, but I'm also one of those nerds who enjoyed table top Harpoon, although I'm also admitted a nerd who consumed time writing my own custom DBs for the digital version. View the full article

In his day he was reviled in ways that George W. Bush could commiserate about. He was denigrated as just an actor, a lightweight, an extremist and many other insults. And yet now he is revered by most including many on the left. His crime at the time was an Unapologetically American attitude, and it served him, and us, quite well. He stood up to the most existential threat this planet has ever faced, nuclear Armageddon. It is hard to convey to kids who don't even know what the Soviet Union was that there was a serious concern that we could actually destroy the planet. Not in the wimpy Al Goreacle-d way they are whingeing about now, but actually snuff out the human race in a nuclear winter. This was not just the left wing buttheads, it was a legitimate worry for anyone paying attention. He stood for human rights and dignity and the right of all people to choose their own government and live free from oppression. And when he talked about it you knew he meant it. The Soviet Union was in full on expansionist mode and recruiting satellites and proxies to expand their influence. Our answer was Ronald Reagan and gunboat diplomacy. BAM! It didn't always work, and of course we made compromises and worked with some evil bastards. But in the end it we prevailed and he was prophetic when he said "... freedom and democracy will leave Marxism and Leninism on the ash heap of history.". And the world can thank Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher & Pope John Paul II for that. There are others, Lech Walesa for certain, who deserve high praise, but that troika was the driving force in the fight for liberty and freedom. His good nature and steadiness were a comforting factor when the price of failure was annihilation. It is a level of dignity and grace under pressure we haven't seen in any politician since and not many before (if any). The stakes in our international duel with the Soviets was survival. Our systems were mutually incompatible and theirs required a constant expansion to bring more of the proletariat into the fold. So Reagan planted the flag, and said this will not stand. It was a bold stance and much assailed by the Realpolitik crowd as well as the entire left. The fights over the nuclear missiles we had in Europe were epic, both here and there. I saw some first hand in Germany, and will never forget the protester on 15 foot stilts trying to step over the 10 ft fence around a US nuke base, and the Polizei blasting him dead in the chest sending him ass over tea kettle backwards. Heck back then when people asked what I did, I told them I worked for Ronald Reagan, and I was damn proud of it. The current chaos is creating a kind of Reagan nostalgia. Agree with the man or not, but you knew where he stood and you knew the political winds would not sway him. Some straight talk about freedom from a man who has inspired hundreds of millions around the world right now would be welcome. Lech Walesa knows who he wants to thank. When talking about Ronald Reagan, I have to be personal. We in Poland took him so personally. Why? Because we owe him our liberty. This can't be said often enough by people who lived under oppression for half a century, until communism fell in 1989. Poles fought for their freedom for so many years that they hold in special esteem those who backed them in their struggle. Support was the test of friendship. President Reagan was such a friend. His policy of aiding democratic movements in Central and Eastern Europe in the dark days of the Cold War meant a lot to us. We knew he believed in a few simple principles such as human rights, democracy and civil society. He was someone who was convinced that the citizen is not for the state, but vice-versa, and that freedom is an innate right. I bet the protesters in Egypt, or the poor bastards who preceded them in Iran, would love to hear the support of the most powerful man on the planet. Or more importantly for their governments to hear it. Belief in freedom and the rule of democracy is the greatest gift America has given the world. We should never fail to stand tall and refuse to countenance tyranny. We do our country, our security and the world as a whole a tremendous good every time we reaffirm those beliefs. So thanks President Reagan, for the inspiration, the example, the strength and the dignity. America is exceptional, we were founded that way and remain the shining city on the hill the rest of the world wishes they lived in. View the full article

This book is by a very interesting character whom I met (is whom right there?) when I joined the ad sales staff at madison.com, home of the two Madison papers. Not long before that there was a campaign to support the site that used some awesomely Soviet style, propaganda looking imagery including a red star (this is a very tame example, they had some much more Daily Worker ones). The funny thing was they denied it was at all based on that and claimed it was art deco or some BS. I wasn't buying it and hammered them on my blog on their own site. When I started working there, I went to see the marketing director, a guy named Jon Friesch, who(m?) I assumed was a left wing butthead since he was responsible for the campaign. I was a little off base, and as it turned out I had found one of the only conservatives in the building. For him I was an enjoyable spectacle as I grilled sacred cows and kicked over all kinds of rice bowls. His office was crammed full of Marvel Comics stuff and the whole marketing department was, like most, a little bent. As it turned out, we spent quite a few hours in his office bemoaning the abject stupidity of the left, inside the building and out. He is now out in Seattle doing his own thing, one part of which was writing an excellent book about conservatism that is perfect to give to those who don't have a clue what it is all about. His book is called Gut Feeling and here is the review I put at Amazon. There are many weighty tomes about conservatism that trace its roots back to a bunch of crotchety old European guys. I'm sure they are wonderful and that a historic look at conservatism is a useful thing for some. But what do you say when someone asks you "Why are you a conservative?". It doesn't do much to say that Burke and Kirk and a bunch of other guys said its a good idea. Not gonna win too many converts or justify your beliefs to a skeptic. This book is perfect for that. Whether its a teenager whose eyes you want to open, a disillusioned independent wondering if he can afford to dabble in Democrats, or somebody who has ignored politics but thinks we are on the wrong path, this book works as a perfect way to cut to the chase. It will even entertain those already on board with reminders of how conservatism isn't just a political ideology, it's a way of living your life. It reminds us of all the virtues and morals and ethics that combined inform, or ought to inform, all of our decisions. I bet you can think of three or four people who could benefit from a book like this. It has a light touch, is not overly judgmental and could actually attract people to conservatism. View the full article

Very rarely do people talk about all the interesting things submarines do, except maybe this article. Revelations by prominent British journalist and author Gordon Thomas in his latest book, Inside British Intelligence: 100 Years of MI5 and MI6 , published last year, show Britain's foreign secret intelligence service mounted an operation to thwart the Chinese arms delivery to Zimbabwe in April 2008. "Britain's intelligence services have increased surveillance of China over the years because of China's activities in Africa. In April 2008, MI6 asked for one of the Royal Navy's nuclear Trident-class submarines to track a floating arsenal of weapons and bombs dispatched by the Beijing regime in China on board a rust-stained freighter, the An Yue Jiang, to President Robert Mugabe's pariah state of Zimbabwe," Thomas says. "On board were 1000 rocket-propelled grenades, 2000 mortar rounds, and three million rounds of ammunition. MI6 agents in South Africa believed the arsenal was intended to further cow Zimbabwe's starving population (after the disputed elections)." Thomas says Britain, using its MI6 operatives and the Royal Navy's nuclear Trident-class submarine, tracked the Chinese ship - nicknamed "Freighter of Death" - along the coast to ensure it did not offload the cargo, while London and Washington ratcheted up diplomatic pressure to prevent any country in the region from allowing the delivery of the arms to Mugabe. "Denied landing rights by dockers in South Africa's Durban port, the freighter began to wander around the South Atlantic while Chinese officials in the home port of Ningbo sought other ports in Africa where the cargo could be unloaded and sent by road to Zimbabwe," Thomas says. "Intelligence sources in London confirmed that secret approaches had been made to Equatorial Guinea, Benin and Ivory Coast. None, however, allowed the ship to dock and off-load its weapons." Thomas says his sources had told him Mugabe could even approach Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to repackage the arms and ship them to Zimbabwe under disguise. "The Trident - one of the four in the fleet which is based in Faslane on Scotland's Clyde - continued to track the freighter until it suddenly hurried to its home port late in May 2008," Thomas says. "The black-hulled Trident submarine covered with sonar-absorbing anechoic tiles tracked the Chinese freighter, sending short-burst communications to the Admiralty in London." The Chinese ship eventually sailed back home after all countries in the region refused to allow it to offload the weapons. A 'spill the beans' spy book written by an Englishman. Sounds like something I need to read. This is the side of China that Hu should have been asked about by reporters during his visit. If he was asked - send me a link. I wonder how many ships with arms are at sea right now with destinations of Tunisia, Sudan, and Algeria? Also, does anyone else see the irony of a "nuclear Trident-class submarine" tracking "a floating arsenal of weapons and bombs." View the full article

Here we go. From Admiral Harvey via WAVY; A few minutes ago, I permanently relieved Capt. Owen Honors of his duties as commanding officer of USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) for demonstrating exceptionally poor judgment while serving as executive officer of that ship, from 2006-2007. While Capt. Honors' performance as commanding officer of ENTERPRISE has been without incident, his profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer in ENTERPRISE calls into question his character and undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command.After personally reviewing the videos Capt. Honors created while serving as executive officer, I have lost confidence in his ability to lead effectively, and he is being held accountable for the poor judgment and inappropriate actions repeatedly demonstrated in those videos. It is fact that as naval officers we are held to a higher standard. Those in command must exemplify the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment which we expect our Sailors to embrace. Our leaders must be above reproach and our Sailors deserve nothing less.Capt. Dee Mewbourne will be permanently assigned as the new commanding officer of ENTERPRISE. Capt. Mewbourne most recently commanded USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and while in command he completed two successful combat deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Mewbourne is currently serving as the Chief of Staff for Navy Cyber Forces - he will assume command of ENTERPRISE later this afternoon. That brings us to the questions I asked over at USNIBlog. CAPT Mewbourne - good luck. View the full article

What is Mandarin for "BOLTER"? I told you ... I told you .... you all owe me beer. China may be ready to launch its first aircraft carrier in 2011, Chinese military and political sources said on Thursday, a year ahead of U.S. military analysts' expectations. Analysts expect China to use its first operational aircraft carrier to ensure the security of its oil supply route through the Indian Ocean and near the disputed Spratly Islands, but full capability is still some years away. "The period around July 1 next year to celebrate the (Chinese Communist) Party's birthday is one window (for launch)," one source with ties to the leadership told Reuters, requesting anonymity because the carrier programme is one of China's most closely guarded secrets. The Defense Ministry spokesman's office declined to comment. The possible launch next year of the ex-Soviet aircraft carrier 'Varyag' for training, and testing technology, will be one step toward building an operating aircraft carrier group, analysts said. The U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence estimates the Varyag will be launched as a training platform by 2012, and China will have an operational domestically built carrier after 2015. I snickered when I read this as it is another, "Duh." People thought I was paranoid when I said that would be a casino about the same time I become a Marine - but remember, you aren't being paranoid if people are actually out to get you. A Chinese firm bought the then-engineless Varyag from Ukraine in 1998 for $20 million, planning to convert it to a floating casino in Macau, but the Chinese military then bought the vessel. The learning curve is steep - but the Chinese have plenty of their blood and our treasure to spend on it. 2030 will be interesting. View the full article

The Korean crisis is turning into a case study on escalation control. With the arrival of Bill Richardson to North Korea on Thursday, North Korea decided on Friday to wave their deterrent, again, in our direction. North Korea warned Friday that another war with South Korea would involve nuclear arms and spread beyond the peninsula, upping the ante as a prominent U.S. politician and a top U.S. nuclear envoy each visited Pyongyang and Seoul to defuse tension. Uriminzokkiri, the communist state's official Web site, also said in a commentary that war on the Korean Peninsula is only a matter of time, stoking already high tensions after the North shelled a western South Korean island on Nov. 23 and killed four people. "If war breaks out, it will lead to nuclear warfare and not be limited to the Korean Peninsula," it said. If you are one of those people who think this is just more North Korean rhetoric, and do not see military confrontation as a possibility here, perhaps if I raise you a Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff you might reconsider the very real possibility that war might come to the Korean Peninsula as soon as this weekend. The U.S. military is concerned that South Korea's live-fire artillery exercises planned for coming days could spark an uncontrollable clash with the North, but the State Department said the exercises are not meant to be threatening or provocative. "What we worry about, obviously, is if that is misunderstood or if it's taken advantage of as an opportunity," Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Thursday at the Pentagon. "If North Korea were to react to that in a negative way and fire back at those firing positions on the islands, that would start potentially a chain reaction of firing and counter-firing." The escalation control comes, in part, from diplomats: "South Korea is entitled to take appropriate steps in its self-defense, making sure that its military is prepared in the event of further provocations is a perfectly legitimate step for South Korea to take," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said at his midday briefing Thursday. "North Korea should not see these South Korean actions as a provocation." But the Generals are involved in the escalation control process: "What you don't want to have happen out of that is ... for us to lose control of the escalation. That's the concern," Cartwright said about the military exercises. There is a pattern of cop/bad cop when you mix and match the comments from State and Defense: "These are routine exercises. There's nothing, you know, provocative or unusual or threatening about these exercises," Crowley said. "There's no need for it to increase tensions in the area. This is a pre-announced live fire exercise. The North Koreans clearly should know what is going to happen. It is not directed at North Korea." What concerns me about General Cartwrights comments is that they do not all appear to be pointed in the direction of North Korea, indeed one could infer that he is speaking through the media to South Korea as well. There were news reports that North Korea warned South Korea not to conduct the exercises on Yeonpyeong Island prior to the first incident. Has there been a warning this time? I only ask because we are reacting to news of the new exercise as if North Korea told us - 'better not!' How do we then put the comments by Vice Adm. Al Myers to the crew of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) into context with all that is going on. The aircraft carrier is in the final stages before heading off to the western Pacific. I personally find these comments quite remarkable, but primarily because Navy News Service actually printed it. Myers also encouraged the strike group Sailors to handle the gravity of their forthcoming mission. "For the folks who are on their first deployment, they're going to write history. Vinson is going to be in the news," Myers said. "It's important to understand the Navy does two fundamental things - one is we influence foreign countries, build and disrupt coalitions, and we main t ain sea lanes of commerce. You're going to influence a few foreign countries. By being present there, you're going to be protecting our lanes of commerce. You can't do that virtually, you have to be there, you have to be forward deployed. You prove every day what a strong team can do." Looking for a way to pull all of this together? The commentary at Nightwatch over the last two days has been very good. Read this report first, then this one, before reading on... If you follow the pattern you see two tracks possible, confrontation and diplomatic breakthrough. The State Department deserves a ton of credit for being very agile and responsive in keeping the pressure on both North Korea and China. It is worth noting that Russia still lingers as a Plan B over the horizon as a SK-US-Japan diplomatic option should things turn south. For their part, China is being systematically discredited as the responsible regional leader to virtually every observer, and younger leaders who are more familiar with how international rule sets work for security have demonstrated signs of awareness towards this important aspect of events. That is good news in the long term, but does nothing for the current situation. The chess match being orchestrated by the State Department is designed around a theory of escalation control for nuclear warfare that I had believed disappeared after the cold war. The US military has masterfully played their support role for the region while signaling preparation for military action should a confrontation occur. The statements of US Generals and Admirals act as pressure points to maintain pressure on the region, and everything has been building towards the South Korean exercise this weekend. As it has been since the original combat action, what happens next will be determined exclusively by the two Koreas, with both the US and China playing every card possible to insure a diplomatic avenue exists should confrontation not be on the agenda. As a final note: Date .......attack subs deployed | attack subs underway Nov30 .............. 37% ................ 46% Dec07 .............. 41% ................ 63% Dec17 ...............43% ................ 67% A full 2/3 of the United States Navy attack submarine force is at sea today, and 4 attack submarines have deployed over the last 10 days. I'm sure it is a Christmas coincidence. View the full article

In late May 1943, the B-24 carrying the 26-year-old Zamperini went down over the Pacific. For nearly seven weeks — longer, Hillenbrand believes, than any other such instance in recorded history — Zamperini and his pilot managed to survive on a fragile raft. They traveled 2,000 miles, only to land in a series of Japanese prison camps, where, for the next two years, Zamperini underwent a whole new set of tortures. His is one of the most spectacular odysseys of this or any other war, and “odyssey†is the right word, for with its tempests and furies and monsters, many of them human, Zamperini’s saga is something out of Greek mythology. For you sports minded folks, that name might sound familiar. Zamperini grew up in Torrance, Calif., and thanks partly to a bout of juvenile delinquency — he became adept at breaking into homes, then fleeing the police — he developed into a world-class runner. He ran the 5,000 meters at the 1936 Berlin Olympics (even Hitler commented on him) and later, at the University of Southern California, flirted with a four-minute mile. There is more at the NYT article, and if you like what you are reading there, you might want to check out Laura Hillenbrand's new novel, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption. More here. Hat tip PowerLine. View the full article

The naval variant of the military’s fighter jet of the future arrived at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., on Nov. 6, a development that means the Navy and its industry partners are satisfied that the jet can safely perform basic flight maneuvers and is ready to tackle more demanding tests. Behind the scenes, however, the Navy is struggling to remedy a significant design oversight that poses a major potential hindrance to its ability to successfully deploy and maintain the F-35C Lightning II, the carrier-based variant of the joint strike fighter: Its powerful single engine, when packed for shipping, is too large to be transported to sea by normal means when replacements are required. “That is a huge challenge that we currently have right now,†said Capt. Chris Kennedy of the JSF Program Office, answering a flier’s question about JSF engine resupply following a public presentation on the state of the program at the 2010 Tailhook Symposium in September in Reno, Nev. He said the program office is working with the Navy staff and carrier systems planners to solve the problem. Really? Really? The program is simply too far down the road to do anything but try to find a work around ... but an interesting forensics question would be the how and why we have reached this point of the program when someone asked, "So, what are the tie down and CG considerations for COD'n this out to the boat?" ... and the answer was, "What is a COD?" From the cheap seats here, it looks like no one listened to or invited on the team anyone from the Aviation Maintenance side of the house, CVN AIMD in particular. On the USN/USMC side of the program team, who were the 13XX post-Command personnel in the loop? When, how, and why was this requirement defined, prioritized, and addressed? This really can't be something that was just thought of, could it? If at sometime it was decided that this need was not essential - who made that decision and why? Is this another case of Jointicitis, r.e. ACS, where we could be spending a dollar in the long run to save a quarter now ... again. Let me try to find the positive angle on this. This might be a good excuse to bring back a discussion of the Common Support Aircraft. We need a non-FA-18 based organic tanker and we need spare engines - use that as the basis for the discussion. Go evolutionary not revolutionary with a fly-off like was done with the F-16/17 & F-22/23. Replacement for E-2D at some time down the road should be able to piggy-back on the result. Either that or we can accept lower strike sorties due to unnecessarily NMCS aircraft, and parasitic buddy-tanking. Oh, let me help our our buddy Galrahn --- accountability? View the full article

Now, I don't know if I would call a German Socialist a Fascist .... but that is simply because I have enough of a problem being redundant in my writing. This has been all around ... and I felt the need to share simply because it does three things for me: 1. Shows the EU Parliament as it is. 2. Shows the best political insults come from Brits. 3. Lets me share with you the, ahem, beautiful Dutch language and entertaining hand gestures. Mr. Bloom; take it away. Some think he went too far - maybe, but I would think that he did a great cry for freedom. I owe him beer. Now - who is calling who a Fascist? Vote PVV early - vote PVV often; at least for the lady. Oh ... I almost forgot Nigel. Never forget Nigel. View the full article

Several noteworthy events took place surrounding Korean Peninsula tensions over the last 24 hours. Reuters discusses the first two issues in this report. "We oppose any military act by any party conducted in China's exclusive economic zone without approval," China's Foreign Ministry said in an online response to a question regarding China's position on the George Washington participating in joint naval exercises. This is the first reaction to the US moving the USS George Washington (CVN 73) into the Yellow Sea. As far as China is concerned, they believe no one should be allowed to operate a warship, much less an aircraft carrier, within their exclusive economic zone. There is no international law that China bases their political protest on, as maritime boundary definitions in the UNCLOS are defined as: Coastal waters—the zone extending 3 nm. from the baseline Territorial sea—the zone extending 12 nm. from the baseline Contiguous zone—the area extending 24 nm. from the baseline Exclusive Economic Zone—the area extending 200 nm. from the baseline except when the space between two countries is less than 400 nm China's criticism was to be expected, and one reason why I believe the Obama administration has taken this course of action. Territorial sea only extends 12 nm, and only if US Navy forces move within the territorial waters of China would there be any violation of international law. The Reuters report also discusses the latest statement by North Korea: "The situation on the Korean peninsula is inching closer to the brink of war due to the reckless plan of those trigger-happy elements to stage again war exercises targeted against the (North)," the North's official KCNA news agency said. Shortly after the statement, the North Korean military held an exercise near Yeonpyeong island firing artillery at least twice over a period of two and half hours. This article in the New York Times has the details, and nice photo of how clearly one can see the smoke from the artillery from Yeonpyeong island. The press has been given access to Yeonpyeong island to see the damage, and as one might imagine the pictures on TV and online just piles on the political pressure for the government to act. It is an unfortunate situation, because the new Defense Minister is in a difficult place regarding how to respond to any new attacks after having just seen the old Defense Minister resign for not retaliating forceful enough. What does that mean next time the North tries another limited skirmish on the border? As the Wall Street Journal notes, Asian markets are nervous. South Korea's Kospi dropped 1.3%, Japan's Nikkei Stock Average shed 0.4%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 0.8% and China's Shanghai Composite declined 0.9%. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.1%. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 75 points in screen trade. If I am to be a selfish American, I would note that the Asian concerns of war combined with the European concerns of debt certainly gives investors in the global economy a lot to think about. The consequences of that concern has been a nice little bump for the dollar. It is remarkable how quickly signs of war between nations in either Asia or the Middle East usually bounces US currency positively, a reminder that the gold standard was replaced with the F-16 standard over 30 years ago. I say this as a key reminder. Should China decide to start selling off their holdings in Treasuries, it is important to remember that means someone else is buying. Worth thinking about. The Navy exercise between the US and South Korea that begins Sunday is a short term action, but long term actions are necessary. What the Cheonan and now this latest incident has highlighted is a broad flaw in US policy, and while everyone would love to see a diplomatic solution to all of these problems, the patience of the region with the US governments ineffective diplomatic solutions for North Korea has all but expired. Both South Korea and North Korea have stopped working with the Red Cross, which was the last link the two countries had before this latest incident. There is a realization in Washington, DC that future North Korean attacks will make a future US policy response that 'calls for restraint and emphasizes diplomacy' a failure of US obligations to partners like Japan and South Korea. This realization has become a serious political problem for the White House. It will be interesting to see how the President handles this very serious problem, particularly given how forceful South Korea is likely to be to the next North Korean attack, not to mention how skeptical Japan has become of us given our repeated inadequacies dealing with North Korea. It will also be interesting if and how the media reports on this very serious foreign policy problem facing the Obama administration - one he can't exactly kick down the road. I suspect the administration is looking for a policy action akin to the "Stuxnet option" someone deployed against Iran. By that I mean the US would love to be able to deploy an untraceable damaging attack that disrupts North Korean capabilities in an indirect way, and after the fact everyone believes it was done by the US although no one has the proof necessary to prove it. One final Navy note - don't be surprised if - just as the USS George Washington (CVN 73) begins exercising with the South Korean Navy in the Yellow Sea, a second US carrier battle group quietly enters the western Pacific. View the full article

BTW - in the German Navy, three thick stripes is a LCDR, not CDR. I like the beard too. ... and yes, I noticed the picture in the Wardroom/Chiefs Mess at the 3:00 mark. Hat tip Boquisucio@Argghhh!!! View the full article

Ark Royal moves on: The aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal has sailed into Scotland for the last time, as part of a farewell tour. The fleet flagship of the Royal Navy, which is being decommissioned after 25 years service, sailed down the Firth of Clyde. It is due to dock at Glen Mallan Jetty on Loch Long to unload its ammunition. The ship will stay in Loch Long for five days before sailing around the north of Scotland and on to Newcastle, close to where she was built. The Ark Royal left its Portsmouth base for a farewell tour of the UK on Tuesday. The aircraft carrier is being retired three years early as part of cost-cutting measures announced by the UK government. Some of my academic work has to do with the politics of military equipment and national prestige. There's a tendency to have clinical, or potentially even cynical, view towards the emotional attachments that develop between people and the material instruments of foreign policy. The sorrow that accompanies the retirement of a warship like Ark Royal, not to mention the enduring popularity of national naval memorials in the United States and elsewhere, serves to temper this tendency. It's genuinely sad to see a great warship retire before her time. The Queen's inspection makes it particularly poignant; one of her earliest major foreign tours was aboard HMS Vanguard in 1947, and her reign has witnessed the profound decay of the Royal Navy as a global force. View the full article

Some goob who I assume thinks he knows what he's talking about has decided, based on something he read in the Wall Street Journal, that the Medal of Honor has become "feminized". That's right - "feminized". We all know what that particular little code word means, don’t we? He couldn't just say, on the day Sal Giunta was awarded our nation's highest honor, "well done and well deserved". Oh, no. He had to make a point to try to cheapen the award by qualifying it somehow. Here's what he said: The Medal of Honor will be awarded this afternoon to Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta for his heroism in Afghanistan, and deservedly so. He took a bullet in his protective vest as he pulled one soldier to safety, and then rescued the sergeant who was walking point and had been taken captive by two Taliban, whom Sgt. Giunta shot to free his comrade-in-arms. This is just the eighth Medal of Honor awarded during our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Sgt. Giunta is the only one who lived long enough to receive his medal in person. But I have noticed a disturbing trend in the awarding of these medals, which few others seem to have recognized. We have feminized the Medal of Honor. According to Bill McGurn of the Wall Street Journal, every Medal of Honor awarded during these two conflicts has been awarded for saving life. Not one has been awarded for inflicting casualties on the enemy. Not one. Bullsquat you dope. Now being the nice fellow that I am and thinking this guy just isn't worth giving any visibility I decided to tactfully handle it locally. I.e. I'd leave a message on his blog demonstrating how out to lunch he (and apparently McGurn) were. Here's what I left: You are completely and utterly wrong as is McGurn. For instance – the first MOH in Iraq: Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,†and the United States Army. Don’t know about you, but the death of 50 enemy soldiers and the wounding of many more certainly speaks of “killing people and breaking things†so you can sleep safely at night. You ought to review Robert James Miller’s MOH as well. It was recently awarded. Instead of taking McGurn’s word for such things try reading the citations. The MOH is not something which has been “feminized†for heaven sake. Mission accomplished right. And while forceful, it was done nicely. When I left the blog at about 4:30 pm, my comment was "awaiting moderation". OK, cool. I've had my say and being the honest if mistaken guy that he is, he'll moderate it and post it. Wrong. It is now almost midnight. A comment that was entered after mine has been moderated and cleared. Mine? Still "awaiting moderation". Why? Because it completely destroys this yahoo’s premise, that's why. By the way have any of you ever read Audie Murphy's MOH citation? Take a look: Second Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy, 01692509, 15th Infantry, Army of the United States, on 26 January 1945, near Holtzwihr, France, commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. Lieutenant Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him to his right one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. Lieutenant Murphy continued to direct artillery fire which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry. With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, Lieutenant Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer which was in danger of blowing up any instant and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to the German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate Lieutenant Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound but ignored it and continued the single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack which forced the Germans to withdraw. His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he personally killed or wounded about 50. Lieutenant Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective. So given this guy thinks we ought to put a skirt on Paul Ray Smith (because, you know, all the MOHs given in Iraq and Afghanistan have been feminized), tell me objectively what he did that was that much different than Audie Murphy did? Does Murphy deserve a skirt too? People like this guy simply burn me up. His claim is centered on the fact that most of those who’ve been awarded the MOH in the two wars were awarded the medal for “saving livesâ€, not “killing people and breaking thingsâ€. Tell it to the 50 hajis in the common grave SFC Smith put ‘em in, mister. Tell it to the 20 or so Taliban Robert James Miller sent to see Allah. He also objects to the MOH given to those who have fallen on hand grenades. Apparently the sacrifice of one’s life to save others doesn’t measure up in his book. And he apparently thinks that’s a fairly recent phenomenon. Well buy a clue, gomer – ever hear of Marine PFC Richard Anderson? Anderson fell on a grenade on Kwajalein in February of 1943. Yeah, a Marine – in WWII. And we all know they all wore skirts then, don’t we? There have been many, many others given since then for basically the same act. And this citation is sure to frost his cods: BARRETT, CARLTON W. Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944. Entered service at: Albany, N.Y. Birth: Fulton, N.Y. G.O. No.: 78, 2 October 1944. Citation: For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France. On the morning of D-day Pvt. Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Pvt. Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat Iying offshore. In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army. Yeah, that's right Mr. "Feminized the MOH", the man was awarded the Medal of Honor and never killed a single Nazi. He saved countless lives and basically rose to the occasion, inspired those on the beach and all as a private soldier on D-Day. Why put a skirt on the bastard, right? Why do people who have absolutely no idea of what they’re talking about, obviously know nothing of the history of that on which they opine and frankly ought to keep their cake holes shut feel moved to write things like this? What was the point of this stupidity? Was it some attempt to support some off the wall notion that we’re feminizing society to the point we can’t function? Well keep your stupid social theories out of where they don’t belong. This is big boy territory. This is “for keeps†land. We don’t give MOHs to anyone but the bravest of the brave. And idiots who think the medal is being “feminized†need to do a bit of research before they go off half cocked and make freakin’ fools of themselves. And moderate my damn comment and post it – if you have an ounce of courage in your body. And yeah, I’m pissed off. View the full article

SSG Sal Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor today. It has been since Vietnam that the medal has gone to a living recipient, and Sal Giunta was a perfect choice. He has been nothing but humble and self-effacing, pointing out that he was just one of many brave paratroopers that day. He is absolutely correct, but he is the one who charged the enemy and stopped them from capturing one of his compatriots. There was a reception held by the Bravo Bulls who represent the same company (Bravo/Battle) of the 2nd of the 503rd, 173rd Airborne since the Second World War. This unit has always been called on when we need to break glass in case of war and has always delivered. SSG Giunta is one of many who have made them one of the most decorated units in the war on terror. They held a punch bowl ceremony to honor those who had given their lives for the company and then turned things over to Sal. He spent about 90 seconds on a speech before asking his fellow paratroopers to do what they do best. I got to attend thanks to the TankerBabe and I was honored and humbled. Good people, great Americans and a brilliant reason to remember why we love this country. SSG Hijar, COL Bill Ostlund (Fmr CDR 2/503), SSG Giunta, The Tanker Babe View the full article

What is the view of the medium term future for the Navy? Join EagleOne and me on Sunday 14 NOV starting at 5pm EST as we discuss the way forward for the Navy in the coming decade with John Patch, CDR USN (Ret.), Associate Professor of Strategic Intelligence at the U.S. Army War College's Center for Strategic Leadership. We will touch on Counter-piracy vs. Antipiracy, the relevance of the Carrier, the Littoral Combat Ship, Naval Surface Fire Support, the relevance of Amphibious capability, and other topics that may come up. Join us live if you can, and pile in with the usual suspects in the chat room during the show where you can offer your own questions and observations to our guest. If you miss the show or want to catch up on the shows you missed - you can always reach the archives at blogtalkradio - or set yourself to get the podcast on iTunes. Listen to Midrats on Blog Talk Rad View the full article

A few days ago a warning went out regarding good weather over the next few days. Good weather in the region means piracy usually surges, and it is clear piracy has surged. This morning, another ship was hijacked - this time a Chinese vessel. Pirates hijacked a cargo ship with 29 Chinese sailors aboard in the Arabian Sea and told the shipping company they were taking it toward Somalia, Chinese officials and state media said Saturday. The attack came just two days after another 17 Chinese sailors returned home after being held by Somali pirates for four months. It also highlights the spread of piracy to areas outside the Gulf of Aden, a hijacking hot spot now patrolled by international forces. An official with the China Marine Rescue Center, surnamed Yang, said the Panama-flagged ship Yuan Xiang was attacked Friday night. The Ningbo Hongyuan Ship Management Company reported the pirate attack to the rescue center just before midnight and said the pirates were taking the ship toward Somalia, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. A man answering the phone Saturday at the company said they were still trying to contact the ship. Xinhua said the attack occurred in an area outside the region where China's navy is part of a multination force working together to patrol the Gulf of Aden — one of the world's busiest shipping lanes — and other waters off Somalia where pirates operate. Somali pirates currently hold more than 30 vessels and around 550 hostages. View the full article

Another hijacking. Pirates have seized a Panama-flagged chemical tanker with a crew of 31 off the coast of Somalia, the European Union Naval Force for Somalia (EU Navfor) said on Thursday. The anti-piracy taskforce EU Navfor said that the 24,105 tonne MV Hannibal II was taken while sailing to Suez from Malaysia ferrying vegetable oil. "The master of the vessel reported that he had been attacked and boarded by pirates in an area some 860 nautical miles East of The Horn of Africa which is considerably closer to India than it is to Somalia," EU Navfor said in a statement. The naval force said the ship's crew consisted of 23 Tunisians, four Filipinos, a Croat, a Georgian, a Russian and a Moroccan. Are the Indians paying attention, because this report should get someones attention. This is east of Longitude 65° and north of Latitude 15° putting this piracy activity placed very well to intercept traffic leaving Mumbai heading to the Suez. The map above is from NATO - the numbers on the map (click for very large version) correspond to the alert numbers in the message traffic listed below. In particular, look at alert numbers 472, 473, 474, and 475. 474 looks like the alert for the hijacking described in the article above. This message traffic is for the last two weeks as to demonstrate how active piracy is now that monsoon season is over. November 11 2010 WARNING INDIAN OCEAN Latitude: 00°50S Longitude: 049°32E Alert number 476 / 2010. At 1215 UTC a merchant vessel was attacked by a skiff (white hull 5-6 meters long) with 7 peoples on board armed with automatic weapon which tried to board the vessel in position 00°50S 049°32E - course 240, speed 17.5 knots. Vessel is safe. ---------------------------------------- November 2010 WARNING Indian Ocean Latitude: 11°26N Longitude: 066°05E Alert number 475 / 2010. At 0435 UTC 11 Nov a merchant vessel is currently under attack by pirates in position 11°26N 066°05E. --------------------------------------- November 2010 WARNING Indian Ocean Latitude: 17°13N Longitude: 065°01E AND Latitude: 17°12N Longitude: 065°33E Alert number 474 / 2010. At 0045 UTC on the 11 NOV a merchant vessel is currently under attack by pirates in position 17°13N 065°01E. At 0541 UTC on the 11 NOV a merchant vessel was attacked by pirates in position 17°12N 065°33N, this ship is SAFE. It is assessed that it is the same Pirate Action Group. --------------------------------------- November 10 2010 WARNING INDIAN OCEAN Latitude: 06°15N Longitude: 064°57E Alert number 473 / 2010. A suspicious approach was reported on 10 Nov 10 at 0558UTC by a merchant vessel in position 0615N 06474E. The suspicious approach is most probably connected with the attack on the 09 Nov 10 at 0834UTC, when a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 06 03 N 065 00 E.(Alert 472) The assessment is that the Pirate action group is still in the area. -------------------------------------- November 09 2010 WARNING INDIAN OCEAN Latitude: 06°03N Longitude: 065°00E Alert Details: Alert number 472 / 2010. At 0834UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 06 03 N 065 00 E. 2 WHITE HULLS SKIFFS/MOTHER SKIFF VIEWED. SHOTS WERE FIRED. ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate action group is still in the area. -------------------------------------- November 09 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 01°05N Longitude: 053°10E Alert number 471/ 2010. At 0547 UTC a merchant vessel currently under attack by pirates in position 01°05 N 053°10 E. Two skiffs are currently attacking the MV. Weapons are being used and fired against the MV. --------------------------------- 08 November 2010 ---ALERT UPDATE--- Somali Basin Latitude: 06°43S Longitude: 051°15E Alert number 470 / 2010. Reference previous Alert number 469 / 2010 (which now is deactivated). At 1345 UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 06°43 S 051°15 E. WHITE HULLS SKIFF ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate action group is still in the area. --------------------------------- 08 November 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 06°43S Longitude: 051°15E Alert number 469 / 2010. At 1345 UTC a merchant vessel is currently under attack by pirates in position 06°43S 051°15E. ---------------------------------- 08 November 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 03°40 N Longitude: 047°36 E Alert number 468/ 2010. Reference previous Alert number 467 / 2010. On 08 Nov 10 at 0653 UTC one MV was reported in position 03°40 N 047°36 E with crs 045° at 12 kts and is the same MV reported in ALERT number 467. This MV is believed to be involved in Mother Ship operation. ----------------------------------- 06 November 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 07°34N Longitude: 060°16E Alert number 465/ 2010 On 6th Nov 10, At 1015 UTC one PIRATED DHOW was reported in position 07°34 N 060°16 E with CRS 086° at 5 KTS. This DHOW is believed to be involved in Mother Ship operation. ----------------------------------- 05 November 2010 ---ALERT UPDATE--- Somali Basin Latitude: 05°25 S Longitude: 040°42 E Alert number 464 / 2010. Reference previous Alert number 463 / 2010. At 1457 UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 05°25 S 040°42 E. The Pirate Action Group consists of one mother ship, earlier pirated MV IZUMI, and one skiff. During the attack weapons were fired including RPG. ---------------------------------- November 05 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 05°25S Longitude: 040°42E Alert number 463 / 2010. ***This vessel is under attack*** At 1457 UTC on 5 NOV a merchant vessel reported being under attack by pirates in position 05°25S 040°42E. -------------------------------- November 03 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 05°15 S Longitude: 043°39 E Alert number 462 / 2010. ***This vessel has been PIRATED*** A small merchant vessel was reported Hijacked by pirates in position 05°15 S 043°39 E. ------------------------------- November 03 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 03°45 S Longitude: 046°45 E Alert number 461/ 2010. At 0410 UTC one MV was reported in position 03°45 N 046°45 E. This MV is believed to be involved in Mother Ship operation. ------------------------------ November 02 2010 WARNING Gulf of Aden Latitude: 13°32N Longitude: 048°19E Alert number 460 / 2010. ***This vessel has been hijacked*** At 1237 UTC a fishing vessel has been hijacked by pirates in position 13°32 N 048°19 E. ------------------------------ November 02 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 03°58S Longitude: 043°49E Alert number 459 / 2010. At 0307 UTC 02 NOV a merchant vessel was under attack by pirates in position 03°58S 043°49E. ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate action group is still in the area. ------------------------------- October 31 2010 ALERT UPDATE Somali Basin Latitude: 09°57S Longitude: 042°19E. Alert number 458 / 2010. Reference previous Alert number 457/ 2010. At 0632 UTC 31 OCT a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 09°57S 042°19E. ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate action group is still in the area. ---------------------- October 31 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 09°57S Longitude: 042°19 E. Alert number 457 / 2010. At 0632 UTC 31 OCT a merchant vessel is currently under attack by pirates in position 09°57S 042°19 E. ---------------------- October 30 2010 WARNING GULF OF ADEN ---ALERT UPDATE--- Latitude: 15°06N Longitude: 055°58E Alert number 456 / 2010. Reference previous Alert number 455/ 2010. At 0517 UTC 30 OCT a merchant vessel was reported under attack by pirates in position 15°06N 055°58E. ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** !!!The Pirate action group is still in the area!!! ----------------------- October 30 2010 WARNING GULF OF ADEN Latitude: 15°06N Longitude: 055°58E Alert number 455 / 2010. At 0517 UTC on the 30 OCT a merchant vessel was pirated in position 15°06N 055°58E. ** This Vessel is Pirated ** -------------------------- October 30 2010 WARNING Indian Ocean Latitude: 12°12N Longitude: 064°53E Alert number 454 / 2010. At 0232 UTC on the 30 OCT a merchant vessel was attacked by 2 skiffs in position 12°12N 064°53E. ** This Vessel is Pirated ** ---------------------------- October 30 2010 WARNING Red Sea, Bab al Mandeb Latitude: 13°34N Longitude: 042°59E Alert number 453 / 2010. At 2201 UTC 29OCT a merchant vessel was reported on fire in position 13°34N 042°59E. All the crew have been rescued by a passing merchant vessel but the vessel remains on fire and is drifting. ---------------------------------- October 29 2010 WARNING Somali Basin ---ALERT UPDATE--- Latitude: 04°29S Longitude: 039°57E Alert number 452 / 2010. Reference previous Alert number 451 / 2010. At 1300 UTC 29OCT a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 2 skiffs in position 04°29S 039°57E. ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate action group is still in the area. ----------------------------- October 29 2010 WARNING Somali Basin Latitude: 04°29S Longitude: 039°57E Alert number 451 / 2010. At 1300 UTC on the 29 OCT a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 2 skiffs in position 04 29S 039 57E. ------------------------------ October 29 2010 Location: DENIS ISLAND, SEYCHELLES ---ALERT UPDATE--- Latitude: 03°39S Longitude: 055°40E Alert number 450 / 2010. Reference previous Alert number 448 / 2010. ***The ALERT HAS BEEN CANCELLED *** At 2011UTC 28 October two fishing vessels were reported as hijacked in the vicinity of Denis island, Seychelles. --------------------------------- October 28 2010 WARNING SOMALI BASIN, MOMBASSA Latitude: 04°10S Longitude: 039°56E Alert number 449 / 2010. At 2201UTC 28 October a merchant vessel was attacked by a skiff with 6 armed pirates, 12nm from Mombassa, Kenya. 04°10S 039°56E. Warning shots were fired and the vessel evaded the attack. --------------------------------- October 28 2010 WARNING DENIS ISLAND, SEYCHELLES Latitude: 03°49S Longitude: 055°40E Alert number 448 / 2010. At 2011UTC 28 October two fishing vessels were reported as hijacked in the vicinity of Denis island, Seychelles. ---------------------------------- October 28 2010 WARNING GULF OF ADEN Latitude: 12°08N Longitude: 054°25E Alert number 447 / 2010. A cargo Dhow has been hijacked in the vicinity of Socotra island. Her last known position was 12°08N 054°25E 1156UTC 28 October heading North East. She may be acting as a mother vessel in the Eastern area of the IRTC. ----------------------------- October 28 2010 WARNING GULF OF ADEN Latitude: 13°08N Longitude: 049°14E Alert number 446 / 2010. At 0539 UTC 28 October a Merchant Vessel in a National Convoy was fired upon by two small boats at 13°08N 049°14E. The escorting naval vessel and other military assets were on hand to provide immediate assistance. The vessel evaded the attack. ----------------------------- Welcome to the fall piracy season. As of today there are at least 30 vessels held by Somali pirates and around 540 hostages. View the full article

A South Korean politician has provided a small intel dump regarding the situation just prior to the sinking of the Navy corvette Cheonan. The Navy corvette Cheonan was warned on the morning it sank on March 26 that a salmon-class North Korean submarine and support ships had disappeared from their bases the day before, a lawmaker claims. Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hak-yong on Monday said on the morning of the North's attack on the Cheonan, "warnings were given by the Second Fleet Command that a salmon-class North Korean submarine and support ships had been out to sea for unknown operations. Right before the Cheonan was attacked, all artillery guns on the nearby North Korean coasts were found to be combat-ready. But despite these rapid movements of the North Korean military, neither the Joint Chiefs of Staff nor the Second Fleet Command took appropriate measures." The article is a very interesting read. View the full article

Tejas LCA (click to view full) GE’s F414 turbofan engine will power Tejas Mk2. (Oct 1/10) India’s fighter strength has been declining in recent years, as the MiG-21s that form the largest component of its fleet are lost in crashes, or retired due to age and wear. Some MiG-21s are being modernized to MiG-21 ‘Bison’ configuration, while other current fighter types are undergoing modernization programs in order to maintain the fighter force until replacements can arrive. On which note, an ongoing tender has Russian, French, American, Swedish and European manufacturers dueling for the MMRCA, a multi-billion dollar, 126+ plane light-medium fighter sale. This still leaves India without a low-end solution to the twin problems besetting its overall fleet: numbers, and age. The MiG-21bis program adds years of life to those airframes, but that extended lifespan is still quite finite; by 2020, it is very unlikely that any MiG-21s will remain. MMRCA may replace some of India’s mid-range fighters, but that still leaves replacement of the MiG-21 fleet. Hence the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project’s importance to the Indian Air Force’s future prospects. Choices made in the LCA’s design will also affect the lightweight fighter’s export potential, which feeds back into the overall program’s lifetime costs and viability. As time presses, however, India’s rigid domestic-only policies are gradually being relaxed, in order to field an operational and competitive aircraft. [*] LCA Tejas: India’s Lightweight Fighter [*]LCA Tejas: Program Future and Prospects [*]Updates and Events [updated] [*]Appendix A: DID Analysis & Op/Ed (2006) [*]Appendix B: The Kaveri Engine: Keystone, or Killer? [*]Appendix C: Additional Readings & Sources (more…) View the full article

According to this source (in French), the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is deploying for 4 months to the Indian Ocean to support operations in Afghanistan. "Agapanthus 10," as the mission is called, was presented at a press briefing of the Ministry of Defense by Admiral Jean-Louis Kerignard. The carrier battlegroup will consist of the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91), FS Forbin (D620), FS Tourville (D610), the naval auxiliary vessel FS Meuse (A 607), and the submarine FS Amethyst (S605). The air group on board the aircraft carrier will have 12 upgraded Super Etendard, 10 Rafale, 2 Hawkeyes, and helicopters. The operation is expected to begin in mid October and last until February. In any context, the contribution of an aircraft carrier in support of operations over Afghanistan is a significant coalition contribution by France. This will be the 5th deployment by the FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) in support of military operations in Afghanistan (the previous four were in 2001/2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007). View the full article

The war in Somalia is at a pivot point. If you read the latest Report of the Secretary-General on Somalia to the United Nations Security Council (PDF), you will find things do appear to be getting worse, not better. There are no territorial advances by the TFG, while security and humanitarian problems appear to be deteriorating within Somalia. Civilian casualties are up as are the use of IEDs, but fewer AU troops are being killed. Noteworthy the report explicitly claims "Mortars also impacted regularly near the United Nations common compound and the UNICEF compound," which is a new development over the period of the report suggesting perhaps territory is indeed being conceded to al-Shabab. The gist of the report is simple - we are losing, which is why the report notes more troops are being sent. But there are signs that more than just soldiers to boaster the TFG in Mogadishu are heading towards Somalia - indeed if you study events and trends unfolding it does appear that a new military force is emerging in Somalia. Mercenaries on Land Yesterday I briefly mentioned the 'mystery helicopter' attack in the southern Somali town of Merca. I have gone over every known warship in the region, and the only ship I could find that could have potentially carried out the operation was the Spanish amphibious vessel SPS Galicia (L51). Not likely. The event as described in multiple news stories suggests a single unmarked helicopter either green or gray made a single pass firing unguided rockets that missed the target house. The US and all European nations have denied it was them, and AMISOM does not have any helicopters in Somalia. I know many defense reporters in the Pentagon, and if it was us we would know by now. The same is true in Europe - this kind of thing doesn't stay secret. It only leaves one possibility - the TFG is now using private security firms. Bob Woodwards new book revealed that the CIA is operating a 3000 man secret army broken in to Counterterrorism Pursuit Teams, and when asked to respond to this the White House basically replied with an answer that suggested we - as Americans - should be proud of this development. For all the political rhetoric otherwise, the Obama administration has been remarkably aggressive in how they fight war - they support the use of CIA army's, they have expanded the use of drone strikes, and despite campaign rhetoric otherwise - the Obama folks love private mercenary firms. We are moving past the point of "probable" that private mercenary firms are heading to Somalia - indeed we have pictures they are already there. CEOs of private security companies don't hang out with the TFG for free - it is a solid bet that a deal has already been made. The African Union has been unable to field the 8,000 troops pledged - and more troops have to come from somewhere if the TFG is going to survive. To make things worse, the AMISOM is digging into defensive positions, meaning no one is actually out chasing al-Shabab around Somalia. The west isn't stupid, governments see the TFG is losing. The mercs are indeed coming (and have probably already arrived) - so expect a lot more 'mysterious' activities in Somalia beginning sooner rather than later. Mercenaries at Sea Private security firms aren't only going to Somalia on land - indeed they are getting boosts from just about everyone at sea. The biggest development is the announcement by Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT) that they intend to field private security forces to protect merchant ships against pirates. The article notes that insurance costs including damage and ransoms has now cost maritime insurance companies $300 million over the last 3 years. The article sensationalizes the development as a 'private naval force,' but I asked CDR James Kraska about it and he believes this is simply local security on ships with an extra capability of small boats to extend the defense ring around ships. Also worth noting is the newly formed Somali Navy, which is claiming it will attempt to make an impact against piracy as well. From a strategic perspective, if I was the United Nations I would be encouraging the newly formed Somali Navy to concentrate on illegal fishing vessels around Somalia - because the strategic communication benefits of that activity enhances the credibility of the TFG. That strategic communications tactic is successful in Puntland, for example. Mothership From Hell Have you heard the story of the MV Legula? Pirates were able to board the ship on September 25th, but the crew was able to secure themselves in the ships citadel, which also happened to be the main engineering space. By not being captured and by preventing the ship from moving, the pirates eventually abandoned the vessel. Chalk up another for Force Recon, because clearly those pirates knew what happened to pirates on a foreign ship without hostages or control of the ship. Interesting story - but so is the rest. Following the incident, multiple sources leaked that the pirates who attacked MV Legula used the South Korean supertanker SAMHO DREAM as the mothership for that operation. Today NATO appears to have validated those sources. In the northeast there are several mother ships operating east of 55E, including the MV SAMHO DREAM which may be operating in company with two unidentified fishing dhows which may correlate with media reports concerning the pirating of two Iranian dhows near 60 degrees. There is also activity at 60 degrees east probably linked to the last known location of the FV TAI YUAN 227. Pirates frequently force these pirated vessels and crew to be mother ships, thereby extend their range and increase their endurance. The area south of 3 degrees south off the Tanzanian coast is also very active with 3 recent incidents noted and the MV ASPHALT VENTURE pirated in this area today. This area is likely to remain active for some time due to the prevailing weather conditions. Masters should note that the Tai Yuan 227 is a white hulled fishing vessel, approximately 50 metres long, with the registration numbers BH3Z87 painted in large black letters on the hull. VLCC SAMHO DREAM is probably being used by pirates as a mother ship in operations near the shipping lanes, approximately 190 nm SE of Socotra Island. The SAMHO DREAM is a 319,000 dwt, crude oil tanker, approximately 333 metres long, with an orange hull and white superstructure. Pirates on these vessels represent an active threat to merchant shipping and any small boat observed in the open ocean more than 300Nm from the Somali coast should be considered to be a potential pirate vessel. I'd be very curious how Admiral Roughead would characterize NATO's alert of a 319,000 dwt supertanker carrying an estimated $190 million worth of crude being used as a mothership for pirate operations 900nm from the coast of Somalia in the context of the role and responsibility of the United States Navy. I'm just saying - I think there is an interesting question the CNO should be asked regarding this development. And while we are asking interesting questions to the CNO, I'd also like to hear his take of the latest hijacking. A maritime security alert has been issued for the Indian Ocean following the reported hijacking of a Panama-flagged vessel with 15 crew members on board. The 3,884 dwt MT Asphalt Venture is believed to have been traveling to Mombasa and is now en route to Xaradheere in northern Somalia, reports GAC Protective Solutions. NATO Shipping Center reports that at "282000 UTC a merchant vessel was reported pirated in position 07 07S 041 02E." It says that position is in the close proximity of a pirate action group sighted and reported in an earlier NATO report. Xarardheere? Interesting, because that is where the New York Times has reported that Al-Shabab has established their maritime organization. Apparently the al-Shabab navy just took their first prize on the high seas. So we have reached the dreaded crossroad where piracy intersects with terrorism. Will the vessel be used for terrorism operations, or will they seek a ransom payment? If the ransom is paid, it will be done knowingly that the payment is directly supporting al-Shabab, an organization listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organization. In other words, the insurance company that pays the ransom must violate US law to free the ship and crew... The hijacking of the MT Asphalt Venture is something new - something we haven't seen before (but suggested was coming only a few weeks ago). This hijacking represents the first time an organization listed by the State Department as a terrorist organization has participated in maritime piracy off Somalia. I think there is another interesting question the CNO should be asked regarding that development. While we are at it, what does the SecDef have to say about these things? How about members of Congress on the campaign trail? How about the President himself? Seems to me now that al-Shabab is pirating ships off Somalia, that might be news. View the full article

It is very easy to look at this technology and be dismissive... but that our weakness isn't it? We are a technology society and look at the specifics of technology to form the basis for our judgments. It a technology doesn't conform to our conceptual expectations regarding capability, then 'it doesn't pass the smell test' and is usually dismissed with sarcasm. I expect there is plenty of sarcasm to be easy shared upon examination of this little piece of tech being fielded by Iran. Iran's state TV says the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard has received its first three squadrons of radar-evading flying boats. The report says the domestically made craft can be used for surveillance and can carry guns and transmit data. Its production is part of Iran's effort to boost its arsenal and military capabilities despite international sanctions over the country's controversial nuclear program. Iran announced last year it had successfully tested the plane, dubbed the Bavar-2, or Confidence-2. A flying boat is a seaplane with a hull that allows it to land and travel on water. Radar-evading? Not likely. I'd also add that as a small sea plane this little thing almost certainly requires sea state 1 to land and take off in water - meaning it is highly dependent upon environmental conditions. Finally, as a machine of war I am skeptical how reliable its communications suite is, not to mention unimpressed with its token machine gun. See how easy it is to dismiss this stuff solely on the examination of technology? I'm being kind to some of the comments I have already seen from others... But as I observe Iranian military capabilities in the maritime domain, it isn't the specifics of the technology that concerns me - it is the commitment Iran is making at the tactical level to technologies that fit a certain capability set intended to exploit specific capabilities fielded by their opponents. The Iranians appear to believe that swarm tactics give them advantages over the capabilities of western naval powers (specifically the US) to which they define as their greatest threat. The question is: In the confined waters of the Persian Gulf, does quantity of small, agile forces leveraging swarm tactics offer a tactical advantage over the capabilities of high quality, larger but numerically inferior naval vessels of the US? Is the break point the number of assets or is it a capabilities based metric of combined arms that can be leveraged? When you start going down the road of what 20 small boats at 35+ knots attacking a destroyer looks like, the questions that come to my mind are - how many .50 cal machine guns do you have on your ship? How quickly can you get ammunition to those guns if they must sustain fire over long periods of time. How protected are those positions from incoming machine gun fire? The weakness of our Navy isn't air attack from a tactical fighter, nor is it the ASM attack from a fast attack missile craft - indeed fighting those capabilities are the strength of our ships. The weakness comes in the form of swarms - and mixing several of these flying boats with a couple dozen boghammers in a swarm attack will result in: CIWS ammunition being exhausted quickly SeaRAM ammunition being exhausted quickly Reliance on small arms to fight off the attack Are we ready for that? This isn't WWII where we still understood the value of small caliber on a battleship - this is the 21st century where missiles define our conceptual foundations for naval warfare - or the kind of naval warfare we would prefer to fight. 5" guns are great, but the enemy will fight inside your bubble. How will those doors work when a grenade goes off on top of your MK 41? I have seen folks laugh at the idea of the MK 46 30mm guns on the LCS - but I'd like to see these guns incorporated into all surface combatants, and specifically located in a way where they can decompress the angles and shoot targets very close in. I'm the first to admit I am completely unimpressed with the technologies fielded by the Iranian Navy and IRGC - but if deployed by tactically leveraging their numerical advantages with sound formations and dedicated trained personnel, our ships will find themselves in a world of trouble if we have to fight numerically superior swarms in confined shallow waters. The Navy talks about not wanting to fight fair, but the question is whether our Navy ships have enough weapons to combine combat power against an enemy - and at point blank range that can be problematic for ships designed specifically to fight at standoff ranges. And fighting at point blank range is exactly what all these fast, low signature platforms Iran is developing are intended to do. View the full article

If the name CDR E. A. Westfall, CDR, USCG sounds familiar, then you are a regular listener to Midrats. He joined us back on Episode 26 of Midrats to discuss the nature of Command, and is the Commanding Officer of the USCGC ESCANABA (WMEC 907). Well, our good Skipper has had an interesting day mid-month. From CNN: A U.S. Coast Guard cutter was fired upon by suspected drug traffickers during a pursuit off the coast of Nicaragua, a Coast Guard spokesman told CNN. No Coast Guard personnel were injured in the gunfight, said Lt. Cmdr. Chris O'Neil. The incident took place in the early morning of September 14, but information about the attack was not released until CNN inquired Friday about the incident. "While it is rare to have Coast Guard personnel fired upon, this incident serves to remind us of the ruthless nature of smugglers, the disregard they have for human life and the dangers our men and women face when enforcing laws and treaties on the high seas," said O'Neil, chief of media relations for the Coast Guard said. No shots hit the Coast Guard boat and there was no damage, O'Neil added. The shooting happened after a boarding team from the Cutter Escanaba pursued a go-fast vessel suspected of smuggling drugs in international waters. The suspects managed to escape after entering Nicaraguan waters, said O'Neil. The Coast Guard is still reviewing the event, he said. No time to second guess the CO - but boy howdy, a lot of questions come to mind. 1. ROE. 2. ROE. 3. ROE. Once you get the answer to the first three - then you can ask more questions. Shame the SOBs got away, but the important thing is that all our Coast Guardsmen are fine. UPDATE: Exchanged a few emails with the CO, and he wants to make sure everyone knows that, yes, the USCG did return fire. Hopefully, BigUSCG will put our more details as I think it is important for the taxpayer to know what the USCG is putting it all on the line to try to mitigate the poison coming across our borders. This is a story that needs to be told more View the full article

So I was at Arlington last week to lay wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns for Soldiers' Angels. With SA, on our way out, I told the group I needed some alone time to visit someone. You can see me (below) taking the photo in the reflection of the tombstone for COL Thompson, but you can't see the tears streaming down my face. Every time I go to Arlington, I visit a friend. Or in this case, a man who bears much responsibility for who I am today. He's in section 30, 611. If you went to Mary Lincoln's tomb, he's directly across from her on a nice little ridgeline. Over at This Ain't Hell, the manager of the Blackfive Farm Team, has a post about TroopRally needing people to help counter Fred Phelp's Westboro Church group that protests military funerals. Westboro jackwagons are there on Tuesday, October 5th, from 430-530pm. Go here to find out the details on how you can help. IMPORTANT: Remember that the Westboro lunatics really want someone to lose their cool and hit one of them so that they can sue the assaulting party. It's how they stay in business...it's their business model, rather than their belief in god, that drives them to this level of insanity. And none of my Fallen brothers would want you to end up in court over them, either. Defend them, certainly. But don't fall for the Phelps trap. Believe me, I would have a difficult time resisting the urge, but please take the high road here. View the full article