gemerson

Or the victims weren't the "right kind" of Islamists.

Is there a workaround for the bad cha's issue or can I D/L a patch for the orders witer?

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum , with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog . The commentary is my own. Enjoy! While the 2012 London Summer Games continue, here are some tidbits of global naval news to start your day. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 27 July CHILE Third OPV-80, under construction at Asmar in Talcahuano, to be named MARINERO FUENTEALBA (83) … will be optimized for Antarctic patrol, with a reinforced icebreaking hull, SATCOMs and a 76-mm gun. 02 August USA US Navy and Raytheon are advancing plans to develop an anti-ship variant of the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile … Multi-Mission Tomahawk (MMT) will be created by adding a new moving target seeker and upgraded datalink to the existing Block IV system baseline, creating a semi-autonomous weapon capable of detection, discrimination and terminal guidance to a moving maritime target. (rmks: I must say, this is a nice way to modernize this trustworthy missile) 07 August INDIA Navy chief on status of indigenous nuclear submarine ARIHANT: “Hope to commence sea trials in the coming months” … should be able to join the navy within the 'next 18 months.'” (rmks: I guess he forgot he made the same statement already two years ago. Oops!) INDIA – PAKISTAN To avert military confrontations/incidents at sea, India and Pakistan discuss establishing a mechanism of direct contact (communication hotline) between the navies of the two countries. (rmks: I gotta see this one! The state of the telecommunications grid is even more decrepit than the naval shipbuilding industry) INDONESIA Order contracts for three new submarines from South Korea officially signed … one submarine will entirely be built in South Korea (delivery in 2015), one jointly produced and the third one built in Indonesia. (rmks: Mover over Germany, the ROK is quickly becoming one of the big boys in diesel submarine production) IRAN (related) After being hit by European and US sanctions, Iran's oil sales are stabilizing as the country entices buyers with attractive prices and a form of barter. (rmks: Shows you just how effective the sanctions are) South Korea has signaled it was likely to resume crude purchases from Iran, possibly as early as September. (rmks: Wow, some ally in the GWOT! With friends like this, we almost don't need enemies) RUSSIA (SYRIA) Med-Deployment: according to “MoD official” ships of interfleet task force will not enter Tartus (Syria) … tanker IVAN BUBNOV took over fuel at Limassol (Cyprus) and will now replenish the other ships … task force afterwards to head for the Black Sea, proceed directly to Novorossiysk (Russia) (rmks: The Russkies are experts at double-talk. Although likely, but as this is not an official statement - anything remains possible.) UNITED KINGDOM Frigate SUTHERLAND has relieved sister ship WESTMINSTER in the Indian Ocean on station “East of Suez”. (rmks: It will be just as effective combating the cockroach (excuse me pirate) infestation as WESTMINSTER) USA +++ Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN arrives at Norfolk (Virginia), ending her 8-month deployment … changes home port from Everett (Wash) to Norfolk … set to start a four-year yard period (RCOH - refuelling complex overhaul). (rmks: Job well done guys and gals) +++ LCS-3 FORT WORTH departs Marinette shipyard (Wisconsin), heading for Galveston (Texas) where she will be commissioned on 22 Sep, then proceed to future home port San Diego (California) (rmks: Anyone want to start a pool on the number of breakdowns it suffers along the way? My guess is three) +++ 7th Fleet flagship BLUE RIDGE departs Yokosuka (Japan) to patrol the southeast Asian-Pacific region.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum , with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog . The commentary is my own. Enjoy! While the 2012 London Summer Games continue, here are some tidbits of global naval news to start your day. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 27 July CHILE Third OPV-80, under construction at Asmar in Talcahuano, to be named MARINERO FUENTEALBA (83) … will be optimized for Antarctic patrol, with a reinforced icebreaking hull, SATCOMs and a 76-mm gun. 02 August USA US Navy and Raytheon are advancing plans to develop an anti-ship variant of the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile … Multi-Mission Tomahawk (MMT) will be created by adding a new moving target seeker and upgraded datalink to the existing Block IV system baseline, creating a semi-autonomous weapon capable of detection, discrimination and terminal guidance to a moving maritime target. (rmks: I must say, this is a nice way to modernize this trustworthy missile) 07 August INDIA Navy chief on status of indigenous nuclear submarine ARIHANT: “Hope to commence sea trials in the coming months” … should be able to join the navy within the 'next 18 months.'” (rmks: I guess he forgot he made the same statement already two years ago. Oops!) INDIA – PAKISTAN To avert military confrontations/incidents at sea, India and Pakistan discuss establishing a mechanism of direct contact (communication hotline) between the navies of the two countries. (rmks: I gotta see this one! The state of the telecommunications grid is even more decrepit than the naval shipbuilding industry) INDONESIA Order contracts for three new submarines from South Korea officially signed … one submarine will entirely be built in South Korea (delivery in 2015), one jointly produced and the third one built in Indonesia. (rmks: Mover over Germany, the ROK is quickly becoming one of the big boys in diesel submarine production) IRAN (related) After being hit by European and US sanctions, Iran's oil sales are stabilizing as the country entices buyers with attractive prices and a form of barter. (rmks: Shows you just how effective the sanctions are) South Korea has signaled it was likely to resume crude purchases from Iran, possibly as early as September. (rmks: Wow, some ally in the GWOT! With friends like this, we almost don't need enemies) RUSSIA (SYRIA) Med-Deployment: according to “MoD official” ships of interfleet task force will not enter Tartus (Syria) … tanker IVAN BUBNOV took over fuel at Limassol (Cyprus) and will now replenish the other ships … task force afterwards to head for the Black Sea, proceed directly to Novorossiysk (Russia) (rmks: The Russkies are experts at double-talk. Although likely, but as this is not an official statement - anything remains possible.) UNITED KINGDOM Frigate SUTHERLAND has relieved sister ship WESTMINSTER in the Indian Ocean on station “East of Suez”. (rmks: It will be just as effective combating the cockroach (excuse me pirate) infestation as WESTMINSTER) USA +++ Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN arrives at Norfolk (Virginia), ending her 8-month deployment … changes home port from Everett (Wash) to Norfolk … set to start a four-year yard period (RCOH - refuelling complex overhaul). (rmks: Job well done guys and gals) +++ LCS-3 FORT WORTH departs Marinette shipyard (Wisconsin), heading for Galveston (Texas) where she will be commissioned on 22 Sep, then proceed to future home port San Diego (California) (rmks: Anyone want to start a pool on the number of breakdowns it suffers along the way? My guess is three) +++ 7th Fleet flagship BLUE RIDGE departs Yokosuka (Japan) to patrol the southeast Asian-Pacific region.

Wow!

Your right, but this story and the U-166 sheds a lot of light on the submarine war in the Atlantic during WWII. Many people think the engagements all took place in the bluewater portion of the Atlantic. What's amazing is, Hitler's boats were prowling the littoral - sometimes within sight of the land. There were stories in the press along the Gulf of Mexico coast during the war, the U-boats could be seen on the horizin in broad daylight and rumors abounded about collaborators, helping the enemy by refueling and resupplying them. When I read the initial post, it brought all of this info back to the forefront of my mind.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! The week is starting off well. Summer has finally arrived in the PacNorWest. Here's a nice bit of navy-related news to start your day. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 03 August USA Africa Partnership Station West 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT arrives at Monrovia (Liberia). 05 August CHINA JIANGHU-I class frigates NANTONG (511) and WUXI (512) decommissioned. (rmks: Likely candidates for the international secondary market). PIRACY Red Sea: A merchant vessel reports possible pirate skiffs in the Southern Red Sea, north of the Bab el Mandeb strait. (rmks: No pirates were harmed reporting this story – Drat it all!) SRI LANKA The Sri Lankan navy arrested 37 Chinese fishermen for illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters. 06 August BlackSeaForce assembling at Gölcük (Turkey) naval base … official activation from 09 -24 Aug … change of command from Russia to Turkey … force to visit Trabzon (Turkey) and Novorossiysk (Russia) … Participants: mine hunter SHKVAL (BUL), frigate CONTRAAMIRAL HORIA MACELLARIU (RUM), landing ship NOVOCHERKASSK (RUS), frigate HEYBELIADA (TUR, flag), command vessel SLAVUTICH (UKR). (rmks: That's an interesting mix of ships. Likely everybody will put on their best faces and temporarily forget the animosity that is simmering on the back-burner, in the region) INDIA Procurement of 16 multi-role naval helicopters further delayed (tender already six years-old!) … MoD has asked the American Sikorsky (S-70 Blackhawk) and European NH Industries (NH-90) to extend the validity of their proposals for the tender by another six-months. IRAN (related) India's top ship-owners have rejected a government offer to ship Iranian oil, saying insurance provided by the state is inadequate … therefore, Indian refiners will have to use Iranian insurers and tankers for their imports. (rmks: The Indians ain't stupid!) PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: During a ceremony in Djibouti on board French command ship MARNE, French RAdm Jean-Baptiste Dupuis hands over sea command of the EU NavFor to Italian RAdm Enrico Credendino … Italian dock landing ship SAN GIUSTO now new flag ship. (rmks: Everything is rosy in the jungle! As usual, no pirates were harmed reporting this story) RUSSIA (rmks: The Russkies have been busy lately) +++ Russia will create several infrastructure hubs along the Northern Sea Route in the Arctic, to be used as temporary stations for Russian warships and border guard vessels … drafted a list of “key double-purpose sites”. (rmks: Remember what I was saying about the Arctic claims issue?) +++ Final test for BOREJ class submarine YURI DOLGORUKIY and missile Bulava to be conducted under “operational conditions”, with the launch sequence initiated by the General Staff. If successful, both the submarine and the missile will be commissioned. (rmks: missile tests, also from 2nd BOREJ class submarine ALEXANDER NEVSKIY, widely expected in October) +++ Zvezdochka shipyard (Severodvinsk) re-floated OSCAR-II class submarine SMOLENSK … complex overhaul since Sep 2011 … scheduled to return to operational fleet in summer 2013. +++ Northern Fleet coastal defense forces prepare for live missile firing with “Redut” and “Rubesh” coastal missile systems. SYRIA (related) Syria has reached an agreement with Russia to secure much-needed fuel … will export its crude oil to Russia in exchange for refined oil products. (rmks: So much for Assad's claims about helping his people) UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer DIAMOND has entered the Persian Gulf … on six-month routine deployment “East of Suez”. USA (multinational) US-sponsored, multinational annual exercise “PanAmEx” kicked-off at Mayport (Florida) … until 17 Aug … exercise a variety of responses, in coordination with the governments of Panama and Colombia, in order to protect and guarantee safe passage of commercial traffic through the Panama Canal, ensure its neutrality, and respect national sovereignty … representatives from 17-nations participating (Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and the US). (rmks: It looks like the Caribbean version of RIMPAC) USA – JAPAN – SOUTH KOREA Japan, South Korea and the US will hold two-day joint naval exercises off Hawaii. (rmks: Involve ships, which had participated in exercise “RIMPAC” which ended on 03 Aug) USA USCG Commandant Robert Papp to a Senate subcommittee: "The Coast Guard is ready for expanded activity in Arctic waters, including petroleum exploration." (rmks: Oh really? An aging and decrepit ice breaking force, antiquated research ships and no polar-capable cutters – but the CG is 'ready for expanded activity in Arctic waters, including petroleum exploration.' That's a good one!)

Very interesting! Quite similar to the U-166, which was sank in the Gulf of Mexico - of all places. Get info on it and see photos at the PastFoundation.org.

Talk is really chaep (especially when it comes to Indian naval procurment programs). That's a lt of rupees. I'll believe it when I see it. If they are having trouble with their indig. DDG and FF programs, they won't be able to crank-out a CV, especially a 65,000-ton CV. If it is built, it will likely be built in a Russia yard (once one becomes available), with a Russian labor force that works on a Russian time clock (which is really sllooowwww and takes a loonnngggg time to do anything). With all of that taken into account, 2025 is a VERY audacious estimate. I would prognosticate 2040 - a more realistic long-term number.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog . The commentary is my own. Enjoy! The weekend is upon up! Here are some interesting nuggets to start the weekend. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 27 July FRANCE After returning from a nearly six-month cadet training cruise, third MISTRAL class helicopter carrier DIXMUDE has been officially commissioned into the French navy. (rmks: Salute!) 02 August CHINA On her round-the-world cruise, training ship ZHENGHE arrives at Papeete (French Polynesia) for a four-day visit. 03 August ARGENTINA – UNITED KINGDOM Lawmakers passed a bill to prohibit “ships involved in business activities off the Falkland Islands (read the UK)” from mooring at Argentinean ports … part of Argentina's drive to discourage oil exploration in the area … has already banned all ships flying the Falklands flag. (rmks: Ah, ya gotta love South American politics) NORWAY Frustrated with delivery delays, Norway is threatening to cancel its order for NH90 helicopters … eight of the NH90 maritime variant on order …deliveries were due to have been completed six years ago, but so far only one received. (rmks: That's gotta suck. The Norwegians were staking on the helo being an exportable product) PHILIPPINES DefMin Gazmin: … plan to enhance maritime security capabilities by acquiring two naval missile frigates and several aircraft from Italy. (rmks: They already getting two old Mistreale's. It will be interesting to see what else they able to negotiate for. As the Spratly's continues to heat-up, you can bet on them procuring more platforms with 'teeth') RUSSIA (SYRIA) Med-Deployment: Russian news agencies report the three Northern Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ships in the coming days will briefly dock at Tartus (Syria). MoD: “no plans, but possible if necessary“ (rmks: Wonder if they are actually carrying anything or moving anything offshore – old Iraqi WMD's, chem stores. Man this has some scenario possibilities!) RUSSIA A quayside in Bolshoi Uliss Bay near Vladivostok is being reconstructed in order to accommodate MISTRAL class helicopter carriers. (rmks: It will be interesting to see if the attempt a northern crossing in the summer. As the Arctic issue continues to simmer. This will be one thing to keep an eye on) 04 August AUSTRALIA Patrol boat ALBANY intercepted a boat carrying 64 asylum seekers and four crew west of the Ashmore Islands. CHINA Photo shows tanker WEISHAN HU passing the Dardanelles into the Marmara Sea. (rmks: It had been “missing” for about a week) IRAN Iran claims to have test-fired a new variant of Fateh-110 short-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile (range 300 km) … new guidance system/seeker facilitating high precision attacks, also against sea targets … system to be installed in all future missiles. (rmks: Me thinks, things have ticked-up a notch or three in the current Gulf saga) PIRACY +++ (Anti-Piracy Forces (aka: The Keystone Kops)) Netherlands dock landing ship ROTTERDAM has replaced Netherlands frigate EVERTSEN as flag ship to NATO’s SNMG-1, currently employed in NATO anti-piracy operation “Ocean Shield”. EVERTSEN has commenced home transit after three-month deployment. +++ (NIGERIA) Gunmen attack an accommodation barge anchored off the coast of the Niger delta, killing two navy sailors protecting the vessel and kidnapping four foreign workers. (rmks: No cockroaches (excuse me pirates) were harmed in reporting either of these stories – drat and double-drat) RUSSIA (SYRIA) Med-Deployment: Combined Northern Fleet (three ROPUCHA class landing ships) and Baltic Fleet (two NEUSTRASHIMIY class frigates) task forces has rendezvoused with former anti-piracy task group comprised of destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV (Northern Fleet) and tanker IVAN BUBNOV and salvage tug SORUM MB-304 … in the Eastern Mediterranean … check status of fuel, water and provisions … if required replenish in Tartus (Syria) … after more exercises in the north-eastern Mediterranean proceed to the Black Sea for (amphibious) exercises Additional Update: the three landing ships reportedly registered for Bosporus passage on 11/12 Aug and proceed to Novorossiysk. TAIWAN Local media: delivery of two US-built P-3C maritime patrol aircraft next year. (rmks: This will likely peeve the ChiComs to no end) USA Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN arrives at Mayport (Florida) … embark crew member families for “tiger cruise” to Norfolk at the end of her eight-month Middle East deployment. (rmks: Thanks for the POD, posted on the FB page. Stay tuned for a good one as well, for tomorrow) 05 August (rmks: Happy birthday to me) CHINA Frigate YANTAI arrives at Varna (Bulgaria) for a five-day visit … first ever visit of a Chinese warship to Bulgaria. At the same time, destroyer QINGDAO and fleet supply ship WEISHAN HU begin a four-day visit to Istanbul (Turkey) … second visit after 2002. (rmks: Looks like they are avoiding Georgia. Probably a diplomatic move with Russkies) IRAN +++ Parliament commission holds meetings with the commanders of the Army and the IRGC naval forces … discuss the latest conditions, developments and security of Iran's Southern waters and the strategic Strait of Hormuz … another meeting scheduled on 07 August. +++ To minimize risks of disruptive cyber attacks, Iran is to move key ministries and state bodies off the internet next month … first phase of a project to replace the world-wide web with a domestic intranet system scheduled to be completed within 18 months. (rmks: They may be dumb, but they ain't stupid) ISRAEL (Gaza) An “international flotilla”, currently consisting of single Swedish vessel ESTELLE (correct me if I'm wrong, isn't a flotilla supposed to consist of MORE than one ship?), has begun a voyage to break the Gaza blockade … expected to reach there in October. (rmks: International group of organizers call themselves “Gaza Flotilla III”) RUSSIA Pella shipyard (St. Petersburg) has launched another Project 90600 tug (RB-394) for the Russian navy. 06 August RUSSIA Ice breakers KAPITAN DARNITSYN and DIKSON begin 2-month survey of Arctic Ocean … determine whether the Mendeleev Ridge is a continuation of Russia's continental shelf, which would give Russia the priority right to develop its natural resources. (rmks: Remember what I said about the Arctic claims issue?) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (08 Aug) The Baltic Fleet has scheduled amphibious exercises … on 08 August at Khmelyovka range near Baltiysk … landing ships ALEXANDER SHABALIN and KALININGRAD to land two companies naval infantry with simultaneous airborne assault … air force provide air cover (Su-27) and strikes (Su-24). ITALY – RUSSIA (Nov) Annual bilateral naval exercise “Ionex 2012” scheduled in November … in the Ionian Sea, staging from Taranto (Italy) … Russian Black Sea Fleet tentatively earmarked destroyer SMETLIVIY and salvage tug SHAKHTER for participation. (rmks: Strange bedfellows, indeed!)

The new FB site is great! I'll be posting stuff, including a POD (Photo of the Day).

Tony, I agree. We shouldn't make any FB presence flavor-specific. It should cross all boarders of the game PnP, HUCE, and Gen3/4. The stuff that is posted on Twitter should also be pasted into FB as well.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! The weekend is upon up! Here are some interesting nuggets to start the weekend. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 31 July BRAZIL The Brazilian navy has requested purchase of 26 Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV 7) from the US … also upgrade existing AAVs. (rmks: Obviously it's just for excursions up the Amazon. Makes for good scenario fodder, though) 02 August PHILIPPINES – CHINA China is preventing Philippine ships from entering the disputed Scarborough Shoal lagoon, by blocking its entrance with a buoy and rope. (rmks: No not the dreaded bouy and rope technique!) NATO During a ceremony at Zeebrugge (Belgium) Belgium navy Cdr Yvo Jaenen takes over command of SNMCMG-1 from Norwegian Cdr Erik Hansen … Belgium support vessel GODETIA new flagship to the mine countermeasure force … sail from Zeebrugge on 05 Aug for scheduled operations in North Sea and Baltic. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: Spanish dock landing ship CASTILLA sails from Rota (Spain) for the Horn of Africa … will join EU NavFor in support of operation “Atalanta”. (rmks: And the cockroaches (excuse me, the misunderstood coast peoples of the region) quake in fear – NOT!) RUSSIA Med-Deployment: Combined Northern/Baltic Fleet task force (two frigates, three landing ships) has arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean … practicing air defense, surface defense and boarding operations (anti-terror/anti-piracy) … heading for rendezvous with VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV task group. (rmks: Intenerating multi-faceted training operation. Wonder where Syria fits into all of this) SYRIA (related) Iran has become Syria's main crude oil buyer, helping the Assad government to circumvent Western sanctions … Iranian tankers have returned to Syrian ports for a third time since April. (rmks: Hey, if you're going to get advice, you might as well hit-up the experts) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS NORWAY (multinational) (18 Aug) Navies of Russia, USA and Norway will meet on 18 Aug at Bodoe (Norway) for exercise “Northern Eagle 2012” … while sailing from Bodoe to Severomorsk (Russia) will conduct maritime interdiction operations and search & rescue in the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea … involve Russian destroyer ADMIRAL CHABANENKO, a US Navy ARLEIGH BURKE class destroyer and Norwegian coast guard ship NORDKAPP as well as naval aircraft and helicopters. (rmks: Last NEEX was in 2008. It's interesting it takes place now, in a time when the Arctic claims issue is on simmer setting).

I see an FB page as a social media extension of the forum. We could share scenario expereinces (not full AARs) and scenario ideas. An FB page could serve more of a social side of the forum - conversations and comments, while the HarpGamer forum is for file posting and updates. News items like NNSotD and OPINTEL pieces can still be posted here, while a tag note can be posted on the FB page, highlighting the update(s).

Although I know about it, I'm not familiar enough with it to post stuff on it. Besides, I don't have a smartphone.

Additionally, it will be interesting to see who rolls their new boat out first - the Spanish or the Swedes. Besides Navantia working on the S-80, the Swedish are developing the A-26 as a replacement for the Gotlands. It is likely that they too, will attempt to market this platform on the international market.

Navantia is hoping to export the S-80, much like the French are exporting the Scorpene. Brazil and Argentina have been interested. RUMINT says Canada may be interested (if they can get the other programs in NSPS rolling). It looks like a pretty solid platform - on paper that is. Only time will tell, once the thing is actually laid-down, fitted-out and sailing.

The Hawkeye similarities are striking! Wonder if it actually flies and works. We'll have to see.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog . The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Happy August first everyone! Amazing how fast the year is progressing. Summary to follow ... 30 July GREECE One of the two remaining POMORNIK class hovercraft damaged in a fire at Amfiali naval station. (rmks: Poor guys, can't win for loosing) 31 July CHINA (rmks: Busy day for the Chi-Coms) +++ China’s State Oceanic Administration (SOA), Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration (CAA) and the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) have contracted Helsinki-based Aker Arctic to design a new 120-m Polar Research Vessel. +++ Pictures of the first prototype of a possible carrier based AEW aircraft have emerged on the Chinese internet … JZY-01 looks to be based on the Y-7 aircraft. (rmks: Appears too big to operate from ex-VARYAG, although it could likely get aloft from the bow ramp. Probably is intended for the later indigenous aircraft carrier) +++ Destroyer QINGDAO arrives at Sevastopol (Ukraine) for an unofficial visit; frigate YANTAI at Constanta (Romania). (rmks: Still no info on whereabouts of supply ship WEISHAN HU. Likely it either lost the port of call draw this week or is steaming for Georgia) GERMANY Frigate KÖLN decommissioned during a ceremony at the Wilhelmshaven naval base. IRAN (related) Russia is taking legal action to block companies controlled by Iran from acquiring the strategic Astrakhan port on the Caspian Sea in violation of UN sanctions. SRI LANKA (AUSTRALIA) The Sri Lanka navy intercepts two trawler with 103 Australia-bound asylum seekers … just off the Sri Lanka coast … may face up to five years in prison “leaving the country through unauthorized ports“ which is an offence under Sri Lankan law. USA Center for International and Strategic Studies: The Navy should deploy more amphibious ships and submarines to the Asia-Pacific theater, and the Marine Corps should rethink its plan to move 4,700 Marines from Japan to Guam. (rmks: See the discussion thread here) 01 August AUSTRALIA A boat carrying about 28 asylum seekers intercepted near the Cocos Islands. Australian naval vessels are set to be given greater access to Indonesian waters as part of a collaborative response in dealing with asylum seeker boats in distress. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer DARING returns to Portsmouth after completing her maiden operational deployment to the Middle East (rmks: Cruise began in January).

I love all this pie in the sky! The probability the USN will be able to base a CSG in the Land Down-Under is so infintecimal, its preposterous to make such a claim. It would be far better to base a full MARG on the northern coast of Australia. Don't get me wrong Perth is a great place (I went there in 1999), but its so far from the action. Darwin or Cairns would be much better locations. As for the CSG, if Hawaii is out Guam may be a good fallback position. Its centrally located and the basing would sure help the economy. Subic is another suggestion, but the base there is in a sorry state of disrepair and would require serious mod work.

I know, but I have to vent my frustration some how.

Has the forum considered developing a presence on Facebook?

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum, with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Interesting stuff happening in naval news. Summary to follow ... 16 July CHINA The first POMORNIK (ZUBR) class LCAC, built in the Ukraine for the Chinese navy, has begun mooring trials … in Feodosia. (rmks: Ah, don't you just love the relationship the Slavs and Russkies have with the Chi-Coms and I thought they were adversaries) 27 July BRAZIL Shipbuilder INACE delivers the first of four riverine hydrographic vessels (Aviso Hidroceanográfico Fluvial) to the Brazilian Navy. (rmks: The ship were likely built in the thriving yards of their Northeastern region) RUSSIA Zvezdochka officially returns DELTA-IV ballistic missile submarine NOVOMOSKOVSK to the Russian navy … had entered the shipyard in 2006/07 for comprehensive mid-life upgrade. (rmks: A sign of the condition of Russian naval infrastructure – it took nearly five-years for MLM (mid-life modernization)) 28 July USA Southern Seas 2012: Frigate UNDERWOOD in the Caribbean Sea, half way through her final deployment … on 27 Jul stocked up at Colon (Panama). 29 July UNITED KINGDOM Submarine TRIUMPH returns to home port Plymouth, ending a 10.5-month deployment. (rmks: Man, that's a loonnngggg deployment. Welcome home, guys) USA Africa Partnership Station (West) 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT departs Rota (Spain) after loading cargo and humanitarian supplies … now heading for Liberia for first APS West stop … six other West African nations to follow. 30 July AUSTRALIA Frigate MELBOURNE has left the Middle East Area of Operations after a six-month deployment as part of Operation “Slipper” … heads home to Sydney … frigate ANZAC has taken over. CHINA Aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG reportedly completed 25-days of sea trials and returned to port Dalian. (rmks: Still hasn't conducted a single T&G. The Indies are still in the lead) COLOMBIA Another 20-m semi-submersible, ready to be loaded with six tons of cocaine, seized by the Colombian military near the northern coast … fifth this year and the 76th to be seized since 1993. (rmks: Good job guys) GHANA Refurbished former German navy TYPE 143 fast patrol boats P-38 YAA ASANTHWA and P-39 NAA GBEWAA arrive at the Sekondi naval base, completing their transfer voyage. (rmks: Let's see if they can do some good, combatting the cockroache (excuse me, pirate) infestation) IRAN (related) US lawmakers agreed on a bill calling for a new round of sanctions on Iran, targeting energy, shipping and insurance sectors. (rmks: Don't you idiots in the beltway get it? The Mullahs are already crushing the people over there and they don't care about the common people. The sanctions are hurting the average Akmed on the street, not the Mullahs. Here's a sanction we should try – PGM ... precision guided munitions) PHILIPPINES +++ The Philippine navy has acquired up to four, domestically-built small (16.5m) fast attack craft … two more to follow in August … to be used for interdiction, patrolling, and for maritime and border security (rmks: read the Spratly's). +++ The Philippine coast guard may expect to get 12 new vessels from Japan in 2014 … no details yet but likely to be ten 40-m boats which will be considered development aid, and two larger ships that are to be viewed as grants. PIRACY Red Sea: A number of reports concerning suspicious activity have been received during the last week in the Southern Red Sea … suggesting pirates, with continued bad weather in open ocean areas, move to operate in less-exposed or coastal areas. (rmks: No pirates were injured reporting this news ... blast it all) RUSSIA +++ President Putin told a meeting in Severodvinsk the Russian Navy would receive 51 modern surface warships and 16 multi-purpose submarines (likely 8 YASEN, 8 KILO-III) plus eight BOREJ class ballistic missile submarines before 2020 … announces complex overhaul of national shipbuilding industry. (rmks: Even Czar Vlad is known to tip a few shots from time-to-time. This is likely the vodka version of the story) +++ Med-Deployment: Combined Northern Fleet/Baltic Fleet task force in the Central Mediterranean … conducting anti-submarine and air defence exercises and live artillery firing … heading east for rendezvous with VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV task group … Baltic Fleet tanker LENA and salvage tug SLIVA SB-921 “in the North Atlantic” returning to home port Baltiysk. +++ Moscow-based conservative (rmks: Read the Russian version of conservative - in other words, a mouthpiece for the Czar) “Institute of Expert Assessments”: It is time to recognize Russia’s overwhelming presence in the Arctic and rename the Arctic Ocean the ‘Russian Ocean.’ (rmks: Wow, free advertisement for the BRICS scenarios. Thanks guys) SPAIN General Admiral Jaime Muñoz-Delgado sworn in as new navy chief (AJEMA) … replacing Admiral General Manuel Rebollo García UKRAINE President Yanukovych officially appoints VAdm Yuri Ilyin as commander of the Ukraine navy … had been acting commander after Adm Maksymov retired on short notice “for health reasons” a few weeks ago. USA Budget office analysis shows the most recent 30-year shipbuilding plan underestimates the cost of growing and maintaining the fleet by more than $3 billion annually over the next three decades … US Navy comment: “different views on inflation.” (rmks: And the soap opera continues) 31 July AUSTRALIA Patrol boat LAUNCESTON provided assistance to a asylum seeker vessel south-west of Indonesia's Sumba Island … more than 300 nautical miles from Ashmore Islands … rescuing 69 people. CHINA Frigate YANTAI arrives at Constanta (Romania) for a scheduled port visit until 04 Aug. (rmks: Looks like they are following a clockwise circuit of the Black Sea) INDIA India formally opens a key naval station, aptly named INS Baaz (Hawk), in the southern part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands … boasts the ability to keep an eagle eye on maritime choke-point Strait of Malacca. (rmks: Fodder for an upcoming BRICS scenario. Stay tuned)

The EADS CASA CN-235 is a very good mid-range MPA platfrom. It can be equipped with a rather nice set of teeth, which could fit into the budget of any small naval air element or country air force. Concerning the Chi-Coms, they very well could hit all the BlackSeaFor major ports. Although Russia and Georgia have been on the outs, they are both members of that regional naval organization. I've toyed with a scenario series concerning the Black Sea. After the BRICS series, I may have to bring it back onto the front-burner, as part of The Pledge.

Updates are graciously provided by Marine Forum , with additional information from Naval Today and the Naval Open-Source Intelligence Blog. The commentary is my own. Enjoy! Big doings in River City, these past few days. It will be interesting to see if this update generates any conversations, here on the forum. Summary to follow ... 26 July USA The US Coast Guard took delivery of its 14th HC-144A Ocean Sentry maritime patrol aircraft from EADS North America … plans for a total of 36 such aircraft. USA Aircraft carrier ABRAHAM LINCOLN passes the Strait of Gibraltar, leaving the Mediterranean into the Atlantic Ocean, heading for Norfolk. (rmks: Hurry home guys and gals) 27 July CHINA Destroyer QINGDAO and frigate YANTAI pass the Suez Canal towards the Mediterranean … for regional port visits. (rmks: From the – And now for something completely different file – Former 11th Chinese anti-piracy task group, just ended operations in the Gulf of Aden; conduct a “goodwill tour” before heading home. No word yet on whereabouts of third ship in the 11th group, supply ship WEISHAN HU) EGYPT An Egyptian navy vessel has “asked” five Italian fishing vessels with 37 crew to proceed to the Egyptian port of Alexandria where they have been detained. The fishermen claimed they were intercepted in international waters. (rmks: Very unusual incident unless the fishermen made a “navigational error.” Likely the new MB government is beginning to feel its oats and is getting fiesty) FRANCE Eurocopter delivers one NH90 NFH naval helicopter to the Hyères naval air base. (rmks: As the Kilo is to submarines, the NH90 is fast becoming the new vanilla in the naval helicopter market. It will be interesting to see how Sikorsky reacts) IRAN (related) An Iranian news agency reports the country has begun to stockpile a three-month supply of foodstuffs for its population. (rmks: Me thinks trouble is afoot) RUSSIA +++ VAdm Chirkov: … talking to Cuba, Vietnam and the Seychelles about providing (permanent) berthing space for maintenance and supply of Russian navy ships … add. info: Vietnam will allow Russia to set up a ship maintenance base at Cam Ranh (Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang quoted). (rmks: This has distinct scenario possibilities). +++ VAdm Chirkov: … will resume work to complete LADA-class submarines SEVASTOPOL and KRONSHTADT. (rmks: Ya just knew these programs wouldn't be laid to rest – they have too many rubles invested in them already) +++ Zelenodolsk shipyard starts construction of 5th Project 21980 GRACHONOK class patrol boat. USA Huntington Ingalls has been contracted with building LPD 27 (yet unnamed) SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship … at its Pascagoula (Mississippi) facility. 28 July CHINA Wuchang Shipbuilding in Wuhan has launched China’s largest and most advanced patrol vessel … HAIXUN-01 (5,418-tons, 128.6m long; operational range 10,000 nm) … first Chinese patrol vessel to simultaneously incorporate marine inspection and rescue functions … expected to be put into service by the end of this year. (rmks: Man, that's one heavy PV. Likely it is the prototype for a new class of large surface combatant. I'll have to root up a pic for the forum). RUSSIA (Med Deployment) +++ Northern Fleet / Baltic Fleet ships have completed replenishment operations in the Alboran Sea and resumed transit to the Central /South Eastern Mediterranean … spend Navy Day at sea … subsequently to rendezvous with former anti-piracy task group comprised of destroyer VIZEADMIRAL KULAKOV (Northern Fleet) and tanker IVAN BUBNOV and salvage tug MB-304 (Black Sea Fleet). +++ MoD statement suggests Baltic Fleet tanker LENA and salvage tug SLIVA SB-921 are on return transit to home port Baltiysk +++ Black Sea Fleet landing ships NIKOLAI FILCHENKOV and TSESAR KUNIKOV return to home port Sevastopol after “accomplishing their missions in the Mediterranean” … have rehearsed “interaction, communication, antiaircraft, antisubmarine and other operations” together with destroyer SMETLIVIY. (rmks: Personally, all this activity doesn't make much sense, other than churning-up wakes. It could be Syria related, the Russkie way of showing the flag to Assad) SYRIA (related) +++ Russia warned that it would “not cooperate” with European Union sanctions requiring EU governments to search vessels suspected of carrying weapons into Syria. (rmks: Say it ain't so! I am shocked our friends the Russkies would say such a thing) +++ Russian navy chief, VAdm Chirkov: … prepared to in case of emergency evacuate personnel and materiel from port of Tartus … if Russian facility there should come under attack. +++ In a move to bypass the UN Security Council – blocked by China and Russia – Saudi Arabia prepares draft resolution for the UN General Assembly, calling for “safe havens” to be established. USA +++ Ingalls christens SAN ANTONIO class dock landing ship LPD 25 SOMERSET. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: Hospital ship MERCY arrives in Sihanoukville (Cambodia) to begin the final mission phase of PP12 29 July AUSTRALIA Two boats with a total of 66 asylum seekers intercepted over the weekend. Sri Lankan navy rescues 27 people whose boat had experienced engine failure just after departing the island for Australia. CHINA Destroyer QINGDAO and frigate YANTAI begin a port visit to Istanbul (Turkey) … afterwards reportedly to continue into the Black Sea for undisclosed destination(s). RUSSIA (Navy Day) +++ Over 15,000 servicemen, as well as more than 170 vessels and submarines took part in festive activities … with naval parades at Severomorsk, St. Petersburg, Sevastopol, Novorossiysk and Vladivostok. +++ (First ever) joint Russian – Ukrainian naval parade in Sevastopol +++ (Future) Indian aircraft carrier VIKRAMADITYA participates in Severomorsk parade. 30 July RUSSIA President Vladimir Putin to attend keel-laying ceremony for fourth BOREJ class ballistic missile submarine, KNYAZ VLADIMIR, at Sevmash (Severodvinsk). UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (Aug) The Northern Fleet plans large-scale drills in the Barents Sea in August … with aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV (rmks: Also possibly the missile cruiser PETR VELIKIY), nuclear powered and diesel electric submarines, naval aviation and coastline forces to participate … drills will include missile launches and live artillery fire. (rmks: Probably won’t have to wait long for rumors that this is related to Syria. If they move to the Med, things along Syria could get very interesting)