Archive for the ‘Military Roundup’ Category
Military Roundup 28 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: U.S. soldiers marching through streets of Britain enroute to their landing craft for the invasion of Europe
US-born cleric Awlaki ‘proud’ to have taught al Qaeda operatives
Hundreds of Somali troops trained with millions of U.S. tax dollars have deserted because they are not being paid their $100 monthly wage, and some have even joined the al-Qaida-linked militants they are supposed to be fighting.
Bipartisan House members demand armed National Guard troops at border
Supreme Court says Congressionally-approved war memorial’s cross can stay
SEAL 3 Update: SEALs attorneys say airport shut down after trial
Video: Trial for Navy SEAL still scheduled despite previous trials resulting in exoneration
Iran/Venezuela: Despite DoD report, the top U.S. Southern Command general says Iran has no military presence in Venezuela
The report said the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ elite Qods force had a growing Latin American presence, “particularly in Venezuela.”
Republished with permission of the Victory Institute
In: Military Roundup
Military Roundup 27 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: 30 years ago – RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters from Operation Eagle Claw. More on the infamous operation here.
Afghanistan: Just how well does the “Look out, here we come” strategy (publicizing offensives weeks in advance) work in Afghanistan?
CIA ‘using smaller missiles against al-Qaeda to avoid civilian deaths’
Syrian Missile Crisis: Despite two UN resolutions calling for the disarmament of Hezbollah, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says, “Syria and Iran are providing Hezbollah with so many rockets that they are at a point where they have more missiles than most governments in the world.”
Trial delayed for jihadist recruiter shooting suspect
Controversy flares over ship named for Murtha
This Week in American Military History – from W. Thomas Smith, Jr.’s series at Human Events
Published with permission of the Victory Institute.
In: Military Roundup
Military Roundup 26 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: Marines unleash hell in Egypt
2 Illinois state representatives ask governor to deploy National Guard… in Chicago
Lawmaker threatening to cut funding from sub program if military doesn’t provide key document
Government says al Qaeda ordered subway attacks – One of the three alleged conspirators has already plead guilty.
E-2C pilot’s last act saved the lives of three crew mates
Military appeals court overturns Marine’s murder conviction
Air Force’s classified space plane starts orbital test
Korean War: Source says South Korea’s military intelligence concluded that North Korea was responsible for sinking patrol vessel
North Korea to sieze South Korean property at resort
Afghanistan: Taliban’s captured number two leader providing U.S. with useful intelligence
Iraq: Al Qaeda confirms leaders’ deaths in last week’s US-Iraqi operation
Iran: Iranians celebrate the 30th anniversary of Operation Eagle Claw – the failed attempt to rescue American hostages held by the Iranians. Eight U.S. servicemen died in the operation.
Iran has built a “Mosque of Thanks” at the site, and plans to build a museum to display the crashed aircraft’s wreckage.
Pentagon report states that Iran’s Quds Force has stepped up its presence in Venezuela
Walid Phares: “If we don’t stop Iran’s nuclear program and its weapons delivery systems before 2015, then, yes, the United States will be under direct threat from a Jihadist regime, which has declared that ‘a world without America is possible.’”
Republished with permission of the Victory Institute
In: Military Roundup
Military Roundup 20 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: Osprey’s stunning night takeoff
Iraq: US, Iraqi forces kill al Masri, Baghdadi – al Qaeda in Iraq’s top two leaders
AQI regional commander killed in another operation
Afghanistan: Karzai threatens to end Kandahar operation – remember that Karzai has threatened to join the Taliban.
The Sunday Times indicated that Mullah Omar, commander of the Taliban, no longer wishes to rule Afghanistan and is ready for peace talks. According to the paper’s U.S. military source, this signaled a “breakthrough.” However, according to the Long War Journal, the Taliban’s official spokesmen deny that the interview took place.
Obama administration says conflict with Karzai is resolved
Syrian Missile Crisis: US summons Syrian diplomat over missile transfers to Hezbollah
Iran: Former U.S. defense official: it may be too late to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapon. Says that Obama waited too long. But it’s shouldn’t be about placing blame – Bush could have done something, too. It should be about keeping Americans safe, which is our government’s primary responsibility – not healthcare, climate change, or bicycle paths.
Unclassified DoD report says Iranian missile may be able to hit U.S. by 2015
Admiral Mike Mullen to a Columbia University forum: “Iran getting a nuclear weapon would be incredibly destabilizing. Attacking them would also create the same kind of outcome…In an area that’s so unstable right now, we just don’t need more of that.”
Border: McCain, Kyl want U.S. troops on border – Remember, Obama has ignored multiple requests by Arizona’s governor to deploy state’s National Guard troops.
Military History: From a Midnight Ride to Doolittle’s Raid (From W. Thomas Smith, Jr.’s This Week in American Military History series)
In: Military Roundup
Military Roudup 19 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: Photo of AF’s mystery spacecraft to launch Wednesday
Syrian Missile Crisis: Israel now considers Hizballah part of the Syrian army and will respond to the terrorist group’s missile attacks by attacking Syria. Syria has shipped long-range ballistic missiles and advanced anti-aircraft systems to the Lebanese terrorist group – in violation of two UN Security Council Resolutions. Hezbollah already possesses tens of thousands of missiles and rockets despite the presence of a 15,000-strong UN force there to supposedly enforce the UN resolutions.
Afghanistan: Taliban preparing for Kandahar battle
Congressman calls for hearing on military’s restrictive rules of engagement
McChrystal says ‘We have too many contractors’ – Says jobs could be better done by soldiers, Afghans. There are more civilian contractors in Afghanistan than there are U.S. troops.
Pirates: USS Farragut stops another pirate attack – Boarded skiff after pirates attacked cargo ship with assault rifles and RPGs. From a Fifth Fleet announcement: “To prevent the suspected pirates from conducting any more attacks, the skiff was instructed to head back to the Somali coast.”
US Admiral: ‘Catch and release is not a very good option’
Admiral admits that guided missile submarine has been used in the Somali basin
Cheonan incident: South Korean president vows to respond “resolutely and unwaveringly” against those responsible
Military increasingly convinced of North Korean sub attack
Commentary: Dalia Mogahed: The Islamists’ White House Pipeline by Steve Emerson
In: Military Roundup
Military Roundup 15 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: Navy eyeing Super Tucano for organic close air support aircraft of special operations forces
An Army Lieutenant Colonel is facing a court martial, having refused his deployment to Afghanistan until the President provides proof that he is Constitutionally eligible to serve.
According to BigGovernment.com, the New York Times is preparing to run a story publishing the names of covert operatives in Afghanistan
Iran touts advanced capabilities of new drones
Putin: Venezuela to spend over $5 billion on Russian weapons. Chavez intends to buy T-72 and T-90 tanks, anti-aircraft missile systems including the advanced S-300, and multiple-launch rocket systems. Venezuela has already purchased $4.4 billion in arms from Russia since 2005, and has a contract to produce Kalashnikovs under Russian license.
U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan’s “Valley of Death” Deemed a “realignment” by NATO while the Taliban claim victory.
U.S. troops headed home from Afghanistan stranded in Manas due to Kyrgyz unrest
The bodies of 31 South Korean sailors are recovered from the sunken Cheonan. 13 are still missing. An investigation is now underway to determine how the ship was destroyed.
Breaking protocol and tradition, the Navy has decided to name a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock after the late John Murtha (all other San Antonio class ships are named after cities). I doubt any of the 700 Marines who will call the ship home will enjoy the assignment, and some have suggested that Murtha’s name would better be suited on a target practice trawler.
SEAL 3 Update: Bill honoring Navy SEALs lingers in sub-committee
Military Roundup 13 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: Marine Silent Drill at Lincoln Memorial
ROE Update: U.S. Representative Walter Jones is calling for hearings on the Rules of Engagement in Afghanistan. Rep. Jones’ district covers Camp Lejeune, N.C., and he says that active-duty Marines and the families of troops killed in combat contact him regularly about the issue. Jones says that the ROE “have proved too often to be fatal” to U.S. troops.
Navy sinks skiff, captures six pirates following battle in Gulf of Aden
IEDs in Afghanistan have doubled since last year
US special ops trainers playing expanded role in Pakistan – advising Frontier Corps along border wjth Afghanistan
Sources are saying that the Commanding General of U.S. Forces in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno will be succeeded by the end of Summer. Odierno is slated to take command of Joint Forces Command.
The first P-8A Poseidon aircraft arrived at NAS Patuxent River. The P-8 is to replace the aging P-3 Orion for patrol and reconnaissance duties.
Military History: From Andrews’ Raiders to the Escadrille Americaine (This Week in American Military History series by W. Thomas Smith, Jr.)
And in case you forgot, last Friday marked the seventh anniversary of the fall of Baghdad. From the Washington Post, 10 Apr 2003:
Swept aside by U.S. troops who drove through the streets of Baghdad, President Saddam Hussein’s government collapsed today, ending three decades of ruthless Baath Party rule that sought to make Iraq the champion of a modern Arab world but left a legacy of fear, poverty and bitterness.
As U.S. Army troops occupied the west bank of the Tigris River and U.S. Marines rolled into the eastern part of the city, facing only scattered resistance, thousands of Baghdad residents poured into the streets to celebrate the government’s defeat and welcome the U.S. forces in scenes of thanks and jubilation…
With the rage of grievances accumulated over a lifetime, members of the crowd beat the fallen statue with sledgehammers, rocks, chains and their feet. Some slapped their shoes on it. Others made off with its head, dragging it through the streets.
“It was a strong statue,” said Stefan Abu George as he watched the scene unfold. “It’s not strong anymore.”
Down the street, crowds greeted U.S. troops with flowers, candy and, occasionally, kisses.
In: Military Roundup
Military Roundup 8 Apr 2010
Photo of the Day: Brown Water Navy
A Fire Scout unmanned vehicle from the USS McInerney makes its first drug bust upon completing its training mission. 60 kilos of cocaine were captured and another 200 kilos of suspected narcotics were dumped overboard. More on the Fire Scout here
USS McFaul crew captures ten pirates and rescues eight captured crewmembers when pirates attempted to attack another vessel near Oman.
An Iranian general has stated that Iran will strike U.S. troops in the region if attacked.
5 MARSOC Marines, Corpsman awarded valor medals for 2008 battle in Afghanistan
According to the Associated Press, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said that the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is “inevitable.”
The Obama administration has authorized the CIA to kill U.S.-born jihadist cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.
The U.S. spends far more than other countries on defense – $607 billion in 2008. But the American economy is so much larger than the rest of the world. When comparing defense spending as a percentage of GDP, the U.S. is actually tied at eighth place, spending even less than Saudi Arabia.
Military Roundup
Photo of the Day: Spring Training for Leap Frogs
Afghan President Hamid Karzai repeatedly threatens to join the Taliban
North Korea has threatened to stop returning remains of American soldiers killed during the Korean War. JPAC informs me that currently 8,034 Americans are listed as missing from the conflict.
This week in U.S. military history
SEAL 3 Update: Falsification charges have been dropped against two SEALs accused of mistreating an al Qaeda detainee in Iraq.
DADT Update: The Marine Corps Commandant says if Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is repealed, he will not let gay Marines bunk with heterosexual ones.
ROE Update: Gen. McChrystal strikes again – this time limiting night raids, reviewing Rules of Engagement. Developing: It appears that members of Congress think things have gone too far. Congressman Walter Jones (R – N.C.) has called for the House Armed Services Committee to conduct its own hearings on ROE. More on this in further updates.
In: Military Roundup · Tagged with: Afghanistan, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Rules of Engagement, SEAL 3
Military Roundup
Photo of the Day: MARSOC (the Marine Corps’ special operations component) in Afghanistan
Pirates: USS Nicholas exchanges fire with pirates in Seychelles, captures five, sinks pirates’ skiff and captures mothership. USS Faragut sinks a pirate mothership during a separate incident in the Somali Basin.
The search continues for a missing airman after a Navy E-2C Hawkeye crashed in the Indian Ocean on 31 March. The other three crew members were recovered without injury.
Iraq: Despite a planned withdrawal that will roughly half our troop levels in Iraq by August 31, the number of U.S. special operations troops will remain at their current levels Special operations forces are currently deployed in 79 countries.
DADT update: Army secretary’s about-face on DADT moratorium
Ground summary (Afghanistan / Ground summary (Iraq) / Airpower summary
Army secretary does about-face on DADT moratorium
In: Military Roundup · Tagged with: Don't Ask Don't Tell, Iraq, pirates, US Navy
