The List 5255

The List 5255 TGB

Good Monday Morning March 30 

to all

I hope you are off to a good start in your next week of this stay at home order.

Regards 

Skip

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This Day In Naval History – March 30, 2020


1944


Task Force 58 begins bombing of Japanese airfields, shipping, fleet servicing facilities, and other installations at Palau, Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai in the Carolines.


1944


USS Darter (SS 227) sinks a Japanese army cargo ship near New Guinea, despite the presence of an escort vessel. Also on this date, USS Picuda (SS 382) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks a transport ship near Guam while USS Stingray (SS 186) sinks a transport ship near Saipan.


1953


During the Korean War, five enemy guns in the Wonsan area fire about 20 rounds at USS Prichett (DD 561), falling about 150 yards short. Prichett silences the enemy guns with counterbattery fire.


1973


USS Forrestal (CVA 59) and Sixth Fleet ships provided aid to Tunisia following a disastrous flood, relocating 729 persons, 27 tons of cargo and an entire herd of 227 sheep.


1991


USS Princeton (CG-59) and crew are awarded the Combat Action Ribbon in recognition of the superior and arduous work the crew put in to keep the ship in war-fighting status following the Feb. 18 mining of the ship where three crew members were injured and the ships propeller was damaged during Operation Desert Storm.


2007


USS Hawes (FFG 53) provides medical assistance to Liberian cargo vessel MV Harmony while conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the southern Persian Gulf.






Thanks to CHINFO


Executive Summary:


• Navy Secretary Thomas Modly joined Fox & Friends to discuss the deployment USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy to assist strained healthcare systems in the fight against COVID-19.


• USNI News reports that USNS Mercy arrived in Los Angeles Friday and was ready to receive patients by Saturday.


• Multiple outlets report that more Sailors tested positive for COVID-19 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in Guam.






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. 1972 - Easter Offensive began in Vietnam


2007: USS Hawes (FFG 53) provides medical assistance to Liberian cargo vessel MV Harmony while conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the southern Persian Gulf.






Son of Quote of the Day


On this day in history (March 30):






1858: Hyman L. Lipman of Philadelphia patented the pencil.


1981: President Reagan was shot and seriously injured outside a Washington,


D.C., hotel by gunman John W. Hinckley Jr., who also wounded White House


news secretary James Brady, a Secret Service agent, and a District of


Columbia police officer, but recovered quickly & joked about his ruined


suit. As Reagan is wheeled into surgery, he quips to the doctors, "Please


tell me you're Republicans." Hinckley wanted to impress actress Jodie


Foster. Hinckley was later found NOT guilty by reason of insanity.


1999: Model Fabio was injured while riding a roller coaster as a goose flew


into his face at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia.






And today is:






National Hot Dog Day


1981 President Reagan shot


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Today in History March 30





1492





King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella sign a decree expelling all Jews from Spain.



1840





"Beau" Brummell, the English dandy and former favorite of the prince regent, dies in a French lunatic asylum for paupers.



1858





Hyman L. Lipman of Philadelphia patents the pencil with an eraser attached on one end.



1867





Russian Baron Stoeckl and U.S. Secretary of State Seward complete the draft of a treaty ceding Alaska to the United States. The treaty is signed the following day.



1870





The 15th amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote regardless of race, passes.



1870





President U.S. Grant signs bill readmitting Texas to the Union, the last Confederate state readmitted.



1885





In Afghanistan, Russian troops inflict a crushing defeat on Afghan forces, despite orders not to fight.



1909





The Queensboro Bridge in New York opens. It is the first double decker bridge and links Manhattan and Queens.



1916





Mexican bandit Pancho Villa kills 172 at the Guerrero garrison in Mexico.



1936





Britain announces a naval construction program of 38 warships. This is the largest construction program in 15 years.



1941





The German Afrika Korps under General Erwin Rommel begins its first offensive against British forces in Libya.



1943





Rodgers and Hammerstein's first collaboration, Oklahoma, opens on Broadway.



1944





The U.S. fleet attacks Palau, near the Philippines.



1945





The Red Army advances into Austria.



1946





The Allies seize 1,000 Nazis attempting to revive the Nazi party in Frankfurt.



1950





President Harry S Truman denounces Senator Joe McCarthy as a saboteur of U.S. foreign policy.



1957





Tunisia and Morocco sign a friendship treaty in Rabat.



1972





Hanoi launches its heaviest attack in four years, crossing the DMZ.



1975





As the North Vietnamese forces move toward Saigon, desperate South Vietnamese soldiers mob rescue jets.



1981





President Ronald Reagan is shot and wounded in Washington, D.C. by John W. Hinckley Jr.



1987





Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers is bought for $39.85 million.



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More from the Bear on the National Vietnam War Veterans Day


ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED… NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY–29 MARCH 2020…


March 29, 2020Bear Taylor0 Comments


A NATIONAL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE… to remember a war begun in 1961 that saw more than 2.5 million American warriors called to service in Southeast Asia to fight for the future of South Vietnam. The 12-year war took the lives of more than 58,200 of our bravest and left hundreds of thousands of our young warfighters maimed for life. On this day 47 years ago, on 29 March 1973, two months after the signing of the Vietnam peace agreements that resolved the war in favor of our enemies, the last of our POWs were freed and the last of our troops left South Vietnam. Two years later the South Vietnamese would be defeated by North Vietnam. Our nation had ventured much in blood and treasure and gained very little. The Vietnam War was a painful and expensive experience never to be forgotten by Americans. Unfortunately, on this National Vietnam War Veterans Day Humble Host notes with chagrin the day passed with nary a mention in the national media. Few of our countrymen and women remember, or care to. Readers of this personal blog– which earlier this month celebrated four years of regular posts remembering the days and nights of Operation Rolling Thunder, Commando Hunt, the dally casualties, and the world the Vietnam war was part of — are referred to two stalwart sources for remembrance of our war that did remember: “This Day in History” and the “Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation.” Read at:


https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-withdraws-from-vietnam


https://www.vvmf.org/topics/National-Vietnam-War-Veterans-Day/


And while you are at the VVMF website, visit “The Wall of Faces” and leave a remembrance for a squadron mate, ship mate, relative, brother or any one of the fallen now memorialized on “The Wall.” You will be glad you did…


Lest we forget… Bear






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The Bear is Back


FIFTY YEARS AGO--Remembering A Month of the Vietnam War... October 1969... and much more... Bear Taylor


Gents... Commando Hunt wrap-up so I can get back to Rolling Thunder... WHEN THE NAVY WAS ROLLING THUNDER... Bear



http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/







Begin forwarded message:


From: Rolling Thunder Remembered <beartaylor@comcast. net>
Date: March 30, 2020 at 1:49:56 AM MDT
To: Bear Taylor <beartaylor@comcast.net>
Subject: FIFTY YEARS AGO--Remembering A Month of the Vietnam War... October 1969... and much more... Bear Taylor


Dear Bear Taylor,

A new post is published. Check it out!

FIFTY YEARS AGO–Remembering A Month of the Vietnam War… October 1969… and much more…


COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR (1961-1973)... OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER and COMMANDO HUNT REMEMBERED... LEST WE FORGET... VIETNAM WAR BATTLE DEATHS for the month of OCTOBER 1969 -- 495 brave American men were reported Killed-in-Action to raise the total American battle deaths in the war to 39,223... another...






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Thanks to Ed


Not aviation stuff, but a funny bit of Navy history. And a good read.






On 11 June 1942 - The captain of the USS Skipjack, James W. Coe sends his now famous letter up the chain of command. This letter which addressed the problem of obtaining toilet paper by his ship had an example of the desired material attached as Enclosure (B)

It reads:

U.S.S. SKIPJACK
11 June, 1942

From: Commanding Officer
To: Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island, California
Via: Commander Submarines, Southwest Pacific

Subject: Toilet Paper

Reference: (a) USS HOLLAND (5148) USS SKIPJACK Req. 70-42 of July 30, 1941.
(b) SO NYMI Canceled invoice No. 272836

Enclosure: (1) Copy of cancelled Invoice
(2) Sample of material requested.

1. This vessel submitted a requisition for 150 rolls of toilet paper on July 30, 1941, to USS HOLLAND. The material was ordered by HOLLAND from the Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island, for delivery to USS SKIPJACK.

2. The Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island, on November 26, 1941, cancelled Mare Island Invoice No. 272836 with the stamped notation "Cancelled---cannot identify." This cancelled invoice was received by SKIPJACK on June 10, 1942.

3. During the 11-1/2 months elapsing from the time of ordering the toilet paper and the present date the SKIPJACK personnel, despite their best efforts to await delivery of subject material, have been unable to wait on numerous occasions, and the situation is now quite acute, especially during depth charge attack by the "back-stabbers."

4. Enclosure (2) is a sample of the desired material provided for the information of the Supply Officer, Navy Yard, Mare Island. The Commanding Officer, USS SKIPJACK cannot help but wonder what is being used in Mare Island in place of this unidentifiable material, once well known to this command.

5. SKIPJACK personnel during this period have become accustomed to use of "ersatz," the vast amount of incoming non-essential paper work , and in so doing felt that the wish of the Bureau of Ships for the "reduction of paper work" is being complied with thus effectively "killing two birds with one stone".

6. It is believed by this Command that the stamped notation "cannot identify" was possible an error, and that this is simply a case of shortage of strategic war material, the SKIPJACK probably being low on the priority list.

7. In order to cooperate in war effort at small local sacrifice, the SKIPJACK desires no further action be taken until the end of the current war which has created a situation aptly described as "war is hell."

J.W. Coe
Here is the rest of the story:

The letter was given to the Yeoman, telling him to type it up. Once typed and upon reflection, the Yeoman went looking for help in the form of the XO. The XO shared it with the OD and they proceeded to the CO's cabin and asked if he really wanted it sent. His reply, "I wrote it, didn't I?"

As a side note, twelve days later, on June 22, 1942 J.W. Coe was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on the S-39.

The "toilet paper" letter reached Mare Island Supply Depot. A member of that office remembers that all officers in the Supply Department "had to stand at attention for three days because of that letter." By then, the letter had been copied and was spreading throughout the fleet and even to the President's son who was aboard the USS Wasp.

As the boat came in from her next patrol, Jim and crew saw toilet-paper streamers blowing from the lights along the pier and pyramids of toilet paper stacked seven feet high on the dock. Two men were carrying a long dowel with toilet paper rolls on it with yards of paper streaming behind them as a band played coming up after the roll holders. Band members wore toilet paper neckties in place of their Navy neckerchiefs. The wind-section had toilet paper pushed up inside their instruments and when they blew, white streamers unfurled from trumpets and horns.
As was the custom for returning boats to be greeted at the pier with cases of fresh fruit/veggies and ice cream, the Skipjack was first greeted thereafter with her own distinctive tribute-cartons and cartons of toilet paper.

This letter became famous in submarine history books and found its way to the movie ("Operation Petticoat"), and eventually coming to rest (copy) at the Navy Supply School at Pensacola, Florida. There, it still hangs on the wall under a banner that reads, "Don't let this happen to you!" Even John Roosevelt insured his father got a copy of the letter.

The original is at Bowfin Museum in Hawaii.






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This Day in Aviation History” brought to you by the Daedalians Airpower Blog Update. To subscribe to this weekly email, go to https://daedalians.org/airpower-blog/






March 29, 1916


Navy Lt. Richard C. Saufley, Daedalian Founder Member #13307, bettered his own U.S. altitude record, piloting a Curtiss hydroaeroplane to 16,010 feet at Pensacola, Florida. On April 2, Saufley again extended the record by attaining a mark of 16,072 feet.






March 30, 1979


In the Yellow Sea between China and the Korean Peninsula, the 160-foot, 3,000-ton Taiwanese freighter Ta Lai ran aground. As 20-foot waves battered the stranded ship, rocks punched through the hull. It was taking on water and sinking. Her crew of 28 men were in danger. Detachment 13, 33rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, at Osan Air Base, South Korea, answered the distress call. Air Force Maj. James E. McArdle Jr. and his crew of four flew their helicopter, “Rescue 709,” a Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant, through the darkness and gale-force winds to the stranded vessel. These men were just completing their regular 12-hour duty schedule when the distress call came in, but no other crews or helicopters were available. In addition to Major McArdle, the aircraft commander, the crew consisted of 1st Lt. Van J. Leffler, pilot; Sgt. James E. Coker, flight engineer; Staff Sgt. Tony Carlo and Sgt. Mark Zitzow, PJs. To read the entire story of this daring rescue, for which Major McArdle received the Mackay Trophy, click HERE.






March 31, 1966


Strategic Air Command phased out its last B-47 Stratojet tactical aircraft. Learn more about the Stratojet HERE.






April 1, 1954


Pilots Lt. Cmdr. Francis X. Brady, Lt. W. Rich, and Lt. j.g. John C. Barrow completed the first transcontinental flights in less than four hours during a 2,438-mile journey in three VF-21 F9Fs from San Diego, California, to NAS Floyd Bennett Field, N.Y. Brady made the crossing in 3 hours, 45 minutes, 30 seconds; Rich in 3 hours, 48 minutes; and Barrow in 3 hours, 46 minutes, 49 seconds. All were refueled in mid-air over Hutchinson, Kansas.






April 2, 1951


Two F9F-2B Panthers of VF-191, each loaded with four 250- and two 100-pound general-purpose bombs, catapulted from Princeton (CV 37) to attack a railroad bridge near Songjin, North Korea. Their attack marked the Navy’s first recorded use of jet aircraft as bombers.






April 3, 1939


President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Defense Act into law in Washington, D.C. It gave the Army Air Corps $300 million and authorized its expansion to 48,000 personnel and 6,000 aircraft. Significantly, it also allowed African Americans to receive flight training for the first time.






April 4, 1908


In Massachusetts, inventor Robert H. Goddard coins the expression “jet propulsion” as a means of achieving space flight. He goes on to describe a primitive combustion chamber with a propulsion nozzle.






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Monday Morning Humor thanks to Al


Submitted by Al and Brenda Anderson:


It is amazing what we can do with technology to stay in touch. Listen to a virtual choir of 36 women from different parts of the world but several of them from San Diego at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BumCkswUUDA






Other great virtual choirs at:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY4CW5pte98


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4EoLm3_luM










And now for some humor…






Patty was taken aback when our cleaning lady called and told her she would be working from home. She said she would send Patty instructions on what to do.






Gas is finally affordable but we shouldn’t go anywhere.






I was so embarrassed…they said to go to the grocery store a mask and gloves were all you needed. They lied…everybody else had clothes on.






Arnold Schwarzenegger was seen dressed in his Terminator costume caring two large packages of toilet paper. When asked, “Where did you get that toilet paper?” He responded, “Aisle B, back.”






Submitted by Al Anderson:


Today’s drink special is the Quarantini. It’s just a regular martini but you drink it alone, in your house.






Submitted by Lyle Bien:


What a strange twist…now with this virus, teens are worried about where their parents are at night.






Submitted by John Hudson:


In line this morning at the Post Office, three people came in wearing masks…PANIC!!! Then they said, “This is a robbery,” and we all calmed down.






Submitted by Mark Logan:


The only good thing during this “hunker down” phase is that the whole country should finally realize that we can survive in a world without celebrities and professional sports. The farmers (the real stars) aren’t shutting down.






Submitted by Colleen Grosso:


Thanks to the TP hoarders, I had to use dryer sheets. My tush is now soft, smells like tropical flowers, and is static free.






Submitted by Dave Harris:


Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender yelled “last call.”


I have a 24-pack of toilet paper from Walmart. Looking to sway for a 4-bedroom house.


Looking to trade 3 rolls of 2-ply toilet paper and a half a can of Lysol for a ’68 Camaro. Message me.


Sign on front door of store: No cash or toilet paper kept on the premises at night.


You know what should be flying off the shelves right now? Matzah! It takes years to expire, keeps you full, and most important of all. Lends itself to the kind of constipation that requires very little toilet paper.






Submitted by Bob King:


I went to Starbucks and saw the barista’s mouth was covered. I asked, “Why are you wearing a mask?” She replied, “It’s not a mask, it’s a coughy filter.”


The panic, market crash, and toilet paper hoarding over the virus is a good indicator of why the public can never be told what’s really going on in Area 51.






Submitted by Skip Leonard and Bruce Greer:


How different countries have responded to the situation:


· The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent virus threat and have therefore raised their threat level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, the level may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out.


· The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let's Get the B@$+@rd.” They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.


· The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.


· The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbor” and “Lose.”


· Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.


· Australia, meanwhile, has raised its alert level from “No worries” to “She'll be alright, Mate.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is cancelled.” So far, no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.


· The Russians have said “It's not us”






Submitted by Jerry Norris:


What people stock up on when they are nervous tells a lot about what they value. For Americans, it is obviously a clean tushy. Makes you proud, doesn’t it? I fell a song coming on…


And I’m proud to be an American,


Where at least I know I’m clean,


And I won’t forget the trees that died,


To give that right to me,


And I’ll gladly sit down, next to you,


And share a roll today,


To the cleanest rears in all the world,


God bless the USA!










Funny videos on the internet:






Submitted by Ann Hein:


Baby avoids sneezing mom at https://www.facebook.com/wendy.tange/videos/10158329501185844/






Submitted by Mark Logan:


The Ballad of the Dunny Roll at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia0bfWbOLjY






Submitted by Don Mills:


How to pass the salt while maintaining proper social distance at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nORRgU8sGdE






Submitted by John Hudson:


Black market toilet paper sales at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTxg_dpJhPU










Submitted by many:


Tom Hanks survived four years on an island as a castaway


He spent a year in an airport without being able to leave


Caught AIDS in Philadelphia


He was in World War II and rescued Private Ryan


He went to Vietnam and rescued Lieutenant Dan


Was on a boat kidnapped by Somali pirates


Survived Apollo 13 trying to reach the Moon


Landed an airliner on the Hudson River


If he dies of coronavirus, we are all screwed!!!!










Submitted by Mike Ryan and Dave Harris:


(See attachment)


Stay well and stay in touch with your friends and family by phone, letter, or email,


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World News from Military Periscope for 30 March


USA—Aerojet Rocketdyne, Raytheon Agree To Multiyear Deal On Standard Missile Propulsion Systems Raytheon | 03/30/2020 Raytheon has finalized a multiyear agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne for propulsion and control systems for its Standard Missile product family, the company reported on March 26. The five-year, $1 billion deal is designed to stabilize and lower supply chain costs for Raytheon's long-running Standard Missile contracts with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and Navy, reported Breaking Defense. Aerojet Rocketdyne supplies the solid-rocket motors for the SM-2, SM-3 and SM-6 missiles, as well as the divert and attitude control system for the SM-3. Also on March 26, the Missile Defense Agency awarded Raytheon a $2.1 billion multiyear production contract for SM-3 Block IB interceptors for the U.S. and Foreign Military Sales customers. The deal covers fiscal years 2019 to 2023, with work scheduled to run until March 27, 2027, the Pentagon said. Overseas sales make up $1.1 billion of the value of the contract.






USA—Final AEHF Satellite Launch From Florida Space News | 03/30/2020 The U.S. Space Force has launched the sixth and final Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communications satellite from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., reports Space News. AEHF-6 was launched into a geosynchronous transfer orbit on March 26 on an Atlas V rocket. The launch was delayed by over an hour by an issue with the rocket’s hydraulics. The problem was resolved before the two-hour launch window closed, reported Air Force magazine. The satellite will conduct orbit-raising operations for the next 120 days, followed by around 30 days of on-orbit testing. Once completed successfully, the Space and Missile Systems Center will transfer control of AEHF-6 to U.S. Space Operations Command. The AEHF constellation provides jam-resistant satellite communications to the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, U.K. and Australia, noted the manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. A rideshare payload was also launched, a 12U cubesat designated TDO-2 developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The cubesat will be used to test optical calibration and satellite laser-ranging technologies. NATO—N.






Macedonia Formally Joins Alliance Nato Press Release | 03/30/2020 North Macedonia has officially joined NATO, reports the alliance. The Balkan country became the 30th member on March 27. NATO member states formalized North Macedonia's accession protocols in February and the alliance's 29 members have since ratified its membership. On March 20, President Stevo Pendarovski signed the final accession document, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. On Monday, a flag-raising ceremony is scheduled at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. North Macedonia's accession follows a 2017 agreement with Greece involving officially changing its name from Macedonia, resolving a longstanding dispute.






France—Amphibs To Conduct COVID-19 Relief Ops In Indian Ocean, Caribbean USNI News | 03/30/2020 The French navy is deploying two of its Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carriers to the Caribbean Sea and Indian Ocean to support the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports USNI News. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the missions on March 25. The Mistral, which is already in the Indian Ocean, will support relief efforts in the southern part of the ocean, where the French islands of Reunion and Mayotte are located. The Dixmude, currently in the Mediterranean Sea, will perform similar operations in the French Antilles and French Guiana. The warships are being deployed as part of France’s Operation Resilience military response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Each Mistral-class vessel has a hospital facility with two operating rooms, an X-ray room, a dental office, seven intensive care beds, 62 baseline hospital beds and the capacity to install 50 additional beds in the hangar bay.






Japan—Osprey Tiltrotors Temporarily Deployed To Chiba Prefecture Asahi Shimbun | 03/30/2020 The Japanese Defense Ministry has for the moment deployed its V-22 Osprey tiltrotors to Camp Kisarazu east of Tokyo, reports the Asahi Shimbun. On March 26, the ministry announced that the V-22s would be temporarily deployed to Chiba prefecture for five years. The aircraft are slated to be permanently stationed at Saga Airport in Saga prefecture on Japan's southwestern Kyushu island to strengthen the ability of the Self-Defense Forces to rapidly react to crises on the southwestern islands. A new tactical airlift group has been established at Camp Kisarazu with the No. 1 Helicopter Brigade. The Osprey component consists of the No. 107 and 108 squadrons. Two more Ospreys are scheduled to arrive at the camp by June, with the tiltrotor force to reach 17 by the end of March 2022. Plans to deploy the Ospreys to Saga have been delayed by local opposition. Japan previously stationed its tiltrotors at U.S. bases on its territory.






Japan—Improvements Sought For U.S. Foreign Military Sales Program Kyodo News Agency | 03/30/2020 Japan is leading a group of nations urging fixes to the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, reports the Kyodo news agency (Tokyo). The program suffers from delays in equipment deliveries, slow return of excess payments and a lack of transparency in pricing, officials said. Under the FMS program, buyers make payments based on U.S. estimates. Any excess funds are returned. The Japanese Defense Ministry says that it is unable to confirm when equipment is shipped due to documentation issues. The FMS payment system has been blamed for growing defense expenses in Japan, which reached US$6.4 billion in Japan's fiscal 2019, which ends this month. The lack of transparency in the delivery process resulted in 132 non-deliveries, valued at US$302.8 million, by the end of fiscal 2018. At least US$456 million is owed in unreturned refunds, according to the government budget watchdog. Last year, Japan proposed establishing a working group in Washington with other similarly affected countries to address problems with the FMS program. Among those that have joined are Australia, Belgium, Canada and South Korea.






North Korea—Pyongyang Again Tests Large Multiple Rocket Launcher Yonhap | 03/30/2020 North Korea has test-fired ballistic missiles from its new large multiple rocket launcher, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Sunday, two projectiles were launched from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The missiles flew about 145 miles (240 km), reaching a maximum altitude of 19 miles (30 km) before landing in the Sea of Japan, said the JCS. Japanese defense officials quoted by Reuters said that the suspected ballistic missiles did not land in Japan's exclusive economic zone. South Korea criticized the timing of the test, which comes during the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On Monday, the state-run the Korean Central News Agency confirmed the test of the "super-large" multiple rocket launcher. The system appears similar to the large-caliber multiple rocket launch guided rocket system that Pyongyang unveiled last year, said the JCS. Photos published by the KCNA showed a six-tube system unlike the four-tube system Pyongyang previously revealed in its super-large multiple rocket launcher trials. There is also the possibility that North Korea simply changed the title of its large-caliber system to place it in the super-large category. After the latest launches, Pyongyang appears nearly ready to field the new system.






Philippines—2 Killed In Clash In Rizal Province Philippine Daily Inquirer | 03/30/2020 A Philippine soldier and a communist militant have been killed in fighting in the northern Rizal province, reports the Philippine Daily Inquirer. On Saturday, an army Community Support Program (CSP) team was dispatched to the town of Rodriguez after the military received a tip about suspected communist activity in the area, reported the GMA News (Manila). In the village of Puray, about 30 militants from the New People's Army (NPA) ambushed the 18 soldiers, said a spokesman for the army's 2nd Infantry Division. Two soldiers were wounded during the clash. The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), the NPA's political arm, announced a cease-fire from March 26 to April 15 to allow the government to focus on fighting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak following a similar announcement by President Duterte on March 18.






Australia—Work Begins On 3rd Arafura-Class OPV In Henderson Australian Dept. Of Defense | 03/30/2020 The Civmec shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, has started construction of the third of 12 new offshore patrol vessels for the Australian navy, reports the Australian Dept. of Defense. The first two Arafura-class ships are being built by Luerssen Australia and ASC in Adelaide, South Australia, with the balance to be built in Henderson. The class is intended to replace the navy's Armidale- and Cape-class patrol boats.






New Zealand—Accused Christchurch Attacker Changes Plea To Guilty British Broadcasting Corp. | 03/30/2020 In a surprise move, the man who shot and killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, last year has pleaded guilty, reports BBC News. On March 26, Brenton Tarrant, 29, an Australian citizen, changed his plea to guilty via video-link during a hearing at Christchurch High Court. The hearing was held in a scaled-down setting due to concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On March 15, 2019, Tarrant attacked the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Center in Christchurch, killing 51 in New Zealand's worst mass shooting in modern history, noted CNN. Tarrant was charged with 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and domestic terrorism. A guilty plea generally qualifies a defendant for a reduced sentence in New Zealand, although the extreme nature of Tarrant’s crimes suggests he will receive a life sentence, including a minimum of 10 years in jail before the possibility of parole, noted legal experts cited by the Washington Post.






Iraq—U.S. Hands Over Airbase Outside Mosul Military Times | 03/30/2020 The U.S. has transferred control of Qayyarah Airfield West to the Iraqi military, reports the Military Times. Forces with the Operation Inherent Resolve counter-ISIS mission began leaving the base, located 30 miles (48 km) south of Mosul, on March 26, reported Reuters. Iraqi forces are increasingly conducting independent missions, Inherent Resolve officials said. Approximately 500 coalition personnel departed the base as part of the handover, said mission officials quoted by Asharq al Awsat (London). The handover is part of a plan to consolidate coalition forces on a smaller number of bases as the number of personnel assigned to the mission declines. As part of the plan, coalition forces withdrew from the al-Qaim base on the Syrian border earlier this month.






Syria—ISIS Suspects Escape During Prison Riot Guardian | 03/30/2020 Several suspected members of the ISIS terrorist group escaped during a riot at a jail in northeastern Syria, reports the Guardian (U.K.). On Sunday, rioting broke out at Ghouiran prison in Hasakah, during which the prisoners took over the ground floor and at least four male detainees escaped, Kurdish and U.S. sources said. U.S. aircraft from the coalition fighting ISIS participated in search operations, said a spokesman. Four men were later recaptured, local media said. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) had regained control of the prison by Monday, reported the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It was not immediately known how many prisoners escaped. Local sources said four, while Syrian state media reported that 12 had gotten free. Unconfirmed reports indicated that several people were killed in the violence. There are an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 prisoners at the prison, according to the Rojava Information Center. Most are low-level terrorist suspects, said the U.S. spokesman. About 4,000 foreign fighters are believed to be held in similar facilities across northeastern Syria.






Saudi Arabia—Houthi Missiles Intercepted Over Riyadh, Jizan Saudi Press Agency | 03/30/2020 Saudi air defenses have intercepted a pair of ballistic missiles launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen, reports the official Saudi Press Agency. On Saturday, Saudi Patriot systems intercepted the missiles over Riyadh and the southern city of Jizan, reported the Saudi Al-Arabiya television station. The missiles were launched from Sanaa and Saada, which are both controlled by the Houhtis, said a spokesman for the Saudi Civil Defense. Two civilians were wounded by debris from the intercepted missiles over Riyadh, reported Reuters. Houthi sources confirmed the ballistic missile attack in a statement to the Iranian-run Press TV television channel on Sunday. Rebel sources claimed the attacks targeted "sensitive sites" near the border, including Jazan, Najran and Asir, reported the Houthi-run Al Masirah television (Sanaa). The attack was conducted using Zulfiqar short-range ballistic missiles, a variant of the Fateh 110, said the militant group, which receives arms, training and diplomatic support from Iran. On Monday, the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting the rebels since March 2015 launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi targets around Sanaa.






Somalia—Al-Shabaab Leaders Fight Over Resources Daily Nation | 03/30/2020 Disagreements over finances among the leaders of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia have created increasing friction, reports the Daily Nation (Nairobi, Kenya). According to intelligence reports seen by the newspaper, the leader of Al-Shabaab, Ahmed Diriye, also known as Abu Ubeyda, has been trying to expel the group’s head of finance and intelligence operations, Mahad Karate, and its chief of external operations, Bashir Qorqab, due to disagreements over resources. Diriye has accused Karate of hoarding funds collected via taxation in areas under Al-Shabaab control. Karate argues that his clan, the Hawiye, is the largest in Somalia and contributes the most to the group and so should get first crack at the collected monies. Diriye has struggled to take control of the group from Karate due to the strong-held clan allegiances within Al-Shabaab. In early March, Diriye ordered the assassination of Muse Maalim Muawiye, the head of intelligence for Somalia’s Banadir region and a key ally of Karate. The dispute may have also been escalated by the U.S. drone strike that killed Qorqab and his wife in Somalia earlier this month.






Mozambique—Dozens Of Militants Arrested After Pair Of Attacks In North Agence France-Presse | 03/30/2020 Dozens of suspected militants have been arrested in Mozambique following attacks on two towns in the northern Cabo Delgado province, reports Agence France-Presse. On March 23 and March 25, militants launched a series of coordinated assaults on Mocimboa da Praia and Quissanga, respectively. On Friday, Defense Minister Jaime Neto said that 50 suspects had been arrested in connection with the attacks, reported state broadcaster TVM. Residents should report any suspicious movement to the police, the minister said. The insurgency in Cabo Delgado province began in October 2017 and has resulted in 900 deaths and the displacement of thousands, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).






Venezuela—Former Military Intelligence Chief Mulls Cooperating With U.S. Reuters | 03/30/2020 A former Venezuelan military intelligence chief is discussing his possible surrender with the U.S., reports Reuters. On Saturday, three people familiar with the matter said that Hugo Carvajal was in talks with the U.S. to cooperate in an investigation against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. One source said that the chances of Carvajal cooperating were about 50 percent. Carvajal's lawyer said that she was unaware of any discussions. Carvajal, the former head of Venezuelan military intelligence (DGCOM) and ally of the late President Hugo Chavez, was charged with conspiring to transport drugs to the U.S. last week, along with four other Venezuelan officials, including Maduro. On Friday, agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) flew to Colombia to remand into custody retired Gen. Cliver Alcala, one of the five indicted, after he agreed to cooperate with the prosecution. U.S. officials have accused Maduro and his government of conspiring with dissident members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) to "flood the U.S. with cocaine." A Spanish court approved Carvajal's extradition to the U.S. in November, at which point he went into hiding.