TheList 5344

The List 5344     TGB

Good Morning A few bits before I hit the road

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Navy Probing Security Response to NAS Corpus Christi Gun Battle, Debunks Meme on Female Sailor

By: Sam LaGrone

May 26, 2020 4:57 PM

 

This post has been updated to include an additional statement from the FBI.

The Navy is investigating the security force response to last Thursday's gun battle at the gate of a Texas naval air station, Navy officials confirmed to USNI News on Tuesday.

In parallel to the FBI and NCIS criminal investigation into the "terrorism-related" gun battle at the NAS Corpus Christi North Gate, the Navy conducting a standard preliminary investigation into how the Navy Security Force (NSF) handled the attempted assault by now-slain suspect Adam Alsahli, 20.

The investigation is standard procedure following shootings and likely will not lead to a wider probe in the Navy Security Force response to the Thursday incident, two Navy officials told USNI News.

NCIS and the FBI have released few details of the Alsahli's attempt to storm the air station.

Reports say he attempted to drive on the base on Thursday morning, at 6:15 a.m. local time, but was stopped by an NSF sailor at a checkpoint. Alsahli allegedly shot the sailor and tried to drive on to the installation.

However, "she was able to roll over and hit the switch that raised a barrier, preventing the man from getting onto the base," The Associated Press reported last week. USNI News understands that multiple NSF members fired at Alsahli.

The sailor who was shot was released from treatment on Thursday with minor injuries, Navy officials told USNI News.

Following the incident, the FBI took the lead role in the investigation after tying the attempted attack to terrorism.

Originally from Syria, Alsahli had made several posts on social media in support of groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, CNN reported.

"We have determined that the incident this morning at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is terrorism-related," FBI Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Leah Greeves said in a brief statement on Thursday.

After an initial suggestion that there may have been a second person of interest related to the attack, the FBI said Tuesday there was likely not one.

"While there was initial concern about a potential second person of interest, intense investigation leads us now to believe there was not," the FBI Houston office said in a statement on Twitter.

Separately, the Navy also debunked a meme that circulated over the weekend claiming to show the female Navy Security Force member who was shot by Alsahli and then activated the barrier that prevented him from entering the air station.

The meme, widely shared on Twitter and Facebook, carried unconfirmed details of the encounter at the gate as well as a photo of a female master at arms and military working dog who were not involved in the incident.

"The young female Navy sailor on duty checking IDs was shot square in the chest with the pistol by the terrorist. Wearing a ceramic and Kevlar vest the bullet did not enter her body however the force knocked her to the ground. She was able to quickly regain footing and hit the emergency button to close the security barricade before the terrorist could pass through. She then, with great focus and purpose, unloaded her side arm at the vehicle killing the terrorist and saving unknown lives," reads a May 24 version of the post on Facebook that was shared almost 48,0000 times as of this posting.

The post included details that have not been verified by law enforcement. No account says that the sailor who was shot subsequently killed Alsahli. The post does not include sources for the details. On Tuesday, the Facebook post was modified to remove the photo.

In a statement, the Navy said the sailor pictured in the post was not the one who was shot by Alsahli.

"A photograph was shared on social media that allegedly showed a sailor involved in the response to this attack. We can confirm the sailor in this photo was not involved," spokesman Lt. Sam Boyle told USNI News on Tuesday.
"The personnel involved have not been identified at this point due to an ongoing investigation."

USNI News independently confirmed that the sailor in the photograph left the service in 2017 and that her last duty station was on the East Coast. The status of the military working dog was not immediately available as of this posting. USNI News is not identifying the sailor in the photograph and is obscuring her image because she was not involved in the incident at NAS Corpus Christi and is not believed to have any role in disseminating the online post.

 

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thanks to Doctor Rich -

Wednesday, May 27 at 4:33 p.m. EDT

  Thanks to John H. ...

 

HAWTHORNE (CBSLA) — SpaceX is preparing to blast off with humans on board for the first time, and the site will be must-see TV both online and over the air.

Weather permitting, Hawthorne-based SpaceX is scheduled to take astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the International Space Station.

It would be the first time SpaceX, or any private company, has launched humans into space.

The launch at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida is scheduled to take place at 1:33 p.m. PST. The launch will be broadcast live on CBS2 and online on CBSN.

However, skies at Cape Canaveral are currently overcast and could scrap Wednesday's launch. 

 

If SpaceX does not take off Wednesday, the next launch window is Saturday.

 

 

What Time Is The SpaceX Launch? How To Watch Wednesday's NASA-SpaceX 'Launch America' From Home

Jamie CarterSenior Contributor

Science

I write about science and nature, technology and travel, stargazing and eclipses.

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SpaceX

UPDATE: This article on the SpaceX launch time has been updated to include information on how to watch live online with a commentary by Neil deGrasse Tyson, and also how to see Crew Dragon in the night sky over Europe a few minutes after the launch.

Are you ready for "Launch America?" Later today—Wednesday, May 27 at 4:33 p.m. EDT—two US astronauts will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) from US soil, and on a US rocket. 

That's not happened of almost a decade, and it's going to be a massive, unmissable event. The pandemic means it's also going to be an event that's almost entirely staged online. 

Get ready for some iconic imagery as NASA relieves Apollo-era imagery and SpaceX puts the astronauts in a Tesla Model X before a Falcon 9 rocket blasts-off to space to make history.What is 'Launch America?' 

It's the culmination of almost a decade's work to get US astronauts launched to the ISS on a US rocket from US soil. Since the Space Shuttle stopped flying in 2011, NASA has had to pay Russia's Roscosmos for seats in its Soyuz capsule. However, "Launch America"—officially known as the SpaceX Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission—isn't just NASA ceasing its reliance on Russia. SpaceX's provision of all the space hardware—a Falcon 9 rocket and its Crew Dragon capsule—make this also the first-ever crewed commercial rocket launch

 

 

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Thanks to YP

 

Few people know about Royce Williams' story, because he was forbidden to talk about it until relatively recently because of International politics.  It is a tribute to Royce's skill and luck against seven to one odds, as well as to his Grumman Iron Works Panther aircraft that survived 236 bullet holes and a carrier landing thereafter at 170 knots.

Remarkable story, remarkable man.  He truly deserves the Big One. 

 

Plus, Royce is a really cool gentleman, and he generally has one or two really nice toots escorting him around at HOOK.  Spends lots of time in the ATTACK READY ROOM, and I always snuck him really good Single Malt Scotch in under my smock.  He LIKES good Scotch.  How he got converted from a bourbon drinker to Scotch is a story in itself.

This campaign to get him the Big One has been going on for a while, and it is truly righteous.

I will personally do a Happy Dance if this happens.

And I don't dance.

At least without a Six Pak dispensation.

YP

On May 27, 2020, at 6:45 AM, Bill Egen  wrote:

 

7) Medal of Honor Sought for US Korean War Pilot

https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/05/26/medal-honor-sought-us-korean-war-pilot.html

 

 

 

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The world news thaks to Miitary Periscope

 

USA—Trump Eyes Afghan Withdrawal Ahead Of Election New York Times | 05/27/2020 Military officials are advising President Donald Trump on potential options for pulling the remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan, reports the New York Times. These proposals include one that would see all American forces withdrawn ahead of the presidential elections in November, said five officials familiar with the planning. Some officials said that this option reflects a political calculation on the part of the president. Many have indicating that they are advocating for a slower withdrawal to ensure peace efforts between the Afghan government and Taliban are lasting. One option maintains a U.S. presence into May 2021. There are fewer than 12,000 troops in Afghanistan. Any reductions below 8,600 U.S. troops would be based on U.S. assessments of the security environment and Taliban compliance with a February agreement, said a Pentagon spokesman. The U.S. is currently drawing down to 8,600 troops under the February pact with the Taliban. That level is expected to be reached in July. Officials said that a rapid withdrawal could further damage the agreement and increase fighting between the government and Taliban. The president is also reportedly worried about the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Afghanistan, which is believed to have infected up to 50 percent of the Afghan military. The spread of the virus has accelerated the closure of smaller forward operating locations used by special operators, who are expected to play a key role in any withdrawal plan. 

USA—Defense Dept. Begins Easing Travel Restrictions Military Times | 05/27/2020 The Pentagon is beginning to lift restrictions on movement that were issued in March due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reports the Military Times. In a May 22 memo, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said that the Defense Dept. would begin lifting blanket restrictions in line with the White House re-opening plan. The decision will enable the resumption of many permanent change-of-station moves and training exercises that have been on hold since March 12. Military sites and movement in each state, district or territory will open according to the Open Up America Again plan, which relies on data from Health and Human Services Dept. and Centers for Disease and Prevention, said Esper. For movement to be authorized, local prevailing shelter-in-place orders must be lifted and a 14-day negative trend of COVID-19 cases and symptoms. Districts can be judged retroactively, said Matthew Donovan, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness. A list of locations that can be opened will be published weekly. Plans to reopen the Pentagon itself includes five phases, with masks and social distancing required until the third stage, reported Defense One. The re-opening plan was announced on the same day that Pentagon officials confirmed the third death of a servicemember from COVID-19.

 USA—Russian Fighters Make Another Dangerous Intercept Over Med, Navy Says Navy Newsstand | 05/27/2020 Russian jets have conducted another unsafe, unprofessional interception of a U.S. Navy aircraft over the Mediterranean, reports the Navy NewsStand. On Tuesday, a Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft was intercepted by a pair of Russian Su-35 fighter jets in international airspace over the eastern Mediterranean. During the 65-minute interaction, the Russian pilots positioned their jets on either side of the P-8's wings, restricting the aircraft's ability to safely maneuver, the Navy said. "The unnecessary actions of the Russian Su-35 pilots were inconsistent with good airmanship and international flight rules and jeopardized the safety of flight of both aircraft," said a service statement. In a statement, the U.S. Sixth Fleet called on Russian to stop unsafe intercepts and abide by the 1972 Agreement for the Prevention of Incidents On and Over the High Seas (INCSEA). Two similar unsafe incidents took place over the eastern Mediterranean in April, the Navy noted. 

USA—7 Of 11 Carriers Now At Sea, Navy Says Stars And Stripes | 05/27/2020 The U.S. Navy has trumpeted that it has put seven of its 11 aircraft carriers to sea after maintenance and health issues had kept much of the fleet in port in recent months, reports Stars & Stripes. On May 22, the service announced that the Nimitz-class carriers Ronald Reagan, Abraham Lincoln, Nimitz, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Theodore Roosevelt as well as the new USS Gerald R. Ford were operating at sea. Four of the carriers have gotten underway in the last month. Lincoln and Nimitz departed from their homeport in San Diego on May 7 and May 8, respectively. The Ronald Reagan recently departed from Yokosuka Naval Base outside Tokyo following a six-month maintenance period. The Theodore Roosevelt is also at sea after being sidelined in Guam for nearly two months by an outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

 USA—Portland Amphib Trials New Laser Weapon Navy Newsstand | 05/27/2020 A U.S. amphibious warship has successfully test-fired a developmental laser weapon system, reports the Navy NewsStand. On May 16, USS Portland (LPD-27) used the Solid-State Laser–Technology Maturation Laser Weapon Demonstrator (LWSD) Mk 2 Mod 0 to disable an uncrewed aerial vehicle off the coast of Hawaii, the Navy announced on May 22. This was the "first system-level implementation of a high-energy-class solid-state laser," the service said. Developed by Northrop Grumman, the LWSD is reportedly capable of power levels of up to 150 kW, three times greater than the 50-kW AN/SEQ-3 laser weapon system that was installed on the amphibious ship Ponce in 2014, reported Breaking Defense. The latest version of the LWSD features improvements in the beam director and spectral beam combining, reported USNI News. 

United Kingdom—Review Of Huawei Role In Domestic 5G Networks Ordered After U.S. Imposes New Sanctions British Broadcasting Corp. | 05/27/2020 The U.K. is conducting a second review of Huawei's role in domestic 5G telecommunications infrastructure after the U.S. announced additional sanctions on the Chinese firm, reports BBC News. On Sunday, the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC) said that it would conduct a new review after Washington implemented new measures that prevent Huawei from using American technology or software in the design of its semiconductors, reported Business Insider. The U.S. Dept. of Commerce said that it is concerned that Huawei bypassed sanctions that require the company to acquire licenses to export U.S. items. The review could reverse a January decision to allow Huawei systems to make up 35 percent of the equipment in the periphery elements of British networks. The U.S. and some in Britain have expressed concern that the Chinese state-owned firm could be used by Beijing to spy on or sabotage communications. 

Russia—Construction Underway On Next-Gen Strategic Bomber Tass | 05/27/2020 Work has begun on the first strategic bomber under Russia's Perspective Aviation Complex for Long-Range Aviation (PAK-DA) program, reports Russia's Tass news agency. Working design documentation has been completed and materials for construction have begun to ship, according to an unnamed defense industry source. The work on the airframe elements is being performed by the United Aircraft Corp. (UAC), the source said. Construction of the cockpit is already underway, said another source. Final assembly could be completed in 2021, he said. In December 2019, Russian Defense Ministry officials confirmed that the draft design of the stealthy flying wing bomber had been approved and development of the working design documentation as well as creation of parts and test elements had begun at the Tupolev Design Bureau. 

Uzbekistan—Ex-Think Tank Chief Gets 12 Years For Spying For Russia Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | 05/27/2020 An Uzbek military researcher has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of spying for Russia, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. On Monday, a military court handed down the sentence against Rafik Saifulin. Saifulin, 61, plead partially guilty in the case, saying that he had handed over analytical material to Russian handlers but denying turning over classified information. He is a former KGB operative who became the head of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, a think tank associated with the Uzbek presidency. Saifulin is believed to have been close to Rustam Inoyatov, who was dismissed from the top post at the powerful National Security Service in 2018. Retired army Col. Vladimir Kaloshin also received a 12-year sentence on treason charges in March. Akbar Yarbabaev, the head of a directorate of the joint staff of the Uzbek armed forces, is also being tried on espionage charges.

 South Korea—U.N. Command Concludes Investigation Into Gunfire Exchange In DMZ Yonhap | 05/27/2020 The U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea has concluded its investigation into an exchange of fire between North Korean and South Korean forces along the Demilitarized Zone, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On May 3, four 14.5-mm machine gun rounds were fired from the North Korean side of the DMZ and hit a South Korean guard post. The South Korean guards responded with two volleys of gunfire, including several shots from a 12.7-mm heavy machine gun. The UNC requested information from North Korea for the investigation. Pyongyang acknowledged that it received the request but provided no assistance to the probe. The command found that both sides violated the cease-fire but was unable to definitively determine if the initial rounds were fired intentionally or by accident. The South Korean military says its personnel acted in accordance with their response manual. Seoul previously said that it believed the initial gunfire was accidental. 

Yemen—Top Military Officials Survive Missile Attack In Marib Xinhua | 05/27/2020 Top Yemeni military commanders have survived a missile attack on a headquarters in Yemen's central Marib province, reports Xinhua, China's state-run news agency. On Tuesday, ballistic missiles hit the defense ministry headquarters in Sahn al-Jin camp, where Defense Minister Mohammed al-Maqdashi and other commanders were meeting. At least seven soldiers were killed and 10 injured in the attack, sources said. Lt. Gen. Sagheer bin Aziz, the military chief of staff, survived the attack, reported Reuters. One of his sons and a nephew, both officers, were killed. A military official told Agence France-Presse that Houthi rebels were believed to have fired two missiles at targets in the area. The Houthis have yet to comment on the attack. A one-month cease-fire expired on Sunday. Houthi rebels have continued their advance on the contested city despite observing the truce elsewhere. 

Libya—Russian Jets Sent To Al Jufrah Air Base, Says AFRICOM Africa Command | 05/27/2020 The Russian government has deployed several fighter aircraft to Libya to support the forces of eastern militia leader Khalifa Haftar, reports U.S. Africa Command. The fighters flew to Libya from Syria, where they were repainted at the Russian airbase there to disguise their origin, the command said on Tuesday. Six MiG-29 fighters were first spotted at the Hmeimim Air Base in Syria on May 18 in commercial satellite imagery, reported the War Zone website. At least one MiG-29 was then spotted a day later at the Al Jufrah air base in Libya. Last week, a representative of the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord said that six MiG-29s and two Su-24 strike jets had arrived in eastern Libya from Hmeimim Air Base. The fighters would support Russian Wagner Group mercenaries that are fighting alongside the Haftar's Libyan National Army. 

Nigeria—Navy Receives New AW139 Helicopter Defence Web | 05/27/2020 The Nigerian navy has taken delivery of a new utility helicopter from Leonardo in Italy, reports Defence Web (South Africa). Rear Adm. Ifeola Mohammed, who oversees policy and planning for the navy, told reporters that the AW139 helicopter was delivered last week. The aircraft was seen undergoing test flights in Italy in November and December of 2019. In September 2016, Leonardo (then AgustaWestland) announced that the Nigerian government had ordered four AW139s for transport and search-and-rescue missions. Those helicopters would serve with the Nigerian parliament and with the local government of Rivers state, in addition to the navy, the company said. Separately, Mohammed said that the navy would commission a third locally built Seaward Defense Boat (SDB), 12 Manta-class boats and 24 new river patrol boats later this year. 

Cameroon—2 Soldiers Killed In Suspected Boko Haram Attack In North Journal du Cameroun | 05/27/2020 Two soldiers have been killed in a militant attack in Cameroon's Far North region, reports the Journal du Cameroun. On Tuesday, militants crossed the border with Nigeria and attacked a military post in Soueram, killing two soldiers, said an army spokesman. Five militants were killed in a counterattack, he said. On Wednesday, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement reviewed by Military Periscope. The militants escaped with an undisclosed piece of heavy weaponry, said a source. Another Cameroonian military vehicle was destroyed in the encounter, reported Agence France-Presse. Separately on Tuesday, seven Cameroonian soldiers were injured when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the same area. 

Central African Republic—9 Militiamen Arrested After Attacks In Southeast Agence France-Presse | 05/27/2020 Nine members of a militant group in the southeastern Central African Republic have been arrested following a series of attacks in the region, reports Agence France-Presse. On Monday, nine members of the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), the largest militant group in the C.A.R., were arrested, said a special criminal court. The militants were part of a branch of the UPC that is accused of launching a string of attacks last week against government and U.N. troops in the town of Obo. At least 10 militants were killed, and others captured during the fighting. The UPC is led by Ali Darassa and has been fighting for several months to extend its control over the southeastern C.A.R. The militia has conducted widespread and systematic attacks on civilians in the region, according to the special court. 

Sudan—Anti-Corruption Committee Recovers Billions In Assets From Bashir Regime Bloomberg News | 05/27/2020 The Sudanese government has seized assets worth billions of dollars from former President Omar Bashir, his relatives and associates, reports Bloomberg News. The total value of the assets, including shares in different companies and buildings, is estimated at US$3.5 billion to US$4 billion, said a spokesman for the Anti-Corruption and Regime Dismantling Committee. Bashir was found guilty of illicitly owning millions of dollars in foreign currency last December, leading to his jailing and the confiscation of his assets. The International Criminal Court previously indicted him for alleged crimes against humanity during the conflict in the western Darfur region. He was removed from power by the Sudanese army amid widespread protests last year. 

Venezuela—Iranian Tankers Start To Arrive Mercopress | 05/27/2020 Iranian tankers have arrived in Venezuela to provide vital gasoline and other petroleum products to the South American country, reports MercoPress (Uruguay). The first of five tankers, the Fortune, arrived at the El Palito refinery on Monday. The ships did not appear to face any interference during their voyage, despite rumblings from the U.S., which has sanctioned both countries. The second tanker, the Forest, shifted its destination to the port serving the Cardon refinery, where it was expected to dock on Tuesday, reported Reuters. The third ship, Petunia, entered the Caribbean Sea on Monday. The tankers carry approximately 1.5 billion liters of gasoline, which is valued at about US$45 million and covers around two weeks of Venezuelan oil consumption, reported the Wall Street Journal. Components for motor fuel production were also reportedly part of the shipments. Venezuela's state oil firm is struggling to recover some of its domestic refining capacity, which has suffered from years of mismanagement, a lack of trained personnel and lack of maintenance due to U.S. sanctions.