To All,
Good Monday morning December 14
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Regards
Skip.
This day in Naval History
Dec. 1
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1814
Under the command of Commodore Thomas Catesby Jones, U.S. gunboats, along with Sea Horse and Alligator, engage the British during the Battle of Lake Borgne, La. Though the American flotilla is defeated, the engagement delays the British attack on New Orleans for nine days, buying precious time for Gen. Andrew Jacksons successful defense of New Orleans.
1911
USS California (ACR 6) breaks a red, white, and blue ribbon stretched across a Hawaiian channel to become the first ship to call on Pearl Harbor after it becomes a naval base.
1944
The rank of Fleet Admiral (five-star admiral) of the U.S. Navy is established during World War II due to the rapid build-up of U.S. military forces. The first five-star admirals are: William D. Leahy, Ernest J. King, and Chester W. Nimitz. Adm. William F. Halsey joined the selected group Dec. 11, 1945.
1944
Task Force 38 aircraft begins the attack on Japanese transport Oryoku Maru which, unbeknownst to the Task Force, is carrying approximately 1,600 Allied prisoners of war. The following day, the ship is sunk at Subic Bay.
Thanks to CHINFO
Executive Summary:
• International press reported that hackers from a Russian intelligence agency are suspected in a cyber breach at the Treasury and Commerce Departments.
• National press reported on the rollout of the first COVID-19 vaccine approved by the FDA.
• Trade and local press reported search and rescue efforts for a missing USS Theodore Roosevelt Sailor have ended.
This Day In History 14 December
1799 George Washington dies on his Mount Vernon estate.
1819 Alabama is admitted as the 22nd state, making 11 slave states and 11 free states.
1861 Prince Albert of England, one of the Union's strongest advocates, dies.
1863 Confederate General James Longstreet attacks Union troops at Bean's Station, Tenn.
1900 Max Planck presents the quantum theory at the Physics Society in Berlin.
1906 The first U1 submarine is brought into service in Germany. Italy's MAS torpedo boats.
1908 The first truly representative Turkish Parliament opens.
1909 The Labor Conference in Pittsburgh ends with a "declaration of war" on U.S. Steel.
1911 Roald Amundsen and four others discover the South Pole.
1920 The League of Nations creates a credit system to aid Europe.
1939 The League of Nations drops the Soviet Union from its membership. Joseph Avenol sold out the League of Nations.
1941 German Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel orders the construction of defensive positions along the European coastline. Desperate Hours on Omaha Beach
1946 The United Nations adopt a disarmament resolution prohibiting the A-Bomb.
1949 Bulgarian ex-Premier Traicho Kostov is sentenced to die for treason in Sofia.
1960 A U.S. Boeing B-52 bomber sets a 10,000-mile non-stop record without refueling.
1980 NATO warns the Soviets to stay out of the internal affairs of Poland, saying that intervention would effectively destroy the détente between the East and West.
1981 Israel's Knesset passes the Golan Heights Law, extending Israeli law to the Golan Heights area.
1994 Construction begins on China's Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River.
1995 The Dayton Agreement signed in Paris; establishes a general framework for ending the Bosnian War between Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1999 Tens of thousands die as a result of flash floods caused by torrential rains in Vargas, Venezuela.
2003 Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan, narrowly escapes and assassination attempt.
2004 The Millau Viaduct, the world's tallest bridge, official opens near Millau, France.
2008 Iraqi broadcast journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi throws his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a press conference in Baghdad.
2012 At Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Conn., 20 children and six adults are shot to death by a 20-year-old gunman who then commits suicide.
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Thanks to Dutch
as Christmas comes
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December 14
This Day in U S Military History
1863 – General Beauregard ordered Lieutenant Dixon, CSA, to proceed with submarine H. L. Hunley to the mouth of Charleston harbor and "sink and destroy any vessel of the enemy with which he can come in conflict." The General directed that "such assistance- as may he practicable" he rendered to Lieutenant Dixon.
1903 – The Wright brothers make their first attempt to fly with the Wright Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. With the help of men from the nearby government life-saving station (today's Coast Guard), the Wrights moved the Flyer and its launching rail to the incline of a nearby sand dune, Big Kill Devil Hill, intending to make a gravity-assisted takeoff. The brothers tossed a coin to decide who would get the first chance at piloting, and Wilbur won. The airplane left the rail, but Wilbur pulled up too sharply, stalled, and came down in about three seconds with minor damage. Repairs after the abortive first flight took three days. 1941 – U.S. Marines made a stand in battle for Wake Island. Wake Island defenders were left with one aircraft surviving Japanese attacks.
1942 – Japanese reinforcement land about 30 miles west of Gona and begin marching toward the Australian flank. In Buna, the American's take the village, but the Japanese still hold the well fortified Government Station.
1944 – Congress established the rank of General of Army, the 5-star General.
1944 – Rank of Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy (five star admiral) is established. It is interesting to note that each of these officers followed a differently patterned naval career. Only eight years of seniority separated them. They served as younger officers when the Navy was making its expansion in aviation and submarine development. One of these officers was essentially a destroyer officer and aviator with only one short tour ashore in Washington. One was a submariner with European training in diesel propulsion, a big ship sailor with shore cruises in Washington including Chief of Naval Personnel. One had almost all his sea duty in big ships and with the exception of one tour, all shore duty in Washington, including being chief of two bureaus. Only one had a seagoing career in the surface, submarine and aviation branches of the service with shore tours including the head of the Postgraduate School and the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics. Three served as Chiefs of Naval Operations. The Navy's Fleet Admirals were: William Daniel Leahy, Ernest Joseph King, Chester William Nimitz, and William Frederick Halsey, Jr.
1944 – The former NYK liner Oryoku Maru left Manila with 1619 American POWs packed in the holds. U.S. Navy planes from the "Hornet" attacked, causing the Hell Ship to sink the following day. Only 200 of the men survived.
1944 – US 3rd Army continues advancing east of Sarreguemines while US 9st Army reaches the Roer River bank.
1944 – US Task Force 38 (Admiral McCain) launches air strikes on airfields throughout Luzon. TF38 includes 13 carriers, 8 battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers. The attacks are in support of the American landing on Mindoro.
1945 – Captain Sue S. Dauser receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse.
1986 – The experimental aircraft Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, took off from Edwards Air Force Base in California on the first non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world. The trip took nine days.
1999 – In Panama former US Pres. Jimmy Carter symbolically turned over the Panama Canal. The official ownership transfer date was Dec 31.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
BROGAN, JAMES
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company G, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Simon Valley, Ariz., 14 December 1877. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 9 January 1880. Citation: Engaged singlehanded 2 renegade Indians until his horse was shot under him and then pursued them so long as he was able.
NEPPEL, RALPH G.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company M, 329th Infantry, 83d Infantry Division. Place and date: Birgel, Germany, 14 December 1944. Entered service at: Glidden, lowa. Birth: Willey, lowa. G.O. No.: 77, 10 September 1945. Citation: He was leader of a machinegun squad defending an approach to the village of Birgel, Germany, on 14 December 1944, when an enemy tank, supported by 20 infantrymen, counterattacked. He held his fire until the Germans were within 100 yards and then raked the foot soldiers beside the tank killing several of them. The enemy armor continued to press forward and, at the pointblank range of 30 yards, fired a high-velocity shell into the American emplacement, wounding the entire squad. Sgt. Neppel, blown 10 yards from his gun, had 1 leg severed below the knee and suffered other wounds. Despite his injuries and the danger from the onrushing tank and infantry, he dragged himself back to his position on his elbows, remounted his gun and killed the remaining enemy riflemen. Stripped of its infantry protection, the tank was forced to withdraw. By his superb courage and indomitable fighting spirit, Sgt. Neppel inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and broke a determined counterattack.
NETT, ROBERT B.
Rank and organization: Captain (then Lieutenant), U.S. Army, Company E, 305th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cognon, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 14 December 1944. Entered service at: New Haven, Conn. Birth: New Haven, Conn. G.O. No.: 16, 8 February 1946. Citation: He commanded Company E in an attack against a reinforced enemy battalion which had held up the American advance for 2 days from its entrenched positions around a 3-story concrete building. With another infantry company and armored vehicles, Company E advanced against heavy machinegun and other automatic weapons fire with Lt. Nett spearheading the assault against the strongpoint. During the fierce hand-to-hand encounter which ensued, he killed 7 deeply entrenched Japanese with his rifle and bayonet and, although seriously wounded, gallantly continued to lead his men forward, refusing to relinquish his command. Again he was severely wounded, but, still unwilling to retire, pressed ahead with his troops to assure the capture of the objective. Wounded once more in the final assault, he calmly made all arrangements for the resumption of the advance, turned over his command to another officer, and then walked unaided to the rear for medical treatment. By his remarkable courage in continuing forward through sheer determination despite successive wounds, Lt. Nett provided an inspiring example for his men and was instrumental in the capture of a vital strongpoint.
*THOMAS, CHARLES L.
Citation: For extraordinary heroism in action on 14 December 1944, near Climbach, France. While riding in the lead vehicle of a task force organized to storm and capture the village of Climbach, France, then First Lieutenant Thomas's armored scout car was subjected to intense enemy artillery, self-propelled gun, and small arms fire. Although wounded by the initial burst of hostile fire, Lieutenant Thomas signaled the remainder of the column to halt and, despite the severity of his wounds, assisted the crew of the wrecked car in dismounting. Upon leaving the scant protection which the vehicle afforded, Lieutenant Thomas was again subjected to a hail of enemy fire which inflicted multiple gunshot wounds in his chest, legs, and left arm. Despite the intense pain caused by these wounds, Lieutenant Thomas ordered and directed the dispersion and emplacement of two antitank guns which in a few moments were promptly and effectively returning the enemy fire. Realizing that he could no longer remain in command of the platoon, he signaled to the platoon commander to join him. Lieutenant Thomas then thoroughly oriented him on enemy gun dispositions and the general situation. Only after he was certain that his junior officer was in full control of the situation did he permit himself to be evacuated. First Lieutenant Thomas' outstanding heroism were an inpiration to his men and exemplify the highest traditions of the Armed Forces.
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Thanks to Brown Bear
Here's a thing on CAT shots that might make some of the guys think back to a horrendous moment for theirselves. Carrier landings took longer, but at least we knew whether or not that Crusader was flying okay. On those doggone CAT shots, we never knew whether it would, OR NOT! So was the life!
Subject: USS ORISKANY CVA-34
Hi Ranger Rick,
Thanks for the great photos! Attempted 278 catapult shots off the "O" boat, completed 277. The failed attempt occurred on 7 August '66. We had just returned to Yankee Station from 6 days R&R at Cubi Point. VF-111 was flying the bomb-carrying-capable Crusader, the F8E, and I had a 1,000# MK-83 under each wing. Assigned target was a major bridge some 20 miles south of Hai Phong.
The Crusader had a rather strange "attachment" with the catapult! The nose wheel would be taxied over the catapult "shuttle", which was about a foot high, with a curved forward edge to hold the really strong cable "bridle," which would be looped over the shuttle. A hook on the other end of the bridle was then hooked onto to a really strong "pin" built into the "keel" of the belly of the Crusader's fuselage. After the catapult "fired," and as the aircraft went airborne off the end of the ship, the bridle would fall free from the aircraft, to be "snagged" by a fitting at the end of the catapult track. Even more weird was the manner in which the aircraft was held in the takeoff position, at full power, before the catapult was fired. As the aircraft nose wheel was rolling (being taxied by the pilot) over the catapult shuttle, a brave young member of the Flight Deck crew would be flat on his back under the end of the Crusader's hot tailpipe. He'd attach a "holdback" fitting, molded from a peculiar combination of metals, about the diameter of a finger, in the shape of a Roman Numeral "I", which he'd insert into slot fittings in the end of the catapult track and in the aircraft tail. When the "Cat" Officer signaled the pilot for full power on the aircraft, the pilot also released the brakes . . . the only thing then holding the aircraft from moving was that holdback fitting. When the pilot saluted the Cat Officer (day time) or flipped on the wing tip lights (night), and the catapult was fired, that holdback fitting was broken, and, hopefully, the aircraft was "shot" down the catapult track and into the air. You knew all about that, Rick, I just wanted to explain it to my Kids! Sorry!
At any rate, positioned on Oriskany's port catapult, assigned a prime bridge target, I was at full basic power, checked the engine gauges, went into afterburner on the Cat Officer's signal, checked the tailpipe temperature gauge to confirm the afterburner nozzle had opened, looked up at the horizon in front of the ship. and saluted for the launch. Head firmly back against the headrest, expecting the hard g force jolt on my body, I experienced only a sharp pain in my lower back, much like that from an ejection seat trainer, and saw the catapult bridle flying through space, way out in front of the ship. COLD CAT SHOT! Something I'd been through many, many, times in my mind; sometimes briefing it to others, often in bed just before saying my prayers. Automatically . . . out of afterburner, power back to idle, did not shut down the engine so I would still have boosted brakes, and pushing very hard on those brake pedals, with the Air Boss screaming in my headset: "BRAKES, 205, BRAKES, BRAKES! . . . . looking ahead down that oily slippery catapult track and knowing it would take Divine Intervention to change the inevitable outcome!
As the end of the flight deck disappeared from view, under the nose of my "apparently doomed" Crusader, my hands went up to the face curtain for the ejection seat. I'd witnessed my VF-13 Skipper Jim Foster pull that trick a year earlier off the Shangri La, maybe I could be so lucky? Then I realized my Crusader had stopped sliding, and I was still on the flight deck! The Cat Officer told me later that my nose wheel was less than a meter from the end!
To continue: I'd been spotted to launch #1 in a scheduled 14-plane strike and had to clear the catapult area quickly! A whole lot of green and yellow shirted heroes pushed me back until I had sufficient deck space to get that Crusader turned around and taxi back down the deck. The Air Boss was in my headset: "205, want to try it again?" What had happened was a faulty holdback fitting had failed and broken just before the catapult fired. My Crusader had lurched forward, the bridle dropped free, and the shuttle fired under my nose wheel, forcing the strut up into the hydraulic piston with tremendous pressure. I had a full load of fuel, a full load of ordnance, a prime target, and arteries pumped full of adrenaline . . . so I replied: "205, affirmative." The yellow shirted hero taxi director vectored me around to line up on the starboard catapult. Then a "sharp-eyed" green shirted VF-111 maintenance hero was banging on the side of my aircraft, giving me the thumbs down signal, then showing the same signal to the Cat Officer. He had spotted a long hairline fracture in the barrel of the nose gear strut. It most certainly would have exploded under the pressure of another cat shot! I was unceremoniously taxied onto the elevator between the catapults, and "struck" below!
A few minutes later, trying to climb out of AH 205 on the hangar deck, I experienced extreme pain in my lower back. It was wartime, and many guys "played with the pain." 216 combat missions, 295 catapult shots, 309 carrier landings, and 27 years later, a patriotic civilian Doctor, with his brand new CT/MRI scanner, found 3 herniated discs in my lumbar vertebrae. It also showed a compression fracture of my T-1 vertebra, and 6 herniated discs in my cervical vertebrae; which had been inflicted when my shoulder harness restraint system failed during an arrested landing, and I shattered a brand new APH-5 flight helmet on my Crusader's radar scope. That was 23 October '67, the day before we were cleared to strike Phuc Yen, and I wasn't about to miss that! As Operations Officer, in charge of the flight schedule, I went "downtown" 6 times, between 24 and 27 October. Play with the pain! You might not win the game, but with the intervention of our most Gracious God, you'll keep your self respect!
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for December 14, 2020 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
14 December
1903: Wilbur Wright made a first powered airplane flight at Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk. Although he flew 105 feet in 3.5 seconds, the plane crashed; therefore, this effort was not recognized as the first sustained or controlled flight. (20)
1924: At Bremerton, Wash., the battleship USS Mississippi launched a Martin MO-1 plane from its forward turret by powder catapult. (24)
1925: The Lampert Committee, set up on 24 March 1924 by the House to examine US Air Service operations, made its report. The committee wanted a DoD, more aviation representation in higher military councils, and more money for aviators. (24) 1927: The USN commissioned the USS Lexington aircraft carrier. (24)
1944: Through 16 December, aircraft from six escort carriers in USN Task Unit 77.12.1 flew cover for landings at Mindoro in the Philippines. (24)
1950: KOREAN WAR. Due to advancing Chinese troops, through 17 December the Combat Cargo Command moved 228 patients, 3,891 passengers, and 20,088 tons of cargo from Yonpo Airfield. The airlift support helped to evacuate the Army's X Corps from the Hamhung-Hungnam area in Northeastern Korea. A FEAF airplane dropped the first six-ton Tarzon on a tunnel near Huichon with limited effectiveness. (21) (26) (28)
1951: KOREAN WAR. In the night, 19th Bombardment Group B-29s inflicted severe damage on marshalling yards at Maengjung-Dong.
1959: Capt Joe B. Jordan set a FAI altitude record of 103,395.9 feet at Edwards AFB in a Lockheed F-104C Starfighter. (3) (9)
1960: In a nonstop, nonrefueled flight, Lt Col T. R. Grissom and crew flew their B-52G over a record 10,079-mile closed course. They flew from Edwards AFB over Texas, Washington DC, Newfoundland, Alaska, Montana, and back to Edwards. They had fuel for 1,000 more miles after the 19-hour, 44-minute flight. (1) (24)
1961: The Army's Nike-Zeus intercepted a Nike-Hercules missile in flight. The interception was a first for Nike-Zeus. 1962: Mariner II, launched on 27 August 1962, scanned the atmosphere and surface of Venus with instruments for 42 minutes as it passed 21,600 miles above the surface. This probe then began a 345.9-day solar orbit. (16) (24)
1964: Donald Segner flew Lockheed's XH-51A, a helicopter with wings and rotor blades, at 242 MPH. The Army called this "the fastest known speed for any rotor craft in the world." FIRST BARREL ROLL MISSION. The first armed reconnaissance mission flown in Laos. Code-named Barrel Roll, this mission initiated tactical fighter operations in Southeast Asia on a continuous basis. (17)
1965: The USAF accepted the final Minuteman flight in Wing VI.
1966: MACKAY TROPHY. Col Albert R. Howarth demonstrated exemplary courage and airmanship under the most hazardous conditions of darkness and intense enemy fire while participating in a SEA combat mission. He received the Mackay Trophy for his flight. (26)
1970: Byran Graham set a 3-kilometer helicopter speed record by flying a Sikorsky S-67 to 216.839 MPH. The final Minuteman III research and development, and the last ICBM launch, from Cape Kennedy succeeded. (6)
1972: Robert Sparks used a Semco Challenger balloon at Lafayette, Ind., to set a duration record of 11 hours 14 minutes for subclasses AX-7 (1,600 to 2,200 cubic meters) through AX-10 (over 4,000 cubic meters) balloons. (9)
1984: Grumman pilot Chuck Sewell flew the X-29 forward-swept wing aircraft on its first flight at Edwards AFB. (16)
1986: Chuck Yeager left Edwards AFB on a record-setting flight to Kitty Hawk. Through 23 December, Richard Rutan and Jeana Yeager completed the first nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world in the experimental aircraft, the Voyager. The flight started and stopped 24,986.7 miles later at Mojave, Calif. (20) (21)
1988: W. Stuart Symington, the first SECAF, died at his home in New Canaan, Conn.
1989: MAC allowed female aircrew members to serve on C-130 and C-141 airdrop missions for the first time. (16) (26)
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World News for 14 December thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Russian Hackers Monitoring Emails At Treasury, Commerce After 'Supply Chain Attack' Reuters | 12/14/2020 Suspected Russian government-sponsored hackers have been monitoring email systems used by the U.S. Treasury and Commerce departments in a major cyber attack, reports Reuters. The timeline of the breach was not immediately clear but could have begun as early as spring 2020. The operation is believed to have been conducted by Russia's foreign intelligence service, the SVR, sometimes referred to as APT29 or Cozy Bear in cybersecurity circles, reported the Washington Post. Other victims included government, consulting, technology, telecom, and oil and gas companies, as well as FireEye, a well-known cybersecurity firm. In a statement on Sunday, FireEye said that the breach exploited a vulnerability in the update server of a network management system from IT firm SolarWinds, which serves major corporations and a variety of U.S. government customers. SolarWinds said that updates to its monitoring products that were released between March and June may have been repurposed and weaponized by the attackers. The "supply chain attack" works by hiding malicious code in the body of legitimate software updates provided to targets by third parties. The full scope of the breach remains unclear since the investigation is still in its early stages. FireEye said on Dec.8 that it had been breached by Russian hackers linked to the SVR.
USA—Intelligence Satellite Launched After Months Of Delays Space News | 12/14/2020 A National Reconnaissance Office intelligence satellite originally scheduled to launch in August has finally been placed in orbit, reports Space News. On Dec. 10, the NROL-44 mission was launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., aboard a Delta IV Heavy rocket. The payload is believed to be a signals intelligence satellite that will be deployed in geosynchronous earth orbit, reported Spaceflight Now. NROL-44 was originally scheduled to launch on Aug. 26, but suffered multiple aborts, including one that occurred after engine ignition. Several of the delays were due to issues with launch pad equipment.
USA—Work Underway To Bring Space Force Into Intelligence Community Space News | 12/14/2020 The U.S. director of national intelligence (DNI) says that Space Force will become an official member of the U.S. intelligence community, reports Space News. On Dec. 9, John Ratcliffe said that intelligence elements from Space Force would become the 18th member of the intelligence community during a National Space Council meeting at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. Work is underway to evaluate the potential for Space Force to join the intelligence community, and a final decision is expected within months, said a spokeswoman for the office of the DNI. The four other service branches all have intelligence elements assigned to the community. Separately, Ratcliffe said that he was working with Space Force to establish a new national space intelligence center to focus on technical intelligence to defend space systems from anti-satellite weapons under development by U.S. adversaries.
Ukraine—Army Orders 75 BTR-4E Infantry Vehicles Defence-Blog | 12/14/2020 The Ukrainian army has ordered another batch of domestically made infantry fighting vehicles, reports Defence Blog. The order covers 75 BTR-4E wheeled IFVs, a BRT-4K command vehicle and a BREM-4RM armored recovery vehicle, Ukroboronprom General Director Yuriy Gusev said on Dec. 11. The vehicles will be built by the Kharkiv Morozov Design Bureau. The value of the contract was not made public. The army previously purchased 80 BTR-4Es, which it has deployed against Russian-backed forces in eastern Ukraine.
Russia—4 Bulava SLBMs Test-Fired From Submerged Submarine Tass | 12/14/2020 A Russian ballistic missile submarine has successfully fired four of its missiles during a trial in Russia's Far East, reports the Tass news agency (Moscow). On Saturday, the Vladimir Monomakh sub salvo-launched four Bulava ballistic missiles while submerged in the Sea of Okhotsk off the Kamchatka peninsula, the Russian Defense Ministry said. The missiles traveled about 3,400 miles (5,500 km), with the warheads successfully striking their targets in the Chizha range in the Arkhangelsk region, the ministry said. The launch was part of command-and-control drills for Russia's strategic nuclear forces that began on Dec. 9.
Commonwealth of Independent States—Foreign Ministers Agree To Strengthen Cooperation Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | 12/14/2020 The foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) member states have approved a draft agreement to increase cooperation in several areas, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. During the meeting on Dec. 10, the ministers approved the draft agreements, which include a military cooperation concept through 2025, said the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The ministers also agreed to joint actions to overcome issues stemming from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. The CIS is scheduled to hold a council of leaders online on Dec. 18 to follow up on last week's meeting. The Russian-led CIS consists of former Soviet republics, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
China—Jimmy Lai Becomes Highest Figure Charged Under National Security Law South China Morning Post | 12/14/2020 Prominent Hong Kong democracy advocate Jimmy Lai has been formally charged by authorities with violating the city's Beijing-imposed national security law, reports the South China Morning Post. On Friday, Lai, who is the publisher of the China-skeptic Apple Daily newspaper, was charged with endangering national security by colluding with a foreign country, reported National Public Radio. Those charges could carry a sentence up to life in prison. He was set to appear in the West Kowloon Court on Saturday. The charges stem from comments Lai made on social media and in interviews both before and after his August arrest where he advocated for foreign countries to sanction Hong Kong. Lai is currently in custody and awaiting trial over charges stemming from a fraud case. The U.K. has raised concerns over the charges, because Lai holds British citizenship. The European Union's top Asia hand, Gunter Wiegan, called the charges "another concerning development for Hong-Kong's civil society and pro-democracy voices."
China—Nuclear Forces Continue To Grow, Report Says South China Morning Post | 12/14/2020 A new report says that China has been expanding its nuclear forces over the past few years, reports the South China Morning Post. Since 2017, the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force increased in size by about 35 percent, reaching a total of 40 ballistic missile brigades, according to the report published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on Thursday. Around half of the 40 brigades are assigned ballistic or cruise missile launchers. That number is expected to increase as bases to host such launchers are completed. Twelve brigades are assigned to the Eastern and Southern theater commands along the Taiwan Strait and near the South China Sea. The expansion is required to help counter the growing challenge posed by the U.S., Chinese analysts said. The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists estimated that China has 350 nuclear warheads, including some 272 that would be delivered by land-based missiles; 48 from submarines; and 30 from bomber aircraft. Another 78 would be available for land- or sea-based missiles. China will only be available to achieve a nuclear triad of air-, sea- and ground-launched nuclear weapons once its planned H-20 stealth bomber enters service, the report says. Beijing is also developing an improved ballistic missile submarine, the Type 096, because the Jin class (Type 094) is louder than its U.S. and Russian counterparts, according to the document.
Singapore—Final Fearless-Class Patrol Ships Decommissioned Singapore Ministry Of Defense | 12/14/2020 The Singapore navy has decommissioned its last two Fearless-class patrol ships after two decades of service, reports the Singapore Ministry of Defense. On Friday, the Gallant and Freedom formally left service during a ceremony at the Tuas Naval Base. The vessels were commissioned in 1997 and 1998, respectively, reported the Straits Times (Singapore). The ceremony marked the end of the Fearless class in Singapore navy service. These were the first naval vessels to be designed and built domestically. They have been replaced by the Independence-class littoral mission vessels. Four Fearless-class ships have been earmarked for refurbishment to enhance Singapore's territorial defense and maritime security capabilities, the newspaper said.
Afghanistan—1 Killed In Kabul Rocket Attack TOLONews | 12/14/2020 At least one person has been killed and two others wounded in multiple rocket strikes in Kabul, reports the Tolo News (Kabul). On Saturday, at least 10 rockets were launched from the Kabul's northern Lab-e-Jar area into other sections of the city, said the interior ministry. Authorities believe the launcher used in the attacks was mounted on a vehicle, reported Al Jazeera (Qatar). The rockets landed near the airport and the Hawashinasi, Zan Abad and Khwaja Rawash residential areas. The attack temporarily halted flights at the airport and damaged at least one aircraft. There were no immediate claims of responsibility. On Nov. 21, 23 rockets landed in the city, killing eight people. ISIS claimed responsibility for that attack.
Saudi Arabia—Houthis Suspected In Attack On Tanker In Jeddah Bloomberg News | 12/14/2020 The Saudi port of Jeddah has been closed after an explosion aboard a tanker, reports Bloomberg News. On Monday, the Singapore-flagged BW Rhine tanker was discharging refined petroleum when it was hit by an external explosion, owner Hafnia said in a statement. The vessel ceased all discharge operations and the fire was extinguished. There were no casualties in the incident. Initial reports indicated minimal loss of oil due to the blast. Damage to the ship was said to be limited. Cooling procedures and inerting of cargo space was done to prevent further damage, reported CNN. This the latest attack on shipping in the Red Sea that has been blamed on Houthi rebels in Yemen. On Nov. 23, the merchant tanker Agrari was struck near the port of Shuqaiq by what was believed to be a Houthi-planted sea mine, reported the Maritime Executive. On Nov. 13, Saudi authorities said that they had thwarted a similar attack on the port of Jizan.
Tunisia—U.S. Designates Local ISIS Leader As Global Terrorist U.S. State Dept. | 12/14/2020 The U.S. State Dept. has designated the leader of a Tunisian militant group linked to the Islamic State as a globally designated terrorist. Ashraf al-Qizani, also known as Abu Ubaydah al-Kafi, was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), the department said on Friday. Qizani is the leader of Jund al-Kalifa in Tunisia (JAK-T). He succeeded Yunus Abu-Muslim after his death in 2019. Prior to his appointment as leader, he served on the Shura, or advisory, council, as well as a sergeant for three JAK-T companies. JAK-T has been implicated in several terror attacks this year, including March 2020 improvised explosive device attacks targeting military vehicles and a September knife attack that killed a national guardsman and wounded another.
Ethiopia—4 Aid Workers Killed In Fighting In Tigray British Broadcasting Corp. | 12/14/2020 Aid agencies say that four of their personnel were killed in the fighting in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia last month, reports BBC News. On Dec. 11, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) confirmed that three of its security guards at a project site had been killed in November. Separately, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) said that one of its staff members who was working at the Hitsats Refugee Camp in Shire had been killed on Nov. 19. Shire was seized by government forces two days after the death, noted the BBC. The circumstances of all four deaths have not been confirmed. Aid agencies have warned that the fighting is preventing assistance from reaching the region. The office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has denied that humanitarian assistance is being impeded from entering Tigray. The government says that fighting ended after its forces captured the capital, Mekelle, on Nov. 28. The Tigray People's Liberation Forces (TPLF) say fighting continues around the region.
Sudan—Government Removed From U.S. Terror List Sudan Tribune | 12/14/2020 The U.S. has removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, reports the Sudan Tribune (Paris). A 45-day period in which congress could have overridden the move ended on Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum said. The move allows Khartoum to begin talks with international institutions over debt relief and borrowing for development projects. Sudan's inclusion on the state sponsors of terrorist list hampered investment and development. The move is the latest in a series of developments related to Sudan's transitional government and its decision to normalize ties with Israel, noted the Washington Post. As part of an agreement with the U.S., Sudan agreed to pay US$335 million to settle claims brought by the victims of the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the bombing of the destroyer USS Cole off Yemen's coast in 2000. Another case involving the victims of the 9/11 attacks remains outstanding. That issue must be resolved for Sudan to be granted "legal peace" from Congress, which would protect it from further lawsuits. On Friday, ABC News reported that the Trump administration had offered a group representing victims of the 9/11 attacks about US$700 million. Sudan was added to the list in 1993 due to its support for Hamas and harboring of Al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden.
Nigeria—Hundreds Taken Hostage In Attack On School In Katsina British Broadcasting Corp. | 12/14/2020 Nigerian troops have surrounded a group of gunmen who attacked a school in the northwestern Katsina state, reports the BBC News. On Friday, the assailants struck the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara. Scores of students fled, but around 520 were taken prisoner, according to a student who escaped. State officials said more than 300 children were still missing. Security guards at the school fended off some of the attackers before police arrived. A survivor told CNN that the attackers looted the school and took valuables from students. Family members of victims have begun a vigil at the school, demanding the government rescue their children, reported Reuters. By Saturday, security forces said that they had tracked the attackers to a nearby forest. Authorities believe the attack was financially motivated and anticipated ransom demands. As of Monday morning, 668 of some 800 students at the school remained missing, reported the Daily Trust (Abuja).
Peru—Trials Of Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine Suspended After Patient Reports Adverse Reaction Independent | 12/14/2020 Peru has suspended trials of a Chinese vaccine for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) after a subject reported an adverse neurological reaction, reports the Independent (U.K.). Trials of the Sinopharm vaccine were suspended on Saturday after one of 12,000 volunteers reported serious symptoms, reported Reuters. The patient reported decreased functioning in his legs and other symptoms, said German Malaga, chief researcher at the Cayetano Heredia University. Researchers are working to ascertain whether the symptoms are related to the vaccine. The vaccine had been set to clear the first stage of the trial within days. Separate trials of the Sinopharm vaccine held in the United Arab Emirates reported an efficacy rate of about 86 percent, reported the Wall Street Journal. Peru is working to acquire more than 26 million units of vaccine from Russia, China and the U.K. Trials of another Chinese-made vaccine, CoronaVac, were suspended in Brazil last month after an undisclosed adverse incident in October.
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