TheList 5256

The List 5256






Good Tuesday Morning March 31 to all. .Just a reminder that we have cancelled the Bubba Breakfast for April 3 this Friday. We will see how May goes to decide about that one.


Regards


Skip





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This Day In Naval History – March 31, 2020


1854


Commodore Matthew C. Perry and Japanese officials sign the Treaty of Kanagawa, opening trade between the U.S. and Japan. The treaty also provided protection for American merchant seamen wrecked in Japanese waters.


1917


Rear Adm. James H. Oliver takes possession of the Danish West Indies for the United States, and they are renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands. He also becomes the first governor of the islands under American control.


1945


USS Morrison (DD 560) and USS Stockton (DD 646) sink the Japanese submarine I 8, 65 miles southeast of Okinawa.


1992


USS Missouri (BB-63), the last active American battleship, is decommissioned. Commissioned in June 1944, she served during World War II, notably for the location of the official Japanese surrender on Sept. 2, 1945. Today, the "Mighty Mo" is open for visitors in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as the Battleship Missouri Memorial, under the care of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc.


1993


Two 2 EP-3E aircraft, from Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 2 (VQ-2), are on station over the Adriatic providing crucial support to the delivery of humanitarian air drops over eastern Bosnia-Herzegovina in Operation Provide Promise. This operation becomes the longest running humanitarian airlift in history at the time and operates from February 1993 to January 1996.






Thanks to CHINFO


Executive Summary:


• In a video posted on the Navy Live Blog, CNO Adm. Mike Gilday and MCPON Russell Smith addressed the fleet on the Navy's continued efforts to combat COVID-19.


• To mark the close of Women's History Month, CNO Gilday and Mrs. Linda Gilday recognized the contributions of countless women to the U.S. Navy in a video message on the Navy Live Blog.


• Multiple outlets covered USNS Comfort's arrival in New York City Monday as USNS Mercy received patients in Los Angeles.






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Today in History March 31


1282 The great massacre of the French in Sicily The Sicilian Vespers comes to an end.


1547 In France, Francis--king since 1515--dies and is succeeded by his son Henry II.


1776 Abigail Adams writes to husband John that women are "determined to foment a rebellion" if the new Declaration of Independence fails to guarantee their rights.


1779 Russia and Turkey sign a treaty by which they promise to take no military action in the Crimea.


1790 In Paris, France, Maximilien Robespierre is elected president of the Jacobin Club.


1836 The first monthly installment of The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens is published in London.


1862 Skirmishing between Rebels and Union forces takes place at Island 10 on the Mississippi River.


1880 The first electric street lights ever installed by a municipality are turned on in Wabash, Indiana.


1889 The Eiffel Tower in Paris officially opens on the Left Bank as part of the Exhibition of 1889


1916 General John Pershing and his army rout Pancho Villa's army in Mexico.


1917 The United States purchases the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million.


1918 Daylight Savings Time goes into effect throughout the United States for the first time.


1921 Great Britain declares a state of emergency because of the thousands of coal miners on strike.


1933 To relieve rampant unemployment, Congress authorizes the Civilian Conservation Corps .


1939 Britain and France agree to support Poland if Germany threatens to invade.


1940 La Guardia airport in New York officially opens to the public.


1941 Germany begins a counter offensive in North Africa.


1945 The United States and Britain bar a Soviet supported provisional regime in Warsaw from entering the U.N. meeting in San Francisco.


1948 The Soviet Union begins controlling the Western trains headed toward Berlin.


1949 Winston Churchill declares that the A-bomb was the only thing that kept the Soviet Union from taking over Europe.


1954 The siege of Dien Bien Phu, the last French outpost in Vietnam, begins after the Viet Minh realize it cannot be taken by direct assault.


1960 The South African government declares a state of emergency after demonstrations lead to the deaths of more than 50 Africans.


1966 An estimated 200,000 anti-war demonstrators march in New York City.


1967 President Lyndon Johnson signs the Consular Treaty, the first bi-lateral pact with the Soviet Union since the Bolshevik Revolution.


1970 U.S. forces in Vietnam down a MIG-21, the first since September 1968.


1980 President Jimmy Carter deregulates the banking industry.


1991 Albania offers a multi-party election for the first time in 50 years






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Thanks to Bart


Subject: Some good ones






I'd give credit to the authors of these gems, but in most cases it's virtually impossible to pin down who first laid fingers on keyboard.


So, in no particular order, away we go...






"We are about three weeks away from knowing everyone's true hair color."


"Apparently, this year is being written by Stephen King."


"You might as well go ahead and pronounce the 'L' in 'salmon.' Nothing matters anymore."


"Day 2 without sports. Found a lady sitting on my couch. Apparently she's my wife Seems nice."


"Like a good neighbor, stay over there."


"If you self-quarantine for your family's safety, please be smart. I cannot afford to go to 15 baby showers in December."


"Actually, it's only quarantine if it comes from the quarantine region of France; otherwise it's just sparkling isolation."


"I'd hate to see a diarrhea virus break out right now. People would buy up all the nasal spray."


On a photo of empty store shelves: "Y'all have Walmart looking like the Cleveland Browns' trophy case."


Atop a drawing of Keith Richards holding a cigarette: "Corona virus barometer. If he goes, we all go."


With a photo of a guy wearing a medical mask and looking out a window: "Day 6 of no sports. Watching birds fight over worms. Cardinals lead the Blue Jays 3-1."


Over a photo of a guy wearing a plain white T-shirt: "2020 NCAA Champions Shirts, $19.95."


Above a photo of a hand with words written all over the palm in ink: "I washed my hands so much that my exam notes from 1995 resurfaced."


"Back in the day, there was so much toilet paper that people used to literally string it up in the trees of their enemies."


"Now that we have everyone washing their hands correctly .. next week, turn signals."


"You know that stash of fast-food napkins in your glovebox? It's their turn to shine."


Over a photo of Rod Serling: "Imagine no restaurants, bars, concerts or sports. You just entered The Twilight Zone."






Keep smiling. This, too, shall pass.






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Thanks to Dr. Rich


Thanks to Karen ….


Whimsically, the 50s - a read filled with memories of olde ...






Long ago and far away, in a land that time forgot,


Before the days of Dylan, or the dawn of Camelot.
There lived a race of innocents, and they were you and me,

For Ike was in the White House in that land where we were born,
Where navels were for oranges, and Peyton Place was porn.

We longed for love and romance, and waited for our Prince,
Eddie Fisher married Liz, and no one's seen him since.

We danced to 'Little Darlin,' and sang to 'Stagger Lee'
And cried for Buddy Holly in the Land That Made Me, Me.



Only girls wore earrings then, and 3 was one too many,
And only boys wore flat-top cuts, except for Jean McKinney.



And only in our wildest dreams did we expect to see
A boy named George with Lipstick, in the Land That Made Me, Me.



We fell for Frankie Avalon, Annette was oh, so nice,
And when they made a movie, they never made it twice..



We didn't have a Star Trek Five, or Psycho Two and Three,
Or Rocky-Rambo Twenty in the Land That Made Me, Me.



Miss Kitty had a heart of gold and Chester had a limp,
And Reagan was a Democrat whose co-star was a chimp.



We had a Mr. Wizard, but not a Mr. T,
And Oprah couldn't talk yet, in the Land That Made Me, Me.



We had our share of heroes, we never thought they'd go,
At least not Bobby Darin, or Marilyn Monroe.



For youth was still eternal, and life was yet to be,
And Elvis was forever in the Land That Made Me, Me.



We'd never seen the rock band that was Grateful to be Dead,
And Airplanes weren't named Jefferson, and Zeppelins were not Led.



And Beatles lived in gardens then, and Monkees lived in trees,
Madonna was Mary in the Land That Made Me, Me.



We'd never heard of microwaves, or telephones in cars,
And babies might be bottle-fed, but they were not grown in jars.



And pumping iron got wrinkles out, and 'gay' meant fancy-free,
And dorms were never co-Ed in the Land That Made Me, Me.



We hadn't seen enough of jets to talk about the lag,
And microchips were what was left at the bottom of the bag.

And hardware was a box of nails, and bytes came from a flea,
And rocket ships were fiction in the Land That Made Me, Me.

T-Birds came with portholes and side shows came with freaks,
And bathing suits came big enough to cover both your cheeks.

And Coke came just in bottles, and skirts below the knee,
And Castro came to power near the Land That Made Me, Me.

We had no Crest with Fluoride, we had no Hill Street Blues,
We had no patterned pantyhose or Lipton herbal tea



Or prime-time ads for those dysfunctions in the Land That Made Me, Me.

There were no golden arches, no Perrier to chill,
And fish were not called Wanda, and cats were not called Bill

And middle-aged was 35 and old was forty-three,
And ancient were our parents in the Land That Made Me, Me.

But all things have a season, or so we've heard them say,
And now instead of Maybelline we swear by Retin-A.



They send us invitations to join AARP,
We've come a long way, baby, from the Land That Made Me, Me.

So now we face a brave new world in slightly larger jeans,
And wonder why they're using smaller print in magazines.
And we tell our children's children of the way it used to be,
Long ago and far away in the Land That Made Me, Me.



If you didn't grow up in the fifties,
You missed the greatest time in history.






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The unbreadable code


thanks to CarlM and Dutch






https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FQmiqnAQTTCI&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cc46ab042e7a549ca91f608d7b6d1e6be%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637178884936920976&sdata=CrAnNfzMnZKZKo%2FSwGKIw9x%2FqPo%2FR7FOQYHvNa%2BQAHI%3D&reserved=0






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NEEDED HUMOR FOR ALL OF US


Thanks to Craig S. ….and Dr. Rich










'INTERESTING' FIRST DATE ...






Jay Leno went into the audience to find the most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had. The winner described her worst first date experience. There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the prize!

She said it was midwinter...snowing and quite cold... and the guy had taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until they were headed home late that afternoon. They were driving back down the mountain when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had that extra latte !! They were about an hour away from anywhere with a restroom and in the middle of nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while.

Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car. They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and started. In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.

Upon finishing, however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem, due to the extreme cold.

Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date's concerns about' what is taking so long' with a reply that indeed, she was 'freezing her butt off' and in need of some assistance! He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She too got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma. Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem.

Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her first-time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the fender.

As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize hands down. Or perhaps that should be 'pants down'. And you thought your first date was embarrassing.



Jay Leno's comment..... 'This gives a whole new meaning to being pissed off.'

Oh, and how did the first date turn out? He became her husband and was sitting next to her on the Leno show.

If you laughed at this pass it on. Remember, if you haven't got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart.






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thanks to Tam









NJ alone, sold tens of millions of face masks to foreign buyers just within the past week!


The US supplies are HERE. The US suppliers are all exporting them! 😷


Tam














In the interest of brevity, I'm going to summarize what I learned below and then jump into a bit more detail.
Millions of N95 masks have been available throughout the U.S., Canada and the UK during the pandemic, according to brokers trying to sell them.
The high price point per mask, driven by extreme demand, has contributed to an overwhelmed reaction among potential buyers, especially in the U.S.
Scrutiny surrounding these deals is high because of ongoing scams and claims of price-gouging, both of which are triggering emotionally charged reactions and fear of making deals.
Millions of masks are being purchased by foreign buyers and are leaving the country, according to the brokers, while the domestic need remains alarmingly high.


https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2020/03/30/i-spent-a-day-in-the-coronavirus-driven-feeding-frenzy-of-n95-mask-sellers-and-buyers-and-this-is-what-i-learned/






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World News from Military Periscope for 31 March


USA—N.J. Guardsman Dies From Coronavirus The Hill | 03/31/2020 The Pentagon has announced the first death of a U.S. servicemember due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), reports the Hill (Washington, D.C.). Army Capt. Douglas Linn Hickok, a physician assistant with the New Jersey National Guard, died on Saturday at a Pennsylvania hospital after having tested positive for COVID-19. Hickok was admitted to the hospital on March 21, reported Reuters. The Pentagon did not say if Hickock had prior health issues or had been mobilized for the COVID-19 response, noted the Air Force Times. There are more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19 confirmed within the defense and military community, according to data cited by the Stars and Stripes. Cases among troops increased from 309 to 569 over the weekend.






USA—Long-Delayed Zumwalt Destroyer Will Soon Be Ready For Operations Defense News | 03/31/2020 The U.S. Navy's first stealth destroyer is expected to be ready for operational duties soon, reports Defense News. BAE Systems is on track to complete installation of the combat system on USS Zumwalt by the end of March, an unnamed source told the newspaper last week. In November 2016, BAE received a $192 million contract to deliver the combat systems for the Zumwalt and her sister ship, Michael Monsoor. The Zumwalt was commissioned in 2016 without an operational combat system, delaying its ability to begin operations. The combat system on the Michael Monsoor is scheduled to be activated by the second quarter of 2020, as previously reported by the Naval Sea Systems Command. The third and final ship in the class, Lyndon B. Johnson, is scheduled for delivery by December.






USA—Raytheon, UTC Merger To Conclude This Week Hartford Courant | 03/31/2020 Raytheon and United Technologies Corp. (UTC) have announced that they will close their merger by the end of the week, reports the Hartford Courant. On Monday, the companies jointly announced that they would conclude their merger agreement before the start of trading on Friday, creating Raytheon Technologies Corp. based in Waltham, Mass. The merger is moving forward after the Dept. of Justice approved it on March 26, pending the divestment of several companies for competitive reasons, reported Defense News. Raytheon is divesting its its airborne radios business, while UTC is selling its military global positioning systems and large space-based optical systems businesses. In January, UTC announced the sale of its military GPS business, which was part of its Collins Aerospace subsidiary, to BAE Systems for $1.93 billion. At the same time, Raytheon said it was selling its airborne tactical radio business to BAE for $275 million. A purchaser for UTC's optical systems business has not been announced. UTC CEO Gregory Hayes will hold the top job at Raytheon Technologies. UTC shareholders will own 57 percent of the company and UTC will control eight of 15 seats on the board.






Turkey—Iranian Dissident's Killing Ordered By Tehran, Say Turkish Officials Reuters | 03/31/2020 Turkish officials believe that Iranian intelligence agents in Turkey masterminded the killing of an Iranian dissident in Istanbul last year, reports Reuters. Masoud Molavi Vardanjani was shot and killed while walking in central Istanbul on Nov. 14, 2019. The former cybersecurity expert had left Iran a year earlier after a career that included work with the Iranian Defense Ministry. Vardanjani was a vocal critic of the Iranian government and reportedly worked on drone technology with Turkish firms, despite warnings from Tehran to refrain from such activity. Suspects detained after the killing said that the operation was ordered by two Iranian intelligence officers at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul. One of the people involved in the attack had befriended Vardanjani shortly after he arrived in Istanbul. The individual passed information on him to Iranian authorities and participated in the conspiracy, said Turkish officials Turkish officials said that the killing would be raised directly with Iranian officials, with one suggesting that Turkish prosecutors might take up the matter.






Russia—New START Inspections Suspended Due To COVID-19 Tass | 03/31/2020 Russia and the U.S. have agreed to a temporary halt of bilateral inspections under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, reports Russia's Tass news agency. The countries have agreed to suspend on-site inspections of the other's nuclear arsenal until May 1, Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association in Washington, D.C., told the news agency. A Bilateral Consultative Commission (BCC) meeting scheduled for March has been postponed until the fall, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. The New START agreement is set to expire on Feb. 5, 2021. The U.S. has not yet indicated whether it will extend it for another five years. Moscow has urged Washington to extend the accord, which it called the "golden standard" for disarmament. The U.S. announced plans to hold arms control talks between the five permanent security council members in September during the U.N. General Assembly meeting. It remains unclear if those meetings will take place.






China—Natural Gas Discovery Could Exacerbate Disputes In S. China Sea China Daily | 03/31/2020 The Chinese government has announced that it extracted significant quantities of "flammable ice" during a trial exploration in the South China Sea, reports the China Daily. On March 24, the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources announced that the exploratory mission had mined an average of 1 billion cubic feet (28,700 cubic m) of flammable ice (methane hydrate) a day. Methane hydrate occurs when methane gas is trapped within ice's molecular structure. Sheets of this frozen gas and ice contain microscopic bubbles of oil and water. The trial mining expedition took place about 200 miles (320 km) southeast of Zhuhai in undisputed Chinese waters. Methane hydrate is clean and easy to transport but difficult to commercialize, noted the Voice of America News. Every 35 cubic feet (1 cubic m) of flammable ice is the equivalent of 5,800 cubic feet (164 cubic m) of natural gas. This is China's second exploratory trial in the South China Sea, with the first occurring in 2017. The current mission began in February, reported Xinhua, China's state-run news agency. The discovery of such large quantities of extractable flammable ice could give Beijing additional leverage over other claimants in the South China Sea, since other countries may seek access to the technology. China could license or choose to share the technology in exchange for concessions, experts said. China claims around 90 percent of the waters in the South China Sea.






Japan—Destroyer Collides With Chinese Fishing Boat In E. China Sea NHK | 03/31/2020 A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer has collided with a Chinese fishing boat in the East China Sea, reports national broadcaster NHK. On Monday, the Shimakaze struck the Chinese vessel about 400 miles (650 km) west of the Japanese island of Yakushima, said Defense Minister Taro Kono, as reported by Reuters. No Japanese sailors were injured in the incident, Kono said. The ship suffered a 3-foot (1-m) hole on its port side above the waterline, which did not affect its ability to sail, reported the Kyodo news agency (Tokyo). Chinese officials said that a fisherman was hurt. The officials expressed concern over Japan's presence in the area and called on Tokyo to prevent future incidents, reported Agence France-Presse. The MSDF said it would work with the coast guard to investigate the incident and conduct its own probe.






South Korea—IFF, Data Link Upgrades Sought For F-16 Fighters U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency | 03/31/2020 The U.S. State Dept. has approved potential system upgrades for South Korea's F-16 fighter jets, reports the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The proposed US$194 million deal covers the installation of Mode 5 identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) and Link 16 tactical data link systems on South Korea's F-16 Block 32 jets. The possible sale includes ARC-238 radios; AN/APX-126 combined interrogator transponders; joint mission planning (JMPS) upgrade; KY-58M secure voice module; Simple Key Loader (SKL) crypto fill devices; precision measurement equipment laboratory (PMEL); and other support. The modernization would increase the interoperability of the South Korean jets with U.S. Air Force and other coalition forces, the agency said in a release.






North Korea—New Foreign Ministry Agency To Handle Talks With Washington Yonhap | 03/31/2020 North Korea appears to have created a new foreign ministry office for handling negotiations with the U.S., reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Monday, the unnamed director general for negotiations with the U.S. issued a statement criticizing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's recent comments urging countries to maintain sanctions on Pyongyang until progress is made on denuclearization, reported the state-run Korea Central News Agency. The statement also warned against judging the status of U.S.-North Korean relations based on the personal relationship between their leaders. That office had not previously been mentioned in official statements. The foreign ministry already maintains an office focused on North American affairs, said analysts. It was not clear if the new department would replace the existing office or would operate independently.






Indonesia—New Zealander Dies In Attack On Mining Company's Office Newshub | 03/31/2020 A New Zealand citizen has been shot and killed in an attack on his office in Indonesia's western Papua region, reports the Newshub (New Zealand). On Monday, gunmen opened fire on the office of the PT Freeport mine in Timika. Graeme Thomas Weal, 57, was killed and two others seriously injured. Four others suffered minor injuries, reported Radio New Zealand. Indonesian troops and police launched an operation to pursue the attackers, who fled into the jungle. There were no immediate claims of responsibility. Security forces blamed a faction of the West Papua Liberation Army led by Joni Botak. The group is one of several fighting against the Indonesian state, which took control of the region in a controversial referendum after the departure of the Dutch. Attacks have been increasing since the Jakarta government began construction on a highway in 2018 designed to better connect the region with the rest of the country.






Iraq—U.S. Patriot Systems Intercept Rockets In W. Iraq Anadolu News Agency | 03/31/2020 Recently deployed U.S. missile defense systems have intercepted a pair of rockets fired at Ain Al Assad air base in western Iraq, reports the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). On Tuesday, the Patriot systems intercepted the missiles over the base near Ramadi, which hosts U.S. troops, Iraqi sources told the news agency. The attack came a day after U.S. and Iraqi military sources confirmed the deployment of the Patriots to Ain Al Assad air base and Harir base in Erbil in northern Iraq, reported Agence France-Presse. American troops are located at both facilities. Last week, Iraqi sources told Iraq's Al Ahad news agency that the U.S. would develop a site to host the systems, rather than deploying them directly at the bases. The U.S. is planning to deploy four Patriot batteries in Iraq, reported the Middle East Eye.






Iraq—Coalition Pulls Back From Another Base Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve | 03/31/2020 The U.S. has handed over the international section of an Iraqi military base near Kirkuk to Iraqi security forces, reports the U.S.-led Operation Inherent Resolve. On Sunday, U.S. and coalition forces withdrew from the K1 air base outside Kirkuk in northern Iraq. Around 300 U.S. and coalition personnel have been stationed there. In addition, about US$1.1 million worth of equipment was handed over to Iraqi forces, according to wire service accounts. The U.S. has been drawing down from bases in Iraq as part of plans to consolidate its forces at two facilities in the country. The move has been made possible by the increasing ability of the Iraqi military to conduct more independent operations, said U.S. military officials.






Saudi Arabia—Riyadh Track Saudi Citizens Abroad Via Their Phones Guardian | 03/31/2020 The Saudi government is reportedly using a weakness in a common global messaging system to keep tabs on its citizens in the West, reports the Guardian (U.K.). Riyadh has allegedly been using a weakness in the SS7 messaging system to track the location of phones registered in Saudi Arabia, a whistleblower told the newspaper. The tracking began in November 2019, when Saudi Arabia started to exploit a flaw in SS7 that allows telecommunications companies to track the location of phones and provide it to other companies. This is typically used legitimately to determine roaming charges. However, Saudi Arabia's three largest mobile operators have been issuing millions of such requests that lacked any purpose other than tracking. The requests are indicative of surveillance, noted experts. Between November 2019 and March, an average of 2.3 million tracking requests were filed per month, which would allow the location of Saudi phones in the U.S. to be checked between two and 13 times and hour. Such surveillance fits within Saudi Arabia's modus operandi, said one analyst. The latest report suggests that Riyadh is tracking known dissidents as well as those that they fear could deviate from the Saudi leadership.






Somalia—Suicide Bombing Kills Puntland Official In Garowe Shabelle Media Network | 03/31/2020 A regional official from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region has been killed in a suicide attack, reports the Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu). On Sunday night, a suicide bomber charged at a vehicle carrying Gov. Abdisalan Hassan Hersi of Puntland's Nugaal region as it was arriving at a local police station, reported the Defense Post. The attacker blew himself up, gravely wounding Hersi who died at a hospital shortly after. A former police commander and a civilian were also badly wounded. This was the first suicide bombing in Garowe in five years, reported the Garowe Online. Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo called Puntland President Said Deni on Sunday to express his condolences. He also pledged to work closely with Deni to ensure security was improved throughout Puntland. This was the first time that Farmajo had called the Puntland executive since taking over the Somali presidency in 2017. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.






Colombia—ELN Announces Month-Long Cease-Fire Due To COVID-19 British Broadcasting Corp. | 03/31/2020 Colombia's last major rebel group has declared a unilateral cease-fire due to the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, reports BBC News. On Monday, the National Liberation Army (ELN) declared a truce that would begin on April 1 and continue to the end of the month, reported Agence France-Presse. The move was a "humanitarian gesture" that was inspired by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for a global cease-fire due to the pandemic, ELN officials said. Colombia has more than 700 confirmed COVID-19 cases. At least 10 people have died from the virus. The ELN also said that it wanted to meet with the Colombian government to discuss extending the cease-fire.






Argentina—Air Force Receives Another Pampa Light Attack Jet Argentinean Ministry of Defense | 03/31/2020 The Argentinean air force has taken delivery of another domestically built IA 63 Pampa III trainer/light attack jet, reports the Argentinean Ministry of Defense. On March 27, the aircraft was handed over at the Brig. San Martin Argentine Aircraft Factory (FADeA). It will be the sixth aircraft in the upgraded configuration to be assigned to the VI Air Brigade in Tandil in Buenos Aires. The jets are being used to monitor Argentina's northern border. The aircraft was the last of a second batch of three Pampa IIIs ordered by the Argentinean air force for US$21.9 million, as previously reported by Jane's Defence Weekly.

New York governor begs for help amid ‘staggering’ death toll

AN HOUR AGO

By 

JOCELYN NOVECK

LARRY NEUMEISTER 

and 

MARINA VILLENEUVE

NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s governor issued an urgent appeal for medical volunteers Monday amid a “staggering” number of deaths from the coronavirus, as he and health officials warned that the crisis unfolding in New York City is just a preview of what other communities across the U.S. could soon face.
“Please come help us in New York now,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said as the state’s death toll climbed by more than 250 in a single day to a total of more than 1,200 victims, most of them in the city. He said an additional 1 million health care workers are needed to tackle the crisis.

“We’ve lost over 1,000 New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “To me, we’re beyond staggering already. We’ve reached staggering.”

Even before the governor’s appeal, close to 80,000 former nurses, doctors and other professionals in New York were stepping up to volunteer, and a Navy hospital ship, also sent to the city after 9/11, had arrived with 1,000 beds to relieve pressure on overwhelmed hospitals.

“Whatever it is that they need, I’m willing to do,” said Jerry Kops, a musician and former nurse whose tour with the show Blue Man Group was abruptly halted by the outbreak.

He returned to his Long Island home, where he volunteered to be a nurse again. While waiting to be reinstated, Kops has been helping at an assisted-living home near his house in Shirley, N.Y.

The spike in deaths in New York was another sign of the long fight ahead against the global pandemic, which was filling Spain’s intensive care beds to capacity and shutting millions of Americans inside even as the crisis in China, where the outbreak began in December, kept easing.

More than 235 million people — about two of every three Americans — live in the 33 states where governors have declared statewide orders or recommendations to stay home.

In California, officials put out a similar call for medical volunteers as coronavirus hospitalizations doubled over the last four days and the number of patients in intensive care tripled.

“Challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days, and this is a very vital 30 days,” President Donald Trump told reporters. “The more we dedicate ourselves today, the more quickly we will emerge on the other side of the crisis.”

In Europe, meanwhile, hard-hit Italy and Spain saw their death tolls climb by more than 800 each, but the World Health Organization’s emergency chief said cases there were “potentially stabilizing.” At the same time, he warned against letting up on tough containment measures.

“We have to now push the virus down, and that will not happen by itself,” Dr. Michael Ryan said.

Three-quarters of a million people worldwide have become infected and more than 37,000 have died, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University.

The U.S. reported more than 160,000 infections and over 2,900 deaths, with New York City the nation’s worst hot spot, but with New Orleans, Detroit and other cities also seeing alarming clusters.

“Anyone who says this situation is a New York City-only situation is in a state of denial,” Cuomo said. “You see this virus move across the state. You see this virus move across the nation. There is no American who is immune to this virus.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious-disease expert, similarly warned that smaller cities are likely about to see cases “take off” the way they have in New York City.

“What we’ve learned from painful experience with this outbreak is that it goes along almost on a straight line, then a little acceleration, acceleration, then it goes way up,” he said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

In other developments around the world:

— Bells tolled in Madrid’s deserted central square and flags were lowered in a day of mourning as Spain raced to build field hospitals to treat an onslaught of patients. The death toll topped 7,300.

— In Japan, officials announced a new date for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — summer of 2021 — as a spike in reported infections fueled suspicions that the government had been understating the extent of the country’s outbreak in recent weeks while it was still hoping to salvage the Summer Games.

— Moscow locked down its 12 million people as Russia braced for sweeping nationwide restrictions.

— Israel said 70-year-old Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is quarantining himself after an aide tested positive for the virus. And in Britain, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne who tested positive for the virus, ended his period of isolation and is in good health, his office said.

Italy’s death toll climbed to nearly 11,600. But in a bit of positive news, newly released numbers showed a continued slowdown in the rate of new confirmed cases and a record number of people recovered.

“We are saving lives by staying at home, by maintaining social distance, by traveling less and by closing schools,” said Dr. Luca Richeldi, a lung specialist.

At least six of Spain’s 17 regions were at their limit of intensive care unit beds, and three more were close to it, authorities said. Crews of workers were frantically building more field hospitals.

Nearly 15% of all those infected in Spain, almost 13,000 people, are health care workers, hurting hospitals’ efforts to help the tsunami of people gasping for breath.

In a sign of the mounting economic toll exacted by the virus in the United States, Macy’s said it would stop paying tens of thousands of employees thrown out of work when the chain closed its more than 500 department stores earlier this month.

The majority of its 130,000 workers will still collect health benefits, but the company said it is switching to the “absolute minimum workforce” needed to maintain basic operations.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe symptoms like pneumonia. More than 160,000 people have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins.

The crisis in China, where the outbreak began in late December, continued to ease. China on Monday reported 31 new COVID-19 cases, among them just one domestic infection, and the city at the center of the disaster, Wuhan, began reopening for business as authorities lifted more of the controls that locked down tens of millions of people for two months.

“I want to revenge-shop,” one excited customer declared.

Japanese automaker Toyota halted production at its auto plants in Europe, but all of its factories in China resumed work Monday.


Associated Press writers around the world contributed to this report.

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.