TheList 5688

The List 5688     TGB

 

Good Tuesday Morning April 20.

I hope that your week has started well.

Regards,

Skip.

 

Today in Naval History

April 20

1861

Union forces burn screw frigate Merrimack at Gosport Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va., to prevent Yard facilities and ships from falling into Confederate hands during the Civil War.

1914

The first call-to-action of naval aviators is given, creating an aviation detachment of three pilots, 12 enlisted men, and three aircraft to join the Atlantic Fleet forces operating off Tampico during the Mexican crisis.

1942

USS Wasp (CV 7) launches 47 British aircraft to reinforce Malta, repeating the exercise May 9.

1944

USS Seahorse (SS 304) torpedoes and sinks Japanese submarine RO 45 off the Mariana Islands.

1947

Navy Capt. L.O. Fox, backed by 80 Marines, accepts surrender of Japanese Lt. Ei Yamaguchi and 26 Japanese soldiers and sailors, two and one half years after the occupation of Peleliu and nearly 20 months after the surrender of Japan.

1953

USS New Jersey (BB 62) shells Wonsan, Korea, from inside the harbor during the Korean War.

1964

USS Henry Clay (SSBN 625) launches a Polaris A-2 missile in the first demonstration to show that Polaris submarines could launch missiles from the surface as well as from beneath the ocean.

2007

USS Saipan (LHA 2) is decommissioned at Norfolk, Va., after serving the Navy for 30 years, including operations Urgent Fury, Sharp Edge, Desert Storm, Deny Flight, and Iraqi Freedom.

 

 

CHINFO

 

Executive Summary:

•           Trade press reported on the start of the Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem 21.

•           National and international media continued to report on the Russian military buildup near Ukraine.

 

 

This day in World History

April 20

1139 The Second Lateran Council opens in Rome.

1657 English Admiral Robert Blake fights his last battle when he destroys the Spanish fleet in Santa Cruz Bay.

1769 Ottawa Chief Pontiac is murdered by an Indian in Cahokia.

1770 Captain Cook discovers Australia.

1775 British troops begin the siege of Boston.

1792 France declares war on Austria, Prussia, and Sardinia.

1809 Napoleon Bonaparte defeats Austria at Battle of Abensberg, Bavaria.

1836 The Territory of Wisconsin is created.

1841 Edgar Allen Poe's first detective story is published.

1861 Robert E. Lee resigns from the U.S. Army.

1879 The first mobile home (horse-drawn) is used in a journey from London to Cyprus.

1916 The first National League game is played at Chicago's Wrigley Field, then known as Weeghman Park. The park was renamed Cubs Park in 1920 and Wrigley Field, for the Chicago Cubs owner, in 1926.

1919 The Polish Army captures Vilno, Lithuania from the Soviets.

1940 The first electron microscope is demonstrated.

1942 Pierre Laval, the premier of Vichy France, in a radio broadcast, establishes a policy of "true reconciliation with Germany."

1945 Soviet troops begin their attack on Berlin.

1951 General Douglas MacArthur addresses a joint session of Congress after being relieved by President Harry Truman.

1953 Operation Little Switch begins in Korea, the exchange of sick and wounded prisoners of war.

1962 The New Orleans Citizens Committee gives free one-way ride to blacks to move North.

1967 U.S. planes bomb Haiphong for first time during the Vietnam War.

1999 Two students enter Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado and open fire with multiple firearms, killing 13 students and teachers, wounding 25 and eventually shooting themselves.

 

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Monday Morning Humor from Al

 

Being unemployed has really helped to lower my carbon footprint.

 

In honor of Earth day, I'm sending all of my work-related emails to my "recycle" folder.

 

Dear Earth, I hope you're enjoying your stupid DAY. Sincerely, Pluto.

 

 

"I have an obsession with wind farms."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'm a huge fan."

 

 

     A woman called her husband during the day and asked him to pick up some organic vegetables for that night's dinner on his way home.

     The husband arrived at the store and began to search all over for organic vegetables before finally asking the produce guy where they were.

     The produce guy didn't know what he was talking about, so the husband said: "These vegetables are for my wife. Have they been sprayed with poisonous chemicals?"

     To which the produce guy replied, "No, sir, you will have to do that yourself."

 

 

Eco-Friendly Movies

        "Mission Compostable."

        "The Earth Avengers"

        "Tree Story 3"

        "Kung Fu Planters"

        Dr. Seuss' The Lorax 2: "The Trees fight back"

        Rise of the Planet of the Trees

 

 

Earth Day Fun Facts and Trivia…Did you know

        More than half the earth is at least 3000 meters under the sea.

        'How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when clearly it is Ocean.' - quote Arthur C. Clarke in 1990.

        Almost half the weight of the earth's crust is accounted for by oxygen.

        The Earth orbits the Sun at a speed of 66,700 mph.

        The Earth is about 4.5 billion years old.

        The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% the world's oxygen supply.

        The oceans of the world would rise about 60 meters if Antarctica's ice sheets melted.

        About 27 tons of dust rains down on the earth each day from space.

        Of all known forms of animals life ever to inhabit the Earth, only about 10% still exist today.

        Only 3% water of the earth is fresh, the remaining 97% is salted. Of that 3%; over 2% is frozen in ice sheets and glaciers. Meaning that less than 1% of fresh water is found in lakes, rivers and underground.

 

 

Groaners…

Q: Why are Tree Huggers bad at playing cards?

A: They like to avoid the flush.

 

Q: What did Obi Wan Kenobi say to the tree?

A: May the Forest be with you.

 

Q: Why did the leaf go to the doctor?

A: It was feeling green!

 

Q: What is a tree's least favorite month?

A: Sep-timber!

 

Q: What did the Tree Hugging hottie say to the guy in the SUV?

A: "Turning off your Engine, gets my motor humming"

 

Q: How do politicians plan on fighting record high temperatures?

A: By switching from Fahrenheit to Celsius!

 

Q: What lies between a good recycler and a bad recycler?

A: Oregon

 

Q: Why did the dog bury himself in the back yard on Earth Day?

A: Cause you can't grow a tree without bark.

 

Q: Why are people always tired on Earth Day?

A: Because they just finished a March

 

Q: How do trees get on the internet?

A: They log in.

 

 

Have a wonderful week,

Al

 

 

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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear

 For The List for Tuesday, 20 April 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻

 

Operation Rolling Thunder: 1965-68

LOOKING BACK FIFTY-FIVE YEARS to the Vietnam Air War...

From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com posts for 20 April 1966 "Remembering and honoring a valiant leader of warriors" (2 posts)

 

http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-20-april-1966/

 

http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/634/

 

 

 

Vietnam Air Losses

Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at:  https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.

 

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This Day in U S Military History…….April 20

1775 – British troops began the siege of Boston. The Siege of Boston lasted through March 17, 1776 and was the opening phase of the American War of Independence. New England militiamen prevented the movement by land of the British Army garrisoned in what was then the peninsular town of Boston, Massachusetts. Both sides had to deal with resource supply and personnel issues over the course of the siege. British resupply and reinforcement activities were limited to sea access. After eleven months of siege the British abandoned Boston by sailing to Nova Scotia. The siege began following the Battles of Lexington and Concord, when the militia from surrounding Massachusetts communities limited land access to Boston. The Continental Congress formed the Continental Army from the militia, with George Washington as its Commander in Chief. In June 1775, the British seized Bunker and Breed's Hills, but their casualties were heavy and their gains were insufficient to break the Continental Army's hold on land access to Boston. Military actions during the remainder of the siege were limited to occasional raids, minor skirmishes, and sniper fire. In November 1775, Washington sent the 25-year-old bookseller-turned-soldier Henry Knox to bring to Boston the heavy artillery that had been captured at Fort Ticonderoga. In a technically complex and demanding operation, Knox brought many cannons to the Boston area by January 1776. In March 1776, these artillery fortified Dorchester Heights, which overlooked Boston and its harbor and threatened the British supply lifeline. The British commander William Howe saw the British position as indefensible and withdrew the British forces in Boston to the British stronghold at Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 17 (celebrated today as Evacuation Day).

1914 – In first call to action of naval aviators, detachment on USS Birmingham sailed to Tampico, Mexico.

1942 – Malta's precarious position continues. German and Italian bombing continue. When the USS Wasp accompanied by HMS Renown, two cruisers and six destroyers attempt to deliver 47 desperately needed Spitfires to the island, thirty per cent of them are destroyed immediately after landing.1945 – Allied bombers in Italy begin a three-day attack on the bridges over the rivers Adige and Brenta to cut off German lines of retreat on the Italian peninsula.

1945 – During World War II, Allied forces, the U.S. 7th army, took control of the German cities of Nuremberg and Stuttgart. The American flag is raised over the rostrum of the Nuremberg Stadium — scene of Nazi Party rallies. In the Stuttgart area, the French 1st Army is advancing rapidly along the Neckar Valley, trapping German forces in the Black Forest in Bavaria.

1945 – American forces liberated Buchenwald. 350 Americans were imprisoned at Berga, a sub-camp of Buchenwald, following their Dec, 1944, capture at the Battle of the Bulge. Charles Guggenheim's (d.2002) last documentary film was title "Berga.

 

1945 – On Okinawa, US 3rd Amphibious Corps completes the capture of the Motobu Peninsula and the whole of the main northern part of the island. The US 24th Corps, on the Shuri Line, continue to attack but the limited gains made cannot be held against the Japanese counterattacks.

1947 – CAPT L.O. Fox, USN, supported by 80 Marines, accepted the surrender of LT Yamaguchi and 26 Japanese soldiers and sailors, two and one half years after the occupation of Peleliu and nearly 20 months after the surrender of Japan.

1972 – The manned lunar module from Apollo 16 landed on the moon. Apollo 16 was the tenth manned mission in the United States Apollo space program, the fifth and penultimate to land on the Moon and the first to land in the lunar highlands. The second of the so-called "J missions," it was crewed by Commander John Young, Lunar Module Pilot Charles Duke and Command Module Pilot Ken Mattingly. John Young and Charles Duke spent 71 hours—just under three days—on the lunar surface, during which they conducted three extra-vehicular activities or moonwalks, totaling 20 hours and 14 minutes. The pair drove the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), the second produced and used on the Moon, 26.7 kilometers (16.6 mi). On the surface, Young and Duke collected 95.8 kilograms (211 lb) of lunar samples for return to Earth, while Command Module Pilot Ken Mattingly orbited in the Command/Service Module (CSM) above to perform observations. Mattingly spent 126 hours and 64 revolutions in lunar orbit. After Young and Duke rejoined Mattingly in lunar orbit, the crew released a subsatellite from the Service Module (SM). Apollo 16's landing spot in the highlands was chosen to allow the astronauts to gather geologically older lunar material than the samples obtained in the first four landings, which were in or near lunar maria. Samples from the Descartes Formation and the Cayley Formation disproved a hypothesis that the formations were volcanic in origin.

2006 – Famous U.S. test pilot Scott Crossfield dies in an air crash of a Cessna 210. Albert Scott Crossfield (October 2, 1921 – April 19, 2006) was an American naval officer and test pilot. In 1953, he became the first pilot to fly at Mach 2, twice the speed of sound.

 

2010 – The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explodes in the Gulf of Mexico, killing eleven workers and beginning an oil spill, leaking about 4,900,000 barrels of crude oil, that would last six months. The US Coast Guard will play a role in the containment, cleanup, and subsequent investigation.

 

Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day

TROUT, JAMES M.
Rank and organization: Second Class Fireman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1850, Philadelphia, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Frolic, Trout displayed gallant conduct in endeavoring to save the life of one of the crew of that vessel who had fallen overboard at Montevideo, 20 April 1877.

*HAYASHI, JOE
Private Joe Hayashi distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 20 and 22 April 1945, near Tendola, Italy. On 20 April 1945, ordered to attack a strongly defended hill that commanded all approaches to the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi skillfully led his men to a point within 75 yards of enemy positions before they were detected and fired upon. After dragging his wounded comrades to safety, he returned alone and exposed himself to small arms fire in order to direct and adjust mortar fire against hostile emplacements. Boldly attacking the hill with the remaining men of his squad, he attained his objective and discovered that the mortars had neutralized three machine guns, killed 27 men, and wounded many others. On 22 April 1945, attacking the village of Tendola, Private Hayashi maneuvered his squad up a steep, terraced hill to within 100 yards of the enemy. Crawling under intense fire to a hostile machine gun position, he threw a grenade, killing one enemy soldier and forcing the other members of the gun crew to surrender. Seeing four enemy machine guns delivering deadly fire upon other elements of his platoon, he threw another grenade, destroying a machine gun nest. He then crawled to the right flank of another machine gun position where he killed four enemy soldiers and forced the others to flee. Attempting to pursue the enemy, he was mortally wounded by a burst of machine pistol fire. The dauntless courage and exemplary leadership of Private Hayashi enabled his company to attain its objective. Private Hayashi's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

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Thanks to Dennis…..Not many know this fourth verse

Subject: Marine stuns crowd

 



 



 http://www.youtube.com/v/I0fQd858cRc&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=

 

 

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Thanks to Shadow

Subject: FB Link to TBM post

https://www.facebook.com/1574566000/posts/10222747818355453/

 

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THANKS TO DUTCH

After Pelosi's Pomp and Circumstance in the Rotunda to drive public opinion  = 

Medical Ruling: Capitol Cop Brian Sicknick Died of Natural Causes

WASHINGTON — Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who was injured while confronting rioters during the Jan. 6 insurrection, suffered a stroke and died from natural causes, the Washington, D.C., medical examiner's office ruled Monday, a finding that lessens the chances that anyone will be charged in his death.

Investigators initially believed the officer was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, based on statements collected early in the investigation, according to two people familiar with the case. And they later thought the 42-year-old Sicknick may have ingested a chemical substance — possibly bear spray — that may have contributed to his death.

But the determination of a natural cause of death means the medical examiner found that a medical condition alone caused his death — it was not brought on by an injury. The determination is likely to significantly inhibit the ability of federal prosecutors to bring homicide charges in Sicknick's death.

U.S. Capitol Police said that the agency accepted the medical examiner's findings but that the ruling didn't change the fact that Sicknick had died in the line of duty, "courageously defending Congress and the Capitol."

"The attack on our officers, including Brian, was an attack on our democracy," police officials said in a statement. "The United States Capitol Police will never forget Officer Sicknick's bravery, nor the bravery of any officer on January 6, who risked their lives to defend our democracy."

Federal prosecutors have charged two men with using bear spray on Sicknick during the Jan. 6 riot. The arrests of George Tanios, 39, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Julian Khater, 32, of Pennsylvania, were the closest federal prosecutors have come to identifying and charging anyone associated with the five deaths that happened during and after the riot.

Lawyers for the two men had no immediate comment Monday.

Sicknick died after defending the Capitol against the mob that stormed the building as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden's electoral win over Donald Trump. It came after Trump urged his supporters to "fight like hell" to overturn his defeat.

Sicknick was standing guard with other officers behind metal bicycle racks as the mob descended on the Capitol.

"Give me that bear s---," Khater said before he reached into Tanios' backpack, according to court papers. Tanios told Khater "not yet" because it was "still early," but Khater responded that "they just f---ing sprayed me." Khater was then seen holding a can of chemical spray, prosecutors say.

As the rioters began pulling on one of the racks, Khater was seen with his arm in the air and the canister in his hand while standing just 5 to 8 feet from the officers, authorities said.

In February, Sicknick became only the fifth person in history to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda, a designation for those who are not elected officials, judges or military leaders. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

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Thanks to Robert

FORD History and BBQ.

Interesting!

 

 

 

   FORD History and BBQ.

 

 

   

 

On June 16, 1903, the Ford Motor Company was established. Henry Ford was the founder. This was not his first venture, as he had previously operated the Henry Ford Company. He left that company and took his name with him. What became of the Henry Ford Company? They became known as the Cadillac Motor Company.

 

What does any of this have to do with the photo of a BBQ grill? Hang on.

 

Ford's Model T, which would number in the millions sold, required 100 board feet of wood to build. Ford despised waste. His motto was, "Reduce, reuse, and recycle." He was also a nature-lover, an environmentalist of his time. His escape from the stress of life was camping in the great outdoors. 

 

Frustrated by the mountains of sawdust his lumber mills created, he and his partners sought a way to utilize the scrap wood and sawdust into a useful (and profitable) product. 

 

An idea came to him one day as he was camped with some friends in the wilds of Michigan . After his party spent a long time collecting sufficient wood for a campfire, an idea spring in Ford's mind. Upon returning back to the lumber mill, he shared the idea with some of his partners and set to work on it. 

 

The idea? Lumping a fistful of sawdust and cornstarch with a bit of tar to form a briquette. After charring it, it performed exactly what Ford imagined it would. He then built a charcoal briquette factory adjacent to his lumber mill where the waste from one became the fuel for the other. 

 

A new Model T was now frequently sold with a bonus bag of Ford Charcoal Briquettes, so you could drive into the woods to camp and not worry about finding campfire wood. 

 

So now you know. Ford not only created the modern automobile industry which takes millions to work and back each workday, but he also created the weekend grilling and camping industries. 

 

In 1951, the Ford Charcoal Briquette Company was sold. The new company was named after Ford's real estate partner who helped him find the land to supply wood for building the early Ford automobiles- E.J. Kingsford.  

 

Kingsford Charcoal is the largest producer of charcoal briquettes in the world.

 

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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for April 20, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY

 

20 April

 

1912: The Secretary of War published the conditions of the Military Aviator Test in a report to the House of Representatives. (24)

 

1916: Sgt Maj Elliot Cowdin became the first American pilot to receive the French Medaille Militaire. (24)

 

1917: The Navy's DN-1 airship made its first flight at Pensacola. It was accepted on 16 May, but after three flights it was grounded and never flew again. (24)

 

1923: Maj Henry "Hap" Arnold led a group of Army Corps airmen from Rockwell Field to prove the possibility of inflight refueling. Arnold and his men ran a hose between two DeHavilland DH-4Bs for the first inflight hose contact. Although no fuel transferred during the 40-minute test at San Diego, California, the modified tankers demonstrated the feasibility of gravity-flow air refueling. (4) (18)

 

1942: The carrier USS Wasp entered the Mediterranean and launched 47 RAF Spitfires to Malta. (24)

 

1943: Staging from Funafuti in Ellice Islands, Seventh Air Force B-24s attacked Tarawa for the first time. (24)

 

1951: Mrs. Ana Louisa Branger, piloting a Piper Super Cub, set an international altitude record of 27,152 feet in a Class C-1a aircraft (planes of less than 1,103 pounds) at Alexandria. (24)

 

1959: The Navy's prototype UGM-27A Polaris missile successfully flew a 500-mile course. (16) (24)

 

1962: The first Titan Is placed on alert to make the 724 SMS operational at Lowry AFB. (6)

 

1965: Phase out of all first-generation ICBMs completed with the shipment of the last Atlas to storage. Later, on 25 June SAC inactivated three Atlas E, six Atlas F, and six Titan I squadrons. (1) (6)

 

1966: President Dwight D. Eisenhower's aircraft, a VC-121 Super Constellation named Columbine III, was retired and flown from Andrews AFB to Wright-Patterson AFB. The aircraft went into service with MAC's 89 MAW in August 1954. (18)

 

1966: Vandenberg AFB launched its last Titan II operational test vehicle. (6)

 

1972: Apollo XVI: Astronauts John W. Young and Charles M. Duke set a record for the greatest mass landed on the moon. The Lunar Module Orion and the two men weighed 18,208 pounds. When the Orion left on 23 April, the two men set another record for the greatest mass (10,949 pounds) lifted into lunar orbit. (9)

 

1982: The crew for the movie "The Right Stuff" arrived at Edwards AFB to shoot the film. (3)

 

1985: B-52 crews completed initial training for Harpoon anti-ship missile operations. (16) (26)

 

1996: The Idaho ANG's 124th Fighter Wing flew the F-4G Wild Weasel's last operational flight from Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, to the Aircraft Maintenance and Regeneration Center at DavisMonthan AFB. (http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/military/f4/last.htm)

 

2007: A Russian Volga-Dnepr AN-124 touched down at Moffett Air Field, Calif., to deploy the 129th Rescue Wing (California Air National Guard), their HH-60G Pave Hawk Rescue Helicopters, and support equipment to Afghanistan. The Air Force contracted the AN-124 for the deployment, because the high operations tempo from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom prevented the use of C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-5 Galaxys for the deployment. (AFNEWS, "Russian Aircraft Transports ANG Rescue Helicopters," 24 Apr 2007.) Exercise SNIPER LANCE 2007. More than 200 airmen from US Air Forces in Europe bases arrived Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania, to participate in this exercise. Sniper Lance provided realistic combat flight training for USAF F-15 Eagles, KC-135 Stratotankers and Romanian Air Force MiG-21s based out of the 86th Air Base near the town of Fetesti. (AFNEWS, "USAFE Airmen Kick Off Sniper Lance 2007," 20 Apr 2007); and (AFNEWS, "Air Force Gains Larger Presence in Romania," 9 May 2007.)

 

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World News for 20 April thanks to Military Periscope

 

USA—Coast Guard In Line For 1st Woman 4-Star Admiral Defense News | 04/20/2021 The Biden administration has nominated Vice Adm. Linda Fagan to be the first woman to obtain four-star rank in the Coast Guard, reports Defense News. Fagan, currently the head of the service's Pacific area of operations, is being proposed to serve as vice commandant of the Coast Guard. She has previously served in command roles on East Coast and deputy director of operations for Headquarters at U.S. Northern Command. She will replace Adm. Charles Ray, who has served as vice commandant since May 2018.  

 

USA—Hanwha Defense Teams With Oshkosh For Bradley Replacement Program Aju Business Daily | 04/20/2021 South Korean firm Hanwha Defense has partnered with U.S. manufacturer Oshkosh Defense compete for the U.S. Army's Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) replacement program, reports the Aju Business Daily. Hanwha Defense signed an exclusive teaming agreement with Oshkosh Defense for the digital design phase of the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) competition, the South Korean firm said on Monday. Hanwha has developed the K21 infantry fighting vehicle. An advanced variant, known as the AS21 Redback, is competing for an Australian army contract. Other companies participating in the competition are General Dynamics Land Systems, BAE Systems and a Rheinmetall North America-led team that includes Raytheon, Textron and L3Harris, noted Defense News. The Army plans to award the first contract for the OMFV in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Service entry is anticipated in fiscal 2028.  

 

United Kingdom—Government Seeks Ban For U.S. Neo-Nazi Group British Broadcasting Corp. | 04/20/2021 The British government wants to designate a U.S.-based neo-Nazi group as a terrorist organization, reports BBC News. On Monday, Home Secretary Priti Patel said that she would seek parliamentary approval to ban the Atomwaffen Division (AWD) as a terrorist organization. As part of the move, the government would list the National Socialist Order as a formal alias for AWD, meaning it is assessed to be the same group. The move comes as prosecutors have cited AWD as an influence on several British teenagers convicted of terror offenses. AWD claimed to have disbanded in March 2020 following international pressure but British officials say the organization has reformed under the new moniker, reported the Independent (U.K.). An AWD affiliate, Sonnenkrieg Division (SKD), was banned in the U.K. last year.  

 

France—1st Aquitaine-Class Frigate In Air Defense Configuration Delivered Naval Group | 04/20/2021 Naval Group has handed over a new air defense frigate to the French navy, reports the French shipbuilder. On April 16, the Alsace was delivered during a ceremony in Toulon, Naval Group said in a release. The milestone occurred on schedule. The Alsace is the seventh Aquitaine-class frigate to be delivered and the first of two in an air defense configuration. The second, Lorrainne, is scheduled for delivery next year, reported Defense News. The frigate features an enhanced version of the SETIS combat management system with air defense functions; increased communication capabilities; optimized mast; new radar with greater range; a new electro-optical fire-control system; and can accommodate an additional 10 crewmembers. The baseline armament is the same as the previous anti-submarine warfare-focused variants.  

 

Ukraine—100,000 Russian Troops On Border, Says E.U. Foreign Policy Chief Reuters | 04/20/2021 The European Union's top diplomat says more than 100,000 Russian troops have amassed near the Ukrainian border, reports Reuters. Josep Borrell made his remarks on Monday following a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Borrell initially gave a figure of 150,000 but later revised that figure without explanation. U.S. officials told Reuters that they could not confirm the higher figure. The Pentagon said that the Russian military buildup was larger than that in 2014, when Moscow seized Crimea and backed separatist violence in eastern Ukraine, and that it was not clear that it was for training purposes. No new sanctions were imminent despite the buildup, said Borrell, despite a request by Kuleba. On Monday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration warned U.S. civil carriers to exercise "extreme caution" when flying near the Russian-Ukrainian border.  

 

China—Large-Scale Bombing Exercise Held After U.S.-Japanese Statement Urging Peace With Taiwan South China Morning Post | 04/20/2021 China conducted a large-scale strike exercise over the weekend, apparently prompted by a joint statement from the U.S. and Japan calling for a peaceful resolution to tensions with Taiwan, reports the South China Morning Post. Several dozen H-6K bombers took part in the drills, which involved day and night flights to a range in the northwestern Qinghai province, according to an unnamed military source. The aircraft took off from a military airport in eastern China under low-visibility conditions and dropped freefall bombs from various altitudes. The bombers also practiced electronic countermeasure operations with air defense units. The drills were launched after Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and U.S. President Joe Biden issued a joint statement on Friday saying that they "underscore the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues." China blasted the comments, calling them harmful to peace and stability.  

 

Japan—Global Hawk Drone Makes Maiden Flight Northrop Grumman | 04/20/2021 The initial RQ-4B Global Hawk for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force has flown for the first time, reports the manufacturer, Northrop Grumman. The flight took place on April 15 from Palmdale, Calif., Northrop Grumman said in a release. Japan has ordered three Global Hawks to bolster its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The air vehicles are expected to be equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar and high- and low-band signals intelligence systems. The UAVs and ground-control stations are scheduled to be delivered by September 2022, reported the Aviationist blog.  

 

Taiwan—U.S. Delegation Makes Visit To Reaffirm Ties Central News Agency | 04/20/2021 A group of former senior U.S. officials has completed a three-day visit to Taiwan to reaffirm Washington's commitment to the island democracy, reports the Central News Agency (Taiwan). The group, including former Sen. Chris Dodd, former deputy secretaries of state Richard Armitage and James Steinberg as well as State Dept. Office of Taiwan Coordination Director Dan Biers, arrived in Taiwan on April 14 and left on April 16. All four are close to President Biden. The delegation met with President Tsai Ing-wen, Premier Su Tseng-chang, other government officials as well as representatives from the parties that make up the Legislative Yuan USA caucus. The talks with Su reportedly focused on climate change, economic cooperation and Taiwan's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and make the transition to green energy. He also indicated that Taiwan wanted to resume talks under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) mechanism and sign a bilateral trade pact.  

 

Philippines—Duterte Says He Will Use Navy To Defend Resources In S. China Sea Abs-Cbn | 04/20/2021 President Rodrigo Duterte says he will send naval assets to defend energy and mineral resources in Philippine waters if China seeks to extract them, reports the ABS-CBN News (Manila). During a press conference on Monday, the president said he would not challenge Chinese fishing in Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which Beijing claims as sovereign territory, but would take a more forceful position if China moved to extract resources in the region. Tensions with China have been high since more than 200 Chinese vessels assembled near the Whitsun Reef, called the Julian Felipe reef by Manila, within the Philippine EEZ last month. China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, claims that were declared illegal in a U.N. ruling in 2016. Separately, the Philippine National Police said on Monday that it would begin maritime patrols in the South China Sea in support of the navy and coast guard.  

 

Iran—Intelligence Services Identify Natanz Attack Suspect Mehr News Agency | 04/20/2021 Iranian intelligence forces have identified a suspect in last week's explosion at the Natanz nuclear site, reports the Mehr news agency. Reza Karimi, 43, was allegedly behind the blast that damaged the electricity distribution network for the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan facility on April 11. He fled Iran shortly before the explosion at the facility, reported BBC News. Iranian media claimed that it had issued an Interpol "red notice" for Karimi's arrest, but this has not been confirmed, reported the Times of Israel. Iran blamed Israel for the attack. The Israeli government has not commented on the attack. Intelligence sources have said that it was a cyber operation led by Mossad. The total extent of the damage has not been confirmed. Last week, an Iranian official said that thousands of centrifuges were damaged or destroyed.  

 

Iraq—5 Injured In Balad Rocket Attack Rudaw | 04/20/2021 At least five people have been injured in a rocket attack on Balad air base north of Baghdad, reports Rudaw (Iraqi Kurdistan). On Sunday, five rockets hit the base in the central Saladin province, reported Agence France-Presse. Two foreign contractors and three Iraqi security personnel were injured. Two rockets struck a dormitory and a canteen operated by U.S. firm Sallyport. Balad hosts F-16 fighters, and several maintenance companies are stationed there with Iraqi and foreign staff. A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition said that no coalition forces are stationed at the base. The rockets were launched from the al-Khalis district in Diyala province, according to Iraq's Security Media Cell. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Iranian-backed armed groups have claimed similar attacks in the past.  

 

Syria—200 Militants Killed In Strikes Near Palmyra, Russia Says Tass | 04/20/2021 Russian officials say up to 200 suspected militants have been killed in airstrikes in Homs province in central Syria, reports Russia's Tass news agency. Russian aircraft attacked a militant training base near Palmyra, killing as many as 200 militants and destroying some 1,100 pounds (500 kg) of munitions, Alexander Karpov, deputy chief of the Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria, said on Monday. Twenty-four pickup trucks with heavy machine guns and components for improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also destroyed. Intelligence reports indicated that the militants had established a camouflaged base near Palmyra to train groups to make IEDs and conduct attacks around the country, he said. The militants were also plotting attacks to disrupt presidential polls in May, said Karpov.

 

 Syria—Presidential Elections Planned For May British Broadcasting Corp. | 04/20/2021 The Syrian Parliament has announced plans to hold a presidential election next month, reports BBC News. On Sunday, Speaker Hamouda Sabbagh announced that voting in Syria would take place on May 26, reported Reuters. Syrians living abroad would be able to vote at embassies on May 20. Registration for candidates was scheduled to begin on Monday and run for 10 days. President Bashar Assad is expected to win a new seven-year term. Western powers have accused Damascus of delaying ongoing talks to draft a new constitution to ensure the election will not be held under U.N. supervision. This will be the second presidential election to take place in Syria since the start of the civil war. Assad won the 2014 election, denounced as illegitimate and undemocratic by opponents, with 92 percent of the vote.  

 

Nigeria—U.N. Suspends Operations In Damasak After Attacks Voice Of America News | 04/20/2021 The United Nations last week suspended aid operations in parts of Nigeria's northeastern Borno state after militants attacked humanitarian workers, reports the Voice of America News. On April 11, the U.N. began withdrawing its personnel from Damasak, on the border with Niger, the day after the first of three attacks by unspecified armed groups. The militants allegedly went house-to-house searching for civilians identified as aid workers. At least five NGO offices have been destroyed, along with a mobile storage unit, water tanks, a health outpost, nutrition stabilization center and several vehicles used by NGOs, a U.N. spokesman said on April 16. At least eight people were killed and 12 injured in the violence, which has forced 65,000 people, about 80 percent of Damasak's population, to flee. The halt in aid is expected to affect at least 9,000 internally displaced people and 76,000 locals who were receiving humanitarian assistance and protection.  

 

Rwanda—Government Report Says France Bears 'Significant Responsibility' For 1994 Genocide Reuters | 04/20/2021 A new report by the Rwandan government says that the French government was significantly responsible for the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, reports Reuters. The report, drafted by a Washington, D.C. law firm, was published by the Rwandan government on Monday. Paris bore "significant responsibility for enabling a foreseeable genocide," the document says. The French government remained "unwavering in its support" of its allies even though officials knew mass killings were being prepared, reported the Guardian (U.K.). Officials in Kigali said that while those who carried out the killings bear the ultimate responsibility, France established the institutions used to kill more than 800,000, primarily from the Tutsi ethnic group. The report noted that no final assessment of France's culpability can be made until Paris opens the relevant archives, a step it promised to take earlier in April. In March, the French government published its own report, which acknowledged that colonial attitudes blinded France to the impending genocide.  

 

Colombia—11 Killed In Clash With Dissident FARC Militants Colombia Reports | 04/20/2021 At least 10 suspected militants and a soldier have been killed in the latest fighting in southwestern Colombia, reports Colombia Reports. On Saturday, the military clashed with the Carlos Patino Front, a dissident faction of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), in Argelia, Cauca province, the army said. FARC demobilized in 2017. At least seven soldiers were injured in the gun battle. Three civilians were injured when they struck a land mine while fleeing the fighting, reported El Espectador (Bogota). Argelia Mayor Jhonnatan Patino said that the militants forced civilians to participate in anti-military demonstrations in the village where the clash took place. The rural province of Cauca has seen regular violence since 2017 amid disputes over the implementation of the peace deal with FARC.   

 

 

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