Good Wednesday Morning April 21.
A bit of history and some tidbits. Flying home today.
Regards,
Skip.
Today in Naval History
April 21
On This Day
1861
Sloop-of-War Saratoga, commanded by Alfred Taylor, captures Nightingale, a clipper slaver, at the mouth of the Congo River at Cabinda, Angola, with 961 slaves on board.
1898
President William McKinley orders the Navy to begin a blockade of Cuba and Spain, the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Congress responds with a formal declaration of war April 25, made retroactive to the start of the blockade.
1914
President Woodrow Wilson orders intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico, after the Tampico Affair where Sailors from USS Dolphin were detained. The U.S. Atlantic Fleet, under the command of Rear Adm. Frank F. Fletcher, land the first Marines and Sailors from USS Florida and USS Utah and engage in battle.
1944
Task Force 58 begins the bombing of Japanese airfields and defensive positions at Hollandia, Wakde, Sawar, and Sarmi, New Guinea, in preparation for the U.S. Army landing operations Persecution and Reckless.
1972
Navy Capt. John W. Young, commander of Apollo 16, is the ninth man to walk on the moon. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas K. Mattingly II is the command module pilot for the 11-day, 1-hour and 51-minute mission where 213 pounds of lunar material is collected.
1990
USNS John Ericcson (T-AO 194) is launched at Chester, Penn. The Henry J. Kiser-class replenishment oiler is named for John Ericcson who designed USS Monitor.
2001
USS Lassen (DDG 82) is commissioned at Tampa, Fla., prior to sailing for her homeport in San Diego as part of Destroyer Squadron 23. The Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer is named after Lt. Clyde Everett Lassen, a Medal of Honor recipient for rescuing two downed aviators while he was the commander of a search and rescue helicopter in Vietnam.
CHINFO
This Day in Navy and Marine Corps History:
1951 - Carrier-based Marine planes downed three Yaks in the first air-to-air contact of Marine air with the North Korean Air Force.
Executive Summary:
• Military Review published an article from CMC Gen. David Berger about preparing for littoral operations in contested environments.
• Trade press continued coverage of Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem 21.
This day in World History
April 21
0043 Marcus Antonius is defeated by Octavian near Modena, Italy.
0753 Traditional date of the foundation of Rome.
1526 Mongol Emperor Babur annihilates the Indian Army of Ibrahim Lodi.
1649 The Maryland Toleration Act is passed, allowing all people freedom of worship.
1689 William III and Mary II are crowned joint king and queen of England, Scotland and Ireland.
1836 General Sam Houston defeats Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas wins independence from Mexico.
1862 Congress establishes the U.S. Mint.
1865 Abraham Lincoln's funeral train leaves Washington.
1898 The Spanish-American War begins.
1910 Mark Twain dies at the age of 75.
1914 U.S. Marines occupy Vera Cruz, Mexico. They will stay six months.
1916 Bill Carlisle, the infamous 'last train robber,' robs a train in Hanna, Wyoming.
1918 German fighter ace Baron von Richthofen, "The Red Baron," is shot down and killed.
1943 President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that several Doolittle pilots have been executed by Japanese.
1960 Brasilia becomes the capital of Brazil.
1961 The French army revolts in Algeria.
1966 Pfc. Milton Lee Olive is awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously, for bravery during the Vietnam War.
1975 The last South Vietnam president, Nguyen Van Thieu, resigns.
1995 Federal authorities arrest Timothy McVeigh in connection with the Oklahoma City bombing.
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Thanks to Carl
Or, as George Carlin said, "It's a small club and you ain't in it."
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2021/04/no_author/who-runs-the-world-blackrock-and-vanguard/
Who Runs The World? Blackrock and Vanguard
By Bill Sardi
April 21, 2021
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
LOOKING BACK 55-YEARS to the Vietnam Air War— ... For The List for Wednesday, 21 April 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
Operation Rolling Thunder 1965-68
LOOKING BACK FIFTY-FIVE YEARS to the Vietnam air war...
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 21 April 1966 "What goes around, comes around"
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 21
1836 – During the Texan War for Independence, the Texas militia under Sam Houston launches a surprise attack against the forces of Mexican General Santa Anna along the San Jacinto River. The Mexicans were thoroughly routed, and hundreds were taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself. After gaining independence from Spain in the 1820s, Mexico welcomed foreign settlers to sparsely populated Texas, and a large group of Americans led by Stephen F. Austin settled along the Brazos River. The Americans soon outnumbered the resident Mexicans, and by the 1830s attempts by the Mexican government to regulate these semi-autonomous American communities led to rebellion. In March 1836, in the midst of armed conflict with the Mexican government, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. The Texas volunteers initially suffered defeat against the forces of Santa Anna–Sam Houston's troops were forced into an eastward retreat, and the Alamo fell. However, in late April, Houston's army surprised a Mexican force at San Jacinto, and Santa Anna was captured, bringing an end to Mexico's effort to subdue Texas. In exchange for his freedom, Santa Anna recognized Texas's independence; although the treaty was later abrogated and tensions built up along the Texas-Mexico border. The citizens of the so-called Lone Star Republic elected Sam Houston as president and endorsed the entrance of Texas into the United States. However, the likelihood of Texas joining the Union as a slave state delayed any formal action by the U.S. Congress for more than a decade. Finally, in 1845, President John Tyler orchestrated a compromise in which Texas would join the United States as a slave state. On December 29, 1845, Texas entered the United States as the 28th state, broadening the irrepressible differences in the U.S. over the issue of slavery and igniting the Mexican-American War.
1918 – Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the leading air ace of the war with 80 confirmed kills is shot down and killed. His command is taken by German ace, Hermann Goering.
1934 – Moe Berg, Senators catcher (and later US spy), played an AL record 117th consecutive, errorless game. In 1934, five years before he retired as a player, Berg made a trip to Japan as part of a traveling major league All-Star team. One might wonder what the seldom-used catcher, a .251 hitter that season, was doing playing with the likes of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Berg, who spoke Japanese, took home movies of the Tokyo skyline that were used in the planning of General Jimmy Doolittle's 1942 bombing raids on the Japanese capital. The U.S. government wrote a letter to Berg, thanking him for the movies.
1951 – Carrier-based Marine planes downed three Yaks in the first air-to-air contact of Marine air with the North Korean Air Force.
1951 – U.S. Air Force Captain Robert J. Love, 4th Fighter-Interceptor Wing, scored his fifth and sixth aerial victories in his F-86 Sabre "Bernie's Bo" to become the 11th ace of the Korean War.
1972 – Moonwalk in the Descartes Highlands by CAPT John W. Young, USN Commander of Apollo 16 and Charles Duke, Lunar Module Pilot. Young was the ninth man to walk on the moon. LCDR Thomas K. Mattingly II, USN was the Command Module Pilot. During the 11 day, 1 hour and 51 minute mission, 213 lbs. of lunar material was collected. Recovery by HC-1 helicopters from USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14)
1989 – Six days after the death of Hu Yaobang, the deposed reform-minded leader of the Chinese Communist Party, some 100,000 students gather at Beijing's Tiananmen Square to commemorate Hu and voice their discontent with China's authoritative communist government. The next day, an official memorial service for Hu Yaobang was held in Tiananmen's Great Hall of the People, and student representatives carried a petition to the steps of the Great Hall, demanding to meet with Premier Li Peng. The Chinese government refused such a meeting, leading to a general boycott of Chinese universities across the country and widespread calls for democratic reforms. Ignoring government warnings of violent suppression of any mass demonstration, students from more than 40 universities began a march to Tiananmen on April 27. The students were joined by workers, intellectuals, and civil servants, and by mid-May more than a million people filled the square, the site of communist leader's Mao Zedong's proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. On May 20, the government formally declared martial law in Beijing, and troops and tanks were called in to disperse the dissidents. However, large numbers of students and citizens blocked the army's advance, and by May 23 government forces had pulled back to the outskirts of Beijing. On June 3, with negotiations to end the protests stalled and calls for democratic reforms escalating, the troops received orders from the Chinese government to reclaim Tiananmen at all costs. By the end of the next day, Chinese troops had forcibly cleared Tiananmen Square and Beijing's streets, killing hundreds of demonstrators and arresting thousands of protesters and other suspected dissidents. In the weeks after the government crackdown, an unknown number of dissidents were executed, and communist hard-liners took firm control of the country. The international community was outraged at the incident, and economic sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries sent China's economy into decline. However, by late 1990, international trade had resumed, thanks in part to China's release of several hundred imprisoned dissidents.
1995 – The FBI arrested former soldier Timothy McVeigh at an Oklahoma jail where he had spent two days on minor traffic and weapons charges; he was charged in connection with the Oklahoma City bombing two days earlier in which over 200 people were killed by a truck bomb that exploded in front of a Federal building.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
INOUYE, DANIEL K.
Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye'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.
*MAY, MARTIN O.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, 307th Infantry, 77th Infantry Division. Place and date: legusuku-Yama, Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands, 19-21 April 1945. Entered service at: Phillipsburg, N.J. Birth: Phillipsburg, N.J. G.O. No: 9, 25 January 1946. Citation: He gallantly maintained a 3-day stand in the face of terrible odds when American troops fought for possession of the rugged slopes of legusuku-Yama on Ie Shima, Ryukyu Islands. After placing his heavy machinegun in an advantageous yet vulnerable position on a ridge to support riflemen, he became the target of fierce mortar and small arms fire from counterattacking Japanese. He repulsed this assault by sweeping the enemy with accurate bursts while explosions and ricocheting bullets threw blinding dust and dirt about him. He broke up a second counterattack by hurling grenades into the midst of the enemy forces, and then refused to withdraw, volunteering to maintain his post and cover the movement of American riflemen as they reorganized to meet any further hostile action. The major effort of the enemy did not develop until the morning of 21 April. It found Pfc. May still supporting the rifle company in the face of devastating rifle, machinegun, and mortar fire. While many of the friendly troops about him became casualties, he continued to fire his machinegun until he was severely wounded and his gun rendered useless by the burst of a mortar shell. Refusing to withdraw from the violent action, he blasted fanatical Japanese troops with hand grenades until wounded again, this time mortally. By his intrepidity and the extreme tenacity with which he held firm until death against overwhelming forces, Pfc. May killed at least 16 Japanese, was largely responsible for maintaining the American lines, and inspired his comrades to efforts which later resulted in complete victory and seizure of the mountain stronghold.
*MARTINI, GARY W.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division. place and date: Binh Son, Republic of Vietnam, 21 April 1967. Entered service at: portland, Oreg. Born: 21 September 1948, Lexington, Va. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On 21 April 1967, during Operation UNION* elements of Company F, conducting offensive operations at Binh Son, encountered a firmly entrenched enemy force and immediately deployed to engage them. The marines in Pfc. Martini's platoon assaulted across an open rice paddy to within 20 meters of the enemy trench line where they were suddenly struck by hand grenades, intense small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. The enemy onslaught killed 14 and wounded 18 marines, pinning the remainder of the platoon down behind a low paddy dike. In the face of imminent danger, Pfc. Martini immediately crawled over the dike to a forward open area within 15 meters of the enemy position where, continuously exposed to the hostile fire, he hurled hand grenades, killing several of the enemy. Crawling back through the intense fire, he rejoined his platoon which had moved to the relative safety of a trench line. From this position he observed several of his wounded comrades Lying helpless in the fire-swept paddy. Although he knew that 1 man had been killed attempting to assist the wounded, Pfc. Martini raced through the open area and dragged a comrade back to a friendly position. In spite of a serious wound received during this first daring rescue, he again braved the unrelenting fury of the enemy fire to aid another companion Lying wounded only 20 meters in front of the enemy trench line. As he reached the fallen marine, he received a mortal wound, but disregarding his own condition, he began to drag the marine toward his platoon's position. Observing men from his unit attempting to leave the security of their position to aid him, concerned only for their safety, he called to them to remain under cover, and through a final supreme effort, moved his injured comrade to where he could be pulled to safety, before he fell, succumbing to his wounds. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pfc. Martini unhesitatingly yielded his life to save 2 of his comrades and insure the safety of the remainder of his platoon. His outstanding courage, valiant fighting spirit and selfless devotion to duty reflected the highest credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for April 21, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
21 April
1911: Lts Thomas DeWitt Milling and Henry H. Arnold received orders to Dayton for flight instruction at the Wright School. (4)
1913: Mr. Boise Penrose of Pennsylvania proposed the first aircraft registration and license bill in the Senate (S.1295). (24)
1933: The Navy's dirigible Macon made its maiden flight. (24)
1948: KEY WEST AGREEMENT. The SECDEF issued a memo to his Secretaries, with a paper defining the functions of the services and the JCS, based on the National Security Act. It was the first functions paper drawn up after the act. The Air Force received responsibility for the air defense of America. (20)
1950: Lt Cmdr R. C. Starkey took off from the USS Coral Sea in a P2V-3C Neptune bomber with a gross weight of 74,688 pounds. This was the heaviest aircraft launched from a carrier to date. (24)
1951: KOREAN WAR. An SA-16 from the 3 ARS tried to pick up a downed enemy YAK pilot near Chinnampo for intelligence purposes. The aircrew landed and put out a raft but had to take off because of intense enemy fire, leaving the YAK pilot behind. (28)
1952: In aerial combat, Capt. Robert J. Love, 335 FIS, destroyed two MiGs to become an ace. (28)
1953: Operation LITTLE SWITCH. Through 15 May, the USAF airlifted more than 150 sick and wounded former prisoners of war from Korea to Japan and from Japan to the US. (21) 1960: The USAF retrieved the instrument capsule from a Titan that had flown 5,000 miles. (24)
1961: Maj Robert White set a speed record in the X-15's first full-throttle flight. At 79,000 feet, he attained 3,074 MPH before coasting upward to 105,100 feet. (9) (24)
1964: The numbers of ICBMs and bombers on alert in SAC were equal. Hereafter, the ICBM became the dominant alert force. (1)
1967: SAC declared its 20th Minuteman squadron, the 564 SMS at Malmstrom AFB, to be operational. When the squadron's last Minuteman IIs went on alert in May, the deployment of a 1,000- missile Minuteman force ended. (1) (6) 1969: SECAF Robert C. Seamans, Jr., and NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine signed an agreement to establish a joing civilian-military manned space station. (16)
1972: The F-111 Joint Test Force at Edwards AFB flew an F-111A on its longest flight to date—5,400 nautical miles in 12 hours.
1975: Lt Col Fred C. Hartstein of the 1st Combat Evaluation Group at Barksdale AFB flew a operational KC-135 from March AFB to refuel Rockwell's B-1 Lancer for the first time. (1) 1995: Geraldine P. May, first director for Women in the Air Force (WAF), celebrated her 100th birthday at her residence in Menlo Park, Calif. May, who was born in Albany, N.Y., entered the Women's Army Corps in 1942. She became WAF director on 16 June 1948, and held the position for nearly three years before leaving the service in the early-1950s. (AFNEWS, 21 Apr 95)
2003: The last of 546 AMC KC-135 tankers completed the final PACER CRAG modification. Eight program depot maintenance facilities ran 25 production lines to install PACER CRAG upgrades. It took approximately 4,150 man-hours to modify each aircraft. (22)
2005: While offloading 84,000 pounds of JP-8 fuel to three aircraft over Iraq, a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 92 AREFW at Fairchild AFB achieved a historic milestone while assigned to the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron. The tankers exceeded one billion pounds of fuel offloaded in the US Central Command's theater since 30 January 2003. (22)
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World News for 21 April thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Rapid Deployment Exercise Underway In Poland U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa | 04/21/2021 The U.S. Air Force has kicked off a large rapid deployment exercise in Poland, reports U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa. On Monday, F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets and C-130J Super Hercules transports arrived in Poland for the agile combat deployment exercise as part of the Aviation Detachment Rotation 21.2. The F-15Es from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, 48th Fighter Wing, at RAF Lakenheath, England, and F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Wing, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, are operating out of the 32nd Tactical Air Base, Lask, and the 31st Tactical Air Base, Krzesiny. The Polish air force currently operates its F-16 fighters from those air bases, noted the Stars & Stripes. The C-130Js of the 37th Airlift Squadron, 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, were assigned to the Chievres Air Base, Belgium for the exercise. Agile combat employment exercises are intended to hone the Air Force's ability to rapidly deploy and operate from small, distributed airfields to increase survivability. The F-15Es are scheduled to remain in Poland following the exercise for bilateral exercises with the Polish air force to maintain joint readiness and build interoperability, the command said.
USA—5 Small Businesses To Demonstrate Tech To Increase Rate Of Fire For Howitzers Defense News | 04/21/2021 The Army has selected five small firms to move forward in a program to increase the rate of fire of self-propelled howitzers and future systems, reports Defense News. The companies selected for the Small Business Innovation Research-based (SIBR) Special Program Awards for Required Technology (SPARTN) Fire Faster program will have up to 24 months to further develop concepts and detailed designs, said Brig. Gen. John Rafferty, head of the Army's Long-Range Precision Fires modernization effort. None of the selected firms have revealed their proposals for the project, which is intended to increase the rate of fire and smooth out the loading process for artillery. The specific technology being offered by each firm is classified. ARM Automation, Austin, Texas, has a background in automated manufacturing solutions. Carnegie Mellon Robotics Tactical, Pittsburgh, Pa. is focused on robotic sensors and systems used across a variety of industries. RE2 Robotics, also based in Pittsburgh, specializes in using intelligent mobile robotics to improve worker safety, productivity and efficiency. Dynovas, San Diego, Calif., has a background in mechanical and munitions handling systems for the aerospace and defense fields. Finally, H.A. Eckhart from Lansing, Mich., is involved with robotics, automation, 3D printing and additive manufacturing. As part of the Fire Faster program, the companies could receive up to $2.5 million in contracts or matching funds to support their work. At the end of the 24-month period, the Army will evaluate the technologies and determine next steps.
France—Airbus Wraps Up A400M Helicopter Refueling Trials Airbus | 04/21/2021 Airbus says it has completed a testing campaign to certify the A400M Atlas transport aircraft for helicopter air-to-air refueling missions. The latest flight tests, involving two French air force H225M helicopters, involved flights in day and night conditions and at altitudes between 1,000 feet (300 m) and 10,000 feet (3,050 m) and speeds as low as 105 knots (190 kph), said a company release on Monday. The trials included 81 wet contacts involving the transfer of 6.5 metric tons of fuel, including the simultaneous refueling of two helicopters for the first time. The tests validated the results of trials in 2019 and 2020, including dry and wet contacts, designed to establish the refueling envelope for the A400M, reported AIN Online. Full certification of the A400M for the air-to-air helicopter refueling mission is expected later this year following the conclusion of mandatory night trials. The A400M can carry up to 50.8 metric tons of fuel in its wings and center wing box, and up to 5.7 metric tons of fuel each in a pair of additional tanks that can be installed in the cargo hold. The cargo-hold tanks can carry different types of fuel, allowing the A400M to refuel different types of receiver aircraft.
Germany—Government Approves More Forces For E.U. Mission In Mali Reuters | 04/21/2021 The German government has approved plans to expand its contingent with the European Union training mission in Mali, reports Reuters. The approval covers an additional 150 German troops, bringing the total to 600, a government source said on Wednesday. The E.U. training mission is currently building a new training base in Sevare, located in the central Mopti region, which has suffered extensive Islamist and ethnic violence. The government has also approved a measure to extend the deployment of German peacekeepers under the U.N. mission (MINUSMA) for another year. Both proposals must still be approved by Parliament.
Ukraine—Zelensky Signs Reserve Reforms Into Law Unian News Agency | 04/21/2021 President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law allowing Ukrainian reservists to be called up without mobilization, reports the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN) Under the new measure signed into law on Wednesday, reservists can be summoned for service with 24-hour notice. An announcement of mass mobilization is not necessary under the law, said the president's office. The supreme commander of the armed forces makes the decision following a proposal by the commander-in-chief. The law also reorganizes local military command-and-control bodies to bring them closer to European standards. Parliament approved the law in March, reported Reuters. The move enables the military to rapidly increase its combat strength and respond to national security threats, said the president's office. The changes come as Russia has stepped up its military deployments near the border of Ukraine.
Russia—Flight Restrictions Implemented Amid Drills Moscow Times | 04/21/2021 Russia has announced new flight restrictions over the Black Sea and Crimea for military exercises this week, reports the Moscow Times. Under a notice to airmen (NOTAM), Moscow warned pilots to stay away from an area off the southern coast of Crimea extending into international waters in the Black Sea at altitudes below 62,330 feet (19,000 m), reported Russia's Interfax news agency. The NOTAM is in effect from April 20 to April 24. Over 20 warships with the Black Sea Fleet and Su-25 attack aircraft conducted drills in the area following the announcement. The NOTAM comes as Russia closed large sections of the Black Sea to navigation from mid-April until the end of October for military exercises and reportedly massed more than 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine.
China—J-20 To Get More Advanced Domestic Engine Within 2 Years South China Morning Post | 04/21/2021 China's most advanced fighter jet could be equipped with more powerful, domestically developed engines within two years, reports the South China Morning Post, citing an unnamed military source. Development of the WS-15 engine for the J-20 fighter jet is nearly complete and could be finished in the next year or two, the source said. The aircraft has been equipped with stopgap engines since entering service in 2017 while Chinese industry struggled to develop thrust-vectoring technology. The WS-15 engine, which failed an evaluation in 2019, is expected to provide the J-20 with maneuverability equivalent to U.S. F-22 and F-35 fifth-generation fighters.
Taiwan—New Reserve Mobilization Agency In The Works Central News Agency | 04/21/2021 The Taiwanese Defense Ministry plans to establish a new agency to oversee the mobilization of reserve forces, reports the Central News Agency (Taipei). Under the plan, the All-out Defense Mobilization Office and the Armed Forces Reserve Command will be combined into the Defense Reserve Mobilization Agency by January 2022. The organizational change is intended to make Taiwan's reserves a more reliable force for the active-duty component in a conflict. The military is also working with the interior ministry to amend the Civil Defense Act to expand the scope of civilians and volunteers who can be mobilized during times of peace and war. Currently, the interior ministry only firefighters and police can be mobilized. The defense ministry wants to be able to mobilize religious workers, who play an important role in disaster relief. Taiwan is also increasing the training for reserves and extending the period reservists are eligible for callup as part efforts to strengthen their combat readiness.
Singapore—Air Force A330 Tanker Fleet Reaches Full Capability Singapore Ministry Of Defense | 04/21/2021 The Singapore air force has declared full operational capability for its new aerial refueling aircraft, reports the Singapore Ministry of Defense. Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen marked the milestone for the A330 multirole tanker transport (MRTT) aircraft on Tuesday at Changi Air Base. The milestone comes after the air force certified that the tankers can refuel other aircraft in day and night conditions, reported Channel News Asia (Singapore). The MRTT brings a new tanker-to-tanker refueling capability and enhanced endurance, cargo and passenger capacity and fuel load compared to the previous KC-135R tankers. The air force is also working with Airbus to add an automatic refueling capability. The first A330 MRTT was delivered to the Singapore air force in 2018.
Pakistan—Islamist Group Ends Protest After Government Agrees To Vote On French Ambassador Dawn | 04/21/2021 A Pakistani far-right Islamist group has called for an end to protests after the government agreed to a vote to expel the French ambassador, reports the Dawn (Karachi). On Tuesday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed announced that the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had called off its nationwide protests that had paralyzed many cities. Criminal cases have also been withdrawn against members of the group, although TLP leader Saad Rizvi remains in custody, he said. In exchange, a resolution to expel the French ambassador was presented to a committee in the National Assembly, reported Reuters. The session was adjourned before a vote could be taken. The TLP issued an audio statement calling for an end to protests. Some protests, including a massive demonstration in Lahore, appeared to continue. The mass demonstrations and occasional attacks on security forces have continued despite Pakistan's move to ban the group. The TLP has called for the expulsion of the French ambassador following the publication of cartoons in France deemed offensive to the Prophet Muhammad.
Saudi Arabia—Deal Inked With Athens For Loan Of Patriot Air Defense System Agence France-Presse | 04/21/2021 Greece and Saudi Arabia have signed an agreement for the deployment of a Greek air defense battery to the Arab country, reports Agence France-Presse. On Tuesday, Greek and Saudi officials signed the accord in Riyadh during an official visit by Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias , reported Reuters. The Patriot systems would be used to protect critical Saudi energy infrastructure, which has come under increasing attack by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia operates its own Patriot systems. The U.S. deployed two additional batteries in September 2019 amid a wave of Houthi attacks. In May 2020, Washington announced it would withdraw four Patriot batteries then in Saudi Arabia.
Israel—Netanyahu Loses Grip On Knesset Jerusalem Post | 04/21/2021 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lost control of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in a key procedural vote, reports the Jerusalem Post. On Monday, a group of anti-Netanyahu parties passed a proposal for the Knesset Arrangements Committee after securing the support of the United Arab List party led by Mansour Abbas. The Arrangements Committee runs the Knesset until the formation of a government. The United Arab List voted for the proposal by the Yesh Atid party. Yaid Lapid, the party leader, offered the United Arab List a spot on the Knesset Finance Committee, the chairmanship of a committee to fight violence in Israel's Arab sector and a deputy Knesset speaker post in a meeting prior to the vote. In an interview with Channel 12, Abbas denied that the offered posts influenced his decision. The Arrangements Committee will decide the makeup of the temporary Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and Finance Committee, which provide oversight over Netanyahu and his government. It will also appoint the Knesset speaker's deputies, which will allow process of electing a new president to begin. After losing the vote, members of Netanyahu's Likud party acknowledged that they would likely move into opposition, reported the Times of Israel. Yesh Atid officials said that their initial priority after gaining control of the Knesset was to replace Speaker Yariv Levin, a Netanyahu ally. Their coalition is also expected to advance legislation barring candidates under indictment from forming governments. Israel has undergone four inconclusive elections over the past two years. Two weeks ago, President Reuvin Rivlin gave Netanyahu four weeks to form a new government after the latest divided vote.
Morocco—Military Orders Turkish Bayraktar TB2 Drones Defense Post | 04/21/2021 Morocco has signed a deal to purchase combat drones from Turkey, reports the Defense Post. On Sunday, the Moroccan military announced the US$70 million deal for 13 Bayraktar TB2 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), four ground-control stations and simulators, reported Morocco World News. An operation center for the aircraft will be established at an undisclosed air base. Deliveries are scheduled to begin within a year. Negotiations for the Turkish drones began in 2019, the Moroccan military said in a statement.
Chad—President Suffers Fatal Injuries During Visit To Front Lines Cable News Network | 04/21/2021 President Idriss Deby has died after sustaining injuries while visiting troops fighting rebels in northern Chad, reports CNN. On Tuesday, Deby died of injuries he received while visiting troops on the front line of the fighting, said an army spokesman. Chadian forces have been battling Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) rebels who crossed into Chad from Libya following elections on April 11, in which Deby was projected to win a sixth term, reported BBC News. The rebels advanced quickly before apparently being slowed by Chadian forces about 185 miles (300 km) from N'Djamena, reported Reuters. Nevertheless, several embassies in N'Djamena have urged their staff to leave. The Chadian government and Parliament were dissolved following Deby's death. The army spokesman said that a military transitional council, led by his son, Gen. Mahamat Idriss Deby, would lead the country for 18 months, followed by "free, democratic and transparent elections." Analysts have questioned whether the move is constitutional. Deby came to power in an armed uprising in 1990. He was a key supporter in the fight against Islamist militant groups across the Sahel region.
Nigeria—New Patrol Boat Launched In Spain Defence Web | 04/21/2021 The first of four new inshore patrol boats for the Nigerian navy purchased from Spanish shipbuilder Aresa Internacional has been launched, reports Defence Web (South Africa). The Aresa 1700 inshore patrol boat was put into the water on April 14, the company said in a release. The aluminum hull Aresa 1700 Fighter II class is 55 feet (17 m) long, with a 13-foot (4-m) beam. Displacing 7.6 tons, each vessel is powered by two MTU engines developing a top speed of 45 knots. The boat will undergo harbor and acceptance trials prior to delivery.
Colombia—Protest Made After Russian Aircraft Violates Airspace Tass | 04/21/2021 The Colombian government has formally protested the violation of its airspace by a Russian military aircraft, reports Russia's Tass news agency. The latest in a series of incursions into Colombian airspace took place on Monday, when a Russian Il-96-400 belonging to a VIP transport squadron crossed into Colombian airspace from Venezuela, reported Argus Media. The aircraft violated a requested overflight permit, entering Colombian airspace through a different zone than allowed, the Colombian air force said. The aircraft was intercepted by air force Kfir fighter jets, which ordered the transport to leave Colombian airspace. The Il-96 appeared to turn off its transponder after leaving Colombian airspace, according to the Flightradar24 flight tracking service. Previously, Russian aircraft illegally entered Colombian airspace twice in 2020 and once in 2019, said Foreign Minister Claudia Blum, who called on Moscow to end such violations.
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