Good Tuesday Morning May the 4th be with you
This is a bubba Breakfast Friday in San Diego
Regards,
Skip.
This day in Naval History May 4
1917 Destroyer Division 8, commanded by Cmdr. Joseph K. Taussig, arrive at Queenstown, Ireland, to protect convoy escorts against German U-Boats.
1942 Battle of the Coral Sea begins when TF 17 attacks the Japanese Tulagi Invasion Force at Tulagi, Solomons.
1945 During the Okinawa Campaign, the Japanese attempt to land on Okinawa but are repulsed by the Allied naval forces. Kamikazes attack and sink: USS Luce (DD 522), USS Morrison (DD 560), USS LSM 190, USS LSM 194. Damaged by the suicide bombers are USS Birmingham (CL 62) and USS Sangamon (CVE 26).
1961 Cmdr. Malcolm D. Ross, pilot, and medical observer Lt. Cmdr. Victor A. Prather, Jr, ascend in two hours to more than 110,000 feet in Strato-Lab 5, setting altitude record for manned open gondola.
2013 USS Anchorage (LPD 23) is commissioned in her namesake city. The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock is the second ship to be named after the Alaskan city.
Thanks to CHINFO
Executive Summary:
• National, local and trade press reported on the HASC Subcommittee on Readiness hearing about the AAV tragedy that occurred in 2020.
• Media reported on CJCS Gen. Mark Milley dropping opposition to a proposal to take decisions about sexual assault prosecution out of the hands of commanders.
• Trade and regional press reported on the launch of the Northern Edge joint exercise.
Today in History May 4
495 | Pope Gelasius asserts that his authority is superior to Emperor Anastasius. | |
1568 | French forces in Florida slaughter hundreds of Spanish. | |
1855 | Macon B. Allen becomes the first African American to be admitted to the Bar in Massachusetts. | |
1859 | France declares war on Austria. | |
1863 | The Battle of Chancellorsville rages for a second day. | |
1865 | President Abraham Lincoln's funeral train arrives in Springfield, Illinois. | |
1926 | U.S. Marines land in Nicaragua. | |
1952 | The first airplane lands at the geographic North Pole. | |
1968 | After three days of battle, the U.S. Marines retake Dai Do complex in Vietnam, only to find the North Vietnamese have evacuated the area. | |
1971 | James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassin, is caught in a jail break attempt. | |
1979 | Margaret Thatcher becomes the first woman prime minister of Great Britain. | |
1982 | A British submarine sinks Argentina's only cruiser during the Falkland Islands War. |
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The Battle for the Coral Sea Thanks to NHHC and Admiral Cox
. The Bomb That Changed the Course of the War
On 8 May 1942, 24 SBD Dauntless dive bombers from USS Yorktown (CV-5) commenced an attack on the Japanese fleet carrier IJN Shokaku in the Coral Sea. As each bomber nosed over in near-vertical dives from 18,000 feet on the wildly maneuvering Shokaku, their windscreens and bomb sights fogged over so badly during the descent that the U.S. pilots were blinded, forced to release their bombs "by memory." Although one bomb hit the Shokaku very near the bow and started a serious fire, one bomb after another missed. Finally one SBD, piloted by Lieutenant John Powers (U.S. Naval Academy '35), his wing on fire after being hit by canon fire from a Japanese Zero fighter, pressed his dive well below the standard minimum pull-up altitude. Power's bomb hit Shokaku nearly dead center and caused horrific and nearly fatal damage, starting massive fires and killing over 100 Japanese sailors. Unable to pull up in time, Powers flew through the frag pattern of his own bomb and crashed alongside the Shokaku. Although 15 dive bombers off the USS Lexington (CV-2) would later manage to hit the Shokaku with one more bomb, it was Power's bomb that knocked Shokaku out of action for the rest of the battle, leaving her unable to recover aircraft, and with damage so severe that she was unable to participate in the critical and decisive Battle of Midway one month later, where her presence could have easily turned that battle into a catastrophic defeat for the United States. By the sacrifice of his life and that of his radioman-gunner (Radioman Second Class Everett Clyde Hill), Powers quite likely prevented the loss of the Yorktown at the Battle of the Coral Sea and changed the outcome of two of the most important battles of World War II. For his valor, Powers was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously. Hill's parents received his $10,000 G.I. life insurance policy payout.
2. Carrier vs. Carrier (Us Versus Them)
American and Japanese carriers and carrier air groups had significant strengths and weaknesses relative to each other. Most histories "mirror image" Japanese doctrine and tactics with those of the United States, which frequently leads to an inaccurate understanding of the battle. There are two recent books that superbly describe Japanese carrier operations and are worth a read: Shattered Sword by Parshall and Tully, and Kaigun by Evans and Peattie. Both are over 500 pages long, so if you read my synopsis (derived from those books and many others) in attachment H-005-2 you will become a lot smarter about the relative capabilities of the United States and Japanese carriers and air groups at the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway, in a much shorter period of time, and the battles might make more sense to you.
3. The Battle of the Coral Sea, 7–8 May 1942
The Battle of the Coral Sea was the first carrier versus carrier battle in history; opposing surface forces never sighted each other. The battle occurred because U.S. naval intelligence provided Admiral Nimitz with sufficient warning and understanding of Japanese intent and capability that he chose to commit the two carriers Lexington (CV-2) and Yorktown (CV-5) against a Japanese force expected to consist of 2–3 carriers (Shokaku, Zuikaku and the small carrier Shoho.) Nimitz committed the Enterprise (CV-6) and Hornet (CV-8) as well, but they were unable to reach the area in time, due the timing of the Doolittle Raid (see H-Gram 004). The battle was a tactical draw (some accounts argue a tactical U.S. loss) but a strategic victory for the United States. The Japanese force failed in its objective to capture Port Moresby, New Guinea, which would have threatened the northeast coast of Australia. Although the Japanese had previously suffered setbacks, this was the first time that proved permanent. In addition, the Japanese carrier Shokaku was severely damaged, and attrition to the air groups of both Shokaku and Zuikaku caused both carriers to miss the decisive battle of Midway a month later, which almost certainly changed the course of that battle, and of the war. The Japanese also lost the small carrier Shoho on 7 May to a gross over-kill of U.S. carrier torpedo and dive bombers, and was the first carrier lost by either side in the war. The cost to the United States was high. The carrier USS Lexington was sunk as a result of secondary explosions following torpedo and bomb hits, the Yorktown was damaged by a bomb (but not hit by torpedoes, which was the critical factor in her being repaired in time for Midway), and the oiler USS Neosho (AO-23) (which had survived being moored right in the middle of the attack on Battleship Row at Pearl Harbor) was sunk, along with the destroyer USS Sims (DD-409). At the end of the second day of battle, the air groups on both sides were severely depleted with extensive losses, with Lexington sinking and Shokaku out of action. Both commanders, Rear Admiral Frank "Jack" Fletcher and Vice Admiral Takeo Takagi, opted to withdraw, which resulted in years of criticism of both by other naval officers and armchair historians (Takagi was pilloried by Admiral Yamamoto; Fletcher merely criticized, mostly behind his back). Please see attachment H-005-3 for more detail on the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Attachment H-005-4 shows USS Lexington (CV-2) at the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942 in a photo taken from a Japanese aircraft. Lexington has been hit by two torpedoes (the first proved fatal) and two bombs, and is bracketed by numerous other near misses.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear
LOOKING BACK 55-YEARS to the Vietnam Air War— ... For The List for Tuesday, 4 May 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-68)...
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 4 May 1966 "POW Training"
http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-4-may-1966-hope-harriman/
Vietnam Air Losses
Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
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Thanks to David
Nasal Radiator POW Interviews.
- good stuff…
The Return with Honor Film project is a series of in depth interviews with a group of Navy and Marine airmen who were captured and systematically tortured as Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War. Theirs is an incredible story of human courage, military discipline, the struggle to survive and fulfill one's mission and extraordinary dedication to principle of honor and commitment. This trailer is a brief glimpse into their stories.
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Billy Walker's site is a place you could stay for hours of great stories and pictures….skip
thanks to Doctor Rich and Billy
If you haven't visited my website before or if it's been a while, I'd like to invite you to take a few minutes to peruse it. No charge!
Let me know your thoughts. I'm always looking for ways to improve things. …and I'm always adding a story or two.
https://captainbillywalker.com
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Thank you for checkin' in! Please feel welcome to make it a habit and, for sure, give me your thoughts.
Blue Skies & Tailwinds…
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This Day in U S Military History……May 4
1626 – Dutch explorer Peter Minuit landed on what is now Manhattan Island. Peter Minuit became director-general of New Netherlands. Indians sold Manhattan Island for $24 (1839 dollars) in cloth and buttons. The 1999 value would be $345. The site of the deal was later marked by Peter Minuit Plaza at South Street and Whitehall Street.
1942 – Aircraft from the USS Yorktown positioned 100 miles south of Guadalcanal, attack Japanese forces off Tulagi. The Yorktown then returns south to join the American Task Force 17 which is assembling to engage the Japanese. American actions are dictated by their code breaking which has revealed many of the Japanese plans to them.
1945 – On Luzon, the US 25th Division, part of US 1st Corps, capture Mount Haruna, west of the Balete Pass. Northwest of Manila, elements of the US 11th Corps attack toward Guagua but are forced back by Japanese defenses. On Mindanao, the US 24th Division mops up in around Davao while elements of the US 31st Division patrol north of Zibawe. Elements of the US 41st Division reach Parang, north of Cotabato while other forces land north of Digos, near Santa Cruz. On Negros, the Americal Division attempts to reopen its supply lines, which have been cut by the Japanese forces, in the eastern part of the island.
1945 – Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov informs U.S. Secretary of State Stettinius that the Red Army has arrested 16 Polish peace negotiators who had met with a Soviet army colonel near Warsaw back in March. When British Prime Minister Winston Churchill learns of the Soviet double-cross, he reacts in alarm, stating, "There is no doubt that the publication in detail of this event…would produce a primary change in the entire structure of world forces." Churchill, fearing that the Russian forces were already beginning to exact retribution for losses suffered during the war (the Polish negotiators had been charged with "causing the death of 200 Red Army officers"), sent a telegram to President Harry Truman to express his concern that Russian demands of reparations from Germany, and the possibility of ongoing Russian occupation of Central and Eastern Europe, "constitutes an event in the history of Europe to which there has been no parallel." Churchill clearly foresaw the "Iron Curtain" beginning to drop. Consequently, he sent a "holding force" to Denmark to cut off any farther westward advance by Soviet troops.
1977 – The US and Vietnam open the first round of negotiations in Paris on normalizing relations. The US pledges not to veto Vietnam's entrance to the UN and to lift its trade embargo once diplomatic relations are established.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
CUMMINGS, AMOS J.
Rank and organization: Sergeant Major, 26th New Jersey Infantry. Place and date: At Salem Heights, Va., 4 May 1863. Entered service at: Irvington, N.J. Born: 15 May 1841, Conklin, N.Y. Date of issue. 28 March 1894. Citation: Rendered great assistance in the heat of the action in rescuing a part of the field batteries from an extremely dangerous and exposed position.
*McVEANE, JOHN P.
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company D, 49th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Fredericksburg Heights, Va., 4 May 1863. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Birth: Canada. Date of issue: 21 September 1870. Citation: Shot a Confederate color bearer and seized the flag; also approached, alone, a barn between the lines and demanded and received the surrender of a number of the enemy therein.
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SHAW, GEORGE C.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 27th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Fort Pitacus, Lake Lanao, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, 4 May 1903. Entered service at: Washington, D.C. Birth: Pontiac, Mich. Date of issue: 9 June 1904. Citation: For distinguished gallantry in leading the assault and, under a heavy fire from the enemy, maintaining alone his position on the parapet after the first 3 men who followed him there had been killed or wounded, until a foothold was gained by others and the capture of the place assured.
*KINSER, ELBERT LUTHER
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 21 October 1922, Greeneville, Tenn. Accredited to: Tennessee. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while acting as leader of a Rifle Platoon, serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima in the Ryukyu Chain, 4 May 1945. Taken under sudden, close attack by hostile troops entrenched on the reverse slope while moving up a strategic ridge along which his platoon was holding newly won positions, Sgt. Kinser engaged the enemy in a fierce hand grenade battle. Quick to act when a Japanese grenade landed in the immediate vicinity, Sgt. Kinser unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the full charge of the shattering explosion in his own body and thereby protecting his men from serious injury and possible death. Stouthearted and indomitable, he had yielded his own chance of survival that his comrades might live to carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death sustained and enhanced the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
*POWERS, JOHN JAMES
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Born: 13 July 1912, New York City, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. Other Navy award: Air Medal with 1 gold star. Citation: For distinguished and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, while pilot of an airplane of Bombing Squadron 5, Lt. Powers participated, with his squadron, in 5 engagements with Japanese forces in the Coral Sea area and adjacent waters during the period 4 to 8 May 1942. Three attacks were made on enemy objectives at or near Tulagi on 4 May. In these attacks he scored a direct hit which instantly demolished a large enemy gunboat or destroyer and is credited with 2 close misses, 1 of which severely damaged a large aircraft tender, the other damaging a 20,000-ton transport. He fearlessly strafed a gunboat, firing all his ammunition into it amid intense antiaircraft fire. This gunboat was then observed to be leaving a heavy oil slick in its wake and later was seen beached on a nearby island. On 7 May, an attack was launched against an enemy airplane carrier and other units of the enemy's invasion force. He fearlessly led his attack section of 3 Douglas Dauntless dive bombers, to attack the carrier. On this occasion he dived in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire, to an altitude well below the safety altitude, at the risk of his life and almost certain damage to his own plane, in order that he might positively obtain a hit in a vital part of the ship, which would insure her complete destruction. This bomb hit was noted by many pilots and observers to cause a tremendous explosion engulfing the ship in a mass of flame, smoke, and debris. The ship sank soon after. That evening, in his capacity as Squadron Gunnery Officer, Lt. Powers gave a lecture to the squadron on point-of-aim and diving technique. During this discourse he advocated low release point in order to insure greater accuracy; yet he stressed the danger not only from enemy fire and the resultant low pull-out, but from own bomb blast and bomb fragments. Thus his low-dive bombing attacks were deliberate and premeditated, since he well knew and realized the dangers of such tactics, but went far beyond the call of duty in order to further the cause which he knew to be right. The next morning, 8 May, as the pilots of the attack group left the ready room to man planes, his indomitable spirit and leadership were well expressed in his own words, "Remember the folks back home are counting on us. 1 am going to get a hit if 1 have to lay it on their flight deck." He led his section of dive bombers down to the target from an altitude of 18,000 feet, through a wall of bursting antiaircraft shells and into the face of enemy fighter planes. Again, completely disregarding the safety altitude and without fear or concern for his safety, Lt. Powers courageously pressed home his attack, almost to the very deck of an enemy carrier and did not release his bomb until he was sure of a direct hit. He was last seen attempting recovery from his dive at the extremely low altitude of 200 feet, and amid a terrific barrage of shell and bomb fragments, smoke, flame and debris from the stricken vessel.
*FOURNET, DOUGLAS B.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date: A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 4 May 1968. Entered service at: New Orleans, La. Born: 7 May 1943, Lake Charles, La. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Fournet, Infantry, distinguished himself in action while serving as rifle platoon leader of the 2d Platoon, Company B. While advancing uphill against fortified enemy positions in the A Shau Valley, the platoon encountered intense sniper fire, making movement very difficult. The right flank man suddenly discovered an enemy claymore mine covering the route of advance and shouted a warning to his comrades. Realizing that the enemy would also be alerted, 1st Lt. Fournet ordered his men to take cover and ran uphill toward the mine, drawing a sheath knife as he approached it. With complete disregard for his safety and realizing the imminent danger to members of his command, he used his body as a shield in front of the mine as he attempted to slash the control wires leading from the enemy positions to the mine. As he reached for the wire the mine was detonated, killing him instantly. Five men nearest the mine were slightly wounded, but 1st Lt. Fournet's heroic and unselfish act spared his men of serious injury or death. His gallantry and willing self-sacrifice are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for May 4, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
1911: The War Department decided to send the Army's first Wright plane to the Smithsonian Institution.
(24)
1916: Katherine Stinson gave a short aerobatic show over New York at night. At first, she planned a daytime show at the Sheepshead Bay Speedway, but she arrived too late in her biplane to be assembled for the show. To keep from disappointing her audience, she took off, climbed to 3,000
feet, and performed two loops that could be traced from her plane's lights. She landed on the racetrack below by using red flares as lights. (7)
1927: Capt Hawthorne C. Gray (Air Corps) flew a free balloon to 42,470 feet at Scott Field. (24)
1929: Two Navy officers, Lt Thomas G. W. Settle and Ensign W. Bushnell, won the National Balloon Race for subclass A-7 through A-9 balloons (1600-4000 cubic meters with a FAI distance
record of 952 miles) from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Savage Harbor, Prince Edward Island. Their flight
also set a 43-hour, 20-minute FAI duration record for subclass A-6 (1200 to 1600 cubic meter)
balloons. (9) (24)
1942: BATTLE OF CORAL SEA. Through 8 May, the Battle of Coral Sea featured the first naval engagement fought by aircraft as the opposing ships made no contact. Although both sides lost a carrier (the Japanese Shoho and the USS Lexington), the U.S. successfully thwarted a Japanese invasion of Port Moresby, New Guinea, where they would have been able to launch an invasion of Australia. (20) (21)
1952: KOREAN WAR. In air operations, 25 F-86s strafed and destroyed 5 of 24 YAK-9s parked in revetments at Sinuiju Airfield in extreme northwestern Korea. (28)
1961: Cmdr Malcolm D. Ross and Lt Cmdr Victor A. Prather (both Navy Reserve) reached a FAI
record balloon altitude of 113,739.9 feet in a two-place open gondola. Launched from the USS
Antietam near the Mississippi River mouth, the balloon reached its maximum altitude in 2 hours
36 minutes. The death of Commander Prather, who fell from the recovery helicopter's sling after
being pulled from the water, marred this achievement. (9)
1962: At Lowry AFB, the 725 SMS became the first Titan I unit to achieve alert. (7)
1968: Gen Carl Spaatz (USAF retired) received the Thomas D. White National Defense Award for 1968. (16)
1963: A TWA Boeing Star Stream established a record for a jet- powered passenger transport by covering the San Francisco to Paris route in 9 hours 55 minutes.
1970: A SAC task force of four B-52s won the Blue Steel Trophy for the best combined bombing and navigation results in the RAF Strike Command's bombing and navigation competition at RAF
Station Marham, England. (26)
1979: The A-10B flew its first flight at Edwards AFB. (3)
1982: Through 8 May, the E-3A Sentry AWACS deployed to Turkey for the first time. (16) (26)
1989: During a 4-8 May mission, Air Force Maj Mark Lee on the Space Shuttle Atlantis released the Magellan probe that would map Venus with synthetic aperture radar. (20)
1990: The Hughes/Raytheon AIM-120A Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile demonstrated its ability to achieve multiple kills against multiple targets. On the Gulf Test Range near Eglin AFB, an F-15 flying 650 MPH at 15,000 feet fired two missiles at two QF-100 drones at 10,000 feet and two more at two drones at 5,000 feet. The test resulted in three direct hits and one pass within lethal distance. (20)
1999: Operation ALLIED FORCE. An F-16CJ shot down a MiG-29 over Kosovo. It was the fifth and last USAF aerial victory in the operation. (21) Operation ALLIED FORCE. Through 6 May, the 161st Air Refueling Wing (Arizona ANG) deployed nearly 300 members and six KC-135s o Europe to support NATO's war against Yugoslavia. (32)
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MAX MARTINI: HOLLYWOOD MEETS THE MILITARY
If you love military movies, then it's safe to say you'd recognize Max Martini. While his film career doesn't only include military-centric roles, he's built a reputation among the military community as both a proud supporter of service members and one of the most badass actors ever to portray them on screen.
He was wounded 37 times by bullets, shrapnel, a bayonet, and a rifle butt but his only thoughts were on those others who were hit on that day in May 1968. His actions saved eight other men's lives in Vietnam on that day.
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World News for 4 May thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Operational Testing Of New Missile Defense Radar Pushed Back A Year Defense News | 05/04/2021 The novel coronavirus pandemic has pushed back the operational testing of a new missile defense radar for a year, reports Defense News. The Long-Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), built by Lockheed Martin, is being assembled at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska, where it will support the Ground-Based Missile Defense (GMD) system. The radar was initially scheduled to conduct its first operational flight test in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, but this has been postponed to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, according to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. The LRDR is slated to achieve initial operational capability in fiscal 2021, the Missile Defense Agency said earlier this year. However, the radar will not be transferred to the Air Force until the third quarter of fiscal 2023 after the operational flight test. The Air Force had originally expected to take ownership of the radar in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the MDA to halt construction and integration activities and place the program in caretaker status in March 2020. There was progress last year, including the installation of four of 10 primary array panels and all 10 secondary array panels. Work began on integrating radar electronics, cooling, communication and power equipment, but was not completed. The S-band LRDR is designed to track incoming ballistic and hypersonic missiles and discriminate between warheads, decoys and other nonlethal objects.
Estonia—Italian F-35s Take Over NATO Air-Policing Mission For 1st Time NATO Allied Air Command | 05/04/2021 Advanced F-35 stealth fighters are taking part in NATO's Baltic air-policing mission for the first time, reports NATO Allied Air Command. On Monday, an Italian air force contingent of four F-35A Lightning II fighters formally replaced a German air force detachment of Eurofighters at Amari Air Base west of Tallinn, Estonia. The German jets had performed the mission since September 2020. The Italian F-35As, from the 32 Stormo based in Amendola Air Base in southeastern Italy, arrived at Amari Air Base on April 30, reported the Aviationist blog. The deployment was supported by a KC-767A tanker aircraft flying out of Pratica di Mare Air Base. This is the first time that a fifth-generation fighter has been deployed in support of the Baltic air-policing mission. Italy previously deployed its F-35As in support of NATO's air-policing mission in Iceland in 2019 and 2020. Separately, Italian Eurofighter Typhoons that have been supporting the Baltic air-policing mission from Siauliai air base in Lithuania, were replaced by Spanish Typhoons in a ceremony on April 29. The Spanish detachment consists of seven Eurofighter Typhoons and 130 personnel.
Sweden—Army Orders Another 127 BvS10 ATVs Bae Systems | 05/04/2021 Sweden has ordered scores of additional all-terrain vehicles from BAE Systems, reports the defense firm. On Monday, BAE Systems said it had signed a US$200 million contract with Stockholm for 127 BvS10 all-terrain vehicles. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2022 and conclude in 2024. The Swedish army already operates the BvS10 as well as its predecessor, the Bv 206.
Kyrgyzstan—Kyrgyz, Tajik Security Forces Withdraw From Border Clash Site Tass | 05/04/2021 Kyrgyz and Tajik troops have completed a mutual withdrawal from the site of a clash along the border, reports Russia's Tass news agency. On Monday, Kyrgyzstan's Border Service said that both sides had completed the pullback of additional forces deployed to the region. The situation on the border was "stable" with no further shooting, the service said. Fighting broke out on April 28 near the Golovnoy water intake facility, with additional skirmishes between troops taking place on April 29. Kyrgyzstan accused Tajikistan of employing mortars, machine guns and Mi-24 attack helicopters during the fighting. Bishkek claimed that 33 of its citizens were killed and 160 injured in the clashes. On April 29, the head of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for National Security, Kamchybek Tashiyev, and his Tajik counterpart, Saymumin Yatimov, reached an agreement for a full cease-fire and a withdrawal of forces from the area.
South Korea—Daejeon Frigate Launched In Geoje Yonhap | 05/04/2021 Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has launched the fifth Incheon-class Batch II frigate for the South Korean navy, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). The Daejeon was launched on Monday during a ceremony at DSME's Okpo shipyard on the southern island of Geoje. The Daejeon features several anti-submarine warfare enhancements over previous Batch II frigates, including a towed array and a long-range antisubmarine torpedo. The frigate is expected to be handed over to the navy by the end of 2022 following trials. Seoul has ordered eight Incheon-class Batch II frigates, noted Naval News.
Australia—Defense Dept. Reviewing Lease Of Darwin Port To Chinese Firm Sydney Morning Herald | 05/04/2021 Australia is reviewing the 99-year lease of a commercial and military port to a Chinese firm under critical infrastructure legislation passed subsequently, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has tasked the Australian Defense Dept. to review the lease on the Port of Darwin under the 2018 law. The Landbridge Group, owned by Chinese billionaire Ye Cheng, signed an Aus$506 million (US$392 million) lease with the Northern Territory government in 2015 giving the firm complete control of the port and 80 percent ownership of East Arm wharf, including a marine supply base. The agreement has been criticized on national security grounds since. The firm has ties to the Chinese military, noted Reuters. The defense dept. is expected to determine potential options under the 2018 legislation, including possible forced divestment.
Burma—5 Killed In Bago Region Blast Myanmar Now | 05/04/2021 Five people, including an opposition politician, have been killed in an explosion in Burma's south-central Bago region, reports Myanmar Now. There was a powerful explosion on Monday at a home in Zee Oke village in the Pyay township. Three police defectors and a regional lawmaker from the National League for Democracy (NLD) were apparently hiding in the house at the time. All four, along with the owner of the home, were killed. A fourth police defector was critically injured. A local source said that the explosion was caused by a package bomb. The lawmaker and police officers had been hiding in the village since the military coup on Feb. 1.
Pakistan—2 Killed In Roadside Bombing In Baluchistan Dawn | 05/04/2021 Two Pakistani gendarmes have been killed in the western Baluchistan province, reports the Dawn (Karachi). On Monday, a roadside bomb was detonated near a Pakistan Levies convoy in Mashkay, Awaran district, said officials from the paramilitary law enforcement service. Two other paramilitaries were wounded in the blast. The bomb was set off remotely, officials said. There were no immediate claims of responsibility.
Afghanistan—30 Die In Car Bombing In Logar Province Khaama Press | 05/04/2021 At least 30 people have been killed after unknown militants detonated a vehicle loaded with explosives in Pul-e-Alam, the capital of the eastern Logar province, reports the Khaama Press (Afghanistan). The attack on Friday evening targeted a guest house, a building generally provided for free by the government for the poor, travelers or students, reported Al Jazeera (Qatar). The government has confirmed 21 fatalities and 91 injured, although other figures put the toll at 30 dead and more than 110 wounded, reported the Tolo News (Afghanistan). Most of the casualties were high school students visiting Pul-e-Alam to take university entrance exams as well as pro-government militia members staying at the house while waiting to be flown to another district. A residential home and a hospital were also damaged in the attack. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Afghanistan—Taliban Overruns Military Base In Farah Province Khaama Press | 05/04/2021 Taliban fighters have captured an army base in Afghanistan's western Farah province, reports the Khaama Press (Afghanistan). On Sunday night, the Taliban seized the facility in the Shewan area of the Bala Buluk district after tunnelling into it. During the fighting, 22 Afghan security personnel, including commandos, were killed. Another four personnel were missing following the attack. The district is now said to be under the control of the militant group. Elsewhere in Farah, 13 civilians were wounded on Monday when the Taliban detonated an improvised explosive device in Farah city. The blast targeted a senior provincial security official, local officials said.
Lebanon—Maritime Border Talks Resume With Israel Reuters | 05/04/2021 Lebanon and Israel have begun a new round of talks over their disputed Mediterranean Sea border, reports Reuters. The U.S.-mediated talks resumed on Tuesday in Naqoura in southern Lebanon, a Lebanese source said. Initial discussions were held in October, following three years of U.S. diplomatic efforts. Those negotiations stalled after each side presented different maps outlining the proposed border that increased the size of the disputed area. Since then, a caretaker government in Beirut has approved a draft plan further expanding Lebanon's claims by 540 square miles (1,400 square km).
Israel—Settlers Attack Palestinian Village After Drive-By Shooting Times of Israel | 05/04/2021 Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian village in the West Bank following a drive-by shooting, reports the Times of Israel. On Sunday evening, three Israelis were injured, one critically, in a drive-by shooting at the Tapuah Junction in the northern West Bank. All three were students at a yeshiva in the nearby Itamar settlement. No group has taken responsibility for the attack. Early Monday morning, Israeli settlers from the Shiloh settlement retaliated by attacking the nearby Palestinian village of Jaloud in the West Bank, throwing rocks and starting fires. Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and border police units stepped in to break up the fighting. Four Palestinians were injured and 11 arrested. The security forces did not arrest any Israelis involved in the violence. The Shin Bet internal security service and the IDF were still searching for those responsible for the initial shooting. On Monday, the IDF said that it was looking for more than one suspect.
Egypt—Deal Finalized With France For Another 30 Rafale Fighters Reuters | 05/04/2021 Egypt has signed a contract with France for the purchase of 30 additional Rafale fighter jets, reports Reuters. A trio of contracts worth 3.95 billion euros (US$4.76 billion), including a 3.75 billion (US$4.52 billion) deal for the jets, was signed on April 26, according to French investigative site Disclose, as quoted by Agence France-Presse. The other two contracts with MBDA Systems and Safran covered missiles and equipment for the jets. The financial component of the agreement was to be signed early this week, said Disclose. About 85 percent of the deal is being guaranteed by the French state, with repayment scheduled over 10 years, according to the Egyptian Defense Ministry.
Chad—Military Council Names Transitional Government Anadolu News Agency | 05/04/2021 The military ruling council in Chad has appointed a new transitional government, reports the Anadolu Agency (Ankara). On Sunday, the Transitional Military Council named a 40-person transitional government following consultations with transitional Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke. Padacke, who was the runner up in the recent presidential election, was named interim prime minister on April 26, reported Al Jazeera (Qatar). The nominations comprise 40 ministers and deputy ministers, said a military council spokesman cited by Agence France-Presse. The council, which is led by Mahamat Deby, the son of late President Idriss Deby, also created a new national reconciliation ministry. Acheichk Ibnn Oumar, a former rebel chief who later served as a diplomatic adviser to the president in 2019, will lead that ministry. Opposition politician Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo was named justice minister. Cherif Mahamat Zene was appointed foreign minister, a post he held from 2018 to 2020. Nine women were nominated to posts in the government, including the first woman to run for president, Lydie Beassemda, who was named as higher education and research minister. The military council has pledged to hold elections after an 18-month transition period. On Sunday, the council lifted a curfew that was implemented on April 20 following President Deby's death.
Niger—24 Suspected Terrorists Killed During Attempted Jailbreak Agence France-Presse | 05/04/2021 The Nigerien government says its troops have killed 24 suspected militants who tried to escape after being captured, reports Agence France-Presse. On April 28, security forces arrested 26 suspected terrorists who were allegedly planning a bomb attack on the town of Banibangou, the government said on Sunday. One militant died from his wounds following the clash. The suspects were awaiting transfer to a military base in Chinegodar when they attempted to escape on April 29, said the government. One militant escaped and the remainder were killed during the attempt, the defense ministry said. Banibangou and Chinegodar are in the western Tillaberi region, which borders Burkina Faso and Mali and has been the site of regular attacks by Al-Qaida and Islamic State militants.
Burkina Faso—At Least 30 Killed In Attack In Komandjari Province Agence France-Presse | 05/04/2021 At least 30 people have been killed in a militant attack on a village in eastern Burkina Faso, reports Agence France-Presse. On Monday, militants struck the village of Kodyel in the Foutouri district in Komandjari province, shooting at civilians and burning homes, said a regional security source. A local militia member estimated that at least 20 to 30 people were killed in the assault. Another 20 people were injured, many seriously, said another militia member. Security forces have launched an operation to pursue the militants, said a security source. There were no immediate claims of responsibility.
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