TheList 5724

The List 5724     TGB

Good Tuesday morning May 25

I hope that your week is off to a good start.

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This day in Naval History May 25,

 

1911

USS Wyoming (BB 32) launches. She is commissioned in Sept. 25, 1912 and later participates in the Veracruz Intervention and World War I.

1943

Patrol bombers from (VP 84) sink German submarine U 467 south-southeast of Iceland.

1944

USS Flying Fish (SS 229) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks guardboat Daito Maru and freighter Osaka Maru north of Palau.

1952

USS Iowa (BB 61) begins shelling industrial and rail centers at Chongjin, Korea. For her Korean War service, she receives two battle stars. USS Iowa is decommissioned in 1990 and is struck from the Navys list in 2006. Iowa is currently a museum ship.

1973

Skylab 2, the first U.S. manned orbiting space station, launches with all-Navy crew: Capt. Charles Conrad, Jr., Cmdr. Paul J. Weitz and Cmdr. Joseph P. Kerwin.

1985

USS Alabama (SN 731) is commissioned at Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn.

 

CHINFO

 

Executive Summary:

•           USNI News conducted an interview with VCNO ADM Lescher about P2P and data driven programs' abilities to improve readiness.

•           CNN highlighted that the Navy is offering incentives for Sailors to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

 

 

This Day in History

0585 Thales of Greece makes the first known prediction of a solar eclipse.

 

1085 Alfonso VI takes Toledo, Spain from the Muslims.

 

1787 The Constitutional convention opens at Philadelphia with George Washington presiding.

 

1810 Argentina declares independence from Napoleonic Spain.

 

1851 Jose Justo de Urquiza of Argentina leads a rebellion against Juan Manuel de Rosas, his former ally.

 

1911 Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico, resigns his office.

 

1914 The British House of Commons passes Irish Home Rule.

 

1925 John Scopes is indicted for teaching Darwinian theory in school.

 

1935 Jesse Owens sets six world records in less than an hour in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

1946 Jordan gains independence from Britain.

 

1953 The first atomic cannon is fired in Nevada

 

 

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High-G Repetitive Strain Injury survey for tactical military aviators

 

Thanks to Tom "Boot"Hill

 

                We have completed, staffed and are ready to send out the Survey related to High-G Repetitive Strain Injury (High-G RSI) in Generation 3, 4 and 5 aviators.  We are looking to get the widest distribution possible  to make sure as many individuals as possible see it?  Also, could we will provide you with a quick update every 2 weeks or so?

 

                We're going to keep it open until the end of the year unless we stop seeing inputs below is what we posted.  It includes links to both the River Rats web site and the Survey. 

Thanks

Tom "Boot" Hill

 

HIGH-G REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY (HIGH-G RSI)

 

What is High-G RSI?  Since a clinical term does not yet exist for the combination of cervical (neck) and/or back (lumbar) symptoms such as pain, decreased use, and range of motion limitations, Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association (RRVA) coined the term High-G RSI.  We are focused on those fighter and attack pilots who flew Generation 3, 4 and 5 aircraft from the US Air Force, the navy and Marine Corps.  While there is diversity in the location and intensity of the pain aircrew live with, it is our experience that many are aware of specific instances of the origin of their neck and back pain.  Please take the Survey located at:

 

 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RRVARSI

 

We seek to document what we hear from as many fighter and attack pilots as possible: high-G flying produced lasting physical wear & tear.  If the RRVA High-G RSI survey data indicates a correlation between neck (cervical)/back (lumbar) issues and high-G fighter/attack aviation exposure, then the AMIC's vision is to advocate for public law that leads to a VA and/or DOD study of high-G RSI in fighter/attack military aviators.  The endgame of our work is service connection whereby aircrew that flew fighter & attack high-G aircraft are a recognized class with appropriate identification, tracking and treatment in the VA system.   Even if you flew Generation 3, 4, and 5 aircraft but have no HIGH-G RSI symptoms it is still important for them to complete the Survey.

 

The RRVA (River Rats) was founded as a cross-service organization of Navy, Air Force and Marine Corp fighter and attack pilots to streamline fighter and attack air operations during the Vietnam War.  When the war in Vietnam ended in 1975, the RRVA changed its focus to become the organization it is today.  In 1976, River Rats incorporated as a 501c3 organization to take up two priorities: first, MIA/POW recovery from America's 10-year war in Southeast Asia; second, provide scholarship support to the children of RRVA's aviator members who died in line of duty.  That work led the River Rats to their next missions.  Just over 2 years ago an Aviator Medical Issues Committee (AMIC) was established, comprised of 5 former Flight Surgeons and five fighter pilots – although the Flight Surgeons are coordinating with other former Flight Surgeons from the Air Force and Navy for the expertise needed.  More on the RRVA can be found on our web page at:

 

https://www.river-rats.org

 

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Tom "Boot" Hill and he will endeavor to answer them.

Tom "Boot" Hill, tbhill1223@cox.net

 

 

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Punday Morning Humor`  Thanks to Al

 

Submitted by Greg Madsen:

 

     We all remember Al Gore who was the Vice President and was an unsuccessful candidate for President, but what you may not know is that he has turned his talents toward music.  If fact, given his history with the World Wide Web, he is publishing (and singing) his music on the internet.  You can find his music by Googling 'alglor-rhythms'.

 

 

 

Submitted by Skip Leonard:

 

        An invisible man married an invisible woman.  The kids were nothing to look at either.

        I didn't think the chiropractor would improve my posture.  But I stand corrected.

        I took my new girlfriend out on our first date to the ice rink, and entry was half price.  She called me a cheap skate.

        Studies show cows produce more milk when the farmer talks to them.  It's a case of in one ear and out the udder.

        I used to date a girl with one leg who worked at a brewery.  She was in charge of the hops.

        My cross-eyed wife and I just got a divorce.  I found out she was seeing someone on the side.

        My wife claims I'm the cheapest person she's ever met.  I'm not buying it.

        Did you know that a raven has 17 rigid feathers called pinions, while a crow only has 16.  The difference between a raven and a crow is just a matter of a pinion.

        I told my carpenter I didn't want carpeted steps.  He gave me a blank stair.

        What did the surgeon say to the patient who insisted on closing up his own incision?  Suture self.

 

 

 

Submitted by Mike Ryan:

 

        Coronavirus last night. Turns out it was just Saturday night fever

        The World Health Organization has announced that dogs cannot contract Covid-19. Dogs previously held in quarantine can now be released.  To be clear, WHO let the dogs out.

        I saw an ad for burial plots, and thought to myself "That's the last thing I need."

        Intelligence is like underwear. It is important that you have it, but not necessary that you show it off.

        Relationships are a lot like algebra. Have you ever looked at your X and wondered Y?

        A courtroom artist was arrested today for an unknown reason... details are sketchy.

        People are making end of the world jokes like there's no tomorrow.

        Whatever you do, always give 100%--unless you're donating blood.

        What do you call a sleepwalking nun? A roamin' Catholic.

        What did Snow White say when she came out of the photo booth?  Someday my prints will come.

        A girl said she recognized me from her vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.

        Dad, are we pyromaniacs? Yes, we arson.

        I've always had an irrational fear of speed bumps but I'm slowly getting over it.

        What word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?  Short.

        If you're not supposed to eat at night, why is there a light bulb in the refrigerator?

        My dad died when we couldn't remember his blood type. As he died, he kept insisting "be positive," but it's hard without him.

        Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

 

 

 

Submitted by Mark Logan:

 

Here are several of Vincent van Gogh's lesser-known  relatives...

        The grandfather who moved to Yugoslavia.....U. Gogh

        The brother who accidentally bleached all his clothes white.....Hue Gogh

        The real obnoxious brother.....Please Gogh

        The brother who ate prunes.....Gotta Gogh

        The uncle who worked at a convenience store.....Stop N. Gogh

        His dizzy aunt.....Verti Gogh

        The cousin who moved to Illinois.....Chica Gogh

        His magician uncle.....Wherediddy Gogh

        The cousin who lived in Mexico.....Amee Gogh

        And who also had a relative North of the Border.....Grin Gogh

        The nephew that drove a stage coach.....Wells Far Gogh

        The uncle who was constipated.....Cant Gogh

        The aunt who loved ballroom dancing.....Tan Gogh

        His ornithologist uncle.....Flamin Gogh

        His nephew, the Freudian psychoanalyist.....E. Gogh

        His cousin who loved tropical fruits.....Mang Gogh

        And he had an aunt who taught the power of positive thinking.....Way To Gogh

        His bouncy young nephew.....Poe Gogh

        His Disco-loving sister.....Go Gogh

        And his niece, who's been traveling the U.S. in a van.....Winnie Bay Gogh.

 

 

 

Submitted by Colleen Grosso:

 

        I thought I saw an eye-doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

        She was only a whisky-maker, but he loved her still.

        A rubber-band pistol was confiscated from an algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.

        No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

        A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

        A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

        Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

        A hole has been found in the nudist-camp wall. The police are looking into it.

        Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

        Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

        Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: 'You stay here; I'll go on a head.'

        I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.

        A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab centre said: 'Keep off the Grass.'

        The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

        The soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

        A backward poet writes inverse.

        In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes.

        When cannibals ate a missionary, they got a taste of religion.

        If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you'd be in Seine.

        A vulture carrying two dead raccoons boards an airplane. The stewardess looks at him and says, 'I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.'

        Two fish swim into a concrete wall. One turns to the other and says, 'Dam!'

        Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

        Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says, 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'

        Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root-canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.

        There was the person who sent ten puns to friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did.

 

 

Have a great week,

Al

 

 

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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, 25 May 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻

 

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)...

From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 25 May 1966...

"Author answers: How and Why RTR?"...

 

https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-25-may-1966-good-duty/

 

 

This work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear's Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip

 

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…….May 25

1864 – Boat crew from U.S.S. Mattabesett, Captain M. Smith, made an unsuccessful attempt to destroy C.S.S. Albemarle in the Roanoke River near Plymouth, North Carolina. After ascending the Middle River with two 100-pound torpedoes, Charles Baldwin, coal heaver, and John W. Lloyd, coxswain, swam across the Roanoke carrying a towline with which they hauled the torpedoes to the Plymouth shore. Baldwin planned to swim down to the ram and position a torpedo on either side of her bow. Across the river, Alexander Crawford, fireman, would then explode the weapons. However, Baldwin was discovered by a sentry when within a few yards of Albemarle and the daring mission had to be abandoned. John Lloyd cut the guidelines and swam back across the river to join John Laverty, fireman, who was guarding the far shore. They made their way to the dinghy in which they had rowed upriver and, with Benjamin Lloyd, coal heaver, who had acted as boatkeeper, made their way back to the Mattabesett. On 29 May Baldwin and Crawford, exhausted, returned to the ship.

1945 – On Okinawa, the US 4th Marine Regiment eliminates the Japanese casemates and underground positions on Machishi Hill. The US 29th Regiment secures Naha.

1961 – President Kennedy asked the nation to work toward putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

1973 – Launch of Skylab 2 mission, which was first U.S. manned orbiting space station. It had an all Navy crew of CAPT Charles Conrad, Jr., USN. (commanding), CDR Joseph P. Kerwin, USN and CDR Paul J. Weitz, USN. During the 28 day mission of 404 orbits, the craft rendezvoused with Skylab to make repairs and conduct science experiments. Recovery by USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14)

1999 – The US government released a bipartisan congressional report that said China stole design secrets for nuclear warheads that included every weapon in the current US nuclear arsenal. The systematic espionage campaign was dated back to the 1970s. Stolen technology included data on an Army antitank weapon, fighter airplanes and all the elements needed to launch a major nuclear attack. President Clinton responded that his administration was already "moving aggressively to tighten security."

2005 – Voyager 1, the most distant man-made object, has entered the heliosheath and is on the cusp of leaving the Solar System and entering the interstellar medium.

2012 – The Dragon spacecraft became the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous with the International Space Station.

 

Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day

BALDWIN, CHARLES
Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: 30 June 1839, Delaware. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing and participating in a plan to destroy the rebel ram Albermarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Volunteering for the hazardous mission, C.H. Baldwin participated in the transfer of 2 torpedoes across an island swamp. Weighted by a line which was used to transfer the torpedoes, he swam the river and, when challenged by a sentry, was forced to abandon the plan after erasing its detection and before it could be carried to completion. Escaping the fire of the muskets, C.H. Baldwin spent 2 days and nights of hazardous travel without food, and finally arrived, fatigued, at the mother ship.

CRAWFORD, ALEXANDER
Rank and organization: Fireman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1842, Pennsylvania. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864 Citation: On board the U.S.S. Wyalusing, Crawford volunteered 25 May 1864, in a night attempt to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle in the Roanoke River. Taking part in a plan to explode the rebel ram Albemarle, Crawford executed his part in the plan with perfection, but upon being discovered, was forced to abandon the plan and retire leaving no trace of the evidence. After spending two hazardous days and nights without food, he gained the safety of a friendly ship and was then transferred back to the Wyalusing. Though the plan failed his skill and courage in preventing detection were an example of unfailing devotion to duty.

LAFFERTY, JOHN
Rank and organization: Fireman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1842, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Served on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing and participated in a plan to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Volunteering for the hazardous mission, Lafferty participated in the transfer of two torpedoes across an island swamp and then served as sentry to keep guard of clothes and arms left by other members of the party. After being rejoined by others of the party who had been discovered before the plan could be completed, Lafferty succeeded in returning to the mother ship after spending 24 hours of discomfort in the rain and swamp.

LLOYD, BENJAMIN
Rank and organization: Coal Heaver, U.S. Navy. Born: 1839. England. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing and participating in a plan to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864. Volunteering for the hazardous mission, Lloyd participated in the transfer of two torpedoes across an island swamp. Serving as boatkeeper, he aided in rescuing others of the party who had been detected before the plan could be completed, but who escaped, leaving detection of the plan impossible. By his skill and courage, Lloyd succeeded in returning to the mother ship after spending 24 hours of discomfort in the rain and swamp.

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LLOYD, JOHN W.
Rank and organization: Coxswain, U.S. Navy. Born. 1831, New York, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 45, 31 December 1864. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Wyalusing during an attempt to destroy the rebel ram Albemarle in Roanoke River, 25 May 1864, Lloyd participated in this daring plan by swimming the Roanoke River heavily weighted with a line which was used for hauling torpedoes across. Thwarted by discovery just before the completion of the plan, Lloyd cut the torpedo guiding line to prevent detection of the plan by the enemy and again swam the river, narrowly escaping enemy musket fire and regaining the ship in safety.

*ADAMS, WILLIAM E.
Rank and organization: Major, U.S. Army, A/227th Assault Helicopter Company, 52d Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade. Place and Date: Kontum Province, Republic of Vietnam, 25 May 1971. Entered Service at: Kansas City, Mo. Born: 16 June 1939, Casper, Wyo. Citation: Maj. Adams distinguished himself on 25 May 1971 while serving as a helicopter pilot in Kontum Province in the Republic of Vietnam. On that date, Maj. Adams volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter in an attempt to evacuate 3 seriously wounded soldiers from a small fire base which was under attack by a large enemy force. He made the decision with full knowledge that numerous antiaircraft weapons were positioned around the base and that the clear weather would afford the enemy gunners unobstructed view of all routes into the base. As he approached the base, the enemy gunners opened fire with heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Undaunted by the fusillade, he continued his approach determined to accomplish the mission. Displaying tremendous courage under fire, he calmly directed the attacks of supporting gunships while maintaining absolute control of the helicopter he was flying. He landed the aircraft at the fire base despite the ever-increasing enemy fire and calmly waited until the wounded soldiers were placed on board. As his aircraft departed from the fire base, it was struck and seriously damaged by enemy anti-aircraft fire and began descending. Flying with exceptional skill, he immediately regained control of the crippled aircraft and attempted a controlled landing. Despite his valiant efforts, the helicopter exploded, overturned, and plummeted to earth amid the hail of enemy fire. Maj. Adams' conspicuous gallantry, intrepidity, and humanitarian regard for his fellow man were in keeping with the most cherished traditions of the military service and reflected utmost credit on him and the U S. Army.

 

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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for May 25,  FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY

 

25 May

 

1910: Orville and Wilbur Wright flew together for the first time at Dayton. (24)

 

1927: Lt James H. Doolittle performed the first known successful outside loop. (4) (24)

 

1931: COLLIER TROPHY. Walter E. Lees and Frederick A. Brossy started a flight that set a non-refueled world endurance record of 85 hours 32 minutes 28 seconds. They used a Packardowned Bellanca "Pacemaker," with a 225 HP diesel engine, at Jacksonville, Fla. For this event, Lees and Brossy earned the 1931 Collier Trophy. (24)

 

1938: Frank W. Fuller, Jr., in a Seversky, flew from San Francisco to Seattle in a record time of 2 hours 31 minutes 41 seconds. (24)

 

1948: Using a modified B-29 as the tanker aircraft, the Air Force completed its first in-flight refueling. Prior to this event, Boeing conducted the refueling demonstration program. (See 5 May 1948) (12)

 

1953: George Welch, a North American test pilot, flew the prototype YF-100A Super Sabre for the first time at the AFFTC on Edwards AFB. He broke Mach 1 during the flight. (3) (12)

 

1954: DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS/HARMON INTERNATIONAL TROPHY. Cmdr M.H. Eppes landed his ZPG-2 airship at NAS Key West after staying aloft for 200.1 hours. Eppes received the DFC and the 1955 Harmon International Trophy for Aeronauts. (24)

 

1959: The ADC received its first F-106 Delta Dart. It was designed to replace the F-102 Delta Dagger. (21)

 

1960: Through 21 June, after a series of earthquakes and a tidal wave hit Chile, the MATS sent C-118 and C-124 aircraft to transport 851 tons of cargo and 1,020 passengers for relief operations there. (2) (18)

 

1962: SAC turned over the last Jupiter IRBM squadron to Turkey. (6)

 

1964: First conventional flight of the Army's XV-5A, a Ryan-built STOL research aircraft, (formerly the VZ-11) occurred at Edwards AFB. (3)

 

1984: A MAC C-141 flew the body of the Unknown Soldier of the Vietnam War from Travis AFB to Andrews AFB prior to its interment at Arlington National Cemetery. (18)

 

1993: Through 3 August, NASA demonstrated aerobraking, which used atmospheric drag to slow a spacecraft, to place the Magellan Venus probe into a lower orbit. (20)

 

1995: Through 26 May, USAF aircraft joined in on NATO attacks against Serbian military bunkers to halt Serb artillery attacks on Sarajevo. (16) (26)

 

1996: Through 26 May, during Air Fete '96, an annual air show at RAF Station Mildenhall, the first joint MiG-29, F-15C and F-15E formation flyby in aviation history occurred as a featured display. The F-15s came from nearby RAF Lakenheath, while the MiG-29 came from the Slovak Republic for the airshow. (AFNEWS Article 960522, May 96)

 

1999: The F-117 test force at Edwards AFB completed the Single Configuration Fleet program, which provided a uniform radar absorbing material (RAM) coating for the entire F-117 fleet to significantly reduce costs and maintenance hours. (3)

 

2007: C-17 Globemaster III crews of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron delivered bullets to Beirut as part of a short notice ammunition re-supply tasking in support of the Lebanese military. (AFNEWS, "Airmen Deliver Strategic Aid to Lebanese Military, 28 May 2007.)

 

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World News for 25 May thanks to Military Periscope

USA—Contractor-Owned Aggressor Jet Crashes Near Nellis AFB Las Vegas Review Journal | 05/25/2021 The pilot of a contracted aggressor fighter jet has died in a crash near Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal. On Monday afternoon, the single-seat Mirage F1 went down in a northeastern Las Vegas neighborhood, not far from the southern edge of the base. The pilot was killed in the crash. No casualties on the ground were reported. The aircraft belonged to Florida-based Draken, which provides adversary air support for the U.S. military. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. 

 

USA—Space Force Plans New Deep-Space Radars Space News | 05/25/2021 Space Force wants to build new deep-space radars to track objects in high orbits, reports Space News. The Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Enterprise Consortium is expected to issue a request for prototype proposals for the Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC). The request is expected to go out by June 30. The DARC program seeks to develop a radar capable of tracking active satellites and debris in orbits above 22,000 miles (35,410 km), or around the altitude of satellites in geostationary earth orbit. The Space Enterprise Consortium will award an other transaction authority contract to one or more contractors to develop prototype concepts that are jointly funded by the government and industry. The service expects to invest $140 million to $200 million per year in the near term on the prototype and testing of the DARC. Three permanent, geographically dispersed radar sites are expected to be built at a cost of around US$1 billion. 

 

USA—National Guard Ends Capitol Mission Cable News Network | 05/25/2021 National Guardsmen have closed out their mission to protect the Capitol building following the Jan. 6 insurrection, reports CNN. Guard forces began leaving the Capitol on Sunday, said retired Army Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, who has been leading a review of Capitol security, said in an interview. The guardsmen had accomplished their mission to secure the Capitol, Honore said. The mission lasted 137 days. The Capitol grounds were not expected to reopen immediately due to the limited resources of the Capitol Police. Honore defended $1.9 billion in supplemental security funding, which passed the House last week, noting that $700 million would cover existing bills, such as the National Guard deployment. Another $200 million would be allocated to fund a quick response force to assist the Capitol Police. That measure has been opposed by some congressional Republicans. 

 

USA—Eritrean, Ethiopian Aid, Visas Restricted Over Human-Rights Violations In Tigray U.S. State Dept. | 05/25/2021 The U.S. government has taken initial steps against the Ethiopian government over ongoing violence and human-rights abuses in the northern Tigray region, reports the U.S. State Dept. On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that Washington was suspending all economic and security assistance with Ethiopia. U.S. defense trade with Ethiopia would be aligned with the new restrictions. The halt to aid would not cover humanitarian aid or assistance in areas such as health, food security, basic education, support for women and girls, human rights and democracy, good governance and conflict mitigation. Blinken also unveiled visa restrictions against current or former Ethiopian or Eritrean government officials, members of the security forces or other individuals responsible for or complicit in the undermining of the resolution of the crisis in Tigray. Groups targeted with restrictions include the Amhara regional and irregular forces and the members of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), he said. Targeted individuals could expect to face additional actions by the U.S. should the crisis not be resolved, warned Blinken. The population of Tigray is suffering from violence by Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, including killings, forced removals, systemic sexual violence and other abuses. Military forces in the region are also blocking the delivery of aid, the secretary said. Blinken called on Eritrean forces to live up to their commitments to withdraw from Ethiopian territory. Fighting between the Addis Ababa and the TPLF broke out in November 2020 and has resulted in the death of thousands of people and the displacement of at least 2 million. 

 

Netherlands—Preliminary Proceedings Begin At ICC For Alleged Militia Leader In Darfur Voice Of America News | 05/25/2021 The International Criminal Court has begun hearing evidence against the alleged leader of a notorious militia blamed for atrocities during the conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region in the early 2000s, reports the Voice of America News. Preliminary proceedings against Ali Muhammad Ali Abd Al Rahman, also known as Ali Kushayb, began on Monday in The Hague. The hearing will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial against Kushayb. Kushayb faces up to 31 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the conflict in Darfur in 2003 and 2004. the charges include counts of rape, torture, pillaging and attacking civilians, an ICC spokesman said. Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that Kushayb was a "willing and energetic" participant in the crimes. He is accused of being a top leader in the tribal hierarchy in the Wadi Salih area and a member of the Popular Defense Forces paramilitary group and reportedly commanded thousands of Janjaweed militiamen from August 2003 to March 2004. The ICC has also said that Kushayb allegedly implemented the counterinsurgency strategy of the Sudanese government in Darfur, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Kushayb surrendered to authorities in the Central African Republic in 2020 and was subsequently transferred to The Hague. A warrant for his arrest was first issued in April 2007. 

 

Lithuania—Government Withdraws From Chinese-Led Cooperation Forum Baltic Times | 05/25/2021 The Lithuanian government has decided to leave a multilateral economic and political body for cooperation with China, reports the Baltic Times. On Saturday, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis confirmed that Lithuania would withdraw from the 17 + 1 format, calling it "divisive." The 17 + 1 format primarily consists of countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including 12 European Union members prior to Lithuania's departure, in a cooperative format initiated by China, reported Politico Europe (Brussels). The remaining E.U. members include Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Non-E.U. states include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. The format has become divisive from an E.U. perspective and member states should instead pursue a 27 + 1 cooperative format with China, Landsbergis said. Relations between the E.U. and China have declined in recent months, with the European Parliament voting last week to freeze the process to ratify an investment pact with Beijing. The move came after China hit E.U. lawmakers with sanctions in response to Brussels' measures against officials in the western Xinjiang region over human-rights violations against the Uighur minority. Lithuanian intelligence services also previously warned the government that China was expanding its global influence by consolidating support on key political issues. 

 

Belarus—Ryanair Passenger Jet Diverted To Enable Authorities To Arrest Opposition Journalist British Broadcasting Corp. | 05/25/2021 Belarus is facing international outrage after it forced a Ryanair flight to divert to Minsk and subsequently arrested an opposition journalist onboard the aircraft, reports BBC News. On Sunday, the Ryanair aircraft was flying to Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, from Athens and was minutes from the Lithuanian border when Belarusian air traffic control ordered the plane to divert to Minsk over an alleged bomb threat. Belarusian authorities later said the bomb threat was written in the name of Hamas, demanding that the European Union end support for Israel in the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip, reported the Jerusalem Post. A Hamas spokesman denied any connection or knowledge of such a threat. A MiG-29 fighter aircraft was scrambled to escort the jet to Minsk, which was much farther away from the Belarusian capital than Vilnius at the time. Upon landing, Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend were arrested by Belarusian security services. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said that several Belarusian KGB agents offloaded in Minsk as well. Authorities searched the aircraft but did not discover a bomb. Protasevich founded the Nexta media outlet and Nexta Live telegram channel that became a main source of news during last year's protests against President Alexander Lukashenko, reported the Washington Post. He had been living in exile in Lithuania since 2019. In November 2020, Belarus placed Protasevich and Nexta founder Stepan Putilo its terror watch list. If convicted, Protasevich faces over 12 years in prison and potentially the death penalty. Belarusian state media reported that Lukashenko had personally given the order to divert the aircraft. European Union officials condemned the move and announced that they would discuss the issue during a previously planned summit in Brussels on Monday. The "outrageous and illegal behavior … will have consequences," E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Latvian Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkevics called the incident a case of state-sponsored air piracy and potentially an act of terrorism in an interview with Latvian Radio. European officials are reportedly discussing a package of measures, including banning overflights of Belarus, banning Belarusian national carrier Belavia from entering European airports and suspending ground transport links, French officials said. Several airlines have reportedly already begun diverting flights around Belarusian airspace. British Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he had suspended the license of Belavia, the Belarusian state airline, effectively banning it from the U.K. NATO ambassadors are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss the matter. 

 

Russia—Foreign Ministry Accuses Washington Of Violating New START Limits Tass | 05/25/2021 The Russian Foreign Ministry has accused the U.S. of exceeding certain limits under the New START nuclear arms control treaty, reports Russia's Tass news agency. The ministry published data on the overall strategic offensive weapons owned by each country as of March 1, based on the information exchanged at the time under New START. According to these figures, Russia has 517 operational intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and heavy bombers, while the U.S. has 651. Russia has 1,456 deployed warheads, while the U.S. has 1,357. Moscow identified 767 operational and non-operational ICBM and SLBM launchers and heavy bombers while Washington has 800, the data show. The Kremlin said that the 800 figure was achieved in part by the unilateral exclusion of 56 Trident II SLBM launchers and 41 B-52H bombers. The re-equipment of these assets was conducted so that Russia could not confirm that they were disabled as nuclear weapons as required by New START. The foreign ministry also said that the U.S. had redesignated four missile launch facilities as "training facilities," a term that is not specified by the treaty, and refused to declare them as non-operational ICBM launchers. Accordingly, the U.S. has exceeded its limits under New START by 101 units, the ministry said. The U.S. denies that it is in violation of the treaty and previously argued that a process to convert some bombers and launchers to non-nuclear missions puts them outside of the treaty limitations, reported Reuters. 

 

China—New Images Published Of Stealthy H-20 Bomber South China Morning Post | 05/25/2021 Analysts say that newly published images of an in-development Chinese bomber indicate that the design prioritizes stealth and range, reports the South China Morning Post. Four computer-generated images of the H-20 in the Modern Weaponry magazine published by the China North Industries Group (NORINCO) show an internal weapons bay, two adjustable tails, an airborne radar at the front and two stealth air intakes on both sides. The pictures also suggest that the H-20 will be covered in a radar-absorbing material. It has been previously reported that the bomber would have a maximum takeoff weight of at least 200 metric tons, a payload of up to 45 metric tons and will be able to carry conventional and nuclear weapons. The long-range bomber is expected to be able to hit targets in the second island chain, which includes Japan, Guam and the Philippines. The H-20 is expected to become operational by the end of the 2020s. 

 

—New PM Sworn In During Makeshift Ceremony Cable News Network | 05/25/2021 Samoa's new prime minister was forced to be sworn in during an improvised ceremony in front of the parliament building after she was locked out, reports CNN. On Monday, Fiame Naomi Mata'afa of the Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party was sworn in as Samoa's first female prime minister. Mata'afa was set to assume power after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that a move by head of state Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi to call new elections was unconstitutional and voided the appointment of a legislator who was sat under gender quota laws, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corp. at the time. The court ordered the Samoan parliament to sit by Monday, but, over the weekend, Sualauvi canceled the sitting without explanation, reported Radio New Zealand. On Sunday, the Supreme Court declared the cancellation order unlawful. Former Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who has held the post since 1998, of the Human Rights Protection Party worked with his ally, the house speaker, to cancel the session and lock the doors to the building, reported the Washington Post. The clerk of the house and police refused to intervene, forcing Mata'afa to hold her swearing under a tent outside of the building. Mata'afa condemned the effort as a "bloodless coup." Subsequently, Malielegaoi questioned the legitimacy of the event. The situation represents an unprecedented constitutional crisis for Samoa since it gained independence from New Zealand in 1962, experts said. 

 

Philippines—Initial T129 Attack Choppers Slated To Arrive In September Philippine Daily Inquirer | 05/25/2021 Deliveries of attack helicopters purchased from Turkey for the Philippine air force will begin in September, according to the Philippine Dept. of National Defense, as cited by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. On Tuesday, the department outlined the delivery schedule for the T129 helicopters ordered under a US$271.5 million contract. The third and fourth aircraft are slated for delivery in February 2022, with the last two to follow in February 2023, said a departmental spokesman. The move comes after the U.S. State Dept. had issued export licenses for the engines of the helicopters, enabling the sale to move forward. On May 22, the Philippine air force's 15th Strike Wing said that it had dispatched personnel to Ankara to begin training on the T129. That program is scheduled to conclude in August. 

 

Burma—Junta Chief Says Rohingya Cannot Return Reuters | 05/25/2021 Burma's junta leader has suggested that Rohingya refugees may never be able to return home, reports Reuters. In his first interview since the Feb. 1 coup, Min Aung Hlaing told Phoenix television (Shenzhen) that accepting the return of the Rohingya who fled their homes in Burma in response to a military crackdown would violate the country's refugee laws. He appeared to confirm that no international appeals regarding the fate of the Rohingya would be heeded. Min Aung Hlaing was the head of the army in 2017, when about 700,000 Rohingya fled into neighboring countries, primarily Bangladesh, to escape an army offensive. U.N. investigators have said that this and other army operations against the Rohingya constitute a genocide. Both civilian and military officials in Burma maintain that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and are ineligible for Burmese citizenship. Many Rohingya have been living in what is now Burma for centuries. 

 

Iran—IRGC Unveils New Drone, Radar And SAM Mehr News Agency | 05/25/2021 Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has unveiled several new "strategic military achievements," reports the Mehr news agency (Tehran). Unveiled on Friday were the Gaza long-endurance uncrewed aerial vehicle, 9-Day surface-to-air missile (SAM) system and Quds radar system. The Gaza UAV is intended for surveillance, combat and reconnaissance missions. It can carry 13 munitions and 1,100 pounds (500 kg) of reconnaissance and signals equipment, according to the IRGC. The drone has an endurance of 35 hours and a range of 1,240 miles (2,000 km) on combat missions. The Gaza appears similar to the earlier Shahed 129 UAV but images show it is larger and has a four-blade propeller. The domestically developed 9-Day SAM system is intended to counter cruise missiles, bombs and UAVs. It may be based on the 3rd Khordad system, reported the Jerusalem Post. Few details about the Quds radar were released, other than that it is a mobile system designed to be rapidly deployed. 

 

Nigeria—25 Killed In Attacks In Zamfara State This Day | 05/25/2021 At least 25 people have been killed in bandit assaults against five communities in the northern Zamfara state, reports This Day (Lagos). On Saturday afternoon, the bandits attacked the villages of Gabaken, Rigiya, Donroyi, Torawa and Riwoji in the Zurmi and Kaura Naoda local government areas. More than 25 people were killed in the attacks and many more wounded. At least five people were killed in Gabaken; five in Toara; one in Rigiya; four in Riwoji; and four in Donrooyi. The bandits reportedly traveled on motorcycles, shooting randomly into the villages. Police tactical teams were deployed to the affected areas in response, a police spokesperson said. 

 

Mali—Interim Vice President Seizes Power In Apparent 2nd Coup Reuters | 05/25/2021 The Malian military officer who led last year's coup that overthrew the civilian government in Bamako has seized control of the government, reports Reuters. Col. Assimi Goita, the interim vice president, announced on Tuesday that he had taken power after the transitional president and prime minister failed to consult him about the formation of a new government. On Monday, President Bah N'Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane unveiled a new Cabinet that excluded former defense minister, Sadio Camara, and security minister, Modibo Kone, both with close ties to the military. Both were arrested and taken to the Kati military camp north of the city, according to officials cited by Agence France-Presse. International observers have criticized the Malian military for arresting the interim leaders and demanded their immediate release, reported the Washington Post. The international body monitoring the country's 18-month transition, which includes African Union, West African, U.N. and U.S. officials, condemned the move as an attempted coup. A spokesman for the junta speaking on the condition of anonymity denied that the move constituted a coup and said that the men could move freely. In a statement read by an aide on television, Goita said elections set for 2022 would go forward as planned. 

 

Peru—16 Killed In Attack Blamed On Shining Path Splinter Group Guardian | 05/25/2021 More than a dozen people have been killed in a militant attack in Peru's central Amazon region, reports the Guardian (U.K.). On Sunday, militants attacked a remote village near San Miguel de Ene. At least two children were among the dead. Defense Minister Nuria Esparch told CNN that 16 people had been killed in the assault. The attackers spread leaflets warning residents to boycott upcoming presidential elections and threatening attacks on sex workers, gay people, criminals and collaborators. The assault was blamed on a faction of the Shining Path military group led by Víctor Quispe Palomino, also known as Comrade Jose, according to the military. Quispe Palomino's family reportedly allied remnants of the Maoist group with local drug-traffickers. The attack comes two weeks ahead of elections that pit right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori against leftist teacher Pedro Castillo. Castillo's party is accused of harboring Shining Path and Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Army veterans, while Fujimori is the daughter of controversial President Alberto Fujimori, who oversaw the battle against the Shining Path in the 1990s.   

 

 

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