TheList 5732

The List 5732     TGB

Good Wednesday morning June 2

This is a Bubba Breakfast Friday in San Diego

A bit of history and some tidbits today

Regards,

skip

 

 

Today in Naval History

June 2

 

1814 During the War of 1812, the sloop of war Wasp, commanded by Capt. Johnston Blakely, captures and burns the British merchant barque Neptune, southwest of Ireland.

1865 Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith signs the Terms of Surrender for the Confederate forces onboard USS Fort Jackson in Galveston Bay, Texas.

1941 The first aircraft escort vessel, USS Long Island (CVE 1), is commissioned. Following World War II, she participates in Operation "Magic Carpet."

1943 USS PC 565 sinks German submarine U 521 off the Virginia capes. The German sub had sunk four Allied merchant vessels, including two U.S. vessels: tanker Hahira (Nov. 3, 1942) and merchant Molly Pitcher (March 18, 1943).

1943 USS Tambor (SS 198) sinks Japanese transport Eika Maru in the Tonkin Gulf off French Indochina.

2012 USS Mississippi (SSN 782) is commissioned in Pascagoula, Miss. The Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine. 

 

CHINFO

Executive Summary:

•           Psychology Today published an interview with acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker about the importance of mental health treatment.

•           Trade and regional press reported on INDOPACOM commander Adm. John Aquilino's visit to Japan.

•           Trade press continued coverage of the FY 22 budget submission.

 

Today in History

1537 Pope Paul III bans the enslavement of Indians in the New World.

 

1774 The Quartering Act, requiring American colonists to allow British soldiers into their houses, is reenacted.

 

1793 Maximilien Robespierre, a member of France's Committee on Public Safety, initiates the "Reign of Terror."

 

1818 The British army defeats the Maratha alliance in Bombay, India.

 

1859 French forces cross the Ticino River.

 

1865 At Galveston, Texas, Confederate general Edmund Kirby Smith surrenders the Trans-Mississippi Department to Union forces.

 

1883 The first baseball game under electric lights is played in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

 

1886 Grover Cleveland becomes the first American president to wed while in office.

 

1910 Charles Stewart Rolls, one of the founders of Rolls-Royce, becomes the first man to fly an airplane nonstop across the English Channel both ways. Tragically, he becomes Britain's first aircraft fatality the following month when his biplane breaks up in midair.

 

1924 The United States grants full citizenship to American Indians.

 

1928 Nationalist Chiang Kai-shek captures Peking, China, in a bloodless takeover.

 

1942 The American aircraft carriers Enterprise, Hornet and Yorktown move into their battle positions for the Battle of Midway.

 

1944 Allied "shuttle bombing" of Germany begins, with bombers departing from Italy and landing in the Soviet Union.

 

1946 Italian citizens vote by referendum for a republic.

 

1948 Jamaican-born track star Herb McKenley sets a new world record for the 400 yard dash.

 

1953 Elizabeth II is crowned queen of England at Westminster Abbey.

 

1954 Senator Joseph McCarthy charges that there are communists working in the CIA and atomic weapons plants.

 

1969 The Australian aircraft carrier Melbourne slices the destroyer USS Frank E. Evans in half off the shore of South Vietnam.

 

 

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Thanks to Mike…..Where is the Gipper when we really need him

 

Seems like a lot in Congress should sit down for 3 minutes and learn from this.

Hope you had a peaceful and blessed Memorial Day.

https://biggeekdad.com/2013/06/freedom-isnt-free/ 

 

 

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Thanks to Cowboy for finding the url

 

Ever wonder how we're put together?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh31pQMB218

 

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Thanks to Micro…..This is indeed a very interesting story..skip

 

Who Would Have Won the Air War? (A Strange and Unexpected Story of Cold War Intrigue)

Very Interesting!

 

 

It's about 9 min long but you have to watch all of it to get the full impact.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0BINjztAT8

 

 

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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, 2 June 2021... Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻

 

OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)

From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post of 2 June 1966...

"Let there be light (on the carrier flight deck)"...

 

https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-2-june-1966-more-from-64/

 

 

 

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…….2 June

1918 – At dawn on this date, the crack German 28th Division attacked along the axis of the Paris-Metz road hitting the American 2d Division, including the 4th Marine Brigade. The Marines opened with deadly rifle fire and helped hand the German troops a setback which set the stage for the Marine victory at Belleau Wood which would soon follow, although at great cost.

 

1942 – The US carriers from Pearl Harbor join northeast of Midway. In total, the American force has approximately 250 planes, equal to the number in the approaching Japanese force.

1942 – Japanese Admiral Katuta's light carrier force attacks Dutch Harbor in the Aleutians as a diversion. The Americans, aware of the Japanese plans for the invasion of Midway do not react as predicted.

 

1944 – American bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force launch Operation Frantic, a series of bombing raids over Central Europe, alighting from airbases in southern Italy, but landing at airbases in Poltava, in the Soviet Union, in what is called "shuttle bombing." The Fifteenth U.S. Air Force was created solely to cripple Germany's war economy. Operating out of Italy, and commanded by General Carl Spaatz, a World War I fighter pilot, the Fifteenth was recruited by a desperate Joseph Stalin to help the Red Army in its campaign in Romania. In exchange for the Fifteenth's assistance, Stalin allowed the American bombers to land at airbases within the Soviet Union as they carried out Operation Frantic, a plan to devastate German industrial regions in occupied Silesia, Hungary, and Romania. Given that such bombing patterns would have made return flights to Foggia and other parts of southern Italy, the Fifteenth's launching points, impossible because of refueling problems, the "shuttle" to Poltava was the solution that made Frantic a reality. Before it was shortened to Frantic, the operation was dubbed Operation Frantic Joe-a commentary on Joe Stalin's original urgent appeal for help. It was changed to avoid offending the Soviet premier. Also on this day in 1944, the date for D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, was fixed for June 5. Originally June 4, it was acknowledged by Allied strategists that bad weather would make keeping to any one day problematic. German General Karl von Rundstedt, intercepting an Allied radio signal relating the June 4 date, was convinced that four consecutive days of good weather was necessary for the successful prosecution of the invasion. There was no such pattern of good weather in sight. The general became convinced that D-Day would not come off within the first week of June at all.

 

1945 – On Luzon, the US 43rd Division (US 11th Corps) completes mopping up operations in the Ipoh area.

1945 – On Okinawa, mopping up continues as the US 6th Marine Division prepares to land two regiments on the Oroku peninsula.

1945 – US Task Force 38 raids airfields used by Japanese Kamikaze forces. Such raids compel the Japanese to continue operations from bases farther north.

 

1972 – More than thirty USAF planes and helicopters fly through heavy fire to rescue Captain R.C. Locher, who has been trapped northwest of Hanoi since his Phantom jet went down on 10 May.

 

1995 – A US Air Force F-16C was shot down by a Bosnian Serb surface-to-air missile while on a NATO air patrol in northern Bosnia; the pilot, Captain Scott F. O'Grady, was rescued six days later.

 

2012 – SAS and US Delta force conduct joint operation which successfully rescues 5 foreign aid workers from a gang of insurgents in Shahr-e-Bozorg district near the Afghan – Tajikistan border. SAS and Delta Force arrived by helicopter and took part in "long march" to a cave where the 5 aid workers were being held in a maze of caves. The two teams then engaged insurgents in a firefight and overpowered the heavily armed kidnappers, and the hostages were rescued in the cave assaulted by the SAS. 11 insurgents were killed in the assault and there were no SAS fatalities or injuries.

 

Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day

PHILLIPS, GEORGE F.
Rank and organization: Machinist First Class, U.S. Navy. Born: 9 March 1864, Boston, Mass. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 529, 2 November 1899. Citation: In connection with the sinking of the U.S.S. Merrimac at the entrance to the harbor of Santiago de Cuba 2 June 1898. Despite heavy fire from the Spanish shore batteries, Phillips displayed extraordinary heroism throughout this operation.

KOBASHIGAWA, YEIKI
Technical Sergeant Yeiki Kobashigawa distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 2 June 1944, in the vicinity of Lanuvio, Italy. During an attack, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa's platoon encountered strong enemy resistance from a series of machine guns providing supporting fire. Observing a machine gun nest 50 yards from his position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa crawled forward with one of his men, threw a grenade and then charged the enemy with his submachine gun while a fellow soldier provided covering fire. He killed one enemy soldier and captured two prisoners. Meanwhile, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa and his comrade were fired upon by another machine gun 50 yards ahead. Directing a squad to advance to his first position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa again moved forward with a fellow soldier to subdue the second machine gun nest. After throwing grenades into the position, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa provided close supporting fire while a fellow soldier charged, capturing four prisoners. On the alert for other machine gun nests, Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa discovered four more, and skillfully led a squad in neutralizing two of them. Technical Sergeant Kobashigawa'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.

*KRAUS, RICHARD EDWARD
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 24 November 1925, Chicago, Ill. Accredited to: Minnesota. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 8th Amphibious Tractor Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu, Palau Islands, on 5 October 1944. Unhesitatingly volunteering for the extremely hazardous mission of evacuating a wounded comrade from the front lines, Pfc. Kraus and 3 companions courageously made their way forward and successfully penetrated the lines for some distance before the enemy opened with an intense, devastating barrage of hand grenades which forced the stretcher party to take cover and subsequently abandon the mission. While returning to the rear, they observed 2 men approaching who appeared to be marines and immediately demanded the password. When, instead of answering, 1 of the 2 Japanese threw a hand grenade into the midst of the group, Pfc. Kraus heroically flung himself upon the grenade and, covering it with his body, absorbed the full impact of the explosion and was instantly killed. By his prompt action and great personal valor in the face of almost certain death, he saved the lives of his 3 companions, and his loyal spirit of self-sacrifice reflects the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his comrades.

*NAKAMINE, SHINYEI
Private Shinyei Nakamine distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 2 June 1944, near La Torreto, Italy. During an attack, Private Nakamine's platoon became pinned down by intense machine gun crossfire from a small knoll 200 yards to the front. On his own initiative, Private Nakamine crawled toward one of the hostile weapons. Reaching a point 25 yards from the enemy, he charged the machine gun nest, firing his submachine gun, and killed three enemy soldiers and captured two. Later that afternoon, Private Nakamine discovered an enemy soldier on the right flank of his platoon's position. Crawling 25 yards from his position, Private Nakamine opened fire and killed the soldier. Then, seeing a machine gun nest to his front approximately 75 yards away, he returned to his platoon and led an automatic rifle team toward the enemy. Under covering fire from his team, Private Nakamine crawled to a point 25 yards from the nest and threw hand grenades at the enemy soldiers, wounding one and capturing four. Spotting another machine gun nest 100 yards to his right flank, he led the automatic rifle team toward the hostile position but was killed by a burst of machine gun fire. Private Nakamine'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.

*CHARLTON, CORNELIUS H.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Chipo-ri, Korea, 2 June 1951. Entered service at: Bronx, N.Y. Born: 24 July 1929, East Gulf, W. Va. G.O. No.: 30, 19 March 1952. Citation: Sgt. Charlton, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. His platoon was attacking heavily defended hostile positions on commanding ground when the leader was wounded and evacuated. Sgt. Charlton assumed command, rallied the men, and spearheaded the assault against the hill. Personally eliminating 2 hostile positions and killing 6 of the enemy with his rifle fire and grenades, he continued up the slope until the unit suffered heavy casualties and became pinned down. Regrouping the men he led them forward only to be again hurled back by a shower of grenades. Despite a severe chest wound, Sgt. Charlton refused medical attention and led a third daring charge which carried to the crest of the ridge. Observing that the remaining emplacement which had retarded the advance was situated on the reverse slope, he charged it alone, was again hit by a grenade but raked the position with a devastating fire which eliminated it and routed the defenders. The wounds received during his daring exploits resulted in his death but his indomitable courage, superb leadership, and gallant self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself the infantry, and the military service.

*GRAHAM, JAMES A.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, Company F, 2d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 2 June 1967. Entered service at: Prince Georges, Md. Born: 25 August 1940, Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, Pa. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. During Operation Union 11, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, consisting of Companies A and D, with Capt. Graham's company attached launched an attack against an enemy occupied position with 2 companies assaulting and 1 in reserve. Company F, a leading company, was proceeding across a clear paddy area 1,000 meters wide, attacking toward the assigned objective, when it came under fire from mortars and small arms which immediately inflicted a large number of casualties. Hardest hit by the enemy fire was the 2d platoon of Company F, which was pinned down in the open paddy area by intense fire from 2 concealed machine guns. Forming an assault unit from members of his small company headquarters, Capt. Graham boldly led a fierce assault through the second platoon's position, forcing the enemy to abandon the first machine gun position, thereby relieving some of the pressure on his second platoon, and enabling evacuation of the wounded to a more secure area. Resolute to silence the second machine gun, which continued its devastating fire, Capt. Graham's small force stood steadfast in its hard won enclave. Subsequently, during the afternoon's fierce fighting, he suffered 2 minor wounds while personally accounting for an estimated 15 enemy killed. With the enemy position remaining invincible upon each attempt to withdraw to friendly lines, and although knowing that he had no chance of survival, he chose to remain with 1 man who could not be moved due to the seriousness of his wounds. The last radio transmission from Capt. Graham reported that he was being assaulted by a force of 25 enemy soldiers; he died while protecting himself and the wounded man he chose not to abandon. Capt. Graham's actions throughout the day were a series of heroic achievements. His outstanding courage, superb leadership and indomitable fighting spirit undoubtedly saved the second platoon from annihilation and reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

*LAPOINTE, JOSEPH G., JR.
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, 2d Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division . place and date: Quang Tin province, Republic of Vietnam, 2 June 1969. Entered service at: Cincinnati, Ohio. Born: 2 July 1948, Dayton, Ohio. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Lapointe, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Squadron, distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman during a combat helicopter assault mission. Sp4c. Lapointe's patrol was advancing from the landing zone through an adjoining valley when it suddenly encountered heavy automatic weapons fire from a large enemy force entrenched in well fortified bunker positions. In the initial hail of fire, 2 soldiers in the formation vanguard were seriously wounded. Hearing a call for aid from 1 of the wounded, Sp4c. Lapointe ran forward through heavy fire to assist his fallen comrades. To reach the wounded men, he was forced to crawl directly in view of an enemy bunker. As members of his unit attempted to provide covering fire, he administered first aid to 1 man, shielding the other with his body. He was hit by a burst of fire from the bunker while attending the wounded soldier. In spite of his painful wounds, Sp4c. Lapointe continued his lifesaving duties until he was again wounded and knocked to the ground. Making strenuous efforts, he moved back again into a shielding position to continue administering first aid. An exploding enemy grenade mortally wounded all 3 men. Sp4c. Lapointe's courageous actions at the cost of his life were an inspiration to his comrades. His gallantry and selflessness are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

*POXON, ROBERT LESLIE
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, 2 June 1969. Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. Born: 3 January 1947, Detroit, Mich. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Poxon, Armor, Troop B, distinguished himself while serving as a platoon leader on a reconnaissance mission. Landing by helicopter in an area suspected of being occupied by the enemy, the platoon came under intense fire from enemy soldiers in concealed positions and fortifications around the landing zone. A soldier fell, hit by the first burst of fire. 1st Lt. Poxon dashed to his aid, drawing the majority of the enemy fire as he crossed 20 meters of open ground. The fallen soldier was beyond help and 1st Lt. Poxon was seriously and painfully wounded. 1st Lt. Poxon, with indomitable courage, refused medical aid and evacuation and turned his attention to seizing the initiative from the enemy. With sure instinct he marked a central enemy bunker as the key to success. Quickly instructing his men to concentrate their fire on the bunker, and in spite of his wound, 1st Lt. Poxon crawled toward the bunker, readied a hand grenade and charged. He was hit again but continued his assault. After succeeding in silencing the enemy guns in the bunker he was struck once again by enemy fire and fell, mortally wounded. 1st Lt. Poxon's comrades followed their leader, pressed the attack and drove the enemy from their positions. 1st Lt. Poxon's gallantry, indomitable will, and courage 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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This Day in Aviation History" brought to you by the Daedalians Airpower Blog Update. To subscribe to this weekly email, go to https://daedalians.org/airpower-blog/.

 

 

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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for 2 June, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY

 

2 June

 

1917: In World War I, the first group of aviation specialists (93 skilled civilian mechanics) to go overseas sailed for England to study British and French airplanes and manufacturing methods.

 

1941: USS Long Island, first escort carrier of the Navy, commissioned. (24)

 

1944: Operation FRANTIC. The first shuttle-bombing mission using Soviet bases to attack Eastern European targets occurred. The bombers took off from Italy and landed at Poltava, Soviet Union, after bombing Debrecen, Hungary. Lt Gen Ira C. Eaker, head of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, flew in one B-17. (4) (24)

 

1949: Gen Henry H. Arnold received the permanent rank of General of the Air Force. (24)

 

1950: The 28 SRW at Rapid City AFB, S. Dak., received the first RB-36D (number 44-92091). This reconnaissance version of the B-36B had four jet engines added to the six propeller engines. (1)

 

1954: Test pilot James F. "Skeets" Coleman flew Convair's XFY-1, a vertical takeoff plane, in its first free takeoff and landing at Moffett NAS, Calif. (16) (24)

 

1957: PROJECT MAN HIGH I. Capt Joseph W. Kittinger Jr. set FAI altitude and endurance records for manned, lighter-than-aircraft. He went aloft in a balloon over Minnesota for 6 hours 34 minutes and stayed above 96,000 feet for 2 hours. (9) (26)

 

1958: FIRST FIGHTER SYMPOSIUM. Through 6 June, PACAF held a US/Asian Fighter Weapons Symposium at the mountain resort of Baguio in the Philippines. PACAF Staff officers met with their counterparts from the Chinese Nationalist Air Force, Korean Air Force, Philippine Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, and the Vietnamese Air Force. It was the first such conference on operational requirements and problems. (17)

 

1967: The DoD assigned the last naval air transport squadron under MAC to the Navy, ending a 19- year partnership between the command and service. (2)

 

1970: William A. Dana flew NASA's M2-F3 Lifting Body on its first flight, without power, after a launching from a B-52. (3) Southern Command personnel and aircraft from Howard and Albrook AFBs, the Canal Zone, and C-130s from Lockbourne AFB began massive disaster relief operation for victims of an earthquake in Peru. In the next 31 days, USAF Special Operations airlifted 1.5 million pounds of supplies and equipment, 2,827 passengers and 501 patients for medical reasons, while operating from bare base conditions, 1,500 miles from base. (16) (26)

 

1995: MACKAY TROPHY/CORONET BAT. Through 3 June, two B-1B Lancers flew around the world in record time--36 hours 13 minutes 36 seconds. The bombers received inflight refueling six times from KC-135s and KC-10s. In one B-1 the autopilot failed, forcing the crew to hand fly the bomber for most of the flight. For that effort, the crew earned the 1995 Mackay Trophy. (16) (18) Through 8 June, after a surface-to-air missile downed his F-16, Capt Scott O'Grady evaded capture by hostile forces for six days until Marine helicopters successfully rescued him. (26)

 

1998: The 22 AREFW at McConnell AFB received the first production modified KC-135 PACER CRAG (Compass, Radar, and GPS) aircraft (tail number 57-1435). The PACER CRAG equipment served as the centerpiece of several KC-135 modernization efforts. Using the CRAG radar, a pilot would be able to detect cloud formations, wind shear and other weather hazards. The FMS 800, a state-of-the-art flight management system, formed the heart of the CRAG system. It gave pilots the ability to plot courses in a training facility, download the information to a data card, and upload it into the aircraft. That new capability eliminated the need for a navigator. (22)

 

2001: After launching from an Orbital Sciences Corporation mother ship, NASA's X-43A Hyper-X hypersonic research vehicle broke up and fell into the Pacific Ocean. The Pegasus XL booster lost its fins and spun out of control. (3)

 

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World News for 2 June thanks to Military Periscope

 

  USA—Air Force Seeks To Retire 200 Aircraft in 2022 Air Force Magazine | 06/02/2021 The Air Force wants to withdraw 200 aircraft from service in fiscal 2022 to free up funding for advanced technologies, reports Air Force magazine. The service's planned fiscal 2022 budget request includes the retirement of 201 aircraft to secure $1.4 billion in cost savings and free up personnel and resources to "field more capable systems to address emerging threats," said an Air Force spokesperson. The proposal calls for the retirement of 48 F-15C/D and 47 F-16C/D fighters and 42 A-10 strike jets. Cuts to the aerial refueling and airlift fleets would total 18 KC-135 and 14 KC-10 tankers and eight C-130H cargo aircraft. Several intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft would be eliminated, including four E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) jets and 20 RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Proposed procurement in fiscal 2021 would total 91 aircraft, including 48 F-35A fighters; 12 F-15EX fighters; 14 HH-60W combat rescue helicopters; 14 KC-46A Pegasus aerial refuelers; and three MC-130J special operations aircraft.   

 

USA—Afghan Withdrawal Nears Halfway Point Voice Of America News | 06/02/2021 The U.S. withdrawal of troops and equipment from Afghanistan is nearly halfway complete, reports the Voice of America News. On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command said that the process was between 30 percent and 44 percent complete, with six facilities handed over to Afghan forces. On May 25, the process was estimated to be 16 percent to 25 percent complete. An equivalent of 300 C-17 loads of material have been removed from Afghanistan, with another 13,000 pieces of equipment set to be destroyed, said the command. Separately, Agence France-Presse reported that Bagram Airbase would be turned over to Afghan forces within 20 days, citing an Afghan security official. U.S. officials confirmed the planned transfer but declined to give a precise timeframe. 

 

Denmark—Defense Intelligence Service Supported U.S. Monitoring Of European Politicians British Broadcasting Corp. | 06/02/2021 The Danish Defense Intelligence Service (FE) has been accused of working with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to spy on politicians from other European countries, reports BBC News. The joint effort from 2012 to 2014, reportedly known as Operation Dunhammer, involved tapping into Danish internet cables to spy on senior officials in Sweden, Norway, France and Germany, reported DR, Denmark's public broadcaster. The NSA used its Xkeyscore analysis software to intercept calls, texts and chat messages by tapping into subsea internet cables landing in Denmark. The U.S. agency was able to obtain data by using the telephone numbers of politicians as search parameters. Among those spied upon were former German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, former German opposition leader Peer Steinbruck and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The allegations are based on a 2015 internal investigation by the FE into the NSA's role in the partnership, reported Reuters. The probe was launched after reports of U.S. spying on allies emerged in documents stolen by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden. Danish Defense Minister Erna Solberg condemned the wiretapping of close allies as unacceptable. The head of the FE and three other officials were dismissed in 2020 over allegations stemming from the 2015 investigation. 

 

China—Officials Record Rare Case Of Bird Flu In Humans Reuters | 06/02/2021 China has recorded the first case of a rare strain of bird flu in humans, reports Reuters. On Tuesday, the Chinese National Health Commission said it had confirmed the presence of the H10N3 virus in a 41-year-old man in the eastern Jiangsu province. The man was hospitalized on April 18 and diagnosed with H10N3 on May 28, the commission said. His condition is stable, and he is ready to be discharged, said officials. The circumstances of his infection were not immediately clear. No other cases of H10N3 infection have been reported globally. Investigations of the man's contacts revealed no other cases, said officials. H10N3 is a different strain from the H7N9 variant that killed about 300 people in 2016 and 2017.

 

South Korea—Indigenous Space Rocket Nears Maiden Launch Yonhap | 06/02/2021 South Korea has rolled out a model of its first domestically developed space rocket, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). The qualification model of the Nuri rocket was unveiled on Tuesday at its launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goehung county along South Korea's southern coast. It is scheduled to undertake a month of testing, including checks on procedures to charge the fuel tanks and its separation from the launch pad. The three-stage Nuri weighs 200 metric tons fully loaded and can place a 3,310-pound (1,500-kg) payload in orbit. The construction of the first flight model is underway, with the third stage already complete and the remaining two under construction, the science ministry said. The final combustion test of the main first-stage engines was conducted at the end of March. An initial launch with a dummy payload is scheduled for October, which is to be followed by an initial launch of a 440-pound (200-kg) satellite in March 2022. 

 

Malaysia—Government Protests Intrusion By Chinese Aircraft Malaysia Star | 06/02/2021 A large number of Chinese military aircraft have flown through Malaysia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), reports the Malaysia Star. On Monday, the Malaysian military detected suspicious activity over the South China Sea and scrambled jets to make a visual identification after the aircraft disregarded calls to contact air traffic control. Sixteen Chinese Il-76 and Y-20 cargo aircraft were identified flying in tactical formation about 60 nautical miles (111 km) off the coast of the eastern Sarawak state, reported CNN. Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said on Tuesday that he would summon the Chinese ambassador and formally protest the violation, reported Reuters. The Malaysian air force said that the Chinese aircraft presented a "serious threat to national sovereignty and flight safety." On Wednesday, an official at the Chinese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur described the incident as routine training, reported Agence France-Presse. 

 

Afghanistan—8 Dead In Bus Bombings In Kabul TOLONews | 06/02/2021 At least eight people have been killed in a pair of bombings in Kabul, reports the Tolo News (Kabul). On Tuesday, two explosions struck buses near a mosque in the Sar-e-Karez area of the city. A third explosion was reported later, according to the New Arab (London). Security officials said that eight people were killed and 14 injured in the two blasts. An interior ministry spokesman said that 10 people were killed. Witnesses said that there were 30 casualties. There were dozens of passengers on the two buses, which were traveling toward Dashte-e-Barchi in western Kabul at the time. The explosions occurred in an ethnic Hazara area. Previous attacks against the mostly Shi'ite minority group have been claimed by ISIS in Afghanistan (ISIS-K). 

 

Iran—Training Ship Burns And Sinks Off Southern Coast Al Jazeera | 06/02/2021 An Iranian naval ship has sunk after catching fire in the Gulf of Oman, reports Al Jazeera (Qatar). On Wednesday, the Kharg caught fire in the early morning while in waters near the port of Jask, said the 2nd Military District. Twenty hours of rescue efforts failed to save the training ship and it sank, said the military. All 400 personnel and trainees were evacuated before she went down, officials said. At least 20 people suffered minor burns, reported the semi-official Tasnim news agency (Tehran). Military officials told the state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that the fire started in the engine room and melted parts of the hull. NPR News reported that the ship may have been preparing for an international deployment. The Kharg entered Iranian naval service in 1984 and had completed an overhaul in recent years, officials said. 

 

Iran—Naval Vessels May Be Headed To Venezuela, U.S. Officials Say Politico | 06/02/2021 Iran has deployed a pair of naval vessels, which may be on their way to Venezuela, according to U.S. officials cited by Politico (Washington, D.C.). An unnamed frigate and the afloat forward staging base Makran are sailing south along the east coast of Africa. The destination of the ships and possible cargo is not known. They are believed to be heading to Venezuela, possibly as a challenge to U.S. power in the region. Venezuelan officials have reportedly been told that welcoming the warships would be a mistake, although it is not clear if Caracas will heed the warning. Iran and Venezuela, both under U.S. sanctions, have been building closer ties in recent years, raising concerns in Washington. 

 

Israel—Troops Destroy Border Post In Golan Heights Agence France-Presse | 06/02/2021 The Israeli military says it has destroyed a Syrian army post in in the Golan Heights, reports Agence France-Presse. On Tuesday, Israeli troops destroyed the post on the western side of the Alfa line, said an Israeli military spokesman, referring to the Israeli side of a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone. The site sits on the Syrian side of a fence but is within the Israeli zone, noted the Times of Israel. Troops planted charges to destroy the site, reported Channel 13. Such outposts have also been used by Hezbollah and pro-Iranian militias, said unnamed officers. Attempts to violate the sovereignty of the Israeli state will not be tolerated, the spokesman said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. 

 

Israel—IAI Wins Deal To Supply UAV Services To Asian Country Israel Aerospace Industries | 06/02/2021 Israel Aerospace Industries has announced a contract with an unspecified Asian country for uncrewed aircraft services. The US$200 million deal involves the provision of UAV services to the Asian country through the Heron system, IAI said in a release on Tuesday. The agreement includes the advanced Mk II version of the Heron, reported the Times of Israel. This is the fourth major UAV project for IAI announced this year. These include two other deals in Asia and one with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). Those contracts have a combined value of US$140 million. 

 

Morocco—AFRICOM Denies Reports That Training To Take Place In W. Sahara Agence France-Presse | 06/02/2021 U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has denied reports that elements of an upcoming military exercise in Morocco will take place in the disputed Western Sahara, reports Agence France-Presse. The African Lion 21 exercise, slated to run from June 7-18, will be held mostly in Morocco, including Kenitra Airbase and Tan Tan and Guerir Labouhi training areas, AFRICOM said on Tuesday. Locations for the training were selected in summer 2021, before the U.S. recognized Moroccan sovereignty claims over Western Sahara in December 2020, said the command. Prime Minister Saad Eddine El Othmani tweeted last week that the training would "consecrate" U.S. recognition of Morocco's claims to Western Sahara. The tweet was later deleted.

 

Chad—CAR Forces Blamed For Deadly Attack On Border Post Radio France Internationale | 06/02/2021 Chad has accused soldiers from the Central African Republic (CAR) of a deadly assault on a border outpost, reports Radio France Internationale. On Sunday morning, heavily armed CAR forces attacked the Chadian outpost of Sorou, Chadian Foreign Minister Cherif Mahamat Zene said on Monday. Of the 12 soldiers in the outpost at the time, one was killed, five were injured and another five kidnapped and later executed in Mbang in the Central African Republic. The attack was premeditated and amounted to a war crime, Zene said. The CAR government later denied that its troops were involved, blaming the attack on rebels that its forces were pursuing, reported Agence France-Presse. The CAR has regularly accused Chad of supporting armed groups on its territory. A Chadian security source said that the CAR forces were chasing suspected members of the Unity for Peace in Central Africa or 3R rebel groups. Both are among the most powerful groups in the CAR and are part of a coalition that attempted to overthrow President Faustin Archange Touadera in December. 

 

Nigeria—200 Children Abducted From Islamic School In West Premium Times | 06/02/2021 Armed bandits have kidnapped as many as 200 students from an Islamic school in Nigeria's western Niger state, reports the Premium Times (Abuja). On Sunday, the bandits seized the police station in the densely populated town of Tegina in the Rafi local government area before breaking into the school to abduct the children. The number of students kidnapped has not been confirmed. Around 150 students were missing and could not be accounted for, CNN reported on Tuesday. Eleven victims were released, because they were too young, said a provincial spokeswoman. The incident comes three months after 42 people, including students, were kidnapped in the town of Kagara, 11 miles (18 km) from Tegina. 

 

Uganda—Transportation Minister Survives Kampala Attack Daily Mirror | 06/02/2021 Uganda's transportation minister has been wounded in an assassination attempt that killed his daughter and driver, reports the Daily Mirror (Kampala). On Tuesday, unknown gunmen opened fire on the armored Land Cruiser carrying Edward Katumba Wamala, his daughter, their driver and a bodyguard as they passed through the Kampala suburb of Kisasi. The attackers were on two motorcycles, reported the Voice of America News. A police statement cited by the BBC said that four armed men on motorcycles followed the vehicle for about 2.5 miles (4 km) before opening fire. The license plates on the motorcycles were concealed, police told CNN. Katumba was shot in both shoulders. He was rushed to a nearby clinic to receive medical care. A doctor described his status as stable. Katumba served as the Ugandan defense chief from 2013 to 2017. Since 2015, at least 36 Ugandan officials, including prosecutors, police, lawmakers and others have been killed in similar attacks, almost all involving unidentified gunmen on motorcycles. 

 

Brazil—Air Force To Cut KC-390 Procurement Due To Budget Issues AIN Online | 06/02/2021 Budget cuts due to the novel coronavirus are forcing the Brazilian air force to reduce its purchase of domestically developed airlifters, reports AIN Online. On May 26, the service announced that it planned to renegotiate its contract with Embraer to reduce the number of KC-390s on order and slow down their deliveries, reported Aviaci Online. The order for 28 KC-390s is beyond the service's "budgetary reality … both for acquisition and for logistical support over time," the air force said. The air force did not reveal how many aircraft it now planned to acquire. It is reportedly seeking a production rate of two aircraft per year, down from the current rate of three to four aircraft. If that production rate is secured through the originally anticipated conclusion date of 2027, the air force would have a fleet as small as 18 aircraft. The air force noted that the KC-390s in service had demonstrated exceptional availability and dispatch rates, resulting in greater volume and agility for cargo and personnel transport missions.