Good Tuesday morning October 19
I hope that your week has started well
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Today in Naval and Marine Corps History
October 19
1843 While commanding the first screw propelled U.S. naval steamer Princeton, Capt. Robert F. Stockton challenges the British merchant ship Great Western to a speed race off New York. Princeton easily wins the race.
1864 The steamer Mobile captures schooner Emily off San Luis Pass, Texas with a cargo of 150 bales of cotton.
1915 The Naval Submarine Base at New London, Conn. is established.
1944 President Franklin D. Roosevelt approves Secretary of Navy James V. Forrestal's order for African American women to be accepted into the Naval Reserve.
1987 U.S. Navy destroyers destroy two Iranian oil-drilling platforms during Operation Nimble Archer. This action was in response to the Iranian Silkworm Missile that hit MV Sea Isle City, which was under the protection of Operation Earnest Will.
2000 USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65) is launched at Halter Marine in Pascagoula, Miss. She is the sixth Military Sealift Command Pathfinder class oceanographic survey ship.
This Day in History
0439 The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, take Carthage in North Africa.
1216 King John of England dies at Newark and is succeeded by his nine-year-old son Henry.
1448 The Ottoman Sultan Murat II defeats Hungarian General Janos Hunyadi at Kosovo, Serbia.
1466 The peace of Torun ends the war between the Teutonic knights and their own disaffected subjects in Prussia.
1739 England declares war on Spain over borderlines in Florida. The War is known as the War of Jenkins' Ear because the Spanish coast guards cut off the ear of British seaman Robert Jenkins.
1781 Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis surrenders to George Washington and Count de Rochambeau at Yorktown, Va. Cornwallis surrenders 7,157 troops, including sick and wounded, and 840 sailors, along with 244 artillery pieces. Losses in this battle had been light on both sides. The Revolutionary War is effectively ended.
1812 Napoleon Bonaparte begins his retreat from Moscow.
1848 John "The Pathfinder" Fremont moves out from near Westport, Missouri, on his fourth Western expedition--a failed attempt to open a trail across the Rocky Mountains along the 38th parallel.
1864 At the Battle of Cedar Creek, Va., a narrow victory helps the Union secure the Shenandoah Valley.
1873 Yale, Princeton, Columbia and Rutgers universities draft the first code of football rules.
1914 The German cruiser Emden captures her thirteenth Allied merchant ship in 24 days.
1917 The first doughnut is fried by Salvation Army volunteer women for American troops in France during World War I.
1942 The Japanese submarine I-36 launches a floatplane for a reconnaissance flight over Pearl Harbor. The pilot and crew report on the ships in the harbor, after which the aircraft is lost at sea.
1949 The People's Republic of China is formally proclaimed.
1950 The North Korean capital of Pyongyang is captured by U.N. troops.
1954 Egypt and Britain conclude a pact on the Suez Canal, ending 72 years of British military occupation. Britain agrees to withdraw its 80,000-man force within 20 months, and Egypt agrees to maintain freedom of canal navigation.
1960 Canada and the United States agree to undertake a joint Columbia River project to provide hydroelectric power and flood control.
1973 President Richard Nixon rejects an Appeals Court demand to turn over the Watergate tapes.
1987 In retaliation for Iranian attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf, the U. S. navy disables three of Iran's offshore oil platforms.
1988 British government bans TV and radio interviews with members of Irish political group Sinn Fein and 11 paramilitary groups.
1989 The 1975 conviction of the Guilford Four overturned by British courts; the 4 men had been convicted in the 1974 Guilford pub bombings.
2003 Mother Teresa is beatified by Pope John Paul II for her work among "the poorest of the poor" in India.
2005 Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's trail for crimes against humanity begins in Baghdad.
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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, 19 October 2021… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻…
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 19 October 1966… Times Sunday Magazine feature by Sam Butz: "The Pilots Call Hanoi Dodge City" (Part 2 of 3)
http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/rolling-thunder-remembered-19-october-1966-going-to-dodge-2/
This following 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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Thanks to Mike
Black Hawk & Apache Replacements are Coming
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Thanks to Brett
Geopolitical Futures:
Keeping the future in focus
https://geopoliticalfutures.com
Daily Memo: Chinese Missile Tech, Austin's Black Sea Tour
Beijing is reportedly making significant progress in its hypersonic weapons program.
By GPF Staff
October 18, 2021
China's leap forward. China reportedly caught the U.S. off guard by testing a sophisticated new nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August, according to the Financial Times. The hypersonic glide vehicle purportedly fully circled the globe in low-earth orbit once before going after its target, which it narrowly missed. If true, this would be considered a major leap forward in Chinese missile tech, with the extraordinary range and maneuverability of this type of weapon making it theoretically capable of out-flanking missile defense networks. Beijing is denying the report, claiming it merely tested a space vehicle, not a missile.
Black Sea tour. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is embarking on a tour of the Black Sea region this week. He began the trip on Monday with a stop in Georgia, where he will meet with the country's prime minister and defense minister, with whom he is expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement. Austin will then visit Ukraine and Romania before heading to Brussels. His trip comes days after Russia's defense and finance ministers met with the head of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia.
Chinese crises. China's twin property and energy crises aren't easing yet. Home sales in September slumped a whopping 17 percent year over year in September, though this is a modest improvement over the nearly 20 percent drop posted in August. Meanwhile, unusually early freezes in parts of China are pushing energy demand even higher. Industry leaders claim coal shortages will begin to ease in the coming month or so. Both issues appear to have contributed to the slowdown in Chinese economic output, with gross domestic product growth slowing to 4.9 percent in the third quarter, down from a brisk 7.9 percent in the second quarter. One silver lining for China: The global spike in energy prices is leading to a windfall for Chinese diesel and gasoline exports.
Talks postponed. The Venezuelan government called off talks with opposition leaders set to take place over the weekend in Mexico after Cape Verde extradited Alex Saab, who allegedly has financial ties to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to the United States on money laundering charges. Relatedly, 2 million barrels of heavy Venezuelan crude are reportedly set to depart for Iran on a ship operated by the National Iranian Oil Company.
Canadian support. A Canadian frigate joined a U.S. destroyer on a transit through the Taiwan Strait late last week. This comes as the French navy has become unusually active in the area, while the British have likewise been boosting their presence in regional waters. China condemned the move.
F-16 deal? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the United States offered to sell Turkey F-16 fighters as compensation for its $1.4 billion investment in the F-35 program, from which Ankara has been suspended because of its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems. Erdogan said the two countries are currently negotiating a deal to resolve the impasse.
Erdogan's meetings. Meanwhile, Erdogan met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Istanbul on Saturday. Chief among the topics of discussion were the 2016 migration agreement between Brussels and Ankara, as well as the potential for another wave of refugees coming from Afghanistan. On Sunday, Erdogan began a four-day diplomatic tour through West Africa. He will visit Angola, Togo and Nigeria in an effort to strengthen Turkish ties in the continent.
Peace efforts. The foreign ministers of Israel, India, the United States and the United Arab Emirates are meeting on Monday. (The former two will meet in person in West Jerusalem while the latter two will join remotely.) The talks will focus on expanding peace efforts between Israel and its neighbors.
Drills. Members of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization are holding military drills in southern Tajikistan near the Afghan border.
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This Day in U S Military History
1926 – John C. Garand patented a semi-automatic rifle. Civil Service employee John Garand was in a class all by himself, much like the weapons he created. Garand was Chief Civilian Engineer at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. Garand invented a semiautomatic .30 caliber rifle, known as the M-1 or "the Garand," which was adopted in 1936 after grueling tests by the Army. It was gas-operated, weighed under 10 pounds, and was loaded by an 8-round clip. It fired more than twice as fast as the Army's previous standard-issue rifle and was praised by General George S. Patton, Jr., as "a magnificent weapon" and "the most deadly rifle in the world."
2001 – Rangers and other Special Operations Forces (SOF) soldiers conducted airborne and air assault operations against several sites in Kandahar. Four MC-130 aircraft dropped 199 Rangers of the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment (-), onto a desert landing strip southwest of Kandahar, code-named Objective RHINO. Assisted by circling AC-130 Spectre gunships, the Rangers quickly secured their objective. Then the soldiers and attached psychological operations (PSYOP) loudspeaker teams moved toward a nearby enemy compound and cleared it without resistance. Having secured the landing zone, they assisted follow-on helicopter forces of SOF soldiers that had additional raids to conduct in the area. In all, the Rangers and SOF soldiers spent almost five-and-a-half hours on the ground with only a few minor injuries. Although the tactical results of the raid were mixed, the Taliban was shown that U.S. forces could strike anywhere and anytime and that no location in Afghanistan was a safe haven any longer.
2001 – Task Force (TF) DAGGER, under the command of Col. John Mulholland, comprised of 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), aviators from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), Special Tactics personnel from the Air Force Special Operations Command, and 1st battalion of the 87th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division (Light), launched its first twelve-man SF team into northern Afghanistan to the south of the key city of Mazar-e Sharif via helicopter.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
RAY, CHARLES W.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company 1, 22d U.S. Infantry. Place and date: Near San Isidro, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 19 October 1899. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Birth: Pensacola Yancey County, N.C. Date of issue: 18 April 1902. Citation: Most distinguished gallantry in action. Captured a bridge with the detachment he commanded and held it against a superior force of the enemy, thereby enabling an army to come up and cross.
HAJIRO, BARNEY F.
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Private Barney F. Hajiro distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as "Suicide Hill" by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro's heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.
*WEINSTEIN, JACK
Rank and Organization: Sergeant. U.S. Army. Company G. 21st U.S. Infantry. Place and Date: October 19, 1951, Kumson, Korea. Born: October 18, 1928, Lamar, MO . Departed: Yes (04/20/2006). Entered Service At: . G.O. Number: . Date of Issue: 03/18/2014. Accredited To: . Citation: Weinstein is being recognized for his exceptionally valorous actions on Oct. 19, 1951, in the vicinity of Kumson, Korea, when his platoon came under enemy attack. He volunteered to stay back and provide cover while his men withdrew from their positions. Weinstein killed six enemy combatants and, after running out of ammunition, used enemy grenades around him to keep the enemy forces back. Weinstein held his position until friendly forces moved back in and pushed the enemy back.
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Thanks to Brett
Geopolitical Futures:
Keeping the future in focus
https://geopoliticalfutures.com
Daily Memo: Chinese Missile Tech, Austin's Black Sea Tour
Beijing is reportedly making significant progress in its hypersonic weapons program.
By GPF Staff
October 18, 2021
China's leap forward. China reportedly caught the U.S. off guard by testing a sophisticated new nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August, according to the Financial Times. The hypersonic glide vehicle purportedly fully circled the globe in low-earth orbit once before going after its target, which it narrowly missed. If true, this would be considered a major leap forward in Chinese missile tech, with the extraordinary range and maneuverability of this type of weapon making it theoretically capable of out-flanking missile defense networks. Beijing is denying the report, claiming it merely tested a space vehicle, not a missile.
Black Sea tour. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is embarking on a tour of the Black Sea region this week. He began the trip on Monday with a stop in Georgia, where he will meet with the country's prime minister and defense minister, with whom he is expected to sign a defense cooperation agreement. Austin will then visit Ukraine and Romania before heading to Brussels. His trip comes days after Russia's defense and finance ministers met with the head of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia.
Chinese crises. China's twin property and energy crises aren't easing yet. Home sales in September slumped a whopping 17 percent year over year in September, though this is a modest improvement over the nearly 20 percent drop posted in August. Meanwhile, unusually early freezes in parts of China are pushing energy demand even higher. Industry leaders claim coal shortages will begin to ease in the coming month or so. Both issues appear to have contributed to the slowdown in Chinese economic output, with gross domestic product growth slowing to 4.9 percent in the third quarter, down from a brisk 7.9 percent in the second quarter. One silver lining for China: The global spike in energy prices is leading to a windfall for Chinese diesel and gasoline exports.
Talks postponed. The Venezuelan government called off talks with opposition leaders set to take place over the weekend in Mexico after Cape Verde extradited Alex Saab, who allegedly has financial ties to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, to the United States on money laundering charges. Relatedly, 2 million barrels of heavy Venezuelan crude are reportedly set to depart for Iran on a ship operated by the National Iranian Oil Company.
Canadian support. A Canadian frigate joined a U.S. destroyer on a transit through the Taiwan Strait late last week. This comes as the French navy has become unusually active in the area, while the British have likewise been boosting their presence in regional waters. China condemned the move.
F-16 deal? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the United States offered to sell Turkey F-16 fighters as compensation for its $1.4 billion investment in the F-35 program, from which Ankara has been suspended because of its acquisition of Russian S-400 air defense systems. Erdogan said the two countries are currently negotiating a deal to resolve the impasse.
Erdogan's meetings. Meanwhile, Erdogan met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Istanbul on Saturday. Chief among the topics of discussion were the 2016 migration agreement between Brussels and Ankara, as well as the potential for another wave of refugees coming from Afghanistan. On Sunday, Erdogan began a four-day diplomatic tour through West Africa. He will visit Angola, Togo and Nigeria in an effort to strengthen Turkish ties in the continent.
Peace efforts. The foreign ministers of Israel, India, the United States and the United Arab Emirates are meeting on Monday. (The former two will meet in person in West Jerusalem while the latter two will join remotely.) The talks will focus on expanding peace efforts between Israel and its neighbors.
Drills. Members of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization are holding military drills in southern Tajikistan near the Afghan border.
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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/.
Oct. 18, 1984
The first production Rockwell International B-1B Lancer, serial number 82-0001, a supersonic four-engine strategic bomber with variable sweep wings, made its first flight from Air Force Plant 42, Palmdale, California. Rockwell test pilot Mervyn Leroy Evenson (Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired) was the aircraft commander, with co-pilot Lt. Col. Leroy Benjamin Schroeder; Maj. S.A. Henry, Offensive Systems Officer; and Capt. D.E. Hamilton, Defensive Systems Officer.
Oct. 19, 1911
Civilian exhibition pilot Eugene B. Ely lost control of an aircraft and crashed while landing before spectators during an exhibition at the state fair at Macon, Georgia. Ely died from a broken neck when the plane struck the ground, throwing the pilot from the seat. On Feb. 16, 1933, President Herbert C. Hoover presented the Distinguished Flying Cross as a posthumous award to the aviator's son, Col. Nathan D. Ely, USA (Ret.).
Oct. 20, 1945
A flight of three B-29 bombers led by Lt. Gen. Nathan F. Twining landed in Washington, D.C., having covered 13,000 miles from Guam in only 60 hours. There were refueling stops in India and Germany. General Twining went on to receive his fourth star, and retired as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September 1960. Learn more about him HERE.
Oct. 21, 1947
The Northrup YB-49 Flying Wing made its first flight in a trip from the Hawthorne plant to Muroc AFB, California. Muroc was redesignated Edwards AFB on Feb. 10, 1948.
Oct. 22, 1968
The first manned mission of the Apollo Program, Apollo 7, splashed down in the North Atlantic Ocean. The three-man crew, Walter M. Schirra, Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham, had completed 163 orbits in 10 days, 20 hours, 9 minutes, 3 seconds. The spacecraft landed 7 nautical miles from the recovery ship, USS Essex (CVS-9). Cunningham, a retired USMCR colonel, is a Daedalian Life Member. Retired Naval Captain Schirra was a Life Member until his death in 2007.
Oct. 23, 1922
The American Propeller Company demonstrated the reversible or adjustable pitch propeller at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C. Tests continued until 1927.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for October 19 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
19 October
1928: A six-man machine gun team parachuted from a six-aircraft formation over Brooks Field in a parachute demonstration. (24)
1935: Capt Earl E. Gimmler (Army Air Corps) won the Mitchell Trophy Race at Selfridge Field by flying 212.96 MPH.
1938: The Curtiss XP-40 Tomahawk first flew. 1948: The Navy announced the launching of rockets with internal cameras. These flights produced pictures of earth taken between 60 and 70 miles up. (16)
1950: KOREAN WAR. Fifth Air Force fighters provided crucial air support to U.S. 1st Cavalry Division troops for the Battle of Hukkyori, some 10 miles south of Pyongyang. Afterwards, UN forces entered the N. Korean capital. (28)
1951: KOREAN WAR. After the U.S. Army opened a 1000-bed hospital at Camp Drew, north of Tachikawa AB, Japan, forth, C-54s flew medical evacuees from Korea to Tachikawa, then C47s shuttled them to Camp Drew, thereby reducing transit time. (28)
1955: The FCC authorized the American Telephone and Telegraph Company to start work on the SAGE radar warning system. (24)
1964: MATS received its first C-141A Starlifter, when Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Marietta, delivered tail number 38078 to the 1707 ATW at Tinker AFB. (18)
1966: North American's XB-70A bomber exceeded its design speed of Mach 3 for the first time in a flight from Edwards AFB. (12) PROJECT LONG LIFE II: SAC unsuccessfully tried the first short-range launch of a modified Minuteman II from Grand Forks AFB. Attempts on 28 October
1966 (Long Life) and 14 August
1968 (Project Giant Boost) also failed. (6)
1967: Mariner V made a closeup (2,480-mile) flyby of Venus, some four months after its launch. This 540-pound satellite, built by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, transmitted atmospheric and magnetic field data before continuing on into a solar orbit.
1968: Maj William J. Knight won the Harmon International Aviator's Trophy for 1968 as the world's outstanding pilot for flying X-15 No. 2 to 4,520 MPH (Mach 6.72).
1971: The 354 TFW became the first A-7D wing to achieve operationally ready status.
1973: The ANG received its first A-7D. 1979: Through 21 October, 2 C-141s flew 38 severely burned US marines from Yokota AB to Kelly AFB after a fire swept through an enlisted men's barracks at Mount Fuji, Japan. (16) (18)
1999: Through 20 October, Northrop-Grumman's RQ-4A Global Hawk flew a 24.8-hour mission from Edwards AFB to Alaska. The extended-range sortie included its first mission over water and its first flight beyond the CONUS. During the flight, the Global Hawk collected and relayed 193 ground images to ground stations. (3)
2005: After five decades of service, the USAF and the Lockheed Martin launched the last Titan IV B rocket from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The heavy-lift rocket's 200th launch carried a critical national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office into space. (AFNEWS Article, "Vandenberg Launches Final Titan IV," 20 October 2005)
2007: At Edwards AFB, Calif., an Air Force crew successfully flew a C-17 with the FischerTropsch/JP-8 blend in one tank to validate engine performance. (AFNEWS, "C-17 Flight Uses Synthetic Fuel Blend," 25 Oct 2007.)
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World News thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Austin Tours Black Sea States DoD News | 10/19/2021 Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is visiting several Black Sea countries ahead of a NATO meeting this week, reports the DoD News. Austin departed for Georgia on Sunday, reported Agence France-Presse. He will also visit Ukraine and NATO member Romania. On Monday, Austin met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze, reported Defense News. During the meeting, Austin reaffirmed U.S. support for Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity; the importance of their partnership for regional and global security challenges; areas of bilateral security cooperation; and means of encouraging regional cooperation in the Black Sea. The sides also signed an agreement to extend U.S.-led military training in Georgia. The mandate for a three-year old program led by Army, Marine Corps and special operations personnel was due to expire in December. The extended program will support bureaucratic reforms and introduce Georgian maneuver brigades to integrated fires, including engineering capabilities. In Ukraine, Austin is scheduled to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Andrii Taran to discuss U.S. support for its sovereignty and territorial integrity; Ukrainian progress implementing defense and defense industry reforms; and regional cooperation in the Black Sea. Austin will then meet with President Klaus Iohannis and Minister of National Defense Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca in Romania. He is expected to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the bilateral partnership and NATO's eastern flank; recognize Romanian leadership in NATO on responsibility sharing; and exchange views on Black Sea security issues and regional cooperation. The trip is scheduled to conclude with his first in-person NATO Defense Ministerial meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
USA—Pegasus Tanker Cleared To Refuel F-15, F-16 Fighters Air Mobility Command | 10/19/2021 Air Mobility Command (AMC) has authorized the Air Force's new aerial tanker to refuel additional aircraft, reports the command. On Oct. 13, Gen. Mike Minihan, the head of AMC, approved an interim capability release (ICR) clearing the KC-46 Pegasus to accept operational taskings to refuel all variants of the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, the command said in a release. This is the third ICR milestone for the KC-46. The first, approved in July authorized the Pegasus to refuel aircraft using its centerline drogue system. The second ICR in August permitted the Pegasus to refuel the B-52 bomber, C-17 airlifter and other KC-46s using its boom. With the latest approval, the KC-46 can support 62 percent of all receiver aircraft requesting air refueling support from Transportation Command, enabling the aircraft to perform missions that would otherwise have to be filled by a KC-135 Stratotanker or KC-10 Extender. The KC-46 is operationally restricted from refueling certain aircraft due to boom operator display issues, noted Air Force magazine. Those affect stealth aircraft in particular due to the potential to damage stealth coatings.
Russia—NATO Mission To Be Suspended Tass | 10/19/2021 Russia says it is suspending its mission to NATO, reports the Tass news agency (Moscow). On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Russian mission with the alliance would close on Nov. 1. Lavrov linked the move to NATO's Oct. 6 decision to revoke accreditation for eight members of the mission, who were accused of espionage. NATO also reduced the permitted size of the office. As a result, there are "no conditions for elementary diplomatic work," said Lavrov. NATO previously reduced the size of the Russian mission in 2015 and 2018.
China—Beijing Denies Report That It Tested Hypersonic Weapon Financial Times | 10/19/2021 China appears to have tested a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile earlier this year, reports the Financial Times (U.K.). In August, the Chinese military launched a rocket that deployed a hypersonic glide vehicle that successfully "circled the globe" in low-earth orbit before landing about 25 miles (40 km) from its target, unnamed sources told the newspaper. Two sources said that although the vehicle did not hit its target, the test demonstrated that Chinese efforts to develop hypersonic weapons were more advanced than similar Russian and U.S. projects. Beijing's new weapon could, in theory, fly over the South Pole, presenting a challenge for U.S. missile defense systems, which are focused on the Arctic route, said analysts. The Chinese government denied that it had tested a hypersonic weapon, saying that the trial was a "routine spacecraft experiment to verify the reusable technology," reported CNN.
Japan—Chinese, Russian Ships Pass Through Tsugaru Strait After ASW Drill South China Morning Post | 10/19/2021 Chinese and Russian warships have sailed through a narrow strait in northern Japan following an anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Sea of Japan, reports the South China Morning Post. On Monday, 10 warships passed through the Tsugaru Strait, which separates Japan's largest island, Honshu, from the northern island of Hokkaido. The Chinese vessels included the cruiser Nanchang, a Luyang III-class destroyer, two Jiangkai-class frigates and a Fuchi-class replenishment vessel, reported the Nikkei. The Russian contingent consisted of two Udaloy-class destroyers, two Steregushchiy-class frigates and a Marshal Nedelin-class missile tracking vessel. The ships completed four days of an annual exercise in the Peter the Great Gulf before making the transit. The Russian and Chinese vessels were monitored by Japanese P-3C maritime surveillance aircraft and two minesweepers as they passed through the strait. Analysts said that the passage was intended as a message to Japan, which has been strengthening ties with the U.S. and the Quad with Australia and India. China sees the latter as being intended to contain it.
South Korea—Japanese, U.S. Intel Chiefs Visit Seoul Yonhap | 10/19/2021 The top intelligence officials from Japan, South Korea and the U.S. met this week in Seoul, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Tuesday, South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Park Jie Won sat down with U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines and Japanese Cabinet intelligence chief Hiroaki Takizawa. The talks focused on the Korean peninsula, including South Korean proposals to declare a formal end to the Korean War. The leaders also discussed economic security issues, including global supply chains, and pledged to strengthen trilateral intelligence-sharing, reported the NK News (Seoul). It was Takizawa's first visit to Seoul since assuming the top intelligence post in September after Prime Minister Fumio Kishida took office. Prior to the talks, Park met individually with the U.S. and Japanese officials, while Haines also met with National Security Director Suh Hoon.
North Korea—SLBM Test-Fired From Sinpo Korea Herald | 10/19/2021 North Korea has test-launched another ballistic missile, reports the Korea Herald. On Tuesday, North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from Sinpo, along the east coast, said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. The military indicated that it was likely launched from a small submarine. The missile traveled about 370 miles (590 km) and reached an altitude of 37 miles (60 km) before landing in the Sea of Japan, reported the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). The military speculated that the trial involved a new mini SLBM that was displayed by North Korea last week. It may also have involved a KN-23 missile, which has a similar range and is in service, reported NK News (Seoul).
Australia—Rheinmetall Unveils Lynx Combat Support Vehicle Rheinmetall Defence | 10/19/2021 Rheinmetall has unveiled a new version of its Lynx infantry fighting vehicle developed in Australia for combat support missions. On Monday, the Lynx combat support vehicle (CSV) was rolled out during an event at Rheinmetall Australia's Military Vehicle Center of Excellence in Redbank, Queensland, Rheinmetall said in a release. The center also manufactures the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle and performs final integration for logistics trucks. The CSV features additional onboard fuel to refuel other vehicles in the field; a roof-mounted crane with a capacity of more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kg) capable of pulling other vehicles and replacing powerpacks; and excavation attachments including a clam shell bucket and rock breaker. A modular remote weapon station on the roof can accommodate a 7.62-mm or 12.7-mm machine gun or a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. The Lynx CSV was designed and built in Australia and is the only combat support vehicle designed and manufactured there, said the company.
Pakistan—Police Officer Killed In Baluchistan Bombing Dawn | 10/19/2021 A bombing in Quetta in southwestern Pakistan has killed a police officer and injured more than a dozen others, reports the Dawn (Karachi). On Monday, an explosive device placed on a motorbike detonated outside of Baluchistan University in Quetta. The device appeared to have been activated by remote control, Counterterrorism Department (CTD) officials told Al Jazeera (Qatar). At least 13 police officers and four civilians were injured in the explosion. Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove said that the attack was directed at students who were protesting, but tight security measures prevented the bomber from reaching their target.
Iran—20-Year Cooperation Deal Planned With Venezuela Tasnim News Agency | 10/19/2021 Senior Iranian and Venezuelan officials have agreed to develop a long-term cooperation plan, reports Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency. On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and his Venezuelan counterpart, Felix Plasencia, announced that they had agreed to draw up a roadmap for a 20-year cooperation deal. A joint economic cooperation commission is expected to be formed in Tehran before the end of the year to finalize the details of the cooperation agreement, reported Al Jazeera (Qatar). The agreement is slated to be signed during a visit by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which is scheduled in the next few months. Shortly before Plasencia arrived, an Iranian-flagged tanker departed from Venezuela for Iran with a cargo of 2 million barrels of heavy crude from a Venezuelan state-run oil firm. The tanker traveled to Venezuela with 2.1 million barrels of Iranian condensate as part of a unilateral swap deal to circumvent U.S. sanctions.
Kuwait—1st Pair Of Typhoon Jets Make Maiden Flight In Italy The Aviationist | 10/19/2021 The first two Eurofighter Typhoons for the Kuwaiti air force have completed their initial flight in Italy, reports the Aviationist blog. On Oct. 15, the jets took flight from Leonardo's Caselle plant near Turin in northwestern Italy. Photos show at least one of the jets was a twin-seat variant. Kuwait ordered 22 single- and six twin-seat Typhoons in April 2016. Although the contract initially called for delivery of all the jets by 2023, it is not clear if that deadline will be met. These Typhoons are in the most advanced configuration to date, featuring the Captor E active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar in the initial ECRS Mk 0 configuration; the multirole Phase 3 Enhancement Package B (P3Eb); and the Sniper advanced targeting pod. Kuwait will be the eighth country to operate the Typhoon.
Syria—Israel Blamed In Shooting Of Intelligence Official On Golan Heights Border Times of Israel | 10/19/2021 A former Syrian legislator and intelligence official has been killed by gunfire while standing near his home on the border with Israel in the Golan Heights, reports the Times of Israel. On Saturday, Midhat Saleh was shot and killed in Ain al-Tinah in the Golan Heights, directly across the border from the Druze village of Majdal Shams in Israel where he was born. Syrian state media said Saleh was killed by sniper fire from Israel. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident. A member of the Druze minority, Saleh was jailed in Israel for 12 years on terrorism charges and released in 1997. He then moved to Syria where became a member of Parliament and served as the head of the Golan Heights portfolio, before joining its intelligence service, reported the New York Times. At the time of his death, he was responsible for overseeing the strategic border along the Golan Heights. Israeli media reported that he was assisting the Iranian presence along the frontier.
Israel—Government Approves Special Budget For Potential Iran Strikes Times of Israel | 10/19/2021 The Israeli government has approved a new budget to prepare the military for potential strikes on Iran, reports the Times of Israel. The US$1.5 billion budget includes about US$900 million from the previous budget, as well as US$600 million in new funding expected to be allocated in the next government budget in November, Channel 12 (Tel Aviv) reported on Monday. The budget covers various aircraft, intelligence-gathering drones and weapons needed to defeat heavily fortified underground sites. Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi, the head of the Israel Defense Forces, told the Walla news site (Tel Aviv) that Israel had accelerated its preparations for a potential strike on Iran.
Ethiopia—3 Killed In Mekelle Strikes East African | 10/19/2021 At least three people have been killed in airstrikes in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, reports the East African (Nairobi). On Monday, a busy market and a hotel in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, were hit in separate attacks, said witnesses, aid workers and sources from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). At least seven people were injured in the second strike, which severely damaged a four-star hotel. Ethiopian officials initially denied conducting the attacks but later acknowledged the operation, saying that it was intended to prevent further casualties. According to Ethiopian Press Agency reports cited by Al Jazeera (Qatar), the government claimed that the strikes hit media and communications equipment used by the TPLF. The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the TPLF of killing 30 civilians in recent attacks in Amhara and Afar, which border Tigray.
Cape Verde—Maduro Financier Extradited To U.S. Dept. Of Justice | 10/19/2021 A Colombian national accused of acting as a financier for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been extradited to the U.S. by Cape Verde, reports the U.S. Dept. of Justice. Alex Nain Saab Moran was expected to make an initial appearance in a federal court in Miami, Fla., on Monday after being extradited from Cape Verde, said a departmental release Saab allegedly ran a corruption network that was used by Maduro and his allies, including Saab, to steal millions of dollars from the CLAP government-subsidized food program. The scheme also allegedly involved the use of food as a form of social control, reported CNN. Beginning in 2011, Saab allegedly engaged in fraud and bribery regarding the import of materials for a program to build low-income housing units. The U.S. Treasury Dept. sanctioned Saab in response to the scheme and he was indicted in July 2015 on seven counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. An Interpol red notice was issued following the indictments, and on June 12, 2020, he was detained in Cape Verde at the request of the U.S. The Cape Verde Supreme Court approved his extradition on March 16, and the last of subsequent appeals were dismissed by the Constitutional Court on Oct. 13, leading to his extradition to the U.S. on Oct. 16. In Venezuela, five U.S. citizens and a U.S. permanent resident, all former executives of the CITGO Petroleum Corp., were picked up by Venezuelan intelligence and taken to the Helicoide prison in Caracas. Their detention appears to be in retaliation for Saab's extradition. The six were arrested in 2017 and charged with embezzlement. They had been under house arrest since May.
Haiti—Missionaries Caught Up In Wave Of Kidnappings National Public Radio | 10/19/2021 A group of missionaries from the U.S. and Canada has become the latest victims of a rash of kidnappings in Haiti, reports NPR News. On Saturday, 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian were traveling from an orphanage in the Croix des Bouquets suburb northeast of Port-au-Prince toward Tianyan, north of the capital, when their vehicle was stopped and they were abducted, reported CNN. The group included five men, seven women and five children and was affiliated with Christian Aid Ministries, which is headquartered in Ohio. Security forces blamed the abduction on the 400 Mawozo gang. Over the past three years, the group has gained control Croix des Bouqets and is known for kidnapping people for ransom. The group reportedly pioneered the concept of collective kidnappings, where large groups are taken from cars or buses. The group typically demands a ransom of around US$20,000. Kidnappings in Haiti have surged 300 percent since July, with 628 people, including 29 foreigners, having been abducted this year. Ongoing economic and political unrest following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July and an earthquake in August as well as underequipped security forces have contributed to an environment where kidnapping for ransom is a profitable business.
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