The List 6008 TGB
Good Friday Morning February 18
I hope that you have a great 3 day weekend
Regards,
Skip
This day in Naval and Marine Corps History
February 18
1846—Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft issues the General Order to change "Larboard" to "Port" for identification of the left side of a sailing vessel.
1865—In order for CSS Charleston, CSS Chicora, and CSS Palmetto State not to be captured by Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren's squadron during the evacuation of Charleston, SC, Confederate Capt. John R. Tucker, orders the ships be set afire and blown up.
1942—USS Truxtun (DD 229) and USS Pollux (AKS 2) sink during a heavy storm in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, with the loss of 204 lives.
1944—The amphibious force under Rear Adm. Harry W. Hill lands troops on Engebi Island, Eniwetok, securing the island before the end of the day.
1945—U.S. Navy destroyers engage Japanese vessels off Iwo and Chichi Jima. USS Waldron (DD 699) is damaged after intentionally ramming a gunboat; USS Dortch (DD 670) sinks auxiliary submarine chaser Ayukawa Maru north-northwest of Iwo Jima; USS Barton (DD 722), USS Ingraham (DD 694), and USS Moale (DD 693) operating near Chichi Jima, sink Japanese guardboats No.35 Nanshin Maru, No. 3 Kyowa Maru, and No.5 Kukuichi Maru.
This day in History
February 18
1478 George, the Duke of Clarence, who had opposed his brother Edward IV, is murdered in the Tower of London.
1688 Quakers in Germantown, Pa. adopt the first formal antislavery resolution in America.
1813 Czar Alexander enters Warsaw at the head of his Army.
1861 Victor Emmanuel II becomes the first King of Italy.
1861 Jefferson F. Davis is inaugurated as the Confederacy's provisional president at a ceremony held in Montgomery, Ala.
1865 Union troops force the Confederates to abandon Fort Anderson, N.C.
1878 The bitter and bloody Lincoln County War begins with the murder of Billy the Kid's mentor, Englishman rancher John Tunstall.
1885 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, is published in New York.
1907 600,000 tons of grain are sent to Russia to relieve the famine there.
1920 Vuillemin and Chalus complete their first flight over the Sahara Desert.
1932 Manchurian independence is formally declared.
1935 Rome reports sending troops to Italian Somalia.
1939 The Golden Gate Exposition opens in San Francisco.
1943 German General Erwin Rommel takes three towns in Tunisia, North Africa.
1944 The U.S. Army and Marines invade Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific.
1945 U.S. Marines storm ashore at Iwo Jima.
1954 East and West Berlin drop thousands of propaganda leaflets on each other after the end of a month long truce.
1962 Robert F. Kennedy says that U.S. troops will stay in Vietnam until Communism is defeated.
1964 The United States cuts military aid to five nations in reprisal for having trade relations with Cuba.
1967 The National Art Gallery in Washington agrees to buy a Da Vinci for a record $5 million.
1968 Three U.S. pilots that were held by the Vietnamese arrive in Washington.
1972 The California Supreme Court voids the death penalty.
1974 Randolph Hearst is to give $2 million in free food for the poor in order to open talks for his daughter Patty.
1982 Mexico devalues the peso by 30 percent to fight an economic slide.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear … Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post
… For The List for Friday, 18 February 2022… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 18 February 1967… Angry voices, or voices of reason?…
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 James ...And Dr. Rich
A HEART-WARMING STORY…"Rags to Riches"
Every morning, the CEO of a large bank in Manhattan walks to the corner for a shoeshine.
He sits in an armchair, examines the Wall Street Journal and the shoe shiner buffs his shoes to a mirror shine.
One morning the shoe shiner asks the CEO:"What do you think about the situation in the stock market?"
The man answered arrogantly, "Why are you so interested in that topic?"
The shoe guy replies, "I have millions in your bank," he says, "and I'm considering investing some of the money in the capital market."
"What's your name? " asked the executive.
John H. Smith was the reply.
The CEO arrives at the bank and asked the Manager of the Customer Department; "Do we have a client named John H. Smith"?
"Certainly, answers the Customer Service Manager, "he is a high net worth customer with 12.6 million dollars in his account."
The executive comes out, approaches the shoe shiner, and says, "Mr. Smith, I would like to invite you next Monday to be the guest of at our board meeting
and tell us the story of your life.I am sure we could learn something from your life's experience."
At the board meeting, the CEO introduces him to the board members.
"We all know Mr. Smith, from the corner shoeshine stand, but Mr. Smith is also an esteemed customer.
I invited him here to tell us the story of his life. I am sure we can learn from him."
Mr. Smith began his story.
"I came to this country fifty years ago as a young immigrant from Europe with an unpronounceable name. I got off the ship without a penny.
The first thing I did was change my name to Smith. I was hungry and exhausted.
I started wandering around looking for a job but to no avail. Fortunately, I found a coin on the sidewalk. I bought an apple.
I had two options, eat the apple and quench my hunger or start a business.
I sold the apple for 25 cents and bought two apples with the money.
I also sold them and continued in business.
When I started accumulating a few dollars, I was able to buy a set of used brushes and shoe polish and started polishing shoes.
I didn't spend a penny on entertainment or clothing, I just bought bread and some cheese to survive.
saved penny by penny and after a while, I bought a new set of shoe brushes and polishes in different shades and expanded my clientele.I lived like a monk and saved penny by penny.
After a while, I was able to buy an armchair so my clients could sit comfortably while I shined their shoes, and that brought me more clients.
I did not spend a penny on the joys of life. I kept saving every cent.
A few years ago, when the previous shoe shiner on the corner decided to retire, I had already saved enough money to buy his shoeshine location at this great place.
Finally, 6 months ago, my sister, who was a hooker in Chicago, passed away and left me 12.6 million dollars."
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Thanks to Jim
Interesting site
"Sailor Bob"
SWO blog site I mentioned yesterday: https://www.sailorbob.com/
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Thanks to Carl and toTom for finding the URL
A WONDERFUL story about real Americans!!
Keep the Faith
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Thanks to Micro
Points Worth Pondering
China claims that coronavirus came from an old stupid bat, but Nancy Pelosi denied having been involved.
If the current power grid can't handle a night of 20 degrees temperatures without rolling blackouts, how are we going to plug 100 million electric cars up at night?
Are there any countries that tax their citizens and send some of it to Americans?
Imagine, if you will, a world where every tweet and meme must be fact checked but not a ballot.
How to stop drunk drivers from killing sober drivers? Ban sober drivers from driving. That's exactly how gun control works.
Can we still order black coffee? Are brownies being taken off the shelf? Is White Castle changing its name? I'm sure Cracker Barrel is screwed. Can we still play Chinese checkers? Is that season still called Indian summer? No more Italian sausages? How far do you want to go with this foolishness?
*Heck of a job, Democrats! You've managed to bring back the 1918 pandemic, the 1929 depression, the 1968 race riots and the 1973 gas prices - all at the same time.
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Thanks to Carl
Paul Douglas went to Marine boot camp at 50. Then he earned a Bronze Star and 2 Purple Hearts in WWII
When he was wounded, he took off his rank insignia so he wouldn't receive special attention.
BY JEFF SCHOGOL | PUBLISHED FEB 11, 2022 1:53 PM
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Lost words
Thanks to Gay
Do you remember this word? Would you believe the email spell checker did not recognize the word Mergatroyd? Heavens to Mergatroyd! (Try it)
The other day a person of my age said something to her son about driving a Jalopy and he looked at her quizzically and said "What the heck is a Jalopy?"
OMG (new phrase)! He never heard of the word jalopy!! She knew she was old..... but not that old. Well, I hope you are Hunky Dory after you read this and chuckle.
About a month ago, I illuminated some old expressions that have become obsolete because of the inexorable march of technology. These phrases included "Don't touch that dial," "Carbon copy," "You sound like a broken record" and "Hung out to dry."
Back in the olden days we had a lot of 'moxie.' We'd put on our best 'bib and tucker' to' straighten up and fly right'.
Heavens to Betsy! Gee whillikers! Jumping Jehoshaphat! Holy moley!
We were 'in like Flynn' and 'living the life of Riley'', and even a regular guy couldn't accuse us of being a knucklehead, a nincompoop or a pill. Not for all the tea in China!
Back in the olden days, life used to be swell, but when's the last time anything was swell?
Swell has gone the way of beehives, pageboys and the D.A.; of spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, saddle shoes and pedal pushers...AND DON'T FORGET.... Saddle Stitched Pants.
Oh, my aching back! Kilroy was here, but he isn't anymore.
We wake up from what surely has been just a short nap, and before we can say, Well, I'll be 'a monkey's uncle!' Or, This is a 'fine kettle of fish'! We discover that the words we grew up with, the words that seemed omnipresent, as oxygen, have vanished with scarcely a notice from our tongues and our pens and our keyboards.
Poof, go the words of our youth, the words we've left behind. We blink, and they're gone.
Where have all those great phrases gone?
Long gone: Pshaw, The milkman did it. Hey! It's your nickel. Don't forget to pull the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper. Well, Fiddlesticks! Going like sixty. I'll see you in the funny papers. Don't take any wooden nickels. Wake up and smell the roses.
It turns out there are more of these lost words and expressions than Carter has liver pills. This can be disturbing stuff! ("Carter's Little Liver Pills" are gone too!)
We of a certain age have been blessed to live in changeable times. For a child each new word is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age. We at the other end of the chronological arc have the advantage of remembering there are words that once did not exist and there were words that once strutted their hour upon the earthly stage and now are heard no more, except in our collective memory. It's one of the greatest advantages of aging.
Leaves us to wonder where Superman will find a phone booth...
See ya later, alligator! After while, crocodile!
Okidoki
WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE FABULOUS 50'S...NO ONE WILL EVER HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY AGAIN...WE WERE GIVEN ONE OF OUR MOST PRECIOUS GIFTS:
.............OUR MEMORIES!!.....
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This Day in U S Military History February 18
1944 – Following the usual pre-landing procedures, an intense bombardment and air strike look place on Engebi beginning at 0843. Two battalions of Marines landed and overcame enemy resistance very quickly. By 1600 the Island was reported secured. During the attack by the Marines on Engebi, elements of the 5th Amphibious Corp Recon Company and the Scout Company were methodically occupying the smaller islands along the reefs. Japanese resistance of Engebi, although ferocious, was marked by an obvious lack of preparation. Numerous underground shelters and coral lined pill boxes were found as were sniper positions in coconut trees. However, so rapid was the Marine advance that few requests were made upon the ships for call fires. In the attack on Engebi our losses wore 78 killed, 166 wounded, and 7 missing, for a total of 251. The number of Japanese dead buried on Engebi was 934. Sixteen prisoners were taken. So heavy and accurate was the Navy and air bombardment that observers stated destruction was greater than that which had occurred on Kwajalein. Practically all structures above ground were demolished. A prisoner stated that about half the defenders were killed or wounded prior to the landings. During the afternoon of 18 February, advance preparations were made for the attack on Eniwetok Island. The 106th Regimental Combat Team of the 27th Division was designated to make this assault.
1944 – The Germans commit 26th Panzer and 29th Panzergrenadier Divisions to the attack on Anzio. Strong allied artillery holds off and blunts the attacks. Kesselring and Mackensen realize that the Allied beachhead cannot be wiped out. The Germans launched a more intense assault against the 45th Division at dawn and destroyed one battalion of the 179th Infantry before pushing the remainder of the unit back a half mile farther to Lucas' final defensive line by midmorning. Fearing that the 179th Infantry was in danger of giving way, Lucas ordered Col. William O. Darby, founder of the WWII era Rangers, to take command of the unit and allow no further retreat. The regiment held, later counting 500 dead Germans in front of its positions. Elsewhere, the 180th and 157th regiments also held their positions in spite of heavy losses during three days of German attacks. By midday, Allied air and artillery superiority had turned the tide. When the Germans launched a final afternoon assault against the 180th and 179th regiments, it was halted by air strikes and massed mortar, machine gun, artillery, and tank fire. Subsequent enemy attacks on 19 and 20 February were noticeably weaker and were broken up by the same combination of Allied arms before ground contact was made The crisis had passed, and while harassing attacks continued until 22 February, VI Corps went over to the offensive locally and succeeded in retaking some lost ground.
1944 – American forces continue their raid on the Japanese base at Truk. Over the course of the two days, US aircraft log 1250 sorties. The Japanese lose 1 cruiser, 2 destroyers, several other warships and 140,000 tons of shipping to air attack. The battleships Iowa and New Jersey sink 1 cruiser and 2 destroyers. In addition 250 Japanese aircraft are reported destroyed. American submarines sink several more vessels. The US forces lose less than 30 planes and damage is sustained to the carrier Intrepid.
1967 – J. Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb," dies in Princeton, New Jersey, at the age of 62. An expert in quantum theory and nuclear physics, he was enlisted into the fledgling U.S. atomic weapons program in 1941. In 1942, the "Manhattan Project," as the program became known, was greatly expanded, and Oppenheimer was asked to establish and direct a secret laboratory to carry out the assignment. He chose Los Alamos, a site in the New Mexico desert that he had visited earlier in life, and together with some of the world's top physicists began work on the bomb. On July 16, 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was exploded at the "Trinity" test site in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and only three weeks later the United States dropped the first of two bombs on Japan. Over 200,000 Japanese eventually perished as a result of the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Oppenheimer regretted the use of the terrible weapon he had helped build, and he worked with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to win approval for international control of atomic energy. The USSR refused to support the U.S. plan, and in 1949 the Soviets successfully detonated their first atomic weapon. The loss of U.S. atomic supremacy, coupled with revelations that Los Alamos scientist Klaus Fuchs had given nuclear secrets to the Soviets, led President Harry S. Truman to approve development of the hydrogen bomb. Oppenheimer strongly opposed development of the H-bomb, which was theorized to be hundreds of times more powerful than the bombs dropped on Japan. On November 1, 1952, the first "superbomb" was successfully detonated in the Pacific. In 1953, because of both his opposition to the hydrogen bomb and his admitted leftist leanings in the 1930s, Oppenheimer lost his security clearance and was ousted from the AEC. The case stirred wide controversy, and many people came to his defense. After leaving the government, he returned to teaching. He died in 1967.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
* FERNANDEZ, DANIEL
Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry (Mechanized) 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Cu Chi, Hau Nghia Province, Republic of Vietnam, 18 February 1966. Entered service at: Albuquerque, N. Mex. Born: 30 June 1944, Albuquerque, N. Mex. c.o. No.: 21, 26 April 1967. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Fernandez demonstrated indomitable courage when the patrol was ambushed by a Viet Cong rifle company and driven back by the intense enemy automatic weapons fire before it could evacuate an American soldier who had been wounded in the Viet Cong attack. Sp4c. Fernandez, a sergeant and 2 other volunteers immediately fought their way through devastating fire and exploding grenades to reach the fallen soldier. Upon reaching their fallen comrade the sergeant was struck in the knee by machine gun fire and immobilized. Sp4c. Fernandez took charge, rallied the left flank of his patrol and began to assist in the recovery of the wounded sergeant. While first aid was being administered to the wounded man, a sudden increase in the accuracy and intensity of enemy fire forced the volunteer group to take cover. As they did, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the group, although some men did not see it. Realizing there was no time for the wounded sergeant or the other men to protect themselves from the grenade blast, Sp4c. Fernandez vaulted over the wounded sergeant and threw himself on the grenade as it exploded, saving the lives of his 4 comrades at the sacrifice of his life. Sp4c. Fernandez' profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for February 18, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
18 February
1918: "Lafayette Escadrille" transferred to American forces as the 103d Pursuit Squadron and began operations on the front under tactical control of the French. The "Lafayette Escadrille" was a unit in the French military comprised of American volunteers who joined the fight before the United States entered World War I. (4) (24) The 95th Aero Squadron, the first proper US fighter unit, arrived in France. (5)
1921: Airmail pilot Carroll C. Eversole made the first emergency free-type parachute escape from a plane near Minneapolis, Minn. The jump took place at 800 feet from a De Havilhand DH-4, which had lost its propeller and had gone into a dive and spin. (24)
1930: Lt L. F. Schoenhair used a Lockheed Vega-Wasp 450 to set several world and American speed records with payload, including records of 185.49 MPH for 100 kilometers with a 500-kilo load, 176.0 MPH for 100 kilometers, and 168.27 MPH for 500 kilometers with a 100-kilo load. (5)
1938: WOMEN'S EVENT. Jacqueline Cochran received The General William Mitchell Memorial Plaque for her achievements in aeronautics, based on her speed records. (24)
1943: The first class of 39 flight nurses graduated from the U. S. Army Air Forces School of Air Evacuations at Bowman Field, Ky. (24)
1957: Through 20 February, the first national scientific symposium on problems with space travel held. (24)
1958: At the Arnold Research and Development Center, Tullahoma, Tenn., a wind tunnel test attained an airflow speed of 32,400 MPH for one-tenth of a second. (5)
1959: The 576th Strategic Missile Squadron at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., received the first Atlas D missile. (6)
1963: At the Atlantic Missile Range, the first dual launch of Hound Dog missiles succeeded. (6)
1965: USAF jets soloed for the first time without Vietnamese Air Force crewmembers in an attack against enemy targets in South Vietnam. The USAF flew Martin B-57 Canberras and North American F-100 Super Sabres against the Viet Cong near An Khe. (21)
1972: Pacific Air Forces assigned its first C-9A aeromedical aircraft to the 20th Operations Squadron at Clark AB, Philippines. The C-9s replaced the C-118s. (17)
1977: The Space Shuttle made its first captive flight atop a carrier aircraft, a modified Boeing 747. (16) (26)
1978: Rockwell International received an $18.9 million contract to build a spacecraft to carry the Teal Ruby experiment. This payload included a downward-looking infrared sensor with a mosaic focal plane to measure aircraft signatures and background flux at infrared wavelengths. (5)
1986: Through 22 February, the 129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group and the 41st Air Rescue and Recovery Squadron used four H-3s, two HH-53s, and three C-130s to rescue 33 flood victims in the Russian and Yuba River valleys of Northern California. The helicopters also delivered over 3,000 sandbags to Army troops responding to the disaster site. (16) (26)
1994: Operation DENY FLIGHT. The USAF deployed aircraft, five KC-135s, to France for the first time in 20 years. The tankers flew from French bases to refuel aircraft flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina for the operation. (21) The last F-4G Wild Weasel aircraft left USAFE. They flew from Spangdahlem AB, Germany, to Nellis AFB, Nv. (16) (26)
1997: Operation ASSURED LIFT. Through 3 March, five C-130s from the 3d Air Expeditionary Group's 37 AS airlifted 1,160 African peacekeepers and 452 tons of cargo from various African countries to Liberia to restore order after a civil war there. (21)
1999: Operation DEEP FREEZE. The last US Navy LC-130 left Antarctica to end naval support DEEP FREEZE. Operational support switched in 1998 to the New York ANG's 109th Airlift Wing. (32)
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World News for 18 February thanks to Military Periscope
USA—GM Defense Joins GDLS For OMFV Program General Dynamics Land Systems | 02/18/2022 General Dynamics Land Systems has added General Motors Defense to its team competing for the Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program. GDLS has implemented digital engineering processes, artificial intelligence and modular open electronic architecture into its concept for the program, the company said in a release on Wednesday. GM Defense President Steve duMont said that he saw "tremendous synergies as we seek to leverage our core capabilities in integrated vehicles, power and propulsion and mobility and autonomy to support the OMFV program." The OMFV program seeks to develop a replacement for the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, noted Defense News. GM Defense joins AeroVironment, Applied Intuition and General Dynamics Mission Systems as part of the GDLS team. Four other teams are competing to design the OMFV, including Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems and American Rheinmetall Vehicles. Those teams have already completed their initial concept reviews with the Army. As many as three teams may receive a detailed design phase contract in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. The prototyping phase is expected to start in fiscal 2025, with one contractor to be selected for low-rate initial production in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2027. Full-rate production is slated to begin in fiscal 2030.
USA—Russia Accused Conducted Unsafe Intercepts Over Med, Navy Says Navy Times | 02/18/2022 The U.S. Navy says Russian aircraft conducted several unsafe intercepts of its maritime patrol aircraft flying over the Mediterranean, reports the Navy Times. Last weekend, Russian Su-35 fighters intercepted three American P-8A Poseidons while they were flying in international airspace, a Navy spokesman said on Wednesday. Sources told CNN that the intercepts were "extremely close." Such interactions could result in miscalculations or mistakes with potentially dangerous outcomes, the spokesman said. Russian aircraft have made similarly close intercepts of U.S. aircraft over the Mediterranean in recent years.
USA—Senate Confirms Russian Expert To Senior Pentagon Post Cable News Network | 02/18/2022 The Senate has finally confirmed the Biden administration's nominee to serve as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, reports CNN. On Wednesday, Celeste Wallander was confirmed by a vote of 83 to 13. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) placed a hold on the nomination last week. He also placed a hold on the nomination of David Honey as deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. Honey was also confirmed on Wednesday by a vote of 94 to 1. Hawley announced in September that he would place holds on all civilian nominees to the Dept. of Defense and State Dept. to try and force the resignation of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, blaming them for the chaotic exit from Afghanistan last year. The holds have been criticized for disrupting the confirmation of nominees to key national security posts. Wallander is a Russia expert and previously served as the head of the nonprofit U.S.-Russia Foundation.
United Kingdom—Counterterror Police Seek To Prevent Extremists From Traveling To Ukraine Guardian | 02/18/2022 The U.K. has begun checking passengers headed to Ukraine in a bid to prevent far-right extremists seeking combat experience from traveling there, reports the Guardian (U.K.). Last week, counterterrorism police were stationed at the departure gates of at least one major British airport. The police were checking the identity of travelers to Ukraine and questioning them on their reasons for traveling. The checks came after at least six known neo-Nazis traveled to Ukraine from the U.S. and Europe this week. Far-right extremists may be looking to join paramilitary groups fighting on the front line in the eastern Donbas region to gain combat experience that they could potentially use for attacks at home.
Turkey—TF-X Touted At Singapore Airshow In Bid For Asian Partners Flightglobal | 02/18/2022 Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has displayed a mockup of its TF-X fighter aircraft as it seeks partners in Asia for the program, reports Flight Global. TAI brought the full-scale mockup to the Singapore Airshow to market the aircraft, seeking both potential partners and customers. Company officials said that customers for its Hurkus turboprop trainer aircraft and Hurjet jet trainer have expressed interested in procuring the TF-X. Turkey decided to pursue a national fighter jet in 2010, choosing the twin-engine TF-X layout in 2015. It is intended to be a fifth-generation stealth fighter, noted AIN Online. A preliminary design review is scheduled this year, which would be followed by roll in March 2023. First flight is expected in 2025. The first jets could be delivered as early as 2029, according to TAI.
Poland—Washington Approves Sale Of 250 Abrams Tanks U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency | 02/18/2022 The U.S. State Dept. has approved the potential sale of Abrams main battle tanks to Poland, reports the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency. The possible US$6 billion deal covers 250 M1A2 Service Enhancement Package version 3 (SEPv3) tanks; 250 AN/VLQ-12 CREW Duke counter-IED systems; 26 M88A2 Hercules combat recovery vehicles; 17 Joint Assault Bridges; 276 M2 .50 caliber machine guns; 500 M240C 7.62-mm machine guns; 15 AGT1500 gas turbine engines; 9,168 120-mm M865 Target Practice, Cone Stabilized, Discarding Sabot - Tracer (TPCSDS-T) cartridges; 4,592 120-mm M1002 target practice multipurpose tracer (TPMP-T) projectiles; 13,920 120-mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) TP-T cartridges; and 6,960 120-mm XM1147 High Explosive multipurpose tracers. Approval also covers communication equipment, support and maintenance. The proposed sale would help Poland to field a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in NATO operations, the DSCA said. The Polish Defense Ministry had announced its intention to acquire 250 Abrams tanks in July 2021, previously reported Defense News. The tanks are expected to equip four armored battalions assigned to the 1st Warsaw Armored Brigade and 19th Mechanized Brigade, reported Defence24 (Warsaw).
Russia—Kremlin Announces Strategic Forces Exercise Tass | 02/18/2022 Russia has announced new drills involving strategic forces, reports the Tass news agency (Moscow). "On Feb. 19, a scheduled exercise of the strategic deterrence force will be held under the leadership of the Supreme Commander of the Russian Federation's Armed Forces," the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Friday. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko may also attend the training, depending on the circumstances, said a Kremlin spokesman. The training will involve ballistic and cruise missile launches and bring together elements of the Aerospace Force, Southern Military District, Strategic Missile Force and Northern and Black Sea fleets. During the exercise, a strategic missile submarine from the Northern Fleet will fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) towards the Kura training ground in Kamchatka (Far East). A nuclear-powered submarine from the Pacific Fleet will launch an ICBM at a target in the Chizha firing range, located in northern Russia. Defense ministry officials said that the training was planned in advance and aimed to assess the readiness of military command centers, launch combat teams, the crews of combat ships and strategic missile carriers.
Russia—Moscow Expels Senior U.S. Diplomat CNN | 02/18/2022 Russia has expelled the second-highest ranking U.S. diplomat in the country, reports CNN. Earlier this year, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission in Moscow Bart Gorman was given two weeks to leave Russia, the State Dept. said on Thursday. Last week, Gorman left Russia and returned to the U.S., said the department. Gorman maintained a valid visa at the time of his expulsion, reported Interfax (Moscow). The State Dept. called the decision unprovoked. On Friday, a Kremlin spokesman said that move was a retaliatory measure, taken in response to "a provocation," reported the Tass news agency (Moscow). That provocation was believed to be in reference to the expulsion of the minister counselor at the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C.
South Korea—Test Launch Of Interceptor Scheduled Yonhap | 02/18/2022 South Korea will test launch a long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) next week, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Feb. 23, the Agency for Defense Development will test launch an L-SAM from a site in Taen, about 93 miles (150 km) southwest of the capital, military sources said on Friday. Those tests suggest that development of the indigenous L-SAM system is proceeding, said analysts. South Korea plans for the system to enter service by 2026. Some have speculated that a series of provocative test launches by North Korea could cause South Korea to accelerate that timeline.
South Korea—Anti-Piracy Unit Resumes Ops After COVID-Related Suspension Yonhap | 02/18/2022 The South Korean counterpiracy unit off the coast of Africa has resumed operations following a pause triggered by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, reports the Yonhap news agency (Seoul). On Thursday, South Korean defense officials announced that the Cheonghae unit would resume operations after a three-week suspension. The unit, centered on the destroyer Choi Young, halted operations after 59 personnel tested positive for COVID-19. There had been no new positive tests reported since last week, the news agency said. Two personnel were still quarantining in a hotel in Oman while two others had been dispatched for medical support.
Australia—Volcanic Debris Linked To Adelaide Amphib Breakdown Australian Broadcasting Corporation | 02/18/2022 Senior Australian navy officials say that debris from a recent volcanic eruption on Tonga may have been the cause of an initial power failure on an amphibious warship sent to the archipelago to deliver humanitarian aid, reports the Australian Broadcasting Corp. HMAS Adelaide was dispatched to Tonga last month after a major volcanic eruption to provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief. On Jan. 29, three days after she had arrived, the amphibious ship suffered a major power failure, which Australian navy officials told lawmakers was caused by seawater polluted with debris from the volcanic eruption. The debris blocked the seawater cooling system feeding the diesel generators, causing them to overheat and shut down. Power was restored within a few hours, the officials said. On Jan. 30, the Adelaide suffered a second power failure, which was attributed to a fault with the gas turbine. Emergency power was restored within two minutes and full power over the course of the day, navy officials said. The cause of the power failures were still being investigated, but was not due to a single point of failure, said the officials.
Iran—Details Emerge Of Potential Final Nuclear Deal With U.S. Reuters | 02/18/2022 New details of a potential U.S.-Iranian nuclear agreement have surfaced, reports Reuters. A draft text of the agreement runs about 20 pages and includes a series of sequential steps to bring both the U.S. and Iran back into full compliance with the 2015 accord. The first in the series does not include waivers on current oil sanctions, said diplomats familiar with the negotiations. Instead, they start with Iran agreeing to suspend enrichment above 5 percent purity. They also include measures to unfreeze about US$7 billion in Iranian funds frozen in South Korean banks and the release of U.S. prisoners in Iran. Once those steps have been met, the countries will move into a phase of lifting wider sanctions. However, several details, including the duration of these phases, has yet to be announced. Eventually, Iran will return to enriching no higher than 3.67 percent purity and the U.S. will resume issuing 90- and 120-day sanctions waivers, allowing Iranian oil to return to the international market, said diplomats. On Wednesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that a deal could materialize within a matter of days, reported CNN. He placed the onus for finalizing the deal on Iran.
Iraq—Army Receives Bulgarian MBTs, IFVs Defense Post | 02/18/2022 Iraq has taken delivery of used main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles from Bulgaria, reports the Defense Post. On Monday, the Iraqi Defense Ministry announced that it had taken delivery of T-72 tanks and BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles. The deliveries are part of a US$245 million accord signed with Apollo Engineering in 2021. At least 10 IFVs and one tank were spotted being offloaded in the port of Umm Qasr.
Syria—2 Troops Dead In Latakia Crash New Arab | 02/18/2022 At least two Syrian troops are dead following a helicopter crash in the northwestern Latakia province, reports the New Arab (London). On Thursday, the aircraft encountered technical problems mid-flight and crashed in a mountainous area, reported the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). Three crewmembers aboard survived impact, though it was not clear what injuries, if any, they suffered. SANA showed images of the charred remains of the helicopter.
Syria—Israeli Missile Strikes Target Army Base Outside Damascus Times of Israel | 02/18/2022 Syrian state media say that Israeli missiles fired from the Golan Heights struck a Syrian army base south of Damascus, reports the Times of Israel. On Wednesday night, the surface-to-surface missiles were launched from the Golan Heights and struck the base near the town of Zakiya, causing property damage, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). The target was a base being used by pro-Iranian militias, local media said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The increased use of surface-to-surface missiles rather than air-launched munitions has been linked to talks between Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin allegedly asked Israel to rely on fewer airstrikes, which reveal the ineffectiveness of Syria's Russian-supplied air defenses.
Equatorial Guinea—U.S. Pushing For Officials To Reject Proposed Chinese Military Base South China Morning Post | 02/18/2022 U.S. diplomats are lobbying Equatorial Guinea to reject a proposed Chinese military base in the country, reports the South China Morning Post. On Tuesday, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee met President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Malabo. The talks touched on issues of bilateral interest, combatting trafficking and climate change, said U.S. officials. Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the president's son and the vice-president, met a U.S. delegation that included U.S. National Security Council's Africa strategy adviser Judd Devermont and Air Force Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman of U.S. Africa Command. Those talks included topics related to maritime security, said Mangue. Prior to the trip, the Wall Street Journal reported that the talks were expected to bring up a proposed Chinese military base in the country. Media reports from December indicated that China sought to build a naval base in Bata, the country's largest city. Equatorial Guinean officials have said that no such agreements have yet been made.
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