The List 6023
Good Friday Morning March 4
I hope that you all have a great weekend
The rain did not stop us from having a great Bubba Breakfast this morning.
Regards,
Skip
This day in Naval and Marine Corps History
March 4
1825—The schooner Grampus, commanded by Lt. Francis H. Gregory, captures a pirate sloop off the southern coast of Puerto Rico.
1862—The wooden side-wheel steamship USS Santiago de Cuba, commanded by Cmdr. Daniel B. Ridgely, reports the capture of sloop O.K. off Cedar Keys, FL.
1925—Congress authorizes the restoration of frigate USS Constitution, which had launched in 1797. In July 1931, amid a 21-gun salute, Constitution is recommissioned and sails on a tour of 90 U.S. ports along three coasts.
1945—USS Baya (SS 318) sinks merchant tanker Palembang Maru off Cape Varella, French Indochina, and USS Tilefish (SS 307) and sinks Japanese fishing vessel ShikoMaru.
1963—US Navy C-130 Hercules aircraft complete a 12-day rescue operation of a critically-ill Danish seaman from a Danish freighter off the coast of Antarctic.
1991—Iraq releases 10 Desert Storm prisoners of war (six Americans, three of whom were designated MIA), including Navy Lt. Jeffrey Zaun, Lt. Robert Wetzel, and Lt. Lawrence Slade.
This Day in World History
4 March
1152 Frederick Barbarossa is chosen as emperor and unites the two factions, which emerged in Germany after the death of Henry V.
1461 Henry VI is deposed and the Duke of York is proclaimed King Edward IV.
1634 Samuel Cole opens the first tavern in Boston, Massachusetts.
1766 The British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act, the cause of bitter and violent opposition in the colonies
1789 The first Congress of the United States meets in New York and declares that the Constitution is in effect.
1791 Vermont is admitted as the 14th state. It is the first addition to the original 13 colonies.
1793 George Washington is inaugurated as President for the second time.
1797 Vice-President John Adams, elected President on December 7, to replace George Washington, is sworn in.
1801 Thomas Jefferson becomes the first President to be inaugurated in Washington, D.C.
1813 The Russians fighting against Napoleon reach Berlin. The French garrison evacuates the city without a fight.
1861 The Confederate States of America adopt the "Stars and Bars" flag.
1877 The Russian Imperial Ballet stages the first performance of "Swan Lake" in Moscow.
1901 William McKinley is inaugurated president for the second time. Theodore Roosevelt is inaugurated as vice president.
1904 Russian troops begin to retreat toward the Manchurian border as 100,000 Japanese advance in Korea.
1908 The New York board of education bans the act of whipping students in school.
1912 The French council of war unanimously votes a mandatory three-year military service.
1914 Doctor Fillatre of Paris, France successfully separates Siamese twins.
1921 Warren G. Harding is sworn in as America's 29th President.
1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt is inaugurated to his first term as president in Washington, D.C.
1944 Berlin is bombed by the American forces for the first time.
1952 North Korea accuses the United nations of using germ warfare.
1963 Six people get the death sentence in Paris plotting to kill President Charles de Gaulle.
1970 Fifty-seven people are killed as the French submarine Eurydice sinks in the Mediterranean Sea.
1975 Queen Elizabeth II knights Charlie Chaplin.
1987 President Reagan takes full responsibility for the Iran-Contra affair in a national address.
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Thanks to the Bear
Admiral Hayward had been a long time member of the List and had sent many notes that were published here. I last saw him at one of our F-8 reunions a few years ago where he filled in for me as bar tender for a bit. A great Man.
skip
Admiral
For your info …This is truly a sad day… We have lost one of the very best of our time… Bear
Begin forwarded message:
From: "Cox, Samuel J SES USN NHHC WASHINGTON DC (USA)" <samuel.j.cox4.civ@us.navy.mil>
Date: March 4, 2022 at 4:36:34 AM MST
Subject: Passing of ADM Thomas B. Hayward, USN (Ret.) – 21st CNO
Fellow Flag Officers,
It is with deep regret I inform you of the passing of Admiral Thomas Bibb Hayward, U.S. Navy (Retired,) on 3 March at age 97. Admiral Hayward enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as an Aviation Cadet in May 1943, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1947, and served as a Naval Aviator until his retirement in July 1982 as the 21st Chief of Naval Operations. He flew 146 combat missions in Fighter Squadron FIVE ONE (VF-51) during the Korean War (including a crash landing due to flak damage,) earning a Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew 36 combat missions during the Vietnam War while in command of Air Wing TEN, earning a Legion of Merit with Combat "V." He served as a test pilot in 1954-56, testing advanced jets that were quite dangerous to fly. His commands included Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO THREE (VF-103,) Attack Carrier Air Wing TEN (CVW-10,) USS GRAFFIAS (AF-29) for a Vietnam deployment, USS AMERICA (CVA-66) for a Vietnam deployment, Hawaiian Sea Frontier/FOURTEENTH Naval District/Naval Base Pearl Harbor/Fleet Air Hawaii, SEVENTH Fleet, and Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet. He served as Chief of Naval Operations from July 1978 to June 1982. As CNO, he turned the Navy around from a post-Vietnam nadir "hollow force" to one that played a key role in bringing about the end of the Cold War. His "Not in my Navy" policy turned around the debilitating effects of illegal drug use, and his relentless push for better quality of service resulted in a major increase in pay and benefits for U.S. Navy personnel and families.
Due to length, the detailed summary of ADM Hayward's career is included as an attachment document rather than e-mail text.
Rest in Peace Admiral Hayward
Very respectfully,
Sam
Samuel J. Cox (SES)
RADM, USN (Ret)
Director of Naval History
Curator for the Navy
Director Naval History and Heritage Command
202-433-2210 (work) 571-213-9392 (govt cell)
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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, 4 March 2022… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 4 March 1967… Mr. McNamara's Whiz Kids get an F in Financial Management
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 Bruce
The Russian invasion of Ukraine
It's Bruce Redditt, Turtle's brother. Thought the bro's might appreciate the attached. It's the best essay I've yet read about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Freedman is an influential strategic analyst and historian of military affairs. This piece will be widely read, and not just in Washington and London.
All the best,
Bruce
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Thanks to Carl
MARCH 2, 2022| CHARLEY ROBERTS
"Come on, You Sons of Bitches, Do You Want to Live Forever?"– A Hero Rises Among Heroes
Only three men have received the medal of honor twice for separate actions since the Civil War, and only Dan Daly was recommended for a third.
Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Daly is better known for an action for which he did not receive the medal than for the two for which he did. He received the first medal for single-handedly holding off enemy attacks one night during the 55-day siege of the foreign legations in Peking during China's Boxer Rebellion of 1900. He received the second medal for his daring one-man actions during an ambush of his 40-man patrol in Haiti in 1915. He was nominated for a third for his actions in World War I, which included leading a charge against a German stronghold. The charge is now famous as much for what Daly said that day as for the courage he and his fellow Marines showed in making that assault across open ground in the face of intense enemy fire.
"Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?"
Read Charley's Story
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Thanks to Anne and James
Ukraine 2022: memories of the Russians putting down the 1956 Hungarian revolt
Russia has great experience at barbarism, destruction, mass rape and murder, brutal occupation, assassinations. They killed millions of Ukranians in the 1930s during the HOLODOMOR by forced starvation.
Biden is weak and worse, but hard to imagine how Trump could have handled this better.
The West getting involved militarily would probably be a monumental disaster. Nuclear war would be a clear and present danger even more so than with the Cuban crisis.
Almost certain the Russians will try to capture Ukraine's leaders and execute some or many as they would install a puppet pro-Russian regime.
IThe 1956 Hungarian revolt for freedom, democracy and against Russian oppression is not forgotten. At the end, when Russian troops attacked Hungary in great force, there was this radio broadcast by momentarily still free Hungarian radio:
Also then, the West gave moral support, but did not help militarily. Eisenhower was President.
Last very brief dramatic statement by liberal Communist Prime Minister Imre Nagy, sort of like Gorbachev (second half of broadcast in Polish for some reason):
Nagy found refuge in the Budapest Yugoslav embassy after the Russians re-occupied Hungary. He was promised safe passage to the West and left the embassy, was captured by the Russians, was secretly spirited away to Romania, later tried in Hungary and hanged. Commander of the Hungarian army, Paul Maleter, was invited to a discussion by the Russian, then arrested and later hanged. Hundreds of Hungarians were executed by the Russian installed Kadar regime.
Ukraine's Prime Minister Zelensky is a clear target.
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Thanks to Mike This is the way it is today
The SAD NFL
Cheers
Super Bowl Halftime Show
For all you folks that thought the Super Bowl was still an event perhaps worthy of uniting our population...or that the halftime show was great family entertainment....I have some stats and info for you about that particular performance:
Look up the words to the songs that were performed during halftime.
F-word 13 times,
N-word 16 times,
MF - 4 times,
P-word - 3 times,
B-word - 24 times
What a great example of songs for our kids to learn, huh? Remember, the NFL approved everything ahead of time that was broadcast. They have turned the professional football business completely over to the thugs.
Don't believe me?
Snoop Dogg (one of the "entertainers" performing in that halftime show) collaborated on a song in January with the following lyrics:
"All you n*****s out there
Take your guns that you using to shoot each other
And start shooting these bitch ass motherf****ing police
That'll impress a motherf***ing n***** like me"
Aren't we all so proud of the growing diversity we are experiencing in our culture???
And now....let's get back to vilifying the Canadian truckers and working to cancel Joe Rogan.
THIS IS THE WAY IT USED TO BE
Thanks to Jerry ...and Dr. Rich
A Little Clean Humor From Phyllis Diller
As your beauty fades, so will his eyesight.
Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance?
Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.
The reason women don't play football is because 11 of them would never wear the same outfit in public.
Best way to get rid of kitchen odors: Eat out.
A bachelor is a guy who never made the same mistake once.
I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them.
Most children threaten at times to run away from home. This is the only thing that keeps some parents going.
Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room.
What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.
The only time I ever enjoyed ironing was the day I accidentally got gin in the steam iron.
His finest hour lasted a minute and a half.
Old age is when the liver spots show through your gloves.
My photographs don't do me justice -they look just like me.
Tranquilizers work only if you follow the advice on the bottle - keep away from children.
I asked the waiter, 'Is this milk fresh?' He said, 'Lady, three hours ago it was grass.'
The reason the golf pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing.-
You know you're old if they have discontinued your blood type.
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Thanks to Chuck
Neal Foard... the best story teller of our time
Watch a couple of these and I think you'll agree.
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Thanks to Dutch……Yet another bit of history I never knew about
Thanks to Sparky
During WWI, the United States War Department hired female switchboard operators to accompany the American Expeditionary Forces to Europe. These women had to be fluent in French and English and preferably have previous switchboard experience. Their job was to connect important calls, translate information, and communicate command orders. They were known as "Hello Girls" and often worked in dangerous conditions and on the front lines. Thank you Ken for sharing.
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Thanks to Dutch
near the war
From a friend of a friend
This from a fellow Shark owner in Slovakia:
Well, not so good.
As you know, the war is just across our eastern border. We have a lot of ppl here from Ukraine. My brother and me, we actually employ several of them and we know them well for years by know.
It is a terrible situation and I have big concerns about the future. The Russian drunk idiots are unpredictable.
Thank you for your interest. We are currently organising material help for war refugees, we are managing accommodation and food supplies for them, tens of thousands have already entered Slovakia. Even more of them flea to Poland, which is considerably bigger than SK. The situation is really bad here. Imagine poor people, most of them young families, or only mothers with children, struggling to get over, without any funds, without knowing, where they will sleep and what they will eat. A terrible situation. Some of them are actually WALKING over the border, with just small suitcases, some even without any luggage at all.
Our family owns a cottage in the woods not so far from our capital Bratislava (and hopefully far enough from Ukraine). It is a weekend house, with only some electric radiators and a fire-place. It has a full (yet small) kitchen and a full bathroom, like in a proper modern house thou. And we have plenty o dry wood on stock for heating there. It can accommodate 8 people. So now we are at it. Two of our employees are currently driving over to the Polish/Ukrainian border to pick up their relatives, that managed to get over the border. We are offering this accommodation to them. At least to their families, as men have to stay in Bratislava and work, to be able to take care of their groceries. It is terrible. A real war is going on just across the border with so many consequences. Terrible. And not only individuals, but all our institutions, the whole government, universities, big companies,
everybody is mobilising to provide for the refugees. They have nothing. They only managed to grab a suitcase each. Needles to say, those people were rather poor even before the war started. There wasn't much they could take with them in the first place.
Ukrainian men we know are planning to go over to Ukraine to take part in the war. To fight. There is a general mobilisation. So we are not talking about professional soldiers, but civilians, who are planning to fight for their country. But can they really defend Ukraine? Russians are completely crazy. They are really threatening the western powers that we should not interfere, or otherwise Russia will use nuclear bombs! I understand Russian language and when I hear what Putin (that is the little jerk who plays the modern Hitler now) says, I also hear what is between the lines. Crazy.
I hope that we (USA, EU, NATO) will manage to somehow persuade the little Russian Hitler jerk to stop. Nobody knows what are their actual plans. There is also a rather strong opposition in Russia, people started to demonstrate against the war. And also many of the old Russian generals are against a war. It is possible, that Russia and their war effort will collapse from the inside. I hope. I hope that the West will impose such heavy economical measures against Russia, and agains the RUSSIAN OLIGARCHS, that also they will start calling Putin. Yet, Putin is said to be completely isolated, not having proper contact with reality. IDK.
I will inform you more later, thank you for your mail.
Eddie
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This Day in U S Military History
March 4
1944 – The U.S. Eighth Air Force launches the first American bombing raid against the German capital. The British Royal Air Force (RAF) had been conducting night raids against Berlin and other German cities since November 1943, suffering losses at increasingly heavy rates. While the British inflicted significant damage against their targets, the German defenses proved quite effective: The RAF flew 35 major raids between November 1943 and March 1944 and lost 1,047 aircraft, with an even greater number damaged. Having already suffered heavy losses during day raids of various German industrial centers, the Americans had been cautious in pursuing night raids. But in March, with the RAF exhausted, the U.S. Eighth Air Force finally pursued night bombing and made Berlin its primary target. Fourteen U.S. bomber wings took off for Germany from England on the evening of March 4; only one plane reached Berlin (the rest dropped their loads elsewhere; few planes were lost to German defenses). In retrospect, the initial American attack was considered "none too successful" (as recorded in the official history of U.S. Army Air Force). Subsequent attacks in March were more effective.
1945 – On Iwo Jima, the first damaged B -29 uses the landing field.
1993 – Authorities announced the arrest of Mohammad Salameh, a suspect in the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City. Salameh was later convicted of playing a key role.
1994 – In New York, four extremists were convicted of the World Trade Center bombing that killed six people and injured more than a thousand.
2002 – The Battle of Takur Ghar was a short but intense military engagement between United States special operations forces and al Qaeda insurgents fought in March 2002, atop Takur Ghar mountain, Afghanistan. For the U.S. side, the battle proved the deadliest entanglement of Operation Anaconda, an effort early in the war in Afghanistan to rout al Qaeda forces from the Shahi-Kot Valley and Arma Mountains. The battle saw three helicopter landings by the U.S. on the mountain top, each greeted by direct assault from al Qaeda forces. Although Takur Ghar was eventually taken, seven U.S. service members were killed and many wounded. In honor of the first casualty of the battle, Navy SEAL Neil C. Roberts, the battle is also known as the Battle of Roberts Ridge.
2015 – Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and his team of researchers find the Musashi, one of Japan's biggest and most famous battleships which was sunk by American forces in 1944, on the floor of the Sibuyan Sea.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
RYAN, RICHARD
Rank and organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: 1851, Connecticut. Accredited to: Connecticut. G.O. No.: 207, 23 March 1876. Citation: Serving on board the U.S.S. Hartford, Ryan displayed gallant conduct in jumping overboard at Norfolk, Va., and rescuing from drowning one of the crew of that vessel, 4 March 1876.
WALLACE, GEORGE W.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 9th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Tinuba, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 4 March 1900. Entered service at: Denver, Colo. Birth: Fort Riley, Kans. Date of issue: 25 June 1900. Citation: With another officer and a native Filipino, was shot at from an ambush, the other officer falling severely wounded. 2d Lt. Wallace fired in the direction of the enemy, put them to rout, removed the wounded officer from the path, returned to the town, a mile distant, and summoned assistance from his command.
*McGlLL, TROY A.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Troop G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Los Negros Islands, Admiralty Group, 4 March 1944. Entered service at: Ada, Okla. Birth: Knoxville, Tenn. G.O. No.: 74, 11 September 1944. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy at Los Negros Island, Admiralty Group, on 4 March 1944. In the early morning hours Sgt. McGill, with a squad of 8 men, occupied a revetment which bore the brunt of a furious attack by approximately 200 drinkcrazed enemy troops. Although covered by crossfire from machineguns on the right and left flank he could receive no support from the remainder of our troops stationed at his rear. All members of the squad were killed or wounded except Sgt. McGill and another man, whom he ordered to return to the next revetment. Courageously resolved to hold his position at all cost, he fired his weapon until it ceased to function. Then, with the enemy only 5 yards away, he charged from his foxhole in the face of certain death and clubbed the enemy with his rifle in handtohand combat until he was killed. At dawn 105 enemy dead were found around his position. Sgt. McGill's intrepid stand was an inspiration to his comrades and a decisive factor in the defeat of a fanatical enemy.
GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE
* * * By virtue of an act of Congress approved 4 March 1921, the Medal of Honor, emblem of highest ideals and virtues, is bestowed in the name of the Congress of the United States upon the unknown, unidentified British soldier and French soldier buried, respectively, in Westminster Abbey and Arc de Triomphe.
Whereas: Great Britain and France, two of the Allies of the United States in the World War, have lately done honor to the unknown dead of their armies by placing with fitting ceremony the body of an unknown, unidentified soldier, respectively, in Westminster Abbey and in the Arc de Triomphe; and
Whereas: animated by the same spirit of comradeship in which we of the American forces fought alongside these Allies, we desire to add whatever we can to the imperishable glory won by the deeds of our Allies and commemorated in part by this tribute to their unknown dead: Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States of America be, and he hereby is, authorized to bestow with appropriate ceremonies, military and civil, the Congressional Medal of Honor upon the unknown, unidentified British soldier buried in Westminster Abbey, London, England, and upon the unknown, unidentified French soldier buried in the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France (A.G. 220.523) (War Department General Orders, No. 52, 1 Dec. 1922, Sec. II).
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for March 4 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
4 March
1915: Congress budgeted $300,000 for Army aviation in FY1916. (24) 1924: After 6 hours of bombing, two Martin Bombers and two DH-4s broke a Platte River ice jam at North Bend, Neb. (8)
1944: FIRST DAYLIGHT-BOMBING RAID ON BERLIN. Eighth Air Force carried out the first daylight attack on Berlin. Bad weather caused the Eighth to recall the bombers after launch; however, 31 B-17s successfully completed the attack. (21)
1949: The Navy's Martin JRM-2 flying boat, Caroline Mars, set a new world passenger load record by carrying 269 people from San Diego to Alameda, Calif. (8) (24)
1954: The Lockheed XF-104 Starfighter first flew at Edwards AFB. (5)
1968: EXERCISE RAMASOON. Through 15 March, six Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) nations participated in this combined command post exercise at Korat Royal Thai AFB. (17)
1972: The 42 BMW at Loring AFB, Maine, received SAC's first operational AGM-69A SRAM for use with its B-52Gs. (1) (6)
1980: The E-4B flew its first mission as SAC's "Looking Glass" aircraft. (12)
1986: Exercise BRIGHT STAR. During this combined U.S. and Egyptian exercise, USAF tankers refueled foreign aircraft for the first time. (21)
1992: Two B-52 Stratofortresses landed in Russia on a friendship mission to demonstrate the end of the Cold War. (16)
1995: The C-17 flew across the Pacific for the first time, landing at Yokota AB. (16)
1997: Exercise Green Flag. The only remaining SR-71 flew from Edwards and performed its first real-time downlink of data while flying at Mach 3.07 at 79,600 feet. (3)
2001: At Newport News, Nancy Reagan christened the USS Ronald Reagan, the Navy's newest aircraft carrier. (21)
2002: Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During Operation ANACONDA, the USAF experienced its first combat deaths since the 1991 Gulf War. Two airmen died in helicopter assaults near Gardez, Afghanistan. (21) Operation ENDURING FREEDOM/SILVER STAR. A Kentucky ANG pararescue specialist from the 123d Special Tactics Squadron, TSgt Keary Miller, cared for wounded troops and participated in a 15-hour firefight with nearby enemy forces after his Army special operations helicopter crashed on Taku Ghar mountain in eastern Afghanistan. For his heroism, Miller received the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award for valor. (32)
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World News for 4 March thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Marines Launch New Littoral Regiment Marine Corps Times | 03/04/2022 The Marine Corps has established the first in a new series of units designed for highly mobile operations in the Indo-Pacific region, reports the Marine Corps Times. On Thursday, the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment officially stood up in Hawaii. It is based around the current 3rd Marine Regiment. The new littoral regiment was developed as part of the service's Force Design 2030 plan based on significant wargaming of the concept, officials said. Each littoral regiment will consist of a littoral combat team of one infantry battalion and a missile battery with the ability to target ships; one littoral anti-air battalion; and one combat logistics battalion. The regiment will be able to deploy expanded platoon elements of 75 to 100 Marines to create and occupy expeditionary advanced bases dispersed across a littoral environment. The small size and dispersed nature of those detachments is intended to allow them to remain undetected. The units will also have the mobility to move if discovered. From those bases, the Marine units would be able to launch cyberattacks, spot targets and sink or destroy large ships. The Marine Corps plans to establish three littoral regiments, all of which will be assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The 4th and 12th Marine Regiments are also slated to re-equip as littoral regiments, noted Breaking Defense.
USA—Crashed Stealth Fighter Recovered From S. China Sea USNI News | 03/04/2022 The U.S. Navy has recovered an F-35C stealth fighter that crashed while attempting to land on an aircraft carrier in the South China Sea earlier this year, reports USNI News. The F-35C was attempting to land on USS Carl Vinson on Jan. 24, but its approach was too low and it struck the rear of the carrier before skidding across the flight deck and falling into the sea. The fighter was recovered by personnel from Task Force 75, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and NAVSEA's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving aboard the offshore vessel DSCV Picasso, a spokesman for U.S. 7th Fleet said. A CURV-21 uncrewed underwater vehicle attached specialized rigging and lift lines. The Picasso's crane lifting hook was connected to the rigging to lift the fighter to the surface and place it on the deck of the ship. There had been concerns that China or Russia might recover the jet to steal the onboard technology or find vulnerabilities in the F-35.
USA—Hotline Established With Russia To Prevent Escalation In Europe Nbc News | 03/04/2022 The U.S. has established a new hotline with Russia to prevent any misunderstandings amid Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, reports NBC News. The direct communication channels aim to prevent "miscalculation, military incidents and escalation" in the region, a U.S. official told Reuters on Thursday. The channel was established on March 1, a defense source told Defense One. Multiple channels connect U.S. European Command with its counterparts in the Russian Defense Ministry, officials said. The U.S. does not have assets in Ukraine and has said it will not commit personnel to fighting directly with Russia there. However, the U.S. and other NATO allies have increased their presence on the alliance's eastern front in recent months, including in the Baltic states and Poland.
USA—Army Eyes New Capability For Infantry Support UGVs Breaking Defense | 03/04/2022 The U.S. Army is looking at add new capabilities to its infantry support uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), reports Breaking Defense. The Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (SMET), an 8 x 8 variant of the General Dynamics Land Systems Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT), is designed to follow foot soldiers while carrying up to 1,000 pounds (450 kg) of cargo. It has a range of 60 miles over 72 hours. It can also provide external power to recharge systems such as night-vision goggles and radios. The Army bought 624 from SMETs from GDLS that are being delivered through 2024, with the first expected to be fielded in the last quarter of 2022. A follow-on order is being considered for as many as 2,200 SMETs. The Army is looking at new payloads for the second tranche, possibly including weapon systems, communications relay, additional batteries or a small uncrewed aerial vehicle launch platform, Army officials said.
Ukraine—Russian Senior Officer Killed By Sniper Newsweek | 03/04/2022 Ukrainian forces have killed a senior Russian commander, reports Newsweek. On Wednesday, Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky was killed in Ukraine, according to a post on a social media page used by Russian veterans that was cited by several media outlets. He was killed by a sniper, military sources told the Independent (London). Russian President Vladimir Putin later confirmed that a general had been killed in his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Russian newspaper Pravda also reported Sukhovetsky's death. Sukhovetsky was the commanding officer of the 7th Airborne Division and a deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army in the Central Military District.
Ukraine—Agreement Reached With Russia On Possible Humanitarian Corridors Wall Street Journal | 03/04/2022 Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have agreed on the need to establish safe corridors and local cease-fires to allow civilians to escape Ukrainian cities surrounded by Russian forces, reports the Wall Street Journal. The preliminary accord was reached during a second round of talks on the Ukrainian-Belarusian border on Thursday. However, no details of such corridors were agreed. Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told the Washington Post that plans called for temporary corridors to allow civilians to leave and food to enter. Negotiations were still underway at the time. French officials said that Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded Ukraine disarm before any truce would be agreed to in a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. Ukrainian officials have warned that food, medicine and other essentials are running out in southern cities surrounded and bombarded by Russian forces.
Ukraine—Russians Take Control Of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Washington Post | 03/04/2022 Russian forces have seized control of the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, after their shelling caused a fire, reports the Washington Post. On Thursday, a Russian shelling started a fire at a building within the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe. The blaze was later extinguished, reported CNN. Russian officials and Ukrainian nuclear power operator, Energoatom, later confirmed that Russian troops had taken control of the site. The six reactors at the facility are intact, said the Ukrainian State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate (SNRI). Compartment auxiliary buildings for the first reactor were damaged. Following the attack, technicians began shutting down four reactors, leaving one to provide power. An unknown number of Ukrainian personnel were killed and wounded defending the site, said Energoatom. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of intentionally attacking the plant. There was no indication that radioactive material was released during the assault. However, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Mariano Grossi warned that risks could grow if fighting increased around nuclear sites.
Pakistan—Dozens Killed In Suicide Bombing In Peshawar Dawn | 03/04/2022 Dozens of people have been killed in a terrorist attack in Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan, reports the Dawn (Karachi). Initial reports suggested that two gunmen had attacked a Shia mosque in the Kocha Risaldar area of the city. Video later showed that there was only a single attacker, who shot security personnel outside the mosque before entering and setting off his explosives. Security officials said that two police officers were killed in the gunfight outside the mosque. The device contained 11-13 pounds (5-6 kg) of explosive, the officials said. At least 56 people were killed and 194 injured in the attack, many of them critically, reported Reuters. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
Iran—Enriched Uranium Stocks Continue To Grow, Says IAEA Newsweek | 03/04/2022 The International Atomic Energy Agency says that Iran has significantly increased its stockpile of enriched uranium over the last three months, reports Newsweek. Since November, Iran has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 percent by 34 pounds (16 kg) to 73 pounds (33 kg), the agency said in a statement. As of Feb. 19, the overall stockpile stood at 7,050 pounds (3,100 kg), or more than 10 times the limit of 660 pounds (300 kg) established in the 2015 nuclear agreement, reported Agence France-Presse. The report comes as the signatories to the 2015 agreement are reportedly close to reaching an accord to restore the deal.
European Union—Georgia, Moldova Submit Membership Bids Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | 03/04/2022 The republic of Georgia and Moldova have formally applied to join the European Union, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Georgia initially planned to submit an application in 2024, but the ruling Georgian Dream party announced on Wednesday that it would accelerate its plans in response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, reported Agence France-Presse. Georgia would likely have to implement major reforms to meet the E.U.'s economic and political standards, analysts said. Hours after the Georgian government announced its application on Thursday, Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced that she was signing a request to join the E.U.
France—Airbus Wins Tiger Mk 3 Contract Airbus | 03/04/2022 Airbus says it has received a contract for a major upgrade program for the Tiger attack helicopter. On Wednesday, the company announced that the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) had awarded the contract on behalf of the French and Spanish defense procurement agencies. The deal, the value of which was not disclosed, covers the development, production and initial in-service support for the Tiger Mk 3 attack helicopter upgrade program. It includes 42 Tigers for France and 18 for Spain. Paris also has an option to modernize another 25 of its Tigers. Germany will be able to join the program at a later date if it chooses, Airbus said. The Mk 3 upgrade includes improved networking capabilities, including the Thales Contact/Synaps radio and Micro-TMA data links dedicated to crewed-uncrewed teaming. Spanish Tigers will also have a Link 16 and SATCOM functionalities added. Other enhancements include an improved turreted gun; integration of Safran Strix NG sights; and the TopOwl DD helmet-mounted sight. The avionics suite will be upgraded to a digital standard with the Thales FlytX suite, incorporating five 10-in (254-mm) displays to reduce crew workload. French Tigers will receive an Atos battlefield management system; Thales CATS-150 countermeasures; Future Tactical Air-to-Surface Missile (MAST-F); and Mistral 3 air-to-air missiles, reported AIN Online. The Spanish helicopters will be equipped with a battlefield management system and countermeasures from Indra; 70-mm guided rockets; and a new air-to-ground missile. The Tiger Mk 3 prototype is expected to make its first flight in 2029. Deliveries to France are slated to follow later that year, with Spain to receive its first upgraded Tigers in 2030.
Poland—Government To Boost Defense Spending To 3 Percent Of GDP Agence France-Presse | 03/04/2022 The Polish government says it will increase defense spending significantly next year, reports Agence France-Presse. On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski told lawmakers that the government would propose to increase the defense budget to 3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, up from 2.2 percent of GDP. Further increases could follow after that, Kaczynski said. Previous plans had called for raising spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2024, reported Reuters. The proposed bill would also increase the size of the Polish army to about 300,000 soldiers over five years, said Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. The army currently fields around 143,500 troops. Part of the boost will be offset by government-secured bonds issued by state development bank BGK and treasury bonds, along with other means, due to E.U. regulations restricting budget deficits to 3 percent, said Kaczynski. The move is a response to Russia's unprovoked invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
Taiwan—Upgrades Set To Double Missile Production Central News Agency | 03/04/2022 Taiwan's National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST) will soon complete upgrades that will enable it to significantly increase missile production, reports the Central News Agency (Taipei). In 2018, the NCSIST launched a modernization of 80 of its missile-related production facilities worth a combined US$24.9 million. According to a Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense report released on Thursday, 50 of those facilities have completed their upgrades, with the balance set to be finished by June. The upgrades will allow significant increases in the annual production of the Tien Kung surface-to-air missile, Tien Chien air-to-air missile and Hsiung Feng anti-ship missile. The NCSIST is currently building 20 Hsiung Feng III missiles; 40 Tien Chien II missiles; and 48 Tien Kung III missiles annually. The upgrades will increase the yearly production capacity to 70 Hsiung Feng IIIs; 150 Tien Chien IIs; and 96 Tien Kung IIIs. Overall annual missile production capacity is set to increase from 207 to 497 missiles, reported Reuters. Other systems that will see production capacity increase include the Wan Chien air-to-ground missile, Hsiung Sheng land-attack missile and the upgraded Hsiung Feng IIE. Production is also set to begin on combat uncrewed aerial vehicles with an annual production target of 48 drones. The drone referenced may be the Jian Hsiang loitering munition.
Indonesia—Papuan Separatists Kill 8 Telecom Workers Reuters | 03/04/2022 Separatists in Indonesia's eastern Papua region have killed eight technicians fixing a telecommunications tower, reports Reuters. On Wednesday, gunmen attacked the communications tower in the Puncak district belonging to Telkomsel, a state-backed firm, reported Agence France-Presse. At least one employee fled and survived the attack, said a military spokesman. A spokesman for the separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM) took responsibility for the attack and said that those shot were members of the police and security forces. OPM had warned civilians to vacate the area, which the spokesman called a "war zone." A police spokesman told Kompas TV (Jakarta) that five armed groups were believed to be behind the assault, which were said to be retaliation for attacks by security forces.
Cameroon—7 Die In Anglophone Separatist Attack Voice Of America News | 03/04/2022 Anglophone separatists in Cameroon have claimed responsibility for an attack that killed seven people in the Anglophone Southwest region, reports the Voice of America News. On Wednesday, a government vehicle hit a roadside bomb in the village of Bekora in the Ekondo Titi district of the Southwest region, killing all six people in the car. After the blast, militants hidden nearby opened fire. The top district official in Ekondo Titi, the mayor of Ekondo Titi and the district president of the ruling People's Democratic Movement party were killed in the car. A lieutenant in military pickup truck escorting the vehicle was killed in the subsequent fighting and several troops were injured, reported Cameroon state broadcaster CRTV. Additional military personnel have been deployed to the area to pursue the militants. A deputy commander for the Ambazonia Defense Forces, an Anglophone separatist group, said that at least one fighter has been missing since the attack on Wednesday.
Chile—Army Chief Resigns Amid Corruption Scandal Mercopress | 03/04/2022 The head of the Chilean army has stepped down a day before he was due to testify on allegations of fraud in military purchases, reports Mercopress (Uruguay). On Wednesday, Gen. Ricardo Martinez announced that he had submitted his resignation to President Sebastian Pinera on Tuesday, reported Radio Universidad de Chile. Martinez was scheduled to be questioned on Thursday by Martial Court Justice Romy Rutherford regarding the "Milicogate" scandal. Milicogate concerns the alleged diversion of funds by members of the Chilean army from the Reserved Copper Law, including by keeping excess funds that had been intended for spending on operations. More than 50 officers are being charged with diverting around US$7.8 million. Martinez claimed he was resigning out of respect for his comrades in arms, saying that he was not involved in any illegal activities. Martinez was already scheduled to be replaced by Gen. Javier Iturriaga upon the inauguration of President-elect Gabriel Boric. Gen. Rodrigo Ventura Sancho will temporarily assume the army chief duties until Iturriaga assumes his post.
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