The List 6158 TGB
Good Wednesday Morning July 13.
A bit of history and some tidbits
Regards,
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This Day in Navy and Marine Corps History:
July 13
1812
The frigate, USS Essex, commanded by Capt. David Porter, captures the merchant brig, Lamprey, in the Atlantic.
1854
The sloop of war, USS Cyane, bombards San Juan del Norte (Greytown), Nicaragua, in retaliation for ill-treatment of U.S. citizens. Marines and Sailors also seize weapons and powder in retribution for an attack on U.S. Consular officials for U.S. refusal to pay reparation.
1939
Rear Adm. Richard Byrd is appointed to command the 1939-1941 U.S. Antarctic Service Expedition. Under objectives outlined by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Byrd establishes an east and west base and holds a wide range of scientific observations until international tensions end the expedition in early 1941.
1943
TBF aircraft (VC 13) based on board USS Core (ACV 13) sinks German submarine U 487, 720 miles south-southwest of Fayal, Azores.
1943
The Japanese are intercepted from landing reinforcements in the Solomon Islands, resulting in the night Battle of Kolombangara. During the battle, the U.S. Navy loses USS Gwin (DD 433).
1991
USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) is commissioned at Groton, Conn., the third Navy vessel to be named after the Bluegrass state. The thoroughbred of the Fleet is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine.
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Today in History: July 13
1099 The Crusaders launch their final assault on Jerusalem.
1534 Ottoman armies capture Tabriz in northwestern Persia.
1558 Led by the Count of Egmont, the Spanish army defeats the French at Gravelines, France.
1585 A group of 108 English colonists, led by Sir Richard Grenville, reaches Roanoke Island, North Carolina.
1643 In England, the Roundheads, led by Sir William Waller, are defeated by Royalist troops under Lord Wilmot in the Battle of Roundway Down.
1754 George Washington surrenders Fort Necessity to the French, leaving them in control of the Ohio Valley.
1787 Congress, under the Articles of Confederation, enacts the Northwest Ordinance, establishing rules for governing the Northwest Territory, for admitting new states to the Union and limiting the expansion of slavery.
1798 English poet William Wordsworth visits the ruins of Tintern Abbey.
1832 Henry Schoolcraft discovers the source of the Mississippi River in Minnesota.
1862 Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest defeats a Union army at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
1863 Opponents of the draft begin three days of rioting in New York City.
1866 The Great Eastern begins a two week voyage to complete a 12-year effort to lay telegraph cable across the Atlantic between Britain and the United States.
1878 The Congress of Berlin divides the Balkans among European powers.
1939 Frank Sinatra records his first song, "From the Bottom of My Heart," with the Harry James Band.
1941 Britain and the Soviet Union sign a mutual aid pact, providing the means for Britain to send war materiel to the Soviet Union.
1954 In Geneva, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, the People's Republic of China and France reach an accord on Indochina, dividing Vietnam into two countries, North and South, along the 17th parallel.
1971 The Army of Morocco executes 10 leaders accused of leading a revolt.
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear … Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
Thanks to THE BEAR
… For The List for Wednesday, 13 July 2022… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 13 July 1967… The subjective limits to combat exposure in Rolling Thunder ops…
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.
This is a list of all Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War
. Listed by last name and has other info
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Thanks to Dan
Here is some more VHPA Data that Pete LaChat just forwarded to me:
From: Jack Gale <jackgale@gmail.com>
Subject: Copied from HAL-3
Date: July 10, 2022 at 9:24:02 PM PDT
These statistics are right from the U.S. Government. We had a VERY hazardous job over there.
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association (VHPA) estimates that over 100,000 helicopter pilots and crew members served during the Vietnam War. Over 4,800 helicopter pilots and crew members were killed in action, and more than 300 are buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
How many helicopters were shot down during the Vietnam War?
11,846 helicopters
According to the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, a total of 11,846 helicopters were shot down or crashed during the war, resulting in nearly 5,000 American pilots and crew killed.
What was the casualty rate of helicopter pilots in Vietnam?
Over 10% of all combat and combat support deaths in Vietnam occurred in helicopter operations, a total of 6,175 (2,202 pilots, 2,704 aircrew and 1,269 passengers).
What was the deadliest job in Vietnam?
Overall, the U.S. military used nearly 12,000 helicopters in Vietnam, of which more than 5,000 were destroyed. To be a helicopter pilot or crew member was among the most dangerous jobs in the war.
And we only lost 44 men. I don't know the number for the choppers.
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Thanks to Dutch
Biden's vindictive and destructive crusade against Trump
Does he even care about the American people?
•
By Kelly Sadler - The Washington Times - Tuesday, July 12, 2022
OPINION:
President Biden hates former President Donald Trump more than he loves America.
What else can explain Mr. Biden's vindictive actions in reversing Trump-era policies that led to a prosperous nation?
In January 2020, before China unleashed a pandemic, inflation sat at 0.4%, gas was $2.54 a gallon, and there was record low unemployment for Blacks and Hispanics and a 50-year-low for women. Household median income was at a record-high, and poverty was at an all-time low. The border was secure, and there was peace abroad. No new wars. We were energy-independent.
On his first day in office, Mr. Biden began to unravel all of that with a few swipes of his pen.
On day one, Mr. Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, reversed Mr. Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, suspended new oil and natural gas leases on public lands, reversed a Trump policy that cracked down on communities that shielded illegal immigrants from deportation — pauses for breath — halted all construction on the border wall, reaffirmed support for DACA, scratched a Trump-era measure requiring agencies to get rid of two regulations for every one proposed, and protected the bureaucracy by reversing a Trump-era policy that made it easier to hire and fire civil servants in policy-making positions.
(Catches breath again.)
All that just on day one.
To truly ensure our energy sector was decimated (all in an effort to hasten the whimsical but unrealistic immediate transition to green energy), Mr. Biden would go on to suspend Trump-era drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and gut a 2018 plan to hold dozens of offshore oil and gas lease sales.
Mr. Biden has no one but himself to blame for record-high prices at the pump, and, as a result, has to travel this week to Saudi Arabia, hat in hand, to beg OPEC to pump more oil.
Inflation, spurred by high gas and diesel prices, has risen to 8.6% — outpacing wage gains, and the Michigan consumer sentiment index has plunged to an all-time low.
Although the Biden administration refuses to admit a recession is imminent, the U.S. economy contracted last quarter, and the Atlanta Federal Reserve anticipates negative growth this quarter, which if true, means we're already living in one.
At the southern border, Mr. Biden eliminated Mr. Trump's "Remain in Mexico" pact where migrants waited until their asylum claims were processed by U.S. officials before they could enter the country. He also made it all but impossible for ICE agents to deport anyone.
The Biden administration is currently evaluating whether to eliminate Title 42, a Trump-era policy that turned away illegal aliens for health concerns and is the only stop-gap left at our southern border.
What has Mr. Biden done to secure the border? Nothing. He felt the compulsion to scrap Mr. Trump's plans without having any security plans of his own.
As a result, 239,416 illegal immigrants were apprehended attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in May, the highest one-month total in history and a 300% increase from the average number of May apprehensions during the Trump administration.
Things are no better abroad.
While Mr. Trump provided lethal military aid to Ukraine during his tenure, Mr. Biden slow-walked it before Russia's invasion of the country, worrying the move would provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin. The same line of reasoning was used when Mr. Biden waived Trump-era sanctions on Nord Stream 2. Now Russia is at war with Ukraine.
Every single one of Mr. Biden's crises is of his own making. On Sunday, Mr. Biden had the gall to go on Twitter and blame Republicans for "obstructing our efforts to crack down on gas-price gouging, lower food prices, lower health care costs, and hopefully, soon, lower your prescription drug costs."
This is as Mr. Biden looks to reverse Mr. Trump's tax cuts and proposes yet more government spending.
No, Mr. Biden, you've got it wrong, again. Republicans are trying to help. You only have to look back to 2017 to see the policies that worked and implement them.
Instead, you and your party's ideological stubbornness, combined with Trump Derangement Syndrome, have blinded you to the plight of hardworking Americans.
It's no surprise that 9 out of 10 Americans feel this country is on the wrong track, and Mr. Trump is reading his comeback.
It's time to make America great again: Build the wall, deregulate, cut taxes, drain the swamp, unleash American oil and gas, and achieve peace through strength.
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Thanks to Carl…..This is awsome
(Prepare yourself to be awed by the vastness of the universe!)
Breaking Down NASA Webb Space Telescope's First Images of the Invisible Universe
The JWST delves into nebulas, colliding galaxies, an active black hole, and even provides a breakthrough look at an alien world.
July 12, 2022 9:22 a.m. PT
It's not often that the sequel is as good as the original, but the JWST's second image release certainly lived up to expectations set by the jaw-dropping deep field released on Monday evening. In fact, it surpassed it by leaps and bounds.
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This Day in U S Military History…
July 13
1861 – Union General George B. McClellan distinguishes himself by routing Confederates under General Robert Garnett at Corrick's Ford in western Virginia. The battle ensured Yankee control of the region, secured the Union's east-west railroad connections, and set in motion the events that would lead to the creation of West Virginia. Two days before Corrick's Ford, Union troops under General William Rosecrans flanked a Confederate force at nearby Rich Mountain. The defeat forced Garnett to retreat from his position on Laurel Hill, while part of McClellan's force pursued him across the Cheat River. A pitched battle ensued near Corrick's Ford, in which Garnett was killed—the first general officer to die in the war. But losses were otherwise light, with only 70 Confederate, and 10 Union, casualties. The Battle of Corrick's Ford was a significant victory because it cleared the region of Confederates, but it is often overlooked, particularly because it was overshadowed by the Battle of Bull Run, which occurred shortly thereafter on July 21. However, the success made McClellan a hero, even though his achievements were inflated. Two weeks later, McClellan became commander of the Army of the Potomac, the primary Federal army in the east. Unfortunately for the Union, the small campaign that climaxed at Corrick's Ford was the zenith of McClellan's military career.
1863 – Rioting against the Civil War military draft erupted in New York City; about 1,000 people died over three days. Antiabolitionist Irish longshoremen rampaged against blacks in the deadly Draft Riots in New York City in response to Pres. Lincoln's announcement of military conscription. Mobs lynched a black man and torched the Colored Orphan Asylum.
1866 – Great Eastern began a two week voyage to complete a 12-year effort to lay telegraph cable across the Atlantic between Britain and the United States. Massachusetts merchant and financier Cyrus W. Field first proposed laying a 2,000-mile copper cable along the ocean bottom from Newfoundland to Ireland in 1854, but the first three attempts ended in broken cables and failure. Field's persistence finally paid off in July 1866, when Great Eastern, the largest ship then afloat, successfully laid the cable along the level, sandy bottom of the North Atlantic. As messages traveled between Europe and America in hours rather than weeks, Cyrus Field was showered with honors. Among the honors was this commemorative print referring to the cable as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
1866 – Colonel Henry Carrington begins construction on Fort Phil Kearny, the most important army outpost guarding the Bozeman Trail. In 1863, a Georgia-born frontiersman named John Bozeman blazed a wagon road that branched off from the Oregon Trail and headed northwest to the gold fields of western Montana. The trail passed through the traditional hunting grounds of the Sioux, and Chief Red Cloud attacked several wagon trains to try to stop the violation of Indian Territory. Despite the questionable legality of the Bozeman Trail, the U.S. government decided to keep it open and began building a series of protective army forts along the route. Colonel Henry Carrington was assigned the task of designing and building the largest and most important of these outposts, Fort Phil Kearny. A talented strategist and designer, Carrington planned the fort with care. He selected a site in northern Wyoming that was near a source of water and commanded a view over a good section of the Bozeman Trail. He began building on this day in 1866, setting up a timbering operation and sawmill to supply the thousands of logs needed for construction. By fall, Carrington had erected an imposing symbol of American military power. A tall wooden palisade surrounded a compound the size of three football fields. Inside the walls, Carrington built nearly 30 buildings, including everything from barracks and mess halls to a stage for the regimental band. Only the most massive and determined Indian attack would have been capable of taking Fort Phil Kearny. Unfortunately, Carrington's mighty fortress had one important flaw: the nearest stands of timber lay several miles away. To obtain the wood essential for heating and further construction, a detachment had to leave the confines of the fort every day. The Indians naturally began to prey on these "wood trains." In December, a massive Indian ambush wiped out a force of 80 soldiers under the command of Captain William Fetterman. Despite this weakness, Fort Phil Kearny was still a highly effective garrison. Nonetheless, the U.S. Army found it nearly impossible to halt completely the Indian attacks along the trail. In 1868, the government agreed to abandon all of the forts and close the trail in exchange for peace with the Indians. Immediately after the soldiers left, the Indians burned Carrington's mighty fortress to the ground.
1943 – The 10 Mountain Division came into being on July 13, 1943, at Camp Hale, Colorado as the 10th Light Division (Alpine). The combat power of the Division was contained in the 85th, 86th, and 87th Infantry Regiments. The Division's year training at the 9,200 foot high Camp Hale honed the skills of its soldiers to fight and survive under the most brutal mountain conditions.
The Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
ADRIANCE, HARRY CHAPMAN
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 27 October 1864, Oswego, N.Y. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901. Citation: In the presence of the enemy during the battle near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900, Adriance distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
BREWSTER, ANDRE W.
Rank and organization: Captain, 9th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900. Entered service at: Philadelphia, Pa. Birth: Hoboken, N.J. Date of issue: 15 September 1903. Citation: While under fire rescued 2 of his men from drowning.
COONEY, JAMES
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 27 July 1860, Limerick, Ireland. Accredited to: Massachusetts. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901. Citation: In the presence of the enemy during the battle near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900, Cooney distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
FOLEY, ALEXANDER JOSEPH
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 19 February 1866, Heckersville, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901. Citation: In the presence of the enemy in the battle near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900, Foley distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
LAWTON, LOUIS B.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 9th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900. Entered service at: Auburn, N.Y. Birth: Independence, lowa. Date of i55ue: 11 March 1902. Citation: Carried a message and guided reinforcements across a wide and fireswept space, during which he was thrice wounded.
MATHIAS, CLARENCE EDWARD
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 12 December 1876, Royalton, Pa. Accredited to: Pennsylvania. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901. Citation: In the presence of the enemy during the advance on Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900, Mathias distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
SUTTON, CLARENCE EDWIN
Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 18 February 1871, Middlesex County, Va. Accredited to: Washington, D.C. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901. Citation: In action during the battle near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900. Although under heavy fire from the enemy, Sutton assisted in carrying a wounded officer from the field of battle.
*VON SCHLICK, ROBERT H.
Rank and organization: Private, Company C, 9th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900. Entered service at: San Erancisco, Calif. Birth: Germany. Date of issue: Unknown. Citation: Although previously wounded while carrying a wounded comrade to a place of safety, rejoined his command, which partly occupied an exposed position upon a dike, remaining there after his command had been withdrawn, singly keeping up the fire, and obliviously presenting himself as a conspicuous target until he was literally shot off his position by the enemy.
PITTS, RYAN M.
Rank and Organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and Date: July 13, 2008, Wanat ViIlage, Kunar Province, Afghanistan. Entered Service At: Boston, MA. Accredited To: . Born: 1985 , LOWELL, MA. G.O. Number: . Date of Issue: 07/21/2014. Departed: No. Citation: Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts distinguished himself by extraordinary acts of heroism at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Forward Observer in 2d Platoon, Chosen Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade during combat operations against an armed enemy at Vehicle Patrol Base Kahler in the vicinity of Wanat Village, Kunar Province, Afghanistan on July 13, 2008. Early that morning, while Sergeant Pitts was providing perimeter security at Observation Post Topside, a well-organized Anti-Afghan Force consisting of over 200 members initiated a close proximity sustained and complex assault using accurate and intense rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun and small arms fire on Wanat Vehicle Patrol Base. An immediate wave of rocket-propelled grenade rounds engulfed the Observation Post wounding Sergeant Pitts and inflicting heavy casualties. Sergeant Pitts had been knocked to the ground and was bleeding heavily from shrapnel wounds to his arm and legs, but with incredible toughness and resolve, he subsequently took control of the Observation Post and returned fire on the enemy. As the enemy drew nearer, Sergeant Pitts threw grenades, holding them after the pin was pulled and the safety lever was released to allow a nearly immediate detonation on the hostile forces. Unable to stand on his own and near death because of the severity of his wounds and blood loss, Sergeant Pitts continued to lay suppressive fire until a two-man reinforcement team arrived. Sergeant Pitts quickly assisted them by giving up his main weapon and gathering ammunition all while continually lobbing fragmentary grenades until these were expended. At this point, Sergeant Pitts crawled to the northern position radio and described the situation to the Command Post as the enemy continued to try and isolate the Observation Post from the main Patrol Base. With the enemy close enough for him to hear their voices and with total disregard for his own life, Sergeant Pitts whispered in the radio situation reports and conveyed information that the Command Post used to provide indirect fire support. Sergeant Pitts' courage, steadfast commitment to the defense of his unit and ability to fight while seriously wounded prevented the enemy from overrunning the Observation Post and capturing fallen American soldiers, and ultimately prevented the enemy from gaining fortified positions on higher ground from which to attack Wanat Vehicle Patrol Base. Sergeant Ryan M. Pitts' extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Company C, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry Regiment, 173d Airborne Brigade and the United States Army.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for July 13, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
13 July
1911: Glenn Curtiss flew the Navy's second aircraft, the A-2, at Hammondsport for the first time; Lt Thomas G. Ellyson flew the second flight. (24)
1916: The 1st Aero Company, from New York's National Guard, became the first Guard unit to be mobilized into Federal Service in answer to the border crisis with Mexico. The unit trained at Mineola, but did not deploy to the border. (21)
1918: The 1st Marine Aviation Force left Miami for Philadelphia, where the Marines boarded the De Kalb Navy Transport for France. They disembarked at Brest on 30 July. (10)
1921: KEY EVENT. Brig Gen William "Billy" Mitchell's Martin MB-2 and Handley Page bombers sank several ships off the Virginia Capes. The tests studied the use of bombs on ships to suggest how ship design could counter an air attack. The bombers sank a German sub, the destroyer G-102, the light cruiser Frankfurt, and the battleship Ostfriesland on 21 July to prove that unopposed aircraft could sink capital ships. (5) (18)
1948: The first of three Consolidated Vultee rocket research test vehicles built under a cancelled research contract with the US AAF launched successfully. (6)
1950: KOREAN WAR. An Air Weather Service RB-29 led the first strategic bombing strike from Japan against North Korea. The FEAF Bomber Command sent 49 B-29s from the 22 BG and 92 BG to attack oil refineries and marshalling yards at the port of Wonsan. (1) (2) (28) The 3 ARS began flying SB-17s off the Korean coast to drop rescue boats to downed B-29 crews. (28)
1952: KOREAN WAR. Far East Air Forces initiated a new general warning leaflet drop program over enemy territory. The new leaflet identified specific towns and targets to be destroyed by air attacks. (28)
1959: PROJECT SKYHOOK. The Office of Naval Research sent a "record-sized" plastic balloon to 139,500 feet in altitude. (24) The 4530th Combat Crew Training Wing at Williams AFB, Ariz., graduated the last active duty F-86F class (60A). Operation HERCULES ARK. The 4440th Air Delivery Group airlifted 20 calves donated by businessmen in Waco, Texas, to Colonel Dean Hess's Orphans Home of Korea. (11)
1965: SAC issued a requirement for a mobile ICBM. (6)
1967: DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSES. Nine Air Force, eight Navy, and one Marine astronaut received DFCs for their Mercury and Gemini space flights. (16)
1968: An FB-111A bomber successfully completed a 30-minute maiden flight from Carswell AFB.
1972: At Eglin AFB, the GAM-72A Quail missile completed its last operational test in an overwater flight. (6) 1
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World News for 13 July thanks to Military Periscope
USA—Air Force Gets Green Light To Build Infrastructure For New Jet Trainers At Joint Base San Antonio Air Force News Service | 07/13/2022 The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center received approval to begin construction of infrastructure necessary for new jet trainers at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, reports the Air Force News Service. The service recently finalized the decision after completing an environmental impact statement for the major construction work needed to support its new fleet of T-7A Red Hawk jet trainers, which will replace aging T-38 Talons. The approval enables the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's (AFCEC) Facility Engineering Directorate to move forward with plans to renovate 13 buildings and construct six new facilities to support the 62 T-7As that will be stationed at JBSA. The first aircraft are scheduled to arrive in 2023. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District is expected to award the first three major construction contracts in the next six to eight months, program officials said. The T-7 infrastructure program at JBSA is expected to cost $72 million over the next five to 10 years.
USA—Biden's Middle East Visit Intended To Build Ties Between Israel, Saudi Arabia Times of Israel | 07/13/2022 President Joe Biden's trip to the Middle East this week is designed to help strengthen ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, although officials emphasize that any normalization between the countries would be a "long process," reported the Times of Israel. Biden is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Wednesday before departing for Saudi Arabia on Friday. During the latter trip, Biden is set to become the first U.S. president to fly from directly Israel to Saudi Arabia. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that the trip would focus on building "progress and momentum" between the long-time rivals. Biden described the historical flight as a "small symbol" of normalizing ties. The talks this week are also expected to cover Iran's nuclear program and a U.S.-led regional air defense pact.
USA—Harris Announces More Aid, New Embassies For Pacific Islands Deutsche Welle | 07/13/2022 Vice President Kamala Harris says the U.S. will renew its ties with the Pacific Island countries, reports Deutsche Welle. On Wednesday, Harris virtually addressed the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji, unveiling plans to triple funding for the region to US$600 million over the next decade, with a focus on fisheries assistance, climate resilience and maritime security. Washington will also open new embassies in Kiribati and Tonga and send an envoy to the Pacific Islands Forum for the first time. The Peace Corps volunteer service will resume activities in the region and the U.S. Agency for International Development will reopen its headquarters in Suva. The new programs come in response to growing Chinese inroads in the region, including a recent security pact with the Solomon Islands.
Estonia—Deal Inked With Norwegian Firm For Winter Fuel Needs Eesti Gaas | 07/13/2022 Estonian energy firm Eesti Gaas says it has finalized a contract with Norwegian energy group Equinor for liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the upcoming winter. The 300 million euro (US$303 million) deal covers 2 TWh of LNG for Estonia's heating needs this winter, reported Estonian Public Radio. The gas is scheduled to be delivered at the Klaipeda LNG terminal in Lithuania in October and November, Eesti Gaas said in a Tuesday release. Eesti Gaas said it has been active in purchasing natural gas to meet Estonia's needs, including buying three LNG shipments from Polish firm PGNiG a few months ago. LNG deliveries have also been made from Norway and the U.S.
Spain—Defense Ministry Ready To Donate Tanks, APCs To Ukraine Army Recognition | 07/13/2022 The Spanish Ministry of Defense is negotiating a donation of armored vehicles to Ukraine, reports Army Recognition, citing Spanish media. Under the proposal, Spain would supply 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks that have been in storage for a decade and around 20 M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. Once the vehicles were owned by Ukraine, Kyiv would award contracts to Spanish firms to bring the vehicles back to operational condition, with assistance from the European Union's European Peace Facility, reported Infodefensa (Madrid). Once the modernization work is completed, the vehicles would be delivered to Ukraine. The project is estimated to cost 5 million to 15 million euros (US$5 million to US$15.1 million), with delivery taking place as soon as the end of 2022, depending on the specifics of the upgrades. The donation would also need approval from the German and U.S. governments. Both countries have been supportive of weapons deliveries to Ukraine since Russia's unprovoked invasion in February.
Sri Lanka—PM Orders State Of Emergency After President Flees Hindustan Times | 07/13/2022 President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka hours before his resignation was set to enter effect, reports the Hindustan Times (New Delhi). On Wednesday, Rajapaksa, his wife and two bodyguards flew to the Maldives aboard a Sri Lankan air force An-32 transport. They are expected to travel to another Asian country from Male, an unnamed source told Reuters. Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said they would step down to make way for a unity government after hundreds of thousands of protesters stormed the presidential palace and burned Wickremesinghe's home in Colombo over the weekend. With Rajapaksa's departure, the prime minister became acting president. He declared a state of emergency on Tuesday night and imposed a curfew in the western province that includes Colombo. Protest leaders said they would organize further demonstrations if Wickremesinghe does not resign. Sri Lanka has been experiencing an economic crisis driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and populist tax cuts implemented by Rajapaksa in 2019 that hurt government revenues. Falling foreign reserves also reduced imports of fuel, food and medicines.
Ukraine—Long-Range Strike Destroys Ammo Dump In Kherson Reuters | 07/13/2022 The Ukrainian military says it has destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in the southern Kherson region, reports Reuters. The long-range rocket attack on the facility in Nova Kakhovka killed 52 Russians and destroyed "an Msta-B howitzer, a mortar and seven armored and other vehicles," said the Ukrainian southern military command. Local pro-Russian officials said that the strike killed seven people and injured 70, reported Russia's state-run Tass news agency. The officials claimed that civilians were among the dead. The Ukrainian military did not confirm that type of weapon used in the attack, but it comes shortly after it fielded U.S.-supplied HIMARS multiple rocket launchers.
United Kingdom—BBC Investigation Finds Evidence Of Unlawful Killings By SAS Unit In Afghanistan British Broadcasting Corp. | 07/13/2022 A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting a British Special Air Service (SAS) squadron committed unlawful killings during a tour in Afghanistan in 2010-2011. Newly obtained military reports indicate that the unit may have killed 54 people unlawfully and covered up the murders by planting weapons at the scene. The SAS squadron was deployed in one of the most dangerous parts of Helmand province in southern Afghanistan to conduct "kill or capture" raids targeting Taliban leaders and bomb-makers. One source told the BBC that the intelligence used to support such operations was often rushed and could easily have misidentified civilians as targets. In addition, the investigation found that Gen. Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, former head of British Special Forces, was aware of the possible war crimes but did not report them to the Royal Military Police. RMP investigators looking into the allegations said that the British military impeded their probe. In a statement, the British Defense Ministry said that it believed the BBC investigation had reached "unjustified conclusions from allegations that have already been fully investigated" and defended the performance of British military personnel in Afghanistan.
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