To All,
Good Thursday morning November 30, 2023
The rain showed up last night and it is still here. Tomorrow is the Bubba Breakfast. It will be the last for a while at the current location. A lady from the OÇlub will come and talk to us tomorrow about the plans for a new restaurant there and how they propose to take care of us at the club until that happens. Come and say thank you to our two Waitresses Beth and Jessica who have served us for many years.
Regards,
Skip
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
30 November
1881—The whaler Rodgers is destroyed by a fire at St. Lawrence Bay on the Siberian coast. Before the fire, Rodgers had charted Wrangel Island, proving conclusively that it was not part of the Asian continent.
1912—Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson, the first U.S. Navy officer to qualify as an airplane pilot, tests the Navy's first C-1 flying boat at Hammondsport, New York.
1942—USS Northampton (CA 26) is sunk and USS Pensacola (CA 24), USS New Orleans (CA 32), and USS Minneapolis (CA 36) are badly damaged by a Japanese torpedo counter-attack during the Battle of Tassafaronga at Guadalcanal.
1943—PBY aircraft sink the Palau-bound Japanese cargo ship Himalaya Maru south of New Hanover, Bismarck Archipelago.
1993—President William J. Clinton signs legislation that lifts the ban on women serving aboard combat ships.
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This Day in World History
1782 The British sign a preliminary agreement in Paris, recognizing American independence.
1838 Mexico declares war on France.
1861 The British Parliament sends to Queen Victoria an ultimatum for the United States, demanding the release of two Confederate diplomats who were seized on the British ship Trent.
1864 The Union wins the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee.
1900 Oscar Wilde dies in a Paris hotel room after saying of the room's wallpaper: "One of us had to go."
1900 The French government denounces British actions in South Africa, declaring sympathy for the Boers.
1906 President Theodore Roosevelt publicly denounces segregation of Japanese schoolchildren in San Francisco.
1919 Women cast votes for the first time in French legislative elections.
1935 Non-belief in Nazism is proclaimed grounds for divorce in Germany.
1945 Russian forces take Danzig in Poland and invade Austria.
1948 The Soviet Union complete the division of Berlin, installing the government in the Soviet sector.
1950 President Truman declares that the United States will use the A-bomb to get peace in Korea.
1956 The United States offers emergency oil to Europe to counter the Arab ban.
1961 The Soviet Union vetoes a UN seat for Kuwait, pleasing Iraq.
1974 Pioneer II sends photos back to NASA as it nears Jupiter.
1974 India and Pakistan decide to end a 10-year trade ban.
1979 Pope John Paul II becomes the first pope in 1,000 years to attend an Orthodox mass.
1981 Representatives of the US and USSR meet in Geneva, Switzerland, to begin negotiations on reducing the number of intermediate-range nuclear weapons in Europe.
1982 Thriller, Michael Jackson's second solo album, released; the album, produced by Quincy Jones, became the best-selling album in history.
1993 US President Bill Clinton signs the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (better known as the Brady Bill) into law.
1994 MS Achille Lauro, a ship with long history of problems including a 1985 terrorist hijacking, catches fire off the coast of Somalia.
1995 Operation Desert Storm officially comes to an end.
1998 Exxon and Mobil oil companies agree to a $73.7 billion merge, creating the world's largest company, Exxon-Mobil.
2004 On the game show Jeopardy! contestant Ken Jennings loses after 74 consecutive victories. It is the longest winning streak in game-show history, earning him a total of over $3 million.
2005 John Sentamu becomes Archbishop of York, making him the Church of England's first black archbishop.
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OPERATION COMMANDO HUNT Thanks to the Bear
COMMANDO HUNT … WEEK THREE OF THE HUNT… 27 NOVEMBER TO 3 DECEMBER 1968…
Skip… For The List for the week of Monday, 27 November through Sunday, 3 December 2023… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION COMMANDO HUNT I-VII (1968-1972)
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post of 26 November 1968…
A different kind of air war…Directed Air Support with fearless FACs in control…
Thanks to Micro
To remind folks that these are from the Vietnam Air Losses site that Micro put together. You click on the url below and get what happened each day to the crew of the aircraft. ……Skip
Another loss of many due to low visibility, rain and mountains
From Vietnam Air Losses site for Thursday November 30
November 30: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=1483
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 https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/KIAINDEX.HTM
MOAA - Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Servicemembers Killed in the Vietnam War
The site works, find anyone you knew in "search" feature.
https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/ )
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Thanks to Barrel and Cowboy
These are Good Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za1BzQbLs6c
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The Surprising Origins of 6 Everyday Objects
HOME
SCIENCE & INDUSTRY
The objects we use in our everyday lives can easily be taken for granted. Simple conveniences such as lighting or the cars that get us from point A to point B are so ingrained in the day-to-day that we don't stop to think about what life would be like without them — let alone how they even got here in the first place. Some stories are more familiar than others: Thomas Edison famously toiled for years (and built on the work of others) before finalizing the first practical incandescent lightbulb, while Karl Benz's 1901 Mercedes became the prototype for all modern cars that followed. But what about our toothbrushes? Air conditioning? Or the most vital of daily tools, the intangible but indispensable Wi-Fi network? Read on to learn about the surprising origin stories of six everyday objects.
The Basis for Wi-Fi Was Invented By a Hollywood Starlet
The invention of Wi-Fi has sparked plenty of debates and disputes over the years. Various individuals and organizations contributed to its development, and while the specific inventor of Wi-Fi is a matter of contention, one unexpected notable figure played a significant role in laying the foundation that made it possible: actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr.Lamarr is known for her Hollywood career in the 1930s and '40s, but her accomplishments went beyond the silver screen. During World War II, she teamed up with composer George Antheil to create a secure communication system that would prevent signal interference by enemy forces. This "frequency hopping" system was intended to guide torpedoes, and is widely considered the precursor to not only Wi-Fi, but GPS and Bluetooth technologies as well. However, Lamarr and Antheil's patent expired before it got used, and only in modern times is the actress receiving the credit she deserves for enabling these transformative technologies.
Air Conditioning Came From a New York Printing Press
Air conditioning has become a necessity for living and working comfortably in increasingly hot temperatures, but the AC unit actually originated as a way to fix a faltering printing press. In 1902, an engineer named Willis Carrier was working at Buffalo, New York's Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company. He was tasked with finding a solution to control the humidity levels in the plant, which were wreaking havoc on paper and ink quality. His solution, known as the Apparatus for Treating Air, marked the birth of modern air conditioning.Carrier's system consisted of steam coils and an industrial fan. The cold water in the coils produced excess condensation, which would be blown out of the room to lower humidity and cool the air. It not only solved the printing problem, but also inadvertently introduced a revolutionary technology with wide-ranging applications. While other people had experimented with cooling technology before Carrier, his pioneering work impacted architecture, engineering, and everyday life for generations to come.
Related:
Early Toothbrushes Were Made With Hog Hair
If there's one item most people use every single day, it's a toothbrush. While the humble oral hygiene tool dates back to ancient civilizations, when frayed twigs were used to scrub teeth, the model for bristle brushes as we know them today didn't emerge until the late 15th century. According to the American Dental Association, a Chinese emperor patented a brush made of stiff, coarse hog hairs set into a handle made of bone or bamboo.Hog or horse hair toothbrushes continued to be used for hundreds of years; by the late 1700s, they were even being mass-produced. It wasn't until nylon was invented by a team at DuPont in 1935 that the material — the world's first fully synthetic fiber — was put into toothbrushes. By 1938, the revolutionary product hit the market. Called Dr. West's Miracle-Tuft Toothbrush, it wasn't initially a hit, since early nylon was still far too stiff and abrasive, and brushing one's teeth still wasn't considered a daily necessity. By the end of World War II, Americans were influenced by the hygiene habits of returning soldiers, and by the time DuPont introduced softer bristles in 1950, a booming industry was born.
The First Barcode Was Drawn in the Sand on Miami Beach
In 1948, Joseph Woodland, an inventor and grad student at the Drexel Institute in Philadelphia, was posed a challenge by a local grocer who wanted to speed up his checkouts. Given the limited technology at the time, how could they automate the process? Woodland was keen on the challenge, and pondered the problem while visiting family in Miami Beach. One day, inspiration struck on the beach. As Woodland drew in the sand with his fingertips, a vision of elongated bars, inspired by Morse code, came to him. Using a black-and-white bull's-eye design, he created a code that machines could decipher, pulling both the product information and its price. While early experiments were successful, it took several more decades of work from many thinkers before an IBM engineer designed the rectangle-shaped barcode we know and use regularly today. While the barcode was originally created to answer supermarkets' need for a faster checkout process, its true significance ended up being its ability to offer statistical insight into product sales. This innovation revolutionized market research, offering more detailed insights into consumer preferences, while also making manufacturing more efficient. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush presented Woodland with a National Medal of Technology and Innovation for his contributions to American retail and beyond.
The First Disposable Diapers Were Handmade by a Mom
Baby diapers may not be an everyday object for everyone, but anyone who has used them is keenly aware of their indispensability. While disposable diapers are now a multibillion-dollar global business, they began as a humble homemade project. In 1947, Valerie Hunter Gordon was just about to welcome her third child when she decided she'd had enough of washing soiled cloth diapers. She went on the hunt for single-use options; to her surprise, there were none available, so she sat down and made them herself.Using her Singer sewing machine at her kitchen table, Gordon fashioned the "Paddi" out of gauze, for absorption, and with an outer nylon layer to hold the absorbent pad in place. (The nylon was actually a piece of parachute she got from her husband's army base.) Snap closures were added for additional ease. As soon as her friends saw what she was making, they wanted some of their own; Gordon figures she handmade more than 600 of them at that time. The Gordons applied for a patent, and by 1949, they were producing the diapers in partnership with a U.K. company. By the 1960s, an American brand known as Pampers came along, and the Paddis business dwindled.
Kleenex Started as Wartime Gas Mask Filters
Kleenex tissues, like many other new products during the 1920s, were a wartime innovation. With an increased demand for cotton supplies on the battlefield, American paper company Kimberly-Clark developed a cotton substitute made from wood pulp. The company called it cellucotton, and sent it overseas to use as bandages and as filters in gas masks. Following the war, Kimberly-Clark sought civilian applications for its abundance of cellucotton. One employee, Walter Luecke, was inspired by Army nurses who used it as makeshift disposable sanitary napkins. The company initially pushed back, claiming sanitary napkins were "too personal" to produce and market, but it eventually relented, and in 1920, released its first consumer product, the revolutionary Kotex sanitary pads. Shortly after the success of Kotex, the surplus of cellucotton was further adapted into a thinner, softer product that was released in 1924 and marketed as a cold cream and makeup remover: Kleenex.
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Thanks to Interesting Facts
Don't have aspirin? Just turn on the radio
Music can reduce pain.
Legendary reggae musician Bob Marley once said, "One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain." Turns out, science backs him up. According to a 2023 study by scientists at McGill University in Montreal, listening to your favorite music reduces pain by one point on a 10-point scale. Scientists asked a series of questions after 63 participants experienced pain while listening to either their favorite songs, relaxing songs picked for them, scrambled music, or silence. Once each seven-minute round was over, subjects rated the music's pleasantness and how many "chills" — that goosebump feeling you get when listening to moving music — they experienced. Listening to preferred music, especially moving music, far outranked other scenarios, and participants ranked the pain as less intense and less unpleasant.
Although this particular study focuses on music's impact on physical health, the medical world has long known the healing powers of music when it comes to the mind. Music's ability to reduce stress and anxiety while improving cognitive ability and memory inspired a field of medicine known as music therapy, which has existed in some form since the late 18th century. So while listening to your favorite Beatles track or kicking back with some Beethoven won't be enough to curtail serious pain, music can help mellow out the aches of everyday life.
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This Day in U S Military History
November 30
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1917 – The US 42nd "Rainbow" Division, so named because it contains men from every state in the nation, arrives in France. The division's chief-of-staff, and later commander, is General Douglas MacArthur.
1920 – The Navy minesweeper USS Swan ran aground on Duxbury Beach, MA. Coast Guardsmen from three nearby stations rescued the minesweeper's crew with a breeches buoy. The CGC Androscoggin assisted in the rescue.
1941 – Japanese Emperor Hirohito consulted with admirals Shimada and Nagano. Hirohito was deeply concerned by the decision to place "war preparations first and diplomatic negotiations second" and announced his intention to break with centuries-old protocol and, at the Imperial Conference on the following day, directly question the chiefs of the Army and Navy general staffs — a quite unprecedented action. Konoe quickly persuaded Hirohito to summon them for a private conference instead, at which the Emperor made it plain that a peaceful settlement was to be pursued "up to the last". Chief of Naval General Staff Admiral Osami Nagano, a former Navy Minister and vastly experienced, later told a trusted colleague "I have never seen the Emperor reprimand us in such a manner, his face turning red and raising his voice." The war preparations continued without the slightest change.
1942 – The Battle of Tassafaronga. American attempts to stop the regular night supply run of the "Tokyo Express" under Admiral Tanaka again develops into a major battle. Tanaka has 8 destroyers and Admiral Wright has 5 heavy cruisers and 7 destroyers. Wright uses radar to find the Japanese force and fire the first salvo. However, the American attack is ineffective with only one hit on a Japanese destroyer which sinks later. The Japanese sink one cruiser and damage 3 very seriously. Despite this success, Admiral Tanaka is reprimanded for failing to deliver the supplies needed by the starving Japanese forces on the island.
1972 – White House Press Secretary Ron Zeigler announces to the press that the administration will make no more public statements concerning U.S. troop withdrawals from Vietnam since the level of U.S. presence had fallen to 27,000 men. Defense Department sources said that there would not be a full withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam until a final truce agreement was signed, and that such an agreement would not affect the 54,000 U.S. servicemen in Thailand or the 60,000 aboard 7th Fleet ships off the Vietnamese coast. All U.S. forces were withdrawn from South Vietnam in March 1973 as part of the terms of the Paris Peace Accords, which were signed in January of that year.
1974 – Pioneer 11 sent photos back to NASA as it neared Jupiter. Pioneer 11 was launched on 5 April 1973, like Pioneer 10, on top of an Atlas/Centaur/TE364-4 launch vehicle. After safe passage through the Asteroid belt on 19 April 1974, the Pioneer 11 thrusters were fired to add another 63.7 m/sec (210 ft/sec) to the spacecraft's velocity. This adjusted the aiming point at Jupiter to 43,000 km (26,725 miles) above the cloudtops. The close approach also allowed the spacecraft to be accelerated by Jupiter to a velocity 55 times that of the muzzle velocity of a high speed rifle bullet – 173,000 km/hr (108,000 mph) – so that it would be carried across the Solar System some 2.4 billion kilometers (1.5 billion miles) to Saturn. It will make its closest approach to Jupiter on 2 December.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
*OHATA, ALLAN M.
Sergeant Allan M. Ohata distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 29 and 30 November 1943, near Cerasuolo, Italy. Sergeant Ohata, his squad leader, and three men were ordered to protect his platoon's left flank against an attacking enemy force of 40 men, armed with machine guns, machine pistols, and rifles. He posted one of his men, an automatic rifleman, on the extreme left, 15 yards from his own position. Taking his position, Sergeant Ohata delivered effective fire against the advancing enemy. The man to his left called for assistance when his automatic rifle was shot and damaged. With utter disregard for his personal safety, Sergeant Ohata left his position and advanced 15 yards through heavy machine gun fire. Reaching his comrade's position, he immediately fired upon the enemy, killing 10 enemy soldiers and successfully covering his comrade's withdrawal to replace his damaged weapon. Sergeant Ohata and the automatic rifleman held their position and killed 37 enemy soldiers. Both men then charged the three remaining soldiers and captured them. Later, Sergeant Ohata and the automatic rifleman stopped another attacking force of 14, killing four and wounding three while the others fled. The following day he and the automatic rifleman held their flank with grim determination and staved off all attacks. Staff Sergeant Ohata's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
BARBER, WILLIAM E.
Rank and organization: Captain U.S. Marine Corps, commanding officer, Company F, 2d Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Chosin Reservoir area, Korea, 28 November to 2 December 1950. Entered service at: West Liberty, Ky. Born: 30 November 1919, Dehart, Ky. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company F in action against enemy aggressor forces. Assigned to defend a 3-mile mountain pass along the division's main supply line and commanding the only route of approach in the march from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, Capt. Barber took position with his battle-weary troops and, before nightfall, had dug in and set up a defense along the frozen, snow-covered hillside. When a force of estimated regimental strength savagely attacked during the night, inflicting heavy casualties and finally surrounding his position following a bitterly fought 7-hour conflict, Capt. Barber, after repulsing the enemy gave assurance that he could hold if supplied by airdrops and requested permission to stand fast when orders were received by radio to fight his way back to a relieving force after 2 reinforcing units had been driven back under fierce resistance in their attempts to reach the isolated troops. Aware that leaving the position would sever contact with the 8,000 marines trapped at Yudam-ni and jeopardize their chances of joining the 3,000 more awaiting their arrival in Hagaru-ri for the continued drive to the sea, he chose to risk loss of his command rather than sacrifice more men if the enemy seized control and forced a renewed battle to regain the position, or abandon his many wounded who were unable to walk. Although severely wounded in the leg in the early morning of the 29th, Capt. Barber continued to maintain personal control, often moving up and down the lines on a stretcher to direct the defense and consistently encouraging and inspiring his men to supreme efforts despite the staggering opposition. Waging desperate battle throughout 5 days and 6 nights of repeated onslaughts launched by the fanatical aggressors, he and his heroic command accounted for approximately 1,000 enemy dead in this epic stand in bitter subzero weather, and when the company was relieved only 82 of his original 220 men were able to walk away from the position so valiantly defended against insuperable odds. His profound faith and courage, great personal valor, and unwavering fortitude were decisive factors in the successful withdrawal of the division from the deathtrap in the Chosin Reservoir sector and reflect the highest credit upon Capt. Barber, his intrepid officers and men, and the U.S. Naval Service.
*GEORGE, CHARLES
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company C, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Songnae-dong, Korea, 30 November 1952. Entered service at: Whittier, N.C. Born: 23 August 1932, Cherokee, N.C. G.O. NO.: 19, 18 March 1954. Citation: Pfc. George, a member of Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy on the night of 30 November 1952. He was a member of a raiding party committed to engage the enemy and capture a prisoner for interrogation. Forging up the rugged slope of the key terrain feature, the group was subjected to intense mortar and machine gun fire and suffered several casualties. Throughout the advance, he fought valiantly and, upon reaching the crest of the hill, leaped into the trenches and closed with the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. When friendly troops were ordered to move back upon completion of the assignment, he and 2 comrades remained to cover the withdrawal. While in the process of leaving the trenches a hostile soldier hurled a grenade into their midst. Pfc. George shouted a warning to 1 comrade, pushed the other soldier out of danger, and, with full knowledge of the consequences, unhesitatingly threw himself upon the grenade, absorbing the full blast of the explosion. Although seriously wounded in this display of valor, he refrained from any outcry which would divulge the position of his companions. The 2 soldiers evacuated him to the forward aid station and shortly thereafter he succumbed to his wound. Pfc. George's indomitable courage, consummate devotion to duty, and willing self-sacrifice reflect the highest credit upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the military service.
SITTER, CARL L.
Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, Company G, 3d Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Hagaru-ri, Korea, 29 and 30 November 1950. Entered service at: Pueblo, Colo. Born: 2 December 1921, Syracuse, Mo. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company G, in action against enemy aggressor forces. Ordered to break through enemy-infested territory to reinforce his battalion the morning of 29 November, Capt. Sitter continuously exposed himself to enemy fire as he led his company forward and, despite 25 percent casualties suffered m the furious action, succeeded in driving through to his objective. Assuming the responsibility of attempting to seize and occupy a strategic area occupied by a hostile force of regiment strength deeply entrenched on a snow-covered hill commanding the entire valley southeast of the town, as well as the line of march of friendly troops withdrawing to the south, he reorganized his depleted units the following morning and boldly led them up the steep, frozen hillside under blistering fire, encouraging and redeploying his troops as casualties occurred and directing forward platoons as they continued the drive to the top of the ridge. During the night when a vastly outnumbering enemy launched a sudden, vicious counterattack, setting the hill ablaze with mortar, machine gun, and automatic-weapons fire and taking a heavy toll in troops, Capt. Sitter visited each foxhole and gun position, coolly deploying and integrating reinforcing units consisting of service personnel unfamiliar with infantry tactics into a coordinated combat team and instilling in every man the will and determination to hold his position at all costs. With the enemy penetrating his lines in repeated counterattacks which often required hand-to-hand combat, and, on one occasion infiltrating to the command post with hand grenades, he fought gallantly with his men in repulsing and killing the fanatic attackers in each encounter. Painfully wounded in the face, arms, and chest by bursting grenades, he staunchly refused to be evacuated and continued to fight on until a successful defense of the area was assured with a loss to the enemy of more than 50 percent dead, wounded, and captured. His valiant leadership, superb tactics, and great personal valor throughout 36 hours of bitter combat reflect the highest credit upon Capt. Sitter and the U.S. Naval Service.
BOWEN, HAMMETT L., JR.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company C, 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 27 June 1969. Entered service at: Jacksonville, Fla. Born: 30 November 1947, Lagrange, Ga. Citation: S/Sgt. Bowen distinguished himself while serving as a platoon sergeant during combat operations in Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam. S/Sgt. Bowen's platoon was advancing on a reconnaissance mission into enemy controlled terrain when it came under the withering crossfire of small arms and grenades from an enemy ambush force. S/Sgt. Bowen placed heavy suppressive fire on the enemy positions and ordered his men to fall back. As the platoon was moving back, an enemy grenade was thrown amid S/Sgt. Bowen and 3 of his men. Sensing the danger to his comrades, S/Sgt. Bowen shouted a warning to his men and hurled himself on the grenade, absorbing the explosion with his body while saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. S/Sgt. Bowen's extraordinary courage and concern for his men at the cost of his life served as an inspiration to his comrades and are in the highest traditions of the military service and the U.S. Army.
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This Day in Aviation History" brought to you by the Daedalians Airpower Blog Update. To subscribe to this weekly email, go to https://daedalians.org/airpower-blog/.
Nov. 29, 1910
Aircraft designer and entrepreneur Glenn H. Curtiss wrote to Secretary of the Navy George von L. Meyer, offering flight instruction without charge for one naval officer as a means of assisting "in developing the adaptability of the aeroplane to military purposes."
Nov. 30, 1912
Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson tested C-1 (later AB-1), the Navy's first flying boat, at Hammondsport, N.Y. The pilot described its performance as: "Circular climb, only one complete circle, 1,575 feet in 14 minutes 30 seconds fully loaded. On glide approximately 5.3 to 1. Speed, eight runs over measured mile, 59.4 miles per hour fully loaded. The endurance test was not made, owing to the fact that the weather has not been favorable, and I did not like to delay any longer." Ellyson was Daedalian Founder Member #4377.
Dec. 3, 1915
LTJG Richard C. Saufley set a U.S. altitude record for hydroaeroplanes in AH-14 at 11,975 feet over Pensacola, Florida, surpassing the pilot's own record of 11,056 feet, which he had set only three days before. The Aero Club of America awarded Saufley its Medal of Merit for "twice breaking the American Hydroaeroplane altitude record in one year." Saufley was Daedalian Founder Member #13307.
Dec. 5, 1907
In a letter to the Board of Ordnance and Fortification, Wilbur Wright proposed to build a military aircraft for $25,000. The board subsequently asked the Signal Corps for the desired specifications such a craft should include.
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American Military History: From Rogers' Rangers to Richard Byrd by W. Thomas Smith Jr.
11/30/2010
This Week in American Military History:
Nov. 29, 1760: Rogers' Rangers under the command of Massachusetts-born Maj. (future Lt. Col.) Robert Rogers capture Fort Detroit from the French.
U.S. Army Rangers in the 20th and 21st centuries will trace their lineage to Rogers and his British Colonial irregulars.
Nov. 29, 1890: Navy beats Army, 24-zip, in the first-ever Army (West
Point) – Navy (Annapolis) football game.
Nov. 29, 1929: U.S. Navy Commander Richard E. Byrd Jr. makes the first-ever flight over the South Pole.
Byrd – a future rear admiral and recipient of the Medal of Honor for his
1926 flight over the North Pole – is the navigator of the South Pole flight. His companions include pilot Bernt Balchen, radio operator Harold June, and photographer Ashley McKinley.
The team crosses the Pole in a modified Ford tri-motor airplane.
Nov. 30, 1864: Confederate Army forces under the command of Gen. John Bell Hood (yes, Fort Hood, Texas is named in his honor) clash with Union forces under Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield (yes, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii is named in his honor) near Franklin, Tennessee in what is about to become a Union victory and one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.
By early evening, thousands on both sides will have been killed, and six Confederate generals will be dead or mortally wounded.
Confederate Private Sam Watkins of the 1st Tennessee Infantry Regiment will describe the battle as: "the blackest page in the history of the War of the Lost Cause. It was the bloodiest battle of modern times in any war. It was the finishing stroke to the Independence of the Southern Confederacy. I was there. I saw it."
Schofield, who will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during the 1861 Battle of Wilson's Creek (Missouri), is destined for a third star, a posting as U.S. Secretary of War, and the title, commanding general of the U.S. Army.
Dec. 3, 1775: The Grand Union Flag (not to be confused with S.C. militia Col. Christopher Gadsden's rattlesnake flag or the Betsy Ross flag) is raised above the 20-gun Continental ship, Alfred. The ship, originally named Black Prince, has been renamed in honor of Alfred the Great.
The hoisting of the "Grand Union" colors is the first time an American flag is raised above an American warship.
On an interesting aside, Alfred will be part of the small flotilla that participates in America's first amphibious operation – Continental Marines and sailors seizing gunpowder and a few cannon from British-held Fort Montague in the Bahamas – the following March.
Dec. 4, 1783: Gen. George Washington bids farewell to the officers of the Continental Army at Fraunces Tavern in New York.
According to the memoirs of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge: "After the officers had taken a glass of wine, General Washington said 'I cannot come to each of you but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand.' General Knox being nearest to him turned to the Commander-in-chief who, suffused in tears, was incapable of utterance but grasped his hand when they embraced each other in silence. In the same affectionate manner every officer in the room marched up and parted with his general in chief."
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for November 30, 2020 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
30 November
1907: At Hammondsport, the Curtiss Motor Vehicle Company became the first airplane company formed in the US. (12)
1913: FIRST KNOWN AERIAL COMBAT. The action occurred between Phil Rader, flying for Gen Victoriano Huerta, and Dean Ivan Lamb, flying for Venustiano Carranza, over Naco, Mexico. An exact date of this action involving a dozen or so pistol shots is not known, but it happened in late November or early December. (21)
1943: The Martin JRM Mars flew from Patuxent River to Natal, Brazil, for its first operational mission. It made the 4,375-mile nonstop flight in 28 hours 25 minutes while carrying 13,000 pounds of cargo. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox disclosed the feat on 10 December. The Mars set a record for cargo at 35,000 pounds for the 8,972-mile round trip. (24)
1948: Curtiss-Wright demonstrated new reversible pitch propellers, which enabled a C-54 to descend from 15,000 to 1,000 feet in 1 minute 22 seconds. (16) (26)
1951: KOREAN WAR. In one of the largest aerial battles of the war, F-86 pilots from the 4 FIG engaged 44 enemy aircraft over the island of Taehwa-do. The Sabre pilots destroyed 12 and damaged 3 others. Maj George A. Davis Jr., 334 FIS, achieved Korean War ace status by downing a TU-2 and a MiG-15. That achievement made him the first ace in two wars, since he had been an ace in World War II as well. Maj Winton W. Marshal, 335 FIS, also became an ace by destroying an LA-9 and a TU-2. Enemy forces attacked Taehwa-do, north of Cho-do, forcing friendly forces to retreat to Cho-do. Fifth Air Force aircraft dislodged the enemy, enabling friendly forces to retake the island. (21) (28) The 315th AD airlifted troops, supplies, and ammunition between Japan and Korea, flying 4,818 sorties that carried 70,664 passengers, 6,328 medical patients, and 8,406 tons of cargo. Airdrops to UN troops fighting in the mountains parachuted 120 tons of fuel, rations, and other supplies. Search and rescue units flew 324 sorties and helicopters evacuated 242 critically wounded patients and rescued six people trapped behind enemy lines. The Boat Section, 6160th ABG, saved twenty lives. UN reconnaissance aircraft flew more than 1,000 sorties to secure intelligence information on enemy ground dispositions, air targets, vehicle movements, airfield status, and weather. FEAF medium bombers dropped approximately 28,025,000 leaflets over rear area troops and civilians in North Korea, while C-47 cargo aircraft dropped approximately 58,814,000 over front-line areas. (28)
1956: The Martin TM-61 Matador, a jet-propelled missile, made its final test flight. It became the USAF's first "completely" tactical missile. (12) (24) The Air Force received its first F-86L Sabre.
1959: A B-47 bomber set a nonstop distance record and an airborne endurance record for jets by crisscrossing the US for 39,200 miles (equal to 1.6 times around the world) in 80 hours 36 minutes. The B-47 started from and returned to Wright-Patterson AFB. (24)
1962: NASA initiated a five-nation study with Argentina, Australia, Canada, and France to examine the upper atmosphere by launching Nike-Cajun and Nike-Apache rockets from Wallops Station. (24) Lockheed's XV-4A Hummingbird VTOL airplane made its first tethered hovering flight.
1978: The USAF received its last LGM-30G Minuteman III at Hill AFB. (6)
1983: The USAF used its FY1984 option to buy four more C-5Bs. (12) In the Titan II deactivation program, a contractor destroyed the first headworks of a launch site, 570-7, at Davis-Monthan AFB. (1)
1988: Civil strife, natural disasters, and territorial threats result in humanitarian airlifts by MAC with an ambulance to Douala, capital of Cameroon, and 31 pallets of medical equipment to N'Djamena, capital of Chad. Altogether, MAC airlifted 70 tons to both countries. (26)
1989: SAC opened its U-2 and TR-1 pilot training program to women.
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News from around the world
Thanks to Brett
Stratfor snippets - Israel/Gaza, Uruguay/China, Somalia, Taiwan, Spain/U.K., Madagascar, Kenya, Peru, China, Japan/Vietnam, EU/Lithuania, Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia, Finland/Russia, Nigeria,
Israel, Gaza: Cease-Fire Holds Amid Possible Extension
What Happened: The Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas indicated that it wanted to extend its cease-fire with Israel in exchange for more releases of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages, AP reported on Nov. 26. The Israeli government said it was willing to hold a cease-fire for up to 10 days, but the Israel Defense Forces also approved operational plans for resuming offensives in Gaza once the cease-fire ends.
Why It Matters: A cease-fire seems likely to last as long as Israel's government believes Hamas will continue releasing hostages, but the interruption in fighting is likely to remain temporary unless a political solution removes Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip. If fighting resumes, Israel may attempt another "shock and awe" style campaign to break Gaza's south that results in significant civilian casualties and increases U.S. diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt fighting.
Background: Israel and Hamas have exchanged some 117 Palestinian prisoners for 58 Israeli and foreign hostages over the course of a cease-fire that began on Nov. 24. The United States hailed the cease-fire as a step toward improving humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip but did not change its policy toward Hamas, which Washington believes must be removed from power in Gaza.
Uruguay, China: Countries Upgrade Ties Amid Discussions of FTA, Broader Mercosur Deal
What Happened: China and Uruguay agreed to upgrade their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou's state visit to China, Reuters reported on Nov. 22. During Pou's visit, China and Uruguay also announced the completion of a joint feasibility study regarding an Uruguay-China free trade agreement and committed to "promote dialogue on free trade between Mercosur and China."
Why It Matters: The strengthening of Sino-Uruguayan ties signals the deepening of trade, investment and infrastructure development between the two countries and represents China's growing soft power in South America. However, members of the South American trade bloc Mercosur are under legal constraints regarding the formation of individual trade agreements with other countries, which will challenge Uruguay's efforts to pursue a bilateral deal with China. Additionally, a broader Mercosur deal with China remains unlikely due to skepticism from other member countries, particularly Argentina. Even so, the bloc may look to China if it is unable to secure a long-awaited agreement with the European Union at the Mercosur summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Dec. 7.
Background: Ties between China and Uruguay have strengthened in recent years as the latter has signed onto a variety of Chinese initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative in 2018 and the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank in 2020. Furthermore, China is Uruguay's largest trade partner, with 29% of Uruguayan exports landing in Chinese markets in 2021. Many of Uruguay's neighbors, including Brazil in 2012 and Argentina in 2014, have already signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreements, China's highest designation for diplomatic allies.
Somalia: East African Community Admits Somalia as Eighth Member
What Happened: The East African Community trade bloc, or EAC, officially admitted Somalia as its eighth member, The EastAfrican reported on Nov. 25.
Why It Matters: With Somalia's membership in the EAC, the bloc has expanded its market and gained an extra coastline extending over 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles), showcasing significant potential for offshore resources like oil and gas. Despite advantages for Somalia such as access to a market of more than 300 million people, free movement of people and goods, and potentially an increase in foreign direct investment inflows, the nation is likely to encounter challenges in aligning its economic policies, standards and regulatory frameworks with those of the EAC. On the security side, the EAC will now be tasked with taking part in the fight against al Shabaab that threatens the stability of the Horn of Africa region, and in the long run, the bloc might deploy a regional force to assist the Somali army. The deployment of EAC troops could limit al Shabaab's ability to conduct major attacks, recruit more members and obtain resources, thus gradually weakening its capabilities.
Background: The EAC denied Somalia's initial membership application from 2012-17 due to concerns over its security situation and inadequate governance. Following a renewed application in 2019 and the inclusion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2022, the EAC dispatched a verification team to Mogadishu that resulted in the approval of Somalia's membership bid.
Israel, Gaza: Negotiators Extend Cease-Fire in Return for More Prisoner Exchanges
What Happened: Qatar's Foreign Ministry and the White House said Israel and the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas had agreed to another two-day extension of the current cease-fire, Reuters reported on Nov. 27. The cease-fire now will end on Nov. 30 as Israel and Hamas exchange more Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
Why It Matters: An extension of the cease-fire will result in the release of more hostages and prisoners while also easing humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip. These effects will ease diplomatic pressure on Israel to abandon its military campaign to remove Hamas from power in Gaza. Additionally, the extension may continue to reduce violence along the Lebanon-Israel border and attacks on U.S. forces by Iran-aligned militias, weakening the drivers toward regional escalation.
Background: Israeli sources cautioned that the deal had not been finalized yet, but they said Israel would extend the truce as long as 10 Israeli hostages were released per day. Israel and Hamas agreed on a U.S. and Qatari-facilitated cease-fire that was implemented on Nov. 24 and was due to expire on Nov. 28. Despite the cease-fire, Israel has not abandoned its goal of using military force to end Hamas' control of the Gaza Strip, and the Israeli military has approved battle plans for further operations once the cease-fire ends.
Taiwan: Three-Way Presidential Race to Bring China Tensions, Cyber Risks
What Happened: William Lai of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, Hou Yu-ih of the conservative Kuomintang, and Ko Wen-je of the centrist Taiwan People's Party registered for the country's Jan. 13, 2024, presidential election, Focus Taiwan reported on Nov. 24. On the same day, independent candidate Terry Gou dropped out of the race.
Why It Matters: The split opposition vote between the KMT and TPP gives Lai's DPP the greatest chance of winning, suggesting China will continue to escalate military tensions with Taiwan over the next four years. However, this will still be a close race, with all candidates consistently polling with at least 25% support. If Ko wins, he will be a poor negotiator with China, stoking domestic unrest when he concedes and anger from Beijing when he demurs. China's disinformation and hacking operations against Taiwan will escalate from now until Jan. 13 as Beijing tries to shrink Lai's lead over Hou, China's preferred candidate.
Background: Weeks of negotiations between the KMT and TPP on a joint ticket fell through the week of Nov. 20 over who would lead the ticket, while Gou's consistently low, fourth-place polling gave him no path to victory.
Spain, U.K.: Negotiators May Reach Deal on Gibraltar by Nov. 29 ( I wonder if the monkeys get a vote)
What Happened: Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said he will meet with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron later on Nov. 28 in Brussels, Belgium, with the goal of reaching an agreement on the future of Gibraltar, The Guardian reported on Nov. 28. According to Albares, Spain's goal is to sign a deal with the United Kingdom on Nov. 29.
Why It Matters: If Spain and the United Kingdom reach a deal, it would remove land border controls between Gibraltar and Spain and allow for the free movement of goods and people, which would contribute to economic growth in both Gibraltar and Spain. A deal would particularly benefit the thousands of Spanish workers who commute to Gibraltar every day, while ensuring Gibraltar's continued access to Spain's workforce. The main obstacle to a deal is Spain's request to take control of the policing of Gibraltar's port and airport in exchange for removing the controls on the land border, which Gibraltar and the broader United Kingdom see as undermining the territory's sovereignty. Other obstacles include Spain's demands for Gibraltar to do more to combat money laundering and the smuggling of tobacco and alcohol into Spain.
Background: Gibraltar was excluded from the EU-U.K. Brexit agreement in 2020, and the territory has been in limbo since then, with Spanish police applying light controls on Gibraltar's land border with Spain. Some 15,000 Spanish nationals go to Gibraltar to work every day, and Gibraltar wants to avoid isolation from the rest of the Continent.
Madagascar: Opposition Candidate Files Lawsuit Claiming Rajoelina's Victory Was Fraudulent
What Happened: Madagascar's opposition presidential candidate Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who received 14.4% of votes to incumbent President Andry Rajoelina's 58.95% of votes during the Nov. 16 election, filed lawsuits with the country's highest court to have the results of the allegedly fraudulent election overturned, AP reported on Nov. 28.
Why It Matters: The High Constitutional Court is unlikely to overturn the results of the election, which will usher in a second term for Rajoelina and further institutionalize electoral corruption. Rajoelina's administration is highly corrupt and reliant on patronage networks — especially in the agricultural and mining sectors — which will very likely continue under Rajoelina's second term, so doing business in Madagascar will continue to necessitate relationships with ruling party elites.
Background: Some Rajoelina voters have said they were promised money in order to vote for the president, which would be consistent with past elections. About 46% of voters on the electoral register reportedly turned out to vote.
Kenya: High Court Rules Against Ruto's Housing Tax
What Happened: Kenya's high court ruled against a tax measure meant to fund President William Ruto's promise to build affordable housing, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 28. The court said the 1.5% mandatory housing tax for employees and equal match by employers was "discriminatory and unfair" because it applied to people with formal jobs and not those who work in the informal sector.
Why It Matters: The cancellation of the housing tax will be widely popular, but it will further strain Kenya's revenue collection in advance of upcoming debt maturities and lower-than-expected tax collection in the first quarter of the current financial year. Kenya already spends more than half of its revenue servicing its debt, which is part of the reason that the International Monetary Fund has supported Ruto's tax increases.
Background: Nearly a dozen cases were filed at the high court against Ruto's tax measures, which aim to raise an additional 211 billion shillings ($1.38 billion) through June.
Peru: Attorney General's Constitutional Complaint Creates Political Turmoil in Peru
What Happened: Peru's Attorney General Patricia Benavides submitted a "constitutional complaint" to Congress alleging that President Dina Boluarte is responsible for the qualified homicide of four Peruvians who were killed by the country's security forces following massive protests against former President Pedro Castillo's ouster in December 2022, Reuters reported on Nov. 27. The complaint comes after an anti-corruption team arrested an advisor to Benavides and alleged that her office heads a criminal organization that peddles influence in Congress.
Why It Matters: Boluarte will not resign over the allegations, but if Congress does accept the complaint, which legal scholars predict is unlikely, it is possible Boluarte could be removed from office on grounds of moral incapacity. At least 42 members of Congress have been implicated in the prosecutor's corruption probe into Benavides' alleged criminal organization, signaling extreme governance challenges ahead in a country already mired in political turmoil. Furthermore, as the anniversary of former President Castillo's ouster approaches and amid new allegations of government corruption, Peruvians will likely return to the streets to protest.
Background: At least 40 Peruvians died during some of the most violent protests Peru had seen in over 20 years after Castillo attempted to dissolve Congress to avoid impeachment. President Boluarte, whose approval rating has sunk to 8%, has called Benavides' complaint "despicable," while Benavides has called the prosecutor's actions intimidation, and many legislators have called for Benavides' resignation. Boluarte is Peru's fifth president since 2018 following the resignation of two presidents and the impeachment of two more. Despite calls for early elections after Castillo's ouster, Boluarte has stated that she plans to stay in office until the general elections in 2026.
China: Banks Tapped to Solve Debt Issues Across Industries
What Happened: China's central bank said on Nov. 27 that it will push banks to reduce inflation-adjusted lending rates as deflation raises borrowing costs, Bloomberg reported the next day. Meanwhile, Bloomberg Intelligence claimed that Beijing may ask 11 of China's major banks to set aside $89 billion in unsecured loans in 2024 to assist with real estate debt.
Why It Matters: Beijing's efforts to revive real estate growth and resolve underwater municipal balance sheets will shift financial pressure onto the banks. Beijing will backstop major banks if necessary, preventing a debt crisis therein, but some local financial institutions will take haircuts, threatening social unrest like the Zhengzhou bank protests of July 2022. The true solution to China's debt issues will be found in broader economic recovery and in the development of more productive avenues for investment outside of real estate, but this is easier said than done.
Background: These announcements come after China on Nov. 17 asked banks to meet developers' "reasonable funding" requests and not demand early payment of developers' loans. Additionally, Reuters revealed on Oct. 17 that Beijing will ask major banks to roll over bad debt for local governments and issue new debt at lower rates.
Japan, Vietnam: Tokyo, Hanoi Elevate Ties to Top Tier
What Happened: Japan and Vietnam upgraded bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, Vietnam's top-level diplomatic designation, Nikkei Asia reported on Nov. 27.
Why It Matters: Under the partnership, Japan and Vietnam will expand joint training and information sharing between their coast guards, as well as transfers of defense assets and technology under Japan's Official Security Assistance program. Economically, the partnership will streamline business operations between the two countries, which will benefit Japanese businesses such as Canon, Honda, Panasonic and Bridgestone. The partnership may also help Vietnam achieve its goal of becoming a high-tech manufacturing hub and alternative to China while reducing its own dependence on Beijing.
Background: Both countries are looking to diversify defense and trade partners amid shared maritime concerns and dual territorial disputes with China. Vietnam is rapidly upgrading ties with several of its partners to top-tier status, including the United States, and will likely similarly upgrade ties with Australia, Singapore and Indonesia in 2024. Tokyo launched its Official Security Assistance program in 2022 to bolster the defenses of "like-minded nations" amid China's military buildup. The Philippines, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Fiji already participate in the program. Japan is Vietnam's third-largest source of foreign investment and fourth-largest trading partner.
EU, Lithuania, China: Beijing Lifts Economic Coercive Measures Against Lithuania
What Happened: Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said China has dropped coercive trade measures targeting Lithuania, as the two countries are working to restore diplomatic relations following a dispute surrounding the Baltic country's relations with Taiwan, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 28.
Why It Matters: China's reported lifting of coercive measures against Lithuania suggests the European Union's recent introduction of its anti-coercion instrument may have compelled China to walk back its punitive trade measures over fears of a broader escalation with the bloc. This highlights how the European Union's defensive trade tools are designed to recalibrate relations with China while maintaining economic ties rather than reducing them. China's decision to drop punitive trade measures even though Lithuania has not changed any of the elements that triggered them in the first place (i.e., the name of the Taiwan Representative Office in Vilnius), may be intended to offer a positive message toward improving relations ahead of the upcoming EU-China summit in December, which highlights efforts from Beijing to maintain positive relations with Europe.
Background: The European Union formally adopted its anti-coercion instrument on Nov. 22, enabling the bloc to retaliate against countries that put economic pressure on its member states to change their policies. The European Commission first proposed the instrument in December 2021 after China restricted trade with EU member Lithuania following the Baltic country's decision to establish a Taiwan Representative Office. China responded by imposing import bans on Lithuanian goods as well as on goods from third countries containing Lithuanian content and by restricting Chinese exports to the country. Details of any eventual deal remain unclear, and neither China nor Lithuania has officially reinstated their diplomatic missions toward the other.
Sierra Leone: Officials Label Attacks as Failed Coup Attempt
What Happened: Police and government officials in Sierra Leone labeled a coordinated series of attacks on military barracks and prisons on Nov. 26 as a failed coup attempt, Al Jazeera reported on Nov. 28. According to Information Minister Chernor Bah, authorities have detained 13 military officers and one civilian in connection to the incidents.
Why It Matters: The attempted coup corresponds with growing discontent voiced by both the populace and opposition regarding the country's worsening economic state, notably the significant surge in living costs. While the government initially attempted to minimize the events as a simple prison break, the coordinated large-scale escape by ex- and current military personnel starkly underscores a direct challenge to the existing government's control and stability. This could fuel additional societal turmoil, highlighting a substantial threat to the government.
Background: Authorities said at least 20 people were killed and nearly 2,000 inmates escaped during the Nov. 26 attacks on a military barracks, prison and other locations in the country. The police urged inmates to return to prison in a statement on Nov. 27 and offered the public rewards for details on the whereabouts of escapees or the attackers.
Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Will Host 2030 World Expo, Bolstering Vision 2030
What Happened: Saudi Arabia won the vote to host the 2030 World Expo, and Saudi officials said they would spend $7.8 billion on the event, The New York Times reported on Nov. 28. Saudi Arabia is also likely to host the World Cup in 2034.
Why It Matters: Saudi Arabia will use both the 2030 World Expo and the World Cup to boost its international image, attract tourists and investors, and develop infrastructure that can be utilized beyond the events as part of its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. However, some of this infrastructure may end up costing more than it is worth, and major geopolitical shocks may still interrupt their success or timing. Additionally, activists will boycott and disrupt these events in an attempt to pressure Saudi Arabia into changing its human rights record. Activists are unlikely to win much political headway, but they may pressure the country to liberalize its labor market laws.
Background: Activists have accused Saudi Arabia of using major events to whitewash its dubious international reputation, and some 15 rights groups petitioned for Saudi Arabia not to be awarded the 2030 World Expo. Similar issues plagued Qatar when it hosted the World Cup in 2022, but the games eventually went off with little issue.
Finland, Russia: Finland Closes Entire Border With Russia Over Migrant Concerns
What Happened: Finland will close its last remaining open border crossing with Russia for at least two weeks following an uptick in illegal migration attempts that Finnish officials say Russia is facilitating in order to destabilize the country after joining NATO earlier this year, AP reported Nov. 29. The head of the Polish National Security Bureau said that Poland would send military advisers to Finland in response to "an official request for allied support in the face of a hybrid attack on the Finnish border," whereas the Kremlin has responded that it would consider any concentrations of troops on its border with Finland as a national security threat.
Why It Matters: Following two years of irregular migration from Belarus on the borders of the Baltic states and Poland, which many EU officials have decried as Kremlin-backed attempts to destabilize the European Union's eastern borders, Finland has learned that a swift and overwhelming response is most likely to deter and prevent the continuation of these migrant border crossings. However, this is likely just the start of Russia's increased hybrid attacks on Finland, as in the coming years, Moscow will seek to impose costs on Helsinki for its NATO membership and will prompt Finland to invest more heavily in fortifying its border. The presence of Polish personnel in Finland is unlikely to prompt Russian retaliation in the near term, though NATO personnel will likely become increasingly common in Finland and along its border with Russia in the years ahead.
Background: One rail freight crossing between the countries will remain open. On Nov. 15, Finland decided to close four border crossings with Russia until at least Feb. 18, 2024. Finland's president Sauli Niinisto said that the recent rise in the number of asylum applicants arriving on the country's border with Russia appeared to be Russian revenge for Finland's recent membership in NATO.
Nigeria: President Presents 2024 Budget to National Assembly
What Happened: Nigerian President Bola Tinubu presented the 27.5 trillion naira ($34.85 billion) 2024 budget to the National Assembly, Premium Times reported on Nov. 29. Tinubu also said Nigeria will lower its budget deficit from 6.1% of gross domestic product in 2023 to about 3.9% of GDP in 2024 due to lower borrowing costs and higher revenue.
Why It Matters: The budget is based on ambitious targets for economic growth, inflation and oil prices, so reducing the deficit by three percentage points will likely be a challenge, especially if the Tinubu administration increases wages and/or makes financial concessions in lieu of the fuel subsidy canceled earlier in 2023. Additionally, if average oil prices do not meet Tinubu's expectations of $77 per barrel, lower-than-expected revenue will test Nigeria's willingness to implement a floating exchange rate for the naira due to downward pressure on the currency. The Central Bank of Nigeria may reintroduce some controls on the currency's value, perhaps even reverting to a tiered exchange rate system due to the pressure. In this case, many companies would have to go back to using the black market exchange rate for many of their transactions if they cannot readily access the official rate.
Background: Tinubu said the budget's priorities are to address economic growth, human capital development, poverty reduction and insecurity. Recurrent expenditure accounts for 9.92 trillion naira, capital expenditure for 8.7 trillion naira and debt servicing for 8.25 trillion naira (about 45% of total expenditure).
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