Showing posts with label North Korea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label North Korea. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Pelosi-Dalai Lama visit will ‘add to the tension’ with China says Adm. Stavridis - YouTube
NBC News chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell speaks with Admiral James Stavridis,former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Friday, May 31, 2024
NATO Secretary General press conference at Foreign Ministers Meeting, Prague,Czechia CZ 31 MAY 2024
Decisions:
1Greater NATO role in military equipment and training;
2.Alliance commits to multiyear financial support for Ukraine;
3.Discussed Ukrainian path to NATO membership,Ukraine's future in NATO.
Monday, May 27, 2024
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Friday, August 18, 2023
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Air Force Launches Minuteman III ICBM from the California Coast - part of a series of strategic forces exercises in Asia-Pacfic
The US Air Force has been conducting a series of strategic nuclear forces exercises in the Asia-Pacific region,which are being seen as a warning to a North Korean regime bent on acquiring more and more nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them on distant targets,especially the United States.At 12:02 am Pacific Daylight Savings Time this morning,the Air Force's Global Strike Command launched the second Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base,California in a week.The first missile was launched last Wednesday from the base northwest of Santa Barbara that is the home of the 30th Space Wing and commonly used for launching Pentagon spy satellites as well as ICBM tests.*
The Minuteman III,a 60 year-old system that has been upgraded for improved targeting and accuracy,is housed in silos at three GSC bases.Today's missile was randomly pulled from a silo at Malmstrom Air Force Base,Montana and reassembled at Vandenberg prior to launch.It was equipped with a single test re-entry vehicle with a telemetry package for operational testing along its course to Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands,about 4200 miles from Vandenberg.The test is intended to demonstrate to the world that the land-based leg of the nuclear triad is a safe,reliable and effective deterrent force for the US and her allies.*
Colonel Chris Moss is commander of the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB,and as such is the launch decision authority.He noted that:
The tremendous teamwork between the 30th Space Wing and Air Force Global Strike Command is apparent each time we launch a Minuteman III missile.*
The first of the two ICBM tests from Vandenberg,on Wednesday 26 April 2017,was a combined team effort by Global Strike Command Airmen from 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB,Wyoming;341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB,Montana;and 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offut AFB,Nebraska.The missile used in that test was launched with a command delivered from the Air Launch Control System on a US Navy E-6 Mercury jet.*
Besides the two missile tests,AF Global Strike Command provided two of its B-1B Lancer strategic nuclear bombers from their forward operating base,Andersen Air Force Base,Guam,for a series of exercises with the air forces of South Korea and Japan.The bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets and flew near the Korean peninsula.The Air Force declined to disclose just how close the drills got to North Korea;nor whether the B-1Bs were carrying any weapons.
For its part,North Korea complained that,during the course of the exercises,the US planes conducted a nuclear bomb-dropping drill against major objects.The reckless military provocation is pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war,the official KCNA news agency added.*
Meanwhile,the US Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system,or THAAD,has reached initial operational capability in South Korea,US officials told Reuters;but it will take several more months to get fully operational.In other Asia-Pacific action,CIA director Mike Pompeo flew to South Korea for detailed security talks with his South Korean colleague,Lee Byung-ho,and a visit to Yeonpyeong Island,which was attacked by North Korea in 2010,even as the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Sea of Japan on Saturday 29 April for exercises with South Korea and Japan.The Navy,as a matter of policy,doesn't disclose whether its ships are carrying nuclear weapons or not,but its F/A-18 fighter jets are capable of carrying the B-61 intermediate yield nuclear weapon.
The Minuteman III,a 60 year-old system that has been upgraded for improved targeting and accuracy,is housed in silos at three GSC bases.Today's missile was randomly pulled from a silo at Malmstrom Air Force Base,Montana and reassembled at Vandenberg prior to launch.It was equipped with a single test re-entry vehicle with a telemetry package for operational testing along its course to Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands,about 4200 miles from Vandenberg.The test is intended to demonstrate to the world that the land-based leg of the nuclear triad is a safe,reliable and effective deterrent force for the US and her allies.*
Colonel Chris Moss is commander of the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg AFB,and as such is the launch decision authority.He noted that:
The tremendous teamwork between the 30th Space Wing and Air Force Global Strike Command is apparent each time we launch a Minuteman III missile.*
The first of the two ICBM tests from Vandenberg,on Wednesday 26 April 2017,was a combined team effort by Global Strike Command Airmen from 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren AFB,Wyoming;341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom AFB,Montana;and 625th Strategic Operations Squadron at Offut AFB,Nebraska.The missile used in that test was launched with a command delivered from the Air Launch Control System on a US Navy E-6 Mercury jet.*
Besides the two missile tests,AF Global Strike Command provided two of its B-1B Lancer strategic nuclear bombers from their forward operating base,Andersen Air Force Base,Guam,for a series of exercises with the air forces of South Korea and Japan.The bombers were escorted by South Korean fighter jets and flew near the Korean peninsula.The Air Force declined to disclose just how close the drills got to North Korea;nor whether the B-1Bs were carrying any weapons.
For its part,North Korea complained that,during the course of the exercises,the US planes conducted a nuclear bomb-dropping drill against major objects.The reckless military provocation is pushing the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war,the official KCNA news agency added.*
Meanwhile,the US Army's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system,or THAAD,has reached initial operational capability in South Korea,US officials told Reuters;but it will take several more months to get fully operational.In other Asia-Pacific action,CIA director Mike Pompeo flew to South Korea for detailed security talks with his South Korean colleague,Lee Byung-ho,and a visit to Yeonpyeong Island,which was attacked by North Korea in 2010,even as the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Sea of Japan on Saturday 29 April for exercises with South Korea and Japan.The Navy,as a matter of policy,doesn't disclose whether its ships are carrying nuclear weapons or not,but its F/A-18 fighter jets are capable of carrying the B-61 intermediate yield nuclear weapon.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
US Global Strike Assets Help Intensify NATO Exercise
Two US Air Force B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers from the 459th Bomb Group,Dyess Air Force Base,Texas,and a B-52H Stratofortress bomber were sent to RAF Fairford,England recently to participate in Exercise Ample Strike 16 in the Czech Republic.The strategic,nuclear-capable aircraft are part of US Global Strike Command.They were deployed in support of the NATO drills for JTACs,or Joint Terminal attack Controllers,that involved 1500 military personnel from 16 NATO Allies and partners.The troops were trained in realistic,complex and demanding scenarios.Besides JTACs,who call in and guide close air support for ground forces,Ample Strike also trains aircrews and commanders of ground forces.*
The training was conducted for both day and nighttime operations,improving interoperability.For example,a Czech ground commander communicated with a Finnish JTAC;a convoy waited for close air support during an improvised attack;simulated mortar attacks were carried out;and US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from 12th Air Combat Brigade in Katterbach,Bayern,Germany visited a forward fueling station.*
The presence of the heavy US bombers underlined the seriousness of the warfighting drills,which thereby had at their call some of the world's most powerful,flexible and long-ranging weapon systems from US Global Strike Command.They were an unmistakable message of assurance and deterrence from NATO to the most advanced,belligerent and determined potential adversaries,such as Russia,China,Iran and North Korea.
The training was conducted for both day and nighttime operations,improving interoperability.For example,a Czech ground commander communicated with a Finnish JTAC;a convoy waited for close air support during an improvised attack;simulated mortar attacks were carried out;and US Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from 12th Air Combat Brigade in Katterbach,Bayern,Germany visited a forward fueling station.*
The presence of the heavy US bombers underlined the seriousness of the warfighting drills,which thereby had at their call some of the world's most powerful,flexible and long-ranging weapon systems from US Global Strike Command.They were an unmistakable message of assurance and deterrence from NATO to the most advanced,belligerent and determined potential adversaries,such as Russia,China,Iran and North Korea.
Friday, March 11, 2016
B-2 Stealth Bombers Deployed to the Tense Asia-Pacific
US Strategic Command deployed three US Air Force B-2 Spirit bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base,Missouri to an undisclosed location in the Asia-Pacific region on 8 March.While in the region,the Northrop Grumman warplanes,characterised by their low radar signature and carrying up to 44,000 pounds of conventional and thermonuclear ordnance,will conduct training with ally and partner air forces,and conduct a radio communications check with a US air operations centre.Their mission is to ensure bomber crews maintain a high state of readiness and crew proficiency,and to provide opportunities to integrate capabilities with key regional partners,US STRATCOM said.*
These flights ensure we remain ready to deter strategic attack,now and into the future,and are one of the many ways the US demonstrates its commitment to security and stability across the globe,said Admiral Cecil D. Haney,US Navy,Commander US Strategic Command.*
Strategic bomber deployments ensure our ability to project power at a time and place of our choosing and develop interoperability with our regional allies and partners,said General Lori J. Robinson,Commander Pacific Air Forces.Recent events demonstrate the continued need to provide consistent and credible air power throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.Our ability to demonstrate credible combat power while training and interoperating with our network of like-minded partner nations is vitally important,General Robinson added.*
At this time,the deployment of these major air power assets reinforces US policy in the Asia-Pacific and its response to China's militarisation of islands in the South China Sea;as well as North Korea's recent destabilising behaviour such as conducting its forth underground nuclear detonation and a long-range missile test in January and February 2016,respectively.*
With regard to China,General Robinson said we've watched the increased military capability on those islands,whether it's the fighters;whether it's the missiles or the 10,000-foot runways.We will continue to do as we've always done,and that is fly and sail in international airspace and waters,in accordance to international rules and norms,General Robinson told journalists in Canberra,Australia prior to her addressing the Royal Australian Air Force's biennial Air Power Conference next week.*
Northrop Grumman was also recently awarded the contract to develop and build the US Air Force's B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber.*
Northrop Grumman (NOC)
These flights ensure we remain ready to deter strategic attack,now and into the future,and are one of the many ways the US demonstrates its commitment to security and stability across the globe,said Admiral Cecil D. Haney,US Navy,Commander US Strategic Command.*
Strategic bomber deployments ensure our ability to project power at a time and place of our choosing and develop interoperability with our regional allies and partners,said General Lori J. Robinson,Commander Pacific Air Forces.Recent events demonstrate the continued need to provide consistent and credible air power throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.Our ability to demonstrate credible combat power while training and interoperating with our network of like-minded partner nations is vitally important,General Robinson added.*
At this time,the deployment of these major air power assets reinforces US policy in the Asia-Pacific and its response to China's militarisation of islands in the South China Sea;as well as North Korea's recent destabilising behaviour such as conducting its forth underground nuclear detonation and a long-range missile test in January and February 2016,respectively.*
With regard to China,General Robinson said we've watched the increased military capability on those islands,whether it's the fighters;whether it's the missiles or the 10,000-foot runways.We will continue to do as we've always done,and that is fly and sail in international airspace and waters,in accordance to international rules and norms,General Robinson told journalists in Canberra,Australia prior to her addressing the Royal Australian Air Force's biennial Air Power Conference next week.*
Northrop Grumman was also recently awarded the contract to develop and build the US Air Force's B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber.*
Northrop Grumman (NOC)
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
East Asia:Facing the Missile Threat
The Atlantic Council recently brought together a number of thought leaders at its fourth annual Global Missile Defense Conference in Washington on 28 May.
We face a big threat and a small threat in East Asia,said David Gompert,RAND Corporation Adjunct Senior Fellow and former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence from 2009-10.North Korea is the small threat.I don't think North Korea will be suicidal with nuclear weapons,but would use them as their best option.Their reflex is to strike out when under severe pressure,so we cannot have confidence in adequate deterrence.
South Korea,Japan and the US are threatened by expansion of the short and medium range missile threat.This calls for a trilateral approach:an adequate,integrated trilateral missile defence.The US should hammer home there is little room for error in the adequacy of missile defence.
Both the US and South Korea agreed to the four d's:detect,disrupt,degrade and destroy.Japanese Prime Minister Abe appreciates the threat from North Korean missiles.That's why they're going from four to eight Aegis destroyers;the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle;upgrading of F-15s;procuring point defence for the 20-30 km range.*
China is the big problem.They believe in a minimal defence.China gets upset about any upgrade of defence in its area.
We do need a bigger rethink of information to enable us to make decisions before a crisis occurs.To defend our forces in the Pacific against China's short and medium range missiles is mind-boggling.China has too many upgrades that they haven't yet pursued.I worry less about the ICBMs than the expansion of the short and medium range arsenals.We need greater trilateral contingency planning.We need to help overcome political hurdles.
Taiwan needs to acquire an anti-access area denial strategy to deal with mines and submarines.*
North Korea has lots of artillery and rockets.Ballistic missiles could reach well into South Korea,but the aspect of Weapons of Mass Destruction is the greater concern.*
China's conventional ballistic and cruise missiles are the core of its power projection,added Randall Schriver,former Deputy Secretary of State for East Asia.*
We really don't know how useful and effective the new rail gun and laser technologies will be,so we can't rely on them to counter the threat,Patrick Cronin of the Center for a New American Security pointed out.*
The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan think tank that defines its mission as promoting constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges.It has ten regional centres.
We face a big threat and a small threat in East Asia,said David Gompert,RAND Corporation Adjunct Senior Fellow and former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence from 2009-10.North Korea is the small threat.I don't think North Korea will be suicidal with nuclear weapons,but would use them as their best option.Their reflex is to strike out when under severe pressure,so we cannot have confidence in adequate deterrence.
South Korea,Japan and the US are threatened by expansion of the short and medium range missile threat.This calls for a trilateral approach:an adequate,integrated trilateral missile defence.The US should hammer home there is little room for error in the adequacy of missile defence.
Both the US and South Korea agreed to the four d's:detect,disrupt,degrade and destroy.Japanese Prime Minister Abe appreciates the threat from North Korean missiles.That's why they're going from four to eight Aegis destroyers;the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle;upgrading of F-15s;procuring point defence for the 20-30 km range.*
China is the big problem.They believe in a minimal defence.China gets upset about any upgrade of defence in its area.
We do need a bigger rethink of information to enable us to make decisions before a crisis occurs.To defend our forces in the Pacific against China's short and medium range missiles is mind-boggling.China has too many upgrades that they haven't yet pursued.I worry less about the ICBMs than the expansion of the short and medium range arsenals.We need greater trilateral contingency planning.We need to help overcome political hurdles.
Taiwan needs to acquire an anti-access area denial strategy to deal with mines and submarines.*
North Korea has lots of artillery and rockets.Ballistic missiles could reach well into South Korea,but the aspect of Weapons of Mass Destruction is the greater concern.*
China's conventional ballistic and cruise missiles are the core of its power projection,added Randall Schriver,former Deputy Secretary of State for East Asia.*
We really don't know how useful and effective the new rail gun and laser technologies will be,so we can't rely on them to counter the threat,Patrick Cronin of the Center for a New American Security pointed out.*
The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan think tank that defines its mission as promoting constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges.It has ten regional centres.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Global and Domestic Concerns:Inside US Strategic Command
A rare look into the world of the US strategic forces was given in Washington recently.
Any future arms reductions with Russia should be bilateral and verifiable,said General Robert Kehler,US Air Force,Commander,US Strategic Command at a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing at the Capitol on Monday.We have been on a successful and deliberate path with them.It also provides transparency and engagement with Russia that is extremely valuable.
I would not go below the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty levels unilaterally.Working with the Russians has been a consistent theme.
We do not believe officially they are compliant with the Conventional Forces in Europe agreement,but are with the new START agreement.The Russians are very careful about their Command and Control.This is why we would like more transparency with China on a military-to-military basis.
I believe China is not seeking numeric parity with us or Russia.
With North Korea,we're looking to see if adjustments need to be made.Deterrence begins on the Peninsula from in-theater forces and extends all the way back to STRATCOM.Today we can make all the options available to the President of the United States.We are looking if we are on the right pathway for the future.I believe it's difficult to weigh their intentions.
It's about readiness for us.We participate with US Pacific Command exercises,demonstrating the credibility of our capabilities,and I believe that's important.We agree forcefully with the need to modernise and sustain the nuclear deterrent.
In some cases,conventional forces can produce a similar result.Strong conventional forces can contribute to deterrence,but nuclear deterrence continues to occupy a unique place.They are complementary.Increases in our conventional capabilities has made a difference,narrowing the role of our nuclear deterrence.
I believe our nuclear deterrent force is safe and secure and under the control of POTUS.It meets our needs today,but that will vary as the world situation changes.
All of this is sensitive to the budget decisions.There will be impacts across the board;we just can't predict what until we see the actual budget.The most troubling impact will be the impact on our civilian work force and readiness accounts.It is happening now;we will see the effects in coming months.
Today the civilians are senior leaders,integral to everything we do.They have expertise and experience we do not have in the uniformed force-highly technical.My concern begins with unintentional and intangible effects on our work force.People with college degrees are wondering if this is for them,General Kehler observed.
Any future arms reductions with Russia should be bilateral and verifiable,said General Robert Kehler,US Air Force,Commander,US Strategic Command at a Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing at the Capitol on Monday.We have been on a successful and deliberate path with them.It also provides transparency and engagement with Russia that is extremely valuable.
I would not go below the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty levels unilaterally.Working with the Russians has been a consistent theme.
We do not believe officially they are compliant with the Conventional Forces in Europe agreement,but are with the new START agreement.The Russians are very careful about their Command and Control.This is why we would like more transparency with China on a military-to-military basis.
I believe China is not seeking numeric parity with us or Russia.
With North Korea,we're looking to see if adjustments need to be made.Deterrence begins on the Peninsula from in-theater forces and extends all the way back to STRATCOM.Today we can make all the options available to the President of the United States.We are looking if we are on the right pathway for the future.I believe it's difficult to weigh their intentions.
It's about readiness for us.We participate with US Pacific Command exercises,demonstrating the credibility of our capabilities,and I believe that's important.We agree forcefully with the need to modernise and sustain the nuclear deterrent.
In some cases,conventional forces can produce a similar result.Strong conventional forces can contribute to deterrence,but nuclear deterrence continues to occupy a unique place.They are complementary.Increases in our conventional capabilities has made a difference,narrowing the role of our nuclear deterrence.
I believe our nuclear deterrent force is safe and secure and under the control of POTUS.It meets our needs today,but that will vary as the world situation changes.
All of this is sensitive to the budget decisions.There will be impacts across the board;we just can't predict what until we see the actual budget.The most troubling impact will be the impact on our civilian work force and readiness accounts.It is happening now;we will see the effects in coming months.
Today the civilians are senior leaders,integral to everything we do.They have expertise and experience we do not have in the uniformed force-highly technical.My concern begins with unintentional and intangible effects on our work force.People with college degrees are wondering if this is for them,General Kehler observed.
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