In support of the US Pacific Command's longstanding continuous bomber presence mission,several US Air Force B-1B Lancer supersonic strategic bombers were deployed to the US island of Guam on 6 August 2016 from Ellsworth Air Force Base,South Dakota.The B-1Bs are replacing B-52H Stratofortress bombers from Minot Air Force Base,North Dakota,after nearly 10 years of service in the USPACOM mission.*
With its large weapon capacity-the greatest in the bomber inventory-and exceptional standoff strike capability,the Lancers will pose a credible strategic power projection platform when forward-deployed for the stability and security of the Asia-Pacific region.*
According to US Global Strike Command,to which the bombers belong,the B-1B is a significant capability that enables our readiness and commitment to deterrence;provides assurance to our allies;and strengthens regional security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.The Lancers are being deployed on a routine strategic deterrence and regional training mission.*
The newly deployed bombers,members of the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron,will be integrating their unique rapid response capability with regional allies and partners.Supported by some 300 Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing,the Rockwell-built aircraft will be ready to deter aggression with a wide range of conventional and nuclear ordnance they can deliver at short notice over long distances.*
Rockwell Collins Inc (COL)
Showing posts with label nuclear deterrent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nuclear deterrent. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Pentagon Adjusting Strategy For Europe and Asia
On 7 November,US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter addressed the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley,California.
We are in the midst of a strategic transition,Dr.Carter said.In the face of Russia's provocations and China's rise,we must embrace innovative approaches to protect the United States and the international order.We must ensure that we and our partners are postured to defeat threats from high-end opponents in a complex set of environments.*
Our antagonists and competitors push many states toward us.Our troops are attractive partners.Our troops perform and conduct themselves admirably.I see this.I hear this from many foreign leaders around the world.They make us proud.*
Russia appears intent to play a spoiler role by flouting those principles and the international community;while China is a rising power and growing more ambitious in its objectives and capabilities.Of course neither Russia nor China can overturn that order,given its resilience and staying power,but both present challenges for it.In Europe,Russia has been violating sovereignty in Ukraine and Georgia,and actively trying to intimidate the Baltic States.Meanwhile,in Syria,Russia has been throwing gasoline on an already dangerous fire,thus prolonging a civil war that fuels the very extremism that Russia claims to oppose.
At sea,in the air,in space and in cyber space,Russia's actions have emerged as challenging activities-and most disturbingly,Moscow's leaders' nuclear sabre-rattling raises questions about Russia's commitment to regional stability;their respect for norms against the use of nuclear weapons;and whether they respect the profound caution nuclear age leaders showed with regard to the brandishing of nuclear weapons.We do not seek a cold,let alone a hot war,with Russia.We do not seek to make Russia an enemy;but make no mistake,the United States will defend our interests and our allies,the principled international order and the positive future it affords us all.
We're taking a strong and balanced approach to deter Russia's aggression and to help reduce the vulnerability of our allies and partners.We're adjusting our operational posture and contingency plans as we,on our own and with our allies,work to deter Russian aggression and to help reduce the vulnerability of allies and partners.The United States is accordingly making a number of moves in response,many,but not all of which,I can describe in this forum.We're modernising our nuclear arsenal so America's nuclear deterrent continues to be safe,effective and secure,to deter nuclear attacks and assure our allies.We're investing in the technologies that are most relevant to Russia's provocations,such as new unmanned systems;a new long-range bomber;and innovations in technology like the electromagnetic rail gun;lasers;new systems for electronic warfare,space and cyber space;and including a few surprising ones that I can't describe here.We're updating and expanding our operational plans for deterrence and defence,given Russia's changed behaviour.
In Europe,NATO remains the cornerstone of a principled order and its Article V a bedrock commitment;but NATO needs a new playbook.The old NATO playbook,including large American forces stationed in Europe,oriented toward the Fulda Gap,worked in Reagan's day,but it's not suited for the 21st century with its hybrid warfare;cyber threats and assymetric tactics;and also the vast enlargement of NATO territory that is subject to Article V.We're accordingly changing our posture in Europe to be more agile and sustainable;but we're continuing to take a balanced approach to Russia.We will continue to cooperate with Russia when and where our interests align.*
The single most influential factor in shaping the Asia-Pacific region's future is how China rises and relates to the principled order that has underpinned regional peace,stabiliy and security.We're putting our best and newest assets from all the services into the region.Qualitatively,we are making heavy investments in capabilities of importance there:subsurface warfare;electronic warfare;space;cyber;missile defence and more.We're building the capacity of our allies and partners.
We all have a fundamental stake in the security of maritime Asia,including dynamics within the South China Sea.The United States joins virtually everyone else in the region in being deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation in the South China Sea;the prospect of further militarisation;and the potential for these activities to increase the risk of miscalculation or conflict among claimant states.
We mean what we say.We will continue to fly,sail and operate wherever international law allows.We also know we have much work to do still to ensure our strategies and plans are as innovative as possible,Dr.Carter noted.
We are in the midst of a strategic transition,Dr.Carter said.In the face of Russia's provocations and China's rise,we must embrace innovative approaches to protect the United States and the international order.We must ensure that we and our partners are postured to defeat threats from high-end opponents in a complex set of environments.*
Our antagonists and competitors push many states toward us.Our troops are attractive partners.Our troops perform and conduct themselves admirably.I see this.I hear this from many foreign leaders around the world.They make us proud.*
Russia appears intent to play a spoiler role by flouting those principles and the international community;while China is a rising power and growing more ambitious in its objectives and capabilities.Of course neither Russia nor China can overturn that order,given its resilience and staying power,but both present challenges for it.In Europe,Russia has been violating sovereignty in Ukraine and Georgia,and actively trying to intimidate the Baltic States.Meanwhile,in Syria,Russia has been throwing gasoline on an already dangerous fire,thus prolonging a civil war that fuels the very extremism that Russia claims to oppose.
At sea,in the air,in space and in cyber space,Russia's actions have emerged as challenging activities-and most disturbingly,Moscow's leaders' nuclear sabre-rattling raises questions about Russia's commitment to regional stability;their respect for norms against the use of nuclear weapons;and whether they respect the profound caution nuclear age leaders showed with regard to the brandishing of nuclear weapons.We do not seek a cold,let alone a hot war,with Russia.We do not seek to make Russia an enemy;but make no mistake,the United States will defend our interests and our allies,the principled international order and the positive future it affords us all.
We're taking a strong and balanced approach to deter Russia's aggression and to help reduce the vulnerability of our allies and partners.We're adjusting our operational posture and contingency plans as we,on our own and with our allies,work to deter Russian aggression and to help reduce the vulnerability of allies and partners.The United States is accordingly making a number of moves in response,many,but not all of which,I can describe in this forum.We're modernising our nuclear arsenal so America's nuclear deterrent continues to be safe,effective and secure,to deter nuclear attacks and assure our allies.We're investing in the technologies that are most relevant to Russia's provocations,such as new unmanned systems;a new long-range bomber;and innovations in technology like the electromagnetic rail gun;lasers;new systems for electronic warfare,space and cyber space;and including a few surprising ones that I can't describe here.We're updating and expanding our operational plans for deterrence and defence,given Russia's changed behaviour.
In Europe,NATO remains the cornerstone of a principled order and its Article V a bedrock commitment;but NATO needs a new playbook.The old NATO playbook,including large American forces stationed in Europe,oriented toward the Fulda Gap,worked in Reagan's day,but it's not suited for the 21st century with its hybrid warfare;cyber threats and assymetric tactics;and also the vast enlargement of NATO territory that is subject to Article V.We're accordingly changing our posture in Europe to be more agile and sustainable;but we're continuing to take a balanced approach to Russia.We will continue to cooperate with Russia when and where our interests align.*
The single most influential factor in shaping the Asia-Pacific region's future is how China rises and relates to the principled order that has underpinned regional peace,stabiliy and security.We're putting our best and newest assets from all the services into the region.Qualitatively,we are making heavy investments in capabilities of importance there:subsurface warfare;electronic warfare;space;cyber;missile defence and more.We're building the capacity of our allies and partners.
We all have a fundamental stake in the security of maritime Asia,including dynamics within the South China Sea.The United States joins virtually everyone else in the region in being deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation in the South China Sea;the prospect of further militarisation;and the potential for these activities to increase the risk of miscalculation or conflict among claimant states.
We mean what we say.We will continue to fly,sail and operate wherever international law allows.We also know we have much work to do still to ensure our strategies and plans are as innovative as possible,Dr.Carter noted.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Deterring the Changing Threats
We need to update our deterrence and response model to Russia's hybrid threat,said General Joseph Dunford,USMC,before the Senate Armed Services Committee at his confirmation hearing last month.I think rotational forces are envisioned,along with prepositioning equipment and infrastructure.Quite frankly,I think that kind of threat is one we're going to face in the future-the idea of deterrence to the changing threats we face.
Russia is not just threatening;they are actually doing it.My assessment today is that Russia presents the greatest threat to our national security.It is a nuclear power that could pose an existential threat to the United States,and their recent acts are nothing short of alarming.I also think it's important to maintain a military-to-military relationship with them to prevent the chance of miscalculation.
Russia is aggressively moving military forces into the Arctic-we need a plan,noted Senator Dan Sullivan,R-Arkansas.
We will in fact develop an appropriate role for the military in support of our political and military goals for the Arctic,General Dunford promised.
Modernising our nuclear deterrence is the nation's top military priority.I think we need to think about how we are going to fund it,as opposed to whether we are going to do it,in that we face a nation that is an existential threat.The Ohio-class submarine is the most survivable part of the nuclear deterrence triad,and critical to modernise.*
With regard to Iran's current activities and support of activities,Iran is one of he most destabilising influences in the region today.They're exacerbating the Sunni-Shia divide.From my perspective,they have provided support to the Taliban in Afghanistan versus ISIL.The Shia militants in Iraq could be a malign influence and certainly we shouldn't provide any support to them.My expectation is,Iran will continue the malign activity across the Middle East that we have seen in recent years.My understanding is,we have the military capacity to destroy Iran's nuclear program.I'll make sure that our leadership has a full range of military options for dealing with Iranian military activity.We have both the plans and the capacity in place to deal with a wide range of contingencies in Iran.
Iran with a nuclear weapon would be a significant threat to the homeland,especially with a ballistic missile,and would be destabilising in the region,causing a nuclear arms race.
In Iraq,there's no question in my mind that retaking Ramadi from ISIL is a strategic action.I've got both a personal and professional stake in Anbar Province,having lived there for years.*
China's military capability and presence in the Pacific are an area of concern,as distinct from a threat.There's no question about our rebalance to the Pacific.We have an unprecedented number of exercises in the Pacific.The rebalance is aimed at modernising our presence,explained General Dunford,recently confirmed by the Senate as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.He will be sworn in next month.
Russia is not just threatening;they are actually doing it.My assessment today is that Russia presents the greatest threat to our national security.It is a nuclear power that could pose an existential threat to the United States,and their recent acts are nothing short of alarming.I also think it's important to maintain a military-to-military relationship with them to prevent the chance of miscalculation.
Russia is aggressively moving military forces into the Arctic-we need a plan,noted Senator Dan Sullivan,R-Arkansas.
We will in fact develop an appropriate role for the military in support of our political and military goals for the Arctic,General Dunford promised.
Modernising our nuclear deterrence is the nation's top military priority.I think we need to think about how we are going to fund it,as opposed to whether we are going to do it,in that we face a nation that is an existential threat.The Ohio-class submarine is the most survivable part of the nuclear deterrence triad,and critical to modernise.*
With regard to Iran's current activities and support of activities,Iran is one of he most destabilising influences in the region today.They're exacerbating the Sunni-Shia divide.From my perspective,they have provided support to the Taliban in Afghanistan versus ISIL.The Shia militants in Iraq could be a malign influence and certainly we shouldn't provide any support to them.My expectation is,Iran will continue the malign activity across the Middle East that we have seen in recent years.My understanding is,we have the military capacity to destroy Iran's nuclear program.I'll make sure that our leadership has a full range of military options for dealing with Iranian military activity.We have both the plans and the capacity in place to deal with a wide range of contingencies in Iran.
Iran with a nuclear weapon would be a significant threat to the homeland,especially with a ballistic missile,and would be destabilising in the region,causing a nuclear arms race.
In Iraq,there's no question in my mind that retaking Ramadi from ISIL is a strategic action.I've got both a personal and professional stake in Anbar Province,having lived there for years.*
China's military capability and presence in the Pacific are an area of concern,as distinct from a threat.There's no question about our rebalance to the Pacific.We have an unprecedented number of exercises in the Pacific.The rebalance is aimed at modernising our presence,explained General Dunford,recently confirmed by the Senate as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.He will be sworn in next month.
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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