News Story: Defense Ministry Preparing For US Troop Surge

By Massoud Ansar

The Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Saturday said it has starting preparing for the deployment of extra US troops to the country.

“Training centers exist in Kabul, Jalalabad, Helmand, Mazar-e-Sharif and Kandahar and Gardez where we have training centers and they (the additional troops) will help us in our training centers,” said MoD spokesman Dawlat Waziri.

On August 21, US President Donald Trump outlined a revised vision for the US war against terrorism in Afghanistan, pledging to end a strategy of nation building and instead increase attacks on militants.

Trump also said that within the framework of the new strategy, the United States will deploy thousands of additional forces to Afghanistan to deal with the threats that emanate from the region.

The Pentagon in turn has announced that the new batch of US forces will be deployed to military and security training centers of the Afghan National and Defense Forces (ANDSF) around the country.

The US is however also expected to ramp up airstrikes against militant bases in the country and earlier this week, reports indicated that they could use both F-16s and B-52s.

Footage released on Saturday by the Pentagon shows a US B-52 bomber patrolling Afghanistan air space on August 29 (on Tuesday) and of it being refueled.

Read the full story at TOLOnews

News Story: Sea power underpinning US response to Korea

By: Christopher P. Cavas

WASHINGTON — The aircraft carrier Carl Vinson is operating in the Philippine Sea and, according to the head of U.S. Pacific Command, is within about two hours' flying time to the Korean Peninsula. 

Adm. Harry Harris declared to Congress this week that “the Carl Vinson carrier strike group is back on patrol in Northeast Asia,” apparently putting an end to widespread confusion in mid-April about the carrier’s whereabouts. 

World reaction to news on April 17 that the Vinson was not nearing Korea but was in fact still more than 3,000 miles south showed that the symbolism of a carrier is as strong as ever. PACOM announced April 8 the ship would cut short several planned activities and return to Korean waters, but no timeline was given. And in the absence of further, detailed official information, media and pundits in many cases assumed the Vinson and its strike group were already heading north. 

The confusion “was quite detrimental,” Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., a ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told Harris in a hearing Thursday. “Not only here, but as you know, in South Korea particularly, where there was a great deal of concern. And in some quarters, they felt that they had been misled indeed.” 

Reed’s comments echoed similar reactions Wednesday when Harris testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the Korean situation. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: What will S. Korea, U.S. demonstrate in joint drills?

SEOUL, March 2 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and the United States started their annual joint springtime war games on Wednesday amid heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula.

"Foal Eagle," field training exercises involving ground, air and naval forces, will run through the end of April. Separately the allies plan to conduct "Key Resolve," a computer-simulated command post exercise, starting March 13, Yonhap quoted the South Korean Defense Ministry as saying.

Citing the ballistic missile launch of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Feb. 12, South Korea and the United States plan to stage the largest-ever joint drills this year, with the largest number of U.S. troops and strategic assets to be mobilized for this year's joint drills.

In last year's drill, about 17,000 U.S. soldiers and the nuclear-powered John C. Stennis aircraft carrier were involved.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: S. Korea, U.S. military heads reaffirm joint defense posture against DPRK

SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Military chiefs of South Korea and the United States reaffirmed the two allies' defense posture against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear and missile threats, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea said Wednesday.

The JCS said in a press release that Gen. Lee Sun-jin, the chairman of the JCS, had a telephone dialogue earlier in the morning with his U.S. counterpart Joseph Dunford.

It was the first phone talk among military chiefs of the two allies since the Trump administration was launched in January.

During the dialogue, Lee and Dunford agreed on further efforts to strengthen the "deep-rooted alliance" and the mutual trust, which the two countries have built up.

They assessed the currently urgent security situations, including the DPRK's nuclear and missile programs, vowing to further build up a joint defense posture against Pyongyang.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: New US Air Force Wish List Adds Billions for More Aircraft

F-35A Lightning Stealth Fighter

By: Valerie Insinna

WASHINGTON — An update to the US Air Force’s 2017 wish list bumps its unfunded requirements to $10.6 billion, with the service seeking funding for more F-35s and a light attack aircraft experiment, among other new efforts. 

Congress has not passed a defense spending bill for 2017, opting instead to extend current funding until April — a tactic that gives the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled legislative branch time to figure out how to direct the budget for the remainder of the fiscal year. The services have responded by enlarging their own unfunded priorities lists to reflect growing demands. 

In its first $7.2 billion unfunded priorities list, the Air Force restored funding for five F-35s and eight C-130Js, which had been cut in the fiscal 2017 budget request, Defense News reported in March. The new list, likely updated within the past couple months, doubles the number of F-35As the service would fund if it had money available. It also calls for 11 C-130Js, including two MC-130Js used by special operators and an HC-130J search and rescue variant. 

But besides the expected procurement increases, the wish list contains a slew of new line items that reflect emerging priorities, such as $8 million for a light attack aircraft experiment that could precede a future program of record termed OA-X. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein and other top officials have endorsed the flight demo as a way to test whether a buy of inexpensive aircraft can help the force ameliorate readiness challenges and affordably perform missions in permissive environments. Goldfein said in January that no money had been directed toward the experiment, but that the service would like to hold the event as early as this spring.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

USA: Joint Statement on the Inaugural Meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG)

The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the Republic of Korea and the United States.

The United States of America and the Republic of Korea (ROK) held the inaugural meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) in Washington, D.C., on December 20, 2016.

The EDSCG, established by the U.S.-ROK Foreign and Defense Ministers’ (2+2) Meeting on October 19, 2016, was led by vice ministerial-level officials from the ROK and the United States: ROK First Vice Foreign Minister Lim, Sung-nam; ROK Deputy Minister for Defense Policy Yoo, Jeh-seung; U.S. Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Thomas Countryman; and Performing the Duties of Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Policy of the U.S. Department of Defense David Shear. Officials from both sides held comprehensive and in-depth discussions on strategic and policy issues regarding extended deterrence against North Korea, including how to better leverage the full breadth of national power – using diplomacy, information, military, and economic elements.

News Story: Trump Will Take a Tougher Line With Adversaries, Senator Says

US Sen Thomas Cotton (Image: WikI Commons)

by Bill Carey

One prominent candidate who is reported to be under consideration for the role of U.S. defense secretary in the coming Trump administration would shore up the nation’s nuclear triad, replace aging B-52 bombers with the new B-21 Raider and take a hard line against Iran.

U.S. Sen. Thomas Cotton (R-Ark.), who served as an Army infantry officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, fielded questions from New York Times journalist David Sanger during the Defense One Summit on November 17 in Washington, D.C. At the time, he was one of several contenders, including retired generals, that president-elect Donald Trump was said to be considering to lead the Pentagon. Cotton currently serves on the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services committees.

In his Senate role, Cotton has proposed that Congress pass a $26.4 billion emergency supplemental spending bill to bolster the Department of Defense (DOD) in the current fiscal year and stem “eight years of neglect” under the Obama administration. The money would be distributed to pay for overseas contingency operations, readiness and outstanding “unfunded requirements” of the military services. The unfunded wish-list includes F-35 fighters and Apache and Chinook helicopters “they would have liked to buy if OMB [the White House Office of Management and Budget] didn’t take a pencil to their budget,” he told the conference.

Read the full story at AINonline

News Report: US to Send B-52 Strategic Bombers to S Korea Amid N Korea's 'Provocations'

B-52 (Image: Wiki Commons)

The United States will send two B-52 strategic power projection bombers to South Korea in light of growing nuclear and missile threats coming from the North, local media reported on Tuesday, citing an official source.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The strategic bombers are due to arrive at the US Osan Air Base located in the city of Pyeongtaek, 43 miles south of Seoul, this week, the source told the Yonhap News Agency.

"They may stay at the US air base for several days for a possible unveiling to the public during the Osan base's opening event this weekend," the source said, as quoted by the media outlet. 

Earlier on Tuesday, the North Korean state media said that Pyongyang had successfully tested a high-power rocket engine, which would allow Pyongyang boost its capabilities at space exploration. 

On September 9, Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test at its northeastern nuclear test site. The nuclear experiment is believed to be the fifth and the largest since North Korea started pursuing nuclear and ballistic missile programs, drawing condemnation from the international community.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: U.S. flies nuke bombers over S.Korea after DPRK's nuke test

B-1B Lancer (Image: Wiki Commons)

SEOUL, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military on Tuesday flew two nuclear-capable supersonic bombers over South Korea in a show of force following the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s recent nuclear test.

Two B-1B Lancers, which can carry nuclear weapons, flew over the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, some 70 km south of capital Seoul, at about 10 a.m. local time (0100GMT).

The one was flanked by four South Korean F-15K fighter jets, while the other was joined by four U.S. F-16 fighter planes before returning to the base. The high-speed bombers made a sortie from the U.S. air base in Guam.

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) said in an emailed statement that the flyover highlights the close cooperation between U.S. and South Korean military forces that keep them ready to respond at any time to threats to stability and security.

The flights are a day later than scheduled. The United States reportedly planned to send the bombers to South Korea on Monday, but it was delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions.

The U.S. allegedly forward-deployed several B-1Bs to Andersen base in Guam in early August from Ellsworth air base in South Dakota to replace B-52 strategic bombers.

Three B-2 stealth bombers also arrived in Guam last month from Whiteman base in Missouri. It was the first time that the U.S. strategic bomber trio was mobilized together in the Pacific region.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: U.S. Increases Role in Aussie Pitch Black Air Combat Exercise

By: Mike Yeo

The U.S. has increased its role in an air combat exercise, featuring its largest contribution of airpower in more than a decade from the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps in a practical demonstration of Washington’s, “rebalance to the Pacific.”

Codenamed Pitch Black 2016, the biannual exercise in the first three weeks in August, saw 115 aircraft and 2,800 personnel from 10 countries participating, flying offensive and defensive counter-air missions using large force employment tactics to build interoperability in a coalition environment.

Other than the United States and host Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Canada, and France also took part with aircraft, while New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands sent personnel to participate.

The American contingent included USAF Lockheed-Martin F-16CM fighters and Boeing B-52 bombers, along with a squadron of Marine Boeing F/A-18 Hornets and Lockheed-Martin KC-130J Hercules tankers.

News Report: Will the Korean Powder Keg Explode? Seoul Holds Biggest Artillery Drill Ever

February 2010 picture shows RoK K-9 SPG howitzers fire
during military exercise in Yanggu

Artillery drills on the North Korean border constitute a stark escalation in South Korea’s military practice, causing concern that Pyongyang may react amid heightened provocation.

On Thursday, South Korea’s army conducted its largest-ever artillery drills near the tense border with North Korea, risking an escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Dozens of military units along the border on Thursday deployed some 300 artillery systems that simultaneously fired shells in multiple directions, according to an army official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Military.com.

South Korea’s front-line army units have engaged in numerous live-fire drills over the years, but the number of artillery mobilized in Thursday’s drill is the highest on the Korean peninsula to date, and simultaneous firing from all major front-line areas constitutes a stark departure from previous exercises, according to the army official.

News Report: North Korea Threatens to Destroy US Military Bases in Asia-Pacific Region

Pyongyang has threatened to destroy all US military bases in the Asia-Pacific Region should Washington dare to take “an insane step,” according to the North Korean Foreign Ministry’s statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the statement, the fact that the Unites States deployed three types of strategic bombers on Guam ahead of the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian military drills conducted annually during August or September between South Korea and the United States is “a very alarming signal.”

“The situation on the Korean peninsula is entering a very dangerous stage because of the continuous US intrigues to increase the capacity of its nuclear weapons aimed at the DPRK. In case the United States … dares to take an insane step, all the US military bases in the Pacific Operations region, including the island of Guam, will not escape destruction by our army’s comprehensive and real attack,” the statement seen by RIA Novosti reads.

On Monday, several B-1 bombers and more than 300 US Air Force personnel arrived at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to replace a B-52 squadron, as the United States continues to build up its presence in the region to counter a potential threat from Pyongyang.

On Wednesday, the US Pacific Command (PACOM) said in a statement that three US Air Force strategic power projection bombers — the B-52, B-1 and B-2 — had participated in their first integrated operation in the South China Sea.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Report: US Nuclear-Bomber Triad in Pacific for First Time as China Reaches Boiling Point

A B-2 Spirit Bomber (Image: Wiki Commons)

With tensions in the South China Sea and throughout the Pacific Rim at increasing levels, the Obama Administration adds fuel to the fire by dispatching enough nuclear weaponry to kill everyone in the region.

The United States has dispatched its three strategic bomber types to the Pacific region for the first time, in a bid to reassure allies amid growing aggression from China in the wake of the Hague-based Court of Arbitration ruling against Beijing’s claim to territories in the South China Sea, and the deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system.

Announced Wednesday, the US Air Force will dispatch a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress, a Rockwell B-1B Lancer, and a Northrup Grumman B-2A Spirit bomber to operate concurrently in the US Pacific Command region in support of the Continuous Bomber Presence (CBP) and Bomber Assurance and Deterrence (BAAD) missions.

The move by the United States supplements a sizeable but undisclosed number of B-52s stationed at Andersen Air Force Base on the Island of Guam since 2006. The move called for the transfer of a fleet of B-1Bs and three B-2s to be deployed to Andersen Air Force Base to assist with the BAAD mission.

News Story: China’s J-20 Vs. F-35? Meh, Says CSAF Goldfein; Pilot Crisis Noted

Chinese Air Force J-20

By COLIN CLARK

PENTAGON: I thought I could hear Air Force and allied F-35 pilots around the world smiling when the new Air Force Chief of Staff said today that comparing the F-35 to the Chinese J-20 “is almost an irrelevant comparison.”

The F-35, said Gen. David Goldfein, is “about a family of systems and it’s about a network — that’s what gives us an asymmetric advantage.” Instead of comparing the J-20 to the Joint Strike Fighter, Goldfein said, it made more sense to compare the J-20 to the F-117 he flew years ago. When he piloted the F-117 into combat, he pushed the wonderfully named “stealth” button and all his antenna withdrew and his seat dropped down to make the pilot a smaller target. The plane had no connectivity with other aircraft once it went into combat.

“That’s why when i hear about F-35 vs. J-20, it’s almost an irrelevant comparison,” Goldfein said. There’s been enormous amounts of speculation about the Chinese J-20 and J-31 but relatively little comment by American officials. The 2016 Annual Report To Congress about China offered this: “PLAAF leaders believe stealth aircraft provide an offensive operational advantage that denies an adversary the time to mobilize and to conduct defensive operations.”

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

News Report: Chinese Admiral Warns of 'Disaster' for US Patrols in South China Sea

Chinese Navy Warships

As Beijing launches new maritime exercises, it has warned that future US naval patrols through the region could have a bad result.

In recent months, the Pentagon has launched a number of provocative "freedom of navigation" patrols within the 12-mile territorial limit of China’s land-reclamation projects in the Spratly archipelago.

During a closed-door forum on Monday, Sun Jianguo, admiral and deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of China’s Central Military Commission, stressed that freedom of navigation has never been threatened, but added that further acts of military aggression could have dire consequences.

Think Tank: Sea, air and land updates (28-Jun-2016)

Indian Navy's first Kolkata class Destroyer

Dione Hodgson, Ashleigh Sharp and Lachlan Wilson

Sea State

The National Interest has jumped into a time machine to take a look at the world’s most powerful navies in 2030. It suggests that the ‘eastward shift’ in naval power will continue due to decreasing defence budgets in Europe and growing naval interests in Asia, with China and India the big winners. According to the piece, aircraft carriers and ballistic missile submarines will be the defining factors in naval power in the early-to-mid 21st century. US naval superiority is expected to continue—it should reach its 300-ship goal—but may face challenges from competing budgetary demands. The PLA-N will continue to expand its naval forces and may have the world’s largest navy in terms of number of ships by 2030. Russia, suffering a shortfall in funding, may only retain its position due to its ballistic missile submarine fleet.

Future weapons update now: the USN is continuing the development of its new electromagnetic railgun, despite Pentagon officials’ concerns over its cost and viability. The weapon—a long-term project for the Office of Naval Research—utilises electromagnetic energy to shoot a bullet at speeds up to Mach 7.5 (9,100kph) at moving targets up to 160km away. Pentagon officials have voiced their concern at the cost of the project (it currently stands at more than US$500 million), as well as the railgun’s requirement of 25 megawatts of power, making most vessels unsuitable hosts. Despite that, railgun program manager Tom Boucher said he’s optimistic the weapon would be operationally deployable within a decade—possibly on the USS Zumwalt.

News Story: US B-52 bomber crashes on Guam, all crew safe

B-52 Stratofortress (Image: Wiki Commons)

A B-52 bomber was left a fiery wreck after crashing at a US airbase on the Pacific island of Guam Thursday but all seven crew escaped unharmed, officials said.

The giant B-52H Stratofortress went down at Andersen Air Force Base at 8:30 am (2230 GMT Wednesday) with photos showing flames and thick black smoke billowing from the plane, which was completely destroyed.

"All seven aircrew members have safely egressed the aircraft," the US Air Force said in a statement issued from the base. "No injuries have been reported. Emergency responders are on scene."

The plane, part of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, was deployed to Andersen from Minot in North Dakota and was performing a routine training mission. It was not clear if it was carrying weapons or munitions.

Reports said it aborted take-off before crashing.

"The incident is under investigation and measures to mitigate possible environmental impacts are being taken," added the statement.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

Think Tank: Sea, air and land updates (12-APR-2016)

B-52 Stratofortress (Image: Wiki Commons)

Dione Hodgson, Ashleigh Sharp and Lachlan Wilson

Sea State

The Navy Times has published an article claiming that the White House prevented US commanders from criticising China ahead of a meeting between President Obama and President Xi at last month’s Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC. According to two unnamed defence officials, National Security Adviser Susan Rice imposed a gag order on 18 March to ensure ‘maximum political manoeuvring’ on issues ranging from nuclear non-proliferation to trade. US PACOM Commander Admiral Harry Harris and others have been pushing for the US to confront China and its strategic gains in the South China Sea. The Pentagon has denied the claims.

Thirty nations are taking part in maritime exercises in the Persian Gulf and other Middle Eastern waters. Aimed at protecting international trade routes from militant threats, the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise, led by the US Navy, runs for the next two weeks. It’ll feature operations focusing on mine countermeasures, infrastructure protection and maritime security operations, and will also present an opportunity to demonstrate new technologies, including unmanned underwater vehicles and the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Choctaw County.

Is that a destroyer or a fishing boat? That’s the question being asked by observers and analysts after the future USS Zumwalt participated in sea trials last month. The destroyer has a radar signature 50 times smaller than the current fleet, due to its angular shape and reflective material. USS Zumwalt is due to be fully operational in 2018.

USA: U.S., South Korean Fighter Jets Fly in Formation to Demonstrate Capabilities

Air Force News Service

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from Kadena Air Base, Japan, is flanked by an F-16 Fighting Falcon and a South Korean air force F-15K Slam Eagle at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Feb. 17, 2016. The Raptor was part of a flyover formation of 12 aircraft demonstrating the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance in response to recent provocative actions by North Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Amber Grimm) >>

Four U.S. F-22 Raptors conducted a combined formation flight alongside South Korean F-15K Slam Eagles and U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcons here yesterday to demonstrate the capabilities of both nations in response to recent provocative actions by North Korea.

“The F-22 Raptor is the most capable air superiority fighter in the world, and it represents one of many capabilities available for the defense of this great nation. The U.S. maintains an ironclad commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea,” Air Force Lt. Gen. Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, the United Nations Command Korea and U.S. Forces Korea deputy commander and U.S. 7th Air Force commander, told reporters.

News Report: US Fighter Jets Fly to South Korea

F-22 Raptor (Image: Wiki Commons)

Four U.S. fighter jets flew across South Korea Wednesday in the latest show of force against North Korea for its recent tests of nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programs.

The F-22 stealth planes, which are capable of avoiding radar, landed at Osan Air Base near Seoul hours after taking off from their home base on Japan's Okinawa island. 

"This mission demonstrates the strength of the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, and the resolve of both nations to maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula," said Lieutenant General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the commander of the joint U.S.-Korea air forces.

Wednesday's mission took place 10 days after Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket and placed what it called an "Earth observation satellite" into orbit. The launch was condemned by the international community as a violation of United Nations sanctions against the regime for previous long-range ballistic missile tests.

A U.S. Navy attack submarine, the USS North Carolina, arrived in South Korea Monday to take part in a joint training exercise. Yonhap news agency says the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John C. Stennis will join the annual U.S.-South Korea defense drills next month. 

A B-52 long range bomber flew across South Korea last month after the North conducted its fourth nuclear test.

In a nationally televised address before the National Assembly Tuesday, President South Korean President Park Geun-hye warned North Korea that her government would take "strong and effective measures" to finally convince the North that its nuclear development program "will only speed up regime collapse."

This story first appeared on Voice of America & is reposted here with permission.