Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Friday, 8 February 2013


3 New Messages

Digest #4625

Messages

Thu Feb 7, 2013 6:08 am (PST) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://en.for-ua.com/news/2013/02/07/101547.html

ForUm
February 7, 2013

Ukraine offers NATO troop withdrawal from Afghanistan through its territory

Ukraine has proposed the North Atlantic Alliance and partners transit services for the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan through its territory, the UKRINFORM news agency reports.

The head of Ukraine's mission to NATO, Ihor Dolhov, said that taking into account the extent and timing of the activities to be implemented by the contributor countries to provide regular and rhythmic withdrawal of their forces and resources from Afghanistan, Ukraine is ready to offer its transit services.

The ambassador expressed his belief that the Ukrainian opportunities for the organization and implementation of transit of the cargos of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan through the territory of Ukraine can be attractive and beneficial to the allies and partners and called for their thorough study.

Speaking at the meeting, Dolhov said that Ukraine...will participate in NATO operations in Afghanistan until the end.

The Ukrainian side also reiterated that it would support further efforts by the international community in that country.

Ukraine's peacekeeping personnel numbering 28 people are performing tasks as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Those are, in particular, military doctors, advisors in preparing helicopter onboard engineers, specialists in application of avionics, airfield support groups, experts in logistics and clearance.

The mission in Afghanistan is to be completed before 2014. About 100 thousand personnel, a significant amount of property and equipment must be withdrawn.
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Thu Feb 7, 2013 9:47 am (PST) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_02_07/Kosovo-to-get-an-army-In-June/

Voice of Russia
February 7, 2013

Kosovo to get an army in June

Kosovo is planning to convert its lightly-armed Kosovo Security Force into a full-fledged army.

Established in 2009, the force consists of 2,500 active and 800 reserve members and is primarily responsible for crisis response.

Over the past few years, it has been intensively trained by KFOR, which reports to NATO. Based on the Kosovo Security Force’s success, the alliance will decide on the future of the Kosovo army.

“NATO nations are considering the right time for the KSF final endorsement,” KFOR spokesman Alexander Willing said. “The North Atlantic Council, NATO's highest decision-making body, will make a political decision based on the assessment of NATO's military authorities,” he added.

The council is expected to decide on the force's status at its June meeting.
Voice of Russia, SETimes.com
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Thu Feb 7, 2013 9:48 am (PST) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.marforres.marines.mil/MFRNews/NewsArticleDisplay/tabid/7930/Article/137659/african-lion-rockets-into-2013.aspx

U. S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve
February 6, 2013

African Lion rockets into 2013
By Gunnery Sgt. Will Price
4th Marine Aircraft Wing

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Formerly a bi-lateral exercise between joint U.S. services and the Kingdom of Morocco Royal Armed Forces, African Lion is opening its doors internationally to military representatives from more than 14 different partner nations.

“The intent is to invite our partner nations from Europe and Africa to act as observers this year and expand to participation in the years ahead.”

[African Lion is] the largest exercise for U.S. African Command on the continent and is growing...

“This year the comfort level of both U.S. and Moroccan leadership has enabled our team to pursue events of greater complexity, namely the introduction of rockets. The launching of HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System] will take our U.S./Moroccan team to greater limits in terms of our coordination and interoperability.”

More than  1,400 U.S. military personnel will arrive in April joining  more than 900 Moroccan RAF in various regions of the Kingdom of Morocco...

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PRINTAGADIR, Morocco: Marine Corps Forces Africa conducted the final planning conference for African Lion 13 at the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces southern headquarters facilities in Agadir, Morocco, Jan. 29 – Feb. 1.

AL-13 is a U.S. African Command-sponsored, MFA-led exercise that involves various types of training including command post, live-fire and maneuvering, peace-keeping operations, an intelligence capacity building seminar, amphibious operations, aerial refueling/low-level flight training, as well as medical and dental assistance projects.

In preparation for AL-13, JTF Marines and sailors from 4th Marine Logistics Group, Marine Forces Reserve, in cooperation with teams from U.S. Transportation Command, Marine Forces Africa, and II Marine Expeditionary Force, will conducted a large-scale offload of both a Marine prepositioned ship and a commercial shipping vessel at the Port of Agadir, in early April.

...

Formerly a bi-lateral exercise between joint U.S. services and the Kingdom of Morocco Royal Armed Forces, African Lion is opening its doors internationally to military representatives from more than 14 different partner nations.

“In keeping with the guidance of General Ham (AFRICOM), the Embassy has invited a host of nations this year to expand African Lion's into a true multi-lateral exercise,” said U.S. Army Maj. Barrett McNabb, U.S. Embassy Rabat liaison officer.  “The intent is to invite our partner nations from Europe and Africa to act as observers this year and expand to participation in the years ahead.”

Already the largest exercise for U.S. African Command on the continent and growing, this year Task Force African Lion commander Col. Roger Garay brings back his Marines and sailors from 14th Marine Regiment, out of Fort Worth, Texas, for their unit's third consecutive AL iteration. Col. Maj. Brahim Hassani is the lead planner for more than 900 Royal Moroccan Royal Armed Forces throughout the exercise.

With a wealth of knowledge working with African Lion, both Garay and Hassani, have brought an added dynamic to this year's exercise that plans to 'rocket' the exercise into history.

“Coming back for a third year has created a dynamic of continuity which has enabled us to take African Lion even further than ever,” said Garay. “This year the comfort level of both U.S. and Moroccan leadership has enabled our team to pursue events of greater complexity, namely the introduction of rockets. The launching of HIMARS will take our U.S./Moroccan team to greater limits in terms of our coordination and interoperability.”

The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, is the Marine Corps' premier artillery system, accurately engaging targets over great distances and under all weather conditions. With high volumes of lethal rocket and missile fire, the HIMARS can deliver precise strikes from more than 40 miles away.

More than  1,400 U.S. military personnel will arrive in April joining  more than 900 Moroccan RAF in various regions of the Kingdom of Morocco to take part in the annual exercise, designed to improve interoperability and mutual understanding of each nation's military tactics, techniques and procedures.

...

With the signing of the official minutes by Hassani and Garay, and leadership from the U.S. Embassy and MFA, all the African Lion 13 elements were lined up and ready to conduct the exercise.

“I am very excited to complete our final exercise conference. The Moroccan and U.S. planning has been superb on both sides of the house,” said an exuberant Col. Garay.  “I feel like we  have been ahead of the power curve the whole way this year in preparation and we are all ready to see African Lion 13 take  military exercises with our partner nations to the next level!”

This year's multi-national African Lion 13 and its maritime offload, joint service exercise and HIMARS are scheduled to launch in April.