7 New Messages
Digest #4623
Messages
Tue Feb 5, 2013 8:02 am (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_02
Voice of Russia
February 5, 2013
Sweden won’t last 2 days against Russia – Swedish Commander
A scandal has erupted in Sweden after the Swedish Armed Forces chief, Sverker Göranson, said that his country wouldn’t last even two days against Russia, in an attempt to spur Sweden’s NATO entry.
Swedish Prosecution has accused the General of divulging state secrets.
The number of Swedes backing NATO entry has been declining ever since Gen. Göranson told the local Svenska Dagbladet daily that Sweden had never been armed well enough to stand against the Soviet Union or Russia on its own. He stressed that in case of a Russian threat Stockholm would require the help of NATO or America. The General pointed out that Swedish politicians were standing in the way of the country’s militarization.
To add substance to his warning, Gen. Göranson reminded the journalist about the 2008 Russian-Georgian war, which allegedly proved that European borders could be changed as a result of a military attack. The Commander also drew attention to Russia’s beefing up its Army under President Vladimir Putin, although he stressed that such an attack on Sweden was very unlikely.
Voice of Russia, Newsru.com
==============================
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==============================
Voice of Russia
February 5, 2013
Sweden won’t last 2 days against Russia – Swedish Commander
A scandal has erupted in Sweden after the Swedish Armed Forces chief, Sverker Göranson, said that his country wouldn’t last even two days against Russia, in an attempt to spur Sweden’s NATO entry.
Swedish Prosecution has accused the General of divulging state secrets.
The number of Swedes backing NATO entry has been declining ever since Gen. Göranson told the local Svenska Dagbladet daily that Sweden had never been armed well enough to stand against the Soviet Union or Russia on its own. He stressed that in case of a Russian threat Stockholm would require the help of NATO or America. The General pointed out that Swedish politicians were standing in the way of the country’s militarization.
To add substance to his warning, Gen. Göranson reminded the journalist about the 2008 Russian-Georgian war, which allegedly proved that European borders could be changed as a result of a military attack. The Commander also drew attention to Russia’s beefing up its Army under President Vladimir Putin, although he stressed that such an attack on Sweden was very unlikely.
Voice of Russia, Newsru.com
==============================
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==============================
Tue Feb 5, 2013 8:02 am (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_02
Voice of Russia
February 5, 2013
Sweden is no longer neutral, drones are ‘totally illegal’ – Norberg
John Robles
Audio at URL above
In part 2 of an interview with the Voice of Russia, Agneta Norberg, Vice Chair of the Swedish Peace Council, Member of Steering Committee of the International Peace Bureau and a member of the board of directors of Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space discusses the facts surrounding Sweden's non-neutrality and the country's involvement in NATO and Western military expansion. Ms. Norberg gives her views on drones which she calls "murder machines" and the development and testing of drones in Sweden, including a new drone being developed in a joint European project.
Part 1 of the interview:
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01
Robles: How does Sweden officially explain that they allow these installations? And do you think all these maneuvers are designed to intimidate Russia or to try to exercise sovereignty on the Arctic?
Norberg: Well, when we drift to the Arctic, I think there are two things going on here. When they are interviewed, those who are in charge of these maneuvers, they always answer that this is for the Arctic, they openly express this – these maneuvers are for the Arctic and the resources which will be available when the ice is melting.
But the NATO maneuvers are so seldom covered in the news, in media, specifically not here in the south - I live in Stockholm; up in the north, in the local newspapers they are covered rather extensively. And they used to send quotes from the newspapers for me, otherwise I wouldn’t have known of it, because the media don't cover it in the south, in Stockholm, where most of the people live.
So, it is sort of secretly hidden from the public to understand what is really going on. But when they are asked, they say: this is for the Arctic.
And also one thing I think you’ve mentioned is that Sweden is neutral. Forget that! We are not neutral! We have for long ago abolished neutrality. We are not non-aligned; we are nothing, because we are openly conducting war games with NATO.
But there is one difficulty, because the people in Sweden and in Finland are against. It is only about 19% of the Swedish population that accept NATO; the others don’t. So, they have that problem here.
But I can see the lust, how they try to form an enemy out of Russia, and you should understand this: how Russia now is demonized, again. And I’m so old, so I remember how they were demonizing the former Soviet Union, always, and almost on a daily basis. And now we are there again.
So, we have here in one of the latest (Names Swedish newspaper in Swedish) a picture of Putin and Russia is arming, here, and how the Russian bear now starts showing its muscles. So, at the same time, as you have these military maneuvers and military flexing of muscles, you seldom get information to the public here.
I was speaking in Norway last summer and they didn’t know about these things. I’m very often on speaking tours in the north. I was in Finland last autumn and they didn’t know about these military maneuvers either. They were really shocked when I told them.
So, here we are again, from the Cold War days, gradually Russia is the threat. And when I talk to Russian people they are not aware of this. It is like when I was travelling in the former Soviet Union, they were not aware of how you were depicted and described as a big, big threat. And I think we are there again, hiding what NATO is doing in our country and in the north, and describing the threat of Russia coming. There we are again.
Robles: Would you say it is worse than it was in the Soviet times?
Norberg: It is about the same now. We are at square one, we are back in the Cold War sentiment in a way. But it is even worse now because during the Cold War, at least Sweden had a posture that we are non-aligned and neutral. Not anymore! We have left our neutrality, we have left our non-aligned posture.
Not openly, the neutrality we have left openly, but not the non-aligned posture. I can give you an example: they are now training in North America (for) war in Nevada.
They were training together with the US in 2006 in Alaska. They went with 6 or 7 warplanes to Alaska and made a huge maneuver outside North Korea together with the US.
So, we are actively joining in different parts of the world. Of course we are in Afghanistan now.
And so I think you have to start to understand that Sweden has quite another position now and we are a NATO country. It is only a document that is left to be done. That’s the situation now in Sweden.
Robles: Can you tell us a little bit about what you think the US and NATO’s plans are for the Arctic?
Norberg: I can see that they are making a lot of war games together up in the north.
And I also know that the US and Canada are the same; I mean they are in the same organization. Canada has lost much of what they had before. I have a map in front of me where I have all the installations, and the North American-Canada Command had merged together.
So, up in the north you have a very strong militarization from Canada's point of view and they are building up their military as never before.
And one thing that I think is important to mention is the drones. Canada is planning for a huge drone fleet, and so is Sweden. Now we have one of the world’s biggest drones which is ready in the North European Airspace Test Range which is one of the biggest in Europe for training drones.
Robles: What’s your opinion on drones?
Norberg: They should be banished, abolished or banned because they are terrible murder...we call them “murder machines”. They are conducted from a Nevada test site. They sit there in front of computers and kill people in Yemen, in Pakistan and many places.
We have a huge training area, big as Macedonia, called the North European Airspace Test Range in the northern part of Sweden where they train these drones. So, we are in this arms buildup, it’s rather dangerous I think.
The newest one is Neuron. It is a cooperation between Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland on one of the world’s biggest drones, Neuron. That is a prototype that is now ready this year.
Robles: What is your opinion on the legality of drones because the users face no risk?
Norberg: They are totally illegal. You sit in a bunker, you don’t see anything, you just sit in front of a screen and see the target. We call them “murder machines” because these are murders. They say they kill Al-Qaeda?
Agneta Norberg is the Vice Chair of the Swedish Peace Council, a member of the Steering Committee in International Peace Bureau and on the board of directors of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space.
==============================
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
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==============================
Voice of Russia
February 5, 2013
Sweden is no longer neutral, drones are ‘totally illegal’ – Norberg
John Robles
Audio at URL above
In part 2 of an interview with the Voice of Russia, Agneta Norberg, Vice Chair of the Swedish Peace Council, Member of Steering Committee of the International Peace Bureau and a member of the board of directors of Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space discusses the facts surrounding Sweden's non-neutrality and the country's involvement in NATO and Western military expansion. Ms. Norberg gives her views on drones which she calls "murder machines" and the development and testing of drones in Sweden, including a new drone being developed in a joint European project.
Part 1 of the interview:
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_01
Robles: How does Sweden officially explain that they allow these installations? And do you think all these maneuvers are designed to intimidate Russia or to try to exercise sovereignty on the Arctic?
Norberg: Well, when we drift to the Arctic, I think there are two things going on here. When they are interviewed, those who are in charge of these maneuvers, they always answer that this is for the Arctic, they openly express this – these maneuvers are for the Arctic and the resources which will be available when the ice is melting.
But the NATO maneuvers are so seldom covered in the news, in media, specifically not here in the south - I live in Stockholm; up in the north, in the local newspapers they are covered rather extensively. And they used to send quotes from the newspapers for me, otherwise I wouldn’t have known of it, because the media don't cover it in the south, in Stockholm, where most of the people live.
So, it is sort of secretly hidden from the public to understand what is really going on. But when they are asked, they say: this is for the Arctic.
And also one thing I think you’ve mentioned is that Sweden is neutral. Forget that! We are not neutral! We have for long ago abolished neutrality. We are not non-aligned; we are nothing, because we are openly conducting war games with NATO.
But there is one difficulty, because the people in Sweden and in Finland are against. It is only about 19% of the Swedish population that accept NATO; the others don’t. So, they have that problem here.
But I can see the lust, how they try to form an enemy out of Russia, and you should understand this: how Russia now is demonized, again. And I’m so old, so I remember how they were demonizing the former Soviet Union, always, and almost on a daily basis. And now we are there again.
So, we have here in one of the latest (Names Swedish newspaper in Swedish) a picture of Putin and Russia is arming, here, and how the Russian bear now starts showing its muscles. So, at the same time, as you have these military maneuvers and military flexing of muscles, you seldom get information to the public here.
I was speaking in Norway last summer and they didn’t know about these things. I’m very often on speaking tours in the north. I was in Finland last autumn and they didn’t know about these military maneuvers either. They were really shocked when I told them.
So, here we are again, from the Cold War days, gradually Russia is the threat. And when I talk to Russian people they are not aware of this. It is like when I was travelling in the former Soviet Union, they were not aware of how you were depicted and described as a big, big threat. And I think we are there again, hiding what NATO is doing in our country and in the north, and describing the threat of Russia coming. There we are again.
Robles: Would you say it is worse than it was in the Soviet times?
Norberg: It is about the same now. We are at square one, we are back in the Cold War sentiment in a way. But it is even worse now because during the Cold War, at least Sweden had a posture that we are non-aligned and neutral. Not anymore! We have left our neutrality, we have left our non-aligned posture.
Not openly, the neutrality we have left openly, but not the non-aligned posture. I can give you an example: they are now training in North America (for) war in Nevada.
They were training together with the US in 2006 in Alaska. They went with 6 or 7 warplanes to Alaska and made a huge maneuver outside North Korea together with the US.
So, we are actively joining in different parts of the world. Of course we are in Afghanistan now.
And so I think you have to start to understand that Sweden has quite another position now and we are a NATO country. It is only a document that is left to be done. That’s the situation now in Sweden.
Robles: Can you tell us a little bit about what you think the US and NATO’s plans are for the Arctic?
Norberg: I can see that they are making a lot of war games together up in the north.
And I also know that the US and Canada are the same; I mean they are in the same organization. Canada has lost much of what they had before. I have a map in front of me where I have all the installations, and the North American-Canada Command had merged together.
So, up in the north you have a very strong militarization from Canada's point of view and they are building up their military as never before.
And one thing that I think is important to mention is the drones. Canada is planning for a huge drone fleet, and so is Sweden. Now we have one of the world’s biggest drones which is ready in the North European Airspace Test Range which is one of the biggest in Europe for training drones.
Robles: What’s your opinion on drones?
Norberg: They should be banished, abolished or banned because they are terrible murder...we call them “murder machines”. They are conducted from a Nevada test site. They sit there in front of computers and kill people in Yemen, in Pakistan and many places.
We have a huge training area, big as Macedonia, called the North European Airspace Test Range in the northern part of Sweden where they train these drones. So, we are in this arms buildup, it’s rather dangerous I think.
The newest one is Neuron. It is a cooperation between Sweden, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland on one of the world’s biggest drones, Neuron. That is a prototype that is now ready this year.
Robles: What is your opinion on the legality of drones because the users face no risk?
Norberg: They are totally illegal. You sit in a bunker, you don’t see anything, you just sit in front of a screen and see the target. We call them “murder machines” because these are murders. They say they kill Al-Qaeda?
Agneta Norberg is the Vice Chair of the Swedish Peace Council, a member of the Steering Committee in International Peace Bureau and on the board of directors of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
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==============================
Tue Feb 5, 2013 5:02 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.presstv.com/
Press TV
February 5, 2013
‘No surprise if US stays in Afghanistan’
Audio at URL above
It should come as no surprise to anyone if U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline for NATO operations in the country, says Rick Rozoff from the Stop NATO organization.
On Sunday, the Pentagon’s top civilian and military officials expressed a desire that U.S. troops would remain in Afghanistan after the end of 2014, the deadline for the withdrawal of coalition forces from the country.
“I would be surprised if the U.S. doesn’t want to retain its geo-strategically important position or presence, particularly in upgraded air bases like those at Shindand, Bagram, Kandahar, and elsewhere in Afghanistan,” said Rozoff in a phone interview with the U.S. Desk on Monday.
Earlier in January, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon was considering plans to leave up to 9,000 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan beyond Dec. 31, 2014.
Moreover, AFP reported that new Pentagon plans would heighten the U.S. reliance on drones in Afghanistan.
Right after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, former president George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Afghanistan and it has now become the longest-running war in U.S. history.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has vowed a prolonged war in Afghanistan if U.S. troops stay in the country beyond the end of 2014.
==============================
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==============================
Press TV
February 5, 2013
‘No surprise if US stays in Afghanistan’
Audio at URL above
It should come as no surprise to anyone if U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan beyond the 2014 deadline for NATO operations in the country, says Rick Rozoff from the Stop NATO organization.
On Sunday, the Pentagon’s top civilian and military officials expressed a desire that U.S. troops would remain in Afghanistan after the end of 2014, the deadline for the withdrawal of coalition forces from the country.
“I would be surprised if the U.S. doesn’t want to retain its geo-strategically important position or presence, particularly in upgraded air bases like those at Shindand, Bagram, Kandahar, and elsewhere in Afghanistan,” said Rozoff in a phone interview with the U.S. Desk on Monday.
Earlier in January, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon was considering plans to leave up to 9,000 U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan beyond Dec. 31, 2014.
Moreover, AFP reported that new Pentagon plans would heighten the U.S. reliance on drones in Afghanistan.
Right after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, former president George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Afghanistan and it has now become the longest-running war in U.S. history.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has vowed a prolonged war in Afghanistan if U.S. troops stay in the country beyond the end of 2014.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
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==============================
Tue Feb 5, 2013 5:02 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.stripes.com/news/us
Stars and Stripes
February 5, 2013
US Patriot missile battery in Turkey comes under NATO command
By John Vandiver
STUTTGART, Germany: A U.S. Patriot missile battery now up and running near Turkey’s border with Syria fell under NATO command and control Tuesday, bringing the alliance’s effort...one step closer to becoming fully operational, U.S. military officials said.
Currently, five of six Patriot batteries belonging to Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S. are operating in Turkey...
A second U.S. Patriot battery is expected to become operational in the coming days as construction at its operational site in Gaziantep nears completion.
While four Patriot batteries belonging to Germany and the Netherlands have been operating for more than a week, the U.S. effort has been slower to get off the ground. U.S. officials have said the effort was delayed because of legal complications in obtaining the needed approvals from the Turkish government. Now, the mission appears to be back on track.
On Saturday, a battery of soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery out of Fort Sill, Okla., made the move from Incirlik Air Base to a Turkish army base in Gaziantep, said Capt. Royal Reff, a spokesman for the U.S. mission in Turkey. That battery became operational Saturday evening, he said. The other U.S. battery, still positioned in Incirlik, will soon make the move to Gaziantep to man the second Patriot system, bringing the NATO mission up to full capacity...The mission is expected to last up to one year.
In December, NATO defense ministers authorized the deployment of Patriots...
NATO deployed several air defense batteries to southeastern Turkey 10 years ago during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq...
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
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==============================
Stars and Stripes
February 5, 2013
US Patriot missile battery in Turkey comes under NATO command
By John Vandiver
STUTTGART, Germany: A U.S. Patriot missile battery now up and running near Turkey’s border with Syria fell under NATO command and control Tuesday, bringing the alliance’s effort...one step closer to becoming fully operational, U.S. military officials said.
Currently, five of six Patriot batteries belonging to Germany, the Netherlands and the U.S. are operating in Turkey...
A second U.S. Patriot battery is expected to become operational in the coming days as construction at its operational site in Gaziantep nears completion.
While four Patriot batteries belonging to Germany and the Netherlands have been operating for more than a week, the U.S. effort has been slower to get off the ground. U.S. officials have said the effort was delayed because of legal complications in obtaining the needed approvals from the Turkish government. Now, the mission appears to be back on track.
On Saturday, a battery of soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery out of Fort Sill, Okla., made the move from Incirlik Air Base to a Turkish army base in Gaziantep, said Capt. Royal Reff, a spokesman for the U.S. mission in Turkey. That battery became operational Saturday evening, he said. The other U.S. battery, still positioned in Incirlik, will soon make the move to Gaziantep to man the second Patriot system, bringing the NATO mission up to full capacity...The mission is expected to last up to one year.
In December, NATO defense ministers authorized the deployment of Patriots...
NATO deployed several air defense batteries to southeastern Turkey 10 years ago during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq...
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Tue Feb 5, 2013 5:02 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.philstar.com/
Philippines News Agency
February 4, 2013
US guided missile destroyer to visit Subic Bay Tuesday
====
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers (DDGs) is the United States Navy's first class destroyers built around the Aegis combat system...They were designed as multi-role destroyers to fit the AAW (anti-aircraft warfare) with their powerful Aegis radar and anti-aircraft missiles, ASW (anti-submarine warfare), with their towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopter, ASUW (anti-surface warfare) with their Harpoon missile launcher, and strategic land strike using their Tomahawk missiles.
With an overall length of 510 feet (160 meter), displacement of 9,200 tons, and weaponry including over 90 missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class ships are larger and more heavily armed than most previous ships classified as guided missile cruisers.
====
MANILA, Philippines: One of the US Navy's most advanced warship, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106), will make a routine port visit to Subic Bay, Zambales on Tuesday.
The stop in Subic Bay will allow the American warship to replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.
“Visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States and that is very important to us,” USS Stockdale commanding officer, Cmdr. Lex Walker, said.
...
This will be the USS Stockdale’s first visit to the Philippines.
The visit is part of the ship’s nine-month deployment to the Western Pacific that began in January 2013.
...
The USS Stockdale was commissioned on April 18, 2009, and is homeported in San Diego, California.
The ship is named after Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, who was the highest ranking US naval officer held prisoner during the Vietnam war.
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers (DDGs) is the United States Navy's first class destroyers built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar.
They were designed as multi-role destroyers to fit the AAW (anti-aircraft warfare) with their powerful Aegis radar and anti-aircraft missiles, ASW (anti-submarine warfare), with their towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopter, ASUW (anti-surface warfare) with their Harpoon missile launcher, and strategic land strike using their Tomahawk missiles.
The first ship of the class was commissioned on July 4, 1991.
With the decommissioning of the Spruance-class destroyer, USS Cushing, on Sept. 21 2005, the Arleigh Burke-class ships became the US Navy's only active destroyers; the class has the longest production run for any postwar US Navy surface combatant.
The Arleigh Burke class is planned to be the third most numerous class of destroyer to serve in the US Navy, after the Fletcher and Gearing classes.
With an overall length of 510 feet (160 meter), displacement of 9,200 tons, and weaponry including over 90 missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class ships are larger and more heavily armed than most previous ships classified as guided missile cruisers.
------------------------------
http://globalnation.inquirer.n
Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 5, 2013
3rd US warship to visit PH in 3 weeks arrives in Subic Tuesday
By Tarra Quismundo
The third US warship to visit the Philippines in three weeks is arriving Tuesday in Subic, Zambales province, a sign of unchanged relations between the two allies despite the environmental damage caused by the grounding of a US minesweeper on the protected Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea.
The US Embassy in Manila announced Monday that the USS Stockdale, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, would dock at the former US naval base on Subic Bay off Olongapo City for a routine resupply stop and a rest and relaxation break for its crew.
The Stockdale follows the nuclear attack submarine USS Cheyenne that docked at Subic last week to restock and allow its crew to go on shore leave.
The minesweeper Guardian ran aground in Tubbataha while sailing for Indonesia after a port call at Puerto Princesa City early on Jan. 17.
The Guardian remains stuck on the southern atoll of Tubbataha, waiting to be broken up to save the reefs from further damage.
“Visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States and that is very important to us,” said Cmdr. Lex Walker, the Stockdale’s commanding officer.
Based in San Diego, California, the Stockdale is visiting the Philippines for the first time as part of a nine-month deployment to the Western Pacific region.
...
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Philippines News Agency
February 4, 2013
US guided missile destroyer to visit Subic Bay Tuesday
====
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers (DDGs) is the United States Navy's first class destroyers built around the Aegis combat system...They were designed as multi-role destroyers to fit the AAW (anti-aircraft warfare) with their powerful Aegis radar and anti-aircraft missiles, ASW (anti-submarine warfare), with their towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopter, ASUW (anti-surface warfare) with their Harpoon missile launcher, and strategic land strike using their Tomahawk missiles.
With an overall length of 510 feet (160 meter), displacement of 9,200 tons, and weaponry including over 90 missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class ships are larger and more heavily armed than most previous ships classified as guided missile cruisers.
====
MANILA, Philippines: One of the US Navy's most advanced warship, the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106), will make a routine port visit to Subic Bay, Zambales on Tuesday.
The stop in Subic Bay will allow the American warship to replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.
“Visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States and that is very important to us,” USS Stockdale commanding officer, Cmdr. Lex Walker, said.
...
This will be the USS Stockdale’s first visit to the Philippines.
The visit is part of the ship’s nine-month deployment to the Western Pacific that began in January 2013.
...
The USS Stockdale was commissioned on April 18, 2009, and is homeported in San Diego, California.
The ship is named after Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, who was the highest ranking US naval officer held prisoner during the Vietnam war.
The Arleigh Burke class of guided missile destroyers (DDGs) is the United States Navy's first class destroyers built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D multi-function phased array radar.
They were designed as multi-role destroyers to fit the AAW (anti-aircraft warfare) with their powerful Aegis radar and anti-aircraft missiles, ASW (anti-submarine warfare), with their towed sonar array, anti-submarine rockets, and ASW helicopter, ASUW (anti-surface warfare) with their Harpoon missile launcher, and strategic land strike using their Tomahawk missiles.
The first ship of the class was commissioned on July 4, 1991.
With the decommissioning of the Spruance-class destroyer, USS Cushing, on Sept. 21 2005, the Arleigh Burke-class ships became the US Navy's only active destroyers; the class has the longest production run for any postwar US Navy surface combatant.
The Arleigh Burke class is planned to be the third most numerous class of destroyer to serve in the US Navy, after the Fletcher and Gearing classes.
With an overall length of 510 feet (160 meter), displacement of 9,200 tons, and weaponry including over 90 missiles, the Arleigh Burke-class ships are larger and more heavily armed than most previous ships classified as guided missile cruisers.
------------------------------
http://globalnation.inquirer.n
Philippine Daily Inquirer
February 5, 2013
3rd US warship to visit PH in 3 weeks arrives in Subic Tuesday
By Tarra Quismundo
The third US warship to visit the Philippines in three weeks is arriving Tuesday in Subic, Zambales province, a sign of unchanged relations between the two allies despite the environmental damage caused by the grounding of a US minesweeper on the protected Tubbataha Reefs in the Sulu Sea.
The US Embassy in Manila announced Monday that the USS Stockdale, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, would dock at the former US naval base on Subic Bay off Olongapo City for a routine resupply stop and a rest and relaxation break for its crew.
The Stockdale follows the nuclear attack submarine USS Cheyenne that docked at Subic last week to restock and allow its crew to go on shore leave.
The minesweeper Guardian ran aground in Tubbataha while sailing for Indonesia after a port call at Puerto Princesa City early on Jan. 17.
The Guardian remains stuck on the southern atoll of Tubbataha, waiting to be broken up to save the reefs from further damage.
“Visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States and that is very important to us,” said Cmdr. Lex Walker, the Stockdale’s commanding officer.
Based in San Diego, California, the Stockdale is visiting the Philippines for the first time as part of a nine-month deployment to the Western Pacific region.
...
==============================
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Tue Feb 5, 2013 5:22 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.navy.mil/submit/dis
U.S. Navy
February 2, 2013
Olympia visits Singapore during Western Pacific Deployment
By Lt. Cmdr. Lara Bollinger, Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs
CHANGI, Republic of Singapore: The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Olympia (SSN 717) arrived at Changi Naval Station, Singapore Feb. 2 for a visit as part of her deployment to the Western Pacific.
With a crew of approximately 140, Olympia will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the U.S. Submarine Force.
...
Measuring more than 370 feet long and weighing more than 6900 tons when submerged, Olympia is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world. She is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare.
Named for the city of Olympia, Wash., this submarine is the second U.S. ship to bear the namesake. Olympia was homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1986, and has since completed numerous regular deployments to the Western Pacific.
==============================
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U.S. Navy
February 2, 2013
Olympia visits Singapore during Western Pacific Deployment
By Lt. Cmdr. Lara Bollinger, Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs
CHANGI, Republic of Singapore: The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Olympia (SSN 717) arrived at Changi Naval Station, Singapore Feb. 2 for a visit as part of her deployment to the Western Pacific.
With a crew of approximately 140, Olympia will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the U.S. Submarine Force.
...
Measuring more than 370 feet long and weighing more than 6900 tons when submerged, Olympia is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world. She is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare.
Named for the city of Olympia, Wash., this submarine is the second U.S. ship to bear the namesake. Olympia was homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1986, and has since completed numerous regular deployments to the Western Pacific.
==============================
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Tue Feb 5, 2013 5:44 pm (PST) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.africom.mil/
United States Africa Command
February 2, 2013
"Bloody Hundredth" flies back into action
1st Lieutenant Christopher Mesnard
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
====
The “Bloody Hundredth” was called to action to conduct refueling missions in support of the French and their partners taking part in operations in Mali...The “Bloody Hundredth” has a recent history supporting operations in AFRICOM’s area of operation...In 2011, the wing supported Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector.
====
RAF MILDENHALL, England: More than 100 Airmen from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England deployed Jan. 26 to a location in Western Europe in support of international military operations in Mali.
The deployment makes highly valued air-to-air refueling assets available to U.S. Africa Command.
The “Bloody Hundredth” was called to action to conduct refueling missions in support of the French and their partners taking part in operations in Mali, a country in North-Western Africa.
Shortly after receiving the deployment order, the men and women of the 100th ARW quickly moved through numerous deployment processing stations with the assistance of personnel from the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 100th Force Support Squadron.
Then, prior to boarding their aircraft, deploying Airmen were met by Colonel Christopher Kulas, 100th ARW commander, Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Powell, 100th ARW command chief and a number of 100th ARW group commanders.
Also on the flightline here were pilots and maintainers, loading the deploying Airmen’s equipment and ensuring the deployment process was as expeditious as possible.
...
As events in Mali unfolded, France requested aerial refueling support from the United States. The 100th ARW stood ready to respond even though the wing was participating in an operational readiness exercise. An ORE tests an installation’s ability to effectively deploy in support of contingency operations.
...
The “Bloody Hundredth” has a recent history supporting operations in AFRICOM’s area of operation. In 2012, members from the 100th ARW supported operations in Libya following terrorist attacks against a U.S. Embassy. In 2011, the wing supported Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector.
United States Africa Command
February 2, 2013
"Bloody Hundredth" flies back into action
1st Lieutenant Christopher Mesnard
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
====
The “Bloody Hundredth” was called to action to conduct refueling missions in support of the French and their partners taking part in operations in Mali...The “Bloody Hundredth” has a recent history supporting operations in AFRICOM’s area of operation...In 2011, the wing supported Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector.
====
RAF MILDENHALL, England: More than 100 Airmen from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England deployed Jan. 26 to a location in Western Europe in support of international military operations in Mali.
The deployment makes highly valued air-to-air refueling assets available to U.S. Africa Command.
The “Bloody Hundredth” was called to action to conduct refueling missions in support of the French and their partners taking part in operations in Mali, a country in North-Western Africa.
Shortly after receiving the deployment order, the men and women of the 100th ARW quickly moved through numerous deployment processing stations with the assistance of personnel from the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 100th Force Support Squadron.
Then, prior to boarding their aircraft, deploying Airmen were met by Colonel Christopher Kulas, 100th ARW commander, Chief Master Sergeant Christopher Powell, 100th ARW command chief and a number of 100th ARW group commanders.
Also on the flightline here were pilots and maintainers, loading the deploying Airmen’s equipment and ensuring the deployment process was as expeditious as possible.
...
As events in Mali unfolded, France requested aerial refueling support from the United States. The 100th ARW stood ready to respond even though the wing was participating in an operational readiness exercise. An ORE tests an installation’s ability to effectively deploy in support of contingency operations.
...
The “Bloody Hundredth” has a recent history supporting operations in AFRICOM’s area of operation. In 2012, members from the 100th ARW supported operations in Libya following terrorist attacks against a U.S. Embassy. In 2011, the wing supported Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector.
