5 New Messages
Digest #4667
Messages
Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:29 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.act.nato.int/news-
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Transformation
March 27, 203
Young Professionals Bring Fresh, New Perspectives to NATO at YP Day
Written by ACT PAO
====
"The ultimate goal of this work will be identifying security implications to support future operations and translating them, smartly into real, relevant and credible capabilities."
"Where talent, motivation and youth meet, the sky's the limit. Today you have not embarked on a leisure cruise. Today you are active crew members to ACT's transformation."
====
There are not many organisations that will dedicate an entire day to young leaders of tomorrow and ask them to help find solutions to challenges that could profoundly impact the lives of millions - but not every organisation advocates for continuous improvement in an Alliance of 28 different nations like ACT.
Allied Command Transformation (ACT), along with the Center for Transatlantic Relations (CTR) at Johns Hopkins University, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Atlantic Council of the United States (ACUS), hosted its annual Young Professionals (YP) Day 2013 at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C. March 26, to bring a diverse group of university students and young professionals together to provide new perspectives on issues that drive NATO's future Transformation.
During the day-long event, young professionals analysed challenges and opportunities inherent in four potential future scenarios for the Alliance. They were then assembled in four working groups, guided by mentors from ACT and other organisations, to formulate their own ideas for taking on these challenges. Ultimately, the discussion generated by these young people will help shape the future of the Alliance and ensure that NATO remains a capable and adaptable military force.
Among NATO leaders in attendance were Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy in NATO and U.S. Army Major General Peter Bayer, ACT Deputy Chief of Staff Strategic Plans and Policy who gave opening and introductory remarks – and French Air Force General Jean-Paul Paloméros, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), who delivered the keynote address to more than one hundred attendees.
Ambassador Grabar-Kitarović told the young professionals "you are not only the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today."
"This gathering of promising, talented young professionals is all the more meaningful to me," said General Paloméros. "Where talent, motivation and youth meet, the sky's the limit. Today you have not embarked on a leisure cruise. Today you are active crew members to ACT's transformation."
General Paloméros also discussed NATO's current and ever-changing security environment, making clear to the young professionals their agenda for the day.
"Within our ambitious strategic concept, we still need to solve our security equation," he continued. "This is what you have been asked to do. You, we in ACT, the Alliance, need to find the best way to match the security requirement."
"The ultimate goal of this work will be identifying security implications to support future operations and translating them, smartly into real, relevant and credible capabilities."
The future security requirement depends on continuous strategic dialogue and a shared perspective of challenges the Alliance will face in the long term. That realisation wasn't lost among the young professionals.
"The need for prioritising the threats and risks the Alliance might have to face in the future and determining what could be NATO's role in addressing these challenges appeared to me as a crucial issue," said Jean Heilbronn, one of the young professionals. "It is not enough to simply present what the future may hold. We also have to take the risk of assessing and giving estimates of probable evolutions in order to foster pro-active change and transformation."
After lengthy discussions examining relevant drivers and developing trends that will shape the future security and operating environment for NATO in 2030 and beyond, the working groups reassembled to provide their solutions to each other, their mentors, and ACT strategic analysts including Major General Bayer, who was impressed with the outcome.
"Anyway you look at the future, it is dangerous, complex and fast," said Bayer. "What I saw here today makes me optimistic about the future. I saw energy and commitment and I thank you for that."
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
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==============================
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Transformation
March 27, 203
Young Professionals Bring Fresh, New Perspectives to NATO at YP Day
Written by ACT PAO
====
"The ultimate goal of this work will be identifying security implications to support future operations and translating them, smartly into real, relevant and credible capabilities."
"Where talent, motivation and youth meet, the sky's the limit. Today you have not embarked on a leisure cruise. Today you are active crew members to ACT's transformation."
====
There are not many organisations that will dedicate an entire day to young leaders of tomorrow and ask them to help find solutions to challenges that could profoundly impact the lives of millions - but not every organisation advocates for continuous improvement in an Alliance of 28 different nations like ACT.
Allied Command Transformation (ACT), along with the Center for Transatlantic Relations (CTR) at Johns Hopkins University, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Atlantic Council of the United States (ACUS), hosted its annual Young Professionals (YP) Day 2013 at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C. March 26, to bring a diverse group of university students and young professionals together to provide new perspectives on issues that drive NATO's future Transformation.
During the day-long event, young professionals analysed challenges and opportunities inherent in four potential future scenarios for the Alliance. They were then assembled in four working groups, guided by mentors from ACT and other organisations, to formulate their own ideas for taking on these challenges. Ultimately, the discussion generated by these young people will help shape the future of the Alliance and ensure that NATO remains a capable and adaptable military force.
Among NATO leaders in attendance were Ambassador Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy in NATO and U.S. Army Major General Peter Bayer, ACT Deputy Chief of Staff Strategic Plans and Policy who gave opening and introductory remarks – and French Air Force General Jean-Paul Paloméros, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), who delivered the keynote address to more than one hundred attendees.
Ambassador Grabar-Kitarović told the young professionals "you are not only the leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today."
"This gathering of promising, talented young professionals is all the more meaningful to me," said General Paloméros. "Where talent, motivation and youth meet, the sky's the limit. Today you have not embarked on a leisure cruise. Today you are active crew members to ACT's transformation."
General Paloméros also discussed NATO's current and ever-changing security environment, making clear to the young professionals their agenda for the day.
"Within our ambitious strategic concept, we still need to solve our security equation," he continued. "This is what you have been asked to do. You, we in ACT, the Alliance, need to find the best way to match the security requirement."
"The ultimate goal of this work will be identifying security implications to support future operations and translating them, smartly into real, relevant and credible capabilities."
The future security requirement depends on continuous strategic dialogue and a shared perspective of challenges the Alliance will face in the long term. That realisation wasn't lost among the young professionals.
"The need for prioritising the threats and risks the Alliance might have to face in the future and determining what could be NATO's role in addressing these challenges appeared to me as a crucial issue," said Jean Heilbronn, one of the young professionals. "It is not enough to simply present what the future may hold. We also have to take the risk of assessing and giving estimates of probable evolutions in order to foster pro-active change and transformation."
After lengthy discussions examining relevant drivers and developing trends that will shape the future security and operating environment for NATO in 2030 and beyond, the working groups reassembled to provide their solutions to each other, their mentors, and ACT strategic analysts including Major General Bayer, who was impressed with the outcome.
"Anyway you look at the future, it is dangerous, complex and fast," said Bayer. "What I saw here today makes me optimistic about the future. I saw energy and commitment and I thank you for that."
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
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http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
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==============================
Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:29 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.eucom.mil/article/2
United States European Command
March 29, 2013
MV-22B Ospreys thunder through Stuttgart skies
Sgt. Tatum Vayavananda
====
For the exercise, three MV-22B Ospreys flew from an aircraft carrier on the Atlantic Ocean, past Rota, Spain, to Stuttgart, Germany, two days ago without having to land; a total of 1,400 nautical miles.
“It’s very important that we demonstrate this capability that the Marine Corps brings to the commands in the assault-support realm.”
The MV-22B Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium-lift, vertical-takeoff and landing, tilt-rotor aircraft designed for combat support and special-operations missions.
“It takes the Mediterranean Sea, for example, and turns it into a lake.”
The aircraft, which reached its initial operation capability in 2007, has proven its operational efficacy with its ability to fly twice as fast, carry three times the payload, go twice as high, and travel almost five times the distance of other legacy medium-lift helicopters.
“We are used to operating in big countries, like Iraq and Afghanistan, but they are still countries. Europe and Africa are continents!”
====
STUTTGART, Germany: In coordination with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, the community of U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and USAG Stuttgart had “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise on Patch Barracks, Kelly Barracks, and Stuttgart Army Airfield, March 28. The MV-22B Ospreys are visiting from the Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Part of the event was to introduce the MV-22B Osprey, which is a recent addition to the Marine Corps’ aviation inventory, to the EUCOM and AFRICOM combatant commands.
“I think it’s the future of how we’re going to provide medium-lift assault support in many ways,” said Lt. Col. Chris J. Boniface, the commanding officer of VMM-266, 26th MEU, II MEF.
For the exercise, three MV-22B Ospreys flew from an aircraft carrier on the Atlantic Ocean, past Rota, Spain, to Stuttgart, Germany, two days ago without having to land; a total of 1,400 nautical miles.
“It’s very important that we demonstrate this capability that the Marine Corps brings to the commands in the assault-support realm,” said Boniface, the Enterprise, Ala., native.
The MV-22B Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium-lift, vertical-takeoff and landing, tilt-rotor aircraft designed for combat support and special-operations missions. It combines the functionality of a helicopter with the performance of a turbo-prop aircraft.
“It’s the only airplane that can do everything a helicopter can,” said Capt. Erik B. Kolle, an MV-22B pilot, VMM-266, 26th MEU, II MEF. “It has proven in the last several years that it is a good choice,” added the Raleigh, N.C., native.
The MV-22B represents new capabilities in the region and can provide Marine Forces Europe and Marine Forces Africa a unique asset supporting their mission to respond to crisis, build partner-nation military capacity, promote regional security, and maintain a stabilization presence as directed by EUCOM and AFRICOM to protect U.S. national security interests.
“It takes the Mediterranean Sea, for example, and turns it into a lake,” said Kolle, regarding the rapid travelling capability of the MV-22B.
“Before, if a MEU wanted to reach an area, they would have to bring the ships closer to that region and deploy helicopters. Now, with the MV-22B, you can have a MEU floating in Spain and have troops on the other end of the Mediterranean the same day,” said Kolle.
“If AFRICOM and EUCOM are going to have MV-22Bs in their areas of responsibility, it’s important to know how to employ these assets in the event that something happens,” added Kolle.
Within the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility, most bi-lateral and multi-lateral exercises with allied and partner nations could be supported with combat-proven air support provided by the MV-22B that other aircrafts, like the C-130 Hercules cargo plane, which requires a run-way for takeoff and landing, would prove less effective.
“I think the capabilities to fly as fast, and as far, as we can is significant in this area,” said Cpl. Justin J. Whiteman, an MV-22B crew chief, VMM 266, 26th MEU, II MEF.
To demonstrate the versatile landing capability of the MV-22B, two aircraft flew from Stuttgart Army Airfield, landing one on Kelly Field, Kelly Barracks, and the other landing on Husky Field, Patch Barracks.
“We can do 280 knots and put troops into a variety of landing terrains and conditions; unpaved areas, mountain sides, dusty zones. Airplanes and helicopters just can’t do that,” said Whiteman, the Lancaster, Penn., native.
“I think it’s critical for quick-response teams to be able to get to places that are great distances apart and the MV-22B is just that; ‘quick response,’” said Whiteman.
The aircraft, which reached its initial operation capability in 2007, has proven its operational efficacy with its ability to fly twice as fast, carry three times the payload, go twice as high, and travel almost five times the distance of other legacy medium-lift helicopters.
“The Osprey provides an awesome capability,” said Boniface. “It can aerial refuel, climb up to 25,000 feet; it does anything the commander needs it too, from embassy reinforcement to tactical recovery of personnel missions and raids.”
The MV-22B replaces the Marine Corps’ CH-46 “Sea Knight” helicopter’s role in functioning as the Marine Corps’ amphibious assault transport of troops, equipment and supplies, between sea and land.
“The CH-46 was a great aircraft, but that was 1960’s technology; this is the new millennium’s technology and it’s being upgraded along the way as we learn new lessons from other [Overseas Contingency Operations],” said Lt. Col. Rick Coates, a future operations officer, Marine Forces Europe.
Beyond the 1,400-mile flight, to show the long-range raid ability of the Osprey, the capabilities exercise included flights around the city, a tour of the aircraft, and contact with a knowledgeable and experienced crew to answer questions.
“The combatant commanders here are getting to see how, if they owned an amphibious readiness group, they will own a force that can go out and influence their area of responsibility,” said Coates.
“We are used to operating in big countries, like Iraq and Afghanistan, but they are still countries. Europe and Africa are continents!” said Coates.
“When you have this aircraft, with all the capabilities that it brings, you shrink the battle space and the distance won’t work against you,” said Coates. “It’s getting the job done in every clime and place; you can really reach out and touch anybody.”
The event also gave the USAG Stuttgart community a chance to see an aircraft that doesn’t typically operate within the Stuttgart airspace.
“This is a great opportunity and the hard work that everyone put into planning this has really paid off,” said Coates. “The tax payers are also getting to see the aircraft. The air-base communities in America are used to seeing Ospreys, but other places never get to see them, so it’s important to reach out to the American people here in Germany to show them what their military is doing.”
==============================
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
==============================
United States European Command
March 29, 2013
MV-22B Ospreys thunder through Stuttgart skies
Sgt. Tatum Vayavananda
====
For the exercise, three MV-22B Ospreys flew from an aircraft carrier on the Atlantic Ocean, past Rota, Spain, to Stuttgart, Germany, two days ago without having to land; a total of 1,400 nautical miles.
“It’s very important that we demonstrate this capability that the Marine Corps brings to the commands in the assault-support realm.”
The MV-22B Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium-lift, vertical-takeoff and landing, tilt-rotor aircraft designed for combat support and special-operations missions.
“It takes the Mediterranean Sea, for example, and turns it into a lake.”
The aircraft, which reached its initial operation capability in 2007, has proven its operational efficacy with its ability to fly twice as fast, carry three times the payload, go twice as high, and travel almost five times the distance of other legacy medium-lift helicopters.
“We are used to operating in big countries, like Iraq and Afghanistan, but they are still countries. Europe and Africa are continents!”
====
STUTTGART, Germany: In coordination with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa, the community of U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and USAG Stuttgart had “hands-on” experience with the MV-22B Osprey during a capabilities exercise on Patch Barracks, Kelly Barracks, and Stuttgart Army Airfield, March 28. The MV-22B Ospreys are visiting from the Marine Tiltrotor Squadron 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Part of the event was to introduce the MV-22B Osprey, which is a recent addition to the Marine Corps’ aviation inventory, to the EUCOM and AFRICOM combatant commands.
“I think it’s the future of how we’re going to provide medium-lift assault support in many ways,” said Lt. Col. Chris J. Boniface, the commanding officer of VMM-266, 26th MEU, II MEF.
For the exercise, three MV-22B Ospreys flew from an aircraft carrier on the Atlantic Ocean, past Rota, Spain, to Stuttgart, Germany, two days ago without having to land; a total of 1,400 nautical miles.
“It’s very important that we demonstrate this capability that the Marine Corps brings to the commands in the assault-support realm,” said Boniface, the Enterprise, Ala., native.
The MV-22B Osprey is a multi-engine, dual-piloted, self-deployable, medium-lift, vertical-takeoff and landing, tilt-rotor aircraft designed for combat support and special-operations missions. It combines the functionality of a helicopter with the performance of a turbo-prop aircraft.
“It’s the only airplane that can do everything a helicopter can,” said Capt. Erik B. Kolle, an MV-22B pilot, VMM-266, 26th MEU, II MEF. “It has proven in the last several years that it is a good choice,” added the Raleigh, N.C., native.
The MV-22B represents new capabilities in the region and can provide Marine Forces Europe and Marine Forces Africa a unique asset supporting their mission to respond to crisis, build partner-nation military capacity, promote regional security, and maintain a stabilization presence as directed by EUCOM and AFRICOM to protect U.S. national security interests.
“It takes the Mediterranean Sea, for example, and turns it into a lake,” said Kolle, regarding the rapid travelling capability of the MV-22B.
“Before, if a MEU wanted to reach an area, they would have to bring the ships closer to that region and deploy helicopters. Now, with the MV-22B, you can have a MEU floating in Spain and have troops on the other end of the Mediterranean the same day,” said Kolle.
“If AFRICOM and EUCOM are going to have MV-22Bs in their areas of responsibility, it’s important to know how to employ these assets in the event that something happens,” added Kolle.
Within the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas of responsibility, most bi-lateral and multi-lateral exercises with allied and partner nations could be supported with combat-proven air support provided by the MV-22B that other aircrafts, like the C-130 Hercules cargo plane, which requires a run-way for takeoff and landing, would prove less effective.
“I think the capabilities to fly as fast, and as far, as we can is significant in this area,” said Cpl. Justin J. Whiteman, an MV-22B crew chief, VMM 266, 26th MEU, II MEF.
To demonstrate the versatile landing capability of the MV-22B, two aircraft flew from Stuttgart Army Airfield, landing one on Kelly Field, Kelly Barracks, and the other landing on Husky Field, Patch Barracks.
“We can do 280 knots and put troops into a variety of landing terrains and conditions; unpaved areas, mountain sides, dusty zones. Airplanes and helicopters just can’t do that,” said Whiteman, the Lancaster, Penn., native.
“I think it’s critical for quick-response teams to be able to get to places that are great distances apart and the MV-22B is just that; ‘quick response,’” said Whiteman.
The aircraft, which reached its initial operation capability in 2007, has proven its operational efficacy with its ability to fly twice as fast, carry three times the payload, go twice as high, and travel almost five times the distance of other legacy medium-lift helicopters.
“The Osprey provides an awesome capability,” said Boniface. “It can aerial refuel, climb up to 25,000 feet; it does anything the commander needs it too, from embassy reinforcement to tactical recovery of personnel missions and raids.”
The MV-22B replaces the Marine Corps’ CH-46 “Sea Knight” helicopter’s role in functioning as the Marine Corps’ amphibious assault transport of troops, equipment and supplies, between sea and land.
“The CH-46 was a great aircraft, but that was 1960’s technology; this is the new millennium’s technology and it’s being upgraded along the way as we learn new lessons from other [Overseas Contingency Operations],” said Lt. Col. Rick Coates, a future operations officer, Marine Forces Europe.
Beyond the 1,400-mile flight, to show the long-range raid ability of the Osprey, the capabilities exercise included flights around the city, a tour of the aircraft, and contact with a knowledgeable and experienced crew to answer questions.
“The combatant commanders here are getting to see how, if they owned an amphibious readiness group, they will own a force that can go out and influence their area of responsibility,” said Coates.
“We are used to operating in big countries, like Iraq and Afghanistan, but they are still countries. Europe and Africa are continents!” said Coates.
“When you have this aircraft, with all the capabilities that it brings, you shrink the battle space and the distance won’t work against you,” said Coates. “It’s getting the job done in every clime and place; you can really reach out and touch anybody.”
The event also gave the USAG Stuttgart community a chance to see an aircraft that doesn’t typically operate within the Stuttgart airspace.
“This is a great opportunity and the hard work that everyone put into planning this has really paid off,” said Coates. “The tax payers are also getting to see the aircraft. The air-base communities in America are used to seeing Ospreys, but other places never get to see them, so it’s important to reach out to the American people here in Germany to show them what their military is doing.”
==============================
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
==============================
Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:40 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.stripes.com/news/ma
Stars and Stripes
March 28, 2013
Marine Ospreys take flight in Stuttgart demonstration for COCOMs
By David Rogers and John Vandiver
====
Demonstrating the aircraft capabilities, the Ospreys arrived in Stuttgart after flying 1,400 miles from the coast of Spain, complete with an aerial refueling by a C-130.
“Africa is an enormous continent. And what we’re demonstrating is ‘Hey...you have assets now that can reach out on their own, independently, and go 1,400 miles away and influence your theater.’”
“So, when you say Marines in a MAGTF, you’re talking Osprey, you’re talking riflemen, you’re talking artillery, tanks.”
With the ability to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a fixed wing plane, the Osprey’s versatility has come in handy for both land and sea-based missions, stretching from Iraq and Afghanistan to Haiti and Libya...
====
STUTTGART, Germany: The buzz of heavy propellers churned up dust and snow on Thursday when visiting Marine Corps aircraft expected to play a role in future missions for U.S. Africa and U.S. Europe commands touched down near their headquarters.
The three MV-22B Ospreys assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Lejeune, were in Stuttgart for a four-day visit focused on showcasing the unique aircraft’s capabilities to senior leaders at the two commands.
Demonstrating the aircraft capabilities, the Ospreys arrived in Stuttgart after flying 1,400 miles from the coast of Spain, complete with an aerial refueling by a C-130.
“We’re getting two combatant commanders, two four-stars and their staffs, acquainted with a new aircraft and new capabilities that today’s MEU brings to the field,” said Marine Lt. Col. Rick Coates, future operations officer for Marine Forces Europe and acting liaison to the 26th MEU.
“Africa is an enormous continent. And what we’re demonstrating is ‘Hey...you have assets now that can reach out on their own, independently, and go 1,400 miles away and influence your theater.’”
During the past couple of years, the Marine Corps has been elevating its profile within Europe, even as the overall U.S. military presence on the continent has been shrinking. In 2010, Marine Forces Europe launched its Black Sea Rotational Force, which focuses on training foreign militaries in eastern Europe. Each year, the task force, comprised mostly of reservists, spends roughly five months overseas, conducting missions with numerous allied nations.
The Black Sea effort was followed up in 2011 with a similar Africa-focused Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, based out of Sigonella, Italy. Most of that unit’s time is spent on the African continent, training foreign armies in everything from logistics management to counter-terrorism tactics.
Meanwhile, a second Africa-focused Marine MAGTF with a special focus on crisis-response also is being developed. For such a unit, the Osprey would likely be the aircraft of choice.
“So, when you say Marines in a MAGTF, you’re talking Osprey, you’re talking riflemen, you’re talking artillery, tanks,” Coates said. “You’re talking the whole package. And that’s what people really need to take away is what we bring to the table.”
The Marine Corps’ increased attention on Africa comes as Africa Command confronts a growing threat posed by Islamic militant groups operating across much of northern Africa, from Somalia to Libya and Mali.
For the Marine Corps, the MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft is a key component in its expeditionary mission. While critics have long questioned the safety of the aircraft, the Marines have stood by the Osprey, which the Corps regards as its premier assault support aircraft.
With the ability to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a fixed wing plane, the Osprey’s versatility has come in handy for both land and sea-based missions, stretching from Iraq and Afghanistan to Haiti and Libya, where the Osprey was used to rescue a downed Air Force pilot during military operations in 2011.
“We can fly so far out, compared to the other aircraft on the boat,” said Marine Cpl. Justin Whiteman, an Osprey crew chief with the MEU. “We can fly 500 miles out and back without a problem. And adding C-130 support for aerial refuel, the boat can be way far out and that gives us the ability to fly...to keep the mission a go.”
==============================
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
==============================
Stars and Stripes
March 28, 2013
Marine Ospreys take flight in Stuttgart demonstration for COCOMs
By David Rogers and John Vandiver
====
Demonstrating the aircraft capabilities, the Ospreys arrived in Stuttgart after flying 1,400 miles from the coast of Spain, complete with an aerial refueling by a C-130.
“Africa is an enormous continent. And what we’re demonstrating is ‘Hey...you have assets now that can reach out on their own, independently, and go 1,400 miles away and influence your theater.’”
“So, when you say Marines in a MAGTF, you’re talking Osprey, you’re talking riflemen, you’re talking artillery, tanks.”
With the ability to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a fixed wing plane, the Osprey’s versatility has come in handy for both land and sea-based missions, stretching from Iraq and Afghanistan to Haiti and Libya...
====
STUTTGART, Germany: The buzz of heavy propellers churned up dust and snow on Thursday when visiting Marine Corps aircraft expected to play a role in future missions for U.S. Africa and U.S. Europe commands touched down near their headquarters.
The three MV-22B Ospreys assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Lejeune, were in Stuttgart for a four-day visit focused on showcasing the unique aircraft’s capabilities to senior leaders at the two commands.
Demonstrating the aircraft capabilities, the Ospreys arrived in Stuttgart after flying 1,400 miles from the coast of Spain, complete with an aerial refueling by a C-130.
“We’re getting two combatant commanders, two four-stars and their staffs, acquainted with a new aircraft and new capabilities that today’s MEU brings to the field,” said Marine Lt. Col. Rick Coates, future operations officer for Marine Forces Europe and acting liaison to the 26th MEU.
“Africa is an enormous continent. And what we’re demonstrating is ‘Hey...you have assets now that can reach out on their own, independently, and go 1,400 miles away and influence your theater.’”
During the past couple of years, the Marine Corps has been elevating its profile within Europe, even as the overall U.S. military presence on the continent has been shrinking. In 2010, Marine Forces Europe launched its Black Sea Rotational Force, which focuses on training foreign militaries in eastern Europe. Each year, the task force, comprised mostly of reservists, spends roughly five months overseas, conducting missions with numerous allied nations.
The Black Sea effort was followed up in 2011 with a similar Africa-focused Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force, based out of Sigonella, Italy. Most of that unit’s time is spent on the African continent, training foreign armies in everything from logistics management to counter-terrorism tactics.
Meanwhile, a second Africa-focused Marine MAGTF with a special focus on crisis-response also is being developed. For such a unit, the Osprey would likely be the aircraft of choice.
“So, when you say Marines in a MAGTF, you’re talking Osprey, you’re talking riflemen, you’re talking artillery, tanks,” Coates said. “You’re talking the whole package. And that’s what people really need to take away is what we bring to the table.”
The Marine Corps’ increased attention on Africa comes as Africa Command confronts a growing threat posed by Islamic militant groups operating across much of northern Africa, from Somalia to Libya and Mali.
For the Marine Corps, the MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft is a key component in its expeditionary mission. While critics have long questioned the safety of the aircraft, the Marines have stood by the Osprey, which the Corps regards as its premier assault support aircraft.
With the ability to take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a fixed wing plane, the Osprey’s versatility has come in handy for both land and sea-based missions, stretching from Iraq and Afghanistan to Haiti and Libya, where the Osprey was used to rescue a downed Air Force pilot during military operations in 2011.
“We can fly so far out, compared to the other aircraft on the boat,” said Marine Cpl. Justin Whiteman, an Osprey crew chief with the MEU. “We can fly 500 miles out and back without a problem. And adding C-130 support for aerial refuel, the boat can be way far out and that gives us the ability to fly...to keep the mission a go.”
==============================
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
==============================
Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:40 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.usafe.af.mil/news/s
United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa
March 29, 2013
Breedlove nominated as SACEUR, EUCOM Commander
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced March 28 that the president has nominated Gen. Philip M. Breedlove to be the next Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and commander, U.S. European Command, succeeding Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, who has served in that position since 2009.
"I'm deeply honored by the nomination to serve as the next Commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe," said Gen. Breedlove, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe; commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa; commander, Headquarters, Allied Air Command, Ramstein; and director, Joint Air Power Competence Center. "If confirmed, I'll do everything in my power to live up to the example set by Admiral Jim Stavridis and the other great officers who have led the men and women of this command so well throughout its remarkable history."
==============================
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United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa
March 29, 2013
Breedlove nominated as SACEUR, EUCOM Commander
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced March 28 that the president has nominated Gen. Philip M. Breedlove to be the next Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and commander, U.S. European Command, succeeding Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis, who has served in that position since 2009.
"I'm deeply honored by the nomination to serve as the next Commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe," said Gen. Breedlove, commander, U.S. Air Forces Europe; commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa; commander, Headquarters, Allied Air Command, Ramstein; and director, Joint Air Power Competence Center. "If confirmed, I'll do everything in my power to live up to the example set by Admiral Jim Stavridis and the other great officers who have led the men and women of this command so well throughout its remarkable history."
==============================
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
==============================
Fri Mar 29, 2013 7:33 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://english.ruvr.ru/2013_03
Voice of Russia
March 29, 2013
NATO to make collective response to hypothetical N.Korea attacks on US - Vershbow
A hypothetical North Korean attack on U.S. military facilities would involve other NATO member countries joining in armed action against the communist state as prescribed by Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow told Interfax on Friday.
Vershbow cited the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, which led Washington to invoke Article Five.
------------------------------
http://en.ria.ru/world/2013033
Russian Information Agency Novosti
March 29, 2013
Senior NATO Official Will Not Rule Out Conflict with N.Korea
MOSCOW: A senior NATO official said on Friday that military conflict between the United States and North Korea was not inevitable, but that Washington and its allies are capable of deterring that outcome.
NATO deputy chief Alexander Vershbow told Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy in an interview that Kim Jong Un’s relative inexperience as leader of North Korea added an element of unpredictability.
“One can never be certain, particularly when they have a new young untested leader,” Vershbow said.
Tensions between the West and North Korea reached new heights after Pyongyang threatened to unleash military action this week in response to drills by thousands of US and South Korean troops across the border that were intended as a show of force.
The annual large-scale military exercises, codenamed Key Resolve, began on March 11 and involved around 10,000 South Korean and 3,500 US troops.
Officials in Washington said the exercise would demonstrate the readiness of the United States to deter against aggression on the Korean peninsula.
...
On Friday, North Korea placed its strategic rocket forces on standby to strike US and South Korean targets.
Vershbow, a former US ambassador to Russia, acknowledged North Korea’s significant military capability and its long-term policy of prioritizing defense over all other issues, but said it still remains unclear what offensive potential the regime possesses.
...
Russia weighed in on the souring climate on Friday by criticizing war games around the Korean peninsula as a destabilizing factor that could lead to conflict.
In a veiled reference to the United States and South Korea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged all parties involved in the Korean standoff to refrain from muscle-flexing.
"We are alarmed that along with the adequate reaction from the UN Security Council and the collective reaction of the international community, unilateral action is being taken around North Korea that involves increased military activity,” he said.
------------------------------
http://news.xinhuanet.com/
Xinhua News Agency
March 29, 2013
Russia concerned over military beef-up around Korean Peninsula
MOSCOW: Moscow is worried that the unilateral attempts to influence the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) could trigger dangerous developments of the situation in the Korean Peninsula, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
"We worry that along with an adequate reaction of the U.N. Security Council, a collective reaction of the international community, the unilateral actions have been undertaken," Lavrov told reporters after meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kozhara.
He elaborated that Russia was concerned with increasing military activities around the Korean Peninsula.
"We could simply lose control over the situation and it will spiral to the vicious circle," the diplomat said.
He urged not to beef up military presence and not to use the situation in the region as a pretext for achieving other geopolitical goals with military means.
Instead, Lavrov said, the conditions to resume the six-party talks must be undertaken.
On Friday, the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the country's rocket units to be on standby to attack U.S. military bases in South Korea and the Pacific region in response to the United States flying stealth bombers to South Korea.
The day before, two B-2 Spirit bombers have made a nonstop round trip from a base in Missouri to an island bombing range off South Korea's coast.
Voice of Russia
March 29, 2013
NATO to make collective response to hypothetical N.Korea attacks on US - Vershbow
A hypothetical North Korean attack on U.S. military facilities would involve other NATO member countries joining in armed action against the communist state as prescribed by Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO Deputy Secretary-General Alexander Vershbow told Interfax on Friday.
Vershbow cited the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, which led Washington to invoke Article Five.
------------------------------
http://en.ria.ru/world/2013033
Russian Information Agency Novosti
March 29, 2013
Senior NATO Official Will Not Rule Out Conflict with N.Korea
MOSCOW: A senior NATO official said on Friday that military conflict between the United States and North Korea was not inevitable, but that Washington and its allies are capable of deterring that outcome.
NATO deputy chief Alexander Vershbow told Russian radio station Ekho Moskvy in an interview that Kim Jong Un’s relative inexperience as leader of North Korea added an element of unpredictability.
“One can never be certain, particularly when they have a new young untested leader,” Vershbow said.
Tensions between the West and North Korea reached new heights after Pyongyang threatened to unleash military action this week in response to drills by thousands of US and South Korean troops across the border that were intended as a show of force.
The annual large-scale military exercises, codenamed Key Resolve, began on March 11 and involved around 10,000 South Korean and 3,500 US troops.
Officials in Washington said the exercise would demonstrate the readiness of the United States to deter against aggression on the Korean peninsula.
...
On Friday, North Korea placed its strategic rocket forces on standby to strike US and South Korean targets.
Vershbow, a former US ambassador to Russia, acknowledged North Korea’s significant military capability and its long-term policy of prioritizing defense over all other issues, but said it still remains unclear what offensive potential the regime possesses.
...
Russia weighed in on the souring climate on Friday by criticizing war games around the Korean peninsula as a destabilizing factor that could lead to conflict.
In a veiled reference to the United States and South Korea, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged all parties involved in the Korean standoff to refrain from muscle-flexing.
"We are alarmed that along with the adequate reaction from the UN Security Council and the collective reaction of the international community, unilateral action is being taken around North Korea that involves increased military activity,” he said.
------------------------------
http://news.xinhuanet.com/
Xinhua News Agency
March 29, 2013
Russia concerned over military beef-up around Korean Peninsula
MOSCOW: Moscow is worried that the unilateral attempts to influence the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) could trigger dangerous developments of the situation in the Korean Peninsula, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
"We worry that along with an adequate reaction of the U.N. Security Council, a collective reaction of the international community, the unilateral actions have been undertaken," Lavrov told reporters after meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kozhara.
He elaborated that Russia was concerned with increasing military activities around the Korean Peninsula.
"We could simply lose control over the situation and it will spiral to the vicious circle," the diplomat said.
He urged not to beef up military presence and not to use the situation in the region as a pretext for achieving other geopolitical goals with military means.
Instead, Lavrov said, the conditions to resume the six-party talks must be undertaken.
On Friday, the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the country's rocket units to be on standby to attack U.S. military bases in South Korea and the Pacific region in response to the United States flying stealth bombers to South Korea.
The day before, two B-2 Spirit bombers have made a nonstop round trip from a base in Missouri to an island bombing range off South Korea's coast.
