5 New Messages
Digest #4751
Messages
Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:26 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://english.
Voice of Russia
July 15, 2014
Obama’s defense budget larger than any other president’s since World War II
The vast majority of people in the USA, including Congressmen and analysts, have little idea just how large the Pentagon’s defense budget increases have been under President Obama.
Except for George W. Bush’s presidency, Obama’s military-budget request is larger than any other president’s defense budget since the death of Franklin Roosevelt in April 1945.
If one subtracted a sum of $52 billion mandated by the Budget Control Act from the $612 billion defense budget Obama requested for 2014, they would see that the Pentagon spends billions of dollars above what the US spent during the Cold War, Vietnam and Korean wars.
Every year the Pentagon publishes the Green Book or “National Defense Budget Estimates”, which many believe to be the “bible” of defense budget analysts.
The graphs of the Green book shows that the USA is now near a post-World War II low which is, according to many defense-spending boosters, is a dangerous trend that needs to be reversed. But all the data collected for the Green book, while technically accurate, are misused, as the numbers in it represent not money actually spent, but the sum of annual Pentagon spending as part of the total American economy.
The American economy has grown faster than defense spending since World War II, so the ratio shows that 3.2% of the national budget will be given to the military in 2014, and during the Reagan-era 5.9% of the budget was dedicated to the defense.
All this is true, but irrelevant, as the economy shrank that year which means that the defense budget also shrank, and the ratio showed an increase. An illusory “shrinkage” in defense spending can appear if the defense budget goes up and the economy goes up even more.
The dollar has also a different purchasing value in different years: the buying power of the dollars appropriated at the end of World War II had a buying power very different from the dollars requested by Obama for 2014.
If we take into consideration the effects of inflation and equalize the purchasing power of appropriated dollars across years, the $34 billion appropriated for 1945 had a buying power even higher than the $612 billion sought for 2014. But the Defense Department uses deceptive formulas to measure the inflation.
Due to the disclosures by the caucus and GAO (Government Accountability Office), the Pentagon made some adjustments to its calculation of inflation, all the bias hasn’t been removed so far, and neither Congress nor any executive-branch official has required the Pentagon to decide the continuing problem.
Voice of Russia, The Time
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Voice of Russia
July 15, 2014
Obama’s defense budget larger than any other president’s since World War II
The vast majority of people in the USA, including Congressmen and analysts, have little idea just how large the Pentagon’s defense budget increases have been under President Obama.
Except for George W. Bush’s presidency, Obama’s military-budget request is larger than any other president’s defense budget since the death of Franklin Roosevelt in April 1945.
If one subtracted a sum of $52 billion mandated by the Budget Control Act from the $612 billion defense budget Obama requested for 2014, they would see that the Pentagon spends billions of dollars above what the US spent during the Cold War, Vietnam and Korean wars.
Every year the Pentagon publishes the Green Book or “National Defense Budget Estimates”, which many believe to be the “bible” of defense budget analysts.
The graphs of the Green book shows that the USA is now near a post-World War II low which is, according to many defense-spending boosters, is a dangerous trend that needs to be reversed. But all the data collected for the Green book, while technically accurate, are misused, as the numbers in it represent not money actually spent, but the sum of annual Pentagon spending as part of the total American economy.
The American economy has grown faster than defense spending since World War II, so the ratio shows that 3.2% of the national budget will be given to the military in 2014, and during the Reagan-era 5.9% of the budget was dedicated to the defense.
All this is true, but irrelevant, as the economy shrank that year which means that the defense budget also shrank, and the ratio showed an increase. An illusory “shrinkage” in defense spending can appear if the defense budget goes up and the economy goes up even more.
The dollar has also a different purchasing value in different years: the buying power of the dollars appropriated at the end of World War II had a buying power very different from the dollars requested by Obama for 2014.
If we take into consideration the effects of inflation and equalize the purchasing power of appropriated dollars across years, the $34 billion appropriated for 1945 had a buying power even higher than the $612 billion sought for 2014. But the Defense Department uses deceptive formulas to measure the inflation.
Due to the disclosures by the caucus and GAO (Government Accountability Office), the Pentagon made some adjustments to its calculation of inflation, all the bias hasn’t been removed so far, and neither Congress nor any executive-branch official has required the Pentagon to decide the continuing problem.
Voice of Russia, The Time
============
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http://groups.
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.
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============
Mon Jul 15, 2013 3:39 pm (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.usafe.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa
July 15, 2013
Poland, US unite during two-week aerial training
By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
====
"When you look at the history of the two nations, you find that this isn't a new partnership. It's a partnership and heritage that dates back to our county's existence. Really, we're continuing on those traditions and that heritage, because we do value Poland as a nation and a partner in NATO."
====
LASK AIR BASE, Poland: Poland continues to build its relationship with the United States as both nations' air forces integrate their capabilities in a joint theater security cooperation event July 15-26, 2013.
This marks the third time U.S. aircraft have flown into Poland as part of a partnership-
"We are demonstrating the commitment that we've made to Poland," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Spears, commander of Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group.
The aviation detachment began in 2011 as a discussion between the U.S. ambassador to Poland and the Polish Defense Minister. In June of that year, the two signed a memorandum authorizing and creating the detachment. Since the detachment&#
"We consider them one of our top allies, and it's an ally that we want to improve our relationship with and partnership with," Spears said. "So, the aviation detachment is a mechanism with which we can strengthen that partnership.
The detachment is the administrative hub of an aerial training program and is part of the 52nd Fighter Wing from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. For this rotation, the U.S. aircraft are from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy -- a major air combat asset of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
During each rotation, the detachment balances the training needs of participating aircraft. Both Aviano and Lask employ the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, and some of the training will focus on communication effectiveness and familiarization of techniques.
...
Spears said the Polish government&#
"When you look at the history of the two nations, you find that this isn't a new partnership,
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa
July 15, 2013
Poland, US unite during two-week aerial training
By Staff Sgt. Daryl Knee
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
====
"When you look at the history of the two nations, you find that this isn't a new partnership. It's a partnership and heritage that dates back to our county's existence. Really, we're continuing on those traditions and that heritage, because we do value Poland as a nation and a partner in NATO."
====
LASK AIR BASE, Poland: Poland continues to build its relationship with the United States as both nations' air forces integrate their capabilities in a joint theater security cooperation event July 15-26, 2013.
This marks the third time U.S. aircraft have flown into Poland as part of a partnership-
"We are demonstrating the commitment that we've made to Poland," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Spears, commander of Detachment 1, 52nd Operations Group.
The aviation detachment began in 2011 as a discussion between the U.S. ambassador to Poland and the Polish Defense Minister. In June of that year, the two signed a memorandum authorizing and creating the detachment. Since the detachment&#
"We consider them one of our top allies, and it's an ally that we want to improve our relationship with and partnership with," Spears said. "So, the aviation detachment is a mechanism with which we can strengthen that partnership.
The detachment is the administrative hub of an aerial training program and is part of the 52nd Fighter Wing from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. For this rotation, the U.S. aircraft are from the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy -- a major air combat asset of U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
During each rotation, the detachment balances the training needs of participating aircraft. Both Aviano and Lask employ the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, and some of the training will focus on communication effectiveness and familiarization of techniques.
...
Spears said the Polish government&#
"When you look at the history of the two nations, you find that this isn't a new partnership,
Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:04 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.army.
United States Army
July 15, 2013
NATO Allied Land Command head visits Rapid Trident
By Maj. Michael Weisman, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs
====
Hodges toured facilities and received a briefing from Ukrainian officers leading the multinational headquarters as part of the field-training exercise. He expressed that interoperability is the key to the multinational training he observed. In adding how his headquarters plays a role in the process, he remarked that "NATO standard is a line that everyone can meet; everyone trains to the same standard."
"I think it's very important that our nations retain the ability to do a forced entry," Hodges said. "You have to have airborne capabilities and I'm glad to see this exercise emphasizes that."
====
YAVORIV, Ukraine: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allied Land Command Commanding General Lt. Gen. Frederick "Ben" Hodges visited Exercise Rapid Trident 2013 here, July 15, to gain an understanding of the training conducted and the capabilities of the International Peacekeeping and Security Center.
Allied Land Command is located in Izmir, Turkey and provides expertise in support of Alliance land-forces readiness, competency and standardization, including their evaluation and certification, according to Hodges. The command was activated in November 2012, replacing two NATO land-force component headquarters that were located in Madrid, Spain, and Heidelberg, Germany.
"The purpose of my headquarters,
Rapid Trident 2013 is a U.S. Army Europe-led, multinational field training and command post exercise occurring at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, or IPSC, in Yavoriv, July 8-19, that involves approximately 1,300 troops from 17 nations. The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between forces...
"I came to Rapid Trident 2013 to see this facility and to watch the training that's going on, with Ukraine and U.S. Army Europe working together to create a good exercise," said Hodges. "I'
During his visit, Hodges toured facilities and received a briefing from Ukrainian officers leading the multinational headquarters as part of the field-training exercise. He expressed that interoperability is the key to the multinational training he observed. In adding how his headquarters plays a role in the process, he remarked that "NATO standard is a line that everyone can meet; everyone trains to the same standard."
He also observed two Ukrainian airborne operations, including pararescue forces conducting a search and rescue mission.
"I think it's very important that our nations retain the ability to do a forced entry," Hodges said. "You have to have airborne capabilities and I'm glad to see this exercise emphasizes that."
In the future, Hodges sees the opportunity for the Rapid Trident exercises to expand.
"It has the capacity to be part of a distributed command-post exercise, with headquarters [across Europe] as part of the same exercise," he said.
============
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@
============
United States Army
July 15, 2013
NATO Allied Land Command head visits Rapid Trident
By Maj. Michael Weisman, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs
====
Hodges toured facilities and received a briefing from Ukrainian officers leading the multinational headquarters as part of the field-training exercise. He expressed that interoperability is the key to the multinational training he observed. In adding how his headquarters plays a role in the process, he remarked that "NATO standard is a line that everyone can meet; everyone trains to the same standard."
"I think it's very important that our nations retain the ability to do a forced entry," Hodges said. "You have to have airborne capabilities and I'm glad to see this exercise emphasizes that."
====
YAVORIV, Ukraine: North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allied Land Command Commanding General Lt. Gen. Frederick "Ben" Hodges visited Exercise Rapid Trident 2013 here, July 15, to gain an understanding of the training conducted and the capabilities of the International Peacekeeping and Security Center.
Allied Land Command is located in Izmir, Turkey and provides expertise in support of Alliance land-forces readiness, competency and standardization, including their evaluation and certification, according to Hodges. The command was activated in November 2012, replacing two NATO land-force component headquarters that were located in Madrid, Spain, and Heidelberg, Germany.
"The purpose of my headquarters,
Rapid Trident 2013 is a U.S. Army Europe-led, multinational field training and command post exercise occurring at the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, or IPSC, in Yavoriv, July 8-19, that involves approximately 1,300 troops from 17 nations. The exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between forces...
"I came to Rapid Trident 2013 to see this facility and to watch the training that's going on, with Ukraine and U.S. Army Europe working together to create a good exercise," said Hodges. "I'
During his visit, Hodges toured facilities and received a briefing from Ukrainian officers leading the multinational headquarters as part of the field-training exercise. He expressed that interoperability is the key to the multinational training he observed. In adding how his headquarters plays a role in the process, he remarked that "NATO standard is a line that everyone can meet; everyone trains to the same standard."
He also observed two Ukrainian airborne operations, including pararescue forces conducting a search and rescue mission.
"I think it's very important that our nations retain the ability to do a forced entry," Hodges said. "You have to have airborne capabilities and I'm glad to see this exercise emphasizes that."
In the future, Hodges sees the opportunity for the Rapid Trident exercises to expand.
"It has the capacity to be part of a distributed command-post exercise, with headquarters [across Europe] as part of the same exercise," he said.
============
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@
============
Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:04 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"mart unknown"
http://boeing.
Forward from mart
Please Distribute
A news item that seems to have been somehow "*missed*
so-called "mainstream&qu
*From the land of the 'not so free' and the 'not so the brave' - U.S Army
Blocks Access to the UK's Guardian Newspaper Website*
From "*Roll Call*" - Boeing's online "news" and propaganda publication
aimed at U.S military personal.
------------
*Topic A - Defence
Presented by Boeing*
http://boeing.
*Army Blocks �The Guardian� Website*
*By Taegan Goddard | June 28, 2013 at 5:01 pm*
The U.S. Army admitted to the Monterey Herald that it is not only
restricting access to The Guardian news website at its military base in
Monterey, but Army-wide.The website has been blocked since The Guardian
broke stories on data collection by the National Security Agency.
============
Forward from mart
Please Distribute
A news item that seems to have been somehow "*missed*
so-called "mainstream&qu
*From the land of the 'not so free' and the 'not so the brave' - U.S Army
Blocks Access to the UK's Guardian Newspaper Website*
From "*Roll Call*" - Boeing's online "news" and propaganda publication
aimed at U.S military personal.
------------
*Topic A - Defence
Presented by Boeing*
http://boeing.
*Army Blocks �The Guardian� Website*
*By Taegan Goddard | June 28, 2013 at 5:01 pm*
The U.S. Army admitted to the Monterey Herald that it is not only
restricting access to The Guardian news website at its military base in
Monterey, but Army-wide.The website has been blocked since The Guardian
broke stories on data collection by the National Security Agency.
============
Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:25 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.nato.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
July 16, 2013
NATO supports Moldova in defence education
====
NATO and the Republic of Moldova actively cooperate...
====
A NATO-led team of experts visited Chisinau, Moldova, on 9 and 10 July to conduct a review of the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP).
During the past four years, NATO has assisted the Moldovan Military Academy to build its capacity as a primary defence education institution for its armed forces.
As a result, the Academy is now able to offer basic and senior courses and is authorised to issue Bachelors and Masters degrees which are fully recognised within the Bologna Process. This process is designed to ensure comparability in the quality and standards of higher education qualifications in many European countries. The first MA students graduated last year and have been promoted to new positions within the armed forces.
Building on the current success of DEEP, Moldovan Minister of Defence Vitalie Marinuta requested NATO’s assistance to enable the Military Academy to develop its own PhD studies in military science, as well as a high-level interagency course on security matters.
With the support network of Allies’ and partners’ defence education institutions, NATO will continue this ambitious DEEP project with Moldova.
DEEPs are tailored programmes through which the Alliance advises partners on how to build, develop and reform educational institutions in the security, defence and military domain. They focus in particular on faculty building and curriculum development, covering areas such as teaching methodology, leadership and operational planning.NATO has supported this programme with Moldova since 2009.
NATO and the Republic of Moldova actively cooperate on democratic, institutional and defence reforms, and have developed practical cooperation in many other areas. The country’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) lays out its programme of cooperation with NATO.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
July 16, 2013
NATO supports Moldova in defence education
====
NATO and the Republic of Moldova actively cooperate...
====
A NATO-led team of experts visited Chisinau, Moldova, on 9 and 10 July to conduct a review of the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP).
During the past four years, NATO has assisted the Moldovan Military Academy to build its capacity as a primary defence education institution for its armed forces.
As a result, the Academy is now able to offer basic and senior courses and is authorised to issue Bachelors and Masters degrees which are fully recognised within the Bologna Process. This process is designed to ensure comparability in the quality and standards of higher education qualifications in many European countries. The first MA students graduated last year and have been promoted to new positions within the armed forces.
Building on the current success of DEEP, Moldovan Minister of Defence Vitalie Marinuta requested NATO’s assistance to enable the Military Academy to develop its own PhD studies in military science, as well as a high-level interagency course on security matters.
With the support network of Allies’ and partners’ defence education institutions, NATO will continue this ambitious DEEP project with Moldova.
DEEPs are tailored programmes through which the Alliance advises partners on how to build, develop and reform educational institutions in the security, defence and military domain. They focus in particular on faculty building and curriculum development, covering areas such as teaching methodology, leadership and operational planning.NATO has supported this programme with Moldova since 2009.
NATO and the Republic of Moldova actively cooperate on democratic, institutional and defence reforms, and have developed practical cooperation in many other areas. The country’s Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) lays out its programme of cooperation with NATO.
