Roberto Abraham Scaruffi

Wednesday, 9 October 2013


7 New Messages

Digest #4827

Messages

Tue Oct 8, 2013 9:01 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

Anti-war essays, poems, short stories and literary excerpts:

http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/anti-war-essays-poems-short-stories-and-novel-excerpts/

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Tue Oct 8, 2013 9:01 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.eucom.mil/blog-post/25438/protectors-on-deck

United States European Command
October 2, 2013

Protectors on deck
"From the Cockpit"
Phil Breedlove
General, USAF
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
Commander, U.S. European Command

This week I had the distinct pleasure to stand alongside my fellow military and civilian NATO leaders on the deck of the ITS Cavour to observe its highly trained crew demonstrating their remarkable capabilities. The Italian aircraft carrier, equipped with modern technology typical of today's warships, manoeuvred deftly off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, along with 22 other ships as part of exercise Brilliant Mariner 13. This large scale exercise began on Sept. 23 and includes a total of 13 allies testing capabilities such as replenishment at sea, medical evacuation and vessel boarding as well as air defense and anti-surface naval artillery.

Brilliant Mariner 13 will conclude on Oct. 6 having played an important role in certifying the Italian Navy's capacity to lead the maritime component of the NATO Response Force. The NRF, with air, land and sea components from multiple nations must be certified and ready to respond rapidly when called. Exercise Steadfast Jazz in November will serve as the final part of the certification of this joint and combined force.

The history of this Alliance is a story of combined strength and this will not change as we move forward into the future. During the Libyan crisis one of NATO’s first responses was to project maritime power with more than 20 Allied warships sent to the region, within days of the launch of Operation Unified Protector. Not only did these ships enforce an arms embargo along an 800 kilometer coastline but they also prevented the Libyan navy from leaving their ports and used naval gun fire against the Libyan Regime troops on shore.

Although Operation Unified Protector was very successful, like any mission it yielded lessons learned and identified areas in which the Allied navies could enhance cooperation and improve capabilities. Exercises like Brilliant Mariner and the upcoming maritime component of Steadfast Jazz next month provide the perfect venues to train in these areas.

Although exercises are vital to readiness, NATO’s naval forces do much more than prepare for action. They conduct real world missions every day, most prominently in the Mediterranean with Operation Active Endeavour and off the east coast of Africa with Operation Ocean Shield . With four standing maritime fleets, NATO maintains the ability to project and sustain naval power just about anywhere it might be needed.

To watch over this vast and critical part of our military force, I count on our team at the Allied Maritime Command Headquarters, or MARCOM, in Northwood, United Kingdom, under the able command of Royal Navy Vice Admiral Peter Hudson, who serves as the prime maritime advisor to the Alliance. With just over 300 officers, petty officers and civilians, MARCOM provides command and control for the full spectrum of joint maritime operations and tasks. This is a tremendous responsibility especially in NATO’s current complex and demanding maritime environments.

Over the past decade, piracy on the high seas has cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars and presented a vexing threat to commerce and travel in many areas in the world. One of the toughest was off the coast of Somalia. But due in part to the efforts of NATO's Operation Ocean Shield in partnership with other nations as well as private industry, this threat has dropped precipitously. The need to remain engaged will continue for some time however, as many of the root causes that led to the problem of piracy still remain and could remerge if we let our guard down too quickly.

Building these partnerships between NATO as well as non-NATO maritime forces is a principle function of MARCOM. To this end, through Standing NATO Maritime Group ONE, under the command of Norwegian Commodore Henning Amundsen, MARCOM has worked closely with independent deployers from China, Russia and Japan as part of the shared international effort to maintain security in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.

Operation Active Endeavor is NATO's other major ongoing maritime mission. It is also the result of NATO's first-ever invocation of Article V of the Washington Treaty, the clause that governs the Alliance's collective defence, following the attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001.

Operation Active Endeavor is a maritime surveillance operation led by NATO's naval forces to detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity in the Mediterranean through monitoring, patrolling, escorting and compliant boarding. Many non-NATO partner countries have also contributed to OAE in support of NATO's operational activities against terrorism. Now, under the command of Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Diaz Del Rio, Standing NATO Maritime Group ONE is currently deployed in support of OAE.

I am extremely proud to lead these extraordinary warriors of the sea and to help guide the most connected multi-national naval force the world has ever known. But whether we are conducting real world operations or exercises, we in NATO are never complacent. We are constantly learning and will continuously strive to improve.

So we will continue to have exercises beyond Brilliant Mariner and Steadfast Jazz that will test our forces with a broader array of realistic and taxing scenarios that cover the full range of Alliance missions. Also, I will continue to encourage our Allies to make the necessary investments in their people and their equipment that will keep the Alliance ready and capable for any threat. Taking these prudent steps will enable us to continue to secure our future together.

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Tue Oct 8, 2013 3:35 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

NATO military chief lauds “most connected multi-national naval force the world has ever known”

United States European Command
October 2, 2013
Protectors on deck
“From the Cockpit”
Phil Breedlove
General, USAF
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
Commander, U.S. European Command
This week I had the distinct pleasure to stand alongside my fellow military and civilian NATO leaders on the deck of the ITS Cavour to observe its highly trained crew demonstrating their remarkable capabilities. The Italian aircraft carrier, equipped with modern technology typical of today’s warships, manoeuvred deftly off the coast of Sardinia, Italy, along with 22 other ships as part of exerciseBrilliant Mariner 13. This large scale exercise began on Sept. 23 and includes a total of 13 allies testing capabilities such as replenishment at sea, medical evacuation and vessel boarding as well as air defense and anti-surface naval artillery.
Brilliant Mariner 13 will conclude on Oct. 6 having played an important role in certifying the Italian Navy’s capacity to lead the maritime component of the NATO Response Force. The NRF, with air, land and sea components from multiple nations must be certified and ready to respond rapidly when called. Exercise Steadfast Jazz in November will serve as the final part of the certification of this joint and combined force.
The history of this Alliance is a story of combined strength and this will not change as we move forward into the future. During the Libyan crisis one of NATO’s first responses was to project maritime power with more than 20 Allied warships sent to the region, within days of the launch of Operation Unified Protector. Not only did these ships enforce an arms embargo along an 800 kilometer coastline but they also prevented the Libyan navy from leaving their ports and used naval gun fire against the Libyan Regime troops on shore.
Although Operation Unified Protector was very successful, like any mission it yielded lessons learned and identified areas in which the Allied navies could enhance cooperation and improve capabilities. Exercises like Brilliant Mariner and the upcoming maritime component of Steadfast Jazz next month provide the perfect venues to train in these areas.
Although exercises are vital to readiness, NATO’s naval forces do much more than prepare for action. They conduct real world missions every day, most prominently in the Mediterranean with Operation Active Endeavour and off the east coast of Africa with Operation Ocean Shield . With four standing maritime fleets, NATO maintains the ability to project and sustain naval power just about anywhere it might be needed.
To watch over this vast and critical part of our military force, I count on our team at the Allied Maritime Command Headquarters, or MARCOM, in Northwood, United Kingdom, under the able command of Royal Navy Vice Admiral Peter Hudson, who serves as the prime maritime advisor to the Alliance. With just over 300 officers, petty officers and civilians, MARCOM provides command and control for the full spectrum of joint maritime operations and tasks. This is a tremendous responsibility especially in NATO’s current complex and demanding maritime environments.
Over the past decade, piracy on the high seas has cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars and presented a vexing threat to commerce and travel in many areas in the world. One of the toughest was off the coast of Somalia. But due in part to the efforts of NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield in partnership with other nations as well as private industry, this threat has dropped precipitously. The need to remain engaged will continue for some time however, as many of the root causes that led to the problem of piracy still remain and could remerge if we let our guard down too quickly.
Building these partnerships between NATO as well as non-NATO maritime forces is a principle function of MARCOM. To this end, through Standing NATO Maritime Group ONE, under the command of Norwegian Commodore Henning Amundsen, MARCOM has worked closely with independent deployers from China, Russia and Japan as part of the shared international effort to maintain security in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin.
Operation Active Endeavor is NATO’s other major ongoing maritime mission. It is also the result of NATO’s first-ever invocation of Article V of the Washington Treaty, the clause that governs the Alliance’s collective defence, following the attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001.
Operation Active Endeavor is a maritime surveillance operation led by NATO’s naval forces to detect, deter and protect against terrorist activity in the Mediterranean through monitoring, patrolling, escorting and compliant boarding. Many non-NATO partner countries have also contributed to OAE in support of NATO’s operational activities…Now, under the command of Spanish Navy Rear Admiral Diaz Del Rio, Standing NATO Maritime Group ONE is currently deployed in support of OAE.
I am extremely proud to lead these extraordinary warriors of the sea and to help guide the most connected multi-national naval force the world has ever known. But whether we are conducting real world operations or exercises, we in NATO are never complacent. We are constantly learning and will continuously strive to improve.
So we will continue to have exercises beyond Brilliant Mariner and Steadfast Jazz that will test our forces with a broader array of realistic and taxing scenarios that cover the full range of Alliance missions. Also, I will continue to encourage our Allies to make the necessary investments in their people and their equipment that will keep the Alliance ready and capable for any threat. Taking these prudent steps will enable us to continue to secure our future together.

====================================================================
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Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com

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Tue Oct 8, 2013 3:35 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.mod.gov.ge/?newsid=2350


Ministry of Defence of Georgia

October 8, 2013


Meeting with Japanese Delegation


The Deputy Defence Minister of Georgia hosted the Japanese diplomats today.

Mikheil Darchiashvili introduced ongoing defence reforms to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Georgia Mr. Toshio Kaitani, Japanese Military Attaché  and Attaché COL Kojima Yasuhiro.

The sides discussed Georgian troops` involvement in the Afghan international mission and the new format of participation of GAF in the post-ISAF period. One of the main topics of discussion was future cooperation perspectives between Georgian and Japanese Defence Ministries.

The Japanese delegation met with Deputy Chief of Joint Staff of GAF Col. Vladimer Chachibaia as well. Col. Chachibaia discussed the future prospects of cooperation in military educational sphere with the Japanese diplomats. The Georgian side expressed interest to share the experience of the Japanese side in defence field.

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Tue Oct 8, 2013 3:36 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.aco.nato.int/natos-air-command-provides-five-years-of-training-in-the-baltic-region.aspx



North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operation
October 8, 2013


NATOs Air Command provides five years of training in the Baltic Region

The sixteenth Baltic Region Training Event (BRTE XVI) designed to hone the skills of NATO’s Air Forces and secure Alliance airspace is currently underway in Estonia. The event is being held on 8 and 9 October 2013.  Belgium, who is currently leading the Air Policing mission above the Baltic’s, is working together with Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, France and Finland to execute this live-fly training.  For the last 5 years, NATO’s Air Command at Ramstein has organised and conducted this training.

The Baltic members (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) do not have the means necessary to provide air policing of their territory.  Therefore, they are assisted by other NATO members to preserve the integrity of their sovereign airspace in peacetime, and to ensure their collective security.  This important peacetime task demonstrates the collective political will and resolve of NATO nations.

"Five years of BRTEs underlines NATO’s reliable commitment to safety and security in the Baltic Region,” says LtCol Thierry Coupeau, French Air Force, project officer for BRTE XVI at HQ AIRCOM in Ramstein, Germany. "NATO’s Baltic Air Policing allies have deployed their fighters to Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania, providing an air policing capability for the Baltic States since 2004. The Belgian Air Force was the first to make this capability available with their F-16 deployment from March to July 2004.”

This two day training event is focusing on exercising and perfecting intercept and handover procedures between the different nations. Simulated emergency situations like a crew ejection and a practice diversion to an alternate airfield will also be executed. 

The event includes fighters from Belgium, aircraft and helicopters from Estonia and Lithuania, an airborne warning and control aircraft from NATO and one from France.  They are being joined by F-18 fighters from, the Partnership for Peace member, Finland.

Belgium is currently the leader of Baltic Air Policing. Meantime, from January until April 2014 fighters from the United States of America will take over the Baltic Air Policing mission.
  

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Tue Oct 8, 2013 3:38 pm (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.usafe.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123365602

U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa
October 2, 2013


Defenders teach, learn from NATO allies
By Master Sgt. Lee A. Osberry Jr.
48th Fighter Wing, Public Affairs

Bodø, Norway Airmen from the 48th Security Forces Squadron, teamed with the Norwegian Force Protection Office and Finnish Military Police to conduct a close-quarters battle training exercise Sept. 26, 2013 to practice readiness and response.

The event presented a unique opportunity for U.S. Air Force personnel to partner with their Norwegian and Finnish Air Force counterparts, on the final day of the Arctic Challenge Exercise 2013.

"The Norwegians wanted to conduct joint training in CQB, and with the worst-case scenario, an active-shooter," said 1st Lt. Richard Glover, 48th Security Forces Squadron detachment commander. "A lot of their soldiers were interested in learning about CQB and how to do things we do all the time."

Participants learned and executed various procedures including forming as a cohesive unit, searching and clearing buildings, securing hostages and defeating hostile personnel.

"[The] training will definitely suit me well; we don't get a chance often to train in this," said Royal Norwegian Air Force Pvt. Alexander Mauring, Force Protection Office security member. "It's good to be prepared, and if we keep practicing this, we will be well prepared."

While the U.S. led the training effort, they also learned new tactics along the way.

"We've learned their tactics and they've learned ours," said Airman 1st Class Carlos Chavarria, 48th Security Forces Squadron response force leader. "We know how to do things with them, so communication is better and we operate better together."

The final scenario saw two joint response teams tasked to secure a two-story complex, filled with hostages and enemy forces. U.S., Norwegian and Finnish personnel all participated and made for a successful event with many lessons learned.

"The experience has been even better than what I imagined," said Glover. "The Norwegians took us under their wing and it's refreshing to take a step back and see if we can do [things] better to protect the aircraft and the base."

The training and friendships developed in Norway created everlasting bonds and was a sentiment shared throughout the two weeks of ACE-13.

...
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Wed Oct 9, 2013 6:21 am (PDT) . Posted by:

"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/10/08/328356/us-afghanistan-karzai-nato-military-forces/

Press TV
October 8, 2013

US 'playing cat and mouse' with Karzai

Audio at URL above

Rick Rozoff of Stop NATO International says the United States is “playing cat and mouse” with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

“With the renewed threat of Taliban resurgent and re-conquest of power, the US tells Mr. Karzai that, but for their presence there, that he himself could be overthrown and face possibly a fairly gruesome end,” Rozoff told Press TV on Tuesday.

The United States is pushing for the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) to be signed by the end of October 2013.

But Karzai ruled out any BSA which will allow US and foreign troops to remain in Afghanistan beyond 2014.

The Afghan president said there are some major disagreements with the foreign powers that need to be dealt with before the pact could be considered.

In an interview with BBC in Kabul, Karzai said he would consult the traditional Afghan grand assembly before signing the pact.

The Afghan president had officially suspended BSA negotiations in June to show his strong opposition to the opening of a Taliban office in Qatar. Karzai stated that the opening of the office contradicted earlier US security guarantees to his government.

Elsewhere in the interview, Rozoff quoted a major NATO general as saying that “withdrawal or drawdown … is really a ‘misnomer’ because there would be a continued presence of US and allied NATO military forces in Afghanistan.”